Christmas message

In celebration of the holiday, The JP Hub asked two pastors at neigbhorhood churches to reflect on Christmas 2009. One responded.

Here is the question:

“People are concerned about the economy, about the safety of their own jobs. Here in Jefferson Park, home values have dropped. The country is in the midst of two wars.  Under this situation, what is the meaning of Christmas? What does the child in the manger say to us in 2010?



Pastor Darwin A. Caldwell of the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church replied:

In any situation the meaning of Christmas is the same which is “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that all who believe in Him will receive eternal life.” (John 3:16 Caldwell paraphrase). The meaning becomes most clear to us when we accept, by faith, the Child’s birth, life, death, and resurrection as fact and surrender to His will for our lives.

The message from the Child in the manger is different for each of us. To some it is, “I love you,” to some it is, “I will provide for you,” to some it is, “I am still in control”, but to all of us the Child when grown said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NLT) and it comes with God’s love and brings hope to all who believe.

In the spirit of the season, The JP Hub invites Jefferson Park-ers to send pictures of Christmas joy, young and not so young with new toys or clothes, whatever. Pictures of your beloved are welcome and encouraged. 

Decking the halls with holiday lights

Some 14 homes participated in this year's JPNA Holiday Decorating Contest, a record high.

And the judges have spoken.

But first, if you are looking for something to do, button up your coat, pull on your hat, and walk the neighborhood to see homes ablaze in Christmas glow.

From the desk of Brian Frey, one of the judges, here are the addresses of those good folks who participated in the contest. Enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Here is a list of the homes that entered the contest:

1324 Winburn Dr.
2531 Batavia St.
2568 Harris St.
2458 W. Woodland Circle
2527 Jefferson Terrace
1269 Jefferson Ave.
2655 Winburn Terrace
1381 Carnegie Ave.
2492 W. Woodland Terrace
2718 Atlanta St.
2649 Humphries St.
2605 Elsinore St.
2537 Batavia St.
1237 Spencer St.

Here is what Brian wrote:

Seasons Greeting, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays...and all of the rest, to each and every one of you.


Thanks to all who entered their homes into the JPNA Holiday Decorating Contest. We had 14 entries and I am told that this is perhaps the most homes that have entered the contest in recent years. There were certainly many great entries, and I am so proud of each of the homes and the hard work that went into "decking your halls". They all looked fantastic!!

Drum roll please....CONGRATS to the winners:

           FIRST PLACE: 2649 Humphries St. PRIZES: (2) Tickets to a performance of the Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker at the Fox Theatre $50 TARGET Gift Card and a box of LED Christmas lights

           SECOND PLACE: 2458 W. Woodland Circle PRIZES: $30 TARGET Gift Card and a box of LED Christmas lights

           THIRD PLACE: 2537 Batavia St. PRIZES $20 TARGET Gift Card and a box of LED Christmas lights

            THANK YOU...each of you that entered!! Participation is truly what makes our neighborhood great! I am looking forward to the New Year and serving as your Vice President for the JPNA, and to next years contest.

Merry Christmas.

PS: If anyone has pictures of these great homes, please send me an email with a photo in a jpeg format.

Lottie Maynard gifts packed and ready to be delivered

These gifts, in all their holiday pizazz of colorful paper and ribbons, will make Christmas very special for a neighborhood family.

Jennifer Cobb, the organizer of this year's Lottie Maynard fund, sent the photo before the many gifts are delivered to the family, a mom and four children, 10 years and younger.

The fund is a project of the Jefferson Park Neighbor Association and helps a family to have gifts for Christmas morning.  All the activities organized by the association and supported by Jefferon Parkers make this possible.

Charter school gathering at Chick-fil-A

According to organizers:

Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

Please join The Main Street Academy tonight, 12/22/09, from 5-9pm at Chick-fil-A on Cleveland Avenue for our monthly Spirit Night.  Tell the cashier you are with TMSA and a portion of your total bill will be donated to the school.  The children can play on the playground or play one of the many games that Chick-fil-A provides.  We hear there may even be a visit from The Jolly Old Elf himself!


