Hollywood arrives on the doorstep of Jefferson Park

Jefferson Avenue home becomes a film set. Photo by Brian Frey

 

EAST POINT - Filming for the movie Prisoners closed a main roadway through the city, filmed in local homes and gave a resident the chance to say thanks to a leading man for taking on a controversial role.

Shutting Down Cleveland Avenue

Atlanta Medical Center, South Campus, was the backdrop to the filming of this ?. Police shut Cleveland Avenue for much of this past week. Cars and other traffic was diverted through the neighborhood, causing some walkers to be concerned about speeding cars.

There was even a Christmas/holiday scene, where a tall pine near the intersection with Jefferson Terrace was circled with white lights to make it look like the holidays.

Extra shooting In local homes

An 11th hour request to shoot in local homes had residents to open their houses to cast and crew. Shooting was done at homes on Jefferson Terrace and on Jefferson Avenue.

Said Jeannine Henderson, of Jefferson Terrace:

They filmed in my basement, I had no idea this was going to happen, total chance.

I made cupcakes for the crew and Hugh Jackman and Maria Bello. I made them Coca-Cola cupcakes one day and Red Velvet with Pecan Brittle the next day.

It was an unforgettable experience.

A pastor thanks Jake Gyllenhaal

Pastor Paul Graetz and spouse Robert Mixon opened their home to film crew, including Jake Gyllenhaal.

Pastor Graetz posted on Facebook about an encounter he had with the actor:

After the filming of the movie Prisoners wrapped up in our living room yesterday, the best moment for me was to personally thank actor Jake Gyllenhaal. I wanted to say thank you as a Pastor... on behalf of all the gay and lesbians of the world for being willing to make the film, "Brokeback Mountain." Many actors would have been hesitant to take on a role like that. I thanked him for telling a story of love that is everyone's story who have been oppressed by inequality thinking or struggled with self acceptance. I wanted him to how much I appreciated his stand and how much the kind of Christian Church I represent appreciated it as well. So again, Thank you, Jake for your role in creating greater awareness and contributing to the higher consciousness of equality for all. We all thank you.

He also said, that he took the role without hesitation knowing that it was ground breaking and would have an impact. He was delighted to hear that it was received so well by many.

 

Pastor Paul Graetz, left, and husband Robert Mixon. Photo by Brian Frey

'Hinokishin' in Jefferson Park on Saturday, March 16

Jefferson Park residents:

My friends the Fujimoto family, who live on Jefferson take periodic litter sweeps of our Jefferson Park streets and Bryan Park. The Fujimotos pick up litter in the spirit of HIROKISHIN, which translates to expressions of gratitude in the Japanese faith called Tenrikyo.

In the spirit of HINOKISHIN, please join us for a street litter sweep on Saturday March 16th.  We will meet at 10:00 AM at Harris and Jefferson and pick up street litter for an hour, then meet at the Fujimoto's house at noon for a refreshing glass of lemonade.

--Wil Miller

Learn more here.

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"Chicago" on stage at Tri-Cities High School

Students at the performing arts magnet school perform the fast-paced, entertaining story about gangsters in the Windy City.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Performance dates:

• Thursday, March 14, 7 p.m.


• Friday, March 15, 7 p.m.


• Saturday, March 16, 2 p.m.


• Saturday, March 16, 7 p.m.


• Sunday, March 17, 4 p.m.


• Thursday, March 20, 11 a.m.


• Friday, March 21, 7 p.m.


• Saturday, March 22, 7 p.m.


• Saturday, March 23, 2 p.m.


• Saturday, March 23, 7 p.m.


• Sunday, March 24, 4 p.m.

Visions of downtown East Point: Historic district vs Open lawns

East Point City Council recently reviewed proposals for redeveloping the city center.

The issue has been quiet for months. Before the process was slowed, residents formed a Facebook group called the East Point Preservation Alliance. Advocates were concerned with plans to raze some 1930s era buildings, including City Hall and a now-closed city library.

The council heard from the second of two developers last month about their visions for downtown. Ward B Council member Lance Rhodes said the council would vote to move forward on one of these proposals. It may take up to two years to finish the project after a vote, he said. No date has been set for the council vote, he said

Here are key points:

Developer: East Point City Planners LLC

• Knock down city hall to create a great lawn. This opens up the arched front of the city auditorium.


• Build a new government center.


