Friday, April 29, 2011

City of Dunwoody Update by Councilman Robert Wittenstein

Dear Dunwoody Friends and Neighbors,

Everywhere I look I see signs of an improving economy. The stock market is up, interest rates are rising, unemployment is falling and in Dunwoody, in April, we issued more permits than we have in any prior month during the city’s existence.
This is obviously great news. This improving picture has caused a new sense of urgency with regard to the acquisition of land for parks and greenspace. As a community we have become accustomed to a pitifully small amount of park space, no matter what standard or metric you use.

We have a closing window of opportunity to acquire under-utilized property and convert it to community use. We have made a big step in that direction by putting the “PVC Farm” next to Georgetown under contract. As I look around Dunwoody I see several other opportunities and I worry that in a year or two we will see many of these picked up by developers and forever off the market as potential greenspace.

To counter-balance this, I am keenly aware of the pull elected officials (including me) feel to DO THINGS—many of which involve spending your money.
Without exception, the mayor and the members of the city council are conservative and we are determined to live within our budget. We can lower our expectations and accept the current small amount of parkland and greenspace or we can decide as a community that land acquisition and development of a parks network is a priority we are willing to fund.

At our May 9th work session we will begin discussing whether we should put a parks and greenspace bond referendum on the ballot in November. We will also discuss whether to put a transportation bond referendum on the ballot. This is an important community discussion. If these items are put on the ballot, it isn’t clear to me which way the voters will go. There is a lot of taxpayer fatigue—which I share. There is also a general feeling of dissatisfaction with government, which I, too, often feel.

A counter-weight to this is a feeling of community spirit in Dunwoody. We have a community that is more willing and able to invest in our community. We have seen our community transformed by a new city government and I think we have a higher level of trust in our new government than many places where the system has become entrenched. It may be now or never.

It is too early to say “here is what it would cost the average family” or “here is what it would provide for the community.” I’ll provide additional information as it becomes available and I’m sure there will be other sources for news as we head towards November. Stay tuned.

Finally, I expect the city council to place on the November ballot a referendum for voter approval to allow Sunday sales of beer and wine in Dunwoody.

Regards,

Robert

Dunwoody Chamblee Parents’ Council meeting Wed May 4th at Dunwoody Elementary featuring a "Legislative Update" from State Senator, Fran Millar and State Representative, Elena Parent

Millar & Parent

Dunwoody Chamblee Parents’ Council (DCPC)
2010-2011 Meeting Schedule

May 4, 2011
Due to the ongoing status of the Superintendent search, the speaker for the May meeting has been changed to the following:

Topic: "Legislative Update"
Speakers: State Senator, Fran Millar and State Representative, Elena Parent
Location: Dunwoody Elementary School

DCPC meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month (unless noted otherwise), starting with refreshments at 8:45 am. The meeting starts at 9:15 am. and ends by 10:30 A.M. Meetings are held at various schools within the Dunwoody Chamblee area.

Today is Intellectual Disability Awareness Day, support the All Saints Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive


I am aware that Knights of Columbus, Council 11402 based out of All Saints Catholic Church is a regular supporter of the Elaine Clark Center and believe that is where these funds will be directed. If you see the Knights around town please donate to this worthy cause and in doing so you will be handsomely rewarded with chocolate.

City of Dunwoody, GA - Comprehensive Financial Report of 2010


State of the Municipal Court of Dunwoody given by Judge J. Antonio DelCampo

Judge Tony DelCampo

In the Municipal Court of Dunwoody we handle all traffic citations and ordinances within the boundaries of the city limits of Dunwoody, Georgia. We held our first court session on February 25, 2009 in the South Terraces.

In 2009 the Court held 53 court sessions, 8723 citations were filed with the court and 628 defendants were placed on probation. Of those probationers, 3556 hours of community service hours were completed. The Court’s revenue for 2009 was $645,901.

In 2010 the Court held 90 court sessions, 7469 citations were filed with the court and 1171 defendants were placed on probation. Of those probationers, 17,833 hours of community service were completed. The Court’s revenue for 2010 was $1,143,548, with a budget of approximately $325,000.

Dunwoody Municipal Court is held twice a week on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings, with either Judge Rick Powell or me. We also have Judge Timothy Wolfe, Pro Hac Judge, and formerly we had Sherry Boston, now Solicitor General for DeKalb County.

