1. Park Place South Quarterly Newsletter • October – December 2012 Edition
Holidays
Columbus Day – October 8
Halloween – October 31
Veterans Day – November 12
Thanksgiving – November 22
Christmas – December 25
Neighborhood Meetings
Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) Meetings
Dates: October 15, November 19, December 17
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: John Birdine Neighborhood Center
215 Lakewood Way, SW
Atlanta, GA 30315
Community Events
Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
 Rascal Flatts with Little Big Town – Oct 20
 Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson – Oct 25
Fox Theatre
 Dispatch – Oct 12
 Australian Pink Floyd – Oct 13
 R.Kelly – Oct18
 Theresa Caputo – Oct 24
 STS9 – Oct 26-27
 Frankie Valli – Nov 1
 Celtic Thunder – Nov 4
 Heart – Nov 7
 Chris Tucker – Nov 10
 Martina McBride – Nov 23
 Mannheim Steamroller – Nov 27-Dec 2
 Beauty and The Beast – Nov 27-Dec 2
 Atlanta Ballet Nutcracker – Dec 7-26
Philips Arena
 Disney On Ice Presents Rockin’ Ever After –
Oct 10-14
 An Evening With Dr. David Jeremiah – Oct 25
 WWE Hell In A Cell – Oct 28
 Madonna 2012 World Tour – Nov 17
 Kevin Hart – Dec 1
 Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival – Dec 16
Message from the Board
First, I would like to say that is has truly been a pleasure serving as President. I would like to thank
everyone for their support. It has truly been a promising year for Park Place South homeowners and
residents. Because of your continued support, our financial position has greatly improved from last
year and we continue to meet our financial obligations. I would like to thank each and every
homeowner that has kept their accounts current and those whom have made arrangement to bring
their balances current.
The PPS Master Board has made some significant changes to address many of the issues we
continue to face within our community. We will continue to evaluate our vendors to ensure we are
receiving the best service for our HOA fees. We have also revitalized several committees to assist
the board with management of our vendors. I would personally like to thank the following
committees: Pool Committee, Landscaping Committee, Publications and Communications
Committee, and Architectural Committee.
The PPS Board is pleased to announce the following enhancements to our community for the year
2012:
 Termite Bond and Treatment
 Rat Bait Stations
 New Garbage Dumpsters
 Landscaping Enhancements
 Sewer Enhancements
 New Pool Furniture
 Limited Security for Pool Season
We will continue to aggressively monitor our delinquent accounts to ensure that we are doing
everything possible to bring those accounts current. There is a growing concern regarding the
exterior maintenance, and I applaud our homeowners who have taken the initiative to address their
exterior concerns. Remember, we are in a fee-simple townhome community in which owners are
responsible for interior and exterior maintenance. If you would like any information on referrals for
addressing your or exterior needs you may contact Fontella Young at (404) 835-9100, ext. 126 or
fyoung@cmacommunities.com for assistance.
I look forward to meeting each homeowner at this year’s annual HOA meeting December 5 from
7PM-9PM at the John Birdine Neighborhood Center located at 215 Lakewood Way, SW.
Respectfully,
Isaac Vines- President
Park Place South Master Association
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 Opportunity
Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless (HFTH)
Description: Founded in 1971 by civil rights icons Rev. Hosea and Juanita T. Williams, HFTH
distributes more than $3.0 billion in food, clothing, medical, educational, toiletries, furniture and
cleaning supplies to 16 Georgia counties, three states and to the Philippines, the Ivory Coast and
Uganda. It follows the principle that education and self-help must fortify charity work so recipients
learn to break the cycle of poverty. HFTH prevents homelessness by providing rent, mortgage, and
utility assistance, financial literacy and GED classes, distribution of school supplies and book bags to
children, annual Christmas children’s party, intensive case management and support to programs to
teach recipients how to develop small businesses and co-ops while providing leadership training to
independent farmers.
Volunteers are needed to assist with the administrative tasks, annual inventory and set-up
and food preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner on November 22.
For more information, visit www.hoseafeedthehungry.com or click here to register.
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 Fernbank Museum
Ready to learn? Here are a few fun facts about Fernbank Museum!
 Covers more than 160,000 square feet on the edge of the historic Fernbank Forest in Atlanta.
 Permanent exhibitions include A Walk through Time in Georgia, which traces Georgia's natural
history and the development of earth's geography and environment.
 Home of 5,000 year old artifacts found on St. Catherines Island, one of the best-documented
human history landscapes in the Southeast that includes evidence of prehistoric human activity.
 The Star Gallery uses more than six miles of fiber-optic wires to reproduce the nighttime sky.
