At City Hall: Zoning & Planning Division

How neighborhoods should develop, where businesses can locate, what the community looks like are all tasks of the Zoning and Planning Division.

The division is one that impacts people's quality of life. 

Here's what the website says:

The Planning & Zoning Division reviews plans for new development for compliance with the zoning ordinance, provides applications for variances, rezoning and special use permits, provides information on the current zoning of property and reviews completed applications submitted through the Plan Review Process for consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council.


This division also conducts land use studies, develops future land use plans, prepares demographic information, utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to prepare thematic maps, creates open space plans, drafts development ordinances and performs other planning duties as needed.

Goals for Planning & Zoning’s FY10 budget... • Provides for business licensing, permit, inspection, and planning and zoning services
• Provides funding for a land use development/redevelopment plan
• Develops a Green Permit Program
• Provides funding to research/implement more efficient document and plan storage methods
• Provides funding for staff Arborist certification and other training needs
• Funds Mural Arts Program for the City

The division is located at  1526 East Forrest Avenue, Suite 100. It's  phone number is  (404) 270.7030. And the office is open from 8 AM to  5  PM, Monday to Friday. 

EP Corner Tav asks about more restrictive smoking

The crew at the East Point Corner Tavern is asking its friends on Facebook about its smoking policy.

The question is whether the local fav should be smoke free until 9 p.m. (I believe its smoke-free until 6 now.)  Go vote. Here.

Add your two cents to the issue. For more info about smoking bans, check out Wikipedia.

Be counted

From the US Census:

The U.S. Census Bureau is emphasizing the Friday, April 16, mail deadline because forms put in the mail by tomorrow will likely be received and processed in time to delete those households from the list of addresses it will visit starting May 1. Households that normally pick up their mail from a post office box are already slated for follow-up in May from census workers.

Upcoming road race

Be a part of history. Support the new The Main Street Academy, the local charter school opening in the fall, and make it a success.

The flyer for the TMSA's May 1 fun run was spotted on the racks at Phidippides Atlanta Running Shoe Store in Atlanta. (That's it with the red Run/Walk.)

To register, check out the web site here.

Health Fair

East Point firefighters are hosting a health fair Saturday, April 17

It'll be the fifth annual event that brings together the community and the emergency workers. It takes places at Fire Station No. 1, at 2757 East Point St.

This year’s health fair will focus on childhood obesity, which is a health problem that can cause a lifetime of poor health.  The health fair will have information about prevention, early detection and educational information for children.

The fair opens at 11 and wraps up at 3.

The firefighters have a strong advocate on this issue. First Lady Michelle Obama has embraced lowering obesity.  She started the Let's Move program. Go here to see resources to fight this problem.

Friendly cat, whose is it?

This email was circulated Wednesday night: 

 It's David and Adam over on Jefferson Terrace. Feral cats are nothing new to the neighborhood but in the last week, a very sweet female cat has been hanging around our yard. She is extremely friendly and has obviously been with people as she will come right up to us and even allow herself to be picked up and held. She's sweet and "talkative" , another indication of her being socialized...I can barely imaging anyone wanting to get rid of a sweet animal like this but cats rarely if ever get lost...Stranger things have happened though, so I wanted to ask if you would post her picture on an e-blast...She isn't at our place 24/7 but usually makes an appearance at least once a day in the late afternoon. We can't take on another cat because our female is *extremely* jealous of other cats and is having fits over this one from inside the screened porch. It's too bad because this girl would make a cat person a wonderful pet. Oh yes, she is a little thin but not starving...I would day that she is no older than 2 years old maximum.

Thank You!

David Hicks

Eats: La Fiesta

I was in a TGIF mood with margarita’s on the brain last week.

With a foursome in tow, we headed to La Fiesta restaurant at 1419 Virginia Ave., College Park. It has comfort-food Mexican. It serves nothing fancy but reasonably priced and decent food.

The restaurant’s interior is filled with tables and booths. The restaurant’s patio was buzzing with diners on this warm night. There isn’t a view to recommend it, unless you like watching the traffic on nearby Virginia. Colorful walls of red and blue enliven the interior, as did the karaoke entertainment that started around 9.

Warm chips and salsa appeared on the table soon after we filled a booth. The salsa had a nice spicy zing to it, not just flavorless tomato salsa. A large order of queso, the flavored melted cheese, soon appeared.  

