East Atlanta Community Association
Newsletter
April 12, 2010 
In This Issue
EACA's Monthly Meeting - NEW LOCATION
From the President's Desk...
Tire Round-Up 2010
The Civic League - Recycling Research
Community Tree Planting
Clean Diesel Informational Meeting
Atlanta Community Food Bank's Plant A Row
Earth Day Benefit for EAV Recycle
EAPN Playgroup
Burgess-Peterson Academy Pre-K and Kindergarten Round-up
Ormewood School Summer Camps
East Atlanta Beer Festival
Get in on the fun - the 2010 Brownwood Bike Rally & Run!
B*ATL Needs Your Advocacy
US Census
East Atlanta Security Patrol
EACA Public Safety Crime Reports
East Atlanta Photos Needed!
East Atlanta Library Events
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
 Greetings!
EACA Logo
Hello,

Coming off the heals of a successful, first-annual Run Before You Crawl 5K/Pub Crawl event - bringing out 300 runners and 200 crawlers - it's Earth Day, y'all.  East Atlanta is celebrating the 40th Earth Day by getting to work!  Read on for many different opportunities to make a difference in the neighborhood next Saturday, April 17.  You might even meet the Mayor!
 
Enjoy!!
EACA's Monthly Meeting - NEW LOCATION
The good news is that Branan Towers has received funding to do some needed renovations.  The bad news is that the meeting space reserved for EACA will be unavailable until August. Beginning this Tuesday, April 13, EACA's Monthly Meeting will be held at the Brownwood Park Recreation Center. Start time remains the same.  Tuesday's agenda is below.
 
7:00 P.M. Meeting Called to Order
Opening Comments: Austin Dickson, President
 
7:05 P.M. Presentations
DeKalb County DA's Office: Dana Lawrence,
Community Prosecutor
Neighbor in Need: Kyle Caldwell, Executive Director
EAV Farmer's Market: Judith Winfrey, Manager Burgess-Peterson Academy: Robin Robbins,  
Principal
Cell Tower Update: Andy Schneggenburger

7:55 P.M. Monthly Reports
APD Zone 6: Major John Dalton
Crime Trends: Jennifer Murray
NPU-W: Ed Gilgor, Chairperson

Approval of March Minutes, EACA Committee Reports: Austin Dickson

 
8:25 P.M. Community Announcements
 
8:30 P.M. Adjourn
From the President's Desk...
Checklist ImageNew Fire Station 13 - OPEN

At 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 6, firefighters of the new Station 13
(Metropolitan and Flat Shoals Avenues) began taking calls in-house. No longer are our women and men stationed in Grant Park. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned for the new LEED Silver building, and an additional neighborhood celebration is also being planned. More details to follow in coming newsletters...


Cel
l Tower - Latest Developments
Property owner Danny Glusman of Inman Park Properties and his business partner, Alan Sanders, have selected Clearwire as the tenant on a proposed cell tower application at 469 Metropolitan Place.  Permit applications have been sent to both the Federal Communications Commission and the City of Atlanta. Meanwhile, T-Mobile, the originally proposed tenant, has finalized an agreement to locate its antennas on Branan Towers instead -- much to the relief of homeowners and businesses adjacent to the property.
 
EACA, EABA and NPU-W have all voted to oppose the proposed tower at 469 Metropolitan Place because it would damage the historic quality of East Atlanta, the value of nearby homes, and future redevelopment of the Village.  Neighbors will again be starting a public awareness campaign, this time to encourage Clear to respect the market they are trying to reach by collocating on Branan Towers with other wireless carriers.  Anyone interested can send a message to [email protected] to find out how to assist.  A full update will be given at EACA's Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, April 13.

Tire Round-Up 2010
The Earth Day tire round-up will be Saturday, April 17. Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at the corner of Glenwood and Haas(Holy Taco and Armor corner) and work until 1.

For those of you who are new to the area this is an event sponsored by Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong, and it has become a contest among the neighborhoods in her district. You normally have to pay to dispose of trashed tires, but on this day Archibong sets up a crew to accept them free.