• Relocate the closed city library by razing a city fire station. This creates another green space.


• Close Linwood Avenue, between Church and East Point streets to create a city center.


• Estimated price tag: $17.7 million to $18.1 million


• Presentation

Developer: Manhattan + Gateway + Benoit + CCNA

• Create a "district" concept with four dimensions: civic space, recreation, transportation oriented development, live & work space


• Erect monuments and arches to establish the border of the district: Main Street and Church Street; Thompson Avenue and Cleveland Avenue.


• Develop amphitheater and open space along Church Street


• Preserve city auditorium.


• Presentation

What do you like about the plans? Dislike?

Jefferson Park fundraiser at Oz

Oz Pizza: Tuesday night, once Oz gets 20 separate receipts, they will donate 20% of said receipts to the JPNA.

Date: March 5, Oz Pizza, Main Street, East Point

Eats: Maritza & Frank's, Hapeville.

I headed to Hapeville last week to check out a new coffee shop that is getting a lot of buzz on a local Facebook groups. The place - Drip - seemed closed after its soft opening, but the stretch of two-story buildings on North Central Street was anything but.  This stretch of town has a number of unique, local establishments, from salons and a Thai restaurant to a bakery and drug store. The store fronts have their charm as originals, with no chain stores in sight. Those are found on Virginia Avenue, not too far away.)

After buying dessert for later during the day at the Buttersweet bakery, I wandered to Maritza & Frank's, a meat-and-two-sides southern diner on N. Central Street.  I had no trouble finding a table in the large dining room, where the tables are covered in red and white checkerboard plastic. It has the charm of a slightly worn, comfortable diner. Several people waited to pay their bills.  I found myself a seat in the corner.

View Larger Map // Inside of the restaurant

I checked the day's specials before the waitress brought over the lunch menu.  Being Friday and being I don't eat meat on Friday during Lent, I selected the tilipia. Given the option for fried or grilled, I went with fried.  A Foursquare recommendation praised the green beans, so that was my first side, my second, mashed potatoes, gravy on the side.  And to wash it down, a cup of coffee.

All in all, a solid meal.  The fish was done right and I am someone who doesn't embrace seafood.  There were two pieces of the freshwater fish on the dish. The white meat was tender, nicely battered. I feared  a fried fish would be greasy, but this was not. It was tasty. I did pick bones out of my mouth.

The sides. Green beans were good. If you can describe beans as al dente, these would be them. These kept their bite, instead of mushy beans that had been kept in hot water to long. The mashed potatoes were better with the gravy than by themselves.

Also, the meal came with two warm corn muffins.  Baked to just right color of a muffin, they had the classic flavor that makes them a southern favorite.

Coffee. Good, standard java.

All in all, the meal came out to about $12, including tip.

On Urban Spoon, customers give it 85 percent approval rating. And Foursquare, 5.7 out of 10 recommended it, or "mixed feelings."

If you're in the mood for southern food before exploring this stretch of Hapeville, with its unique shops, Maritza & Frank's would be a place to start. It is closed Saturdays.

 

 

Donors wanted for blood drive.

From the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church:

The LifeSouth Community Blood Center Bloodmobile will be at Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church this Saturday, March 9th at 10 AM.

The Blood Drive runs from 10 AM to 3 PM, and the Bloodmobile will be located in the Lower Church Parking Lot off the corner of Winburn Drive and Batavia St.

You must be 18 years old to donate blood (or 16 years old if you bring your parent/guardian) and weigh at least 115 pounds. We would encourage you to drink plenty of water before you donate (maybe beginning on Friday).

We invite the community to help "Save a life, give blood."

If you have any questions, please call the church at 404.767.0582 or the LifeSouth Community Blood Center at 678.432.0637.

#DoGoodATL : a call for photos of neighborhood goodness

Creative Loafing - Atlanta's other newspaper - is kicking off a new program for shutterbugs.

For CL's 2013 Neighborhood Guide, we're on a quest to find the good in Atlanta so we can spread the Karma throughout the city - and we need your help. This year we are launching our Do Good campaign, a series of grassroots partnerships with local neighborhoods to help them realize goals and projects they haven't been able to accomplish on their own, from beautifying a decaying neighborhood corner to starting a community garden to fencing in a new dog park. More about that soon.

