May 2016 The Lake Claire Neighborhood Newspaper • www.LakeClaire.org V.24, #5 I Will Arise and Go Now Plan to come on June 5: Lake Claire Centennial Celebration by Geoffrey Hilsabeck I’ve lived in a lot of places in the past ten or so years: New York, Alaska, Chicago, Iowa City, Lis- bon, Boston, . Soon I’ll be adding Morgantown, WV (or Pittsburgh, PA—we haven’t de- cided yet) to the list, since that’s where my wife and daughter and I will be moving in June. I’ve loved every one of these places, but I’m going to miss Atlanta more than any of them. And when I say Atlanta, what I re- ally mean is Lake Claire. I remember one of the first walks that Johanna (wife), Es- The family in front of their Mathews ther (daughter), Stanley (dog), home and I (I) took through the neigh- the previous five years in chilly LC Neighbors Enjoying BBQ at Last Year’s Centennial Celebration borhood. It was late July, early New England, you can imagine evening. All around us were our surprise at this friendliness. great big trees and colorful, Later I learned that there were Come on out and eat BBQ!! squat bungalows. As we turned not only friendly people in Lake Who: Lake Claire Neigh- beloved intown oasis, Lake from Arizona onto New York, Claire, but also a friendly emu, bors and Friends | What: It’s Claire!!! the MARTA rumbled past just and I ask you: how many neigh- the SECOND ANNUAL Lake The BBQ: David Gelin and to the south. A block or two on, borhoods can claim both? Usu- Claire Centennial Celebration. Wayne Germon have teamed to- we passed a guy standing on his ally, it’s one or the other. Barbeque, Kids’ and Family Ac- gether to cater this event. David deck bouncing his baby. He said There is something else that tivities, membership tables | has authored a book about BBQ; hello, and so did we, but then, to few neighborhoods can claim, cer- When: Sunday, June 5 from 2 Wayne and his business partner our astonishment, the interac- tainly none that I’ve ever called until 5 p.m. | Where: the beau- were the recipients of Atlanta tion didn’t end. He walked out to home. Can you guess what it is? tiful Frazer Center Gardens and Magazine’s Best Ribs award. the sidewalk and struck up a con- Pavilion | Why: To celebrate They will start smoking their versation with us! Having spent Cont. on p.3 again the centennial of our pork and chicken on-site early on the day of the event. They are preparing quarter chicken Our Neighbor, CSM plates, pulled pork plates, and beef hot dog plates. The sides are coleslaw and baked beans by Bryan Davis, Tuxedo Avenue with or without meat. Dessert is fresh cut watermelon. Prices: Good Morning Lake Claire! Or transitional housing for the tem- you would like to contribute to chicken or pork plate - $11; good afternoon, good evening. porarily homeless.” Read about the building effort financially. hotdog plate - $6. Lake Claire Clifton Sanctuary Ministries HomeAid Atlanta at www.atlan- We could sure use your help. (CSM) has obtained a major tahomebuilders.com/our-hba/ Leslie Prince, President of our Cont. on p.2 grant from HomeAid Atlanta to programs/homeaid-atlanta. board, and I attended the April renovate our facilities. We are We will be renovating our Lake Claire Neighborhood meet- Highlights of this issue jazzed about this. It is really kitchen, performing major re- ing to discuss these exciting de- good news. pairs throughout the facility, and velopments. 2 May Calendar What is HomeAid Atlanta? more. HomeAid Atlanta will be Also, CSM is looking for an of- Founded in 2001, HomeAid At- contributing up to 50% of the fice administrator as well. The 4 Security Report lanta is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cost of our projects through in- position would work Monday, organization that builds and kind contributions—labor, mate- Tuesday, and Friday about 5 5 Gardening & Wild in LC renovates housing facilities for rials, and equipment. We hope to hours each day. Right now the organizations serving homeless start hammering and nailing in position would be an intern posi- 6 Education / Schools families and individuals in the August of this year. We do need tion, but we hope to fund a fully metro Atlanta area. HomeAid to raise some funds to match this paid part-time position soon. 11 LC Land Trust Atlanta is the designated char- kind gift from HomeAid Atlanta. Write Alice Jenkins at alice@clif- ity of the Greater Atlanta Home Please contact Gordon Slade at tonsanctuary.com for more infor- 12 Kids’ Corner Builders Association, and is a lo- [email protected] for mation. cal chapter of HomeAid America, more information about our proj- THE CLARION IS PRINTED a leading national provider of ect, ideas for fund-raising, or if Cont. on p.8 ON RECYCLED PAPER. Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org May 2016 2

Lake Claire Officers for 2015 Clarion Staff The Clarion is published monthly. The deadline for President: Joe Agee, [email protected] Editor: Beth Damon, [email protected] advertising and editorial VP Finance & Treasurer: Advertising: Pat Del Rey, consideration is the 15th of Jim Rockaway, [email protected] [email protected] the month preceding pub- VP Planning & NPU Rep: Distribution: Alicia McGill, lication. Letters to the edi- Carol Holliday, [email protected] [email protected] tor should be limited to 300 VP Zoning: Robin Singer, [email protected] Layout: Roshan Antia & Véronique Perrot, words or fewer. The opinions VP Environment: Christiane French, [email protected] expressed herein are those of [email protected] Webmaster: Will Burke, the authors and not those of VP Safety: Kathie Ryan, [email protected] [email protected] Lake Claire Neighbors, Offi- VP Communications: Nancy Dorsner, [email protected] Contact Lake Claire Neighbors at PO Box 5942, cers, or the Clarion Staff. VP Fun(d)raising: Sara Rockaway, [email protected] Atlanta, GA 31107, 404-236-9526 or Cover banner photo by Education Liaison: Annsley Klehr, [email protected]. www.lakeclaire.org. Sarah Coburn The Clarion Newspaper (and its predecessor Neighbors Monthly Newsletter and its predecessor Lake Claire Neighbors Flyer) has been written, edited, and distributed by volunteers since 1989.

