Fun on Two Wheels in East Point

At East Point's velodrome, the tires are pumped. 

The annual Bicycle Little League program is starts its season this week.  Two expert coaches will be on hand to to teach the novices to ride on the banked bike track. The real reason is to encourage the kids to have fun.

Young rider can use the facility every Monday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., from now until the end of October. The activity is open to all youngsters, aged 8-16. 

The program is free. Bicycles and helmets are provided, if needed. The only requirement for each child is a parent-signed waiver. 


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Nifty way to report neighborhood problems

The Jefferson Park Hub joined with SeeClickFix, an advocacy Web site, to encourage community members to report troublesome neighborhood issues directly from our site.

SeeClickFix allows anyone to report and track non-emergency issues in Jefferson Park via the Internet. It empowers allows all of us improve the neighborhood. It is only as good as people using it, so we encourage people to use the program. To find it, look on the right column on this site.

The software was recently promoted in the New York Time. Read about how neighborhoods are using it here.

SeeClickFix users post a complaint about problems that occur within a set of boundaries on a Google Map, like graffiti at a bus stop or potholes on a busy street, and the site communicates the problem to the appropriate government agency and marks the problem on the map.

 This is another step toward JP Hub 2.0. First was a new Web address and in the future, The JP Hub will have a new layout.

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. 

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Tour of Homes - UPDATE

The 2009 Tour of Homes is a wrap. Organizers, volunteers and the good people who let strangers parade through their living rooms celebrated the annual event with a party Saturday at the East Point Tower, 1612 W. Cleveland Ave - Second Floor Gallery. 

See photos here and here

The big news at the party was the tour brought in some $3,500 to help the Jefferson Park Neighbors Association do all its community-building efforts. 

The JPNA has its monthly meeting Tuesday, tomorrow, at the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church.  Come learn what is happening.  The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

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Weeding, mulching makes JP shine

Residents cleaned up the flowerbeds and stone markers at the entrances to Jefferson Park in time for next week's tour of homes.

Helping out at dawn's early rise Saturday, around 8:30 a.m., were: Alan Martin and Dena Harris, of Blount Street, and neighborhood association president Clay Davis, of Harris Street.

Make weekend plans

If you are wondering how to spend your valuable weekend time, consider some of these activities:

Friday:

Tri-Cities High School football, 7:30 p.m., at home. Fee.

Saturday: 

Clean up neighborhood stone markers. 

Meet at 8 a.m., at the marker at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Winburn Drive. Free.

Destination Downtown festival

Noon to 7 p.m. in downtown East Point. Free.

Sunday: 

Beginner Program at the Dick Lane Velodrome

The successful beginner program for basic track skills and velodrome etiquette returns. It begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. Fee is $60 and it includes bike rental.

More than 20 homes participate in Saturday's yard sale

More than 20 homes are putting out treasure or trash, depends on your point of view, for Saturday's neighborhood-wide yard sale. 

Bleary-eyed shoppers can begin checking out the goods at 8 a.m., while late risers have until 3 p.m. to check out the sales. 

Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association put up this great map:



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Where is it? contest revealed

The Where Is It? contest continues. No reader figured out where the gnome reclined.
The map shows the location for the garden ornament. 



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Neighborhood gathering to mark summer's passing

Folks from Jefferson Park are meeting Saturday for a final summer mixer.

The celebration begins at 4 p.m., at Manchester Arms, 1705 Virginia Ave., College Park.

It's an opportunity to meet neighbors, tell lies about kickball greatness and relax. 

See you there. 




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JP Neighorhood Association August meeting

A brief roundup of news from the August meeting:

• Here's a lesson in calling the East Point police: do it. No matter how small the issue. As one resident put, "I have them on speed dial." A topic that grabbed the attention of the 20 or so residents was a Pegg Road homeowner's story of dealing with what she called troublesome neighbors making life difficult with dogs and other general problems. A "complete nightmare" is how she actually put it. One step toward resolving the issues is calling the East Point Police Department and making officers aware of what is going on. The non-emergency phone number is 404.761.2177.
• The neighborhood association is hosting a friendly field day competition. Some 40 people have signed up for this fundraiser. Set aside Sept. 12, starting at 11 a.m. for fun and games. Prizes include gift certificates to area restaurants.

The next mixer for Jefferson Park is Saturday, 4 p.m., at the Brake Pad eatery in nearby College Park. Come out to mix and mingle with neighbors.