As part of this project, we want our faithful CL readers to show us what good looks like in their neighborhoods. Think about it, and send us a photo of what you see. It could be anything from that piece of public art that brightens up your day to a neighbor picking up after their dog, and pretty much anything in-between. Maybe it's an annual neighborhood festival? An oft-overlooked park? Or a community organization that brings people together? Whatever the reasons, we want to see what makes your neighborhood great.

Send your snapshots to photos@cln.com or post them to Twitter or Instagram using the #DoGoodATL hashtag before March 8, 2013. Don't forget to include the location and a brief description.

Are any East Point neighborhood's showing off its best side?

Read more for details. Deadline is March 8.

 

 

Meetings on proposed "Cleveland Avenue Crossing" to replace abandoned apartments

UPDATE  - East Point planners and developers are to hold public meetings on a proposed WalMart on Cleveland Avenue

City council member Lance Rhodes sent out the notice:

Notice of Development Intent Sylvan Road/Springdale

Case Number:  2013P-006-03Duplantis Design GroupPreliminary Plat
CZIM Meeting :    03-12-13
P&Z Meeting:      04-18-13
Council Meeting:  05-20-13
Applicant Phone Number 404-567-5701

For the new readers of my emails, the CZIM is the public meeting where you can talk directly with the developer and P&Z staff. This meeting is held on the first floor of Jefferson Station in the P&Z Conference Room. The other meetings (P&Z and Council) are held on the fouth floor in the Council Chambers.

 

EAST POINT - One of the biggest redevelopment projects in the city in years is quietly moving forward.
City leaders expect the plans for the commercial/retail center, anchored by a WalMart store, to be submitted in November. Public meeting will be scheduled to review the plans for the site, at the corner for Cleveland Avenue and Sylvan Road.


easel.ly

"Chicago" coming to East Point's Tri-Cities High School stage

Lighting crew at Tri-Cities High School getting ready for "Chicago."/Photo by Brian Frey 

 

EAST POINT - The Tri-Cities High School award-winning performing arts program is getting ready to put on the crowd favorite, "Chicago."

The musical's opening night at the Viola Turner Theater, on Harris Street, is March 14. Tickets can be purchased online here.

Food cooperative to serve local families

South Fulton Newspaper had the story first about this new program that'll deliver 40 lbs. of food monthly to needy families.

Tri-Cities Church, based out of East Point, is doing their part to provide hope for families who have fallen into dire circumstances.

The church is in the process of executing a family food cooperative through local schools — Hapeville and Parklane elementary schools and Tri-Cities High — in the south Fulton area.

Jamie Vernon, one of the pastors at Tri-Cities, grew up in the community and has a passion for giving back in his community.

Here's what is especially troubling:

 “Tri-Cities High School has some of the highest numbers of homeless students in Fulton County,” said Vernon. “There are many different levels, but one of the main reasons for the instability and transient nature for these families is food insecurity.”

Read more: Food cooperative to provide families assistance

 

 

Missing Kitty

Chairman Meow has been missing 3 days and it is very unlike him to not come home when his Dads call him. He is wearing a dingy orange collar wtth no tags ( he pulls them off constantly). He is very friendly.

His Dads love him very much. He meows a lot.

IF ANYONE HAS SEEN HIM PLEASE CALL 404-831-7084 OR 404-281-3946.

Food trucks serving up hot food in East Point

UPDATE: According to the downtown development coordinator, food trucks are coming to Downtown East Point (in the Commons, once a month next to the East Point Farmer’s Market-more information will be in the Downtown Newsletter this Friday).

--

Food trucks in East Point?  Apparently efforts are underway to make East Point friendly to these restaurants-on-wheels.

Already, East Point has one food truck. The colorful Blaxican Food Truck - "Mexican soul food" - parks off of Washington Road, close to downtown.

Of course, Atlanta has its park.

I've emailed Erin Rodgers, the downtown development coordinator, to see what she can tell us about this project.

UPDATE: Food Trucks are Coming to Downtown East Point (in the Commons, once a month next to the East Point Farmer’s Market-more information will be in the Downtown Newsletter this Friday).

Free training program for the TriCities 10K and 5K run/walk

The fourth annual TriCities 10K Run and 5K RunWalk takes off on May 4 at 8 a.m.

The race raises money for www.themainstreetacademy.com

Organizers want to help people to cross the finish line:

FREE TRAINING FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS

Starting today train with Orlando Daniels, 20 years experienced distance runner and trainer; Every WED, 7PM, Badgett Stadium (last session May 1). First timers and veterans learn basic running skills, techniques to improve your speed, strengthen your stamina and tone your muscles.

