'tis the season to get flu shots

Flu: so far so good, but for how long?
via http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

This is a public service reminder that the ideal time to get a flu shot is as soon as the vaccines are released (which is now).

The CDC's Flu Page tells us that takes about 2 weeks to develop enough antibodies to enjoy the vaccine's full benefit. January and February are typically the peak time for the flu but infections can occur from fall to spring.

We are only seeing sporadic reports in Georgia so far, which makes this the perfect time to get immunized:

Test your Flu IQ!

1) to enjoy the longest protection from the flu (the whole season vs. parts of it). The chance that you will come in contact with the flu grows as the season progresses. People can be contagious before they show symptoms. When you encounter the Flu Class of 2014, and you will, you want your antibodies to be ready to rumble!

2) to keep the holiday season jolly and the new year happy: get immunized now before things get busy and you forget. If you hate needles, there's a nasal spray option.

3) to protect others. Vaccination can help you jinx the flu's nefarious plan to use and abuse you while turning you into a juicy virus factory. Take that, influenza!

Find a flu shot provider near you by typing your zip code in the widget to the left. This handy article explores the cost of flu shot costs and finds them ranging from $14.99 to $31.99 at stores such as Costco, Walmart, and Kroger and pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS and RiteAid.

The DeKalb County Board of Health offers flu shots for $30. They are located at 440 Winn Way, and the clinic is open Monday-Frirday 8:15-11am and 1-4pm. Walk-ins are welcome.

MANA annexation survey coming soon

from the MANA Board:

Dear Medlock Area neighbors,

MANA boundaries: residents of the shaded (grey) area
should complete the survey. See our About page
for more information about our civic organization.
 Click to enlarge.

We have been working on a survey to better understand how residents within the Medlock Area Neighborhood Association's (MANA) boundaries feel about our annexation options. We have been very deliberate with this process, as we aimed to

1) design a survey that gathers the data we need (no more, no less),

2) release informational materials that are accurate and current and help our residents better understand the choices we face and

3) report on our findings in a timely manner.

The survey timeline will be as follows:

Week of October 13: Information (on the impact of various proposals on property taxes and schools) and survey questions will be posted on the MANA website to allow everyone to familiarize themselves with the issues and survey content.

October 19ish and on: MANA volunteers will distribute our Medlock Matters newsletter door to door. The newsletter will include an insert with the same information previously posted on the website, the actual survey, and instructions on how to complete it. A phone number and email address will be provided for anyone who would prefer to have a MANA volunteer visit their home and help them complete the survey. Likewise, anyone with a delivery or access concern (e.g., will be traveling during the survey period) should contact medlockassoc@gmail.com.

October 27: We will report on survey responses at the MANA community meeting (7pm at the North Decatur Presbyterian Church). House Representative Mary Margaret Oliver will be our guest speaker. Ms. Oliver no longer represents our neighborhood but did in the past; she is part of the House Government Affairs committee, which will play a significant role in the legislative process. Hard copies of the survey will be available at the meeting.

October 28: The survey closes at midnight (no additional data will be received). Data analysis begins the next day.

by November 3: Final survey results will be shared via the MANA website and other neighborhood media, and e-mailed to our legislators, elected representatives and civic collaborators.

Thank you for your patience and please mark your calendars to complete the survey by October 28. We will send some reminders too.

As always, let us know if you have any questions through medlockassoc@gmail.com

Yard sale success

Another great neighborhood-wide yard sale! What a nice chance to recycle, repurpose, bargain hunt and chat with neighbors. The many Halloween decorations around the neighborhood added to the festive mood.

Thanks to Stephanie for planning. Photos by Barbara O.

A haunting sight: you can try selling your ghosts, but they keep coming back...

MANA YARD SALE = Oct 11

Suburban Plaza Starbucks variance approved

via Deanne, from the Cross-Neighborhoods Committee:

Starbucks is now clear to build a new shop with patio and drive-through in Suburban Plaza. The last hurdle was cleared on October 8, when the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a setback variance with no public opposition. Starbucks had successfully applied for a SLUP to allow a drive-through but a setback variance was required to allow pedestrian access through a sidewalk (to be built) along North Decatur Road.

"Shop J" marks the future location of Starbucks. "Tenant H" will be home to by LA Fitness.

Starbucks SLUP conditions.
Click to enlarge.

The plan, mentioned in an earlier post, reflects what Commissioners and community had visualized through the Medline LCI Study: walkable businesses and community interaction.

The plan was approved with the conditions (see image to the left).

Flow meter installation announcement from DeKalb Watershed Management

Received by MANA; please address questions to Mr. James (information follows).

Dear Association Representative:

Dekalb County has reached a Clean Water Act settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the form of a Consent Decree.  The attached letter will provide residents with details of the upcoming Flow Meter Installation project.  This is the first in a series of on going projects associated with the Consent Decree.

It is our goal to keep residents informed of the activities which may be taking place in their neighborhoods.

Click to enlarge.

Please share with your association members via your website, newsletter, or other means of communication.

Thanks in advance.

-- 
John F. James
Project Manager
Consent Decree Program Management Team

CERM | Corporate Environmental Risk Management
Engineers nSurveyors n Planners nManagers n Scientists

2296 Henderson Mill Road, Suite 200 | Atlanta, GA 30345 | www.cerm.com

p 678.999.0173 | m 678-524-4176| f678.999.0186

ICS "walk to school" day: Wednesday, October 8

Click to enlarge.

International Communty School
WALK-TO-SCHOOL DAY
WEDNESESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH, 8:00 A.M.

Kids will be walking on Medlock Road/Harrington/Eastway/Winelease etc.
ICS Kids will be walking from different neighborhood intersections.

Please drive carefully.

Watch out for the little kids from 8:00 a.m. till 9:00 a.m.