M AY 18 Mary Lin monthly dine-out at our favorite kids-always-eat- free Flying Biscuit, 3rd Wednesday of every month. May is named after the Greek goddess, Maia. The month is a time of great celebrations. And it is the time when flowers emerge and crops Lake Claire monthly meeting— and every 3rd Thurs- begin. It’s National BBQ month (though OUR BBQ is June 5), National 19 day, in the Rose Room at The Frazer Center, 7 p.m. socialize, Salad Month, Date your Mate month, AND Older Americans Month—so be nice to folks you know who are “older.” 7:15 meeting. Pizza provided free from Savage (THANKS, SAV- AGE!) 1-8 “Inside I” at 7 Stages, explores the life of a boy on the autistic spectrum from birth to age 18 and his obsession, and escape into, the 20 Horizon Theatre presents “The City of Conversation.” Hester world of video. Using puppetry, visual spectacle and live feed cameras, Ferris opens Washington, D.C. home for political foes to lay down arms Inside I gives voice and image to spectrum’s unheard and unseen ef- and raise a glass. But that is all about to change. Colin, her beloved fects. www.7stages.org son, brings home a Reaganite girlfriend and a shocking new conser- 5 Cinco de Mayo—a celebration in Mexico observed to commemo- vative world view, rocking Hester’s world. Follow the family from the rate the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Carter presidency through the Reagan era and into Obama’s game- Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, sometimes mistaken to be Mexico’s changing inauguration. Off-Broadway smash hit! (through June 26) Independence Day. In the US Cinco de Mayo has taken on a signifi- cance beyond that, with special events on its historical significance, 21 & 28 Decatur Concerts on the Square, (21st: Flat Rock and to highlight Mexican culture, its food, music, and regional danc- Swing; 28th: Bogey and the Viceroy)—see­ decaturdba.com/events/ ing. concerts-on-the-square

7 & 21 Lake Claire Land Trust Drum Circle—Sunset to 11 Vote on E-SPLOST! - See article page 7. p.m. Please walk, bike, or carpool. Bring friends! See Page 11 for 24 Land Trust news. Send calendar entries for the COMBO JUNE/JULY 2016 Clar- ion by MAY 15 to [email protected] 7 Native Americans of Ga., Bus Tour. The Dekalb History Center invites you to join the tour and picnic lunch on Saturday, 5/7. Includes Etowah Indian Mounds, New Echota, and Chief Vann House; led by archaeologists and historians. Please call (404) 373-1088, ext 20 with Come on out and eat BBQ!! questions or to register by phone Continued from page 1 7-8 and every weekend in May (through Nov)—Little Five Points Neighbors (LCN) will provide merchandise. Tee-shirts, hats, Alive. Musicians, dancers, artists, etc. See article in last month’s lemonade and water. You will banners and Ski LC bumper Clarion and www.LittleFivePointsAlive.com. need to bring cash. David and stickers will be on sale, and you Wayne will sell any BBQ that is 8 2-4 p.m. the Frazer Center “Figs & Honey,” an afternoon of mu- can also pay your LC dues ($20) sic and family fun. See Frazer Center website for details. left over. if you haven’t done so in 2016. Kids’ and Family Activities: Bring your checkbook, cash, or The Sierra Club, 2nd Tuesdays at the Episcopal Church of the 10 Between 2:30 and 4:30, Miss use PayPal for credit card pay- Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE. The Metro Atlanta Group Ladybug and her helpers, co- ments. LCLT will also have a comprises the largest Sierra Club membership in Georgia and is dedi- sponsored by LCN and the Lake cated to exploring, preserving and protecting the environment within table so that you can become a Claire Land Trust (LCLT), will the Atlanta area. See sierraclub.org/georgia/atlanta sponsor ($10) or purchase LT provide activities for the kids, merchandise. 14 Lake Claire Land Trust, 2nd annual Food, Clothing & Shelter including face-painting, bubbles, Fest, noon to 11:00 p.m. See article on Page 11. and games with prizes. There Since the June/July Clarion is will also be a scavenger hunt delivered around the first week of 14 Fahrenheit 451, part of 7 Stages “Home Brew,” a developmen- tal reading and presentation series for local artists. Artists spend a with prizes for kids of all ages. June, this may be the last Clarion week residency developing their works for a one night presentation. The Welcome Tables: Sign you’ll see before the event. Mark 2pm. See other productions for the month at www.7stages.org/about/ in to be eligible for several draw- your calendars now, and we calendar ings; prizes will include LCN hope to see you there! May 2016 Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org 3 I Will Arise and Go Now Continued from page 1 Not those creamy dreamy grits, since the Bis- cuit has fourteen locations in three states. I’ll give you a hint: it’s black and white and read all over. Yes, I’m talking about the Clarion, which just might be my favorite thing about Lake Claire, along with the trees, the tennis court, the pizza, and our upstairs neighbors. The Clarion has taught me about illegal tree removal and inconsiderate home build- ing practices. It has introduced me to many of my neighbors, whether animal, vegetable, Hello…Safe Journey – Skiing in and around or mineral. It has informed me about upcom- ing elections, given me insight into the local Lake Claire schools, and kept me in the loop about events in the neighborhood. All of which is to say April Birth 19 Joseph McGill, Delaware Ave. will be 15. that reading the Clarion, so graciously deliv- Finn Isaac Covington was born on April 1, 20 Aidan Rogers, Harold Ave., turns 12. ered to my door, at no cost—though I prom- 7 lbs 4 oz, 20.5 inches, to parents Chris and 23 Mayla Carper, turning 3, Leonardo Ave. ise we’ll pay our dues before we leave—helps me better know, and participate in, the place Kathleen Covington, and big sister Ada (2 27 Edie Haggerty, turning 5, Harold Ave where I live. It expands my perspective. years old) on Hardendorf Ave. 28 Sadie Stevens, turning 6, Leonardo Ave. That perspective can be severely limited, since I spend my afternoons and weekends May Birthdays Belated exploring the neighborhood with our near- 3 Sarah Wynn, Harold Ave. ly-two-years-old daughter, Esther. I experi- April 9 Joe Stevens, new neighbor on Harold. 