Volunteers race around the neighborhoods, and collect as many tires as possible during the allotted time. We need pickup trucks, drivers and volunteers who don't mind getting extremely dirty and a little bit wet to serve as the trucks' crews.

Folks also can arrange for us to pick up tires, or drop them off at Armor Tire.

For more info, to volunteer or to report tires please email [email protected].

The Civic League - Recycling Research
The Civic League for Regional Atlanta - a five-year-old organization merged from Research Atlanta, the Atlanta Metro Group, and the Regional Leadership Forum - conducts research for our area, among other things. Please check out the just-released Best Practices in Recycling: How to Cut Costs, Improve Participation, and Reduce Waste to Promote a Greener Atlanta Region by Tara Squitiro and John C. Thomas. This report examines innovative recycling programs that have been adopted by cities and counties across the U.S., profiling, in particular, five best practices in local recycling that appear to hold the greatest promise. A concluding section explores possible strategies for initiating these practices in the Atlanta region.
Community Tree Planting
As you consider plans for this coming weekend wondering how you can get involved for Earth Day, please think about volunteering the morning of Saturday, April 17th for a couple of hours to plant trees to beautify our neighborhood.
 
Our tree canopy is at risk ~ Click HERE for an article from WABE on how critical it is to renew our forest environment with shade trees now.
 
Contact Ted Hitch at [email protected] for our planting schedule this Saturday.  We don't need much of your time, but we really need your help.
 
Trees for Atlanta's Sustainability 2010 Grant Program
 
The Trees for Atlanta's Sustainability 2010 Grant Program is funded from tree recompense funds collected under provisions of the City of Atlanta Tree Ordinance. Through a competitive review process grants were awarded to local community and neighborhood groups, volunteer groups, NPUs, and non-profit organizations for planting trees in the City of Atlanta. East Atlanta received a grant for 17 trees valued at a total of $2,000.

The grant is managed by the Arborist Division within the City's Department of Planning and Community Development. The Grant Program supports local projects to plant trees on private property where the trees have space to grow to maturity and where the trees will provide benefits to both the private property owner and the public at large. Qualifying projects will identify areas where tree canopy needs to be enhanced and where shade trees can be planted and cared for by community members.
 
The City of Atlanta is looking to hold this program again in the Fall of 2010.  Please contact [email protected] for information about how to become involved in the EACA grant application process for a tree on your property.  The City's program information is here:

Clean Diesel Informational Meeting
Join us for a Clean Diesel Informational Meeting in East Atlanta!

While diesel engines are durable and fuel efficient, older engines emit toxic pollution that threatens human health and contributes to global warming.  EPA has regulated new diesel engines for emission standards.  However, there are still over 11 million old diesel engines that will continue to pollute for decades.  Solutions and funding are readily available NOW to clean up diesel engines and reduce this dangerous pollution source.  But, we need YOUR help!

When: Monday, April 12, 2010, 7:00 pm
WhereMartha Brown United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall
Who: Everyone!

For more information please click.



Atlanta Community Food Bank's Plant A Row
Checklist ImageThe Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign was launched nationally in 1995 by the Garden Writers Association of America. The Atlanta Community Food Bank executed the first local Plant a Row campaign in 1996, yielding nearly 160 pounds of fresh-from-the-garden foods to benefit local hunger-relief organizations.
 
In its 14th season, the Food Bank is again encouraging Atlanta gardeners to plant one extra row of veggies in their gardens.  The surplus produce can be dropped off throughout metro Atlanta, and it will go directly to families in need.  For questions about the program, contact Fred Conrad at [email protected] or 404-892-3333 x1216.
 
Drop-Off Locations Closest to East Atlanta:
 
Clifton Presbyterian Church, Clifton Night Hospitality
369 Connecticut Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
404-373-3253

United Methodist Childrens Home
500 Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30030
404-327-5856



Earth Day Benefit for EAV Recycle
On Saturday, May 1st at noon The Midway Pub in East Atlanta will be hosting an Earth Day Benefit for the Recycle EAV program in the East Atlanta Village. In this outdoor event there will be bands, carnival games, circus performances, monster wrestling, a raffle, and tons of fun!

