Atlanta City Council to Consider Changes to Existing Sidewalk Policy
By: Peggy Berg, VHCA Safety Chair Nine Atlanta City Council members are co-sponsoring legislation to remove a city ordinance that requires homeowners to pay to repair sidewalk abutting their property. This legislation will be considered at the July 15 meeting of the City Utilities Committee, 9:30 am, Committee Room #2 on the second floor of…
Virginia-Highland BeltLine Overlay Information Session Set for July 30
By: Jess Windham, VHCA Planning Committee A significant element in the vision for a successful, vibrant BeltLine is the land use of the parcels surrounding it: land use and zoning guide usage (residential, commercial, etc.), building size, and density. Specific parcels of land retain their existing zoning status even if the building on the lot is…
Trees Atlanta Announces TreeKeepers 2014 Program; Fruit and Nut Tree Panel Discussion
Registration is now open for Trees Atlanta’s 2014 TreeKeeper Program. Trees Atlanta education coordinator Kate Baltzell says this is the 8th year for the TreeKeepers certification program and it’s sure to be the best program ever. The educational program includes seven different sessions and covers everything you’ve wanted to learn about trees: identification, proper pruning,…
United Methodist Children’s Home Auxilliary Hosts Flea Market
The United Methodist Children’s Home Auxilliary will host a flea market July 11-12, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at their location at 500 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur, 30030. Come find treasures including furniture, jewelry, china, clothing (vintage, too), baby gear, toys, books and electronics. Find a great bargain and support our community’s children at the…
City Utilities Committee Holds Sidewalk Repair Price Increase
By: Peggy Berg VHCA Safety Committee Chair Peggy Berg, VHCA President Jack White, and PEDS President Sally Flocks appeared at the Council Utilities Committee on June 24th asking that pending legislation 14-O-1240 be held. The proposed legislation reflected the Department of Public Work’s calculation that the actual cost of sidewalk repairs made by the city was $10.28 per…
BeltLine Moves Forward; Streetcar Approaches
By: Jess Windham Living in Virginia-Highland, we have the good fortune of having nearby access to the BeltLine Eastside Trail. Whether you want to walk up to our newest, closest brewery Orpheus, bike to the soon-to-be-connected Historic Fourth Ward Park, or roller blade down to Chomp and Stomp for some chili, the BeltLine provides a…
John Howell Park and Triangle Island Showcase Summer Color, New Plants
Has anyone else noticed the summer color exploding at the triangle island, and the wonderful new plants that have been installed at John Howell Park? Thanks to the efforts of Nonie Daniels (landscape design and installation), Anthony DeVingo (weekly maintenance) and resident volunteers, the triangle island in front of Taco Mac and Murphy’s is looking…
A Conversation with Debra Markham of The Suzuki School
The Suzuki School opened its doors locally in 1976, introducing a new age of early childhood education to Atlanta residents. The Suzuki approach took much from the philosophy and teachings of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, a world renowned music educator who revolutionized music education for the young with the belief that learning begins at birth, and…
We’d Like Your Opinion, Please
The VHCA is considering installing a solar powered radar speed sign in our neighborhood. You may have seen these signs along the Byway and on Lenox Road. They flash your speed at you as you pass but don’t record anything and don’t take photographs. You can learn more about the device we’re considering by clicking…
NPU-F Takes Stand Against Sidewalk Repair Price Increase
At its Monday night meeting, NPU-F reacted strongly against the City’s proposal to nearly triple the price it charges to repair sidewalks. The proposed price is $10.28/sq. ft. compared to the current $3.90/sq. ft. In Virginia-Highland, where the VHCA has worked with property owners for three years to improve our sidewalks, this increase would surely…
City Council to Consider VaHi Master Plan in July
After unanimous adoption by the VHCA board in April and overwhelming support at the NPU-F vote in May, the Virginia-Highland Master Plan will next be considered at the Atlanta City Council Community Development Committee meeting on Tuesday July 15, 2014 at 12:30 pm. The meeting will be held at City Hall in Committee Room #2.…
Turtle Nest Found in Orme Park
While walking their dogs in Orme Park recently, Paige Cucchi and her husband Sean saw something you don’t see every day: a snapping turtle laying her eggs in the middle of the walking path on the park’s northeastern edge (across from 818 Brookridge). The Cucchi’s placed some sticks and warning tape around the nest to…
Bring a Neighbor to Maiden Trail’s Upcoming Workdays
Passing along the following from VaHi resident Alicia Cardillo: The Maiden Trail Conservation Group was recently awarded a Love Your Block grant from the City of Atlanta to further expand cleanup efforts for Maiden Trail. This group of neighbors began their efforts in January by hosting trash pick-up and brush-clearing workdays to make the area…
VaHi Safety Team Report: June 16, 2014
The Terrible Road Rage Incident in Piedmont Heights I would think that by now, most everyone in the metro area is familiar with the road rage incident on Flagler Avenue in Piedmont Heights that has left cyclist Greg Germani in critical condition at Grady Hospital – but it bears repeating. The details are at http://www.decaturish.com/2014/06/apd-releases-video-vehicle-hit-cyclist/. This video came…
Summerfest 2014 Photos
Anyone enjoy Summerfest this past weekend? We sure did, and by all accounts it was another successful festival. Here are links to a few Google albums with photos from this year’s festival we thought you might enjoy viewing. Thanks to Lola Carlisle for contributing to this collection. We didn’t get to take as many pictures…
VaHi Postal Worker Needs Your Help
Belinda Ferrell, a ray of sunshine in Virginia-Highland, is in need. Belinda is one of the mail carriers in VaHi. Belinda’s Stockbridge home burned on May 20th, and she and her daughters lost all of their belongings. They are currently living in a hotel while the insurance details are worked out. If Belinda is not…
APS Names Timothy Guiney New Grady Principal
Atlanta Public Schools named Timothy Guiney as the new principal of Grady High School at its June 2 meeting. Click here to read a letter from Mr. Guiney to the Grady community. Congratulations, Timothy Guiney, and welcome to Grady!
VaHi Safety Team Report: June 2, 2014
By: John Wolfinger Summerfest!! I would think that everyone in VaHi knows that this weekend, June 6, 7 and 8 is our annual neighborhood celebration of summer – but this serves to notify anyone who is not aware. This weekend also serves as a great chance to get to know more of your neighbors by…
City Council District Six Newsletter
Here’s a link to City Councilperson Alex Wan’s latest newsletter, which includes updates on: ATLVision 2015 Infrastructure Bond 2015 Budget Update: Millage Rate New Monroe Dr. Crosswalk Protocol Bike Boxes – What’s All the Green Paint About? Love Your Block Grants in District Six Jazz Festival Rescheduled for June 22 Neighborhood Spotlight: Virginia-Highland (yes, we’re…
Preview: 2014 Summerfest Store Merchandise
Just to get you a little more in the mood for Summerfest – which, if you didn’t know, is this weekend – we thought we’d give you a glimpse at some of what will be for sale at this year’s Summerfest Store. In addition to the Men’s and Ladies Summerfest t-shirts featuring the 2014 logo,…
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