Lights! Camera! Action! Third Rail Studios Now Creating “Movie Magic”

Quarterly Newsletter for Doraville, GA Issue 4 Vol. 2 Spring 2017

Lights! Camera! Action! Third Rail Studios now creating “movie magic” in Doraville In the closing shot of the classic film That’s an admirable resume so far for mill/flex space of 38,000 square feet Sunset Boulevard, deranged actress Nor- the fledgling studio, located on a por- utilized for production support, mill ma Desmond stares defiantly into the tion of the former General Motors shops, related vendor spaces and admin- camera and utters the iconic line, plant site now known as Assembly. Its istrative offices. “Alright Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my blueprint includes purpose-built, col- President of Operations Dan Rosenfelt close-up!” At Third Rail Studios in Do- umn-free sound stages totaling 60,000 not only oversees day-to-day tasks at the raville, they, too, are ready for their square feet with 40 foot high ceilings; studio, but stays in contact daily with “close up” as the latest addition to Geor- loft style, fully equipped production West Coast film executives, lining up gia’s film colony settles into its role as suites totaling 27,500 square feet; and future projects and touting the features the newest member of the city’s business of the one-stop production facility. community. “We’re a boutique facility offering qual- The stunning studio has been a proverbi- ity service with all production needs al beehive of activity since their doors available onsite, under one roof,” he officially opened last August. The first says. “With up to 30 gigabytes of syn- movie shot here last fall was An Actor chronous bandwidth provisioned Prepares starring Jeremy Irons and pro- throughout the studio, post production duction is currently underway on the next work can be done here as well.” project, an action film, Rampage, starring Rosenfelt came to Third Rail with a ped- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Third Rail Studios reception area (Continued on Page 5) By Dr. Shawn Gillen

Welcome to this edition of Insight. For those that have not heard the news, I have taken a new job in another city and this will be the last time I write to you in our newsletter. These past four years have been both exciting and challeng- ing. There is a lot to be proud of in Doraville and there are more great things to come. From Nexus to Assembly to our new downtown development project, Do- raville is changing and growing. I have had the opportunity to thank the city Two new four-color brochures have been created to help market the city. council and our staff for helping to accomplish so much, but I have not had the The Discover Doraville brochure and opportunity to thank you, our citizens, for welcoming me to Doraville four Doraville Dining Guide feature, re- years ago, and supporting the great work of the city. spectively, information about the city and the wide selection of dining op- So, what happens now? The city is in good hands with the leadership of tions in town. Copies are available at Mayor Pittman, someone I have grown to admire over these past four years. Doraville City Hall, the city library Her leadership has been critical to the successes we have had and I am certain and elsewhere throughout the city that will continue. I know that I leave Doraville in a good place. and will be distributed at state welcome centers, hotels, restaurants and My very best wishes to all of you, and thank you for giving me the honor to other public tourism venues through- serve as your city manager. out the state.

Home rehab permit fees once again waived from April 1-June 1 Spring is here, usually a time when By Doraville Mayor Donna Pittman homeowners begin working on new projects outdoors and around the home. First, I want to personally invite everyone to come to a series of exciting events In a move to encourage beautification planned for April 28 in the beautifully-renovated Flowers Park. We will hold a in our city’s neighborhoods, Mayor park rededication ceremony marking the $1.7 million makeover, a renovation Pittman and the Doraville City Council that has made Flowers more accessible and added user-friendly amenities such have once again approved waiving as a picnic pavilion, tables, benches and a playground. In tandem with the mu- specified permits often needed for resi- nicipal swimming pool, we hope the makeover will help make Flowers Park a dential rehabilitation projects. favorite gathering spot for all citizens. From April 1 to June 1, Doraville resi- Following the park ribbon cutting, I will present my annual State of the City ad- dents will not have to pay a permit fee on specified projects, but will still have dress to update citizens on the many successes we have achieved this past year to get inspections and follow other and to share details about some of the exciting plans being discussed that will normal protocols required with any impact all of us for many years to come. Doraville is on the threshold of becom- type of home repair. ing one of the most desirable destinations in DeKalb County to live, work and play. The list of specified projects that quali- fy for the waiver includes: fence per- With major Assembly construction beginning soon, the upcoming Nexus pro- mit; patio covers; balcony or concrete ject, ground breaking on the new Carver community and plans moving forward patio; retaining wall; shed or storage on a new downtown campus, we have much to look forward to in the coming building; swimming pool; trade per- months. I want to thank all of our citizens for their input and support for these mit—electronic, plumbing, or mechan- projects. Together we will truly make Doraville “the city that connects.” ical; tree service permit; residential driveway or parking pad; residential Following the State of the City, a great tropical rock concert by AIA, the official garage or carport building; deck; and Jimmy Buffett tribute band, will be presented to guests, free of charge. structural roof repair. If there are any follow-up inspections Insight is published quarterly for the citizens of Doraville. We appreciate and welcome required, the first re-inspection fee will your input. Please contact Bob Kelley, Doraville Public Information Officer, email: rob- be waived as well, with any subsequent [email protected]. inspections done at normal charge.

