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The

CITIZENS REVIEWVol. 21 Newsletter of the Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens Association, Inc. February 2004

City on Track to Ensure Better Quality of Life and Cleaner Water

By CLAIR MULLER

Atlanta City Council Member, 8th District

such an alternative source of funds for the City.

While it was difficult to achieve, the fact that this vote wasunanimous gives Atlanta increased credibility with other government entities as we seek new funding which will allow the Cityto roll back some of the rate increases in the future.

Throughout the debate, there was a great deal of discussion re-garding future development and the role of new development inthe funding equation. This past December, I introduced legislation that would increase the fees for new water/sewer connections. My goal with this legislation is to bring the City's connec-tion fees up to levels similar to other major cities while alsobringing in increased revenues from new development in theCity. This legislation was passed in the January 20 City Councimeeting. I will keep you updated regarding future similar legislation, and how it might affect you.

The approved rate structure is designed to promote and en

courage conservation by users. The graduated schedule, alsocalled a tiered schedule, will charge ratepayers based on their

level of usage. For each tier, a different rate is charged per hundred cubic feet of water, known as ccf. One hundred cubic feetor 1 ccf, is the equivalent of 750 gallons. The first tier is 0-3 ccfswhich is $1.93 for In-City ratepayers and $2.33 for Outside-Cityratepayers in 2004. The second tier is 4-6 ccfs. This means forthe next hundred cubic feet over 3, the ratepayers will be billed ahigher rate for water used between 4 and 6 ccf. The third tier rateis applied when the ratepayer uses more than 6 ccfs. Please notethat ratepayers, regardless of usage will be billed for a minimumamount of 3 ccfs, which is 2250 gallons. In addition, ratepayerwill be charged a $0.15 surcharge per ccf.

On January 5, 2004 the Atlanta City Council voted unanimouslyto approve a water/sewer rate structure for the next five yearsthat will ensure that the City of Atlanta will be able to meet thefederal mandates on the city and its water/sewer system. Thevote provides adequate funding for the operation and mainte-nance costs of the system needed to demonstrate to the federalcourt that we intend to comply with the consent decrees and pro-vides adequate debt coverage to demonstrate to the bond ratingagencies that Atlanta will be on sounder financial ground.

Repairing our sewers and ceasing the pollution of our streamsand rivers is an issue I have worked on for over 10 years.

But even before I served on the Atlanta City Council, others whoserved before me say that funding our underground infrastructurewas not a popular cause. Atlanta's water/sewer system has servedthe city and other parts of the region for 125 years. But for manydecades the maintenance of the system was deferred to the pointthat the system was polluting our streams and rivers. Then wereceived a federal mandate and specific timelines for the repair of

our sewers.With this Council vote, we are on track to ensure a better qualityof life and cleaner water, affirming our commitment to protectingpublic health as responsible stewards of our environment.

The programs we are funding are massive and many, and thecosts are high. Federal monitoring is inherent in both ConsentDecrees, and in addition, the City will receive monitoring fromthe state agency that will be lending money to Atlanta. Also,each project within the program will continue to receive valueengineering scrutiny as we seek cost savings and continue toseek grants to defray some of the costs, as other cities havedone. We appreciate Govenor Perdue's and Senator Johnson'soffers to sponsor state assistance in the General Assembly.

Senator Johnson's offer to support a Municipal Options Sales Tax(MOST) will be very helpful. (Please note that since the 1960s,cities in Georgia have not been authorized to place a sales taxreferendum on the ballot without permission from theircounty.) If Atlanta voters approve a referendum for a MOST, therate increase can be drastically reduced in the second year. And,it is estimated that 40% of the revenues from any future sales tax(if approved) would come from out of town visitors.

In the legislation approving the recent rate increase, the CityCouncil also included language committing the City to decreas-ing the water/sewer rate when alternative funds are found. If theCity can gain the approval of a MOST, this would provide just Continued on the Back Page

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Answering Calls for Help from Atlantas Citizens for 154 Years

Atlanta Firefighters Now Seek Citizens Helpsuch as Fulton County and Cobb County pay their firefighters,on the average, 20% more than Atlanta.

