East Atlanta Community Association
Newsletter
September 19, 2011
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| Greetings! |
I hope this Monday morning finds you rested up from the wonderful Strut this weekend. Here is some reading to enjoy with your coffee.
Good reading!
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USPS Issues: Failure to Receive Delivery
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 If you did not receive mail on Saturday, September 17, 2011, then please enter the requested information here so that appropriate action can be taken with the USPS.
Thanks!
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"Keep the Cyclorama at Home in Grant Park" Campaign
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 The Atlanta Preservation Center (APC) in coordination with the Grant Park Neighborhood Association (GPNA) are working to keep the Cyclorama in Grant Park. The APC and the GPNA Historic Committee want to send a message to the Mayor's task force meeting at the end of this month to study the potential removal of the historic venue with over a 100 year history in Grant Park to other parts of the city. Miles away and out of context from where it was painted and displayed this removal would also require completely new construction. Keeping the Atlanta Cyclorama is an important cause for the history it represents for the community as well as the visitors and tourism dollars it brings to all SE Atlanta businesses. Please find the APC on-line "Keep the Cyclorama at Home in Grant Park" Petition here if you would like to join the cause. |
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Neighbor in Need State of the Initiative
|  EACA's Neighbor in Need Initiative Chairperson, Jeff Whitehouse was present at September's EACA Meeting to give a state of the initiative after the first year+. To date Neighbor in Need has assisted 14 EAV residents in eight homes.
Most moving in this presentation was testimony from long time resident of East Atlanta, Ms. Gwendolyn Jones. After losing her husband in 2007 followed by the death of her daughter in 2009 and then a stroke in 2010, Ms. Jones was in dire need of emergency repairs. A senior citizen homeowner in East Atlanta for 37 years, Ms. Jones was nominated for the program by one of her neighbors.
Ms. Jones commented, "Jeff Whitehouse assisted me through the trials of this and inspected my home and saw the need. He brought licensed contractors out to make the repairs." Feeling it important to reassure other senior citizens leery of potential scams Ms. Jones conveyed, "You don't have to be intimidated because this is an organization that will help." Other highlights of Jeff's presentation included a snapshot of all income and expenses since the creation of the Initiative including major donors such as The Village Church of East Atlanta, Martha Brown UMC, The Porch Press and Keller Williams Realty's Marc Takacs, grants from the East Atlanta Beer Festival and the Office of Councilperson Natalyn Archibong as well as other fund raising activities taken on by Neighbor in Need. In addition appreciation was extended to local businesses for their support such as The Midway, Holy Taco, Ormewood Animal Hospital and Urban Canibals with recognition for two special local contractors, Renner Companies and Fire and Ice Heating and Air, for their hard work and dedication for helping those East Atlanta citizens in need. If you believe in this work being done in our community you can help Neighbor in Need either as an individual or as a contractor by emailing Jeff and/or donate to this cause here. EACA September Monthly Meeting Minutes |
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No Transportation Investment Act Funds for Southeast Atlanta?
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 From our friends over at The Porch Press
By Robert Whittington Titus
In the fall of 2012, voters may choose to make more than $7 billion available for investments in the Atlanta region's transportation infrastructure. It is entirely possible that not one dime of that revenue will be expended in southeast Atlanta.
At the time this was written, three Transportation Investment Act (TIA) projects that might impact southeast Atlanta remained on the list of potential projects that might be funded through TIA process. These are the southeast Atlanta Beltline segment, the MARTA East I-20 Transit Initiative, and the Moreland Avenue. Bus Rapid Transit line. The process remains very fluid with major elements like routing, station locations, and transit types (heavy rail, light rail/street car, dedicated BRT, and BRT light) still up in the air.
For more of this article...
If you care about transit -- or even just getting your money's worth from the proposed transportation sales tax -- please plan to attend the upcoming public meetings listed below.
Dekalb County
Wednesday, September 28, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Manuel Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive Decatur, GA 30030
770-492-5206
If you have any questions, please contact EACA Transportation Committee chair Jack Gruendler at transportation@eaca.net or 404-939-1701.
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Martha Brown's Two New Programs for Kids
|  Happening in conjunction with Martha Brown's ongoing community potlucks, the church will be offering two new programs for children beginning on September 21st and continuing the first and third Wednesdays each month this fall.
The Superheros Land at Martha Brown. Geared for kids 3-3rd grade, this program will allow children a fun and safe environment to learn all about what Martha Brown has to offer in a exciting Superhero format.
Got Questions? Specifically for 4th graders on up Got Questions? will be a place to ask questions and discover answers together.
Potluck: 6:15 (Bring a dish and meet some neighbors.)
