MANA Community Meeting (Oct. 24) summary

We had a fantastic meeting last night, with a packed agenda.

The South Fork Conservancy presented its plan for a 31-mile trail connecting our area creeks.

We heard about DeKalb County's CERT program that trains citizens to safely respond to emergencies and disasters.

We also heard about the Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) and its project to replace aging pipelines in our neighborhood. This project replaces their transmission lines (the ones that move gas from one area to another), not our distribution lines (the ones that bring gas to our homes). Those living near affected areas have been contacted. As we get closer to the start of the actual project, AGL representatives have offered to visit us again to share information and answer questions. If the previous gas replacement projects (a few years back) left your curbside in an unsatisfactory state, contact medlockassoc@gmail.com and share your name and address and we'll relay that information to AGL.

We had an update from the Neighborhood Watch. To join the neighborhood watch e-list, email manawatch@gmail.com.

The MANA treasurer reported on finances and membership. 104 individuals paid membership dues since last June (that is both new members and renewals)!

We had a reminder that Halloween is coming next week!

We had a brief discussion about Medlock School building. Nothing new to report--ICS and DCSS are ironing out the final details.

We elected new officers. Kathryn and Pat have stepped down and Sharon and Lynn have stepped in. A hearty thank you to Kathryn, Pat, and all the board members who give so much of their time and energy to keep our neighborhood wonderful.

We had a zoning report by Teresa, focusing on the redevelopment of Suburban Plaza.

Sharon reminded us that there are pros/cons to voting yes on the education SPLOST this coming November 8. And that MANA residents will vote at the North Decatur Presbyterian Church (but check your voter registration cards!). This is different from the transportation SPLOST coming up in the summer of 2012.

PATH update

Update: Oct. 24, from the Path Foundation website:

The last section of trail between Mason Mill Tennis Center and Medlock Park is installed. PATH crews are finishing up grading, landscaping and site amenities. You can use the trail on weekends and afer hours; be careful in areas where work is still in progress.
DeKalb County is planning a grand opening later this fall. Watch this post for details.

We are almost there: today (Oct. 21), the work crew is pouring the last segment of the path connecting to the Mason Mill park. Walker, joggers and cyclists be advised that in order to go that way, you will need to go all-terrain, along the just-poured sections, and it's pretty muddy and uneven.

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.