Park Place South Quarterly Community Newsletter april june 2012
1. 1
Holidays
April Fool’s Day – April1
Good Friday – April 6
Easter – April 8
Cinco de Mayo – May 5
Mother’s Day – May 13
Armed Forces Day – May 19
Flag Day – June 14
Father’s Day – June 17
Neighborhood Meetings
Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) Meetings
Dates: April 16, May 21, June 18
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: John Birdine Neighborhood Center
215 Lakewood Way, SW
Atlanta, GA 30315
Community Events
Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
• Zac Brown Band – May 12
• Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan – May 18-19
• Drake: The Club Paradise Tour – May 20
• Dave Matthews Band – May 22
• Jimmy Buffet – June 9
• Iron Maiden – Maiden England – June 23
• Def Leppard – June 29
Hammonds House Museum
• Exhibition- Mask, Medicine, Memory, & Myth –
March 11 – June 3
• Wine & Words – May 15, June 12 & 24
Fox Theatre
• UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans Weigh-In – April 20
• Les Miserables – April 24-29
• A Prairie Home Companion – May 12
• Jersey Boys – May 22-June 10
• Kathy Griffin – June 16
• Norah Jones – June 23
High Museum of Art
• Fulton Free Saturdays (1st Saturdays)
• The Art of Golf – February 5-June 24
• KAWS: DOWN TIME – February 18-May 20
• Alejandro Aquilera, About the Modern Spirit –
February 18-May 20
• New Discoveries: George Inness in Italy –
February 25-May 20
Message from the Board
Greetings PPS Homeowners:
First, let me commend the former PPS Master Board for their commitment and dedication to the homeowners of
our community. Second, let me introduce myself. I am Isaac Vines, the new President of the PPS Master
Community Association, which includes the townhomes and common areas, and I am honored to serve as
President in what I believe is one of the best communities in Atlanta.
I want our community to have a strong presence in Atlanta. I will do my best to ensure that we accomplish that
goal, but I need your help and support. We have endured through the toughest of economic times, and yet we
have remained a strong community. Every resident has a voice and I want to ensure that your voices are heard.
Despite the difficult times our community has faced, our financial position has greatly improved and we continue
to meet financial obligations. However, we need every homeowner to commit to paying their homeowner fees
on time. Failure to pay or delayed payments has a direct impact on the various services we provide for our
community’s upkeep, such as building insurance, property lighting, landscaping, property management,
garbage pick-up, pool maintenance, fitness equipment maintenance, etc. The Master Board works diligently in
evaluating our vendors and service providers to ensure we are getting the best quality of service.
I am encouraging each and every homeowner to bring your accounts current, and continue to pay your
homeowner assessment fees on time. If you are facing a financial hardship, please reach out as soon as
possible to Fontella Young, the Property Manager for PPS Master Community Association,
fyoung@cmacommunities.com. For the homeowners that consistently pay their fees fully and timely, I would
personally like to thank you for continuing to support our community.
Based on some of the recent messages posted on the PPS Yahoo Message Board, I am aware there are a
number of safety concerns and challenges faced by our community. My goal is to increase awareness in our
community. However, we must come together as residents to make our voices heard with our elected officials
and local police. The best way to do this is for each of us to take action to protect our own community. First, I
am encouraging each homeowner and resident to introduce yourself to your neighbor if you don’t know them
then exchange contact information. Our neighbors can be our best line of defense in preventing crime by
reporting suspicious activities on our behalf. Second, I urge residents to join the PPS Neighborhood Watch
Committee and become more involved in our community. Inactive communities are more easily targeted by
criminals. So let’s get active and involved.
My goal is to work towards the betterment of our community so that we can make it one of the best
communities in Atlanta. But I cannot say this enough, we need your help! Please stay tuned to the quarterly
PPS newsletter for events concerning our community. If you would like to volunteer on to serve on a PPS
committee or serve on the board, please email us at email address: PPSMasterhoa@gmail.com.
I look forward to working hard for our community and I hope you will join me.
Respectfully,
Isaac E Vines- President
Park Place South Master Community Association
Park Place South Quarterly Newsletter • April – June 2012 Edition
2. 2
Neighborhood Planning Unit News
The City of Atlanta is divided into 25 Neighborhood Planning Units or NPUs, which are citizen advisory councils that make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council
on zoning, land use, and other planning issues.
