East Atlanta Community Association
Newsletter
August 09, 2010 
In This Issue
EACA Needs YOU!
I-20 East Transit Initiative
Beltline Sub-Area 4 Public Input
Burgess-Peterson Kicks Off the School Year
Strut Sponsorship Opportunities - DEADLINE!
Architecture For Humanity's Second "Birdhouse Social"
Weatherization Works
Advocacy Opportunity
What's Happening at Martha Brown
First Iconium Supplies East Atlanta
Fire Station 13 Fundraiser T-shirts
East Atlanta Security Patrol
EACA Public Safety Crime Reports
Upcoming Area Meetings
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
 Greetings!

EACA  Logo
Hello,

Please note that tomorrow, August 10, is EACA's Monthly Meeting - held at 7:00 pm at the Brownwood Park Recreation Center at 205 Emerson St., SE.

Enjoy this week's newsletter!
EACA Needs YOU!
As announced at the July Monthly Meeting, EACA is seeking a candidates for vice president. Jonathan Robinson - who did a stellar job, by the way - moved from the neighborhood.  The vice president fills in for the president, when needed, and manages the membership rolls and the procurement and delivery of EACA yard signs.  Other duties are requested on an as-needed basis, and the position takes less than 15 hours per month to accomplish.  If you are interested in the position, please contact Nominating Committee Chairperson, Henry Bryant, at [email protected].
I-20 East Transit Initiative
MARTA is analyzing and eventually recommending transportation options between downtown Atlanta and Rockdale County.  This project -- called the I-20 East Transit Initiative -- has already begun; however, consultants for this project are seeking representatives from affected communities to serve on a Stakeholders Advisory Committee.  The East Atlanta Community Association will have one representative to serve on this Committee.  If you are interested in transportation issues and in serving your neighborhood in this capacity, please contact Austin Dickson indicating your interest.   


Beltline Sub-Area 4 Public Input
East Atlanta residents are encouraged to attend.

Imagine mixed use complexes that start at 10 stories in height stretching westward on Memorial from Bill Kennedy Way.  Imagine a light rail system with two stations on Glenwood and Memorial that you might ride to Cabbagetown and/or the Edgewood retail center.  Imagine dedicated bike and pedestrian systems and a new pedestrian bridge spanning I-20.  Imagine new streets, new parks, thousands of new neighbors and dozens, if not hundreds of new businesses, offices and retail facilities.  Imagine a modern street scape and a newly configured Moreland - Memorial - I20 interchange.  Imagine all of this and more...Then imagine that when they start building it you stop and think, "Wait, that makes no sense whatsoever."
or "Gee I'm glad this is happening"

You had your chance to say what you think for last few months, and tonight at 6:30pm at the Trees Atlanta on Chester Ave you get your last chance to see what's emerging, hear the rational behind it and to make your own thoughts and feelings known...one last time.
Burgess-Peterson Kicks Off the School Year
On Saturday afternoon, August 7, BPA had a wonderful turnout for their Community Day/Open House to kick-off the upcoming school year starting today.  Children from across the neighborhood, both current and future students and their families, enjoyed face painting, organic garden tours, dance and martial arts demonstrations and much more highlighted by "State of the School" remarks from Principal Robbins.
Strut Sponsorship Opportunities - DEADLINE!
It's that time again and we need your more than ever this year.  The East Atlanta Strut will be on Saturday, September 18th. For those of you who might not be familiar....it is East Atlanta's largest FREE festival that takes place in the Village. Flat Shoals and Glenwood are blocked off for the day and artists market and community booths line the streets. We have food vending areas, a kids area, music stages, beer trucks, etc. The festival usually attracts about 10,000 people.  All proceeds go to local non-profit organizations and charities.
 
Last year, as many of you will remember, we got POURED on so our attendance numbers were very low.  We're still struggling to recover but thanks to a couple of early sponsors, we will have some starting capital....but we still need sponsorship desperately.  So not only is this incredible exposure for you and your business....your support will literally help keep the Strut alive!
 
A wide range of sponsorship levels are available.  Please contact Callie Nix by August 10th if you are interested in sponsoring or have any questions.
Architecture For Humanity's Second "Birdhouse Social"
Studioplex, the live/work community in Atlanta's historic Old Fourth Ward (www.Studioplexlofts.com) will be the location for the second 'Birdhouse Social' hosted by the Atlanta chapter of Architecture for Humanity (www.afhatlanta.org). The event will take place on Saturday, August 14 from 4 - 8 PM.
 
First held in 2009, the 'Birdhouse Social' will feature a silent auction of custom birdhouses and chicken coops, designed by some of Atlanta's most creative residents.  All proceeds will benefit the Greater Vine City Opportunities Program and English Avenue Campus renovation.  The fun fundraiser is free and open to the public.
 