Children's Programs: 6:45-7:30 (free) |
East Atlanta Farmers Market Upcoming Events
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Come out on September 22 for a fun-filled day at your East Atlanta's Farmers Market. Schedule for that day includes the following:
- Farm to Ear Tour Kick-Off: Doria Robert's (of Urban Cannibals) CD Release Party for "Blackeyed Susan"
- Urban Cannibals Chef Demo
Thursday, September 22 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Chef demo by Chef Calavino Donati of Urban Cannibals, giveaways and MUSIC! PLUS, shop for fresh veggies and locally made products while you're there.
EAV Farmers Market on Facebook.
Farm to Ear Tour on Facebook. Farm to Ear Tour Kick-Off was brought to you, in part, by the EACA Arts & Culture Committee.
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EAVFM: Farm to Ear Tour Kick Off Spotlight
|  After taking a three year hiatus from full time touring and recording to open Urban Cannibals Bodega + Bites, an East Atlanta Village deli, grocery and bakery she runs with her wife Chef Calavino Donati, Roberts returns with a roots and blues inspired tribute to one of her mentors and friends, Civil Rights era folk musician Odetta.
She says, "She passed away before I had a chance to work with her and it was devastating to lose her so suddenly. This project was a huge part of my grieving process. And while it's about honoring the past, it's also about moving on, continuing on and making sure I'm doing the work I was meant to do. "
After being invited to participate in an artist residency and tour in France to tribute black female singer/songwriters last fall, Roberts felt the time was right to put something out. So, she galvanized her dedicated fan base to raise the funds for the project on the popular crowd sourcing site Kickstarter and launched a successful 45 day pledge campaign that raised over $20,000 to put towards the production.
"My fans are so patient and have always given me the support and room to do what I do. They'll gladly wait three or more years between projects if that's what I need. They loved my posts about making biscuits and cookies at the store but they were as excited as I was to get started on making music again."
Wanting to do something special for the CD case, Roberts employed the talents of Atlanta based designer Susan Archie, who has won two Grammy Awards for her design work. The result of their collaboration is a recycled and re-usable wood burned spruce box, which comes from scrap wood not used by guitar makers for their instruments. I've been trying to figure out a way to not only to make some sustainable, but also something beautiful and "keepsake-like" for my fans."
The package is fashioned as a memento box filled with Roberts' personal touches (like a copy of the only picture she has of her and Odetta) but it can also be used as a planting box for the black eyed Susan memorial seed pack to plant in Odetta's memory (which is also included the box). It also has local products from food artisans Roberts has met through her store and a piece of jewelry from local artist
Kathleen Plate of Smart Glass, who fashions her creations out of recycled bottles and was recently awarded a commission to do the Guggenheim's chandelier.
"I wanted to continue the idea of sustainability throughout the entire box by showcasing innovative artists like Kathleen and highlighting the local food movement, which I am now a part of because of Urban Cannibals. I really wanted to inspire people to use the box however they want, whether that's a jewelry box or catch all for your house keys--just as long as the use it for something."
The project has an altruistic component as well. Roberts will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the first 1,000 sales to Music Maker Relief Foundation, which assists elderly blues and Americana artists in times of crisis and need. Roberts will also be touring in support of food banks across the country.
"Calavino and I have been in the thick of the battles fought by small, independent food producers and have seen how the combination of misguided legislation and Mother Nature can wreak havoc on these already incredibly fragile economies. Ultimately, it just keeps food from people who need it most. So, we're hitting the road to bring the issue to light. We're calling it the "Farm to Ear Tour" since we're trying to spread the message to support your local community any way you can."
The duo will shop at urban gardens and farmers markets and then prepare dinner for the attendees of Roberts' house concerts. The journey, which will happen entirely by train and begins October 2011, will be documented and released as a short film in the Spring of 2012.
Farm to Ear Tour Kick-Off was brought to you, in part, by the EACA Arts & Culture Committee. |
Call for nominations: PEDS Golden Shoe Awards
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 To encourage a better balance between people and cars, PEDS honors outstanding projects, places and people who have contributed significantly toward making metro Atlanta safer, more accessible and enjoyable for pedestrians.
We need your help identifying potential award winners. Projects for consideration must be completed or almost completed during the past 12 months or be part of an ongoing program. The nomination form is available online. Nominations must be received in PEDS' office by Friday, September 23.
Awardees will be recognized at our 12th annual Golden Shoe Awards Celebration. The event date and location will be announced soon.
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The Civic League for Regional Atlanta
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 "Regional transit." You love it. You hate it.
But do you know exactly what it means for your neighborhood and your region?
Find out at this year's Neighborhood Summit. The Summit runs all day, featuring workshops on topics ranging from community gardens to managing the neighborhood impacts of the foreclosure crisis, but during lunch we'll be asking a panel of experts to dive deep into what transit is and why communities from all 10 metro counties should care. The key questions:
- What exactly does "transit" include?
- Is it coming to my neighborhood?
- What's the cost of "transit?
- What are some of the programs tied to transit?
