From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Wed Jan 14 16:19:53 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 11:19:53 -0500 Subject: [LCN Newscast] Meeting Reminder: Jan 15 Message-ID: <40056C29.1B748319@lakeclaire.org> The next LCN meeting is 2004 Jan 15 Thursday 7:00 p.m. at the Frazer Center; use the entrance at north end of Ridgewood Road. New and long-time neighbors equally welcome! As a new feature to the meetings, all are welcome to attend a Social Time with refreshments 6:30-7:00. AGENDA (* denotes a issue which may be voted on) + Welcome and Good News + Guest Speakers/Announcements - Presentation on the Water Quality of the western branch of Peavine Creek by two Inman Middle School 8th graders: Leah Berger-Singer and Barbara Dougherty - Friends of Frazer Forest Update + Officers' Reports - Treasurer ~ Proposed Fundraising for 2004 - Zoning/Planning ~ LCN Planning Committee meeting Feb 05 Thursday (6:30-8:30) at 607 Clifton Rd. Potluck Supper. + New Business . From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Thu Jan 22 18:05:42 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 13:05:42 -0500 Subject: [LCN Newscast] McLendon Ave Update Message-ID: <401010F6.744FC2B@lakeclaire.org> - McLendon Avenue Improvements Soon to Begin - The City of Atlanta is set to begin construction work along McLendon Avenue in Lake Claire and Candler Park to implement the neighborhoods' traffic calming plans. As many residents already know, this time last year we expected the construction projects to be completed by August 2003, but due to a wet summer and unforeseen issues, the projects did not proceed past initial surveying and locating utility lines. The primary cause of the delay was the discovery by Public Works that more than 25 percent of the length of McLendon Avenue did not meet standards for drainage because the curb does not rise the required 4 inches above the paved street. Accordingly, no sidewalk or streetscape improvements could be made until the curbs are improved. A related problem that was discovered is that the alignment of several crosswalks would not meet American Disability Act standards in many places where the crosswalk would lead into a drainage area or an uncut curb on the opposite side of the street. Public Works has been working to address these issues before the roadway work begins. The improvements planned for McLendon within Lake Claire include traffic calming at the intersections of Lakeshore/Claire/Southerland and Howard Circle. At the former, the turn to Southerland will be squared off and turn lanes will be clearly marked. At Howard Circle, a traffic circle will be constructed to cause traffic to slow and follow the roundabout to turn onto Howard or proceed on McLendon. These improvements should greatly help in calming traffic at these two locations where people routinely make turns on to and off of McLendon at unsafely high speeds. Repaving and restriping will also take place as part of the improvements. The restriping will serve three purposes. First, bold striping will be used to clearly indicate crosswalks and lanes of travel and for turns. Second, striping will be used to mark parking areas on the street, which will now be limited to the southern (eastbound) side of McLendon along the entire length. Finally, McLendon will be striped strategically accommodate bicycle travel as much as possible. Dennis Hoffrath from Atlanta Bicycle Campaign and Ryan Gesser from Lake Claire Neighbors met with Lorn Whittaker, principal traffic engineer from the city, in September 2003 to review alternatives to better accommodate bicycle traffic on the busy McLendon corridor. Options are limited because of the narrow width of McLendon in some spots. Thirty-seven feet of width is required to accommodate two vehicle traffic lanes, parking and a dedicated bike lane. McLendon is as narrow as 32 feet in many locations, and parking cannot be sacrificed since some residences do not have off-street spaces. Accordingly, there cannot be a dedicated bike travel lane on either side of McLendon. As an alternative, Mr. Hoffrath recommended that the city consider the following strategic striping plan. Bikers "compete" for space along McLendon with vehicle traffic and parked cars. Allowing 7 feet of width for parked cars, 25 feet remain for two lanes of traffic that must have room for MARTA buses, sanitary services trucks, and emergency response vehicles. On downhill sections of roadway, bikers pick up speed and approach the speed of vehicle traffic, and cars generally do not need to pass bikers. On uphill sections, however, bikers need more space to climb the grade and cars are more likely to cause an unsafe condition by swerving into the opposite lane or passing too close to the cyclists. Accordingly, Mr. Hoffrath recommended that the travel lane widths be varied to allow bikers more room on uphill stretches of the road. For example, the uphill travel lane would be striped to a width of 14 feet and the downhill lane striped to 11 feet, making use of the 25 feet available. The city believed this approach would be the most realistic compromise to enhance the safety of cyclists along McLendon. An ancillary benefit would be the traffic calming effect of causing motorists to slow down enough to follow the shifting lane alignment. Improvements are also planned for the Candler Park section of