Free curbside recycling for all

DeKalb County Commissioners have voted to make the recycling program free for all residents. The AJC reports that

The current recycling rate has already added 16 years to the 70-year life expectancy of the landfill. Continue reading @ AJC. 

New subscribers still need to contact the sanitation department to be added to the pick-up (404-294-2900 or sanitation@co.dekalb.ga.us).

For additional information on DeKalb's recycling program see the County's recycling brochure (pdf file). The County accepts all grades of paper (from plain to glossy, from junk mail to phone books to cardboard), all glass, and CLEAN plastic containers (coded 1-7). Pick-up is on Wednesdays.

Atlanta Gas Light worksite on Wood Trail Lane

The Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) worksite on Wood Trail Lane is in full swing. The project will replace older pipes to ensure safety and continuity of service. We first heard about this project last fall (October 2011 MANA community meeting).

Ongoing work at Wood Trail Lane. Click to enlarge.

AGL shared the information below for distribution to our neighbors. AGL representatives will attend the MANA community meeting next October 22.

Blessing of the animals @ NDPC [Sept 30]

Click to enlarge.

Lost Cat [Sept 17]

Stevie the cat is now safely home. Yay!

Puppy found on North Decatur Road [Sept. 17]

via the neighborhood Facebook page...

Can't touch this

I believe this critter will eventually become an American Dagger Moth.

Click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge.

Wasp Wednesday

Wasps, bless their hearts... no one ever has anything good to say about wasps. While it is true they can sting, many species just mind their own business when away from their nests and are not overly aggressive unless threatened. So here's a little information about a few of our most visible wasps in hopes of reducing the chance of a negative encounter.

N.B. CDC has a document on how to deal with insect bites as well as an identification key to stinging hymenoptera (wasps, bees, ants). CDC also offers this link on how to handle insect stings (how to administer first aid, knowing when to seek additional medical assistance, etc.).

Let's start with the pretty blue mud dauber. This is a solitary wasp who, among other things, catches and feeds black widow spiders to its babies. [In case you wonder, yes, we do have black widow spiders in the neighborhood so please wear gloves when working outdoors]. The blue mud dauber nests in underground cavities built by other wasps or by its spider victims.

Pretty in iridescent blue, but fear not, only ~1" long.