We are assisted by our Solicitor’s Office, which includes our City Attorney, Brian Anderson, as well as Don Henderson and LaTonya Hayes. Our Clerk of Court, Trina Gallien, is assisted by Deputy Clerks Melissa Thomas and Janieux Irving.

Our court is transitioning to a paperless court system. We are able to access the citations, reports, and sentencing forms electronically. My signature is my secured fingerprint.

We have a private probation provider, Sentinel Offender Services, which is at no cost to the City. The program is offender paid, with probation required for certain types of cases such as DUI. DUI cases require community service, alcohol and drug evaluations, risk reduction and one year supervised probation.

In 2009 Sentinel Offender Services had approximately a 47% successful completion rate; 628 probationers, with 297 successfully completing the program. In 2010 they had approximately an 83% successful completion rate; 1171 probationers, with 975 successfully completing the program. In 2009 probationers were not placed on probation long enough to complete the program, opposed to 2010. You need more time to complete all conditions including paying fines to avoid expiration of the case.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our bailiffs who volunteer their time to the Court. They are: Larry Echikson, Jim Beattie, Ron Silvers, Jim Sturgis, Stan Bernstein, and Chris Doyle and they are all residents of the City of Dunwoody. To them, a huge thank you. They are the face of your Municipal Court, serving their community.

We have a great Municipal Court. We are efficient and treat people with respect. The court process is a swift and efficient process. People are treated fairly and they are being heard and we strive to create that here in the City of Dunwoody.

Any future Dunwoody Lawyers out there? How about future City Council Members or a future City Manager?



The City of Dunwoody is proud to announce the implementation of a Law and Government Explorer Post.

This program is designed to acquaint young people (ages 15 to 20) with the nature and complexity of Local Government. It encourages them to seek careers within the government arena by providing interested youth with experience in all governmental departments.

Young adults join Explorer posts to gain insight into a variety of programs that offer leadership, life skills, character education, service learning, and hands-on career activities. Law and Government Exploring is a youth development program centered on careers such as government and civic service, municipal code and law, public works, economic development, social and human services, and more.

The City of Dunwoody is hosting an Explorer Recruitment Night on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at Dunwoody City Hall; beginning at 6:00 p.m. Teens who are interested in joining this program should attend with their parents. Please RSVP today to Edie Damann at edie.damann@dunwoodyga.gov or 678-382-6712.

Congratulations Ms. Amanda McGehee for the Presidential Award for teaching science !!

It's not everyday that your son's 5th grade science teacher is recognized by the President of United States as the Best Science Teacher in the State of Georgia.

Kudos Ms. McGehee !!

Sustainable Pattie & Dunwoody Patch both have nice stories.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Miscellaneous Items that cross my desk.

AJC - Smoother rides on tap in Dunwoody: Paving the way to Dunwoody’s future will mean a lot more asphalt. The city will nearly triple its spending on road paving this year, part of a five-year commitment to smooth as many main drags and residential roads as possible in the north DeKalb City.   “We know that our roads are in need of as much renovation as we can give them,” said Councilman Robert Wittenstein of the $2 million paving plan for this summer.

Register for Code Red - a reverse 911 system which offers emergency calls to your phone when there are emergency situations including threatening weather.  (Says Sandy Springs but was told it will work for Dunwoody)

Dunwoody Community Plant Sale this Fri & Sat (9 am to 5 pm) at the Brook Run Greenhouse

If your not following Audra's Aha Connection blog or getting her e-mails, your missing what I consider the best blog in Dunwoody.  Lots of great information there, check it out.

Interesting Dunwoody Crier article states that the central Perimeter office and retail district in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs has more office space than exists in the entire City of Charlotte.

The DeKalb School Board has to learn what executive session and confidentiality means and as much as I respect Maureen Downey's right to report the news, I think this comment on the DeKalb School Watch Blog using Ms. Downey's own words on why the public should learn who leaked the information is dead on.  Now let's see how that budget is configured?

Patch - North Metro SWAT Team Training at Brook Run Park

Pre-Registration needed for Monarchs & Margaritas supporting Dunwoody Nature Center, deadline coming soon.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Video of April 25th Dunwoody City Council Meeting

Judge Tony DelCampo


The meeting was uneventful and very quick but I hope to have a number of documents presented tonight in paper format posted to the web in the coming week, including a copy of the city financial audit and possibly Judge DelCampo's oral remarks on the state of the Dunwoody Court System.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Chatcomm's Smart 911 Service is something every Dunwoody resident should sign up for!


