APS Superintendent Meria Carstarphen will host the 2019 State of the District to share a report out of the goals, accomplishments, and ongoing opportunities for Atlanta Public Schools. The community will gather for true and inspiring stories from The Epic of APS. Superintendent Carstarphen, along with the heroic students, educators and staff of APS, will narrate the 2019 State of the District, highlighting the victories, struggles and stalemates from the APS Journey of Transformation and our quest for excellence to ensure all students graduate ready for college and career.

The adventure will be hosted at the newly renovated Harper-Archer Elementary School and kick off with a ribbon cutting of the magnificent upgraded facility. Learn more and RSVP here: http://bit.ly/SODRSVP

Schedule:

Date: Thursday, November 7, 2019

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Ribbon Cutting

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – State of the District Address

Hello all,

For dissemination, are safety tips for adults, and kids, to help keep everyone safe on Halloween.

Your Off Duty APD Officers will be patrolling the neighborhood during prime trick or treat hours, I will also be working, and manning the patrol cell phone. I have made contact with Zone 2, and there will be extra on duty Zone 2 patrols during Halloween as well.

Please feel free to share the tips below, and we remind residents to always call 911 first then the patrol cell phone when reporting suspicious activity.

Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

Plan a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets.

Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. WALK and don’t run from house to house.

Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

Be careful when you cross a street. Make sure to look in both directions and make sure that there are no cars coming. If you have a little brother or sister with you, take their hand and help them get across the street, too. If the street has a stop light, wait until the cross walk light tells you that it is okay to cross now, but still check before you cross, look both ways.

Choose bright costumes, and have children carry flashlights or glow sticks so they are easily visible. (Hint – Try adding reflective tape to costumes and candy bags!)

Never, ever go into a strangers house or even ring their door for treats unless your parents are with you and say that it’s okay.

Always walk younger children to the door to receive treats.

Be sure children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.

Never accept rides from strangers.

Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

Make sure children know your cellphone number, their home telephone number, and address in case you are separated.

Consider giving them a cellphone so they can reach you easily.

Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.

Teach children to say “NO!” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat, or leave with them. Tell them to try everything they can to escape, including yelling, hitting, and kicking,

Have a safe and happy Halloween, see you in the neighborhood..

Tony Singh

ROCK SPRING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

                                    (Its beginnings and its finish)    

                                                     10/15/19                                                                                               In the early 1820s the first pioneers arrived in Piedmont Heights.  The Cheshires, Plasters, Liddells, Colliers and others settled among the friendly Creek Indians.  The area was called the Rock Spring Community because of a spring flowing from under a rock at the foot of a knoll at the intersection of today’s Piedmont Avenue and Montgomery Ferry Road.  In 1835, a one-room log schoolhouse was built beside the spring to educate the children in the growing community.  During the Civil War, the Battle of Atlanta devastated the area but afterwards the schoolhouse was rebuilt; in 1868 the Union Sunday School was established by the Presbyterian schoolteacher, Joel Mable, who held services in the little building.In 1870 the “Presbyterian Church of Rock Spring” was organized with twenty-seven founding members.  They built a small white wood frame church beside the school and   dedicated it on December 2, 1871.  The Atlanta Constitution reported “. . . on a level and beautiful spot with a noble forest growth around it, is a neat-looking attractive church, flanked by a cozy little schoolhouse.”By the 1920s the congregation needed larger facilities and hired Charles Henry Hopson, noted English architect, to design a new church.  Described as reminiscent of the Scottish and English parish churches with echoes of the Gothic style and the “Arts and Crafts” movement, the Georgian newspaper described it as “. . . one of the most artistically designed small churches in the south.” Shortly after the turn of the 21^st century, membership and contributions began to decline.  In 2017 as the membership dropped below 100, the congregation decided to sell the manse and some of the property to a developer.  The remainder of the property, including both buildings and the parking area, are protected under the Atlanta City Landmark designation.  The matter was debated vigorously for over a year.  The developer proposed to build a small group of houses around the church in styles compatible with the church’s own character simulating an “English village.” With the preservation of the church assured, the sale went through, and construction of the houses began in the spring of 2019.  Nevertheless, a few months later after much prayer and discussion, the congregation determined that their call to ministry was more than a call to simply sustaining itself.  Thus, the congregation voted to dissolve. The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta will focus first on seeking another congregation for the historic church and has asked the Piedmont Heights community for its ideas for other appropriate uses. The loss will be far, far greater than just the Presbyterian congregation.  More than twenty service organizations and groups of all kinds have shared the church’s facilities over the years: a second congregation called God’s Power and Deliverance Church, preschool, choral groups, homeless outreach, Atlanta Orchid Society, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, a bridge club, Metro Atlanta Doll Club, several neighborhood condominium associations and, of course,  the Piedmont Heights Civic Association, to name but a few. So, what does the future hold for this historic icon which has served our community so well for so long and which, in fact, defines it?