Soon after came the margaritas in big beer steins. No complaints. As I said, this isn’t the place that experiments with food and drink. It delivers the standard-issue tequila-based cocktail. Others had a Diet Coke and a beer.

 

 The wait staff didn’t keep us waiting to take our dinner requests. 

Entrees orders were soon made and delivered. The chicken fajitas ($10.99) made about three servings of chicken and grilled onions wrapped in soft tortillas. The side of black beans was sparse, not much to them.

Another order included a mix of classic Mexican food, and included a chile relleno - stuffed pepper – was met with approval. Others ordered the fajita quesadilla and beef enchiladas, above.

The total for the meal for the four of us, including a couple rounds of drinks, came to about $100. 

If you like your Mexican food unspoiled by originality or a creative cook, stop by here. La Fiesta's web site is here.

Real Estate Report

2454 East Woodland Circle

$170,000 

Dec. 30, 2009

Information from the Fulton County Board of Assessors web site.

The Main Street Academy - Event

Email from the organizers of  The Main Street Academy

Oz Pizza Fundraiser Night

Join The Main Street Academy tonight, 4/12/10, from 5-9pm at Oz Pizza. Tell the cashier you are with TMSA and a portion of your total bill will be donated back to the school. Dine-in and take-out apply.

Come out and meet your friends and 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!

Oz Pizza

2805 Main Street

East Point, GA 30344

404.761.7006

East Point's Spring Fling 2010

 In downtown East Point on Saturday, April 10, scores of people came out to enjoy a beautiful day and take advantage of the first Spring Fling, a community party to promote creative ways to reduce the amount of garbage thrown in the trash. 

  

Repaired Marker

The marker is now upright at the intersection Oakleigh and Randall streets.
A tractor-trailer was suspected of knocking it down a few months ago.

Spring Fling

• Saturday, at 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
• It takes place at the East Point Common

Downtown East Point will be buzzing with activity Saturday with the first "Spring Clean Fling."

Part "green" festival and part "swap meet," the day's activities are sure to attract a lot of people. 

It can also be a fundraiser for neighborhood groups selling brownie's, cake, muffins, cookies.  

Here are some of the activities:

• Councilman Lance Rhodes and Republic Services are inviting the community to bring any unwanted paper documents they want destroyed out to the event. There will be a mobile shredding truck ready to collect, shred and recycle the documents on site from 9am-2pm.
• Displays/Booths about what can be recycled at the collection center on Norman Berry
• Displays/Booths about where larger items can be recycled in East Point
• Booths with information about various “green” ideas and programs or informaion about how to donate items all year long.
• Representatives from groups like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, Kamileon’s Kloset and more will be invited to come out and accept donations on the day of the event.
• Representatives from American Kidney Services will be there to accept donations and issue tax receipts!
• Hand out "blue recycle bins" to EP residents
• Have a truck for electronics recycling on site
• Fun "green" activities for kids that do not require electricity/other resources like: face painting, ball toss games, etc.

For more information, go to the East Point Main Street Association web site.

Small fire Wednesday causes ammonia leak at Oakley Drive industrial plant

Workers at an industrial plant near the Jefferson Park neighborhood capped an ammonia leak after a small fire.

There were no reported injuries at the Wednesday incident after firefighters decontaminated two workers. 

Details from City Council member Lance Rhodes:

Ammonia Leak

On 4 /07/10 at 6:06 PM, East Point Fire Department responded to 1239 Oakley Drive (known as Kroger storage facility). The call was dispatched as a fire alarm. The initial fire engine arrived on the scene at 6:11 PM. There were no signs of a fire. The Fire Department was advised of about forty employees who had evacuated the facility. The facility supervisor stated the water sprinkle system had been set off by a small fire.

The fire was extinguished by the water sprinkle system in the room of origin. The fire damage was minor in nature. An ammonia leak developed as a result of the fire. The leak was immediately contained by "capping" off the mechanism that was damaged. Facility employees trained in hazardous material response were responsible for controlling the leak prior to the arrival of emergency response units.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department Hazardous Material Team was called to assist with the mitigation of the ammonia leak and to decontaminate as necessary. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department performed decontamination on the two facility employees.

There were no injuries sustained to employees of the facility, The City of Atlanta Fire Rescue nor the East Point Fire Department.
The cause of the incident is under investigation

East Point hopes for 50K people with census

That census form still sitting around?  Here's why it's important to important to mail it back according to the AJC:

At last count in 2008, the city fell just 6,582 people short of becoming what’s known as an entitlement city.