These meetings discuss police, street works, and other issues that directly impact residents in the area:
• Atlanta Fire Department
• Atlanta Police Department
• Public Works
• Code Enforcement
• City Council (Joyce Sheperd)
• Fulton County District Attorney’s Office
The city of Atlanta’s Alcohol Technical Advisory Group (ATAG) II TO hold THIRD PUBLIC INPUT MEETING on changes to Atlanta’s Alcohol Code.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
WHERE: Rosel Fann Recreation Center Auditorium, 365 Cleveland Avenue, S.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30354
The City of Atlanta’s Alcohol Technical Advisory Group (ATAG) II will hold its third public hearing to hear from the public regarding beer/wine/liquor licensing and
enforcement issues. The hearing is an important opportunity for the public to share its concerns with the ATAG II Board. The Board is composed of 17 members appointed
by the Mayor, City Council and community and business groups. They have been tasked with examining and recommending changes to the City of Atlanta’s Alcohol Code
which deals with the licensing of establishments that sell liquor, beer and wine, as well as the enforcement of such laws. As part of their review, ATAG II is required to
conduct at least one public hearing in each quadrant of the City. The Board is expected to make final recommendations to the City Council by December 2012.
For more information call 404.330.6770 or email mbond@atlantaga.gov.
Atlanta Festivals Lineup
Dogwood Festival. April 20-22. Piedmont Park. Every kind of art imaginable is represented, with a nationally renowned Fine Artist Market that includes sculpture,
paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and more. There’s a Kids Village featuring huge inflatables, arts & crafts and face painting, as well as the 24-foot rock-climbing wall.
SweetWater 420 Fest. April 20-22. Candler Park. Come celebrate Earth Day at the 8th Annual SweetWater 420 Fest. It’s a free event featuring live musical
performances, local art, food vendors, environmental workshops, a comedy tent, crafts, activities for the kids, and more! Those 21 and up are encouraged to purchase a $5
wristband (portions the proceeds fund park improvement projects), which gives them access to SweetWater's lip smackin' brews.
Inman Park Spring Festival. April 27-29. Inman Park. The festival encompasses a range of different events, including musical performances, a dance festival, a tour of
homes, and a parade.
Buckhead Wine Festival. April 28. Andrews Entertainment District. Celebrate the inaugural festival! Sample artisan wines (craft beer and cocktails too!) from around the
globe, shop at the pop-up market and tempt your taste buds with delicious food from local businesses. The event supports the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Fiesta Atlanta. May 6. Centennial Olympic Park. Atlanta's premier Hispanic outdoor festival and the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the southeast. A multicultural
celebration with Mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing, a 5K race, youth soccer clinics, free product samples, arts and crafts, and authentic international foods.
Riverfest 2012 Music & Art Festival. May 12. Argos Atlanta. Riverfest 2012 will include live music, art, food, beer and wine, with activities for children of all ages. This
fourth annual family friendly event will benefit Riverwalk Atlanta, a proposed new regional park along the Chattahoochee River in the City of Atlanta.
24th Annual Atlanta Carribean Carnival. May 26. Downtown Atlanta (Peachtree St). The Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association welcomes one and all to an
all-encompassing celebration of Caribbean culture. Beginning on West Peachtree Street and ending with the Festival Village on historic Auburn Avenue.
Virginia-Highland Summerfest 2012. June 2-3. Visitors to the 29th annual festival can celebrate the beginning of summer by shopping for original art in a variety of media
– and by enjoying great food and an exceptional array of live music. Also features a 5K race and activities designed for children in the KidsFest area in John Howell Park.
3. 3
Money-Saving Tax Tips
The 2011 tax season is coming to an end, but it’s no better time to start preparing for 2012! You may have decided to visit your usual tax preparation office or prepare your
taxes yourself. Either way, it would be helpful to keep in mind potential credits and deductions to ensure you receive your maximum refund this year and the upcoming
years.
Charitable contributions
Taxpayers that file itemized deductions instead of the standard deduction can claim donations to non-profit organizations. Be sure not to overlook donations in the form of
memberships to museums or nonprofit event tickets that may be partially deductible. Also make note of payroll deductions to charities that are often listed on your last
paystub of the year.
Donations of clothing and other non-monetary items are sometimes the most difficult to value, since organizations will provide only blank acknowledgement receipts.
Goodwill developed a guide to help donors assess the value of their items. The guide can be found at http://www.goodwill.org/wp-
content/uploads/2010/12/Donation_Valuation_Guide.pdf. An additional tax form is required for donations valuing more than $500 and a qualified appraisal is required for
donations worth more than $5,000.
Education Credits
The American Opportunity Credit allows students in the first 4 years of post-secondary school to receive a credit of up to $2,500. The credit is calculated based on amounts
spent on qualified educational expenses including tuition, books, supplies and equipment. Students must be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period
during the year in order to qualify for the credit.
