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Neighborhoods are the building blocks of the region. They shape its character. They affect the lives of its families and children. They are where “community” begins.

On September 25, 2010, The Civic League for Regional Atlanta will host its second annual Neighborhood Summit, a daylong event created to foster relationships among the residents of the 10-county Atlanta region by providing them with a forum to meet, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration. The Neighborhood Summit will be held in downtown Atlanta at the Loudermilk Center for the Regional Community. Last year’s event drew 500 participants; this year we expect as many as 700.

During the day, Summit participants can:

• Attend workshops on such topics as Creating Civic Organizations that Last, Getting Organized for Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts, Meeting the Changing Needs of Residents, and Advancing Neighborhoods into the 21st Century with Technology.

• Enjoy the popular exhibit hall featuring representatives from nonprofit organizations, government agencies and businesses, who want to connect with the region’s community leaders.

• Network with elected officials and peer community leaders from around the region.

2010 Neighborhood Summit partners include the United Way for Metropolitan Atlanta, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, and the Neighborhood Fund.

What:
Day long event for regional neighbors to collaborate to build a common, inclusive agenda for strengthening the metro Atlanta community.

When:
Saturday, September 25, 2010
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where:
Loudermilk Center for the Regional Community
40 Courtland Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
Visit the Location page for directions and a map

Who:
All are welcome to attend, especially neighborhood and community leaders, activists, associations, and community members.

Using federal stimulus money DeKalb plans to bulldoze the blighted 146-unit Blue Sky Condominiums complex. A fence and 24-hour security is now guarding the property until the demolition starts. Read the entire article:

http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/memorial-drive-target-of-477083.html

Dekalb County prosecutors and the sheriff will teach residents how to be safer at a crime prevention workshop Saturday.

The workshop is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-noon at Tucker Middle School at 2160 Idlewood Road.

For more information, contact Dana Lawrence at 404-371-6342 or Ebony Phillips at 404-371-3685.

Folks, a couple of dogs are on the loose in the neighborhood.  One of them is this guy

If you see them please let me know so we can get them safely home.  You can email me at info@dekalbcrimewatch.org.

9:00 a.m. – Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Board of Commissioners’ Committee of the Whole Meeting

Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia

9:00 a.m. – Saturday, February 6, 2010

Community Cabinet Meeting

New Piney Grove Baptist Church, 2580 Snapfinger Road, Decatur, Georgia

Noon – Saturday, February 6, 2010

I AM CHANGE Oratory Contest – Sponsored by The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall

2801 Candler Road, Decatur, Georgia

9:00 a.m. – Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole Meeting

Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia

Monday, February 15, 2010

COUNTY HOLIDAY – ALL OFFICES CLOSED

No Sanitation Pickup

9:00 a.m. – Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole Meeting

Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia

9:00 a.m. – Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Board of Commissioners’ Committee of the Whole Meeting

Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia

UPCOMING

Saturday, March 13, 2010

3^rd Annual Black History Program

Porter Sanford, III Performing Arts Center

3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur, Georgia

R.I.S.E. Leadership Conference

Date and Location to Be Announced

Contact Commissioner Larry Johnson 404-371-2988 for additional information

1950 West Exchange Place
4th Floor
Tucker, Georgia 30084

Signs announcing the meeting will also be posted on the street.  We have confirmed with DeKalb County that the street will be maintained as needed after speed bumps are installed. 

After the design phase, we’ll need 65% of the homeowners on St. Patrick Street to agree to install the traffic breakers.  If you live in a rental home and would like to see the traffic slowed on St. Patrick Street, please speak to the homeowner about agreeing to installing them.  We’ll be asking for signatures later this spring.

A brief explanation of the Traffic Calming Program is provided at:

http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/transportation/faqs.htm#calming

Some pictures of traffic calming measures can be seen at:

http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/transportation/default.html

 A good State of the Practice document on Traffic Calming can be found at:

http://www.ite.org/traffic/tcstate.asp

Note that this document addresses some measures that are not provided as options through the DeKalb Traffic Calming program, but it a great document for anyone trying to learn about traffic calming.

Tables 5.1 and 5.2 in Chapter 5 summarize impacts on speeds and volume of various measures.  FYI – When looking at the info on tables, please be aware that the County installs 22’ tables which have been shown to reduce speeds by 18%.

Please post any questions you have as a comment to this post and we’ll answer them for everyone to see.

Welcome to the safety patrol arms race in Atlanta, where citizens are increasingly hiring their own armed guardians to protect their neighborhoods against criminals getting run out of other protected areas. With Atlanta’s police force chronically undermanned and fear of crime growing, private patrols manned by off-duty cops, a long-standing tradition in many neighborhoods, are becoming more attractive.

This is something we should consider as a community.  Time-permitting we can discuss at our meeting this week.

Items on the agenda include:

- Introductions and overview of the Neighborhood Watch program
- Update on installation of speed breakers on St. Patrick Street and next steps
- Blue Sky Condominiums and future plans for the property
- Recent crime in the area and crime prevention
- Any other issues or concerns from the community since our last meeting

A representative from the Dekalb County Police Department will be in attendance to give us an update on area crime and answer any questions you may have.  Don’t miss this opportunity to meet your neighbors and voice your concerns!