A hearty thanks to one of our neighborhood businesses, Candler Park Market, for making CPNO and Lake Claire Neighbors dual beneficiaries of the market's annual bike raffle.

The raffle's big winner was CPNO member Jeff Lambert, who pedaled away with quite a nice hand-crafted bicycle put together by the folks who brew Fat Tire Ale -- all for a $2 raffle ticket.

But CPNO and LCN also came away with a pretty good take — $278 each. The Market's Greg Hutchins said it was the most successful bike raffle yet after several years of doing it.

While we're on the thank yous, ditto to the producers of Goosebumps. You may recall that the upcoming Jack Black comedy pretty much took over Mell Avenue during filming for a few weeks this winter. As their own thank you gesture for the hospitality shown by CP, the production team sent over a $1,500 check to CPNO.

We're working to ensure that a variety fundraising efforts help CPNO make up for the budget shortfall created by 420Fest's move last year from Candler Park. If you have other ideas for fundraisers -- or if you want to throw money CPNO's way — be sure to contact Vice President Lexa King.

Meanwhile, here's a big fundraising opportunity that all of us can help with right now: Michele Allen, who leads the effort to sell Fall Fest sponsorships, would greatly appreciate any leads you can give her for potential Fall Fest sponsors. These could be businesses, large or small, that might benefit by reaching an audience of tens of thousands of upscale, intown residents. Any ideas? Or maybe your company would benefit? OK, then, email Michele today.

Their x-ray hearing (well, actually a Monkey Survey) revealed that you wanted new furniture at the Candler Park pool. In response, the pool-improvement superwomen swooped down to deliver lounges and an umbrella at the pool (well actually, it came in a truck).

The pool-improvement superwomen are Amy Erwin and Lauren Welsh. Since spring, they and their inumerable sidekicks have been on a pool-improvement tear.

Graffiti cleanup? Check.

Potted plants? Check.

Repaired water fountain? Check

And this week the first order of pool furniture has been placed at the pool. With help from CPNO fundraising and a CPNO challenge grant, Amy and Lauren put together a fundraising effort that so far has drawn some $3,000 in contributions from we neighbors to help buy the badly needed furniture. Amy stresses that you can still help with the second round of furniture contribute to the furniture fund by following these easy instructions.

From Randy Pimsler

The Candler Park Master Plan Coordinating Committee reviewed the Master Plan priority matrix at its regularly scheduled committee meeting on July 7. At that time, several concerns were raised about the proposed martix that we presented at the June Members Meeting.

The committee discussed proposed updates, based on input received from members. The committee made the following changes based on the rationale that follows each line item, and the CPNO Board later voted to recommend the version of the matrix that includes these changes:

• Add Item 2.4 - Provide new amphitheatre seating (Candler Park Conservancy) - there are volunteers prepared to work on this project at this time; the project is under discussion at the conservancy level
• Add Item 4.13 - Install crosswalks at Euclid Avenue and Candler Street (School Related Crosswalks) - there are volunteers prepared to work on this project at this time
• Add Item 4.41 - Improve connectivity at Freedom Park Path at Moreland Avenue -  there are volunteers prepared to work on this project at this time
• Delete Item 6.1 - Create committee to analyze dog park location - no one has stepped forward to work on this item; this item appears to continue to be controversial; there has been opposition expressed to moving this item forward, at this time
• Add Item 8.3a - Prioritize Oakdale and McLendon Avenue sidewalk improvements - there are volunteers prepared to work on this project at this time;  funding may become available in the near term.

As you will note, the primary reason for inclusion is the presence of an owner for a project.  In like manner, the lack of an owner may suggest that a project is removed from the list.  We are attempting to move projects forward based on input and/or enthusiasm from all of our neighbors, as well as the possibility of funding availability and options.

Link here to copy of the matrix as amended, with the changes placed in italics.

These items will be discussed as potential amendments to the prioritization list to be voted on at the July 21, 2014 CPNO General Membership Meeting.  If you have questions, comments and / or concerns, please forward those to:  masterplanchair@candlerpark.org.

After a two-month hiatus, the July 2014 Messenger should arrive at your home any day now. If you can't wait, however, check out the online version here.

We're working hard to get the Messenger back on a consistent publication schedule. Last night, the board endorsed the negotiation and eventual signing of a contract with KDA Communications to lay out, print and distribute the monthly newsletter, while retaining CPNO control over editorial content. Read more about those proposed changes here.

This should put our next editor in a better position to concentrate on great coverage of the community without getting spread thin on other editorial duties. In you're a good writer with a passion for telling your neighbors what's going on, you may be just the person for that job. Interested? Please contact me to let me know.