To reach that 50,000 population threshold, it will have to count traditionally missed folks like Porter and Robinson, as well as those still on the streets, immigrants and the working poor without stable addresses.

It’s a multimillion-dollar proposition. If East Point succeeds, a chunk of the $14 billion that Georgia receives from federal agencies each year will go directly to the cash-strapped city, to help pay for crumbling streets and buildings.

Read more from the AJC here.

How high can the pollen count go?

Neighborhood blogger David Baugher takes a look at the soaring pollen count.

The pollen count this morning in Atlanta was 5,733!!!  The extremely high category starts at 120.  We are 47 times above extremely high.  

Read more about pollen and allergies at his blog, David's World.

(If anyone has a picture of a pollen-covered car, cat, dog, whatever, please forward to The JP Hub.)

Advertisments on the driveway, litter on the streets?

Plastic bags full of advertisements have been spotted on driveways here. Some may see it as a way to get shopping deals while others view it as litter.

An organization called Stop AJC Reach is protesting the advertising circulars. 

"StopAJCReach.org is a community organization website with the goal of stopping driveway, yard and street delivery of AJC Reach advertising circulars that are littering our neighborhoods. "

If you are interested in this issue, you can go to its Web site and let your voice be here. 

City council wrestles with how to handle overdue water bills.

From the ACJ: 

East Point leaders are working to get a handle on a billing practice that, at last count, showed residents owed more than $400,000 for electric service.

That tally has likely gone down since it was revealed late last year, largely because electric use dips in the colder months.

But because the city is still using the budget billing system that created the problem, the money owed could start adding up again if officials don’t get a handle on the issue – and soon.

For more, go here. 

To summarize the problem, the issue for the city is how to collect past due water bills or whether to forgive all or a portion of the money owed.  The average overdue bill is $250.

Counting heads in East Point

April 1 was the day when everyone in the country was to be counted as part of the constitutionally mandated census.

Jefferson Park neighborhood lagged behind both the state and national participation rate. 
Some 49 percent of residents here returned the 10-question form.  That is less than the state and national participation, 52 and 56 percent, respectively. The city of East Point has a return rate of 42 percent. 

No doubt expect to see census counters walking the neighborhood from April to July when works knock on doors of homes that didn't return the questionnaire. 

Easter Message 2010

The Jefferson Park Hub  invited pastors from two neighborhood churches to offer a reflection on Easter 2010.  Their thoughts are below. 

First is pastor LK Pendleton of the Redemption Community Church, A United Methodist Congregation. The church is located at the intersection of Winburn Drive and Jefferson Avenue.

The second meditation is from pastor Darwin A. Caldwell of  Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church

"He Will Come Through”
John 2:19-22

Have you ever been discouraged, disillusioned or disappointed by hopes dashed and dreams deferred? 

We fall into the misconceptions that we must always strive to reach that elusive “next level” in life. What we long for in our circumstances, our relationships or even spiritually always seems just beyond our reach. 

After Jesus was crucified it was beyond the disciple’s reach that He would be raised from the dead on the third day just like He said that he would. (John 2:19) After Jesus died on the cross, the possibility of deliverance for a people experiencing oppression died too. Discouragement overwhelmed them because the hope of Israel as they viewed him through a human lens was gone. All of the people who supported Jesus ran away after he succumbed to death on the cross except for Joseph and Nicodemus, whose names mean Honorable Counselor and Victorious among his People. At night, they went to claim the body of Jesus from Pilate. 

When they went to claim the body of Jesus, the Bible says they bought a mixture of myrrh and aloes. They used about 70 pounds; 50 pounds over the recommended daily dressing to embalm the body so when people walked by the tomb they would only notice the beautiful smell of the myrrh and not the rotting flesh of a dead God. 

It was humanly inconceivable for them to believe that the one who interrupted a funeral procession and raised a dead girl to life and the one who called a dead man (Lazarus) out of his tomb was dead! And, they were unaware that in a few days, God would defy human logic and the laws of nature by breathing life into the impervious, lifeless body of Jesus Christ and resurrect Him from the dead.