Midway is hosting an arts and craft sale as well for the day.  If you are interested in participating, please email Kate Crosby at [email protected] or call 404.664.9136 to reserve your space.

For more information please click.



EAPN Playgroup
Checklist ImageTime for fans of the EAPN to get together for another playgroup April 17thfrom 11am - 1pm!

The weather should be nice enough that everyone will have cabin fever.  We'll have an indoor space at the Brownwood Park and Rec Center- in case of inclement weather - but anticipate spending most of your time on the playground and in the pavilion.

We'll have a music demo, and as usual plenty of activities for the little ones. But really, they'll probably most enjoy the pint-sized camaraderie...

Burgess-Peterson Academy Pre-K and Kindergarten Round-up
East Atlanta's neighborhood elementary school invites parents of 2010-2011 Pre-K or Kindergarten children to discover why Burgess-Peterson Academy will become the top choice for your child's education!  Your child is welcome and encouraged to attend with you - to meet their future teachers and visit their future classrooms on April 14th from 9am - 11am. 

Please RSVP to 404-802-3400 or email [email protected]

For more information please check out the linked flyer.

Ormewood School Summer Camps
Checklist ImageThe Ormewood School located in Ormewood Park is excited to offer 5 weeks of summer camp this year for children ages 1-5!  Weekly themes include "Fly Me to the Moon", "A Week Around the World", "All Creatures Great and Small", "Mad Scientist" and "Once Upon a Time".  Camp hours are from 9:30am-1:30pm.  A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due at registration.

For more information, visit the Ormewood School website, call (404) 627-2214 or email [email protected].

East Atlanta Beer Festival


Tickets for the 7th Annual East Atlanta Beer Festival are now on sale! 
 
What:  7th Annual East Atlanta Beer Festival
Where:  NEW LOCATION! Brownwood Park, 205 Emerson St. SE, East Atlanta
When: Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 1:00-6:00pm (VIP Early Admission-12:00pm)
  • Sample over 130 craft beers, listen to rocking local bands, eat tasty local foods - all in shaded Brownwood Park in the heart of East Atlanta Village.
  • Admission is $30 in advance.  (If there happen to be tickets left on event day, they'll be $35 at the gate).
  • 250 limited VIP tickets are available for $55. Benefits include: 1 hour early admission to the Festival, expedited entrance line, exclusive VIP area with 12+ exclusive beer tastings, VIP-only bathrooms, and a free EABF-logo bottle opener. 
  • Food from local East Atlanta restaurants and organizations available onsite. Cash only.
  • EABF Proceeds benefit community projects.
  • No one under 21, no children, no pets, no backpacks or coolers, no exceptions.
Tickets are available now. Visit the (new & improved) website for info & to purchase - www.eastatlantabeerfest.com
Get in on the fun - the 2010 Brownwood Bike Rally & Run!
The East Atlanta Kids Club's 7th- annual Brownwood Bike Rally & Run returns on May 15 to beautiful Brownwood Park, where kids and adults will participate in street  bike and Cyclocross-track races, a 5K Run/Walk, and other cycling- and fitness-related activities. The event also includes a jumping castle, a freestyle stunt bike show, a food court, crafts and other fun activities to entertain the whole family. All proceeds benefit the East Atlanta Kids Club, an after-school mentoring and enrichment program for promising youth.

When:  Saturday, May 15, 2010, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: Brownwood Park, 602 Brownwood Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 (and surrounding streets)
Time: The 5K Run/Walk begins at 8:00 am; bike races and cycling events begin at 9:30am and end at 2:00 pm.
Cost:  Event admission is free for all. Races are free for children, $10-$25 for adults .
Register: active.com or call

This event remains free for all youth participants each year with the help of more than 150 volunteers, the support of several local cycling and fitness clubs, and generous sponsors.

For more information including volunteer opportunities, sponsorships and becoming a food vendor please visit the East Atlanta Kids Club website or call 404-627-8050. 



B*ATL Needs Your Advocacy
With only a few days left in the 2010 General Assembly's legislative session, please help the B*ATL (Battle of Atlanta) effort. The Georgia Humanities Council has been a major funder of B*ATL.  They are in danger of being eliminated from the state budget which will endanger their federal funding, their office and all of the work that they do. 

