By Trey Long

At the Candler Park Neighborhood meeting in April, we approved money to be spent on a creeping fig vine to be planted along the concrete wall that separates Dekalb avenue with the Marta tracks. The hope is that it will improve the appearance of this area with little to no required maintenance. A date for planting has been set for Saturday, June 26. With over 800 small plants, we can use all the help that we can get. We will meet at the Candler Park Marta station near the intersection of Oakdale road and Dekalb Avenue at 8:30 a.m. I believe that each plant is 3-4 inches tall so bring small gardening tools and gloves.

What: Planting along DeKalb Avenue

When: Saturday, June 26, 8:30 a.m.

Bring: Small gardening tools and gloves

Wow, this is super exciting news: Beltline officials expect to begin construction this fall on a bike trail that would connect Piedmont Park to DeKalb Avenue; this is the stretch of the Beltline that is closest to Candler Park, so yay for us! Beltline officials accepted $5 million in checks yesterday and the trail is expected to be open to walkers and cyclicts next summer. Read the Creative Loafing article here.

Starting at 1 pm today and going until close to 11 pm, there's a great musical line-up including Better Than Ezra and The Wailers...not to mention a sports area, a family zone, and an artist's market. What's not to love? See midsummermusicfestival.com for all the specifics. Hope to see you there!

From the Little 5 Points Business Association email newsletter:

The next meeting of the Little 5 Points Business Association is next Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 10:00 in the basement of Sevananda.

There is lots to talk about so come support your neighbors and yourselves by coming down next Wednesday morning.

Please bring your checkbook to cut checks for $100 annual dues and your Police Precinct donations.

If you need to get on the agenda, please let me know. (just respond to this email)

Also, for those that did not know, the Candler Park Music Fest is this Saturday.  http://www.midsummermusicfestival.com/

If you go, please let us know what you saw down there that we can learn from to make our October Festival better.

Take advantage of early registration for the Neighborhood Summit.  Fees double on July 1!

On September 25, 2010, The Civic League for Regional Atlanta will host its second annual Neighborhood Summit, a daylong event created to foster relationships among the residents of the 10-county Atlanta region by providing them with a forum to meet, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration. During the day, Summit participants can:

• Attend workshops on such topics as:
  • Creating Civic Organizations that Last,
  • Getting Organized for Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts,
  • Meeting the Changing Needs of Residents, and
  • Advancing Neighborhoods into the 21st Century with Technology.
• Enjoy the popular exhibit hall featuring representatives from nonprofit organizations, government agencies and businesses, who want to connect with the region's community leaders.
• Network with elected officials and peer community leaders from around the region.

2010 Neighborhood Summit Registration

Early Bird Special:  May 1 - July 1
General Admission includes lunch - $10
General Admission for students and seniors - $5
After July 1
General Admission including lunch - $20
General Admission for students and seniors - $10

Online registration is now available -- just click here!

To register by mail with a check or money order, download the printable registration page, complete and mail the form to the address indicated.

 For more information got to www.neighborhoodsummit.org

This video of the Krog Street Tunnel's latest paint job is getting a lot of buzz.

What do you guys think?

This morning Alex, my three year old, and I went for yet another popsicle at the Candler Park Market. He got a sherbet Push-Up like he always does, I got a boatload of napkins, and we headed outside to sit at the little cafe tables in front of the market.

Much to our delight, we were treated to a bird show that included Mama Sparrow, Papa Sparrow, and at least three adorable baby sparrows that appeared to be nothing but giant mouths. They had built a makeshift nest under the eaves of the roof, and little bits of tell-tale nest material were dangling down from their perch.

In the fifteen minutes we were there, Mama and Papa Bird must have made at least ten trips to and from the babies, delivering some kind of dilectable treat, although we couldn't tell what it was. They also gave me the hairy eyeball when I tried to get close enough to take a picture.

The point of the story? Well, there isn't one. But if you like birds, and who doesn't, treat yourself to a nice snack or beverage at the Candler Park Market, and keep an eye out for our new bird neighbors.

From Dina Gunderson:

While walking to the Marta station around 8:45 this morning, I saw a raccoon running straight down the middle of Oakdale.   It veered off to the side of the road and picked up what looked like roadkill, then ran back across the street with the whatever-it-was dangling from its mouth and ran up to and through the porch of a yellow house.
 
My husband commented that unusual behavior could be a sign of a rabid animal.  I read later today that mother raccoons are known to sometimes forage in the daytime if their young need food, so maybe it’s not necessarily a rabid raccoon.  But anyway, people in the area might want to be careful.

Because of your generous donations and support, Horizon Theatre has closed its budget gap by more than $50,000. THANK YOU!
 