Even if a recruit were willing to take the lower pay, they will seeAtlantas deficient firefighter pension system. In the 2000

budget, the pension for Atlantas police officers was improved toa retroactive 3% multiplier. But, Atlantas firefighters wereshort-changed, and not given the 3% retroactive as the policewere. This could total as much as $10,000 to $20,000 in annualsalary. Atlanta firefighters contribute 7% into their pension,while their counterparts in DeKalb County only contribute %.

Atlantas firefighters are asking that Atlantas citizens support aplan that will return a fully effective staff to our fire stations,create an incentive for qualified firefighters, EMTs and Para-medics to come to Atlanta and give our firefighters who havebeen serving us a fair pension. These people have been answer-ing your calls for help, now the firefighters are asking you tomake the call for help on their behalf. Ask your City Council

Member to support Atlantas Firefighter Four-Year Staffing, Payand Pension Plan. Atlanta City Council: 404-330-6030.

Fire Side Chat

By CAPTAIN KEITH SCHUMACHER

Greetings from the little house on the corner. As you know,Engine Company #27 silently stands guard over your commu-nity. But there is a lot more than that going on at The 27s.

We provide a blood pressure screening point, smoke detectors,and now we offer Child Safety Seat Inspections by appoint-

ment. Did you know that studies have shown that 80% of allchild restraints are installed improperly?

Atlanta firefighters are required to train 120 hours per year.(Police officers are only required 20 hours of in-service trainingper year.) A majority of Atlantas firefighters are certified asIntermediate Emergency Medical Technicians. These firefight-ers are required an additional 24 hours of training, while Para-medics attend 40 additional hours every two years.

Our drivers are required to know the shortest route to any ad-dress in their first alarm territory. We strive to know everystreet in this neighborhood, and some major driveways.

Each month, we are required to familiarize ourselves with 30

businesses in the territory. Each of three shifts complete 10familiarizations each. Obviously, there are not that many busi-nesses in Company #27s territory, so we work on the fringeareas such as Roswell Road and West Paces Ferry Road.

Three crews of four members staff station #27. Each crewworks 56 hours per week as compared to other city employeeswho only work 40 hours. We work 24-hour shifts from 7AMuntil the following 7AM, so you may see us at the local grocerystore buying the evening dinner. And its true; we have somepretty good cooks. Our trips to the grocery store usually pro-vide us with some good community interaction as well, to an-swer your questions, give directions, or just give the kids athrill by climbing on the fire truck.

Fire department officers are going citywide to promote a planthat will increase citizen and firefighter safety in our city. Capt.Tom Doyle and Capt. Keith Schumacher spoke at the NPU-A

(Neighborhood Planning Unit-A) Board of Directors meetingon December 30 and the NPU Public Meeting on January 6.

Many Atlanta citizens do not realize that while the city hasbeen growing tremendously over the past 25 years, the fire de-partment has been reduced by 20% the result of years ofbudget cuts and attrition that were never compensated for.

According to the National Fire Protection Association in theirStandard #1710, fire companies should operate with five mem-bers in high hazard urban areas and four members in otherareas. But, each day the Atlanta Fire Department operates 38members short of achieving the four-member goal. All of thecitys thirteen truck (ladder) companies and thirteen of the

citys engine companies are running with only three members.While 100 new police officers have been added to the 2004budget, only 25 firefighters are being replaced from previouscuts. Currently the Atlanta Fire Department is about 200 mem-bers short of being capable of providing 100% service.

National studies have shown that a fire companys effectivenessdepends on the number of firefighters assigned to the company.A fire company with five members is 100% effective, fourmembers 65% and three members - 38%. The A.F.D. is cur-rently dispatching additional companies from other areas of thecity to cover for the inadequacies leaving wide areas with de-creased fire protection each time there is a fire. These effi-ciency ratings also relate to emergency medical responses. Na-

tional firefighter safety standards call for what is known as thetwo-in two-out rule. This states that before firefighters can entera burning building they must 1) have a team of at least twomembers, and 2) have a rescue team of at least two members torescue them. This means that a fire crew of three members can-not initiate an interior fire attack until additional help arrives.Station #27 is assigned four members per shift, but quite oftenone of those members is pulled to another station to cover forsick leave, injuries, etc. Station #26 on Howell Mill Road neverhas more than three members on each rig.