 The museum’s 40,000 limestone floor tiles that contain fossil remains.

2. 2
$ Smart Holiday Budgeting $
With the holidays upon us, we tend to spend more than usual, giving gifts, preparing for the holidays, and traveling to visit family. We find it more difficult to stick to our
budget during the holiday season. But it doesn’t have to be. We just have to prepare before the holiday season and be resolved to stick to our budget. To help us stay on
track of our budget during the holidays, let’s implement a few practical guidelines and tips:
 Open a Holiday Savings Account for holiday expenses – gifts, traveling, etc. You can try automating your savings by having $50 to $100 a month automatically
transferred to your holiday savings account every pay period. Begin at the beginning of the year and by the time the holiday season arrives, you should have built up a
healthy nest egg for your holiday spending.
 Prepare a Holiday Shopping List and Stick to it. If you can, try only purchasing items that are on sale or for which you have a coupon. You will be surprised how
much money you can save with this pre-shopping plan. It combats impulse shopping and keeps you focused on the items on your list.
 Find and Use Coupons to Reduce Your Holiday Shopping Expenses. You can find coupons in the sales circulars in the Sunday newspaper and by going online
and entering the name of the store and the word “coupon”. If you ever signed up online for an account at your favorite store’s website or given your e-mail address to
the cashier, you may receive coupons via e-mail. Be sure to use them before the expiration date to save yourself lots of money.
 Do Not Spend Over Your Limit. I know this is so much easier said than done. However, it’s easier to achieve if you have a Holiday Savings Account. You can
withdraw cash from your account and only spend the cash you bring with you. Get off the credit card merry-go-round and try paying for your holiday purchases with
cash. That way you won’t have a shocking credit card bill come January and you won’t have to pay that nasty credit card interest.
 Set Dollar Limits on Gifts and/or Pull Names for Gifts. Let’s face it if you have a large family, giving gifts can get really expensive. If you haven’t already done so, try
pulling names this year. That way you only have to buy one gift and everyone is happy because everyone gets a gift. Also, set a dollar limit on the gifts, like spending
no more than $10 or $20 per gift.
 Gift your Personal Items or Make Gifts. In this economy, I’m pretty sure our loved ones will appreciate the thought behind the gift more than the price tag of the gift.
You’d be surprised. Sometimes, a personal item or a handmade gift can be more treasured than something bought at a store.
Neighborhood Planning Unit News
Major Expansion to City’s Curbside Recycling Program: Mayor Kasim Reed announced an aggressive expansion of Atlanta’s residential recycling program in hopes to
becoming a top tier city for sustainability. Beginning October 15, the City of Atlanta will deliver 96-gallon recycling carts to 66,000 households, at the rate of one thousand
per day. The citywide distribution of carts is a key component of the City’s sustainability plan, Power to Change, which has a long-term goal of achieving 90 percent diversion
of municipal waste by 2020, among other measures. For more information, please visit the Office of Sustainability at www.atlantaga.gov/sustainability.
Fulton Taxpayers Invited to Give Input for 2013 Budget: The Fulton County Board of Commissioners is hosting a series of public hearings to receive input and
suggestions on the 2013 General Fund and South Fulton Tax District Fund budgets. The public hearings will provide Fulton County citizens an opportunity to obtain
information about the budget process and to lend their voice to decision making. One of the topics being discussed on the agenda is potential further cuts to library hours.
Your support for libraries at hearings, through emails, letters and phone calls is critical. The Board of Commissioners welcomes and encourages all residents to participate
in the hearings which are scheduled as follows: October 16, 10AM at Harriet G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility, 677 Fairburn Road NW; October 17, 6PM at Helene S.
Mills Senior Multipurpose Center Theater, 515 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue; and January 2, 10AM at Fulton County Government Center, Assembly Hall, 141 Pryor Street.
Fulton County 2011 Annual Report and 2012 Budget: The Fulton County 2011 Annual Report and the 2012 Budget-In-Brief are now available. Download your copy and
see how your county is at work for you. Click here to download the 2011 Annual Report. Click here to download the 2012 Budget-In-Brief.
Fulton County Health Services Promotes Adult Immunizations: Immunizations are important so that adults may protect themselves and those they are in close contact
with from serious diseases and illnesses. Throughout an adult's life, immunizations are needed to maintain protection against diseases and illnesses such as the flu and
shingles. Adults should talk to their health care provider about needed vaccines. Fore more information, click here.