The Lifetime Learning credit is a credit of up to $2,000 for students who are completing more than 4 years of post-secondary education. The courses can be for an
additional degree or to acquire or improve job skills. Students do not have to be enrolled at least half time for this credit. Taking just one or more courses makes a student
eligible for the Lifetime Learning credit.
Qualified expenses are not limited to tuition, books, supplies and equipment. Even expenses not refunded when a student withdraws or expenses paid with proceeds from
a loan qualify for the credit. Also, expenses occurred during the first 3 months of 2012 can be claimed on 2011 taxes.
Casualty, Disaster and Theft Loss
Losses relating to your home, household items and vehicles can be claimed by taxpayers who itemize deductions. Deductible loss can occur from damages from weather
related disasters or theft. However, the amount of the deductible loss is always reduced by insurance reimbursements.
Residential Energy Credits
Credits for making energy efficiency improvements in your home have been extended for 2011. Improvements include adding insulation, replacing exterior windows and
doors, and installing energy efficient heating and air conditioning units. In order to qualify for the credit, the improvements must be made on the taxpayer’s principal
residence.
If you have questions about your taxes, the IRS provides free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) at various locations throughout metro-Atlanta. VITA sites are staffed
by IRS-certified volunteers who can provide free basic income tax preparation and answer questions about certain credits. To find the location of a VITA site, visit
http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ or call 1.800.906.9887.
Atlanta BeltLine Northside 5K & Field Day
Join your neighbors for the 2nd Annual Atlanta BeltLine Northside 5K and Field Day featuring activities for the whole family. From frisbee tosses to wheelbarrow races,
individual and team challenges offer even more opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Tanyard Creek Park. Register for the 5K and plan to stay after for fun activities and
prizes. The 5K is a run/walk along the Atlanta BeltLine Northside Trail and through Collier Hills, Collier Hills North, and Ardmore Park neighborhoods.
When: Saturday, April 28th at 8:00 AM - arrive by 7:00 AM; Field Day activities will begin immediately following the race at approximately 8:50 AM
Where: Tanyard Creek Park, 460 Collier Rd., Atlanta, GA 30309
Visit www.beltline.org to register for the Atlanta Beltline Northside 5K and signup for the Field Day Fun!
4. 4
Important Contact Information
Community Management Associates
404.835.9100
Specialized Management Services, LLC
770.587.4855
Joyce Sheperd, City Councilmember District 12
404.330.6053
Non-Emergency Police Calls
404.658.6666
Major Cavender (Zone 3 Interim Commander)
404.245.8038
Crime Stoppers Atlanta
404.577.8477
Police Department (General Information)
404.853.3434
Missed Trash & Bulk Rubbish Pick-ups
404.330.6053
Pot Holes, Garbage Collection, Street
Maintenance 404.768.4653
Recycling
404.330.6333
Solid Waste Services
(Household Waste, Yard Trimmings)
404.330.6333
Tax Commissioner
404.710.6100
Traffic/Transportation (Lights, Street Signs)
404.330.6501
Trees Down Hotline
404.817.6813
Voter Registration
404.730.7072
Water lssues
404.658.6500
Volunteer Opportunities
Agency: HouseProud Atlanta
Description: Provides senior and disabled homeowners with high-quality no-cost repairs through an
emphasis on community partnerships. HouseProud’s goal is to allow senior to remain warm, safe
and dry in their existing homes and remain an important thread in the fabric of their communities.
Volunteers of all skill sets are welcome to contribute to repairs. Skilled volunteers are
particularly helpful for their more complex projects.
Location:
HouseProud Atlanta
55 Ormond Street
Atlanta, GA 30315
Ph. 404.880.0054
www.houseproudatlanta.org
For more information on how to get involved contact Jonathan Kidwell at 404.880.0054, ext 20 or via
email at Jonathan.Kidwell@HouseProudAtlanta.org.
Feedback, Questions & Suggestions
Got feedback, questions, and/or suggestions regarding the newsletter? Please send them to
PPSCommunications@yahoo.com
Crime Stoppers Atlanta
You can anonymously report drug activity and give other crime tips for the
City of Atlanta by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404.577.TIPS (8477)
or by visiting the Crime Stoppers website at www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org.
Fun Facts about Zoo Atlanta
Ready to learn? Here are a few fun facts about Zoo Atlanta!
• Founded in 1889, Zoo Atlanta is Atlanta’s oldest cultural institution.
• One of 10 oldest zoos in continuous operation in the United States.
• Houses a collection of more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species worldwide.
• Spans nearly 40 acres of lush landscapes and botanicals.
• Home of the nation’s largest collection of gorillas and zoological collection of orangutans.
• One of only 9 zoos in the world listed in Frommer’s “500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They
Grow Up”.