Badgett Stadium: 3636 College Street, College Park GA, 30337

SIGN UP NOW for just 20 BUCKS

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Local school fundraiser

Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

Please join The Main Street Academy tomorrow night, Tuesday - 2/26/13, from 4:30pm-6:30pm at Chick-fil-A on Cleveland Avenue for our monthly fundraiser.

As always, there will be activities for the children and they have a great playground.  Tell the cashier you are with TMSA and a portion of your total bill will be donated to the school.  Drive-thru is included.

TMSA is built on the foundation of our 8 Core Values.  It's important for both students and parents/guardians to keep these in mind as we gather in the community for school-related events.  We need to be "the proud face of TMSA" and have fun, but still mind our manners.  There should be no running or screaming at any of our partner establishments.  Please display the TMSA core value of Respect at our community events as if you were visiting a friend's home for dinner.

Thank you for your continued support of TMSA!

 

Social media now a police tool

EAST POINT - To track down the suspect of an armed robbery, city police used the newest tool in their arsenal: social media.

The gunman was caught on security tape, but there was no luck  in identifying the man, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt.  So, police posted the video on Facebook and the East Point Police Department's Youtube channell. A tip came with a name and the suspect was later identified in a line up.

That's the success Sgt. Allyn Glover, a veteran police officer, sees as the department embraces Facebook and other social media.

"To date the page has been nothing less than a success. I feel that keeping everyone informed on the goings on in our city can only result in better communication and more success stories," said Sgt. Glover, the social media guy at the department.  A 16-year veteran on the force,  he is currently assigned as to the Major Crimes Unit in the Criminal Investigations Division.

Law enforcement have embraced social media. Nearly nine out of 10 law enforcement agencies now use social media, a part of the arsenal as walking the beat. The International Association of Police Chiefs surveyed 600 agencies and more than half said social media had helped solve crime.

The city police joined joined Facebook in early 2012.  While others may share vacation pictures or funny videos, the police are using the social media to share news about crime and develop better community relations. The police department uses the page to issue news releases, along with photos and videos of suspects and remarks from the community.

Facebook is the most popular outreach with social media, according to the police association survey. As of February, some 283 follow the department's page. In the future, the department may weigh whether to join Twitter.  Already, an account has been reserved by the department, but it hasn't been activated, Glover said.

Other parts of city government are turning to social media to get the word out. The city of East Point has been on the site since 2010 used Facebook to share community information. It has 435 fans.

Sgt. Glover responded via email to questions about Facebook.

When did the department first start using Facebook and what prompted using it?

We have been using social media since early 2012. We wanted to find better ways of using today's technology and felt that social media was a great way to accomplish that. We brought the idea before the Interim Chief Chase and he embraced the idea of using social media to better communicate with other agencies and citizens.

What has been one of the surprises for the East Point Police Department about using Facebook?

We were already very familiar with social media. We are happy to say that so far there have been no real surprises.

What has been a success of using Facebook?

As recently as last week we were able to identify an armed robbery suspect after posting a video on our Facebook and Youtube pages. Cobb County Detectives contacted us with a tip on who they believed the suspect was and he was subsequently identified with the use of lineups.

Any hiccups that the department wasn't expecting and it'd caution other police departments to avoid?

To date the page has been nothing less than a success. I feel that keeping everyone informed on the goings on in our City can only result in better communication and more success stories.

Does the department use other social media?

We use Youtube as well to post our videos. The channel is EastPointPolice. We have reserved a Twitter account but it's not active yet.

How many people at the department are responsible for the site? And how often is it updated?

I am the sole administrator for the social media sites. I review all correspondence that comes to me and post as needed. Chief Chase also monitors and posts on occasion. I have a Smartphone that allows me to keep the page updated at all times.

Can people submit tips via Facebook or should that be done over the phone?

Yes. We recommend that the submissions be done through our Facebook email as opposed to an open post. But yes.

 

Second Annual 'Love Feast' Saturday

Jeannine Henderson organized the community potluck she dubbed a "Love Feast." It is coming up on Saturday. She talked about how it got started and how others can get involved.  Check out the photo gallery below.

What was the inspiration and motivation behind this event?