Come out and meet your friends & neighbors who also support TMSA.  Several Founding Committee and School Board members will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. 

Thank you for your continued support of TMSA!

Chick-fil-A
1065 Cleveland Ave
East Point, GA 30344
404.762.1333

Darks days behind us

The winter solstice is here was Monday.

From this point out, the sun will stick around a little bit longer each day until the sun sets about 9 p.m. in June and July.

Do the dark days make you want to get under a blanket and host movie marathons? 

City government closes for holidays

According to the city's Web site, offices are closed:

• December 24th & 25th - In observance of Christmas Holiday
• December 31st (Closed at 12noon - Half Day) & January 1st – In observance of New Year’s Day

Trash pickup on Tuesday appears to be on schedule.

Closing the book on 2009 election

After long last, here are the vote results from the December run-off.

Mayor-elect Ernestine Pittman won six of the districts, winning by some 300 votes: 2,013 to 1,749, according to Fulton County.   

Jefferson Park is EP10 and had the highest voter turnout with 32 percent.  (Boolah! Boolah! for JP voters.) The overall turn out was some 20 percent.


The new city council takes office on January 4th.

    
                                  Voter                % for          % for    
Voting District        Turnout %          Macon      Pittman
EP1                            30                        29           71
           
EP3                           16                         61           39
           
EP4                            29                       70             30
           
EP5                            13                       56            44
           
EP6                            22                       32             68
           
EP7                            19                         62           38
           
EP8                             7                          40           60
                                    9                         51            49

EP9                             27                        34           66
           
EP10                           32                        42           58
           
EP11                          30                        42             58
           
Total                          20                      

In Person: Joe and Catherine S., missionaries

Joe and Catherine S.


Editors note: In Person is an occasional profile of  folks who call the Jefferson Park neighborhood home. The first was Ezra Thompson, a painter. If you know someone doing something interesting, off beat, fun, please let The Jefferson Park Hub know. (Don't be shy. Tell The JP Hub what you are up to.) 


At the end of December, Joe and Catherine S. celebrate their second wedding anniversary. A few days later, the 20-something couple is setting off for a two-year stint as Christian missionaries in a Middle Eastern country.

The couple, who live at 1114 Winburn Ave., spoke with The Jefferson Park Hub about their plans.

They know where they are headed, but because of the sensitivities about Christians in this country they speak in general terms about heading to the Middle East to start an “underground church.”(For the same reason, they asked their last name not be used in this post that a government might google their name and make their goal difficult to achieve.)


They are motivated by a desire to spread their Christian faith as well as help the poor. “We have a big heart for people, especially people in need,” said Catherine, 23, who is finishing her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University.

“We have had a wonderful experience with God,” he said. “We just want people to know there is a God and he is just awesome. And he had a son and his son is definitely worth getting to know and at the least, taking a chance on.”

As members of the Buckhead Church, both have gone on mission work, living and working among people with different faiths. She spent time in Romania and India and he in Slovkia and East Asia. “I don’t think missions work is ever easy or safe, necessarily,” said 26-year-old Joe.

They are working with a group called Operation Mobilization for this endeavor. Three other couples will join them as pioneers in this a community. Catherine said she wants to resist forming a clique of Americans in this new place. She said mixing and learning about new cultures is a priority.  

After a three months living with a host family to learn the language and culture, they will be their own to both develop faith community and start businesses as an economic development tool to help people.

Always a personal goal, the mission trip was part of their five year plan. But life fell into place – Joe, who has a degree from Georgia Tech, finished a construction project in Midtown and she graduated from college, so now was the time to embark.

On top of adapting to a new language and new culture, they also are looking forward to growing their trust in God. “Joe and I are both big planners. We love to know what is next. We love to make lists. This is going to kind of break us of that almost and be ok without necessarily knowing what the next step looks like,” she said. “Being outside our comfort zone – I think that is where most people grow the most.” 