If the Atlanta Fire Department opened the doors today and triedto hire firefighters, it would be difficult to find quality recruitsdue to Atlantas low firefighter pay. Surrounding communities

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February 2004

Security Patrol Information

The Mt. Paran Security Patrol ia neighborhood-funded patrostaffed by retired Atlanta policeofficers. The officers patrol ouneighborhood and the RandalMill Civic Association neighborhood Monday through Friday andadditional weekend hours as crimepatterns dictate.

The patrol checks doors and windows daily while you are out otown and picks up newspapersThe fee to join the patrol is $150 ayear and covers the time periodfrom January 1 to December 31The fee for new residents will bepro-rated. Subscribers receive amailbox decal, telephone stickerand access to the security hotlineas well as daily surveillance oyour house and property.

For information on joining, or

to meet the patrol officers, cal

40 1. Be sure to leave a

message during off-duty hour

and either Officer Cole or Offi

cer Hendrix will call you back.

Logged 9989 miles patrolling our neighborhood

Made 3098 house checks for traveling subscribers

Responded to 73 alarm calls Investigated 61 suspicious persons or autos Investigated 13 incidents of vandalism Investigated 5 incidents of larceny Found 1 open door

June: Mailbox damaged on Beechwood Drive. Someone tried touse a screwdriver to force open a window in a French door onRandall Ridge. Suspect ran when homeowner came home andnothing was taken. A homeowner on N. Harris Ridge caught ateenage male pulling up her flowers and called his mother. A front

window was broken out on a Northside Drive house and a pursewas taken from the table.

July: Homeowner left his vehicle parked on the street over theweekend on Sentinel Post. Someone broke out a window but noth-ing was missing. A cell phone was taken from a vehicle left in adriveway on Randall Mill. Items were removed from a garage onRandall Hall.

August: Door-to-door sales people reported throughout the area.Homeowner found suspicious vehicle in her E. Beechwood drive-way. Suspects left before tag number could be obtained. FultonCounty police officer had a suspect believed to be part of a flimflam operation escape from him on Garmon Road. Officer Colestopped illegal cutting of trees (no permit) on Mt. Paran Road.

September: Mailbox damaged on Harris Trail.

October: Mailboxes damaged on several streets, but only one wasreported on East Beechwood. Between the hours of 10 PM-4 AMon Halloween night, Officer Cole: found four college age males ina vehicle at the Country Store. They were attempting to stealpumpkins to be used to damage mailboxes. They were released totheir parents, who live just outside of the neighborhood. He also

Continued on the Reverse Side

Security Patrol ActivityDuring the months of June through December,Officers Doug Cole and Jim Hendrix

The Crime ReportThe Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens Association produces this public safety report for the benefit ofour neighborhood. If you see suspicious activity, or are the victim of a crime, call 911 and then reportthe details for this newsletter to our Security Patrol ( or Jo Ann Rau ( .

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found three teenage males parked on Buckingham Circleand released them to their parents. They also live just out-side of our boundaries.

November: Mailboxes reported damaged on GarmonRoad and Paran Pines Drive. Mail stolen from mailbox onGarmon Road and a check was subsequently cashed usingthe homeowners signature. Car rode through a yard onNorthside Drive, Fulton County police made the report. Afemale teen who lives on Buckingham Circle was fol-lowed home from the West Paces Ferry Shopping Center.She did not go home but rode around until the suspicioustruck left the area. She waited two days to call police. Be-tween the hours of 10 PM and 4 AM on Saturday, Novem-ber 15th, Officer Cole reported that other than a party thatwas broken up by Fulton County police on West Garmon,

all was quiet. Between the same hours on Saturday, No-vember 22nd, Officer Hendrix found a car wreck at Mt.Paran Road and Mt. Paran Parkway, and teenagers parkedon streets throughout the neighborhood. There were threefalse alarms on Paran Walk during that time period.

