DeKalb Neighborhood Summit and Green Expo [Oct. 29]

WHO:
Residents of DeKalb County, Neighborhood Organizations, Homewoner Associations, Businesses, Faith and Civic Groups

WHAT:
An exciting community gathering that brings together DeKalb neighborhoods to share ideas, participate in workshops, connect with resources, and engage with their government.
*Back by popular demand!! - DeKalb County Services Showcase

WHEN:
Saturday, October 29, 2011
9:00 am - 1:00 pm

WHERE:
Decatur High School Performing Arts and Sports Center
310 N. McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030

The summit is held in conjunction with the Green Commission's Green Expo, which features local green businesses demonstrating eco-friendly products and services. Attendance is free, but due to limited space, registration is encouraged.

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION

MANA / CHCA yard sale = a great success

Kris (one of the yard sale organizers) writes:

It seems like the Yard Sale was again a big success, with the emphasis on "big". I don't think we expected this many participants. Another first this year was that Clairmont Heights, Tuxworth Springs condominimums, and the North Decatur Presbyterian Church were involved or interested and this allowed more dialog between MANA and those groups. In many areas, lots of neighbors were walking around from place to place. One area I saw where there were several participating homes near each other it seemed like those neighbors were meeting each other and talking.

I was able to to go to 16 homes that participated. Had hoped to go to more, but got in good conversations along the way. Introduced myself and asked how things had gone. (OK, yes, I also bought stuff.)...

The yards sale team is putting together a feedback form to hear how the yard sale went for sellers and neighbors. Look for that link here in the near future!

Trunk sale @ Medlock, early birds

More trunk sales @ North Decatur Presbyterian church

More loot!

Catfish mailbox, anyone? 

Get a bag... then fill 'er up.

Photos courtesy of Bev.
A hearty THANK YOU to our tireless organizers and all those who participated!

MANA / CHCA Yard Sale: Upgraded to EPIC [Oct 1]

9am - 3pm

68 potential stops to thoroughly satisfy your browsing and shopping needs! That's right, folks, the MANA / CHCA Yard sale features 67 households and a trunk sale too (at the North Decatur Presbyterian Church at the corner of Medlock and Lawrenceville Hwy.).

You may download the two files below as a 2-page pdf file.

List of sale locations (click to enlarge and print page; right-click to download)

Shopping Map (click to enlarge and print page; right-click to download)

A Good Riddance

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. 

- William Shakespeare

Dash Lounge is now closed.

A big THANK YOU is due to Claire, Scott, Michael, and other neighbors who made time to contact the police and county and follow up on a situation that was affecting the quality of life (not to say sleep and sanity) of many neighbors on that side of our little burg. Enjoy your well-deserved Zzzzzzzz's!

For reference: https://patch.com/georgia/northdruidhills/dash-receives-complaints-from-neighbors-county

Tombstone courtesy of austin360.com tombstone generator

Hazardous waste disposal [Oct 1]

DeKalb Co. santation and Keep DeKalb Beautiful are sponsoring a hazardous waste event on Oct. 1, same day as the EPIC MANA/CHCA Yard Sale... so plan accordingly!

8 a.m. — 12 Noon
DeKalb County Sanitation Division
Central Transfer Station
3720 Leroy Scott Drive
Decatur, GA 30030

Materials accepted:
Aerosols
Mercury
Batteries
Adhesives
Flammables
Lawn-care products
Automotive products
Fluorescent bulbs
Photo chemicals
Hobby and artists supplies
Paints and paint-related products
Cleaners and swimming pool chemicals

Materials NOT accepted:
Agricultural wastes
Ammunition
Bio-hazardous/Bio-medical waste
Explosives
Non-hazardous waste
Pharmaceuticals
Radioactive material

For more information, see their flyer.

MANA: Making It Easier for You to Get Rid of Unused Stuff

MANA member Jean Cohen contributed this article on disposing of unwanted items. Then she took it to the next level by including a table of local non-profits that accept donations. Thank you, Jean!

So you signed up to participate in the neighborhood yard sale on October 1, 2011. Of course you hope all your stuff sells. Have you thought about what you will do with stuff that doesn’t sell or you can’t give away for free? Here are some great ideas!

How to deal with any stuff not sold. Of course, it depends on what it is and if you truly think your leftovers will be useful or bring cash to someone else. Some of the charities will take anything and some are selective. If you have any questions please contact the organizations listed or any others you are considering before showing up on their doorstep with your unwanted, unsold items. Many organizations do not want nonworking televisions, computers, appliances, etc. Furniture for pickups must meet certain criteria.