'House check' program with East Point police, vacation safety tips

 

A representative from the East Point Police Department gave the dozen Jefferson Parkers at Tuesday's association meetings tips for the holiday season.

For one, packages delivered to a vacant home could bring trouble, said the officer. It would be better to either hold the mail or ask a neighbor to accept delivery.

He also talked about the ‘house check’ service done by the police. During a designated period of time, patrol officers randomly stop by the house to check that all is well. A check is done daily during each shift.

To sign up for the house check service, go here. Fill out the information. The police ask to be notified at least three days before you depart. 

Clay Davis, the outgoing association president, forwarded these tips:

THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it atfaketv.com.)

8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?






5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

What you missed at the cookie swap

Here's what you missed by skipping the neighbor's assocation meeting Tuesday where folks swapped cookies.

Good enough to makes your mouth water

Photo call for Christmas--UPDATE

 Tree ornament on Batavia Street



--

If your home is decorated for Christmas, send a photo of the tree, or a fav ornament or whatever you'd like that screams Christmas explosion.

I'll post the photos as they come in.

Neighbors association meeting

Tuesday is the neighbors assocation meeting.

A cookie swap is planned so bring some munchies to share. 

(You can start eating better on January 1.)

As always, the meeting is in the basement of the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church.
It begins at 7 p.m.

And if you haven't already, please take a few moments to take the survey below.

 

Click Here to take survey

12 more days ...

Ruining the season--UPDATE

UPDATE:

A good fellow is helping out our neighborhood store by replacing a portion of what some thugs stole:

According to the AJC:

But a local man, hearing about the store's situation, made a generous donation to the store.
Cynthia Inman, owner/operator of the store since 2000, told the AJC Sunday that Thomas Cole called her Saturday after news broke that someone walked away with the store's decorations.
Cole said to Inman over the phone, "‘I hear you guys are missing some lights down there. I have some lights I can give you. And can you use a nativity scene?"
"Give me?" is how Inman responded.
"I am just overwhelmed right now," said Inman via phone Sunday night. "This is what Christmas is all about."

Some jerks ran off with thousands of dollars worth of holiday decorations at the neighborhood Chik-fil-A.

The report from AJC:

Where’s Comet? Where's Cupid? Where's Donner and Blitzen ...

Somebody swiped Santa's eight tiny reindeer along with a majority of other Christmas decorations at the East Point Chick-fil-A at 1065 Cleveland Ave.

Sometime around midnight on Friday, two individuals took the decorations, which include the eight illuminating reindeer grazing on the back hill, six nets of Christmas lights, icicles and signs all used to bring some Christmas cheer to the neighborhood.

Read it all here: http://bit.ly/tfctR

The restaurant is a major supporter of JP events.

View Larger Map

The festival of lights

The eight day festival begins began at sundown tonight. A happy Hanukkah to Jewish readers.

And if you unfamiliar with the holiday:

Hanukkah in Modern Hebrew, also romanized as Chanukah), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, and may occur from late November to late December on the Gregorian calendar. (Wikipedia)

(The JP Hub would love to hear from people celebrating the holiday: favorite memories? best gift? What it means in 2009?)

A holiday blessing: "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us in life, sustained us, and brought us to this moment."  

Here's some music to get you in the mood for this family-friendly celebration. Turn up your speakers and enjoy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8692813@N06/ / CC BY 2.0

Winter concert at Tri-Cities

"Believe in the Miracles of the Holiday Season" by the Tri-Cities High School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Program.

Tonight at 7 p.m.

Holiday sounds to uplift and inspire, touch and warm your soul.

Featuring Tri-Cities High School's:

• Advanced Mixed Chorus
• Women's Chorus
• Women's Chamber Ensemble with performances by Tri-Stars 
• Repertory Dance Ensemble
• Concert Band
• Wind Ensemble
  

$3 for students and $5 for adults

Tri-Cities High School Fine Arts Theatre
2575 Harris Street East Point, GA 30344

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremybrooks/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

Dressing up for the holidays - UPDATE

This Batavia Street house shines for the holidays. 