That is an interesting story. I am the creator and administrator for the East Point Neighbors Give-Sell-Swap page on Facebook (think Freecycle meets Craigslist, but specifically for our area). Once the group reached 500 members, I felt a celebration was in order. We decided to do a potluck gathering. After some suggestions from residents, the potluck quickly evolved into an Appreciation for East Point's Police and Fire/EMT departments. Valentine's Day was coming up in about two weeks from the inception of the idea and I thought this would be a nice tie-in to include the holiday in a way. Since it was to happen around Valentine's Day I dubbed the event "Love Feast" because the event is all about showing our love and appreciation for our first responders who work hard to keep us safe and sometimes put their lives in the line. Last year we had around 125 people in attendance including our guests of honor. We felt that it was a great success and we received a lot of positive feedback from our first responders and citizens.

-Is this your own initiative or part of an organization?

The Love Feast is a labor of love that is organized and hosted by citizens independent of any organization. Citizens donate their time and resources to coordinate and execute the event. We also rely on donations and participation from Local Businesses. Last year's planning committee consisted of Matt and Ali Jewell, Isabel and Craig Jeffares, Kerry Kirwin-Milwood, Tim Baxley, Dennis Morgan, and myself. Turning Point Wellness Center was the first business to jump on board last year. They donated all of the paper goods used at the event along with a gift certificate for the raffle. Taco Pete, The Flower Cottage, and Oz Pizza also contributed by donating food or gift cards for the raffle. Some citizens also pitched in and offered prizes for the raffle. This year, TurningPoint Wellness has graciously offered to have their therapist on hand to pamper our hardworking first responders. Matt and Ali Jewell have again played an instrumental role in helping me spearhead our 2nd Annual Love Feast.

 

-What do you hope it brings to the community?

My hope with any local endeavor is to bring people together and foster a greater sense of community. Since last year's Love Feast I have become a member of the East Point Main Street Association and also the Jefferson Park Neighbors Association. Both of these organizations focus on community. However, Love Feast is extra special to me because it evolved from something so simple and has so much heart behind it. With the Love Feast, my main objective was to give back to those who give so much of themselves and their time to keep us safe. They work while we are sleeping, they work on weekends, they work on holidays, and they are often away from their loved ones. Public safety jobs are not glamorous and they are not lucrative, these jobs are labors of love. You have to love what you do in these fields. I don't know of another community where the chief of police, additional police units, firefighters, and a public service worker with a backhoe would come out on the weekend in the pouring rain at night to rescue a drowing cat from a storm drain! Our first responders truly care about the citizens, even the furry ones!

-What is required of the participants?

We just ask that our neighbors bring a covered dish to share at the event and extend their appreciation to the first responders. We had some delicious food last year.Two residents even baked treats featuring the different public safety departments. There were cupcakes with the police, fire, and EMT insignias piped onto each cupcake with icing and another resident made heart cookies that said "Thank You." It is the little things such as this that show our first repsonders how much we appreciate them.

-How can someone get involved with this event?

The easiest way to get involved is to just come out (with a covered dish to share) for some great fellowship and to extend your appreciation to our first responders. In addition to having top notch first responders who genuinely care about their community, one of the things that makes East Point such a wonderful place to live is the amazing sense of community that our neighbors share for each other and our city. If someone wanted to donate their time or goods to the cause, they may contact me to coordinate.

-How has the response been from the public safety agencies in East Point?

They were thrilled! Nothing like this had been done before last year. Having members from all over the community come out just to shake their hand, give them a hug, and offer up a home baked dish made their day. The smiles on their faces made my week.

-What are the future plans for the event?

This is the second year for the event. We plan to make this an annual event. We may add another gathering in the Fall, most likely around Thanksgiving. Showing our appreciation around Valentine's Day and Thanksgiving seems like a great time to give back to our Police, Fire/EMT departments.

Gallery of the 2012 celebration

A new name for East Point's hospital following consolidation

EAST POINT - The Cleveland Avenue medical facility has a new name.

[gview file="http://jeffersonparkhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/AMC_South_Post-Consolidation_Flyer-FINAL.pdf"]

New release:

Atlanta Medical Center Consolidates with
South Fulton Medical Center
and Becomes Second Largest Hospital in Georgia

Atlanta Medical Center (AMC) and South Fulton Medical Center have consolidated into one hospital with two campuses, effective Jan. 1, 2013. South Fulton Medical Center has been renamed Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus.