Like many of us, we prematurely abandon our hopes and dreams when we don’t see the results of our hard work or things just didn’t materialize the way we desired. Easter reminds us that no matter how lugubrious things might seem, that we are Easter people living in a Good Friday World. Stuff happens! because life is lived on levels and experienced in stages and established on dimensions and everything will not proceed as planned. Yet, we have a God who specializes in breathing new life into dead things. 

As we prepare to celebrate Easter 2010, let the lyrics of this old gospel song inspire you to keep striving for purpose in your life knowing Jesus will sustain you in your journey! 

Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand. Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God's unchanging hand. 

LK Pendleton is the Senior Pastor of the Redemption Community Church, A United Methodist Congregation, East Point, Georgia and an ordained elder in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. 

--------

Have you lost hope? Easter 2010 finds many changes in our world especially in the United States of America. Our congress has just passed a Health Reform Bill and President Obama has signed it into law. It seems that none of us know what the bill will really accomplish and the unknown opens the door for fear to overcome us.

Unemployment is still over 9 per cent with rumors that it may still go higher. Those without jobs live anxious and frustrating moments as they look for work that will support their families.

And there are many other issues facing us that when we try to work through them in our own strength and fail causes us to lose hope and become depressed. 

The whole message of Easter is that God has a plan for each of our lives and He wants to work that plan for our good. He gave His only Son to live a rejected, persecuted, but sinless life here on this earth and die the most excruciatingly painful death to pay for all our sins so that we could keep hope in all circumstances. 

Since we have read the last chapter (of the Bible) and know that God always overcomes evil and wins the battle it helps to remember that He is still in control today. Nothing slips up on God and He is capable and willing to work through anything that comes upon us and give us a victorious end. He not only gives us hope He brings that hope to completion.

Our prayer for you to know God’s very best blessings!

Darwin A. Caldwell, pastor, Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church

Downtown Newsletter

Get the latest and the greatest about happenings downtown here.

Downtown East Point Newsletter April 2010

Brookdale Park construction

Brookdale Park construction
Originally uploaded by Jefferson Park Hub

Work continues at the renovation of Brookdale Park, on Sylvan Road. Workers are installing tennis courts and a basketball court. 

Easter Worship Services

Members of the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church and the Redemption Community Church will celebrate Easter with special services. The community is invited to attend.

Here are schedules provided by the churches:

Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church,

• Thursday, April 1, we offer a Maundy Thursday service entitled, "Tenebrae, a Service of Shadows," at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 3 - 12-2 p.m., we invite everyone to bring blooms from their yard to decorate the Community Cross.
• Sunday, April 4 - 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service on front steps.
• Sunday, April 4 - 10:30 a.m. - Easter Celebration Service

 Redemption Community Church

• Good Friday Service, Friday, April 2nd @ 7 p.m 
• Sunday Morning Worship, April 4th @ 10 a.m.
• Easter Program - Immediately Following Worship Service

Map:

View Churches in a larger map



 

Eggs invade Brookdale Park

An Easter egg hunt will be held at East Point's Brookdale Park on Saturday, April 2.

The annual spring event is hosted by Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church.

The “hunts” begins at 11 a.m. at the neighborhood park, on Sylvan Road between Glendale and Pegg Roads for all elementary school children and younger.

There will be a hunt for Babies and Toddlers, one for Pre-K to 2nd grade and one for 3rd to 5th graders. You will need to bring your own basket. A picnic-style lunch will be provided after the eggs have been uncovered.

Also supporting the activities are the Cleveland Avenue Chick-Fil-A, the Jefferson Park Neighbors Association and the City of East Point.

Photo credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eraphernalia_vintage/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

College Park bakery reopens

The store closed down late last week to deal with vandalism.  Stop by and spend some money to show your support.

 Our Place Bakery Cafe

3387 Main Street 404-767-3181 

www.ourplacecollegepark.com

The Grapevine hits the streets

The latest Grapevine appeared at our mailboxes over the weekend. 

The newsletter had stories about keeping your home safe, an fun project to get people together to play games and news about city council. 

If you haven't read it, take some time to see what your neighbors are up to.

(The JP Hub couldn't find an online version of the newsletter. If someone has a PDF version, or knows where it can be found, please pass it in this direction.)

Show some love to MARTA

It's not too late to take public transit.

Transit advocates and pols on Friday, March 26th, want people to show how vital the system is to the community.

A funding crunch has much of the system on the chopping block, including bus route 193 that runs up Jefferson Avenue.