UPDATE:
There is still time to get those Christmas lights hung to make your house shine.

This email came across the email:

Seasons Greetings to all!!

In an effort to encourage more of our neighbors to join the JPNA Festive Holiday Decorating Contest, we are moving the judging date to Sunday December 20th at around 7pm in order to give those of you who are planning your decorating strategies, some extra time to "Haul out the Holly"...don't forget prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

There is no better time to show your holiday spirit than now...join in the fun and help to light up Jefferson Park this Holiday Season.

Deadline to enter is now December 18th. Email Brian Frey, at briboy1002@aol.com to enter, or if you have any questions!

Fa la la la la, la la la la!!

The days are short and the nights long at this time of year. It helps the mood to see twinkling lights.

Tomorrow is the deadline to enter into the neighborhood's holiday decorating contest, but you creative types have until Saturday to make your home sparkle.

Clay Davis, the neighbor association president, sent out this emai recently: 

Lights, tinsel, garland, fresh greens...all of this and more are beginning to Deck the Halls in Jefferson Park...and we still need YOU to enter the JPNA Holiday Decorating Contest. Thus far only a few homes have entered the contest, and we need more of you! Join in the fun with your fellow neighbors and get into the Holiday Spirit!!

Judging will take place during the evening of December 12th and there are fabulous prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners!! Join in the fun and lets light up Jefferson Park this year.

Deadline to enter is December 10th!!

Contact Brian Frey at briboy1002@aol.com to get your name on the list today or if you have any questions. Good Luck to everyone. Tis the Season to participate!!

Church on the Porch

Musicians from the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church entertained some two dozen people Sunday afternoon. 

Other Christmas events are:

Sunday, Dec. 13

10:30 AM

An Instrumental Christmas

A service featuring our Church Keyboard artists (Bob Allen-Organ, Rebecca Barge-

Piano, Jan Gwaltney-Piano, Patricia Reid-Organ) and the Adult Handbell Choir.

6 PM

Christmas Solos:

The Babe in the Manger

A service featuring solos from members of the Adult Choir.

Sunday, Dec. 20

10:30 AM

Nine Lessons and Carols

A service of Scripture lessons and music based on the traditional service performed

each year at King's College Chapel, in Cambridge, England, and will feature our Deacons, Adult Choir, Adult Ensemble, TeamKids Puppets.

6 PM

Carol Service

A service featuring favorite and traditional Christmas Carols.

Christmas Eve

5 PM

Candlelight Communion

Please join us Christmas Eve as we celebrate the Birth of the King with Communion.

Lottie Maynard Fund UPDATE

In the spirit of Christmas - where giving is better than receiving - the neighborhood's Lottie Maynard Fund is reaching out to a family of five.

Jennifer Cobb, the organizer of the gift-giving, said the family is a mom and four kids, ages 10 to 5. And the mother is in school to be a medical assistant.

Now is the time for people to step up to reach out to this neighbor. (This isn't the time to clear out the closet with old items; save those for a yard sale. Donations must be either new or gift cards.) 

The kids' wish list include:

• Hannah Montana stuff (note pads, shirts, pens, general stuff)
• Dora the Explorer doll and other Dora items
• Star Wars Bakugan 
• Michael Jackson shirts and other stuff
• notebooks
• hardback binders
• other school supplies
• Stuffed teddy bear
• Lollypops
• Dictionary, other learning books
• Legos
• Bookbags

Clothes:

• Girls size 5/6/ shoes 11
• Girls size 8/ shoes 13
• Girls size 6/ shoes 12
• Boys size 10/ shoes 3

For the mom:

• Home Depot/Lowe’s/ or Walmart gift cards
• Dishes
• Bedding (king size)
• Women’s clothes, size 11/12, Medium/Large, or shoes size 11.