2 Doraville Insight, Spring 2017 Computer tech Chris Wragg guides city down the information highway For the past five years, the city’s in- called Incoded. It is one of the ternal information technology (IT) leading programs used by cities networks have been gradually up- throughout Georgia. “It gives us graded, putting the city into the fast the ability to talk between the lane on the information highway. DPD, who uses a RMS system that Guiding the process has been the controls software in all police cars technology firm, Kimberlite Technol- and this data goes into a data file ogy, with day-to-day operations han- server at the police department,” dled by Chris Wragg, Kimberlite’s Wragg explains. quiet-spoken senior IT consultant. “The courthouse staff can pull all A former computer technician for the of the data for violation tickets di- U.S. Department of Defense, Wragg rectly from the DPD’s server so has been at the forefront in transition- that someone doesn’t have to man- ing new systems to handle the city’s ually touch a ticket two or three financial management program, file times. This reduces time spent by a management, a new 911 system, ex- city employee looking over a docu- change service for emails, a new city ment on the PD side and then re- website, and better offsite infor- checking it again on the court side. mation storage and emergency re- So, something that may have had to be entered up to three times can sponse. He credits much of the Chris Wragg change to the vision of city leaders now be entered only one time and such as Mayor Pittman, Dr. Shawn new system called Laserfiche has been all who need to see this infor- Gillen, Chief John King and mem- installed to boost staff productivity and mation can access it.” improve process management for key bers of City Council. Wragg also says steps have been business functions. Disappearing are the taken to better streamline offsite All city council, planning commis- days when staff had to dig through a storage of city information in case sion and downtown development multitude of file boxes to look for a par- of emergency. If something should authority meetings are now ticular document. Now, word association happen to the city’s servers, infor- livestreamed and saved in video for- is used to pull up documents by name, mation needed to run the city is not mat for access by residents at the date or any identifying information to lost. “With our new improvements, click of a computer key. He also di- bring it up faster. rected the installation of a new sound citizens and business owners never system for council chambers. Wragg is particularly proud of working have to worry about their applica- with DPD Chief John King and his staff tions, licensing, etc. totally disap- “When we first started, the IT system to install the new Viper 911 emergency pearing,” he adds. “There is now a here was very inadequate and ineffi- response system. Previously, 911 calls separate copy offsite so that if cient,” says Wragg. “The city was could only be traced to within a 50-mile something happens to our servers it trying to operate with only 3 mega- radius and time had to be spent trying to is easier to recreate the document bytes powering the entire city system locate a person in distress. Now, callers without any down time.” so that if too many people were send- who may not be able to relate their loca- Along with change comes chal- ing emails, for example, other simple tion can be pinpointed within a smaller lenges. When asked what his big- tasks such as running a credit card radius, reducing manpower and allowing gest challenge is, Wragg points to through in the business office could faster response. not be done at the same time. We getting city employees familiar now have 986 megabytes to manage Wragg played a role in the launching of with the new changes. “With all of 40 virtual servers, nine physical serv- the city’s new website the new equipment and programs, ers, and all storage backup devices (www.doravillega.us) last May. “The old this is daunting to people,” he totaling about 35 terabytes of storage website was hard to deal with and very laughs. “We are getting ready to space.” time intensive in terms of updates,” conduct mandatory classes for eve- Wragg recalls. “The new system pro- ry city employee to teach internet On the financial management side, vides more capability, is more modern security and email security as well more checks and balances are now in and streamlined, and helps improve com- as how viruses get into the system, place to track purchasing orders and munications about the city to the public.” what to open and what not to open, leave an “electronic” paper trail that any measures that can show how to Another major improvement has been provides validation for every penny protect the city’s IT systems.” spent. In terms of record keeping, a installation of a new court IT system