Environmental Concerns. While you are rounding up your stuff for the sale if you decide it is time to cleanout your basement, garage, shed, or attic please note the county will not pick up concrete, tires, paints & related products. Please do not place these type items on the curb. There are other options for their disposal. For recyclables, if you do not subscribe to the weekly county pickups, one location that accepts all paper, glass, plastic, and metal is at the DeKalb Farmers Market, 3000 East Ponce de Leon Ave. There are other collection bins located closer but not for all types of recyclables.

Many hazardous wastes including aerosols, batteries, lawn-care products, automotive products, fluorescent light bulbs will be accepted on Saturday, Oct 1 from 8 a.m. to Noon at the Keep DeKalb Beautiful annual free Household Hazardous Waste Event. Yes, we know their event is on the same morning as the day of the MANA Yard Sale. Think strategically. Maybe your family could divide duties that day and/or get a neighbor to take your hazardous stuff. For details see http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/beautiful/pdf/HHWFlyer2011.pdf

Also, annually Home Depot on Lawrenceville Hwy has a “drop off your old paint day”, Decatur High School does an annual electronics drop off day, and other events and locations can be found on the internet. For informational purposes, the next page is a short list of area non-profits that accept donations, not an endorsement. Don’t forget to ask for a tax-deductible receipt.

Area Non-Profit Organizations that Accept Donations (as of September 2011)

For more info	Organization	Will pick up	Drop off info	Closest location to Medlock Area	NOTES
770.872.4260 Picks up 6 days a week	American Kidney Fund	Yes, call in advance to schedule	See web for bin locations, & Value Village stores	Bin at Chevron at 1923 Clairmont Rd
	Atlanta Furniture Bank	Yes, use online form	yes	538 Permalume Place Atlanta, GA 30318
Call ahead 404.589.1177	Dress for Success	No	Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.	67 Peachtree Park Drive, Suite 101 Atlanta 30309 Off P’tree near Benihana’s and Fresh Market	Professional women’s attire in Sizes 0, 2, 16,18, 20, 22, 24+ Suits, Separates, Handbags, Jewelry & Accessories
	Goodwill Industries	No	Trailer is staffed during day hours	Trailer permanently in parking lot behind Macy’s at N. DeKalb Mall on Lawrenceville Hwy side
404.296.1711	Last Chance Thrift Store	No	When store is open	Suburban Plaza at Medlock Rd & N. Decatur Rd.	Open 7 days a week into evening
770.936.0766 Chamblee store	St. Vincent de Paul	Call for potential pickup	Can drop off at numerous locations and churches	5463 Peachtree Rd. Chamblee 30341 Mon– Sat 10 a.m -6 p.m.	Collection bin at Suburban Plaza, near Church St.
404.299.9923	Salvation Army	Large items only.	Mon-Sat before 6 pm	2857 E. College Ave Avondale
678.974.5671	Secondlife Thrift Store	Call for potential pickup of large items	Open Wed thru Sunday, check web for hours	Avondale: 1 N. Clarendon Ave near intersection at E. College Ave	New store, proceeds support homeless animals
404-373-7004	Soles4Souls	Shoes only. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away 14 million pairs of new & gently worn shoes	See website for other locations, FAQ, & call for hours	Active Ankle & Foot Care Specialist 1434 Scott Blvd. Suite 3 Decatur	Distributes to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria.

MANA Neighborhood Watch Meeting notes

The MANA Neighborhood Watch met on the evening of Sept. 19 to discuss what we may do, as a community, to prevent crime. Forty-eight people were in attendance.

Barbara (Neighborhood Watch chair) reminded the audience of coming activities (the Yard Sale on Oct 1, Halloween Trick or Treating on the 31st, and of the MANA community meeting scheduled for the 24th). She then explained that MANA consists of around 1200 homes, divided in 60 grids.  Ideally, each grid would have a coordinator. The way the Watch works is coordinators are the point person for their grid. If an incident happens or suspicious activity is reported, the coordinator relays the information to the Watch by emailing manawatch@gmail.com.  [Note: Anyone can email a report or concern to that address, however, the system works best if the block coordinator is not left out of the loop.] It is most helpful if the report has as much information as possible as to the incident: time, location descriptions of suspects, was a police report filed, etc.