BUT WE STILL NEED HELP!
Join Horizon Theatre's I HEART Campaign and help us raise the $40,000 needed to close our budget gap before the end of our fiscal year on June 30th!
All it takes is 2,000 people giving $20 or more over the next 20 days. It's that simple!
 
Your gift will allow Horizon Theatre to continue to produce quality arts and educational programs while maintaining a strong fiscal reputation.
Click HERE to donate!
Here's what people are saying about Horizon Theatre:
"Horizon presents contemporary pieces that leave you feeling differently about the world when you leave... Now isn't that what theatre is all about?" - Susan, Horizon Theatre Patron
 
"Horizon Theatre - Excellent selections, superb theatre, convenient, comfortable and affordable!" - Ronda, Horizon Theatre Patron
For more information about Horizon Theatre's I HEART Campaign and how you can help, visit www.horizontheatre.com/ihearthorizon.htm.  
 
Questions? Contact Jamina Cole, Development Manager at 404.523.1477 x114 or via email.

From Jennifer Jezyk

We hope you will find the following list of upcoming Atlanta BeltLine activities for June and beyond exciting. Please let us know if you have any questions!

1.       Art on the BeltLine:

You won’t want to miss Atlanta’s most exciting line-up of public art. Log onto www.art.beltline.org for full details.

Saturday, June 19

·         9:00 a.m. Dog walk / BeltLine tour (east side)*

·         9:00 a.m. Irwin Street Music Stage (east side)

·         9:30 a.m. Donor / gift announcement (Historic Fourth Ward Park)

·         10:15 a.m. Art events for kids (east side)

·         10:00 a.m. Fitness on the BeltLine (east side)*

·         12:00 p.m. Children’s activities (east side)*

·         6:00 p.m. Akbar Imhotep, Adebisi Adeleke – Story Messengers on the BeltLine (west side)

·         7:00 p.m. Klimchak – Percussion Discussion (west side)

·         8:00 p.m. The Lindsay Rakers Band (east side)

·         9:00 p.m. Kevin McFoy Dunn and The Common Article III (east side)

·         10:00 p.m. Dropsonic (east side)

Sunday, June 20

·         1 p.m. The Living Peace Sign (east side)

Saturday, June 26

·         9:00 a.m. Dog walk / BeltLine tour (east side)*

·         9:00 a.m. Irwin Street Music Stage(east side)

·         10:00 a.m. Fitness on the BeltLine (east side)*

·         12:00 p.m. Children’s activities (east side)*

·         1:00 p.m. Beacon Dance – A Bountiful Feast (east side)

·         7:00 p.m. Klimchak – Percussion Discussion (east side)

·         9:00 p.m. Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons – Chantelle Rytter – Lantern Parade (east side)

Sunday, June 27

·         6:00 p.m. Grady Jazz Band, Rey Maurice, Indigo Sunset (east side)

·         7:30 p.m. Brooks & Co. Dance – “Ment” (east side)

·         8:30 p.m. Traveling Circus – Park Cofield and Company – “See the Gyrastacus” (east side)

Saturday, July 3

·         7 p.m. Klimchak – Percussion Discussion (west side)

* Denotes ongoing activities

** Schedule is subject to change. For he most up-to-date information, please visit art.beltline.org
 

2.  What: Atlanta BeltLine Quarterly Briefing

This is the second Quarterly Briefing of 2010 where the public is invited to meet BeltLine staff, learn the latest updates and ask questions.
When: Thursday, June 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: 130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

3.       What: BeltLine 5K Run/Walk

Celebrate the opening of the new Atlanta BeltLine trail in Southwest Atlanta as we run, jog and walk through Historic West End and Historic Westview. The Westview Centennial Barbeque will follow the BeltLine 5K and give our guests a taste of the rich culture found on the Westside of Atlanta.

When: June 26, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)
Where: Race starts at Rose Circle Park & finishes at Kipp Strive Academy, 1444 Lucile Ave, Atlanta, GA 30310. Note: Race ends about a mile from start. There are periodic shuttles for transportation back to the race start.
Click here for more information or to register online
Click here to download and print registration form

4.  SAVE THE DATE:

Please join the BeltLine Partnership in showing our support for the Atlanta BeltLine at the second annual Atlanta BeltLine Night at the Braves on Thurs., Aug. 5, 2010. The Braves are scheduled to play the San Francisco Giants at Turner Field at 7:10 p.m. Check back here for details on how to order - and more - soon!

5.       Please join the nearly 2,800 members who have signed up on the new "Atlanta BeltLine Official Fan Page!"  Click here and become a fan of the new Fan Page.