Doraville Insight, Spring2017 3

Mayor’s State of the City address, park rededication slated for April 28 in Flowers Park A fun year of activities are on tap Quickly becoming known as “the city for Doraville residents in 2017. that connects,” Mayor Donna More details for each event will be Pittman’s annual State of the City address, slated for April 28 in Flowers communicated to residents as de- Park, 5921 New Peachtree Road, will tails become available. give the public insight to Doraville’s Spring progress over the past year and outline what is planned for 2017 and beyond.  April 15—Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with presentation of colors by the Dun-  April 28—Mayor’s woody High School Color Guard, a State of the City performance by the school’s a cappella choir and a ceremonial ribbon cutting  April 28—Flowers re-dedicating the newly-renovated Park dedication park. Popular food trucks will be onsite for dining options. Mayor Pittman at 2016 State of the City  April 28—Concert in Flowers featuring A1A Jimmy Buffett Mayor Pittman’s comments will include a review of key accomplishments including a picnic pavilion and play- Tribute Band ground. for 2016 such as plans for a new city Summer center, introduction of a New A property trade with nearby First Peachtree Road streetscape concept Baptist Church created a boundary  May 12—Movies Under the and creation of the Design Doraville adjustment that allowed for the realign- Stars Summer Movie Series initiative that will provide a blueprint ment of the entrance to the pool. That begins. Featured movie: for Doraville’s growth for the next 20 area, formerly wooded and unusable, Moana years. Guests will also hear about the has been replaced with walking trails, a many events and development plans on small play area and tables and benches  May 27—Doraville Municipal tap for 2017 and the years ahead. that can be used as a gathering spot. Pool opens Home to the municipal swimming A free concert by A1A, the Jimmy  June/July—Doraville Summer pool, Flowers Park recently underwent Buffett tribute band, will follow the Camp, a $1.7 million makeover. The park’s mayor’s presentation at 7:30 p.m. North DeK- alb retaining wall, between the city swimming pool and the Doraville Police Sponsors for this special event include Youth foot- the City of Doraville, MARTA, Waste ball and Department lot, has been raised and backfilled and features new amenities Pro and Century Communities. cheerleading registrations Fall Top 3 Code Compliance Summer Violations

 Sept./Nov.— Not only is summer a time for outdoor fun and activities, but a time to maintain our Fall sports registra- yards and do clean-up projects around the house. Avoid a visit from Code Compliance tions for soccer and by steering clear of these three top summer violations of city code and ordinances: basketball 1. Tall grass—a task often postponed in favor of playing outdoors, but help keep  Oct.—Center your neighborhood attractive by keeping your yard mowed on a regular basis. for Pan Asian Community Tall grass can also attract unwanted animals like rodents and snakes. Services (CPACS) Tea Walk 2. Parking on grass lawns— let visitors park in the driveway or along the curb  Nov.—Doraville Seniors rather than running the risk of ruining your yard by parking cars on it. Car tracks Thanksgiving gathering and any leaking fluids can devastate yards and cause unwanted yard maintenance. 3. Rubbish piled at the curb—not only is unsightly, but can become a hazardous Winter playground for youngsters. When doing spring cleaning, call the city to make  December— arrangements to remove oversized rubbish that won’t fit into garbage bins. Mayor’s Annu- Questions? Call Public Works at 470-294-2486 or Code Compliance at 678-530-2006 al Christmas Tree Lighting; Doraville Toys for Tots holiday campaign by the U.S. Marine Corps.; holiday movie at Fleming Arena.