4 Bill Fleming, Harold Ave. ence Lake Claire as a toddler does (albeit a toddler with a bad back and a coffee addic- Welcome, New Doggie: 4 Jennifer Hubert, new neighbor on Harold tion), which is to say slowly (so slowly) and Ave. (welcome & Happy B’Day) Sharon Doochin, Harold Avenue, and dog- with my hands. We gather wildflowers on 5 Jake Landgraff, turns 15! gie Luna, welcomed Zelda, this new addition the path between Mathews (where we live) and Lake Claire Park. Because Esther has 6 Lock Rogers, Ridgewood Rd. to the family, late last month. little respect for private property, we wander 7 Gay Arnieri, Harold Ave. into people’s backyards in search of cats and Are you graduating next month? Were you 9 Bob Caine, getting younger on Leonardo staircases. We visit Lou and feed him lettuce, born in June or July? Take a minute right though Lou once nicked Esther in the finger, Ave. a story she still likes to tell. (It goes some- 11 Adler Waugh, turning 5 (happy mother’s now, and send life cycle events/important thing like this: “Boo-boo.” “You got a boo-boo?” day gift to Lisa), Leonardo Ave. rights of passage, etc., for the months of June, “Yeeeeah.” “Where?” “Emu bit you.” “Oh, the emu gave you a boo-boo several months ago?” July—and beyond—to [email protected]. 16 Peter Stay Puft Marshmallow Man Olson, “Yeeeeah.”) Leonardo Ave. Deadline is MAY 15 for the JUNE/JULY On hot days, or when Esther falls off the 18 Jett Friedman, Delaware Ave., will combo issue of the newspaper. Please help us swing and bites her tongue, we like to go to Market for popsicles, and on be 4 (wow, they grow fast) make this feature inclusive of our LC ‘hood. hot and cold and lukewarm days we like to share a couple slices at Fellini’s. Often, we sit on the curb and collect stones. With a tod- dler, time passes slowly, to quote Bob Dylan in another context. Our walks go on for hours, until finally I lose patience with my tiny Zen master and scoop her up and carry her squirming, kicking body home, doing my best to ignore her angry protestations, as well as those of my throbbing lower back. Oh, Lake Claire—will I find you again in Pittsburgh or Morgantown, where there are more than three days of winter and the hous- ing tends more toward Victorian than bun- galow and craftsman—and emus are scarce? Or must I, like Yeats, be satisfied with a Lake Claire of the mind? Visit me in Mor- gantown—or Pittsburgh, because it might be Pittsburgh—and you’ll find me at the curb, muttering to myself, “I will arise and go now, for always night and day/I hear Lake Claire lapping with low sounds by the shore;/While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements Finn and Ada Covington Zelda, new dog rescued by Sharon grey,/I hear it in the deep heart’s core.” Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org May 2016 4

Keeping An Eye on the Crime and the Time: Help make our neighborhood Lake Claire Security Report, safer by joining the Candler Park February 14 - March 19 (5 weeks) Lake Claire Patrol at Auto Theft www.cplcpatrol/ 400 block Claire Dr., 2/16, from driveway, Stolen: 2008 bro Ford F25 Edgewood Retail District’s 24 hour 200 block Arizona Ave., 2/22, from parking lot, Stolen: blk 2000 Honda CRV with Arizona tag security number: 678-618-2308 Burglary 2000 block McLendon Ave., 3/4, Taken: MacBook Air, work bag, $40 Braves ticket voucher. Join www.nextdoor.com/join to Front door kicked in. Arrest was made when the new computer was returned to Best Buy by the thief; other stolen items were recovered from the arrestee. receive up to date security infor- 2000 block DeKalb Ave., 3/6, Taken: laptop with bag; unknown entry method/no signs of mation from your neighbors. forced entry/no prints 2000 block DeKalb Ave., 3/15, Taken: Frigidaire stove, dishwasher, and refrigerator. Note: Re- 911 emergency calls (to report porting party advised that when he returned to the location he discovered the plywood that had been screwed onto the door had been removed and the listed items missing. crime or suspicious behavior): 2000 block DeKalb Ave., 3/15. Note: This incident is identical to the one above except for the Many areas of the City of Atlanta in house address. [My guess is that these are new homes under construction.] DeKalb County are affected by cell Other Larceny 2000 block DeKalb Ave., 3/16, Taken: unsecured Green Mountain bike from apt. stairwell towers that may direct 911 calls to Note: A person with a homeless appearance had been seen on the premises; the bike was DeKalb County instead of Atlanta. If later seen by a witness who saw someone appearing homeless fleeing west on DeKalb Ave. Robbery you call 911 from a cell phone and 200 block Arizona Ave., 3/10, Taken: wallet. Victims stated they were in the park and ap- DeKalb Police answers, say you’re proached by two white males who tried to strike up a conversation and then placed a knife to the victim’s neck and took the female victim’s purse. in the City of Atlanta, give your 400 block Lakeshore Dr., 3/12; Taken: nothing. The victim was kicking a soccer ball around in address, and wait to be trans- the park when approached by two white males. They began kicking the ball around with him then one of them presented a ¾-inch knife and demanded money. The suspect went through ferred. From a land line, dial 911. the victim’s wallet and after finding no money, the two suspects fled east on Lakeshore. You can store the 10-digit Atlanta 200 block Arizona Ave., 3/12; Taken: nothing. The victim was sitting in front of the house when two white male suspects approached him and asked for his phone. Then they both Police Emergency number in your pulled out knives and asked for his wallet. Finding no money, they told the victim they were cell phone: 404-658-6666. Give not going to hurt him and fled in a black Toyota Corolla type vehicle. Theft from Vehicle your location first because that 300 block Nelms Ave., 2/22, Taken: purse contain- number does not reveal ing cards, checkbook, driver’s license, cash. Victim stated that the car was unlocked with purse left on your phone number, passenger’s seat. and in case of discon- From LCN 200 block Hampton Terr., 3/13. Not listed. (These notes come from police reports.) Damage: none nection the police will President: noted/car was unlocked. know where to re- Continued from page 2 spond. 311 non-emergency calls (street lights out, sidewalk issues, pot- holes, etc.):

