EACA Newsletter for April 19, 2010

Hello,

There was lots happening in Atlanta this past weekend and especially in East Atlanta. Read on for a recap as well as for some important announcements.

Have a neighbor or friend that isn't receiving the newsletter, but think they should? Please forward this along to them, and encourage them to join our email newsletter list.

Enjoy!!

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 newsletter@eaca.net 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!

Notes from EACA's April Monthly Meeting

First, you can always find the Monthly Meeting minutes on our website. Second, EACA had a great April meeting with exciting information to share with our community, information that was both useful and inspiring.

Dana Lawrence and Ebony Phillips, the only two Community Prosecutors for DeKalb County, spoke about their efforts to track defendants who have been charged with crimes in the Atlanta Police Department's Beat 610 -- East Atlanta. Their role is to be a direct link between the county's District Attorney's Office and the community. EACA's Public Safety committee as well as the East Atlanta Security Patrol work consistently and diligently with Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Phillips. If you would like to speak with them about a particular matter of concern, you may call Ms. Lawrence at 404-371-6342 or email delawrence@co.dekalb.ga.us.

Also, Kyle Caldwell, active East Lake neighbor and executive director of Neighbor in Need, spoke to EACA about the program he runs in three neighborhoods to the north of East Atlanta -- Edgewood, Kirkwood and East Lake. Neighbor in Need raises funds and then spends those fund on home repair for neighbors in need of immediate assistance - like new plumbing, new roofs or electrical work. Through partnerships with contractors, Neighbor in Need delivers quality contractors to residents who would otherwise go without. The typical homeowner profile of those assisted by this program is fixed-income seniors. Mr. Caldwell issued a challenge to EACA; he would offer technical assistance and guidance on the model he's created -- a model supported by several local foundations and corporations -- as long as EACA secures funding and identifies neighbors in need. If you would like to be involved on the ground-floor of this new initiative, please email president@eaca.net.

Judith Winfrey, manager of the East Atlanta Village Farmer's Market, came to recruit us. East Atlanta is home to one of Georgia's most innovative farmer's markets. This year will host lots of vendors and visits by celebrity chefs, like Kevin Gillespie from the Woodfire Grill. Furthermore, the EAV Farmer's Market is the first in Georgia to accept EBT and WIC vouchers. It is also a participant in a program, sponsored by Wholesome Wave, which doubles the value of EBT and WIC, so, for instance, a $25 purchase will actually be $50. The Washington Post wrote an article about Wholesome Wave's work in linking food assistance and good nutrition. This program is just one innovative way to bring healthy, farm-fresh produce to more people. The Market opens at 4:00 pm on Thursday, May 6, and runs through October. More updates will follow in this newsletter.

Our last guest was East Atlanta resident Andy Schneggenburger who spoke about the proposed cell tower at 469 Metropolitan Place and the group of affected neighbors organizing to stop it. After Mr. Schneggenburger's presentation, EACA voted unanimously to support T-Mobile's decision to collocate its antennas on Branan Towers. EACA also voted unanimously to oppose the decision of Clearwire Corporation (aka Clear), or any other wireless carrier, to locate on a tower erected at 469 Metropolitan Place. This matter was recently reported on by Creative Loafing.

Community Tree Planting

Thank you to the hard working East Atlanta volunteers who spent the day Saturday planting trees from the Arborist sponsored grant "Trees for a Sustainable Atlanta."

Seventeen trees were planted on five different streets. If you have room for a tree on your property, and the tree would be less than 25 feet from the street, contact beautification@eaca.net. EACA will be applying again for the Fall grant cycle. A special thank you to Alex Levy and Ted Hitch for coordinating the efforts!

Tire Round-Up

There are 850 fewer tires in the yards and ditches of East Atlanta thanks to the April 17 Earth Day tire roundup. About 20 volunteers with five pickup trucks combed the neighborhood, picking up tires that had been left on curbs and hauling out tires that had been thrown down ravines or over fences. East Atlanta's total was enough to win the tire title for the third straight year among the neighborhoods in Council Member Natalyn Archibong's district. East Atlanta had slightly more tires than last year, but didn't surpass the 1,000 collected in 2008. Many thanks to the volunteers, including three young men from East Atlanta Kids Club. Thanks also to Gene Wehmeyer and the folks at Armor Tire for being the volunteer headquarters, and of course many thanks to Natalyn's office for covering the cost of recycling the tires.

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 kcrosby@live.com or call 404.664.9136 to reserve your space.

For more information please click.

Ormewood School Summer Camps

The 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 ormewoodschool@yahoo.com.

Preservation 101: A Georgia Orientation

What will be presented? Introductory information about historic preservation and archaeology programs and services provided by the state historic preservation office, including: archaeology protection and education; historic resource surveys; National Register of Historic Places; preservation planning; Certified Local Governments; African American resources; environmental review and compliance; rehabilitation guidance; federal and state tax incentives; and grants. An overview of The Georgia Trust's and DeKalb History Center's programs will also be covered.

When? Tuesday, May 4, 2010 from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Where? Old Courthouse on the Square, 101 East Court Square at Clairemont Avenue in Decatur.

To register or for more information click here.

Journey Performing Arts Center's Weekend in Giving

Ensure continued access to the arts by supporting Journey Performing Arts Center's Weekend in Giving 2010. This weekend of parties, concerts and fun will support Journey's outreach programming in Atlanta schools and in-town neighborhoods.

Friday May 14th. "Celebrate for a Cause" Journey Performing Arts Center presents a Silent Auction and Cocktail Reception to support the Journey Stepping Stone Scholarship Program. Items include hotel and vacation packages, original art produced by local artists and fine dining packages. 8pm-12am at Justin's Restaurant at 2200 Peachtree, Atlanta 30309.

Saturday May 15th: "Committed: Renewed" 5th Annual Spring Concert, showcases the hard work of dance, drama, music and martial arts participants from multiple schools throughout Atlanta. 5pm at Kennedy Middle School Auditorium, 225 James P. Brawley, Atlanta 30314

Sunday May 16th: "Family and Friends Fun Day in the Park" Face painting, potato sack races, hula hoop contests and more will entertain the kids while carnival fare like hot dogs and popcorn will keep everyone full. Live entertainment. Noon to 5pm at Coan Park, 1520 Woodbine, Atlanta 30317.

For more info call 404-622-2585 or visit www.JourneyArtsCenter.org.

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 on-site. 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

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