Chattcomm is the only 911 Service in the state to offer you the opportunity to register your household information in advance of you needing the service. Here is another video link that better explains the service.

I just registered my entire family in Smart911 and I highly recommend that do so too.

Agenda for April 25th, Dunwoody City Council Meeting

Monday, April 25th
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346
Work Session at 6:00 p.m.
Voting Session at 7:00 p.m.
Watch Live
Agenda Work Session

Agenda Voting Session

Discussion of Brook Run Veterans Memorial Brick Fund.

Resolution Recognizing Dunwoody Police Department. (State Representative Tom Taylor)

Recognition of Dunwoody Police Explorers - 2nd Place Winners at Georgia Police Explorer State Championship.

Recognition of Officer Tim Waldron and Officer Alvin Rodriguez, Recipients of Mothers Against Drunk Driving GA (MADD GA) Award.

Proclamation - "Arbor Day."

Proclamation - "Intellectual Disability Awareness Day 2011."

Resolution to Adopt the DeKalb County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Approval of Contract for Workflow Management Software.

Appointment of Two Municipal Court Judges Pro Hac Vice

Resolution to Formally Create the Dunwoody Volunteer Coordinating Committee and to Appoint Committee Members.

Presentation of the 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

Caseload Report of the Municipal Court of the City of Dunwoody. (Honorable Judge J. Antonio DelCampo)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Be prepared when calling 911, use Landlines vs Cell Phones when available.


If you ever have to call 911 for an emergency situation happening at your home, experts recommend that you do so from a traditional land line, if one is available. Cell phones and IP internet phones may not correctly route to the correct 911 center because your closer to a neighboring jurisdictions cell phone tower and/or connection box as the video above shows. Residents living along the borders of communities with different 911 centers need to be well aware and prepared of this happening.

Dunwoody's future partnership with Chatcomm solves this possible routing issue for about half the city as we are surrounded by Sandy Springs (Chatcomm) on two sides therefore emergency cell phone calls near the western and northern City boundaries will connect to the correct 911 service once the service switches over in October. Chamblee, Doraville, Gwinnett and DeKalb County each have their own 911 systems therefore in the case of an emergency called in from a cell phone, try to know which jurisdiction your house is served by for Police, Fire and EMS services.

In the City of Dunwoody, your home is served by Dunwoody Police, and DeKalb Fire / EMS. In the case of emergency, please tell the operator that answers, your proper jurisdictional / city information along with the proper address. The new annexed residents of Chamblee in the Huntley Hills area have already been switched over to the Chamblee 911 center therefore they need to be aware of the change and be ready to state who provides their emergency services.

As an added suggestion, if someone is stricken with a heart attack in the City of Dunwoody, please remember that all Dunwoody Police Cars have been equipped with an AED, therefore Dunwoody Police should also be requested to respond ASAP to assist until the DeKalb EMS arrives.

The video above shows a 2 minute delay of being switched over to the Atlanta 911 center before being connected to the correct DeKalb 911 center. Minutes in an emergency can be life or death and this mistake was very unfortunate but I see it as a learning experience that we all can learn from.

Finally as a sitting member of the Dunwoody City Council who approved the switch to Chatcomm 911, I would like to state that in doing all my research, police ride alongs in Dunwoody & Sandy Springs, tours of Chattcomm and the cost benefit analysis; I still stand behind my decision to switch over to Chatcomm 911 as being the best choice for the City of Dunwoody.

Dunwoody High School Band is looking for a little support.


The Dunwoody High School Band NEEDS YOU!!! We’re really experiencing growing pains and we need so many new instruments just to keep up with our increasing demand. Some of these instruments are very expensive. Most of our school owned instruments date back to 1972, when the school was founded, and need to be retired. Here’s where you come in….

As a member of the community, we look to you for our survival. That’s why we started the “Just $50 from 1000!” program to raise $50,000.00. We want to raise a large amount of money by asking for many small donations. It’s a large request but we really only ask for a few things. First, please make a donation (we graciously accept donations of any amount, large or small) by visiting us on the web at www.just50from1000.org, check us out on Facebook, or on your cell phone by texting “Band” to 99699.

Second, help us spread the word to people you know through websites, blogs, mail, and most importantly, word of mouth. Lastly, keep supporting Music Education in the Dunwoody Cluster, financially, logistically and by attending the wonderful concerts that our bands, orchestras and choirs give every year. The more that people know about our cause, the more we can succeed. You are our main source of advertisement and we need you to help us spread the word.