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This is the NEW BOOK RELEASE季 month that spring Online dating can leave us feeling so festivals naked, so vulnerable that we revert to our happen most primitive defenses. Sorting out where all over we have control and where we don’t and Atlanta. then learning how to stop trying to control See our things we cannot control helps us relax our Festival reflexes and have space for reason. Calendar Order the book today: Lustierlife.com on Page 10 May 2016 Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org 5 Wild in Lake Claire May into June in the by Carol Vanderschaaf Garden “These are the days Birds come his renowned watercolors. by Elizabeth Knowlton back—A very few—a Bird or two” So, what’s going on the Every spring and fall the but note that the rose (shower …or should it be… “April (in neighborhood? Genise S., on Farmers and Consumers’ Market head) also slips off easily and this case, May) is the cruelest Indiana Ave., reports hearing a Bulletin prints a list of vegeta- that plastic cans have a shorter month, breeding Lilacs out of the Barred Owl nearby. She identi- ble seeds and plants with what life than metal ones. Be sure to dead land...” fied it by its “who cooks for you” dates Georgia growers need to store it in a frost free place. For question. Ilene S. on Matthews get them into the ground. (Sub- $30-50, you can find a galvanized Well here it is, another spring. Ave. and Dorothy D. on McLen- scribe to the Bulletin at www. can that should last you for many Whether your thoughts go to don Ave. both report an influx of agr.georgia.gov.) Of course, it years; however, I do try to store Emily Dickinson or T. S. Eliot, American Goldfinches in their is providing information for the mine upside down when not in there is a lot to think about. My yards, and in that magnificent whole state, but I find that choos- use to prevent possible rusting. thoughts have ing a date about half- As to how much to water your yellow breed- been going to way between the plants, the original ing plumage the birds (not to first and last edition of Square too. Two FOLC the dogs, though days works Foot Gardening (Friends of Lake pretty well for has amounts of some may think Claire) on Miller us in the Pied- water needed so). Spring is Ave. report blue- mont. For in- for each kind the time for bird birds nesting in stance, Georgians of vegetable. migration and the box they put can plant lima beans So unless you bird nesting. up—and BTW, (yes, you might plant have field to wa- The whole bag lima beans) between March ter, you can quickly 30% of birds of worms gets 15 and June 1, so I would select figure out how much water in nest in tree cavi- too complicated for me. a late April or early May date for your can to spend on each plant ties. Many of these will nest in Birds’ migration north takes these seeds. and also how often. boxes. Flower beds lend themselves place here in Georgia from Feb- Pole beans need a sturdy frame. And some great news! Miriam Either build yourself one out of to soaker hoses because you can ruary through May. In the fall, H. on Arizona reports that the old poles and twine or a frame of stretch a hose through a long going south, it runs from Sep- Carolina Wren banded by the strings, or buy one ready-made bed or wind it around a rectan- tember to November. Now that’s folks from the Smithsonian in you can find in a catalog. Mine gular or round one. The hose simple enough except that some her yard last May has returned! is metal with a wider circle at will last for several years if you birds come from the north to nest Believe it or not, it is nesting in the bottom than at the top. Each keep it covered with mulch, but here, some come from the south year I string fresh sisal on the I have found that it pays to buy a bike helmet on the front porch to do the same, but many others frame; at the end of the season, a better quality of soaker hose of neighbors, Burgess and Abi. just migrate through… and then I can cut down the strings and anyway since the major work is Miriam also reports a heron on there are those who just stick put the whole mess in the com- in laying it. Remember that the the Land Trust pond recently. post bin to decay. With it you can hose should run at one level or around and never go anywhere, Dorothy D., mentioned above, grow regular green pole beans, at least from high ground to low except maybe a few counties heard a bull frog there in April. Scarlet Runner beans, lima pole with the gentlest grade you can away. Beth D. on Delaware reports beans, and yard long, skinny manage. Where my street beds Equally complex are birds’ bullfrogs in her pond, who plop Asian beans that are good in stir- are higher than all my spigots, I nests. There is actually a into the water whenever she or fries. You could also grow flower- string a regular hose to a point Peterson’s Field Guide for east- ing vines. a little higher than the bed and her dogs approach. ern birds’ nests which includes Other crops to put in now are then attach it to the soaker hose. And Meta L., also a FOLC, information on nests of 285 spe- corn, okra, Southern peas, pep- One hundred feet is about the writes, “if you are interested in cies nesting in 26 states, from pers (plants), pumpkins, and longest soaker hose that will give water management and engi- winter squash. Keep in mind an even flow. I tack mine down birds that nests in mud cavi- neering, you’d be amazed at the that the later you plant, the more with wire u-shaped pins. ties to those that nest on the recent work of the ingenious insects, animals, and diseases And do not forget to mulch all ground—to those wiser birds who Candler Park beavers. Dams will be attacking them. They your plantings with wheat straw, nest in trees (up high enough of have broken repeatedly, and each also may need to be watered ground leaves, or mini-bark, de- course). Peterson’s guide is a time, they figured out a better more with hotter days and less pending on the situation. Just recent book. Previously it was rain. Remember to water fewer be careful not to put mulch up place to rebuild.” Go beavers! thought that such a list would times but more deeply. Spraying against woody plants such as Well, Summer is icumin in, lead to people (that’s us) robbing lightly over the garden or lawn shrubs or trees. Leave several Lhude sing cucu! So it’s time the nests. Now there are laws in with a hose just wastes your wa- inches free of mulch around to move on. Possible topics for place, hopefully to stop this. In ter, evaporating with the first the trunk because 1) there are next time are bees, voles, and sunbeam. no roots there to protect and addition, monitoring nests has shrews (the latter topics suggest- For a small garden, a watering 2) mulch provides cover for in- come of age. Also birds are being ed by a contributor who wishes can is a big help. Fiskars makes sects, disease, and rodents to de- banded instead of being killed to remain anonymous). Please one out of synthetic resin called stroy the bark and kill the tree. for some amateur’s collection. send other ideas or sightings to the Easy Pour, holding 2.6 gal- Spread mulch evenly around a Audubon, BTW, shot and killed [email protected]. lons and costing under $20. This tree to the edge of the drip line birds to arrange them and paint would be light to carry, a plus, or at least to two-three feet from Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org May 2016 6 F•O•C•U•S O•N Referendum Opportunity School Districts (OSD) by Annsley Klehr, Lake Claire Neighbors Education Chair

