Clairmont Heights Civic Association

From the organizing committee via the Laurel Ridge neighborhood listserv: The ... Community needs to make their opinions known for the Druid Hills Charter Cluster. Please take a moment to complete the survey ASAP! The Organizing Committee for the Druid Hills Charter Cluster initiative is committed to developing a charter petition that is reflective of the unique needs, interests, and desires of the students, parents, teachers/staff, and community stakeholders.

From Clairemont Great Lakes Association neighbor Wardell Castles (See also this AJC article.): "Following an outcry from DeKalb citizens, the DeKalb Animal Services Task Force was commissioned by the CEO and commissioners to assess conditions and determine reasons for our high euthanasia rate.

From the Reporter Newspapers: "As the Perimeter fills in, many believe mixed-use development will become the standard pattern of development...." [Read more]

Ironic perhaps that citizens of a city created to make local government more responsive feel it's still not responsive to them.  From the Reporter Newspapers: ".... Although the original members were interested in different issues, they agreed that they felt shut out by the city government....." [Read more]

From DeKalb County Schools via the North Druid Hills - Briarcliff Patch: "The DeKalb County School District has undertaken a fast-paced technology plan to make 123 schools and centers wireless by the winter.

For our gardeners: Georgia Native Plant Society annual Plant Sale, being held in Cobb County. Shop for yourself or for *Your Local Park*. These are some of the plants that would be growing here naturally, though exactly which ones would naturally be in which location depends on the soil, lighting and water conditions of that location.

From state rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, April 18, 2013  –   2013 GENERAL  ASSEMBLY FINAL WRAP-UP   --  SINE DIE!  This is Mary Margaret Oliver’s FINAL WRAP-UP email newsletter for the 2013 General Assembly Session which convened January 14, 2013 and adjourned at midnight March 28.    To follow MMO’s legislative work and learn about opportunities to participate please friend her on Facebook and follow her Tweets.  Thank you for your interest!          

MEETING ON CITYHOOD BILLS – On May 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, members of the DeKalb delegation who have introduced new cityhood or annexation bills will hold a Town hall Meeting at the Clairmont Hills Baptist Church at the corner of Clairmont and North Druid Hills to discuss all the bills introduced, including provisions for Druid Hills, Lavista Hills, Tucker, Lakeside, and the City of DeKalb.  Please come, learn about your options and how you may participate in a broad discussion about DeKalb governance.  More details about this meeting will be forth coming in future notices, but please put this date on your calendar.  Thank you for your interest!   .  

From commissioner Kathie Gannon: Local green vendor shopping and eudcational workshops. Conference Center at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 North Indian Creek Rd, Clarkston, GA 30021. Door prizes; Food trucks; Fun workshops; Vendor shopping; Children's terrarium activity; Live music. For more info, contact sustainabledekalb@gmail.com or call 404-371-7045. Sponsored by DeKalb County green commission, Decatur Environmental Sustainability Board and Dunwoody Sustainability Commission. Organized by Dekalb Commissioner Kathie Gannon.

From the Medlock Area Neighborhood Association: MANA Neighborhood Watch - April 2013. Neighborhood Watch Meeting  April 24, 2013. 7:00 pm at North Decatur Presbyterian Church.   Just a reminder, there will be a neighborhood watch meeting next Tuesday, 7pm.  Al Fowler, the new Public Safety for Dekalb and Major Ellison, the new Center commander will be at the meeting answering questions.

From U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson: Purple heart; Foreclosure settlement; DeKalb Chief; Gun control; Arts competition; Immigration reform; Taxes; Mother-daughter walk; Academy Day; Nominations; C-Span; Grants page; Make it in America; South River clean-up; Biometrics; U.S. Mail; Jobs online.

From a local resident near the intersection of N Superior and N Decatur: Hi, I wanted to report that our house, near N Decatur Rd, got broken into again (the last time was late February). I got home right before 6pm today [4/18/13]. They kicked in the carport door and took a jewelry box. It looks like they also tried to take our iMac, but dropped it and smashed it in the process. Like before, the police advised that it was most likely kids en route home from school--based on the time of day and the things they took.

Saturday, April 27, 2013 10 am - 1 pm.  Doors Open @ 9:30 am. Session Location: DeKalb Fire Rescue Building, 1950 W. Exchange Pl., Tucker GA 30084 2nd Floor - Peer Auditorium. Session Topics: Child Internet Safety - Firearm Safety - Narcotics. R.S.V.P. is a must, due to limited seating. Contact your Precinct Public Education Specialist to reserve your seat(s).

From the Medlock Area Neighborhood Association: "The International Community School (ICS) invites you to the Atlanta premiere of a documentary feature film about the school titled A Place in the World." [Read more]

From MANA: Join the 4th Annual Laurel Ridge Elementary School “Romp Thru the Woods” 5K & 1 mile Fun Run & Tot Trot. A true off-road race through the woods between Laurel Ridge & Druid Hills Middle School. Fun for the entire family! All ages and athletic abilities welcome! The race is sponsored by the LRES PTA Health & Wellness Committee. Start: Saturday, April 20, 2013 @ 8:00 AM.

From commissioner Jeff Rader:  DeKalb County Road Closure Notification.  Beginning 6:00 a.m. Friday April 11, through 6:00 a.m. Saturday April 12, South Ponce de Leon Avenue between Clifton Road NE and Ponce de Leon Avenue NE will be closed to through traffic.  Road closure signs will be posted advising of construction work and traffic detours.  For more information, contact Clint Fumanti at 404-333-6621.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend -

From the Fernbank Science Center: Spring Plant Sale. Saturday April 20, 2013, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. Available for Purchase: Over 200 varieties of trees, shrubs, and flowering perennials.  Many of the plants available for purchase are native species that are often hard to find anywhere else!  Fernbank Science Center horticulture staff will be on hand to provide planting advice to anyone who might need additional help with their gardening problems.  All money generated at the plant sale supports programming at Fernbank Science Center.

For our neighborhood festival fans from the Festival on Ponce website (h/t to Ralph Ellis in the Decatur - Avondale Estates Patch): Spring Festival: April 13-14, 2013. The Festival on Ponce is an Atlanta arts and crafts festival set in the historic park, Olmsted Linear Park. Visitors will enjoy the gorgeous landscape designed by one of America's most celebrated landscape architects, Fredrick Olmsted Sr. along with over 125 displays of fine arts and crafts, folk and "outsider art". In addition to the fine arts, there will be a children's area and local food and beverage. Attendance is Free.