Each contribution of just $50 can go so far and do so much…like buy new instruments and equipment, improve our facilities, or provide music lessons for students who can’t afford it.

So please support the Dunwoody High School Band. With you, we can grow to new heights and succeed in so many ways.

William W. Henderson
Director of Bands
Dunwoody High School

Alison's Restaurant wants to know if Garrett Walden is loved by "YOU".


April is Autism Awareness Month and Alison wants to help one lucky one deserving child with autism. His name is Garrett Walden. The hope is to provide him with assisted technology that may change his life for the better… an iPad2!

The iPad2 is being hailed as an essential tool for teaching people with autism. Applications have been designed specifically for the needs of children with autism and are allowing children to learn and express themselves in ways that weren’t previously possible.

If you are going to be dining out this week, instead of going to your regular establishment, come eat at Alison’s Restaurant and Help Garrett in the process. Alison’s Restaurant, in association with The Tabitha Elizabeth Norris Foundation, will give 20% of all food purchased by anyone on this list who eats at Alison’s Restaurant between April 18th – 28th (not including Friday Night and cannot be combined with any other offer or coupon).

Ask the waitress for an extra food receipt and write “GARRETT WALDEN is loved by “your name” ” on the itemized food receipt - put it in the jar for Garrett at the Hostess station. We will do the rest…..

Alison’s Restaurant “Your Home Away from Home”
Dine In or Out on the Patio

Shops of Dunwoody
5500 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, GA 30338
770-395-0707

If you can’t eat out at Alison’s this week then you can still support the fund raising efforts to provide Garrett with an iPad2, along with the necessary applications to assist him with his learning efforts at school, during therapies, and at home by making a donation at this link: http://garrett.chipin.com/the-garrett-walden-support-fund

Your support, large or small, will be greatly appreciated. All of the funds raised will go directly to the purchase of this technology. If the goal is surpassed, the additional money will be put towards adaptive summer camp programs for Garrett.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Dunwoody to rebid City Services to up to Seven Contracted Private Companies.


The City of Dunwoody, soon after creation started offering services by setting three, three year contracts into place with private vendors to provide Public Works, Community Development and Financial & Administrative Services.  This week the City released an RFP to rebid pretty much the same City Services but we have done so into several smaller pieces, so that smaller companies and subcontractors that are currently utilized might be able to compete for the bids. On the filpside, we are also allowing a large single company to also propose a single contract to provide all City services.

The City is searching for the Contractor(s) that will be able to provide municipal services in the following service areas: Public Works, Finance and Administrative Services, Planning and Zoning, Information Technology, Building Permits and Inspections, Parks and Recreation and Public Relations and Marketing.  Bidders may respond to more than one service area.

The RFP is located here and I hope as many companies as possible apply as ultimately competition among applicants will improve city services and drive the overall price down.

The City of Sandy Springs who it looks like was locked in to a 5 year contract, is now following Dunwoody's lead by looking for smaller, more specialized contractors to replace the one single general contractor who currently sub-contacts much of the work.  This video which highlights Sandy Springs has a lot of similarities to the City of Dunwoody.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Do you have the best arm in Dunwoody? Dunk me three times in a row and win $50.00 cash

$50 bucks says you throw like wild thing.

Friday evening I am slated to be sitting in the dunk tank at Lemonade Days for about 20 minutes as are a few of the other local politicians. The money raised will be going to the Dunwoody Preservation Trust so hopefully there are a few people who would want to have the opportunity to "put us in our place".

To sweeten the deal, I am offering $50.00 to the first person who can hit the target and dunk me three consecutive times. I go in at 5:20 pm, so I suggest that if your interested in being named the "Best Arm in Dunwoody", having your photo on the blog if desired and $50.00 dollars cash, I suggest you warm up and  practice on Councilman Robert Wittenstein who starts at 5 pm.

5:00 - 5:20 Robert Wittenstein (City Council)
5:20 - 5:40 John Heneghan (City Council)
5:40 - 6:00 Nancy Jester (School Board)
6:00 - 6:20 Doug Thompson (City Council)
6:20 - 6:40 Danny Ross (City Council)
The dunk tank will close around 7pm.

Video of April 11th Dunwoody City Council Meeting


A few of my personal comments during the work session are linked below.