Wait?! You say what? We’re for a total of 100 failing schools II of this section, the General dent Carstarphen and the Board voting on whether the State of in GA. The criteria used to mea- Assembly may provide by gen- of Education came the creation Georgia should take over our sure a failing school is the state eral law for the creation of an of the Turnaround Strategy to failing schools? test called College and Career Opportunity School District and address the academic and so- The Ballot Question will Ready Performance Index (CCR- authorize the state to assume the cial/emotional needs of these read: “Shall the Constitution of PI), which has four assessed com- supervision, management, and students in their failing schools Georgia be amended to allow the ponents: achievement, progress, operation of public elementary through tutoring, additional state to intervene in chronically gap, and challenge. Schools that and secondary schools which math and reading specialists, failing public schools in order to performed for three consecutive have been determined to be fail- extended learning time, Spring improve student performance?” years under 60 are eligible for ing through a governance model Break Academies, recruitment The ballot question seems so the proposed OSD. A high-risk allowed by law. Such authori- of school leadership specializing straightforward, but we Lake school is one that has performed zation shall include the power in turning schools around, and Clarions could not be fooled. We two out of the three consecutive to receive, control, and expend of targeted professional develop- decided to take a closer look at years below 60. As a reference, state, federal, and local funds ment for teachers. the meaning of this referendum. schools that performed with a appropriated for schools under What questions should I be Lake Claire Neighbors Educa- CCRPI score of 75 for three con- the current or prior supervision, asking? tion Committee hosted a panel secutive years are considered management, or operation of the What is missing from this piece on March 15 at the Frazer Cen- strong performing schools. Opportunity School District, all of legislation? The constitu- ter* to discuss the ins and outs In 2015 the Georgia General in the manner provided by and tional amendment above about of OSD and what it means to our Assembly passed a piece of leg- in accordance with general law?” operations, if approved, can neighborhood and the Atlanta islation that approved amend- Ok, I read all of that. What be changed at any time upon a Public Schools (APS). The panel ing the GA Constitution to cre- does that mean? majority vote of the state legis- consisted of Janet Kishbaugh of ate Opportunity School Districts The school district will be con- lature. There are no criteria for Public Education Matters Geor- (OSD). The Assembly also passed trolled by a Superintendent of the selection of a “failing school” gia, Tim Davis of Students First, another piece of legislation called the OSD, approved by the Gov- in this piece of legislature, which and Matt Westmoreland of the “Enabling Legislation” (SB 133) ernor, (different than the GA means it is up to ANY Governor’s APS Board of Education, District which laid out how the OSD will Department of Education (DOE) will. 3 Representative. Each panelist operate if the amendment below and the GA elected school Super- How long will the OSD be in answered questions from his or is approved by voters. intendent.) Once the State takes operation? There is no limit writ- her perspective. The Constitutional Amend- over a school it can either: ten in this piece of legislation. What is Opportunity School ment Language will Read: 1. Close it. Once it is closed, the What are the benefits of the District (OSD)? OSD is the Paragraph VIII. Opportunity building cannot be used for OSD? State of Georgia’s proposed take- School District. “Notwithstand- the same population for three • A change will be made. Dis- over of up to 20 schools a year ing the provisions of Paragraph years, which means the stu- tricts have allowed their schools dents and staff get disbursed to CHRONICALLY fail and around the county. have kept the same administra- Facelift in Lake Claire 2. Choose to run it as a State tion and teachers in place. Charter School in which the • The State will control the The Harold Avenue Greens- Nature’s weeds and helped with schools. pace has undergone a “facelift” local board and state board the fencing this spring include What are the concerns of the recently, with Joe Agee’s dona- share governance. Andrew Sherwood, Christiane OSD? tion of new fencing for the beds 3. Hire a private entity to run the and new benches. Volunteers French, Joella Carter, Joe Agee, State Charter School in which • The local school district will who have fought back Mother and Kathie Ryan the local board will ONLY lose all control. have a financial responsibility. • The local school district will lose its local facilities and local How does this affect APS dollars, allowing state charters and consequently the Grady (for the first time) to use local Cluster? If OSD takes over one funds. of the APS schools . . . • The language in the referen- • APS will be required to pay for dum is ambiguous. maintenance of the building • The referendum is not ad- • The average dollar per pupil dressing resources and other APS expenditure will have to be systemic needs like poverty, allocated to the State (meaning food, shelter, etc. our city tax dollars as well) to use per pupil in the schools that If you have further questions, it has taken over. This means don’t hesitate to reach out to the APS will have less money to panelists above or Annsley Klehr, spend overall and in the Grady Lake Claire Neighbors Educa- Cluster. tion Chair: [email protected]. This legislation helped light Whatever your opinion may be, the fire under APS to recognize please don’t forget to go vote in quickly the dire needs of their the November elections for OSD! chronically failing schools and * A special thank you to our the school communities. Under panelists and to the Frazer Center the direction of APS Superinten- for allowing us use of its space.! May 2016 Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org 7 E•D•U•C•A•T•I•O•N Teaching “Soft” Skills is Important (and not just because they can help with the “hard” skills) by Matt Underwood, Executive Director, Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School