Fulton County Cooperative Extension Partners with the GreenHouse Foundation: Fulton County Cooperative Extension has partnered with the GreenHouse
Foundation to provide curriculum support and gardening training through their agricultural and family sciences programs at the Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy
(SACA). SACA will serve as a host school offering classes and demonstrations for parents, teachers and students. For more information, please call (404) 332-2400.
~Holiday Happenings~
Oct 5-Nov 3: Netherworld Haunted House. Georgia Antique and Design Center, 7:30PM -11:00PM. Named one of the most influential haunted houses of all time.
Featured on CNN, The Daily Show and Travel Channel, see what the screams are all about. Price: $22-$50. To purchase tickets, please visit www.fearworld.com.
Oct 27: Grant Park Halloween Parades. Grant Park Boulevard Lot and Entrance, Atlanta, 5:30PM-8:30PM. Join hundreds of people as we light up Grant Park with the
spooktacular Grant Park Halloween Kids’ Costume and Lantern Parade! Kids' costume parade starts at 5:30PM followed by picnics at the gazebo and a 7:30PM Lantern
Parade! Line up in the park Gazebo off Berne Street. Price: Free. For more information, please visit www.gpconservancy.org/node/616.
Nov 17-Jan 5: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Glimmering with more than 1 million lights, the show will blanket the Garden's 30 acres in every
shimmering color. New sparkling attractions include "Liquid Lights" in the Cascades Garden, the "Starry Night Walk", inspired by Van Gogh's famous painting, and
"Orchestral Orbs" - a one-of-a-kind topiary light show choreographed to holiday music. Price $11-$20. To purchase tickets, please visit www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
Nov 19-Feb 18: Snow Mountain. Stone Mountain Park. Situated on what is commonly known as the “Laser Lawn,” the snow park features the Avalanche Alley family tube
ride and the Snow Zone area where younger kids can tube, make the ultimate snowmen and snow angels and throw snowballs at a snowball shooting gallery. After playing
in the snow, warm up at the crackling bonfires, roast marshmallows & enjoy s’mores. Price: $17-$27. To purchase tickets, please visit www.snowmountainpark.com.
Nov 30 & Dec 1-2: Spelman & Morehouse 86th Annual Christmas Carol Concert: Friday, Nov 30, and Sunday, Dec 2 in King Chapel on the campus of Morehouse, and
Saturday, Dec 1 in Sisters Chapel on the campus of Spelman. 7:30PM on Friday and Saturday, and at 6PM on Sunday. Price: Free, but a ticket is required for Saturday.
Please call the Spelman Department of Music at (404) 270-5476 for Saturday tickets. For more information, please visit www.morehouse.edu/academics/music/concert.html.
National Save For Retirement Week
Congress has set aside a week in October to highlight the importance of saving for retirement - National Save for Retirement Week. With the state of social security and
even pension plans being in constant turmoil, it is becoming more important for us to develop our own savings plans to be prepared for retirement. The tagline for this year’s
savings week is It’s Closer Than You Think. I am sure any person in the Baby Boomer generation would agree that retirement seems to happen before you know it. We
definitely do not want to reach age 65 only to realize that we do not have enough to retire comfortably. Now is the time to begin saving and there are many options available
through employers as well as investment companies, banks and credit unions.
The 401K is probably the most common employer offered retirement plan. If you work for a governmental agency, you may also have an option of a 457 plan, which is
similar to a 401K. If either of these plans are available to you, take advantage. The benefits are even greater if your employer matches your contributions. There is
absolutely no reason to pass on free money from your employer. The match could allow you to reach your savings goals without causing a strain on your monthly income.
For example, consider that saving $60 a month in a tax deferred savings account for 30 years at 7% return would earn you $73,000 for retirement. If your employer offers a
dollar for dollar match, you would only have to save $30 to reach this $60 monthly goal. The only catch is that employers usually require you to work a certain number of
years before you are considered vested and can keep the matching funds.
If you are self-employed or want additional retirement options than employer plans, consider opening an IRA account. The two most common forms of Individual Retirement
Accounts are Traditional or Roth. The Traditional IRA defers taxes until retirement when your tax bracket may be lower. Roth IRA funds have been taxed before the deposit
and will not be taxed again upon withdrawal. Meet with a financial advisor to find out which IRA option would be best for your situation
No matter how you save be sure to provide your savings information to your tax accountant. You do not want to miss out on the deductions for retirement savings. The
Saver’s Credit allows individuals who meet certain adjusted gross income amounts to take a tax credit of up to $1,000 (married filing jointly can receive up to $2,000). Many
people also qualify to take a deduction for amounts contributed to a Traditional IRA. Not only will you be building your retirement nest egg but you can receive tax benefits
as well.