Learn more at
http://www.ridemartaday.com/

From Harvard Yard to East Point's urban farm

Creative Loafing profiled the man behind the urban farm on Washington Road. 

That'd be K. Rashid Nuri.

Here's what was said:

Boston-born and Harvard-educated K. Rashid Nuri’s love of agriculture has taken him around the world. The 62-year-old urban farmer — and former Clinton appointee to the U.S. Agriculture Department — operates Truly Living Well Natural Urban Farms, a network of organic metro Atlanta farms that offers fresh food and teaches how crops can enrich lives and build communities.
What made you dedicate your life to farming?
I’m a child of the 1960s. Back then, we were talking about nation building. In order to build a nation, you’ve got to be able to feed, clothe, and shelter your people. So I decided that I wanted to learn everything about food, from the seed to the table.
What caused people to lose their connection with the land and food?
We are an urban society. That’s taking us away from our soil. Atlanta’s a cleaner city by virtue of open space and trees, but it’s also one of the most toxic. The best way to mitigate this toxicity and reduce our carbon footprint is to grow our own food. This is because the food isn’t traveling. It cuts out that energy expense by more than half.

Read more:

http://tinyurl.com/ycoz95m

Truly Living Well Urban Farm's Website: http://trulylivingwell.com/index.html

Classes at the farm start April 3.  If interested, call 404.520.8331

Census 2010

From Jefferson Park Neighbors Association: 

Village Keepers, a local community organization, and they are offering assistance to anyone in filling out their 2010 Census form.

 

Village Keepers address is 3020 Bayard St, East Point (this is in the East Washington neighborhood) and the assistance is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be there through April 19.   As far as I know, no appointment is necessary.

 

They will have some Bilingual staff (primarily Spanish) but can also help with a variety of other languages.

 

Please pass this information along.  All information gathered will be confidential, they are simply trying to help everyone in our neighborhoods to fill out the Census forms.

 

If you have questions, please feel free to call Village Keepers at 404.761.1500

Real Estate Report

Dogs visit the vet in College Park

Every third Saturday, College Park's Urban Pet Supply hosts a low-cost animal vaccination clinic.  

Here's what it looked like on Saturday, March 20th.  

Spring has sprung

Shooting at East Point MARTA stop--UPDATE

UPDATE:

MARTA police say they are certain that 20-year-old Broderick Smith, of Atlanta, was the trigger man in a fatal Wednesday night shooting at the East Point train station.

Smith was arrested at about 5 p.m. Thursday at his mother's apartment in the Westlake area of Fulton County. Anthony Beavers, 19, was killed following what has been reported as a robbery attempt.

For more, go here.
---

Teacher recalls MARTA shooting victim as ‘brilliant'

By Marcus K. Garner and Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Jonesboro High School graduate who one teacher described as "brilliant" was shot and killed at the East Point MARTA station late Wednesday night, officials said.

Train service was interrupted and a "bus bridge" was used to transport passengers between rail stations, MARTA spokesman Lyle Harris said.

Train service resumed early Thursday morning, WSB Radio's Richard Sangster, who was at the scene, told the AJC.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office identified the victim as Anthony Beavers, 19.

Beavers was a 2008 graduate of Jonesboro High School, where he was on the school's chess team.

... 

The shooting occurred at about 10:40 p.m. near an elevator at the south end of the station.

Early Thursday morning, MARTA police investigators were still trying to find the shooter and determine a possible motive, Assistant Police Chief Joseph Dorsey said.

Beavers was on the southbound side of the center train platform when two shots were fired, said a witness who called the AJC. That side of the platform was cordoned off with crime scene tape when an AJC reporter arrived.

Riders hit the ground to avoid gunfire, witnesses said.

Immediately after the shooting, police prevented riders from entering or leaving the station and questioned a man believed to be a witness. Riders were allowed to leave the station at about 11:30 p.m.

Around 1 a.m., four MARTA police patrol cars sped away from the station going south on Main Street, before stopping roughly a mile away and returning minutes later.

Read more here. 

Poll: Have a NCAA bracket done yet?

Low cost animal shots

A note from Urban Pet Supply store in College Park: 

Low Cost Pet Vaccine Clinic is Saturday, the 20th from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Dr. Edwards administers pet vaccines from $45-$60.
It's a great cost savings and great way to get folks who normally couldn't vaccinate their pets. Please tell your neighbors. Call with questions. 404-766-1138

View Larger Map

Many people will have gotten a letter in the mailbox with this logo:

It is important. If you think throwing it away will save you time now, you won't once the census workers come knocking on your door. Fill out the streamlined 10-question survey and mail it back.