McLendon, highlit by realignment, signage, and signals at the intersections with Candler Park Drive. This improvement should provide needed traffic calming in the area where children frequently walk and cross towards Mary Lin Elementary. As of the evening of 2004 January 21 Wednesday Public Works had begun to post "No Parking" signs along McLendon indicating that construction work is soon to begin. The signs are posted from the intersection at Clifton through the 1900 block of McLendon to Howard Circle. Please adhere to these signs as best as possible to avoid any delays in construction or personal hassles if the city tries to remove any cars from the roadway. Please share this information with any neighbors on McLendon who may not receive this Newscast. Lake Claire has invited representatives from Public Works and/or Traffic and Transportation to attend the neighborhood's February 19 meeting at 7:00 p.m. We have asked the city to bring drawings and an updated schedule to share with the neighborhood. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact Ryan Gesser, Lake Claire's McLendon Avenue Liaison, at mclendon@lakeclaire.org or 404-840-6132. Or, contact the city's representative, Ms Valerie Bell-Smith directly at 404-330-6215 or vbell-smith@atlantaga.gov . In the meantime, please continue to drive safely on McLendon and throughout Lake Claire, especially as construction work begins and workers and construction equipment are present. Stay tuned for continuing updates on the construction schedule and activities as we receive information from the city. . From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Fri Jan 30 13:20:59 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 07:20:59 -0600 Subject: [LCN Newscast] Executive/Planning Meeting Date Change: Feb 04 Message-ID: <200401301320.i0UDKxI06188@atmapp02.siteprotect.com> Date change for the Lake Claire Neighbors Executive Committee/Planning Committee meeting: 2004 Feb 04 Wednesday 6:30-8:00 p.m. 607 Clifton Road Potluck Supper The date of the combined Executive Committee meeting and Planning Committee meeting has been changed from next Thursday to next Wednesday. It will still be held at the home of Dan and Sarah White, 607 Clifton Road, with a potluck supper starting at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the Executive Committee meeting is for elected officers to review events and initiatives in the neighborhood and to set the agenda for the February General meeting. The purpose of the Planning Committee meeting is outlined in an appended excerpt from the LCN bylaws (see below). + Tired of seeing trees cut down and big houses/additions being built? + Do you think a diverse neighborhood demands that new homeowners have equal rights as prior generations to build the homes of their dreams within existing zoning and building codes? + Looking for a middle ground? + Or are you just curious about the planning process? The Planning Committee is an opportunity to become involved! ------------------------------ >From the LCN Bylaws: Planning Committee. The Planning Committee shall be composed of the Vice President for Planning as Chairperson of the Committee, Vice Chairperson - Planning Committee/NPU Representative, and any member of the organization that has an interest. The Planning Committee shall be responsible for the development of the Lake Claire Community Plan. The Planning Committee shall be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Lake Claire Community Plan as outlined therein. The Planning Committee shall also be responsible for updating the Lake Claire Community Plan every 5 years to ensure that the original mission statement of the Plan is preserved. The Planning Committee shall arrange mediation services for planning-related disputes between a member and an entity outside the organization. The Planning Committee shall be responsible for investigating complaints regarding applicable ordinances and upon finding cause shall use legal citizens' powers to enforce said ordinances. The Planning Committee shall meet at least three times per year or as often as required to complete the work of the Committee. . From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Wed Feb 18 18:14:45 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2004 12:14:45 -0600 Subject: [LCN Newscast] Meeting Reminder: Feb 19 (McLendon Update) Message-ID: <200402181814.i1IIEjM30444@atmapp01.siteprotect.com> The next LCN meeting is 2004 Feb 19 Thursday 7:00 p.m. at the Frazer Center; use the entrance at north end of Ridgewood Road. New and long-time neighbors equally welcome! Social Time with refreshments 6:30-7:00. AGENDA (* denotes a issue which may be voted on) + Guest Speakers/Announcements - Introduction of a woman’s nutritional and fitness center to Lake Claire (5 minutes) - Donation from proceeds of wine tasting (5 min.) - Mapping project for the Frazer Center Forest (10 min.+Q&A) - McLendon Ave update by City Reps. (see below, 15 min.