Improving DeKalb Transportation: open mike

Visit DeKalb County's Transportation Plan 2014 website to learn more about how DeKalb is trying to improve our transportation landscape.

Timeline: planning to be complete by Spring 2014.
Image via Dekalb Co.

There are a number of planning meetings coming up (April 16, 18, 20, 22, 23); you can also catch up with previous meetings here.

Even if you can't attend a meeting, you can participate in the process by adding your notes to an interactive map. You will need to log in, but you can make improvement suggestions in the following categories: vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, transit and multimodal/other. As to feedback, the page states that

We’re looking for ideas on how the transportation system can be improved. For example, you could point out a problematic intersection, an idea for a new sidewalk or trail, a congested roadway, or a need for a new bus route. (We’re not necessarily looking for smaller maintenance issues such as potholes so please be mindful of the overall objective.)  

As a final note, the number of comments received about a certain issue or idea will not necessarily count as “votes” for that improvement. Rather, this mapping tool is one of many sources for our public input, and we’re really looking for ideas that we may not have heard elsewhere. 

You can also send suggestions to Transportationplan@dekalbcountyga.gov

School News

PreK Lottery Alert

For those interested in the PreK lottery at Laurel Ridge Elementary, put April 26th on your calendar! The application/lottery process takes place on this date, and is open to those living within the Laurel Ridge attendance zone. (If you have questions about your attendance zone, you can visit http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/transportation/school-locator and plug in your address.) Applications will be accepted from 8:30 -1:00 pm at the school, and the lottery drawing will take place at 1:15 pm. Those not winning a spot for the 2013-2014 class will be placed on a waiting list and processed as spaces become available throughout the year.

More information about the documentation required to apply and age-eligibility are available at:
http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/prekindergarten-program

Druid Hills Charter Cluster Update

From Teilynn Ivey, one of the Laurel Ridge representatives on the organizing committee:

The Organizing Committee for the Druid Hills Charter Cluster initiative is committed to developing a charter petition that is reflective of the unique needs, interests, and desires of the students, parents, teachers/staff, and community stakeholders.  The Organizing Committee and stakeholder groups working on the project will consider the collective input provided from surveys and in public meetings.  Your candid feedback on this survey is critical to our planning efforts and very much appreciated.    You may access the survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DHCC_Survey1

We are also committed to transparency in the planning process, and therefore, we welcome you to our Organizing Committee meetings and to visit our website at:    http://www.druidhillschartercluster.org/home or our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/DruidHillsCharterCluster.  Updates, calendars, meeting notices, agendas, and meeting minutes will be posted regularly to ensure the community is kept apprised of our progress.

Thank you for your time and valued feedback.

Coolest Intown Ace featured

The AJC sings the praises of "our" Ace on Scott Boulevard:

This Ace center is more akin to an old-fashioned general store, complete with antique gas pumps, ice cream and gourmet candy. 

“I hear that comparison a lot,” said co-owner Dave Jones. 

“We like that look of a general store, too.”The second comment the 12,000-square-foot store evokes from most shoppers is, “Cool!” Representatives of the Ace Hardware Corporation had the same reaction, and they recently named the store one of their five “coolest hardware stores in the country” for its unusual offerings and personalized service. Read the rest @ AJC

Intown Ace is a proud sponsor of the MANA Senior Dinner.

Student projects on invasive plant species

H/T to CHCA for a link to videos discussing invasive species at Mason Mill Park, created as part of a GA Tech class:

"The filmmakers were Georgia Tech students enrolled in Dr. Cara Gormally’s Biology 1511 laboratory.  The films capped a semester-long project investigating the biological effects of the Urban Habitat Restoration Project at Mason Mill Park, part of an initiative to remove invasive species and restore native habitats in public parks and other areas in metro-Atlanta." Enjoy the rest @ floraphile blog 

Spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event [Apr 6]

... via email from ONE DeKalb - Office of Neighborhood Empowerment

photo credit: ONE DeKalb email

Saturday, April 6th, 2013
8:00 am-Noon

DeKalb County Sanitation Division | map |
Central Transfer Station
3720 Leroy Scott Drive
Decatur, GA 30030

We expect long lines!!  Reduce your wait time by registering!

To register send your name and phone number via email to kdb@dekalbcountyga.gov.

DeKalb County welcomes county residents to participate in the 2013 Spring Household Hazardous Waste Event.  The event offers residents an opportunity to dispose of their household hazardous wastes properly, free of charge.

Household hazardous waste is classified as products that contain potentially dangerous chemicals and are no longer used. These products should not be mixed with regular trash and can be potentially harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly.

DeKalb County encourages residents to take advantage of this opportunity to clear their homes of unneeded or unused household hazardous waste and to help keep county landfills and the environment safe for everyone.

Items 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
Please make sure to bring only items accepted on the list above or you will be turned away.

PLEASE NOTE!

The event is free for DeKalb residents; IDs are required and early arrival is recommended. Residents are limited to 10 gallons of paint per vehicle. No commercial vehicles will be allowed. The following are lists of items that will not be accepted at the event.

Items NOT accepted:
Bio-hazardous/Bio-medical waste
Agricultural waste
Ammunition
Explosives
Pharmaceuticals
Radioactive materials
Non-hazardous waste

DeKalb Mall Community Garden (and soon veggie market?)

Go on with your bad self, Mr. Stripey!

The DeKalb Mall Community garden is such a neat endeavor. Per a recent announcement via the North DeKalb Mall e-newsletter, it looks like we will be able to buy their fresh produce later this year:

By the way, have you seen North DeKalb Mall's Community Garden?  It is located next to Stivers Subaru.  There are 30 garden plots being farmed by refugee families and community groups.  As a result, look for a Mall Produce Stand coming summer 2013 - fresh fruits and vegetables - yum! 

The garden is also working on a more informative website and the latest updates are available here. Note that they have posted a document with refugee stories, a list of equipment they need, and how to sign up as a volunteer. As a testament to their success, there is now a waiting list for plots.

Charter cluster maneuver

In his AJC article "Druid Hills parents may use charter law to gain control over school cluster", Ty Tagami updates us on on how some parents are trying to improve local schools by taking more direct control over decisions that affect their schools:

The parents are empowered by a 2010 law that allows schools autonomy if they commit to improved performance. It was aimed at larger, mainly urban school districts, since many rural systems have only one high school. DeKalb is Georgia’s third largest system, with 21 high schools and 99,000 students. 

“It allows for decisions about education to be made closer to the student,” said Dan Weber, a former state senator who co-sponsored the law. “They know what their needs are, and the needs vary dramatically across a county as large as DeKalb.” 

The proposal for the Druid Hills cluster would make an International Baccalaureate program the centerpiece of the high school and at Druid Hills Middle. Five elementary schools are included: Avondale, Briar Vista, Fernbank, Laurel Ridge and McClendon.

As to the actual process...

The parents and staff at the affected schools must write a charter, then hold a vote with at least 60 percent approval. It’s up to those affected to determine how much autonomy they want. The cluster, which would not get any additional taxpayer money, can manage some services on its own while looking to the district for others, such as busing, food service and human resources administration. 

Read the whole thing @ AJC!