December: Mailbox damaged on Garmon Road. Securitystopped suspect going door-to-door on Whitewater Creekand called Atlanta police who removed suspect from theneighborhood. Christmas reindeer taken from yard onSentinel View. Two reports of a suspicious male in a tantruck asking residents who

Continued from Front Side

Identity Theft & Camera Cell Phones

Be aware of people standing near you at retail stores,restaurants and grocery stores, who have a cell phonein their hand. With the new camera cell phones, scamartists are able to take a picture of your credit card,which gives them your name, number and expirationdate. Its no secret, Identify Theft is one of the fastestgrowing scams today, and this is just another exam-ple of crime made easier with technology. So be

aware of your surroundings. Everywhere. Always.

Security Patrol Activity:

Teenage Vandalism Has to Stop

Mailbox bashing continues to be aproblem in our neighborhood. Teenshave been seen congregating, espe-cially on dead end and cul-de-sac

streets on weekend nights. Replacingmailboxes is time consuming andcostly. Some neighbors have suggestedthat we publish the names of these teenage vandals.

Teens need to find another outlet and stop destroyingproperty! Parents need to be aware of what their teenag-ers are doing during unsupervised hours and remind themthat vandalism is not a prank. Depending on the degreevandalism carries penalties of either a misdemeanor or afelony. In case you missed it in the July 2003 Crime Re-port issue, parents and their teens should be aware of thefollowing law.

Georgia Criminal Code 16-7-23. Criminal Damage to

property in the second degree:

a) A person commits the offense of criminal damage toproperty in the second degree when he: (1) Intention-ally damages any property of another person withouthis consent and the damage thereto exceeds $500; (2Recklessly or intentionally by means of fire or explosives damages property of another person; or (3)With the intent to damage, starts a fire on the land ofanother without his consent.

b) A person convicted of the offense of criminal dam

age to property in the second degree will be pun-ished by imprisonment for not less than one nor

more than five years.

Things to Always Remember

Stop Helping the CriminalsDo not give cash or checks to anyone who stops you, orcomes to your home that you do not know.

Never open your door to solicitors. Call 911 and theSecurity Patrol, 4 immediately!

Dont leave anything in your car that someone willwant to steal.

If you think you might be a victim ofidentity theft, call:

Equifax1-800-525-628

Experian1-888-397-3742

TransUnion1-800-680-7289

Warning: 2004 is not off to a Good StartIn fact, 2004 started off with a bang. So far there havebeen three reported incidents of objects (water balloons)thrown from moving vehicles at neighbors who are walk-ing. These actions can cause serious bodily injury andparents need to remind their teens about the consequencesof such a dangerous prank.

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Neighbors Celebrate Being Together

The Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens Association heldour fourth annual neighborhood social on Septem-ber 21 at the spectacular Harris Trail home of Deb-bie and Stephen Goot. The weather was perfect forsome 160 neighbors to enjoy the fabulous foodamid the fauna and flora in the gorgeous gardens.

Elected officials mingled with older neighbors whowere meeting and welcoming new neighbors. Onceagain, we want to thank Marci and Jerry Vincent forchairing another successful social event. Some havesaid this one was the best event ever. We lookforward to seeing even more neighbors at the fifthannual neighborhood social this fall!

Photographs by Bill Rau and Sheldon Schlegman

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Barking Dogs Violate Fulton County OrdinancesIts OK for dogs to bark at strangers orother dogs, but some dogs, perhaps be-cause of boredom or separation anxiety,become canine boomboxes. Someneighbors put their dogs into their yardsand leave them to bark for hours. This isnot only inconsiderate, but against the

law! And letting your dog wander off without a leash is notgood for your dog or your neighbors. Neighbors front lawnsare not your pets bathroom.

Mt. Paran-Northside Association MembershipThis is a reminder to send in your 2004 dues by the new ex-tended deadline of Feb. 14th. If you wait until after the directorygoes to the printer, your name wont be recognized as a currentmember. When you send your $25 check payable to Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens Association, you will receive a usefulneighborhood directory along with helping to support the Asso-ciations efforts to keep neighbors informed of issues importantto our quality of life and upcoming events. Please fill out theform sent in early January and mail it along with your $25check to Debbie Goot, 4380 Harris Trail, Atlanta, GA 30327.

