MANA Halloween 2011 [Oct. 31]

The MANA Halloween route began many years ago as a way for Trick-or-Treaters and their families to easily identify homes participating in this tradition. To serve those who felt disappointment that Trick-or-Treaters never visited their streets, or who were not on the route (i.e., to protect dear neighbors from the dangerous task of gobbling down pounds of unclaimed candy), the organizers decided to set up a trick-or-treat station at the elementary school. And so the MANA trick-or-treat route tradition was born, enhancing safety, neighborly interaction, and health for all.

This year, based on volunteer input, the route changed to include additional streets. The Medlock gathering has remained popular, offering adults and pets a chance to dress up in their spookiest best.

MANA also sponsors a neighborhood-wide home decorating contest. Judging will take place on the 30th, and winners will be announced on the 31st via Facebook and our e-newsletter. Make sure to include those homes in your fright maps!

Click here for trick-or-treating maps and Halloween home decor contest and Medlock bash information.

We would like to thank Adrianne, Carla, Ruby, and Kathryn for answering MANA's calls for volunteers, organizing the routes (3 this year!), and creating maps. If you would like to volunteer for next year's Halloween activities, or any other MANA activity, please email medlockassoc@gmail.com.

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve Harvest Festival [Oct 22]

Saturday, Oct. 22
4 - 8pm

The Annual Harvest Festival will include craft stations for kids, nature walks around the Preserve's volunteer-maintaned paths, live music, a campfire, and smores! Bring your own chairs and blankets.

A $5 donation is kindly recommended. This is also a perfect time to bring over any tools you'd like to donate, as the Preserve rebuilds its tool supply following the lightning strike that destroyed the shed.

A gentle reminder on... doggy poop

A MANA resident writes:

Hi - not sure if this is happening to anyone else in the neighborhood, but twice now I have had bags of dog poop left in my yard by the front curb. This last time, the person actually took pine straw to try and cover the TWO bags of poop they left in my yard. 

Although I don't have a dog, I love having dogs in the neighborhood and seeing neighbors out walking their dogs, but this is just disgusting. Maybe we could send a gentle reminder...

Ah, yes... with the many joys of dog ownership also comes the issue of responsibly disposing of an awesome amount of poop (hereafter referred to as "it").  Many dog owners struggle with the odoriferous paradox of grabbing a biodegradable object, wrapping it in plastic, walking with it for half a mile or more, and sending it to the landfill. But there are good reasons to do so, and many alternatives.

Suburban Plaza Update

At a county community council meeting earlier this week, Scott Selig, the owner of Suburban Plaza, presented to the neighborhood representatives a redevelopment plan. ...

See the CHCA site for a full update.

Coyote sighting @ Gaylemont

A neighbor reports

I was walking along Gaylemont Circle around 6:25am and saw two coyotes standing under the streetlamp. Seems to me one was darker and the other one lighter in color. They were facing my way and not moving when I noticed them. I slowed down and stomped my feet loudly and they turned into the small trail on the side of the school and disappeared into the woods.

Another reminder to all to keep small pets safely indoors. See this AJC article for more information on urban coyotes.

PATH update

Tim at CHCA alerts us that

The cement sections are finished from the old stone bridge to the dirt road at the end of McConnell Drive.

Check the CHCA site for recent photos!

Electronics recycling [Oct 29]

In case you still have some old electronics sitting around after the yard sale, here's two ways to send them to a better place:

Keep DeKalb Beautiful's electronics recycling program has two year-round drop-off locations. Visit their website for details.

Items NOT accepted by DeKalb include: televisions, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, freezers, de-humidifiers or humidifiers, and gas-powered equipment

If you prefer a more festive "recycling day!" atmosphere, try the City of Decatur's Electronics Recyling Day on October 29. Decatur advises that

Almost anything with an electrical cord can be recycled at the event EXCEPT microwave ovens, furniture, light fixtures, household appliances, lamps, vacuum cleaners. ... We will recycle television sets for $10 exact change.