+Q&A) - Kathy Woolard, City Council President and staff member Beth Crowther will also be in attendance. + Current Issues - Frazer Center Forest Sat. Feb 28 10-noon at Frazer Center. + Officers' & Volunteers' Reports - Zoning/Planning ~ Variance, addition to house @ 278 Connecticut Ave* + New Business ----------------------------- McLendon Ave Update Representatives from Atlanta's Public Works department will be on hand to discuss the McLendon Avenue construction/repaving projects. The representatives will share construction drawings illustrating what projects are due to be completed and take questions from residents about the schedule and impacts of the ongoing work. LCN encourages you to come to the meeting to hear first-hand about the improvements the City is implementing for Lake Claire! . From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Mon Feb 23 15:32:52 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 09:32:52 -0600 Subject: [LCN Newscast] Intro. to the Urban Forest, Feb 28. (When is Leap Day?) Message-ID: <200402231532.i1NFWqM21794@atmapp01.siteprotect.com> Introduction to the Urban Forest 2004 Feb 28 Saturday 10-noon Frazer Center Atrium 1815 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE A seminar and guided walk through the Frazer Center Forest. Learn about local native plants, the Piedmont ecosystems, and what you can do to protect our urban treasures. Sponsored by Friends of the Frazer Center Forest and Lake Claire Neighbors. Please save the date! For more information, contact Kathy Evans. e-mail: zoning@lakeclaire.org phone: 404-377-6781 ----------------- When is Leap Day? Answer: February 24, tomorrow (it is also Mardi Gras this year)! Mark this under the "weird but true" category... The Roman calendar was counted backwards from certain monthly milestones. In 45 B.C. Julius Caesar decreed that in leap years the "6th day before Kalendae of March" should be doubled. So in contrast to our present forward counting system, in which we introduce an extra date (29 February) on our calendars, the Romans had the same date twice in leap years. The doubling of the 6th day before Kalendae of March is the origin of the word "bissextile" ("twice sixth," it's not a dirty word). If we create a list of equivalences between the Roman days and our current days of February in a leap year, we get the following: 7th day before Kalendae of March (23 February) 6th day before Kalendae of March (24 February) 6th day before Kalendae of March, twice (25 February) 5th day before Kalendae of March (26 February) 4th day before Kalendae of March (27 February) 3rd day before Kalendae of March (28 February) the day before Kalendae of March (29 February) Kalendae of March (1 March) You can see that the extra 6th day (going backwards) falls on what is today 24 February. When Pope Gregory XIII promulgated the new calendar in 1582, only the calculation of leap years changed, not the extra day itself. For this reason 24 February is still technically considered the "extra day" in leap years. However, at certain times in history the second 6th day (25 Feb) has been considered the leap day. Why did Caesar choose to double the 6th day before Kalendae of March? It appears that the leap month Intercalaris/Mercedonius of the pre-reform calendar was not placed after February, but inside it, namely between the 7th and 6th day before Kalendae of March. It was therefore natural to have the leap day in the same position. So, someone born on Feb 29 does not have one birthday every four years, but on non-leap years it falls on Feb 28. Likewise someone born on Feb 27 on a non-leap year, actually has his birthday on Feb 28 on bissextile years. However, someone born on Feb 24 of any year, or Feb 25 of leap year, actually has five birthdays every four years--both on the 24th and 25th every leap year. From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Fri Mar 12 16:15:04 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 10:15:04 -0600 Subject: [LCN Newscast] Battle of Atlanta 140th Anniversary, meeting Mar 16 Message-ID: <200403121615.i2CGF3I09543@atmapp02.siteprotect.com> Lake Claire Volunteer Opportunity Battle of Atlanta 140th Anniversary Meeting 2004 Mar 16 Tues 7:30 p.m. City Hall If you are interested in representing Lake Claire please contact Dan White at president@lakeclaire.org --------------- A note from Councilor Archibong. . . Dear Friends! As we approach the 140th Anniversary of the Battle of Atlanta--an event that occurred for the most part in the historic neighborhoods of District 5!--I would like to invite you to help me form a committee to commemorate this event. I would like our first meeting--given the miracle that schedules will all be in synch--to be here at City Hall on 2004 Mar 16 Tues 7:30 p.m. At that first meeting we can decide on future meeting places, dates and times-- those that will work for the whole group. I will say up front that I think bi-weekly meetings would be best, but we can get into those specifics at the first meeting. Also, please give my office the names of two people who you would like to represent the neighborhood on the commemorative planning committee. This is a very exciting project that will help showcase the vibrancy and history of District 5's intown neighborhoods! I look forward to working with you all! Natalyn . From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Fri Mar 12 16:20:09 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 10:20:09 -0600 Subject: [LCN Newscast] LC Park Clean-Up, Mar 13 & 20 Message-ID: <200403121620.i2CGK7I11180@atmapp02.siteprotect.com> Volunteers. . . Lake Claire Park Clean-Up Days 2004 Mar 13 Saturday 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 2004 Mar 20 Saturday 9:00-11:00 a.m. LCN will hold two work days to weed and clean up the area at