Beginning February 1, 2004, residents whohave City of Atlanta Recycling bins can addmixed paper to their curbside bin. Mixed paperincludes old magazines, old telephone directo-ries, junk mail and boxboard, such as cerealboxes. The program also accepts old newspa-pers, aluminum (tin) cans, plastic #1 and #2bottles (i.e., milk, soda and detergent bottles)

glass bottles and jars. If your recycle bin is full or overflowingyou can put your newspapers in a brown paper bag next to therecycle bin and it will be picked up by the recycling company. You can also recycle corrugated cardboard at two new Citydrop-off locations: Lakewood Substation 128 Claire Drive,SE; and Liddell Substation 1540 Northside Drive. Themarked drop-off containers are visible from the street. Call

( f you have questions.

Dont Miss the February Ladies LuncheonOur winter ladies luncheon will be at thebeautiful home of Ida Wooldridge, 1101Garmon Drive, Tuesday, February 10 from12:00 to 1:30PM. Ida and caterer BillHewett are planning the menu. Bills food is

always great! Northside neighbor Paula Hillhas arranged for entainment. Baritone Dan

Britt will sing for us. Please make your luncheon check for $15payable to Judi Schindler and mail it to Brenda Smith, 4271Garmon Road, Atlanta, GA 30327. RSVP by Saturday, Feb-ruary 7. Your check is your reservation.

Editors Note: Dan will be performing in The Mikado, a musical by

Gilbert and Sullivan, at the Georgia Tech Ferst Center for the Arts on

Feb 20, 21, 22. Call (404)894-9600 for tickets.

Mary Ann Kaplan

Robert Spano to Speak at The Galloway SchoolNeighbors are invited to join The Gallo-way Schools Community of Learners inwelcoming Robert Spano, music directorof the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, toGalloways award-winning ChaddickCenter for the Arts on Tuesday, February17, at 7:30pm. Mr. Spano will be speak-ing about music and meaning. There is nocharge for the event, but reservations arerequested. For questions, call

extension 107. For reservationsemail Nancie Smith

Help Jackson School Turn Box Tops into Cash

As on-going school projects, Warren T. Jackson Elementarystudents collect Box Tops for Education. These box tops are cutoff of many common products, we use every day, from the gro-cery store. The school earns ten cents per top cut out and turnedin. There is a collection box just inside the front door of theschool. Also, the School asks for tab tops removed from alumi-num cans. These benefit the families at the Ronald McDonaldhouse. There is a big can for these in the school front lobby.For information, call Jackson Elementary (404)842-3100.

Country Store Beds Dressed for Seasonal ShowSince last year, the Country Storehas undergone a miraculous trans-

formation. Most visible are thetwo landscaped beds that definecurbing and display seasonalbeauty. Thanks to landscapingdonated by Garmon Roadneighbor Kenny Rogers, the store

boasted a summer symphony of red and white begonia andcooling, perennial hosta. Now the beds defy winter with theirevergreen blending into a crescendo of bright yellow pansies.Its as if the long-neglected store is singing to Kenny: Youdecorated my life by planting your flowers in my empty space ...

And you brought out the colors and changed my face. For

years I existed like an unfinished song Like a store with no

beauty, until you came along. Mary Louise Floyd

Mary Louise Floyd

Jackson School Expansion ProjectThis spring, Jackson and theAtlanta Public Schools are

hoping to break ground on anaddition to their building. JimCooke, President of the Mt.Paran Parkway Neighborhood

Association, has looked at the big picture plan, and says itlooks to be an excellent and attractive way to add classrooms.The new structure will be built where the covered concrete playarea (Dome) is between the parking lot and the school. Jacksonwill be submitting their tree removal plan to the City. The onlytrees to be removed will be on the property around the Domearea. There will be a review by the City Arborist and signagewill be placed on Mt. Paran Road informing us of the tree plan.All questions about the schools plan, should be directed to Dr.

