Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve Earth Day Clean-Up [Apr 14]

From Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve acting President Gene Beck: Saturday April 14 from 9 to 12 is our annual Earth Day clean-up at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve. Come join us and see the progress being made on our new kiosk and invasive plant removal through out the preserve.  Do you have a wheel barrel… Please bring it as we have to mulch lots of trails! Can't volunteer this Saturday... but can help at other times? Reply to genebbeck@gmail.com and we will get in touch to use your help.

Directions

To get to the Nature Preserve take Medlock Road north to Medlock Elementary School. Turn right onto Wood Trail Lane and follow to the preserve entrance. For complete directions and for more information, visit http://www.cshepherdpreserve.org, leave a detailed message at 678-951-0105, or email us at information@cshepherdpreserve.org

Romp Thru The Woods 5K & Fun Run [Apr 21]

Saturday, April 21st, 8:00am

Join the 3rd Annual Laurel Ridge Elementary School "Romp Thru the Woods" 5K & Fun Run, a true off-road race through the woods between Laurel Ridge & Druid Hills Middle School. Fun for the entire family! All ages and athletic abilities welcome.

Packet pick-up: 6:30 am
Race start: 8:00 am

Open to all. Register now @ www.active.com

Sponsored by the LRES PTA Health & Wellness Committee.

Additional press on MARTA expansion plans

Rather than passively waiting for the T-SPLOST vote next July, MARTA board members have chosen proactive optimism:

The board green-lighted a plan to seek $1.6 billion in federal funds to build the Clifton Corridor light rail from the Lindbergh Center station in north Atlanta to the Avondale station east of Decatur and also create an all-day express bus service from south DeKalb to job centers in the metro area. 

In a surprise move, the board also approved seeking federal money for a heavy-rail extension from the Indian Creek station to the Mall at Stonecrest, a move largely seen as an attempt to mollify angry south DeKalb residents. Those residents and their politicians have threatened to try to derail the regional transportation sales tax referendum because its project list doesn't include rail for them. continue reading @ AJC

The Atlanta Business Chronicle also reports on the Board's decision, adding that although T-SPLOST penny tax is only a "downpayment" on this massive project, voter support improves the odds of receiving federal funds in the future.

The penny tax would raise $6.14 billion over 10 years for highway and transit projects of regional significance, including $700 million for the Clifton Corridor rail line and $225 million for transit improvements along the I-20 corridor. . .

The Clifton Corridor light-rail line would extend 8.8 miles from MARTA’s Lindbergh Center station to the Avondale station. Part of the proposed alignment would run in the median of Clifton Road near Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The I-20 project would connect MARTA’s Indian Creek station with the Mall at Stonecrest via heavy rail. Bus rapid transit service, a step up from regular buses, would operate between downtown Atlanta and a new MARTA station on Wesley Chapel Road. continue reading @ Atlanta Business Chronicle

MARTA releases concepts of Clifton Corridor plan

See http://www.itsmarta.com/clifton-corr-maps.aspx for concepts of how light rail might connect Lindbergh station to Avondale station.

In particular, see Section 8: Scott Boulevard to Church Street, which shows a subterranean rail station at Suburban Plaza.

Here is a  close-up of a possible Suburban Plaza layout (note this is zooming in on the North Decatur Rd / Church St. corner).

A bird's eye view of the whole Clifton Corridor plan is available here.

The AJC again reported on this topic yesterday and offers a great summary; here's a taste but go read the whole thing:

...MARTA officials stress this is only a plan to run light rail from the Lindbergh Center station south east to the Avondale rail station. It still has years of environmental and engineering studies -- and possible cost changes -- before construction could start, if funding is located. 

Second, the project would get a $700 million jump-start if voters approve the regional one-percent sales tax for transportation on July 31, which would fund the first phase of the line, from the Lindbergh station to the job center around Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in DeKalb County. That is how much is earmarked for Clifton Corridor light rail -- and it will give the agency more clout to seek federal grants.

No sales tax passage means MARTA would have to come up with hundreds of millions of dollars to be competitive for federal grants. The Federal Transit Administration often requires the local transit authority to pay 50 percent of the larger rail projects, according to the grants listed on the FTA website. 

Depending on your point of view, the project promises to be a boon to the corridor or a boondoggle. . . .  continue reading @ AJC

MANA Community Meeting Notes (March 26)

President, Sharon Johnson, welcomed everyone and encouraged membership

Treasurer, Judy Perras- balance- $3,900

Updates and Announcements:

Dog Park
• Jessica Dugan heading up and needs volunteers

ICS
• Students represent 40 countries and speak 25 languages
• They are looking forward to integrating the ICS community with the Medlock community.
• Uniquely diverse culture, children feel acceptance, belonging and are happy
• Occupancy permit should happen this week.
• April 2- teachers visit Medlock School
• First day of lottery- August 13
• May 5- auction at Carter Center- proceeds to renovate building, tickets 50% tax deductible
• www.icsgeorgia.org.

Laurel Ridge
• Garden project started- students try new foods, cooking demos, incorporate in school lunch program
• Fun Run- April 21- at school, off-road race- participants and volunteers needed
• Pre-K lottery- 4/17
• Need recycled tire tracks to build track for wheel chair racing

Senior Dinner – Kathryn Firago
• April 28, NDMC, 5:30 – 8:30
• Italian theme and menu
• Dave Butler will cook
• Need help with Italian decorations

Neighborhood Watch – Barbara Dalton
• Sign up for alerts
• Facebook – Medlock Park Neighbors- another way to keep up with suspicious activity
• Barb gave updates of crime activity in area; recommends crimemapping.com

Zoning- Theresa Same
• Rahn Mayo- new representative due to redrawing of district lines
Cityhood issue- Brookhaven city hood approved to go to referendum
Financial impact on DeKalb- may increase hotel/motel tax
City of DeKalb idea to help raise revenues

• Good Growth DeKalb- Jean Cohen and Robert Blondo- meeting on 3/27
Gave history of GGD events
Canvassing event coming up

• Vol Repairs- checking codes- using back as storage and junk yard

• Woodshed – has done plantings, but Theresa will send a letter asking for repair or replacement of torn screening

• Suburban Plaza/ Walmart
Gave history of MANA’s involvement with Selig
1. 6 years ago: failed redevelopment plan (mixed development)
2. last summer’s surveying and rumors- Selig not returning calls
3. October contact by Selig with word of Walmart and redevelopment plan
4. community meeting in November and Selig’s request to not oppose parking variance- otherwise they could build a deck-MANA felt it was best choice [see MANA website]
Traffic issues- GGD will meet with PEDS to see what options are, wants independent traffic study.

• Golden Corral at N. DeKalb Mall

• Zaxby’s- next to Pier 1

Next community meeting- Saturday, June 16, daytime meeting

Beverly Monroe, Recording Secretary

Dog found across from Medlock Park

1940 census data to be released on monday [Apr 2]

Genealogy and history buffs rejoice: the 1940 census data is coming to a computer near you, the AJC reports.

The National Archives website offers tutorials and other information as well as a direct link to the 1940 census.

I can't wait to try and connect that data to these aerial views of MANA. Recently, there have been some local history discussions on the Medlock Neighbors page (Facebook login required), and perhaps more will ensue once this resource is available.