4 Doraville Insight, Spring 2017 Third Rail creates movie magic... (continued from Page 1)

igree worthy of any film studio leader. at facilities like Third Rail,” Rosenfelt er who can recycle unwanted sets, reus- He studied film and television at Penn- notes. “My family and I love the Atlan- ing the lumber and other construction sylvania State University and worked on ta area. We certainly enjoy the Southern components. film projects in Philadelphia fresh out of hospitality.” college on such films as M. Night Shya- Third Rail is also working with malan’s The Sixth Sense and Unbreaka- Not only is Rosenfelt excited about re:imagine/ATL, a local group that pro- ble, both starring Bruce Willis, and mu- working for such a high-caliber studio vides training in film, music, podcasting sic videos that featured Will Smith. as Third Rail, but he is also intent on and other media outlets through inschool doing his part to be a good corporate and mobile programming for Atlanta Moving on to Hollywood, Rosenfelt did neighbor and strongly believes in giv- teens from all backgrounds. “This is an post production work for the Jim Henson ing back to the community. “Not only is incredible nonprofit that is empowering Company (of Muppets fame) and at a there a non-stop need to utilize local the next generation of storytellers by literary agency representing directors and businesses like dry cleaners and other giving teens the tools, mentorship and writers before meeting Producer Akiva retail stores,” he notes, “ but for restau- resources they need to tell their own Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind) at Warner rants, hotels and any business where stories through video and digital media,” Brothers and working on such movie hits needed items can be purchased locally adds Rosenfelt. as I Am Legend, Hancock and The Da and quickly. Anything we can do with Vinci Code. our time, visibility and money, we are “We’ve also enjoyed our working rela- going to do to connect to the communi- tionship with Doraville city leaders such While at Warner Bros., he met George ty.” as Mayor Pittman and City Manager Clooney and his business partner, Grant Shawn Gillen,” concludes Rosenfelt. Heslov, who hired Rosenfelt to be an From a charitable standpoint, Rosenfelt “We recently met with them to discuss executive at their company, Smokehouse has also reached out in a meaningful details regarding film permitting. They Productions. While there, he worked on way. On any movie site, the stars and have been great and very accommodat- movies including Ides of March, Argo crew (often numbering 200-300 people) ing and we really appreciate it. We want and Our Brand Is Crisis. are fed extremely well with catered to do everything we can to make Do- meals, yet there is often an abundance raville a film-friendly place to come and Prior to moving to Third Rail, Rosenfelt of leftover food. I Care Atlanta, a local make movies.” worked at Riverfront Studios, Inc., a charity that has a nonperishable food niche studio that collected standing sets bank, has made arrangements with Who knows? Perhaps one day a movie (destined for destruction) from shows Third Rail to accept leftover nonperish- will be filmed in Doraville that will fea- that had completed their runs such as able food to distribute to the hungry. ture a memorable line of its own. Boston Legal. The studio would then rent “I’ve seen so much good food at the Here’s looking at you, kid. the sets, including courtrooms, jails, end of the day that was just tossed,” he morgues, bars and law offices, to other says. “really good food such as salads, shows that that needed to shoot short prepared hot foods, you name it. That scenes in these types of settings. food can feed a lot of people.” Rosen- “I wanted to relocate closer to the East felt has also reached out to another lo- Coast, so when I heard how film-friendly cal non-profit that can accept the lefto- Georgia was, I decided to look for work ver perishable food items and yet anoth- The best way to play an active role in how your city operates is to attend and participate in regularly scheduled city government meetings and social events. The public is welcome at all meetings/events listed below: • City Council meetings are held the first and third Monday each month, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. • Doraville Planning Commission meetings are held the first Wednes- day of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall. • Doraville Downtown Development Authority meetings are held quarterly at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Check the city website for meeting dates. • Senior Citizens monthly potluck luncheon, held the second Wednes- People and machinery are easily dwarfed in the Third Rail Studios 60,000 day of each month at the Doraville square foot sound stage with 40 foot high ceilings Civic Center.