Reich, Principal, or Terri Cooke (

Jo Ann Rau

City of Atlanta Expands Recycling Program

Neighborhood Briefs

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The Southeastern Flower willbe held February 18 to 22 at theGeorgia World Congress Cen-ter. Each year, this show, abenefit for the Atlanta Botani-cal Garden, involves many

neighbors, including members from the Mt. Paran Woods Gar-den Club. The Shows website at www.flowershow.org lists thegreat speakers and special features. Some of the special eventswhich may interest you: The Opening Night Party, the premierblack tie event for the show and, the Flower Power Party, al-ways of interest to the 25 to 40 age group. To get there, youjust drive down Northside Drive to the World Congress Center.The event is in the brand new convention hall, on NorthsideDrive. Parking is right there. It couldnt be easier! Support theFlower Show, and don't let it go the way of so many local eventsby low attendance. The Flower Show features local landscapecompanies and nurseries, and depends on local support. Helpkeep this part of Atlanta for us! Sandy Turbidy

New Home for the Southeastern Flower Show

Fire Department Looking for Houses to Train InEngine Company #27 is looking for houses inthe Mount Paran - Northside community that arein the process of being razed. A house that isabout to be torn down can be a valuable trainingresource. Unfortunately, firefighters are nolonger able to burn down houses for trainingpurposes. However, they can use a house fortraining in forcible entry, ventilation, search and

rescue, building construction, and other disciplines. If you knowof any building that can be used for training purposes please callCaptain Schumacher at

This non-profit, equestrian facility offeringtherapeutic riding programs for studentswith mental or physical disabilities, pro-grams for children-at-risk and inner-citychildren, boarding services and regular

riding lessons, is asking for your help. Youcan help insure the continuation of these programs by featuringyour companys logo and name on a jump in the main arena.This is an effective way to establish sponsor participation in ourcommunity. Riders and spectators alike will recognize yourpresence and the impact you will be making on those who needyour help. $5,000/one year. Contact: Lydia McCarroll:

extension 21. Kathy Farrington

North Metro Program Now at Margaret MitchellThe North Metro Program, formerly housed in the TuxedoSchool, has moved to the Margaret Mitchell School at 2845 Mar-garet Mitchell Drive. The Neighborhood Parent Teacher Organi-

zation (NPTO), formed to support the program and its students,has also moved with the program and is continuing its variousprograms and fund raisers. We still need the support of theneighborhood! Our next big event is our annual Flea Marketwhich will be held March 19-20, 2004 at the new location onMargaret Mitchell Drive. If you are interested in volunteering orhave some donations please email Yolanda Adrean atyadrean@earthlink.netand she will be sure to put you in touchwith the right person. This is an excellent time to rid your closetsofgently used clothing or gently used household items whichare clean and in working order. Yolanda Adrean

Chastain Horse Park Needs Jump Sponsor

If you are passionate about government spending and the sizeof your tax bill, water bills and sanitation bills, please read on.As citizens and voters in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County,we can no longer skip reading the paper, going to the polls or

writing to our elected representatives! Though we were able tomake plenty of noise over the sewer rate increase, the fact is,the Mayor was largely successful in raising our rates substan-tially. And, I am not convinced that the important questions ofoversight and hefty consultant fees were addressed at all by theadministration or the Atlanta City Council. There are only440,000 ratepayers in the City of Atlanta which has a 23% pov-erty rate. That means that there will be continuing pressure toraise taxes to pay for all kinds of services. But the news is notall bad. There is still room to cut wasteful practices and pro-grams but it wont happen voluntarily. We need to keep ourvoices heard.

Karen Handel, newly elected Chairman of the Fulton CountyCommission, has appointed a Citizen SWAT team to pour overthe budgets and make recommendations for savings. After twomeetings, members have come up with some concrete areas ofpotential savings including cash management, procurement prac-tices, benefit packages, outsourcing, consolidation and privatiza-tion. Once Karen begins to recommend changes for the 2005budget, some of these initiatives will require votes by the Com-mission members. That is where you come in. Without yourvoice, the Commission may be compelled to operate with thebusiness as usual attitude. You can make a difference.

By the way, the Atlanta Public School has hired Deloitte andTouche to do a comprehensive review of its policies and proce-dures. The results are due very soon. I am predicting that theresults of this review will be in the headlines and cause muchdiscussion.

Our neighborhood directory includes a complete listing of City,Atlanta Public School, County, State and Federal representativesalong with their contact information. Use this freely and often toexpress your views. It does matter.

Editors note: Conway Glen neighbor Yolanda Adrean has been ap-

pointed to serve on the Fulton County Citizen Swat team.