The Southern Poverty Law someone remarked to me that ing them to improvements in students were best prepared Center’s Teaching Tolerance helping students learn to work reading or math as measured by for life after K-12 school by be- program recognized our middle together like this was “great” be- standardized tests. In my view, ing equipped with both “hard” school campus as a model for its cause it helps students “to have though, we should be making (math, reading, problem solving) “Mix It Up” project. The project a better school environment room for teaching and learning and “soft” (collaboration, com- is designed to get schools to find so they can be more focused on about working in teams and deal- munication) skills remain just ways to encourage students of learning.” While I agree with ing with conflict because these as true today. In fact, with the different backgrounds to inter- this sentiment, I think it misses are valuable skills to have in increasing connectedness of our act with one another and engage the larger point: the skill of col- life. The fact that they may lead world—economically, politically, with issues of diversity, equity, laborating with different types of to a boost in test scores shouldn’t and socially—across many bor- and justice. Thanks to the good people, especially when the focus be our main motivation for our ders, those “soft” skills are prob- work of our middle campus stu- is on those differences, is impor- focus on them. ably more important to students dents and teachers/staff aimed tant in and of itself, regardless of today than they were even 20 at taking deliberate steps to cre- its impact on student learning. I’m reminded of a book I read years ago. So we’ll keep on with ate these kinds of opportunities, a few years back called “Teach- the sometimes messy work of the Atlanta Neighborhood Char- With a rise in attention being ing the New Basic Skills: Prin- helping students to develop their ter School (ANCS) was highlight- given to “social-emotional learn- ciples for Educating Children “soft” skills because it should be ed as “a beacon for other schools ing” or traits such as “grit,” much to Thrive in a Changing Econ- an essential part of every child’s striving for inclusiveness.” of the support given for why omy.” Though the book—pub- education for the world he or she schools should focus on these ar- lished in 1996—is somewhat encounters today and the one to When I shared this news, eas is tied to research connect- dated now, its core ideas that be encountered in the future! APS Served District-Grown Garden Menu on Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day, the greenhouse and school gar- April 22, Atlanta Public Schools den. Ms. Gray uses the green- (APS) served chicken with pasta house as a living classroom and and green beans seasoned with integrates gardening into her district-grown garden herbs in curriculum. Grady Expansion Plans all APS cafeterias. The fresh The District Grown Gardens rosemary and basil harvested to initiative focuses on increasing Depend on Us prepare these menu items were students’ consumption of fruits by Annsley Klehr, Lake Claire Neighbors Education Chair grown inside the Benjamin E. and vegetables while making Mays High School aquaponics the connection between school Tired of the over-populated The current E-SPLOST, expir- and hydroponics greenhouse sys- garden produce and foods served buildings and overcrowding at ing June 30, 2017, is projected to tem. in the cafeteria. A collaboration Grady High School, Inman Mid- raise approximately $442 million Mays High School is the only between the APS Nutrition De- dle School, and Morningside El- for APS. 16 schools under the cur- school in the district with a partment, Captain Planet Foun- ementary (to name a few)? Want rent E-SPLOST have had major greenhouse that uses aquapon- dation, and Sodexo-Jackmont, that funding for the Grady Ex- renovation projects, additionally ics and hydroponics to grow year- the program is being piloted pansion? 17 facilities have received HVAC round herbs and vegetables. The at Beecher Hills Elementary, Make sure you vote for the system upgrades, and more than Mays Greenhouse, operated by King Middle, Maynard Holbrook CONTINUATION of the one- half of APS’ educational sites Ray Williams of Mirror Image Jackson High, and Mays High. penny sales tax also known have been the recipient of wire- Mentoring, was selected as the APS Student Wellness Ambas- as the Education Special Pur- less capability. flagship program for the District sadors (SWAs) will host garden pose Local-Option Sales Tax If you want to witness the Grown Gardens initiative and tours at Long Middle and hy- (E-SPLOST) on Tuesday, May Grady expansion, make sure that is funded by Sodexo-Jackmont droponic displays at Mays High 24. A penny is added to exist- you vote YES for the E-SPLOST Corporation. Students from the School. Additionally, fresh har- ing sales tax, which the Georgia on May 24. This is your chance Mays High School Urban Agri- vest herbs and vegetables will be school systems use towards capi- to make a difference for your culture Club, Mr. Williams, and featured in cooking demonstra- tal improvements (like Grady) community—and maintain your Mays High School Advanced tions at select schools. You can and/or long-term debt reduction property values! Placement Biology and Envi- view APS’ District-Grown Gar- from previous bonds. This vote For more APS information on ronmental Science instructor dens’ video at www.youtube.com/ will extend APS’ SPLOST use for the E-SPLOST visit: atlantapub- Tamiko Gray, jointly maintain watch?v=cAphEYNrQdA another five years. licschools.us/Page/49014 Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org May 2016 8 Our Neighbor, The Handsome Family, a novella, CSM by Alice Bliss. Continued from page 1 $10 The Bozart Press, Tuesday and Thursday nights from 297 Gordon Avenue, Atlanta 30307

7:30 to 9:30 p.m., we hold a computer training session for our guests. I am teaching one evening a week. We are looking for volunteers to teach the other evening session, or one session a week. Give me a holler at robert- [email protected] if you would like to teach. We help the guests set up email accounts, write resumes, apply for benefits, and the like. It is an enjoyable evening. Very laid- back. A no-stress environment.