Now licensed as a 762-bed acute care hospital, Atlanta Medical Center is the second largest licensed-bed hospital in Georgia. With its main campus located in downtown Atlanta, the hospital’s South Campus in East Point, GA provides care to the surrounding communities of East Point, College Park, Hapeville and Camp Creek.

“Both of these hospitals have a long history of serving our communities,” said William T. Moore, president and CEO of Atlanta Medical Center. “We are pleased to provide even greater service to our patients by combining our strengths, providing quality health care to a larger region and offering a choice of location.”

The consolidation has been in the works since last spring, as the two hospitals explored ways to ensure long-term stability. On Dec. 31, 2012, the Georgia Department of Community Health issued a licensing permit recognizing Atlanta Medical Center as a 762-bed acute care hospital.

An academic medical center, AMC has been serving the community since 1901. With the consolidation, the hospital now has almost 3,000 employees and contractors; 580 physicians on its medical staff; and handles more than 21,000 inpatient admissions and 162,000 outpatient visits each year. Atlanta Medical Center offers comprehensive health care, including 24-hour emergency services, Level 1 trauma care, stroke treatment, women’s services, medical imaging, orthopedics, sleep center, pulmonary, cardiac care and bariatric surgery for weight loss.

Atlanta Medical Center is owned by Tenet Healthcare Corporation.

Tips about East Point crime could be valuable as police partner with Crime Stoppers Atlanta

EAST POINT - Law enforcement leaders here hope a new program with Crime Stoppers Atlanta leads to more tips to solve East Point crimes.

With this new initiative, people who offer tips about crime in East Point that ends with the arrest and indictment of alleged criminals can receive up to $2,000.

The information can be left anonymously by phone to the East Point police, a special tip line with Crime Stoppers Atlanta, online or by texting.

Crime Stoppers Atlanta received in 2012 more than 2,770 tips, leading ot the 171 arrests and 249 cases cleared. Some $102,000 was paid out, according to a news release.

How to leave an anonymous tip:

• Phone the East Point Police: 404.761.2177


• Crime Stopper Atlanta Tip line: 404.577.TIPS (8477)


• Online: crimestoppersatlanta.org


• Text: CRIMES (x274637)

 

Here's the news release:

East Point, January 22, 2013- Chief Woodrow Blue and the East Point Police Department has partnered with Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta in an effort to receive anonymous tips on crimes which have occurred in the City of East Point. A reward of up to $2,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for crimes occurring in the City of East Point.Any information on a case can be submitted anonymously to the East Point Police Department at 404-761-2177, Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS(8477), onlinewww.crimestoppersatlanta.org or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES(274637). Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000.

About Crime Stoppers Atlanta:
Launched in January 2007, Crime Stoppers Atlanta rallies and empowers citizens to take a stand against crime in their communities by providing an avenue for citizens to anonymously report information about criminal activity, or criminals’ whereabouts, and incentivizes them with monetary rewards if the information leads to an arrest and indictment. The information provided through Crime Stoppers Atlanta helps law enforcement officials in their investigations and can play a major role in the apprehension of criminals and in securing convictions.

Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization and does not receive any local, state, or federal funding. Donations are necessary for the continued success of the program. For more information or to donate to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta reward fund visitwww.crimestoppersatlanta.org.

According to Crime Stoppers, over 2,772 tips were received in 2012. One-Hundred and Seventy-One arrests were made and 249 cases were cleared due to the tips. The organization paid out over $102,000 dollars to tipsters in 2012.

Hollyhood adds its vintage clothing to downtown East Point

EAST POINT - You want unique shoes? Pschyo Sister’s Hollyhood store has them. Or a classic faux fur mutton to throw around your shoulders before the night on the town, the West Cleveland Avenue store has that too.

Psycho Sister’s Hollyhood store on Cleveland Avenue stocks hard to find clothes from past decades with racks full of vintage fashions from  ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, says Day Ramphal.

“It is a fun 5 and dime,” says Ramphal, who opened the story in 2012.

The store prides itself as the place where people can leave with a unique outfit for a party or to add to their fashions. It is one of the Pschyo Sisters stores.  You can find other stores in Little Five Points, Cartersville, Sandy Springs.

Living up to its name, the dressing rooms with oversized  stars replicate a walk of fame.  The doors  screams the “almost famous” walk through them, Ramphal jokes.  “When you put on the outfit, you’ll be the star that you want to be,” he says. People are invited to autograph the dressing room walls with their name, a design, a touch of fun.