Requested repair to North Peachtree Road in the Kingsley Subdivision

Partnering with Doraville for Tilly Mill repaving South of Stonington

Looking to amend the budget to find more money for paving.

Last Major Software Package - Public Works

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Lemonade Days Carnival Coupon for April 14 - 17 2011 at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody

Bike Ride Around Dunwoody (BRAD) on Saturday April 16th invites the entire community to join in the fun.

Join us for the 3rd annual
BRAD - Bike Ride Around Dunwoody

Saturday April 16, 2011 * Fun for all ages and abilities


As part of Lemonade Days, the Dunwoody Preservation Trust is proud to sponsor the third annual Bike Ride Around Dunwoody, a recreational bike ride for individual riders and families who would like to support Dunwoody becoming a more bicycle-friendly community. Proceeds from this low-cost event will be used to purchase & install bike racks throughout our city. Three different distances covering all abilities with staggered start times means everyone finishes around the same time. Join us after the ride at the starting location in Brook Run for post-ride festivities of food, music and raffles!

Ride Options
Family Route on the Jim Benson Bike Trail: 8 Miles
This police-supported route is the same we took last year and follows the green painted markers.
No TRAINING WHEELS, please.
Download Route Map here:


Comfort Route: 3.5 Miles
A great route for those younger riders who are just becoming comfortable riding, as well as those who would just like to “give it a try” and sample a short route. Police-supported.
Download Route Map here: 

“Challenge” Route: 29 or 37 Miles
This unescorted route is for experienced bike riders who are comfortable riding on the road and are able to ride at an average pace on flats of 17+ mph. There will be “A” (20+ MPH) and “B” paced groups riding together.
Download Route Map here:
Rest Stop at mile 19 at Roswell River Park on Riverside Drive. 29 mile option turnaround here.

Event Schedule
Start at rear of Brook Run Park, past the Community Garden

7:30 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.

Late Registration
Challenge Route Riders Depart
Bicycle Safety Class
Family Route Riders Depart
Comfort Route Riders Depart
Post-Ride Festivities to include:

• Food courtesy of Chick-fil-a & Publix
• Refreshments
• Raffle of Five 2-night hotel packages
• Other raffles & free giveaways!



Pre-Ride mechanical support provided by The Bicycle Doctor (www.bicycledoc.com)

Registration Fee: $10 per rider until April 10th. Late Registration & Same Day: $15. The price includes:
·       Commemorative Lemonade Days / BRAD T-shirt
·       Contribution to help purchase & install bike racks in Dunwoody
·         Pre & Post-Ride Refreshments, Fruit, Snacks and food courtesy of Publix & Chick-fil-a

Helmets and Safe Operational Bicycles are Required

To volunteer or for questions, contact:

Joe Seconder
jseconder@yahoo.com
404-545-3711

For Weather Updates, Volunteer Opportunities and Insights into this year's Festival, please follow us on Twitter @Lemonadedays

Friday, April 8, 2011

Dunwoody Police Chief explains the use of Twitter for a day of calls.

April 11th Agenda for Dunwoody City Council Work Session

Monday, April 11th
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346
Work Session at 7:00 p.m.
Watch Live

Agenda - City Version of Meeting Packet

Proclamation - "Georgia Cities Week".

Discussion of Purchase of Property Located at 4000 Dunwoody Park Drive.

FIRST READ: An Ordinance to Authorize and Direct the Execution by the City of Dunwoody, Georgia of a Certain Installment Sale Agreement with Georgia Municipal Association, Inc., and a Certain Agreement Regarding Environmental Activity in Connection Therewith; to Provide a Statement of Legislative Findings and Intent; to Make an Appropriation in Connection Therewith; to Designate Such Installment Sale Agreement as a Qualified Tax-Exempt Obligation; to Provide an Effective Date; and for Other Purposes.

Discussion of 5-year Paving Plan.

Discussion of 2011 Capital Paving Project.

Discussion of Contract for Workflow Management Software.

E 9-1-1 Event Disclosure. (Danny Ross)

Discussion of Amending the Dunwoody Village Overlay District Regulations (Streetscape) to Align with the Dunwoody Village Master Plan.

Discussion of Special Event Sponsorship.

Discussion of DeKalb County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Discussion of Volunteer Coordinating Committee.

Discussion of U.S. Department of Justice Preclearance "Bailout."