We are grateful for Lake Claire’s continued support of Clifton Sanctu- ary Ministries. Thank you for being such a good neighbor. May 2016 Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org 9 Gardening Continued from page 5 the trunk. Perennial agastache, monarda, Speaking of watering, there rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan), are some plants that are not only and salvias are all plants that beautiful but also tough enough are drought tolerant once estab- to survive periods of drought. I lished. hope you enjoyed your hellebores from January through March and Last, do not forget to drag out will stop to realize that once es- your chairs and benches to where tablished they really do not need you can sit comfortably after the photo by Gretchen Connell any more watering. Lantana is day’s work is done and enjoy the another tough plant, and I have beautiful garden you are creat- Swimming Weather Has enjoyed ‘Miss Huff’ for many ing. years in front of my house. No matter how cold the winter, she Please let Elizabeth know of Arrived! always puts up fresh branches by your gardening experiences, at Fun in the sun has already be- at his or her level of ability. The April and rarely needs watering. [email protected].—Ed gun for Lake Claire’s swim team, club is a non-profit, run by an The Wahoo. There is still time to elected Board of Directors which register (through June 15), and meets each month. All members Recycle in May practice begins on May 2 at the and parents are welcome at each Lake Claire pool. Swimmers: it’s meeting and encouraged to be by Tracy Hambrick, Recycling Manager, City of Atlanta time to get wet and in shape! Time involved in team activities and trials and parent orientation are fundraisers. The swim sched- April showers bring May flow- City of Atlanta residents can coming this month. Please see ule can be found on the website ers and along with that the carry the spirit of Earth Day the website for complete infor- www.lakeclairepool.com . mation at www.teamunify.com/ hope and joy that accompanies through the year by recycling. Home.jsp?team=reczzlcwga. Don’t forget the Junior Wa- a lovely spring in Georgia. The Curbside, the City of Atlanta hoo Program, a selective devel- The Lake Claire Wahoo is City of Atlanta has hope and joy opmental program for emerging accepts household paper, card- a competitive swim team offer- that this year’s Earth Day activi- swimmers. Your young swimmer board, plastics #s 1-5 and 7, metal ing high quality professional ties that were held the week of will work with the Wahoo coach- coaching and technique instruc- cans, and glass. Items should be es to refine his or her stroke and April 22 will encourage residents tion for ages 4 to 18. Swimmers clean and dry, and placed loosely improve endurance, with the to continue recycling and clean- must belong to the Lake Claire goal of swimming a full lap and up efforts throughout the year. in the cart, not bagged. Recycle Pool or be on the pool waiting list competing on the big squad. Every year City of Atlanta em- Day accepts paper for shredding, in order to swim on the Wahoo team. The team goal is to have And if swimming isn’t enough ployees join residents in Earth electronics, clothing, polystyrene fun and provide each member of a draw, all the Wahoos get Week activities such as plant- foam, tires, and the single stream an opportunity to improve swim- Krispy Kreme doughnuts after ing urban gardens, cleaning up items accepted curbside. Last ming skills and achieve success Saturday practices! Go Wahoo! neighborhoods and trails, and month, residents brought 800 holding recycling drives. Cart- pounds of paper to be shredded. lanta hosted recycling drives all Lake Claire Cloth Bags According to the Environmental week in City Hall. All week, US- Did you know that Lake Claire istries, and communications Paper Network, recycling paper Again collected clothing. Keep has cloth bags? The reusable with the neighborhood --such as uses 60% less energy than mak- Atlanta Beautiful and USAgain bags feature a design by Harold our website, newscast, and occa- Avenue’s Pen Sherwood. These sionally if needed to supplement collected gently used shoes and ing new paper. Would you join bags are only $5 and help sup- our advertising revenues—your your neighbors in saving energy hosted a Lunch and Shred event port Lake Claire along with dues. newspaper—this Lake Claire during which a truck shredded and resources by recycling in See instructions for paying dues Clarion. Thanks for helping to paper, and a food truck fed re- your curbside blue cart, and the at www.lakeclaire.org, or you support your neighborhood. may send a check to Treasurer, cyclers outside City Hall. They third Saturday Recycle Day at Lake Claire, PO Box 5942, At- Everyone in Lake Claire is al- ways invited to come to a neigh- collected cell phones, which were The Mall West End? lanta, Georgia, 31107. Some of borhood meeting (3rd Thursday donated to Zoo Atlanta to benefit the initiatives that these mon- Recycle Day is held the third ies support are: improvements of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. In The Frazer Center; the next one Saturday of every month except to Lake Claire Park, the annual addition, they handed out reus- Lake Claire Halloween Parade, is May 19, then June 16). Savage able shopping totes to all patrons December at The Mall West End, improving and protecting the provides free pizza (thanks, Sav- at City Hall’s Café 55 to promote 850 Oak St. SW, Atlanta, GA Harold Avenue Greenspace, fine age) and you are welcome to take neighborhood programs and in- part in the meeting and neigh- reusable products over single- 30310. www.atlantaga.gov/recy- stitutions such as The Frazer borhood activities to whatever use items. cling Center, Clifton Sanctuary Min- extent you feel comfortable. Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org May 2016 10 Thanks for Paying 2016 Neighborhood Dues

Some recent LC dues payers are Gail derful neighborhood initiatives, includ- James, Anne Marie Reines, Richard Lo- ing green spaces, worthy organizations, renc, Sara Reid, Suzanne Barksdale, fun events… Christiane French, Leah Williams, and How to Pay? Mail a check to Lake Christopher Covington. Claire Neighbors, c/o Treasurer, P.O. Box If we have missed anyone who paid his 5942, Atlanta, GA 31107, or go to www. or her dues who hasn’t been featured in lakeclaire.org/lcn/members.htm. another Clarion, please be sure to let us 1561 Mclendon Avenue • Atlanta, GA 30307 know at [email protected]. We ap- Help keep neighborhood coffers in the preciate your support of our many won- black. Lake Claire is Ready for Spring! And Festivals Galore

Atlanta is known for both scenery and greenery, and at the first signs of spring we head outdoors. Here are just a few festivals that we know about—all have websites for further details: Decatur Concerts on the Square—deca- turdba.com/events/concerts-on-the-square. May 13-15 is the Shaky Knees Music Festi- val, , www.shakyk- neesfestival.com. May 14—Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Kirkwood Homes. Family fun, 5K, etc. See www.kirkwoodfling.com. May 21—East Atlanta Beer Fest! 13th an- nual, Brownwood Park—www.eastatlanta- LOW RATE NEVER CHANGES beerfest.com. NO NON-USAGE OR ANNUAL FEES May 21—Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Fest, at Atlantic Station—www.beerandbourbon.com. NO-FEE CASH ADVANCES (SAME RATE) May 27-29—2 fine fests: the Decatur Art Fest (decaturartsfestival.com) and the At- BALANCE TRANSFERS: 0% FOR 12 MO* lanta Jazz Festival in (www. atlanta.net/events/atlanta-jazz-festival). June 2-5 is the Atlanta Food and Wine Fest. See atlfoodandwinefestival.com. Finally, June 11-12, head out to Stone Mountain for the Atlanta Street Food Festi- val. www.atlantastreetfoodfestival.com.

For more festivals, see www.atlanta.net/ events/festivals.