Ramphal says he wanted to open in East Point not only because he lives in the Frog Hollow neighborhood, where he served as neighborhood president, but in addition he was drawn by plans to help revitalize downtown.

Another reason Ramphal says he opened its doors in East Point is to serve the creative people who live on the south side of Atlanta here, in addition to actors, actresses and “wannabe rock stars.”

Walk in traffic has been steady, he said.  To reach new customers,  the store stays open during downtown events so people can explore

 The store, at has caught the eye of TV shows, from AMC’s “The Walking Dead” to BET’s “Let’s Stay Together,” he said.  One of its fashions earned the top prize for best dressed at the 2012 East Point Possums Show and the award-winning dress hangs in a place of honor.

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Petition urges Fulton County to hire a new animal control services organization

More than 900 people have signed a petition to Fulton County commissioners calling for the nonprofit Lifeline Animal Project to run the county's animal control services.

From the Change.com petition,

Tired of tax dollars in Fulton County going to the killing of our lost, healthy and adoptable pets? Paying for failure to reunite pets with owners? Mismanagement of funds?

Right now the fate and well being of shelter pets hangs in the balance in Fulton County, GA.

You can learn more about the effort here.

New business profiled in downtown East Point newsletter

Downtown East Point Newsletter

How a cat was rescued

[caption id="attachment_6029" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Not the actual cat that was rescued, but a cute wet cat.[/caption]

A story

Updated 20 minutes ago

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   Neighbors, I just got a call from Kevin Goodman on Bryan. His next door neighbor's cat is stuck in a drain in the street and cannot get out and is crying. She has called the Fire Department and they do not respond to animal calls and Fulton County Animal Services has not returned her call. Is there anyone who could offer some assistance? Thank you.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
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   Cynthia Roseberry

   
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2. 
   
   
   

   And then there was this from Lori Kirby:
   

   "I live in the most amazing neighborhood/city. An elderly neighbor's cat was trapped in a storm drain tonight. Neighbors put the word out on our neighborhood fb page, after she got no response from Fulton County. My husband and I went to help. Only to find East Point fire dept, 2 police cruisers, several other neighbors, water dept and get this...the East Point Police Chief there to help. It's pouring rain and everyone is standing in the street, taking turns petting the cat through the top of a storm grate that is paved into the street. Water dept employee went down the street to a work site, drove a backhoe back to us, lifted the grate and rescued the cat. Puddin is now safe and dry. I have never seen a police chief stand in the pouring rain to help a neighbor. I have now. We moved to the right place! I love Jefferson Park in East Point!"

   
   

   
   

Trees Atlanta Returns to East Point's Jefferson Park neighborhood

EAST POINT - Trees Atlanta is returning to the Jefferson Park neighborhood to repair some damaged trees.

East Point Replacement Tree Planting

January 5th, 2013 from 9 am to 12 pm

Last Spring we had a little bug infestation on some trees in East Point and now we need to replace the poor little redbuds we lost.

Join Susan in planting 8 trees in the Jefferson Park neighborhood.

Sign up to volunteer here.

Promotion of East Point Hits the Airwaves

EAST POINT -  Two new videos promoting the community aim to capture the attention of families planning reunions and travelers visiting the Atlanta Metro area.

Here's the reunion advertisment:



 

The effort for his niche area makes sense:

The Grio.com website reported in 2010:

Some 82 million Americanswill participate in family reunions this year, according to Budget Travel Magazine, which notes that 44 percent of leisure trips taken by African-Americans include family visits.

And then there's East Point's location between the airport and downtown Atlanta that may be a good  combination for this niche travel industry.

The promotions are on the Visit Atlanta Youtube page, which is marketing by the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.

You can see both ads here.

 

 

Visitors turn to The JP Hub for East Point news

Happy new year. Thank you to readers who visit this local news website. Expect more news about East Point and its people.

From 2012:

New Blog--UPDATE

UPDATE:  The new address is www.jeffersonparkhub.com.
Come see the new blog as features get added to it.

 --
Sorry for the short notice. The blog will reappear, hopefully, by Wednesday.
Technical upgrade.
See you on the other side.

-Andrew

The Taste of East Point brings out all the foodies.