-Bill Seay       

Now Open Piedmont Heights! Our second Starbucks location at 1870 Piedmont Ave! Stop by and meet store manager Ali Balkhi and his team! The Drive Thru is open!

http://www.piedmontheights.org/

Piedmont Heights Neighbors: 

In partnership with the City of Atlanta, Trees Atlanta is offering free front yard trees for city residents. Don't miss out! 

We'll be planting in Piedmont Heights on Saturday, October 26th.

The program’s intent is to lower summer temperatures and reduce energy consumption by investing in tree canopy cover for neighborhoods in Atlanta. Urban trees decrease energy bills for residents, absorb pollutants, reduce maintenance costs for streets and storm water infrastructure, increase property values by making neighborhoods more beautiful, walkable, and desirable places to live, and combat the urban heat island effect.

Please review the program guidelines below, and visit our website for more information:

- Limit 3 trees per yard
- Must be a City of Atlanta resident
- Shade trees cannot be planted to meet city recompense requirements
- You agree to maintain any trees planted in your yard

Interested in a yard tree (or three)? Fill out your request form here! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTMJxeKvFOZhQg9yLr7kutOYJxNCcRE7jKtH7kzipLH_zhIA/viewform

If you have any questions, please email Cate Hughes, NeighborWoods Supervisor, at cate@treesatlanta.org. Looking forward to hearing from you! 

Cate Hughes NeighborWoods Supervisor

404.681.4890 || cate@treesatlanta.org

www.treesatlanta.org || 225 Chester Ave. SE 30316

AIRLINE BELLE

08/20/19

The Airline Belle was a train which ran through Piedmont Heights, then known as Easton, from 1879 until 1931. The rail line was originally intended to connect Atlanta to Norcross but over time it was extended north to Toccoa, passing through dozens of small towns and communities along the way. Its tracks lay in today’s BeltLine corridor behind Ansley Mall until they were taken up only a few years ago.

The little two-car passenger train made as many as 39 stops along its daily 93 mile route, some at little towns and some merely at locations where locals knew they could catch it. It took only three hours to make the entire trip and the Airline Belle averaged fifty miles an hour between stops. In the mornings it delivered commuters to Atlanta by 7:50 a. m. and departed at 5:20 p. m to take them home again. Most of the passengers knew the engineer and crew by name and the conductor knew his regular passengers personally. Easton residents particularly loved it because they didn’t have to ford Clear Creek in bad weather to get to Atlanta.

The train became so popular that it needed a name. The wife of railroad superintendent Colonel Fouracre suggested calling it the Airline Belle and the name was soon known all over Georgia. The “Belle” was noted for its punctuality, had a sterling safety record and during its 52 years of service had only one accident. Engineer Ike Roberts drove the train many years until May 15, 1929 when he collapsed at Terminal Station in Atlanta and died of a heat attack.

After the Airline Belle’s demise Southern Railroad trains running between Atlanta and Washington took over its route, still delivering its passengers on the same schedule.

-Bill Seay

With the continuing instances of active shooter situations in the U.S., it is increasingly important for all of us to be AWARE or our surroundings at all times. That does not mean we need to be afraid, just AWARE.

Awareness of surroundings means many things, including: Being aware of drivers texting instead of watching where they are driving.

Being aware of kids playing ball near the street.

Being aware of the driver who does not see the light change.

Being aware of unknown individuals apparently soliciting in your neighborhood.

Being aware of the emergency exits in a movie theater or restaurant in case of fire.

Even being aware of where rest rooms are, just in case.

Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers When you visit a building such as a shopping mall or healthcare facility, school or church, take time to identify two nearby exits. Get in the habit of doing this. With that awareness ingrained by making it a habit, in an active shooter situation, the three things all agencies recommend and in the order they should be considered are:

RUN: Getting away from the shooter or shooters is the top priority. Leave your things behind and run away. If safe to do so, warn others nearby.

HIDE: If you cannot get away safely, find a place to hide. Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view. Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors. Stay very quiet. Silence your cell phone and/or pager

FIGHT: As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger. Attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Act with physical aggression and throw items at the shooter.

WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES: Remain calm and follow instructions. Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets). Raise empty hands and spread fingers. Always keep hands visible. Avoid quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety. Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling. Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating. Remember responding police officers first responsibility is to get to the shooter, not assist victims.

There are a number of websites for more information on how to survive an Active Shooter Situation. READY.GOV has a lot of good information, including short videos. There are many resources available to help organizations plan for all hazards, including active shooter situations. If your organization wants assistance, please contact me for more information.