Christmas Decorations:

• Anything and everything. They need a Christmas tree/stand/etc.. lights, stockings, etc.

If anyone is able to donate new items, please contact Jennifer at 678.360.6084 or jcobb1978@gmail.com.   (The family would also benefit from gently used TV or a computer, but talk with Jennifer about those items.)

Weekend events around Jefferson Park

This weekend promises to be a busy one in Jefferson Park, from carolers at the annual tree lighting to an outside Christmas service, and throw in the always popular holiday progressive dinner.

With temperatures expected to hover in the 40s, residents will celebrate the annual tree lighting downtown.

The festivities will include snow, thanks to snow-making technology, along with  musical performances around downtown and other holiday activities.

The fun begins at 5 and wraps up at 7:30 p.m.  It happens in front of City Hall at 2777 East Point St.

To keep away the chill, there will be hot cocoa and apple cider, along with baked goodies. Santa's workshop will have free crafts for kids in a heated tent. And professional photos with Santa will be available.

The good time is organized by the East Point Main Street Association.  For more information visit www.DowntownEastPoint.com. 

On Saturday, the always popular holiday progressive dinner is on the calendar.  The  dinner is one of the events that make living in Jefferson Park special. Folks float from home to home and enjoy good food and good company. If you one make on progressive dinner, make it this one.

To attend, organizers need to hear from you. A dish is usually the price of admission and to learn where the dinner is taking place. Contact Alex Soto at amsoto77@gmail.com to get more information. 

And if you'd like a reminder that Christmas isn't about malls and gifts and wrapping paper, "Church on the porch" is taking place 5 p.m. Sunday at the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church. 

It is an outdoor Christmas carol service featuring the TeamKids Choir, TeamKids Puppets, and Adult Handbell Choir, takes place on the church's front steps. 

View Weekend events in a larger map

Most popular stories in November

Greetings all.

First, many thanks to you readers for staying with The Jefferson Park Hub. 

In November, there were 178 absolute unique visitors with 815 page views. WoooHooo! The number of page views in a day peaked around the November election, topping off at close to 90 page views.

During the month, the three most read articles were:

• Virtual Art Gallery
• Neighbors Assocation New Officers
• Wondering About Breakfast

A new occasional series called In Person started. It will be a feature story about a neighbor with a unique job, life story, hobby. Here was the first about Ezra Thompson, a painter. I'd love to hear about more folks. Please contact me if you have a person in mind.

The goal continues to be to make the blog as more informative as possible.  I've put together a survey with a few questions. If you don't mind, I'd like to get your thoughts.


Click Here to take survey

Votes point toward new mayor in East Point

Voters appeared to oust Mayor Joe Macon and replaced him with critic Earnestine Pittman, a council member who resigned her seat to take on the one-term incumbent.

Pittman received some 57 percent of the 2,876 votes cast in the special election.  By 8:35 p.m., 11 of 12 precincts had been counted.

Pittman, an educator, said on her campaign Website: "I will be the City’s chief Ambassador."

In the Ward A race, challenger Sharonda Hubbard was favored by voters when she earned some 60 percent of the 2,746 votes. She appeared to defeat the incumbent Greg Fann.

The results are "unofficial and incomplete" from Fulton County.

Vote Tallies

East Point Mayor   votes counted  33%  50%   66%

                                                        

Joe Macon                                      667  753   869

Earnestine Pittman                    879  998   1093

Ward A

Greg Fann                                     577  660    746

Sharonda Hubbard                   905  1017 1136

Election Results

UPDATE: Mayor Macon supporters are at Oz Pizza shop awaiting results.


Polls should be closed now.  Check The Jefferson Park Hub for East Point run-off election results.

Around 5 pm, close to 290 people had voted at Tri-Cities High School, which may suggest a strong voter interest in the race.

East Point Mayor   votes counted  33%

Joe Macon                                      667

Earnestine Pittman                    879

Ward A

Greg Fann                                     577

Sharonda Hubbard                   905