Doraville Insight, Spring 2017 5 Nalley Infiniti opens new dealership in Doraville Doraville officials gathered on March 1 with executives from Asbury Auto- motive Group, Inc., one of the largest automotive retail and service compa- nies in the United States, to celebrate the grand opening of Nalley Infiniti at 2550 The Nalley Way. Located on the western edge of the Assembly development and facing I-285, the new 51,000-square-foot dealership has a five-story stand-alone tower, an eight- car showroom and a state-of-the-art service center. “Nalley Infiniti reflects what the In- finiti brand is all about: precision, A1A, the Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band, comes comfort and a strikingly modern to Doraville April 28 for a free performance feel,” said David Hult, executive vice president and chief operating officer, “Let’s get tropical” on April 28 as A1A, and a driving force that has helped the Asbury Automotive Group. “We the official Jimmy Buffett tribute band, band remain the first and foremost Jim- bring an inviting atmosphere and ex- comes to Doraville for a free concert in my Buffett Tribute Show in history. pansive Infiniti inventory to Atlanta the newly-renovated Flowers Park, 5921 New Peachtree Road (across the street With each show, A1A proves why they area drivers who demand the best from the Doraville MARTA station). are the Official and Original Jimmy from us.” Buffett Tribute Show. Performing classic favorites that get the crowd off of The dealership sits on a five-acre lot The event, open to the general public, and features a 2,300-square foot will be the final highlight to an evening their feet and clapping to the beat like celebrating the re-opening of the park and “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and lounge and café area with views into featuring Doraville Mayor Donna “Margaritaville,” each performance is the service center. “The environment Pittman’s annual State of the City ad- truly memorable for Parrot Heads stuck that has been created at Nalley Infiniti dress. Food trucks will be on hand if on island time. is a continuation of Infiniti’s guests want to grab a bite before or dur- The inclusion of A1A originals into longstanding promise to provide an ing the celebration. every show exposes the band’s own unparalleled level of luxury during Headlining the first ever Concert in personality and is evidence of their the shopping process,” said Ray Flowers music series, A1A is a seven- hard work and dedication over the past Jimenez, regional vice president, In- piece band complete with audio and light 25 years to not just being a Jimmy Buf- finiti South. production that will bring to life a color- fett Tribute Show, but also being a suc- ful and energetic family-friendly Jimmy cess in the tropical rock music industry. Buffett Tribute Show. The audience can Sponsors for this special event include expect to hear Buffett favorites in addi- the City of Doraville, MARTA tion to classic reggae and original A1A (http://itsmarta.com/), Waste Pro trop rock music. (https://www.wasteprousa.com) and Created in 1991, A1A is the first band to Century Communities repeatedly headline the annual Jimmy (https://www.centurycommunities.com) Buffett "Meeting of The Minds" Parrot Head Convention and many other land- mark annual Parrot Head events. (Jimmy “Nibblin’ on Buffet fans are universally known as “Parrot Heads.”) They have released sponge cake… three CD’s of original trop rock music, played to countless audiences around the world and continue to draw record Watchin’ the sun Doraville Mayor Donna Pittman joins crowds to their public performances. Craig Monaghan - President and CEO, bake...” Asbury Automotive Group (center) The energy, musicianship, originality and and Ray Jimenez - Regional Vice Pres- excitement that have always surrounded —Lyric from Margaritaville ident, Infiniti South for ribbon cutting. an A1A performance is an experience

6 Doraville Insight, Spring 2017 There’s always something going on in Doraville!

Clockwise from upper left: A delegation of local business leaders, Doraville officials and the reigning Miss Georgia, Patricia Ford, gather at a reception celebrating the sale of Peachtree Pavilion to new owners; volunteers pose at an Arbor Day tree planting along Winters Chapel Road. Forty trees were planted at the event; Mayor Donna Pittman and City Manager Shawn Gillen read to youngsters at Cary Reynolds Ele- mentary during Dr. Seuss Day; Dr. Gillen answers questions at a career day at High- tower Elementary; DPD officers Cpl. Josh Ertley and Cpl. James Ferrell show off police canine officer Bongo’s skills at Hightower career day; Sgt. Kari Lopez answers questions on safety at Hightower career day; Doraville staff members loosen up at a recent fitness event offered as part of the city’s wellness program; producers of the Greenleaf television series (featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network) provided residents at Winters Creek Apartments with a “thank you” party following onsite filming at the apartment complex. The party included a petting zoo for youngsters; residents of Northwoods neighborhood gather to dedicate an official historic marker proclaim- ing Northwoods’ designation as a member of the National Register of Historic Places.

Doraville Insight, Spring 2017 7 Doraville bonds with “sister city” in Gaochun, China

