Central DeKalb Senior Center coming to Mason Mill Park

via CHCA... 

Commissioner Rader's website has a link to site and floor plans for a new senior center at Mason Mill Park. Simply labeled as "DeKalb County Central Senior Center", the drawings show the new building facing McConnel Drive, situated on an area that is already paved over. 

Proposed Senior Center at Mason Mill Park (in gold, in drawing at the left) and Google map image of park.
  Image via http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/commdev/pdf/DCSC_communityPresentation_boards.pdf
Click to enlarge.

Street view of proposed center. Click to enlarge.

As proposed, the building would include arts and crafts rooms (listed activites include drawing, painting, carving, pottery, quilting and sewing) and exercise areas (weights/cardio and yoga/dance/aerobics). There is also a cafe, a large multi-purpose room, billiards room, and several classroom and activity spaces. An elevator connects both floors.

OnCentralDeKalb has an item talking about three senior centers being built in DeKalb: a North DeKalb Center (3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee), a South DeKalb Center (at 1931 Candler Road, Decatur, replacing an older structure built in 1979), and a third as-of-yet-unreleased location "Central DeKalb facility" to be "the first county-owned facility in the Central DeKalb area." Per the article, the County will "spend $15 million in federal funding to construct the centers under HUD programs." The article goes on to say that

"Three new senior centers are slated to open by December 2013—one in North DeKalb, one in South DeKalb and one in Central DeKalb, county officials have announced. ... Each 15,000-square-foot center will have community meeting rooms, a computer lab, a fully equipped fitness room, a commercial kitchen, access to walking trails, and sitting areas inside and around the grounds.
The centers’ main dining halls will accommodate approximately 120 people seated, and are designed to easily convert and serve as a meeting space for educational seminars and civic events.
Activity rooms will be made available for ceramics, billiards, and games such as chess, bridge, and backgammon.
A large social lounge will also be included in each facility."

This facility will be a great addition to Mason Mill's recent improvements, and is great news to area residents hoping to age in place. Mason Mill Park is accessible by via the PATH's South Peachtree Creek Trail [trailhead at Medlock Park, with access point on Willivee Dr.]. Mason Mill Park is located at 1340 McConnell Dr  Decatur, GA 30033 | map |.

Pink asterisk marks the proposed location of the Central DeKalb Senior Center at Mason Mill Park.
PATH trail that connects Mason Mill and Medlock Parks is highlighted in light green. Click to enlarge.

Market, fish fry, car wash AND carnival @ ICS [Feb 23]

via ICS...

As a part of our efforts to raise money for our 5th graders trip to Washington, DC, we are hosting a fun Market Day. All vendors are welcome to come share your goods and talents with the ICS community. The vendor fee is $20 and we are asking for a donation of 10% of items sold at the market. If you would like to participate as a vendor, please make all checks out to ICS or make your payment(s) in the front office (there are envelopes in the office). Vendor fees are due by Friday, 2/22/13.
If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact Terra Gay—terra.gay@icsgeorgia or Brandon Davis— brandon.davis@icsgeorgia.org.

In addition, to our Market Day we will also be selling raffle tickets, hosting a small carnival, car wash and fish fry, along with other great food being sold. We hope that you will be able to join us. If you would like to donate to help us get to DC, please make contributions in our front office or
you may also donate online at http://www.gofundme.com/1uoccw

Doors will be open to vendors to set up at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday (2/23/13).

Click to enlarge. You may pay on site for other activities listed above, however, vendor fees must be made in advance to reserve your space at the market.

DeKalb School Board again faces GA Dept. of Education, Melvin sits

The AJC continues to cover the drama:

DeKalb school board to face charges by accrediting agency:

On Thursday, the nine elected members of the DeKalb school board must confront that evidence, which is based on anonymous interviews and documents that are mostly not identified specifically....That has spawned a lawsuit over the Georgia constitution that will be decided later. DeKalb sought a restraining order against the state, but filed it too late to affect today’s hearing. A Fulton County judge will consider the request next week. Read the rest @ AJC

DeKalb school board gets new leader

Retired DeKalb school system administrator and newly-elected board member Melvin Johnson got the nod from his colleagues Wednesday in a 7-2 vote. Johnson’s candidacy was uncontested: Nancy Jester nominated Pam Speaks, but Speaks declined. They both voted against Johnson. Read the rest @ AJC

DeKalb School Board sues, Eugene walks

The AJC reports that Eugene Walker has resigned as chair of the DeKalb Board of Education. The Board also voted to hire a lawyer (using taxpayer funds) to attempt to forestall suspension by the state following the Board's inability to meet criteria set by SACS. Please visit the AJC for their reports:

DeKalb County school board sues to avoid suspension, eliciting outrage from parents and employees

DeKalb’s Eugene Walker to relinquish school board chairmanship

Today! DeKalb Schools Community Meeting [Feb 19]

Curious or confused about the recent developments surrounding SACS accreditation and hearings with the State BOE? Board Member Marshall Orson will be available at this community meeting to provide information and discuss.

When: Tue, February 19, 7pm – 8pm
Where: Emory Presbyterian Church 1886 North Decatur Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia [map]

Last Chance Thrift Store update

Deanne alerted us that Last Chance Thrift Store has secured a new home nearby:

Click to enlarge.

For relocation information on other Suburban Plaza favorites (such as Decatur Estates and Wayback Antiques, Onstage Atlanta and Suburban Custom Awards and Framing), see our December 2012 zoning update.

Additional information on zoning board appeal

Selig Enterprises has issued a statement addressing the Suburban Plaza zoning board of appeals decision (download pdf).

There is ongoing discussion on this topic in the comments section of the Patch article that broke the news earlier this week.

Feb. 27 Update: Deanne alerted us to this article in The Champion
Suburban Plaza protestors lose appeal