Fulton County Citizen SWAT Team Formed

Tax MattersBy Yolanda Adrean

Editors note: special thanks to all the contributors in this issue. Email

with ideas, events, tips and photos for the next

issue of The Citizens Review.

More Neighborhood Briefs

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Cheryl Espy Hosts November Ladies Luncheon

Photographs by Jo Ann Rau

Neighbors attending the luncheon at thewhite-columned Davis Drive Espy homenot only celebrated being together, butalso Cheryls birthday! Catered by Beth

Harshaw, the event included touring thebeautiful home and the Espys excitingmuseum quality collection of sports andcelebrity memorabilia, as well as catch-ing up with friends and meeting newneighbors. It was great fun!

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February Gardening Tips

Temperatures and weather patterns are unpredictable thistime of year. Although we can't depend on the whims ofMother Nature, the plants in our landscapes always seemto know what season it is. To prepare for the upcoming

growing season, there are several gardening activities thatshould be undertaken this month.

Time to give your houseplants a makeover. Removediscolored and dead leaves, repot overgrown plants, andremove dust from leaves with a damp cloth or sponge.

Apply a pre-emergent weed control (crabgrass pre-venter) to all types of turf grass between mid-Februaryand mid-March. Don't wait too late. Once the crabgrasssprouts, crabgrass preventers will do not good. If you planto sow Fescue seed this spring, do not apply a crabgrasspreventer. It will prevent both the crabgrass and the fescueseed from germinating.

Apply a post-emergent weed killer to control cool seasonweeds (henbit, chickweed, dandelions) that have alreadysprouted in dormant Bermuda and Zoysia lawns. Check thelabel to make sure that the chemicals in the product aresafe to use on your particular type of grass.

February is an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs and

ground covers. Planting now enables the root system tobecome established, before the plant actively grows.

Now is the time to do any majorpruning jobs. Pruninginitiates and modifies plant growth. Wait to prune springflowering plants and trees until they finish blooming.

Prune roses in late February or early March when the"eyes" on the canes start to swell and turn red. Climbingroses bloom on older wood so prune them sparingly.

If the weather is warm, spring flowering bulbs may startpeeking through the soil ahead of schedule. Protect budsand blooms, cover them with a thin layer of pine straw ornewspaper when freezing temperatures are predicted.

Put down the first application of fertilizer on Fescue

lawns at the end of the month. Wait to fertilize Ber-muda and Zoysia lawns until they are at least 50% green.

Trim Liriope (Monkey Grass) back to just above groundlevel. Use your lawn mower or weed eater for quick re-sults. Ornamental Grasses, like Pampas Grass, can alsobe cut back to make room for the new growth.

Cold Weather Comfort Food

Macaroni and Cheddar Cheese

1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil, 1 turn of the pan in a

slow stream

2 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 cups whole or 2 percent milk

3 cups shredded white cheddar cheese1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground or freshly grated

1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, a couple pinches

1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked 8 minutes or to al dente

with a little bite to it

Salt

Heat a medium, deep skillet over medium heat. Add oil andbutter. When butter melts into the oil, add flour and combine.Gently cook, whisking flour and butter together, until smoothand flour has had a chance to cook, about 3 minutes. Slowlyadd milk while continuing to whisk. Gently bring milk to abubble while stirring frequently. Allow the milk to thicken abit, then stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese a handful at

a time. Season sauce with nutmeg and cayenne. Taste and adda little salt, if you like. Add cooked pasta to sauce and coatcompletely by turning over and over in the cheese sauce.Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Put itback under a hot broiler and brown the cheddar cheese on top.Yield: 4 Entre servings, 8 side servings; Prep Time: 10 min-

utes; Cook Time: 20 minutes

By PIKE FAMILY NURSERIES

Moving Trees Requires a PermitTree cutters, you hire, are not responsible for obtain-ing tree removal permits. It is the Homeowner whois responsible. Failure to obtain a permit results in anexpensive fine.

Tummy-Yum Bread Pudding

1 1/2 loaves white or wheat bread (day-old bread works great)

1 1/2 cups whole milk1 cup sugar

3/4 cup melted butter or margarine

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 eggs, beaten

16-ounce can fruit cocktail

8 1/4-ounce can crushed pineapple

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup dark raisins

Preheat 350 degrees F.