With every new internet and global tech- Director of Community Develop- nological development, the world is in- ment Enrique Bascuñana, Senior deed getting smaller and more accessible. City Planner Brianna Rindge, and Doraville may be known for its cultural Director of Economic Develop- diversity, welcoming citizens from ment Luke Howe. The group visit- around the world to live, work and play ed business leaders, investors and here, but steps were taken recently that officials who in turn visited here a will now provide local residents with a few months ago to tour Doraville broader glimpse of life upon the world and Chamblee to look at local busi- stage. ness and development opportunities. In February, Mayor Donna Pittman and the Doraville City Council approved a Gaochun is one of 11 districts of resolution creating a “sister city” agree- Nanjing Province and is almost ment with Gaochun District, 7,000 miles 500 square miles in size. Its popu- away in the Nanjing province of China. lation numbers 430,000 and local The purpose of the agreement is to en- industry includes agriculture, courage investment opportunities in the aquatic products, livestock, con- Doraville and Chamblee area, foster edu- struction and ship building. “Chinese leaders in the Nan- jing area had done an analy- like, mostly as seen in American mov- sis of large business investment in ies,” adds King. “By sharing information the U.S. and determined that areas and coming here to visit, they see we are like the West Coast were oversat- not all cut from the same cloth. Diversity urated and opportunities were is very important to them.” becoming scarce,” says King. “They realized there is a large The Chinese officials are currently wait- Asian presence in the Southeast ing for Doraville and local developers to and were impressed with the repu- provide information about available tation of the Doraville-Chamblee- square footage, costs, and when Requests Buford Highway corridor. Cham- for Proposals (RFPs) will be available on blee is exploring the possibility of a number of local projects to determine if creating a Chinatown-type of enti- they are interested in pursuing investment cational opportunities, and provide com- opportunities here. munity development and a cultural ex- ty near the PDK airport and the Chinese change of ideas between the two areas. officials were looking for places where The sister city concept was created in the Asian identity can really be devel- 1956 by President Dwight Eisenhower The resolution came as the result of a oped.” and today the Sister Cities International fact-finding delegation led by Doraville In fact, one of Gaochun’s local cultural network unites tens of thousands of citi- Police Chief John King to Gaochun last zen diplomats and volunteers in 570 year. Accompanying King were Doraville sites, Laojie Street (Old Street), is a top tourist destination. The street, over 500 member communities with over 2,300 years old, has been expanded into a partnerships in 150 countries on six con- walking street de- tinents. signed for tourists with dozens of amazing resident houses, restaurants, museums and entertainment shops not unlike a compara- City Hall (770) 451-8745 ble district being Police Dept. (770) 455-1000 planned for Chamblee. Emergency 911 King added that the Code Compliance (678) 530- business leaders tour- 2006 ing here were excited Jail (770) 455-1716 about plans for the Fire Dept. 911 downtown city campus, Assembly, and Primary focus is placed on arts and cul- Parks/Recreation Dept. Nexus and where encouraged by the ture, youth and education, business/trade (770) 936-3850 diversity in the city, the many Asian and goals include building global cooper- ation at the municipal level, promoting Library (770) 936-3852 businesses in Doraville, the cultural activities and the many languages spo- cultural understanding and stimulating Public Works (770) 936-3855 economic development. Atlanta alone has Courthouse (770) 455-1001 ken here. “People in China have basical- ly one concept of what America looks 21 sister city relationships.