Lake Claire Park along the McLendon frontage by the sign. Please come out, bring your tools and help clean up the area. See you Saturday at the park! . From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Tue Mar 16 18:31:57 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 12:31:57 -0600 Subject: [LCN Newscast] Meeting Reminder: Mar 18 Message-ID: <200403161831.i2GIVuI27069@atmapp02.siteprotect.com> The next LCN meeting is 2004 Mar 18 Thursday 7:00 p.m. at the Frazer Center; use the entrance at north end of Ridgewood Road. New and long-time neighbors equally welcome! Social Time with refreshments 6:30-7:00. AGENDA (* denotes a issue which may be voted on) + Guest Speakers/Announcements - Info on LCN's plans for the business district. (5 min. + Q&A) - Southern Appalachian forests. (15 min. plus Q&A) - Frazer Center forest mapping project (15 min. + Q&A) + Current Issues + Officers' & Volunteers' Reports - Zoning/Planning ~ Variance, Osawa-DeSilva residence at 1783 Delaware Ave.* + New Business . From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Thu Mar 18 15:20:53 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 09:20:53 -0600 Subject: [LCN Newscast] Crape "Murder"? Message-ID: <200403181520.i2IFKpM01276@atmapp01.siteprotect.com> Crape "Murder"? Think before you prune your crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica). Severe pruning of crapemyrtles is a common sight around Atlanta, including Lake Claire. Given this widespread practice you may think it is necessary for a healthy tree. However, crapemyrtes usually grow and flower just fine when left alone. The decision to prune is primarily an _aesthetic_ decision--it is not necessary for any botanical reasons. Opinions widely vary on severe pruning of crapemyrtles. Many call it "crape murder," and see it as 'topping.' Topping is generally agreed upon as being unhealthy for trees, can lead to disease, and for larger trees hazardous limbs (http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/topping.asp). DeKalb Extension (404-298-4080) advises against severe pruning for crapemyrtles for tree-health reasons. Many just think it is plain ugly. Others consider pruning of these small trees as 'pollarding' (http://www.isa-arbor.com/publications/arbnews/aug02/feature7.asp) a very old technique used for aesthetic and agricultural purposes. If you do decide to prune your crapemyrtle, read the above references for the best time and tools to use. If your crapemyrtle is adjacent to a street or sidewalk, cut at about 7 feet (door height) so that the new shoots will not block pedestrians. If you want to plant crapemyrtles, but think they can be too large for your garden without pruning, ask your nursery about different varieties, smaller ones are now available. You can have a healthy, happy, beautiful tree without the work and risk of severe pruning. . From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Fri Mar 19 18:27:16 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 12:27:16 -0600 Subject: [LCN Newscast] Leash Law Enforcement Message-ID: <200403191827.i2JIRGI21601@atmapp02.siteprotect.com> A recent notice from the Atlanta Police Department. --------------------------------------------- ATTENTION DOG OWNERS: Our neighborhood is experiencing an increase in dogs running at large. The Atlanta Police will be issuing citations to appear in municipal court to those dog owners who fail to keep their dogs under control and on a leash. City of Atlanta Ordinance. Section 18-61 (a) Generally. The following shall apply to that portion of the city within DeKalb County: 1. Duty of owner to keep dog under control. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or for any person having a dog in such person's possession and control to permit the dog to be out of control and unattended off the premises of the owner in that part of the city within Dekalb County or upon the property of another person without permission of the owner or person in possession thereof. 2. Definition of dog under control. A dog is under control if the dog is controlled by a leash, is at heal or is beside a competent person and obedient to that person's commands or is within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets or is within the property limits of the dog's owner. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT THE ZONE SIX PRECINCT AT: (404) 371-5002 AND ASK FOR INSPECTOR NAYLOR OR INSPECTOR KINSLER . From newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org Mon Mar 29 19:05:37 2004 From: newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org (newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org) Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 13:05:37 -0600 Subject: [LCN Newscast] LC Park, 2 New Trees Message-ID: <200403291905.i2TJ5bM32441@atmapp01.siteprotect.com> Please stop by Lake Claire Park and welcome two new neighbors: Lady Jane Grey and Empress Matilda! Jane is a river birch (Betula nigra) standing proudly between the lawn tennis court and the walkway leading down from the Almeta entrance. Matilda is a Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) looking down the hill just northwest from the walkway. Both are native to Georgia, and they look forward to a long residence in Lake Claire. Many thanks to our friends and volunteers from the Lake Claire Garden Club for purchasing and planting these trees. .