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STARTING AT 9.99% APR* - SEE BONDCU.COM/LOANS/CREDIT-CARD FOR MORE INFO *Restrictions may apply; subject to approval. APR=Annual Percentage Rate. For details, call 404-525-0619 x217 May 2016 Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org 11 2nd Annual Food, Clothing & Shelter Fest It has been three years since the release of & Shelter Fest, hosted by the Lake Claire Com- The Ripple Ebrima Ba’s film Food, Clothing & Shelter, munity Land Trust. The Fest begins at noon, Effect is which won first place at the 2013 Urban Me- featuring food, music, and agriculture, with based on dia Makers Film Festival in the Documentary speakers, farmers, local artists, great local the Dogon Film category. The 40-minute film highlights bands and DJs, just like last year. At 8:30 pm, Creation the lack of food security in Atlanta and around when the sky grows dark enough, festival-go- story, how the world, focusing on homegrown, do-it-your- ers will enjoy projected photography of Atlanta the art of self solutions. from street journalist Brent Walker, author of agricul- “At that time, I had no intention to follow up The Hidden South. The premiere showing of ture and with another film,” Ebrima says. “I thought af- The Ripple Effect will be the festival’s grand other life ter all those years of hard work, my job was finale. civilizing done. My conscience told me, you did great, Ebrima is a native African who was amazed skills were producing an award-winning film. But what to find that many people in the U.S. go hungry brought are you going to do now? Run somewhere and because they do not know how to grow food. forth by sell the film, or are you going to follow through “Any community of people that depends or re- our ances- with another film? I decided to follow through.” lies on handouts or aid from others will lose its tors from Ebrima’s sequel, Food, Clothing & Shelter: self-worth and dignity,” Ebrima says. In addi- the heav- The Ripple Effect, makes its debut on Satur- tion to educating people about the issue, he has ens,” the filmmaker explains. He says that in day, May 14 at the 2nd annual Food, Clothing also founded an urban farm in Stone Mountain. Atlanta we are creating holistic environmental sustainability as the cultural norm, in the form of urban farms, and it has become a “ripple ef- fect,” with more and more urban farms in At- lanta. For more information about the two films, the festival, and the farm, contact him at [email protected]. Upcoming at the Land Trust . . . Sat. May 7 and 21 Drum Circle, sunset to 11:00 pm. Please walk, bike or carpool. Bring a friend! Sat. May 14 2nd annual Food, Clothing & Shelter Fest, noon to 11:00 pm. See article this page. Land Trust Supporters: Have you renewed for 2016? Anyone can be a Land Trust Supporter by donating $10 a year. Donate via www. LCCLT.org/stewardship; mail a check made out to “LCCLT” c/o Treasurer, 270 Arizona Ave., Atlanta GA 30307; or donate via the chute in our bulletin board. Include your address and we’ll mail you an “I Support the Land Trust” bumper sticker. Include your email address, and we’ll add you to our email list. (Donation not required to get on this list! Contact [email protected].) Lake Claire Clarion @ www.LakeClaire.org May 2016 12 Lake Claire KIDS’ CORNER We hope this series is fun and a way for lives on Claire Drive. I feel certain that that one can’t help but anticipate what’s young Clarion readers/writers/artists to in this column we are seeing the initial ahead. Thank you, Leah, for sharing your participate. This month we feature poet- works of future talented writers and art- wonderful work. Please see the online ver- ry and artwork of Leah Braun. Leah, age ists, and to that point, Leah has already sion of the Clarion, for the full effects of eleven, is a fifth grader at Mary Lin. She written such a moving poem at age eleven Leah’s art. Hey there, let’s hear from more Lake Outside at 4:08 P.M. Claire kids – we want your creativity on this page. Submit articles, poetry, draw- by Leah Braun ings, your original puzzles, etc., to editor@ lakeclaire.org. We’d love to hear from you. The billowing moan of cardi- nals resonates through the yard, unknowing of a bronze hued hawk watching them from a neighboring tree. The clack of a woodpecker’s claws against bark cuts the string of song momentarily, until its beak brings a beat to the out- door choir. A train whistles in the background, alerting two dogs who respond with a bark. The gentle click of claws scraping wood bring Cora laying at my feet. A gray squirrel daringly leaps onto the canoe, where it is promptly scared away be a quiet snarl and a swat of a huge paw. Sparrows take off into the cloudless sky. The rumble of a helicopter brings a far off dog howling. The Leah Braun and her best pup, Henry scent of barbecue pulls itself into my nostrils, making me sneeze. The wind casts shadows over my sunwarmed NEW CONTEST: fingers. I am happy… for I am outside at 4:46 p.m. Kids: Did you know? The horn of the rhinoceros is composed of the same material as your fingernail. Somewhere in this issue we’ve hidden a rhinoceros family. “Save the Rhino Day” is traditionally celebrated on May 1. To win, send an e-mail to [email protected] telling us the page number where you found the “rhinos.” Extra credit for telling us why they Sari on her first day of school this year Amelia finding the hidden graphic are endangered. It is ok to look **CONGRATULATIONS!** Amelia Stevens found (quote) “the hid- den Easter thingy.” Amelia and her sister it up. The extra credit prize is Two girls, Sari D’Agostino and Amelia Ste- Sadie live on Leonardo Avenue. Amelia is that you can write or draw for a vens, found the hidden graphics in last month’s in the second grade, and Sadie is in Kinder- issue. Sari D’Agostino was the first to find garten, also at Mary Lin. They have a dog, future Clarion. Any child from both the Passover and the Easter graphic. Ruby, whom they refer to as their third sis- Lake Claire is eligible, except She is eight years old, has a dog named Aus- ter. Amelia practices taekwondo, plays soc- tin, and two sisters, Elena (10), and Mira (6). cer, and takes piano lessons. She has also that you can’t win two months She attends Mary Lin Elementary and is in started pet-sitting for neighborhood chickens in a row. Hurry and look; Ms. Phalen’s 3rd grade class. She says “I love and cats. No mention of annoying her sister, to draw, read, annoy my sisters, and write.” though. And the Stevens family has lived in competition is always stiff for Her after-school activities are Girls on the Lake Claire now for thirteen years. Congrats, this coveted prize. Run and Glenn Cheerleading. Amelia and Sari!!