I have not provided you with many neighborhood updates. I know, I’m a bit disappointed too- you can stop emailing me 🙂 I’ll get back on the ball. Time has not been on my side.

So.. what’s new?

Crime Task Force

Well on January 20th we had a Neighborhood Watch or Crime Task force meeting at the Grounds Coffee Shop to discuss citizen patrol. John Pavlin, the 2nd VP of WEND (West End Neighborhood Development) was the host. Many great ideas were put on the table by residents. Some of which includes:

· Hiring off duty police (more on this from a neighbor in a future post),

· Burglar proofing our homes/cars

· Court watch- we need presentation at the hearings so criminal will not get off

· Citizen Patrol(driving, walking and reporting suspicious activity)

· Having a phone tree of all those next to you (do you know your neighbors?)

· Joining the citizen patrol- which is simple… just do your part! Look out and report crime.

· Working with our Youths and Schools!! This will help reduces some of the vandalism and petty crime

What we are doing: Being active. Making our presence known throughout the entire West End. Not hiding in our homes. Document and reporting. Walking , driving, watching. Changing our community OURSELVES. NOT living in FEAR. (don’t let me start preaching!)
If you’d like more information I can provide you with a copy of a phone tree log, and some hand outs.

Community

Vonda Henry had a lovely “game” party on Saturday!! I’m disappointed I didn’t take pictures so you could see and get a feel of how loving our community is. It was wonderful seeing old and new neighbors come together, share restoration experiences, food and laugh. Not to mention that Vonda’s house left my jaws hanging!!! I will get some pictures- the restoration she’s doing on this home is unbelievable. Just a teaser : built-in’s, claw foot tubs, columns, crown moulding, four fireplaces, hardwoods, wide hall, glass knobs, natural wood mouldings (not the over painted crap I’m living with- she scraped off her paint) ..and the list could go on and on. You will have to see the before and after pictures to really GET how much work and love she is putting in! I’m sure you too will admire her vision.

BeltLine

We had a BeltLine Cram Session on the 23^rd . Our Parks Recreation and Cultural Affairs committee are on it!

Danielle Carney was the host for this informative event. I will keep you informed of upcoming events since we will have these sessions often, BEFORE we have the big sessions with the BeltLine at their Study Group meetings. This is just to help US- be on one accord with our vision so when we meet with the Org, and at these study groups we can be clear about our vision and what we want. The study group sessions will not only consist of West End/Westview or West side residents- so we need to represent in numbers and with our list.

Roland K. Young provided us with an overview of how the steering committee and study groups are formed. We also had some insight on the time line. We have not had a meeting yet here for the West End- so we’re getting the jump a little early. You can obtain information at the www.beltline.org/beltlinebasics and look up “study groups”

Key dates: 1/29 Southwest Study Group (Atlanta Metro College) 6:30PM (area 2 Avon, University, Dill- Not Historic West End/Westview…we’re in area 1 which will start in March/April )

2/7 8PM quarterly briefing

Beltline Tours: 404-446-4400

BeltLine Partnership

As of last week, there trail had begun on White Street…did you see it? I’ll have to get there to get some pictures of the developments. This is just ONE drop in the huge bucket- let’s not lose momentum and the desire to be involved.

For the month of February I, and others within the West End community (Leeza) will be participating in a door to door canvas for the SouthEast and West crest of Atlanta. We will be in the West End on the last Saturday’s of the month. We are knocking on every OTHER door (or so) to informed residents about the BeltLine, answer questions and leave information. We will have a badge and BeltLine tee shirts so you can recognize us. Please be open to receiving the information. Many of the volunteers are teens and will need your patience and support. This is a wonderful thing they have volunteered to do on their Saturday!

Art!

The Hammond’s House has a new exhibition! Experience the Magnitude! Paintings of Sedrick Huckaby. You’ll love it and will want to run out and paint. 503 Peeples Street. www.hammondshouse.org

Meetings

Parks Recreation and Cultural Affairs meeting will be held Jan 31^st interested in joining contact Evelyn Washington, Chair at ewcwashington@yahoo.com

It’s Our Neighborhood Association will meet tonight at 7PM, a new President is being elected- located at Fired Station #17

Notes/Comments/ Misc.

I am acting as the contact for the Recreation Subcommittee under PRCA that will develop and support multi generational and senor activities with NPU-T. I need your suggestions!

Our West End Newsletter will have a new print coming out soon! Be on the look out in your stores, West End Print Shop and at the Grounds Coffee shop

NPU-T will be at it again in Feb… more on this later..

Also our Website will be up soon.

For Tax Relief check out www.fultonassessor.org and search “Tax Relief” many exemptions listed. HELP OUR SENIORS!!! Make sure they are aware of this relief. We need them in our community and lives-

I am planning to put together some Information session for ALL within our community. I need Tax advisor’s and specialists. Do you know anyone working for the IRS??? HELP!!

I’m sure I forgot something. But will edit and update later.

Be blessed,

Nia