There will be live music, impromptu dance performances and light fare at the event taking place in Studioplex's central courtyard (659 Auburn Avenue).  Grafite Design, the Atlanta-based visual merchandising studio, will again design the birdhouse displays.  Parking is free.

For more information...
Weatherization Works
Joins hands with Neighbor in Need and Partnership for Community Action Inc. to help low income homeowners apply for $-THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS-$
in weatherization assistance on items such as: attic and wall insulation, weatherstripping, carbon monoxide testing and the replacement of inefficient furnaces, water heaters, and stoves.

This special registration event is on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at the
Entrepreneurium, located at 1599-A Memorial Dr. S.E., from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
                                      

For those neighbors that qualify but might not be online please spread the word.  Check out this flyer for more information.
Advocacy Opportunity
The City of Atlanta's Planning Department will be making its decision on whether or not to approve the application for a proposed cell tower at 469 Metropolitan Place this week. EACA has provided extensive legal and technical analysis to the City justifying a valid denial of the application based on its adverse community impact and that it is unnecessary; these actions are follow-up on the two community votes opposing the construction of any tower at 469 Metropolitan Place.

The City of Atlanta may still choose to approve the tower application. If you are concerned about this matter, early this week is the most crucial time in this process to contact the City. Your voice is important; you may contact Mayor Reed at 404-330-6100 or [email protected].

What's Happening at Martha Brown
Book Club
Are you interested in participating in a book club?  The club's first book will be Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.  The club will meet 1-2 times a month in EAV.  Email Pastor Heather at [email protected] if you are interested, and she will find the best time to suit all that wish to be involved.  The first meeting will be in September.  The book club is open to anyone at Martha Brown or in the East Atlanta Community that is interested. 
First Iconium Supplies East Atlanta
Checklist ImageOn Saturday afternoon, August 7, at least 200 people turned out for hot  dogs, sno-cones and games at a community-wide Back-to-School Bash at First Iconium Baptist Church.  After words of welcome by Rev. Timothy McDonald, Senior Pastor, and Austin Dickson, EACA President, over 100 children received free backpacks filled with school supplies.  Donations were made by the congregation at First Iconium, Wachovia Bank and other angel contributors.

Fire Station 13 Fundraiser T-shirts
Checklist ImageIf you missed out on the Fire Station 13 Fundraiser, you can still be a part of the day, AND can help support your local station!
 
Fire Station13 Supporter T-shirts are on sale now for $15.00.  Choose Men's or Women's style and choose from M, L or XL sizes.  Shirts have the Fire Station 13 logo on the front and proudly display "Supporter" on the back.  Simply send Jim an email with your style (men's or women's) and size (M, L, XL) and we'll send you a link to pay via PayPal.  You may also mail a check to:
 
Jim Carruthers
487 East Side Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
Make check payable to: Jim Carruthers
 
All shirts will be mailed out same day payment is received.  No cost for shipping! Get your orders in today.  All proceeds benefit Fire Station 13 and it's firefighters.

 East Atlanta Security Patrol
Crime is down significantly in 2010 in East Atlanta on two fronts.  Through July, car break-ins are down 33% and burglaries are down 52%.  Since burglary reduction is the biggest goal of the EASP, we are pleased to see not just a percentage reduction, but the volume of burglaries at levels not seen in at least five years.  July is a perfect example of this trend.  Burglaries had increased every July for four years, peaking at seventeen in 2009.  In July 2010, we had just two.
 
While burglaries have been infrequent in recent months, car break-ins and car theft have shown some disturbing upward trends.  Part of this may be due to the release from jail of Bobby Harris.  Mr. Harris, a prolific local criminal, was released from jail on May 20th.  Mr. Harris was apprehended by APD breaking into a car near the East Atlanta Supermarket on Sunday.  We're working closely with Major Dalton and the DA's office to see if we can get Bobby Harris banished from our neighborhood.

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 28-31 are below:
Upcoming Area Meetings
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month (08.10), 9:00 am
Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur
 
East Atlanta Community Association, (EACA)
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of the month (08.10), 7pm
Brownwood Park Rec Center, 205 Emerson St. SE
 
South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development, Inc. (SAND)
Meetings: 2nd Thursday of the month (08.12); 7:30pm
Beulah Heights University Student Center, 892 Berne Street


Atlanta City Council
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month (08.16), 1:00 pm
City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA
 
Grant Park Neighborhood Association
Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of the month (08.17), 7:30pm
Zoo Atlanta - ARC Building - Ford Conservation Room
800 Cherokee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30315
 
Branan Towers Bingo
3rd Tuesday of the month (08.17), 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