Tear each slice of bread into about 5 or 6 pieces and place in a

large bowl. In a separate bowl, place the milk, sugar, butter,vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and eggs. Mix well, until the sugardissolves. Add the fruit cocktail, pineapple, pecans, and rai-sins, and then gently fold in the torn bread, making sure itsoaks up the liquid ingredients. Pour equal amounts of themixture into 2 greased 9 by 13-inch baking pans. Bake for 40minutes, stirring once after 15 or 20 minutes. Stirring helpsrich bread pudding bake evenly. Serve cold or hot, dependingon the season and your mood.Yield: 8 to 12 servings; Prep time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time:

30 minutes.

7/31/2019 2004 - February - Vol 21

10/10

MT. PARAN-NORTHSIDE CITIZENS ASSOCIATION, INC.P.O. BOX 724153 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 31139

OFFICERSPresident/Brenda SmithVice President/Communications/Jo Ann Rau

Vice President/Membership/Debbie GootVice President/Security/Angelia EvertSecretary/Jean SmithTreasurer/Jim Carter

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sandra Adair, Yolanda Adrean, Sharon Giles, Al Goodgame,Greg Lyles, Dick Perkins, Alan Leet, Pamela Tremayne, ClausHalle, Dana Scavo, Glenn Sturm, Karen Swim, Marci Vincent,Richard Wilson.

EX-OFFICIO (PAST PRESIDENTS)

Lynne Moscow, Sheldon Schlegman, Robert Hurst, EdwardFloyd, John R. Martin (d), Robert Miller, H. Clay Moore, Jr.,J. Martin Turbidy

Editors: Lynne Moscow and Jo Ann Rau

Design & Typeset: Jo Ann Rau

WEB SITE

www.neighborhoodlink.com/atlanta/mountparan

Pre-SortedFirst Class Mail

U.S. PostagePAID

Atlanta, GAPermit No. 3207

Return Service Requested

Association Newsletter and Crime Report Inside

machines (8.7%), showers (6.8%), faucets (6.3%), baths (0.7%),dishwashers (0.6%), and other household uses (0.9%). While

we can all take steps to conserve water, I think it's definitelytime we all check our own homes for leaks.

A great website that provides an interactive look at ways toconserve water in your home is put together by the CaliforniaUrban Water Conservation Council at: http://www.h2ouse.org/

Since outdoor watering can make up over 60% of household

water consumption, irrigation meters can save real dollars.

Many of you likely have irrigation systems for the yards andlandscaping at your homes. Some of you have probably alreadyinstalled a separate water meter for your irrigation. Others ofyou have probably considered installing one at your own home.

If you would like information regarding how you can have one

of these new meters installed, contact Evelyn Conyers with theDepartment of Watershed Management at

I hope this information helps provide you witha better understanding of how this new ratewill be implemented, and how it will affectyour bill. I also hope this information helpsyou in your own efforts to conserve water andsave money at home. If you have any ques-tions, please feel free to contact my office by

phone (

New Rates Promote Water Conservation

Log on to www.cleanwateratlanta.org tolearn more about the Clean Water AtlantaPlan. In the coming weeks, this website willprovide you the opportunity to enter your bi-monthly ccf usage and calculate what your

new bill would be. In the meantime, you can use thesefigures to calculate your 04 water/sewer bill: 0-3ccf $20.94;4-6ccf $7.97/ccf; 7ccf and over $9.14/ccf (All figuresinclude the security surcharge.)

The more water you use, the higher your rate will be. As apart of efforts to assist residents in conserving water, the City

also provides personnel to visit senior citizens' facilities,neighborhood groups, churches and other such gatherings tohelp explain the benefits of conservation, and provides consum-ers with water-saving kits for indoor and outdoor plumbing.

It is in your interest to conserve water wherever possible. TheAmerican Water Works Association, a trade organization fo-cused on drinking water issues, says that the vast amount(around 65%) of water use in the average home can be attrib-uted to outdoor watering and leaks. Inside the house, typicalwater usage includes the following: toilets (10.8%), washing

Continued from Front Page

Clair