It just will take a minute to make a couple of phone calls to your legislature member.  The messages that you leave could make a difference since they will be deciding what cuts to make when they return.  If the funds are cut from the budget then it will be harder to get them back in later.

Thanks.  -- Henry Bryant

US Census
Surely by now the US Census Bureau has gotten your attention on the radio, television, or through the mail. As of Monday, March 29, the return-rate for East Atlanta was 32%. In 2000, the final return-rate was 71%. We've got a ways to go! Filling out the census form and mailing it back is important for a variety of reasons, one being that it saves federal dollars spent trying to track you down. Those who haven't mailed in their census forms still have to be counted, and the government hires a legion of census workers to go door to door counting people. This year's estimated costs for that: $1.5 billion. Mailing back your census form is free. You can track our community's progress yourself on the Census Bureau's website. It's updated daily.

 
 East Atlanta Security Patrol
To learn more about the East Atlanta Security Patrol, view updated news and notes or to enroll, visit the EASP website. 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 [email protected], or call EACA Public Safety Chair Myron Polster at 404-954-1568.

 EACA Public Safety - Weekly Crime Report
The weekly crime reports for weeks 11-14 are below:
East Atlanta Photos Needed!
On June 1, 2010, EACA will launch it's redesigned website.  To make it that much better, the web team is soliciting our friends and neighbors for cool pictures of the neighborhood - its architecture, its visitors, its yards and streetscapes, its animals, and especially its people.

If you would like to have pictures of your view of East Atlanta on the website, please send them to [email protected] with the email title "Web Photos". Please submit in one of the following formats .jpg, .gif or .png, and less then 1mb file size.  (Panorama shots are encouraged!)

Thanks, in advance, for your help!

East Atlanta Library Upcoming Activities


All Atlanta-Fulton Public Library programs and events are free and open to the public. For a full list of all events at our 34 locations and any additional information, please visit www.afpls.org.
 
Teeny, Tiny Tales
Tuesdays, February-May. 10:30 a.m.
Children will enjoy stories, songs, puppetry and crafts.
Ages 18-36 months. Reservation is required for groups of 10 or more.
 
Pre-School Storytime

Wednesdays, February-May. 10:30 a.m.
Children will enjoy stories, songs, puppetry and crafts. Ages 3-5. Reservation is required for groups of 10 or more.
 
Kidz Crafts

Mondays, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10. 3:30 p.m.
Children will make easy crafts to take or display in the library. Ages 5-12. Reservations are required.
 
Let's Play! Game On at Your Library
Fridays, February 12, March 19, April 23, May 28. 3:30 p.m.
Children will play fun and exiting games on the Nintendo Wii. Ages 5-12. Reservations are required.
 
Monday Night at the Movies
Mondays, February 15, March 15, April 19, May 17. 5:00 p.m.
Popcorn will be popping and juice will be flowing. Children will enjoy watching exciting movies with family and friends on our "Big Screen." All ages are welcome. Reservations are required.

East Atlanta Branch
400 Flat Shoals Ave.
SE Atlanta, GA 30316
404.730.5438



 
Upcoming Area Meetings
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month (04.13.10), 9:00 am
Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur
 
East Atlanta Community Association, (EACA)
Meetings: 2nd Tuedsay of the month (04.13.10), 7pm
Brownwood Park Rec Center, 607 Brownwood Avenue SE
 
Atlanta City Council
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month (04.19.10), 1:00 pm
City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA
 
Grant Park Neighborhood Association
Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of the month (04.20.10), 7:30pm
M.L. King Middle School, 582 Connally Street SE, Atlanta, GA
 
Branan Towers Bingo
3rd Tuesday of the month (04.20.10), 6pm
Branan Towers, 1200 Glenwood Ave., SE

2010 EACA Membership

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.  Email questions to [email protected].
 
You can sign up for your 2010 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 become a fan of both the EACA Fan Page and the East Atlanta Village page, too! Click on links below to take you directly to each.
 

 
 
 
 


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