Jim Hardy Public Safety Chair, NPU-F

jedhardy@aol.com /770-713-8283

active-shooter-pocket-card-508.pdf

active-shooter-pamphlet-2017-508.pdf

JEAN JOHNSON- PIEDMONT HEIGHTS ICON

07/19/2019

Piedmont Heights will soon see the departure of one of its most illustrious residents, Jean Johnson. Jean bought her house at 512 Rock Springs Road in 1972 and joined PHCA a few years later. She has served on its Board of Directors for the past 34 years, chaired and served on many committees and task forces, never seeking high post nor personal recognition. She was the calm voice of experience and reason, never excited nor angry, and could always be counted on for wise counsel. Jean will still be close by, however, in north Buckhead at the Renaissance on Peachtree, a full-service “independent living” high-rise. She spent two months there last year recuperating from surgery for a broken femur and made several friends, so will be an easy transition. Her apartment will be on the 12th floor with a grand view of downtown. Jean says she will maintain ties with Piedmont Heights through her memberships in the Piedmont Heights Bridge Club (which she founded), the Piedmont Heights Luncheon Club, and relationships with old friends. During her career Jean worked for three educational organizations in Atlanta starting at the Southern Regional Education Board, next for the Southern Education Foundation, and then for the Atlanta office of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. She returned to the Southern Regional Education Board where she finished her career as Director of Human Resources, retiring in 2000. Jean’s dedication to public service extended well beyond the neighborhood. She served many years as PHCA’s representative to Neighborhood Planning Unit F. She garnered much professional recognition and received an Atlanta Planning Advisory Board Award for the City of Atlanta’s Neighborhoods Matter in 2016. When asked what the highlight of her life was, however, Jean responded without hesitation friends made and her many years of service to Piedmont Heights. In 2013, to recognize Jean’s long service to our neighborhood, the PHCA Board created and awarded her the “Jean Johnson Award” which since has been awarded annually to a PHCA board member for outstanding service to Piedmont Heights. Jean’s many friends in Piedmont Heights will sorely miss having her in their midst. We all thank her from the bottoms of our hearts and wish her a fond farewell and Godspeed in her future endeavors.

By Bill Seay , Rock Springs Rd

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."

Arthur Ashe

We are coming to the end of an amazing era for fitness in Piedmont Heights. For the past five years Karen Argrett Richardson, one of our neighbors on Rock Springs Rd in Piedmont Heights has hosted Zumba classes for residents of Piedmont Heights and surrounding areas in Midtown. Karen is a certified Zumba, Zumba Gold instructor. Karen and her husband David Richardson are leaving for new adventures out of state this August. Her Zumba workouts transformed and had a positive impact on the lives of attendees, two days each week at our local Loudermilk Center. Her classes never feel like a workout, they are always fun and filled with laughter. One of her favorite pieces of advice for new members " There are no mistakes at Zumba, just keep dancing and have fun"

Karen was a founding member of the Piedmont Heights Business Alliance and continues to be a supportive member today.

Thank you Karen for providing a valuable health and fitness option for women, men and children in Piedmont Heights. We wish her well in all of her future endeavors!

You can still follow Karen via her website and her Facebook page where she will continue to be a valuable resource for health and fitness.

https://www.facebook.com/getfitwithkrich/?tn-str=k*F

https://www.zumba.com/en-US/profile/karen-argrett-richardson/823093

#zumbarocks#zumbafitness#piedmontheightsatl

Class Schedule - Only 3 more classes this year - July 24th, July 27th and July 31st ( First class is free)

Wednesdays - 7 pm to 8 pm

Saturdays - 9:30 am to 10:30 am

Zone 2 Assistant Commander Captain 

Piedmont Heights Security Patrol 

APD PROUD: Hats off to Atlanta Police Zone 2 Assistant Commander Captain Tony Singh for arresting a car break-in suspect attempting to flee from officers near 2274 Peachtree Road NW in Buckhead.

Capt. Singh is a member of our Command Staff, responsible for leading and creating strategies to reduce crime in the Buckhead and Northeast Atlanta area that encompasses Zone 2. Springing into action to make an arrest shows the dedication of our leadership to the residents of the City of Atlanta. Even in the high-level position Capt. Singh holds, he will always be a police officer. 

On June 29, 2019, officers responded to 105 Peachtree Memorial Drive NW in reference to suspects looking into to vehicles. Officer Steven Randerson noticed a stolen silver Honda Accord attempting to flee the area, but the suspects decided to exit the car and run. Sgt. Dana Primo was able to catch up to one of the running suspects and make an arrest. A second suspect was involved in a foot chase with Officer Terrell Simmons which ended in the arrest by Capt. Singh and Officer Simmons. We are incredibly proud of Capt. Singh and his officers for nabbing two suspects involved in car break-ins at 68 Peachtree Memorial Drive NW, 136 Peachtree Memorial Drive NW and 115 Peachtree Memorial Drive NW. #WeCatchBadGuys