Another great MANA pool party

Big thank you to all the MANA volunteers who make this year's pool party possible! Special kudos and thanks to Emily (MANA social chair) and Adrianne, Barb (for Community BBQ arrangements) and to Stephen and Judy for sponsoring the King of Pops cart.

Druid Hills Charter Cluster Petition Vote [Aug 13]

Tuesday August 13th is voting day for the Druid Hills Charter Cluster petition. This vote will take place from 4-8pm at Druid Hills High School. The petition can be reviewed online; an executive summary is also posted.

Visit the FAQ for answers to questions such as:

"What is a Cluster?
A Cluster is a group of feeder schools that feed into a middle school and ultimately a high school.  A lot of Cluster's have more than one middle school that feed into one high school.  The Druid Hills High School Cluster is unique in that it has 5 elementary schools that feed into only 1 middle school, Druid Hills Middle.  Druid Hills Middle feeds into Druid Hills High School.
What is a Charter school?
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public funding (and like other schools, may also receive private donations).  They are subject to some of the rules and regulations that apply to other public schools, but generally have more flexibility than traditional public schools.  Charter schools are expected to produce certain results, set forth in each school's charter.  In exchange for flexibility, charter schools receive less funding and although they provide an alternative to other public schools, they are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition.
What is a Charter Cluster?
In 2005 the State of Georgia passed a law that allowed Clusters of schools to apply for what is called a Charter Cluster.  This would allow all of the schools in the High School Cluster (elementary, middle and high) to run as an entire Charter together.
What schools are in the Druid Hills Cluster?
Avondale Elementary, Briar Vista Elementary, Fernbank Elementary, Laurel Ridge Elementary, McLendon Elementary, Druid Hills Middle School & Druid Hills High School.  Continue reading @ http://www.druidhillschartercluster.org/faq"

The group also has a Facebook page.

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve featured

Hear about it at http://wabe.org/post/getting-away-atlanta-atlanta

Lost cat [July 27]

via Pat Camp:

Large orange and white male cat has been missing since July 27. Gordon is seven years old and lives on Willivee Drive. He was wearing a blue collar with a tag. Please call Vicki White at 404 660 2842.

We have had a number of cats missing in the neighborhood quite recently -  3 of them orange or tabby.

Also -  folks -  it would be good if you could check your crawl space and / or shed in case Orange ran in when door was open.

Lost Cat [July 27]

Please be on the lookout for this lost kitty:

My family is asking for you to be on the lookout for our domestic short hair cat.  Tweek is a 10 year old large orange tabby male cat who has been missing since Saturday, July 27. He lives on Brengare Drive and has a collar.  He loves for people to give him pets, so he goes door to door to get them.  He usually is home for meals but we have not seen him. Please call Aimee at (404) 931-9376 (same number on his collar).

Pollinator snack bar

This buttonbush at Medlock Park is certainly drawing a crowd: there's an eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly, a couple bumblebees, a small bee, and a silver-spotted skipper.

West Nile Virus detected in mosquito in Clifton Corridor area

West Nile virus advisories are not uncommon; see previous MANA posts on this topic.

The following advisory from DeKalb County's Board of health was relayed by Emory University today (July 25):

The DeKalb County Board of Health reports that a mosquito collection from a sampling station located near the Clifton Corridor area has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).  While the potential for WNV transmission exists throughout the metro area, this WNV positive collection does indicate a higher risk at this time in the Emory / Wesley Woods / Clifton Corridor area.

Please review the precautions below provided by the DeKalb County Environmental Health Department:

•       Apply insect repellent. DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective repellents recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information, please see:  http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/mosquitorepellent.htm.
•       When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks. Clothing may also be treated with permethrin.
•       Use extra care when mosquitoes are most active. The mosquitoes that are most likely to carry West Nile virus are more active from dusk to dawn.

The DeKalb County Board of Health is aggressively working to prevent West Nile virus transmission. Program technicians will be providing additional mosquito control services in the area.

In addition, Emory Facilities Management is checking containers and other removable breeding sites, which may hold water.  As a standard precaution at this time of year, DeKalb County also encourages everyone to check around their apartments and homes for the following:  Flower pot saucers are one location where mosquito larvae are often found. Some items such as bird baths can be dumped and rinsed twice a week, but do need continual attention. Magnolia leaves should be raked up or shredded to keep them from holding water. Also, make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.

Requests for a mosquito assessment for your DeKalb County home can be reported to the Division of Environmental Health at 404-508-7900 or www.dekalbhealth.net