8 Doraville Insight, Spring 2017 3748 Park Avenue (770) 936-3852

April May June Family Storytime (ages 5-9 yrs) – Our English as Second Language (ages Summer Reading Program begins! evening storytime is a fun-filled hour of 18+) – Free English classes are held (ages 3-17 yrs) This year’s theme is stories, songs and games. We will also each week at our library. The focus is Build a Better World. Sign up at any make a cool craft. Bring the whole fami- basic English conversation. Led by vol- Dekalb County Library and start reading. ly! Tuesdays, 6:30 –7:30 p.m. unteers from Literacy Atlanta, this class Keep a log and receive raffle tickets for is an excellent resource for those who every (4) hours you read. Enter for Pre-school Storytime Adventures want to learn or improve their language chances to win great prizes. The more (ages 2-5 yrs) –Wednesday mornings skills. No registration required. Satur- you read the more you can enter. Good are so much fun at the library. We read days 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Luck! Program ends July 31. stories, sing sings, play games and make crafts. Wednesdays, 10:30 –11:30 a.m. American Short Stories Discussion Pre-school Storytime Adventures Group (ages 18+) – Why not join our (ages 2-5 yrs) –Wednesday mornings are Art in the Afternoon! (ages 5-12 yrs) monthly book club? Each month we so much fun at the library. We read sto- Something to do during Spring Break! read a short story taken from classic ries, sing sings, play games and make Join us for an afternoon of creativity. American literature. The group meets crafts. Wednesdays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. We will paint a cool “tape painting”. the second Saturday of each month. June 14, June 28 Then we will get crazy creative with Coffee and refreshments will be served. food. That’s right food! Healthy snacks Family Storytime (ages 5-9 yrs) - Our The selection for May is Her Virginia evening storytime is a fun-filled hour of that are healthy, fun and beautiful. Mammy by Charles Chestnut. Copies Thursday, April 6, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. stories, songs & games. We will also are available at the circulation desk. No make a cool craft. Bring the whole fami- English as Second Language (ages registration required. Saturday, May 13, ly! Tuesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., June 6, 18+) – Free English classes are held 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. June 13, June 20, June 27 each week at our library. The focus is Senior Bingo (ages 55+) – Grab a basic English conversation. Led by vol- Just My Imagination – Art class (ages friend and come to the library to play a 6-14 yrs) Artist Toni Carlucci from the unteers from Literacy Atlanta, this class few rounds of Bingo. Prizes will be is an excellent resource for those who Georgia Museum of Art will instruct on awarded. No registration required how to draw plants, flowers and other want to learn or improve their language Thursday, May 11, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. skills. No registration required. Satur- natural objects. All materials will be days 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Coloring – It’s not just for kids any- provided. Space is limited to 25. Regis- more! (ages 18+) – Come to the library tration required. Saturday, June 3, 10:00 American Short Stories Discussion for a relaxing afternoon of coloring. We -12:00 p.m. Group (ages 18+) – Join our monthly have a wonderful variety of coloring DeKalb County Fire Safety Demo – book club! Each month, we read a short books to choose from. See why these story taken from classic American litera- All ages. Learn what to do in the event beautiful and intricate designs are all the of a fire or an emergency. Meet ture. Meets the second Saturday of each rage. Materials and light refreshments month. Coffee and refreshments will be “Cheddar” the fire dog. He will demon- will be served. No registration required. strate how to stop, drop and roll as well served. The selection for April is Silent Thursday, May 18, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Snow, Secret Snow by Conrad Aiken. as many other cool tricks. Wednesday, Copies are available at the circulation Laughter Yoga – (ages 18+up) Laugh- June 7, 10:30 -11:30 a.m. desk. No registration required. Satur- ter is truly the best medicine. Join us, Family Movie Matinee – Ages 13+up. day, April 8, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. along with a certified instructor, as we Join us for a cool matinee! We will learn Laughter Yoga. Gentle breathing watch Fantastic Beasts and Where to Senior Bingo (ages 55+) – Grab a friend techniques and a whole lot of laughing. and come to the library to play a few Find Them, based on the book by J.K. Join us for this special program. You’ll Rowling. If you liked Harry Potter, rounds of Bingo. Prizes will be awarded. be glad you did! No special clothing, No registration required. Thursday, you’ll love this movie! Rated PG 13. equipment or experience is necessary. Saturday, June 10, 2:00– 4:00 p.m. April 13, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. No registration required. Saturday, May Coloring – It’s not just for kids any- 6, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Magic Workshop (ages 8+up) Magician more! (ages 18+) – Come to the library The Great Jeffini will dazzle and amaze Jerry Farber! Atlanta’s own comedian us with his mind blowing tricks. Then… for a relaxing afternoon of coloring. We Jerry Farber will delight and entertain have a wonderful variety of coloring he’ll show us how to do them. If you us for one very special afternoon show. love magic, don’t miss this show. Space books to choose from. See why these Don’t miss this chance to laugh your beautiful and intricate designs are all the is limited so come early! Saturday, June socks off. It’s good for you! No regis- 17, 1:00 -3:00 p.m. rage. Materials and light refreshments tration required. Saturday, May 20, will be served. No registration required. 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Continued on Page 10) Thursday, April 20, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Doraville Insight, Spring 2017 9