If you are in town, come downtown Saturday. Bring your wallet and an empty belly for the Taste of East Point. Part food fest and art show, it'll be an opportunity for foodies to try out new places.

Taste of East Point... and the Tri-Cities Area East Point ~ Hapeville ~ College Park

MUSIC --- FOOD --- ART
"Ticket a Taste"
$1 Tickets ($5 minimum)

Tickets are available for purchase at the event. Beer and wine sales benefit East Point Main Street Association.  

Saturday, May 1.
Time: 4-9 PM – Block of West Cleveland Ave. (Across from City Hall)

EPMSA is bringing back and adding a twist to an East Point favorite, the "Taste of East Point". The "Taste of East Point" is an event that will give attendees a taste of the food, art and music of East Point.

Local East Point restaurants will be giving out samples of their cuisine, local artists will be displaying and selling their work and local musicians will be performing during the event.

The event will be held downtown, on West Cleveland Ave from 4-9pm.

Wrist bands will be sold to sample the various types of food all day long (Wrist bands are $10 for adults and $5 for children(12 and under). Beverages, including wine and beer, will be sold to attendees by EPMSA as a fundraiser.

For more information: The East Point Main Street Association.

New Feature

A new community forum is available at The Jefferson Park Hub. 

Across the new top of the blog is a link to this new feature, called "What's on your mind." Using the sign in from either Facebook or other social media sites, a community of people can chat, post questions, offer helpful answers. 

I've started one question about the upcoming Taste of the Tri-Cities. Add your two cents.

High school happenings

Looking for something new, different tonight, wander to the Tri-Cities High School on Harris Street.

Tonight is the International Taste Festival: A TCHS Extravaganza. 

It runs from 6 to 8 p.m.

Happy Earth Day

The first Earth Day celebration in 1970 started the modern environmental movement, according to Wikipedia.

It's been said that spring is when the South shows off.  True.  Here are a few nature photos taken around the Jefferson Park neighborhood. If you have any favorites of your own, please email them here so they can be added.

Hug a tree today.  Or pick up litter.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Fort McPherson's time is winding down

The East Point Examined blog has the latest information about what is happening down the street at the to-be-closed historic Army base. Check it out here.

EAST POINT, GA - With the closing of Ft. McPherson just around the corner (2011!), Jack Sprott of the McPherson Local Redevelopment Authority gave a presentation of what's planned for the 488-acre base. There have been a round of public meetings with input from those residents in attendance. These meetings resulted in a few beneficial changes for East Point residences. Fifty feet were added to the setback along the northern Colonial Hills (Ward B) border. The proposed residential zoning near the Villages of East Point was scrapped and replaced with green space. Check out their website for more information

The blog has video of a presentation also. 

EATS: Bolo

Friends call eating on Buford Highway "adventure dining" with the variety of unusual ethnic eateries. There's a little adventure dining in a worn shopping center on College Park's Virginia Avenue.

Bole restaurant serves Ethiopian fare at modest prices in a well kept dining room. Yellow walls brighten the eating area with tables covered in red-white checkered table clothes. Pictures depicting Ethiopian scenes hang on the walls. Here's one.



We ordered two dishes: the vegetable combination at the suggestion of the friendly host and chicken and rice.

Veggie combo ($7.99) comes with misir (lentils), gomen (collard green) and two other types of vegetarian dishes.  It came arranged on a platter lined with injera, a spongy flat bread. A side dish included more injera used to scoop up the food. Not only was it tasty, but fun to eat with your fingers.




The rice dish ($6.99) was well received. The rice had a slight curry flavor mixed with onions and garlic.

Overall, Bole it's a place you'd return to if you like adventure dining off the beaten path.

Neighborhood April meeting

This month's neighborhood meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, April 20th at 7 p.m. at the Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church's fellowship hall. 

JPNA president Dustin Miles said the special speaker will be Steve Rothman. He will talk about  Spring Metal that has an zoning application filed with the city for its property at 2323 Sylvan Rd. 

---

PS: Looking for a willing citizen journalists who can report on the meeting. Be in touch if you'd like to tell the community about what happened.  A how-to guide can be provided. 

Creative Loafing looks at East Point

For those who yearn for a slower pace and a small-town vibe — while staying ITP and a stone’s throw from Concourse E — this trio of southside cities is your best bet.

That's how Creative Loafing, the alternative weekly looked at the Tri-Cities in the late March edition.

 Check it out here.

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