In 2010, the Jefferson Park neighborhood had a 68 percent participation rate in the Census, below the national and state average of 72 and 69 percent, respectively.  (Look for yourself here.)  It appears all of the city was below the national average.   

The once-a-decade head count of residents determines how much money a community like East Point gets from Uncle Sam. What's that mean? The improved Brookdale Park, on Sylvan Road, was paid for in part by federal money. That's important stuff to improve our community and the census is a factor in much money the community gets for its needs.

A feature on the map to be unveiled soon will show how well the community is participating in real time and to compare it with others.

Eats: Thai Heaven

Thai Heaven is a new restaurant just across the city line on nearby Virginia Avenue.

Open for two months, Thai Heaven was more like Thai hell, cracked one of my friends. That kind of tells you where this review is going. 

Located above the Landmark Diner, at 1155 Virginia Ave., Atlanta, the parking lot is large and easy to find a parking spot. The restaurant had comfortable seating to watch the planes take off from Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. The large patio would be a nice place to sit during the warmer months. Large bamboo sticks held up by sand is the most obvious decorative touch. The restaurant includes a sushi bar.

 

The waitress took our drinks quickly, along with our appetizer orders. She wrote them down, but then she started to ask questions and we repeated ourselves to make sure everyone got what they wanted: curry rolls; chicken satay, on left, with peanut sauce; and a Delta sushi roll, named for the nearby airline HQ. 

And that's when the visit took a turn. We waited a long time for the drinks and the food.  That's when the crack about Thai Hell was uttered. Eventually, the Thai iced tea was refreshing, the sweet coconut milk and tea combo. Beer drinkers with us were pleased to see Blue Moon, but they had to ask for the pint glass with the slice of orange. 

The menu had a variety of Thai food. The foursome ordered yellow curry ($10.95); pad thai ($10.95)i; basil stir fry ($10.95) and the most original dish, pineapple fried rice ($13.95).

The pineapple fried rice, photo on the left, was a mixture of shrimp, cashews, chicken, rice, bits of pineapple. And it was served in a pineapple shell. It was well liked and not overly sweet.

Like the pineapple fried rice, all the other dishes were tasty, with a nice aroma. The curry started sweet with the first bite and ended with a slight spicy flavor. The basil dish was rated with three spicy peppers and it delivered. The pad thai didn't have the peanut flavor that makes Thai food special. 

Basil fried rice

The price matched the amount of food served. In fact, the pad thai and the yellow curry was enough to save half and take home for a later meal. 

Overall, the consensus was that the meal was good and priced right. The service would be the only hurdle that would deter a return trip.   

'Share the stories of communities in Atlanta' (And East Point.)

A popular  public radio program is opening up the recording studio for people to tell their stories. 

On Thursday, March 18, people in the Big Peach can make their way to Public Broadcasting Atlanta - WABE 90.1 on your FM radio dial - to talk and be recorded. 

Here's StoryCorps mission statement:

StoryCorps’ mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share and preserve their stories. Listen to stories at www.storycorps.org.

The effort is to "record, preserve, and share the stories of communities in Atlanta," said a press release. A suggested donation of $25.

For more information, go here.  Call to reserve a slot: 1-800-850-4406 

Here's what you can expect:

Step 1: Make a reservation
It’s easy to record an interview with someone important in your life. First, think of a person whose stories you would like to hear, or someone who might like to ask about yours, like a grandparent, sibling, or friend.

Step 2: Prepare for your session
Read what to expect and visit our great questions page.

Step 3: Tell your story, pass it on
Bring your friend or loved one to the StoryCorps recording facility. Our trained staff will explain the process, make you feel comfortable, and sit with you during your 40-minute session. At the end of your session, you’ll receive a free broadcast-quality CD to share with to family and friends, and a second copy will be archived at the Library of Congress.

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. 


View Larger Map

Jefferson Park Neighbors Assocation March meeting

Come to listen and contribute to what is happening in and around the neighborhood at the monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 16.

Special information this meeting will come from East Point firefighters on the issue of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Meeting Agenda:

• Open Meeting
• New / Old Business
• Crime Update (EPPD)
• Grapevine update
• Special Speaker: East Point Fire Department: Presentation on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Open Floor Speakers
• Close

The meeting is held at the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church. The entry door is in the rear next to the Winburn Drive parking lot. 