Popular Cary Reynolds Elementary school reading program scores a home run, fosters student literacy skills Cary Reynolds Elementary School hotdogs and chips party. “So far this Other no-cost activities have been teachers and students are knocking it school year, we’ve had about 500 stu- held throughout the year in tandem out of the ball park this year with a dents read at least 25 books,” adds Jack- with the program. There’s been a pa- baseball-themed “Get in the son. “In addition to the reward parties, rade of students dressed as their favor- game…Read!” literacy campaign each student receives ‘Bulldog Bucks’ ite book character, participation in the aimed at all grades. Created by Steph- for the more books they read.” The Bull- Dr. Seuss Reader Appreciation Day, anie Jackson, teacher and library me- monthly student reader recognition, dia specialist at the school, the pro- and healthy doses of D.E.A. R. time gram’s goal is to encourage every (Drop Everything And Read), 15- student to read up to 100 books minute segments where students stop throughout the school year. working on lessons and just read. “Our goal is to make all of our stu- “The program was so popular initially dents, pre-K to 5th, better readers,” that we began running out of the Bull- says Jackson. “Using grant money dog Bucks rewards by mid-October,” from DonorsChoose.org, donations laughs Jackson, “and we have been from North Atlanta Rotary Club and using some of our funds and donations PTA, and money from a Chick-fil-A from other teachers to keep pace. We fundraiser, we were able to put togeth- could still use these types of small er a reading incentive program that Stephanie Jackson items if anyone would like to donate included a kick-off pep rally, a huge dog Bucks can be used at the media cen- some to the school this quarter!” Fa- ‘baseball diamond’ hung in the school ter’s Accelerated Reading Store to buy vorites include Mo Willems’ Elephant cafeteria to track the program’s pro- inexpensive prizes such as children’s and Piggie books; bouncy balls and gress; popcorn, karaoke and pizza books, small toys, small bags of candy, or other small toys; candy; small toy reward celebrations, and small toys simple school supplies. cars; school supplies such as markers, and prizes awarded to students each pencils, small notebooks; and chil- time they reached a reading goal.” To participate, students read special col- dren’s books. or-coded books in the school library, Reading 25 books gets each student books at home or books at the city library from home plate to the next consecu- to help reach their program goals. They tive base. Reaching first base meant a are required to fill out brief summary Mayor’s Annual free pencil, second base was a pop- forms designed to show they actually corn party, third base a pizza party read the books and keep a reading log to and making it to home base means a track their progress. Easter Egg Hunt set for April 15 Hop on down the bunny trail! Local youngsters (and their parents!) are invit- ed to the first ever Doraville Mayor’s (Continued from Page 9) Coffee and refreshments will be served. Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, The selection for June is The Other Two April 15 at Puppet Show— (all ages) Puppeteer by Edith Wharton. Copies are available at Honey- Will Keating will perform with his all the circulation desk. No registration re- suckle of his puppet friends. Lots of fun for quired. Saturday, June 10, 10:30 – 11:30 Park, 3037 the whole family. No registration a.m. Pleasant required. Wednesday, June 27, Valley 10:30 -11:30 a.m. Senior Bingo (ages 55+) – Grab a friend Drive. and come to the library to play a few Board Game Day – (ages 9-14 yrs) Hosted by rounds of Bingo. Prizes will be awarded. We have lots of different board Mayor No registration required. Thursday, June games. Sorry, Jenga, Scramble, Pic- Donna 8, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. tionary, and many more. Pick your Pittman, the event will start at 10 a.m. favorite and let’s play! Prizes will be Coloring – It’s not just for kids anymore! Children will be grouped by age includ- awarded. No registration required. (ages 18+) – Come to the library for a ing toddler-3 years, ages 4-6, and ages 7- Saturday, June 24, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. relaxing afternoon of coloring. We have a 9 with prizes awarded in each category. American Short Stories Discussion wonderful variety of coloring books to The Easter Bunny will be on hand to Group (ages 18+) – Why not join our choose from. See why these beautiful pose for pictures while holiday music monthly book club? Each month we and intricate designs are all the rage. Ma- and a bouncy house will add to the fes- read a short story taken from classic terials and light refreshments will be tive atmosphere. served. No registration required. Thurs- American literature. The group meets the second Saturday of each month. day, June 15, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

10 Doraville Insight, Spring 2017 Doraville Insight, Spring 2017 11 Your City Leaders... The City Manager, Mayor and City Council are there to serve all citizens. Keep the list below handy to contact these city government staff members: 3725 Park Avenue Doraville, GA 30340 City Manager Dr. Shawn Gillen [email protected] RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Mayor Donna Pittman [email protected]

Council District 1 Pam Fleming [email protected] Robert Patrick [email protected]

Council District 2 Md A. Naser [email protected] Dawn O’Connor [email protected]

Council District 3 Shannon Hillard [email protected] Sharon Spangler [email protected]

Residents of Gaochun, China are dressed for a local festival. Located in the Nanjing province in China, Gaochun recently became Doraville’s “sister city.” See related story on Page 8.

12 Doraville Insight, Spring 2017