- What impact does transit have on the economy, the region's quality of life and the environment?
Panelists will be Ray Christman, Livable Communities Coalition; Nathaniel Smith, Partnership For Southern Equity; Ashley Robbins, Citizens for Progressive Transit; and John Keys, Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Registration for the Neighborhood Summit is $25 (seniors and students, $15), and includes workshops, lunch, exhibits and more! To register, click: here!
Saturday, September 24
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Loudermilk Center
40 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30303
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Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School Yard Sale
|  Huge 300+ Family Yard Sale!! Saturday, September 24, 8:00am to 2:00pm Sunday, September 25, 12:00 to 4:00pm (Half Price Day)
Grant Park at the elementary school campus 688 Grant Street, 30315 We will have clean, gently used clothing for every member of the family, along with books, games, toys, media, electronics, baby items, housewares and furniture for sale. The fifth grade will be hosting a bake sale as well to raise funds for their annual trip to Blue Ridge. For more information, please visit our website or check out our ANCS Yard Sale Facebook page! If you have any questions about the above information, please email Terry Roth at or call at 404.434.1514 |
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
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 Date: Saturday, October 1st
Time: 8 a.m. - Noon
Location: Sanitation Division
3720 Leroy Scott Dr.
Decatur, GA 30032
What are household hazardous wastes?
Household hazardous wastes are products that contain potentially dangerous chemicals and are no longer in use. These items should not be disposed of in your regular trash because of its potentially harmful effects on our environment. This event will offer our County residents the opportunity to dispose of household hazardous wastes in a proper manner free of charge.
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Love Your Block Mini-Grants
|  In partnership with Hands On Atlanta and the Neighborhood Fund, we are inviting all groups to apply to potentially receive up to $500 or $1,000 mini-grants (in form of Home Depot gift cards). You can learn more about the program at our newly launched, city-led volunteer web site. The application for the Love Your Block mini-grants is attached and a description of the initiative can be found here.
We expect applications to be highly competitive and not all applications will be awarded. We encourage all groups to come up with exciting, community and volunteer-led projects to beautify a block, street, or section of their neighborhood. Applications are reviewed within the two deadlines listed below:
· October 15, 2011
· February 15, 2012
All other eligibility and requirements are listed on the application form. With questions please email Amy Phuong, Chief Service Officer.
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East Atlanta Security Patrol Update
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News Updated September 14.
The East Atlanta Security Patrol has received a generous offer from two residents in the community. They have offered to match dollar for dollar up to $5,000 for any new EASP memberships between now and September 30th. And the EASP will throw in the month of September free for new members. This is a great opportunity to join the EASP and to reduce crime in East Atlanta. The matching funds will be dedicated to evening and weekend patrols in high risk areas. While crime is vastly reduced in recent years during daytime hours, we're seeing certain areas hit often after dark. This extra money will help the EASP target patrols toward those times and areas that may be seeing high incidences of nighttime crime.
For the week of September 11-17, three crimes have been reported. A woman was robbed on Sunday afternoon in the BofA parking lot, and an air conditioner was stolen from a home in the 900 block of Bouldercrest between September 7th and the 11th. There is one burglary of a lawnmower being reported, a garage break-in during the early morning hours (12-7) in the 700 block of Blake on September 13th.
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 easp610@gmail.com, or call EASP Organizer Myron Polster at 404-954-1568.
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| EACA Public Safety - Weekly Crime Report | |
The Crime Report for weeks 34-36 are below:
The Significant Arrests Report for week 35 is below:
August 2011 Crime Report August 2011 Crime Trends Year-to-Date trends for beats 610 (East Atlanta), 609 (SAND) and 304 (Grant Park) |
| Upcoming Area Meetings |
Atlanta City Council
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month (09.19), 1:00 pm
City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA
Branan Towers Bingo
3rd Tuesday of the month (09.20), 6pm
Branan Towers, 1200 Glenwood Ave., SE
Grant Park Neighborhood Association
Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of the month (09.20), 7:30pm
Zoo Atlanta - ARC Building - Ford Conservation Room
800 Cherokee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30315
Transportation Committee Meeting
Location: TBD, (09.26), 7:00pm
If interested in attending please email transportation@eaca.net
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month (09.27), 9:00 am
Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur
Neighborhood Planning Unit, NPU-W
Meeting: 4th Wednesday of the month (09.28), 7:30pm
Martha Brown United Methodist Church, 468 Moreland Ave SE
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EACA Membership
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EACA Needs Your Support!
Without your support EACA would not exist. Please show your commitment to EACA by joining today. Annual dues are $10 per household or business per calendar year. As an EACA member you can vote at EACA meetings on topics of interest within our community as well as show your support to East Atlanta.
You can sign up for your 2011 EACA membership, and order EACA Yard Signs on-line! Pay electronically via Paypal HERE
Email questions to membership@eaca.net.
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| 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.
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