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Norcross offering Shreding services, Paint and Electronic Recycling on Saturday April 9th

The City of Norcross is holding their annual Recycling Day this Saturday, April 9th near City Hall from 9 am until 1 pm. They have added paint recycling to the usual paper shredding and electronics recycling, all open to the public. Participants are encouraged to donate non perishable food items for their area food pantry. Proceeds from the small per can paint fee will also benefit the food pantry. Interesting tidbit, I also heard that the reprocessed paint will be returned to them for use in community art projects.

Please click on the photos below for more details or contact Philomena Robertson (770) 448-7327 probertson@norcrossga.net



Dunwoody Police Department plans to tell all on Twitter but few know that everything is already posted for all to see.


On Friday, Dunwoody officers will be experimenting with Twitter by tweeting all calls starting at 6 a.m. with the hashtag #DPDcalls

Police Chief, Billy Grogan uses social media to engage the community and create an online presence for the Dunwoody Police Department, thereby making our city one of the most transparent agencies around.  The Department website has numerous links to social media outlets including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Nixle, WebTips, and Interactive Defense as well as many other tidbits of interesting information.

But did you know that Dunwoody is one of the few agencies who posts all traffic citations on line along with full police reports?

Every morning after checking the AJC obituaries to see if I am still alive, I read my email from Community Watch to see if I am still locked up in either the DeKalb or Gwinnett jail; then in order to assure that all is right with the world, I check the Dunwoody daily bulletin to see who was ticketed for speeding (don't even think of calling me, you were doing more then 10 over, I can't and won't intervene as you deserve the tkt; yes this includes my wife).

Seriously, Good luck to Sgt's Dove & Witcher as the world will be watching in real time.

Citizen's Police Academy
In related Dunwoody PD transparency news, the next Dunwoody Police Department Citizens Police Academy will be starting April 26th.  The Academy is a free, ten-week long program available to residents of the City of Dunwoody. Programs are held 2-3 times per year and take place at Dunwoody Police Department headquarters. The academy covers a variety of topics to include, but not limited to: Traffic Enforcement, Gangs, SWAT, Detective Division, Patrol, Special Weapons and Tactics, Community Outreach Unit, Crime Scene Unit and, Evidence. There are a limited number of spaces available for the academy; therefore, registration is on a first-come first-serve basis. Download your application at www.dunwoodypolice.com. If you have any questions, please contact Sgt. Mike Carlson at mike.carlson@dunwoodyga.gov.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Can you help make the next Dunwoody Community Garden a reality?

There are at least four community gardens in the City of Dunwoody and the dynamic duo of  Ms. Pattie Baker (Sustainable Pattie) and Mr. Bob Lundsten (Farmer Bob) would like to install the fifth in one of the most densely populated parts of the city, just yards off Ashford Dunwoody Road.  They put out a call for volunteers and now Ms. Shawn Bard just fell out of the sky to take the leadership role in launching and running the planned vegetable garden at the Spruill Gallery in Dunwoody, GA.

Can you help Shawn?
Shawn is a Dunwoody resident and mom of school-age children. She has a large vegetable garden at home, is a master gardener, is a beekeeper, for goodness sake, and has been separately working on developing a program to provide 50 families in Dunwoody this summer (especially those in multi-family housing) with free Grow Bags, tomato plants, Farmer D Organics planting mix, and trellises (ALL of which she had donated by various companies) (more details to come about that another time). AND she writes a relatively new, beautiful blog named Grow. Great. Full.

Help Shawn and this garden be a success!  $3,000 is needed during the month of April, or this garden will not happen.  Donate now by sending a check to: Spruill Gallery, 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338. Be sure to write in the subject line that it is for the garden. (A Paypal option should be live in about a week.)  The garden is scheduled to be installed May 2.  An art opening for an installation titled Architecture in the Garden is scheduled for June 2.


H/T to the incredible Ms. Pattie Baker, a Fearless Thinker, an Honest Advisor, as well as a Passionate Storyteller who will soon to be a best selling author.

Paint & Electronics Recycling in Dunwoody on Saturday April 16th at GPC

Sat, April 16th - 9 am to 1 pm

The Sustainability Commission of Dunwoody is excited to announce an electronic and paint recycling event at Georgia Perimeter College! Drop off your old TV or those extra cans of paint hanging around the house at a nominal cost. Swing by the event before or after your visit to Lemonade Days. For more information, please review the attached flyer, and feel free to distribute it as you see fit. They will also need volunteers, so contact Rebecca Keefer at (678) 382-6811 if you or anyone you know is interested. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you there.