Barbara said she pulled crime data for the last five months and noted 18 crimes (theft of landscaping equipment, AC units; five vehicle thefts; two vehicle break-ins; three burglaries). A neighbor added that bikes were stolen from his home on Harrington and Barbara encouraged him to get in touch with his coordinator or email manawatch@gmail.com to provide additional information to share with the community. The neighbor said he would do so, but that as reported by another neighbor, the bicycles were taken by an individual wearing a white shirt and a white cap who took the items and simply walked down the street. This person been seen around the neighborhood before.

Barbara and other neighbors also shared concerns about a man called Eddie who was arrested in the neighborhood over a year ago for outstanding warrants. His MO is to mow lawns without permission, then knock on the door and demand payment. He may also approach residents with a story that he used to do work in that house for previous owners, apparently in a ploy to establish credibility. He was seen on Desmond as recently as a couple weeks ago. Eddie is described as a "large African American male, ~5'8" - to 6 feet in height" who drives a blue Dodge Ram with tinted windows. If you see him, call 911.

Barbara mentioned another crime that caused some concern, a hold-up at Medlock Park that reportedly occurred after the pool party. The credibility of the report is now in question.

It was also explained that Dekalb County soliciting law requires that anyone selling a product or service must have a permit with photo; this permit should be printed on white paper. The permit approval process includes a background check. The individual must have the permit in his/her possession while soliciting. There were questions about an individual who has been soliciting recently but neighbors confirmed he appeared to represent a charity and had a permit. The question came up about boy or girl scouts--do they need permits? Probably not, also, they are typically with a parent. But Barbara jokingly warned that 20-year olds in scout uniforms may not be on the up and up. There was a question about individuals who are not soliciting but rather, proselytizing. The answer, to general laughter,  was that "if they come for your money, they need a permit but if they come for your soul, they don't."

Doug and Jennifer mentioned they helped organize the meeting and shared some general safety tips, audience members also made suggestions:

• beef up your home security
• don't post updates about your whereabouts on Facebook (or anywhere online for that matter)
• let neighbors know if contractors are coming to your home. Let your contractor know that your neighbor may ask to see their IDs
• don't share information about your neighbors without their permission
• find reputable contractors through word of mouth (vs. door-to-door soliciting)
• if you see anything suspicious, call 911
• ensure valuables in your home (e.g. big-screen TVs) are not easily visible from outside the home
• keep your doors locked
• do not open the door to greet people you don't know. Some neighbors suggested saying "I do not open my door to strangers" or simply not answering the knock.
• do not discuss details about the neighborhood watch on the Facebook group, as it is open to the public

[HowStuffWorks has additional home protection suggestions.]

Chris Hunt talked about his training with DeKalb Police to become certified under the Volunteers In Patrol (VIP). This is a Dekalb Police program that consists of classroom instruction then ride-alongs with DeKalb police officers. Once certified, the individual must complete at least 4 hours of patrol time per month and must submit a log. The trainees are not armed, cannot pursue suspects; they are trained to observe and report. When on duty, a VIP will wear an identifying vest and if in a car, the vehicle will have a large magnetic sticker on its door. Chris is happy to answer questions about the program but notes that he cannot train others as that is best done by the VIP program.

It was noted that if a neighbor patrols in an unmarked vehicle (driving slowly, paying close attention to surroundings), this may alarm others. Barbara noted that if one's driving behind such a vehicle, it may be possible to use a cell phone camera to capture the license then forward it to the Watch, which in turn will follow up with the police.

There were two ideas that the audience saw worthy of follow-up. The neighbors who made these suggestions are conducting additional research and will forward the information to the MANA watch, which will in turn report to the MANA board and the community:

• surveillance cameras: noting that there are ~8 entry points into the neighborhood, cameras could be positioned to record vehicles that enter/exit MANA. If an incident is reported, the footage can be reviewed for additional clues. There were questions about the cost of the cameras, maintenance, and whether it would be legal to mount them on telephone poles, etc.

• a non-volunteer (paid) patrol, in particular during times when folks are most likely to be at work. The patrol could be a private security guard or an off-duty police officer. Audience members familiar with other neighborhoods who employ off-duty officers cited sample costs of $85-$150/yr per home being monitored.

Barbara closed the meeting by saying she does not see a huge increase in crime per the data she reviewed, however, that it may seem that way due to increased awareness and reporting through the e-bulletins and Facebook page.