In other JPNA news, the first "Grapevine" of 2010 is hot off the presses. 

The newsletter put out by volunteer writers and contributors is ready to be delivered. And that's where you come in.  Email JPNA president Dustin Miles to let him know you are willing to help and where you prefer to deliver. 

PS: The JP Hub is looking for citizen journalists to attend Tuesday's meeting and report on it. Be in touch if you are interested.

Opportunities at the city of Atlanta job fair

The region's unemployment level has hit double digit numbers. So, a job fair is welcome news for people looking for work.

Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, which is a branch of the city of Atlanta, is hosting a job fair tomorrow, starting at 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.

There are a variety of positions available, from landscaping to security guards and program managers to retail sales.  

For more information:

Atlanta Workforce Development Agency 818 Pollard Blvd, SW Atlanta, GA 30315 404-658-9675

To be eligible, a high school diploma or GED is required. Applicants will have to pass background and drug test. And additional qualifications will discussed at site. Bring resume for employers and dress in interview appropriate clothing.

Weekend doings around East Point

Don't let the weather get you down.

Put in some elbow grease at the city's hidden treasure and shop for treasure:

Dick Lane Velodrome

The forecast says rain, but we are going to brave the weather and give it a whirl for the last workday before the season will begin. So if you aren't afraid of a little water, we'd love you assistance in getting a few final jobs finished up before the season gets going. Be sure to bring rain coats etc. so you'll be protected if it does happen to rain a little.
Oh, and one particular job that may require some special tools is scraping some old sponsors logo's off the boards, so if you have a scraper that might be suitable for that, please bring it with you. We do have a few scrapers, but maybe not as many as we could have people!

Work starts around 9 a.m. 

The Main Street Academy charter school:

Saturday, from 9 am-2 pm
Where: East Point Presbyterian Church
2810 Church Street (corner of Thompson)
East Point, GA 30344

Please join TMSA for our 1st Children's Consignment Sale!
30% of all proceeds will benefit TMSA.

Gently used items we will be selling include:
Boys & Girls "all season" clothing items from Infant to size 12, Shoes, Maternity clothing, Toys, Books, DVD's, Video games, Baby equipment, Indoor/Outdoor play equipment, Furniture and anything else kid related!

The Main Street Academy gets state OK, opens in the fall

There will be a new education option for Tri-City parents with school age youngsters

The state Board of Education Thursday, March 11, gave its approval to the charter school that will serve the East Point, Hapeville and College Park. 

Organizers announced:

State Approval

We are now official...today, The Main Street Academy charter petition has been approved by the State Department of Education!
With approximately 4 years in the making, countless hours of hard work and several obstacles along the way, The Main Street Academy will finally open its doors this Fall.  This is only the beginning of our journey together.  We need all of you (parents, community leaders and concerned citizens) to join in and help our school succeed. 
Thanks to all of you who have participated in our events and fundraisers, volunteered your time and shared your ideas.  All of these things have helped to get us where we are and are critical elements to ensuring a bright future for TMSA.
Pre-Enrolled families will be contacted soon with enrollment information and timing, and we will post the enrollment period on our website.  Please stay tuned.
Thank you for your continued support of TMSA!

See the Web site for more information: http://www.tricitiescharter.com

New gardeners in the Jefferson Park neighborhood makes plans for spring

Spring officially begins March 20 so it is timely that a new gardening club is getting ready for new plantings. 

Holly Roseberry, of East Woodland Circle, is organizing the effort.  She said several people have contacted her about getting it off the ground, while some 20 people have joined the group's Facebook page:  Jefferson Park, GA Gardening Club.  Find it at http://bit.ly/92nJrU

The group's members range from novices to a horticulturist. Roseberry said she has little experience herself. "Last year we had a couple of tomato plants in pots and also flowers lining the walkway. That inspired us to finally get serious this year and make some vegetable beds in the yard," she said in an email. 

It's Facebook description shows a variety of activities for the group, from growing vegetables and using raised vegetable garden beds to organic methods.

And many hands make light work, so the group has a goal to converge on each other's gardens and get some serious work done.

To get involved, contact Holly at hollyroseberry(at)gmail.com.

And this article from the Wall Street Journal may be of interest to folks with a green thumb: Attack of the Rotten Tomatoes.