Dunwoody elections will include local district council members in November.
That is, each of the three districts will elect a representative that is only voted on by residents of that district.
Here's the current lineup:
District 1 (West)
Denny Shortal
District 2 (Central)
Heyward Wescott
District 3 (East)
Doug Thompson
No one else (as far as my "IN" box is concerned) has declared their candidacy. So it's too early to speculate as to how heated the process will get.
I do predict that if the seats are contested there will be some arguments as to whether the merits of each candidate should be debated by those living in different districts, who will not be voting on them.
Any more hats flying in?
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Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
Zoning Rewrite - no more ice cream trucks!
The Zoning Rewrite has passed Community Council in June with some modifications.
Here are the full details
CC seemed to be satisfied with the boundaries defining home occupations, backyard gardening, garage sales, subdivision redevelopment, and other stereotypical "hot button" issues that the usual suspects are afraid of.
But ice cream trucks are a nuisance.
You head that right, gang! Because food trucks are "in" and required clear definitions to be allowed, traditional ice cream trucks with their little bells and calliope tunes are banned.
Quoted from the above memo at City Hall. (emphases added)
My kids want to start a riot. Who's in?
Here are the full details
CC seemed to be satisfied with the boundaries defining home occupations, backyard gardening, garage sales, subdivision redevelopment, and other stereotypical "hot button" issues that the usual suspects are afraid of.
But ice cream trucks are a nuisance.
You head that right, gang! Because food trucks are "in" and required clear definitions to be allowed, traditional ice cream trucks with their little bells and calliope tunes are banned.
Quoted from the above memo at City Hall. (emphases added)
It is important to note, the attached meeting minutes from the Community Council meeting
provide information on all the topics discussed. While the majority of topics received
clarification during the scheduled meeting, Staff was charged with looking into the
correlation between food trucks and ice cream trucks. The drafted ordinance, in Chapter 27,
Article 8, defines food trucks as “a licensed motor vehicle or other mobile food dispensation
unit that is temporarily parked outside of the right-of-way and in which food items are sold
to the general public.” Pursuant to Section 18-19(b)(16), ice cream trucks would fall under “sound trucks,” which are mechanical loudspeakers or amplifiers on trucks or other moving
or standing vehicles for advertising or other commercial purposes. Such vehicles are
declared to be loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noise in violation of the noise ordinance
regulations. Therefore, because of the noise they emit and the fact that retail sales are not
a permitted use in residential districts, ice cream trucks are prohibited.
My kids want to start a riot. Who's in?
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Happy July 4
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Dunwoody's 4th of July Always Goes Swimmingly
This year, probably more literally than others.
This is the official DHA parade rain policy, straight from dunwoodyga.org
This is the official DHA parade rain policy, straight from dunwoodyga.org
Rain Rain Go Away Come Again Another Day!
SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY!
We will not cancel the night before.
We will setup and be ready to go even though there might be some drizzle – or even some claps of thunder – by parade time it could be gone.
Dunwoody Police will determine if a delay is required.
Dunwoody Police will make the decision at 9:00 AM if it looks like an electrical storm and we cannot proceed safely.
For the latest information, please like Dunwoody Homeowners Association on facebook.
Boy Scout Troop 266 BBQ Meals:
If the parade is cancelled and it is raining then anyone with meal pre-orders can pick up their meals at the Troop tent. If it is lightning, then please come to the back of Dunwoody United Methodist Church for pickup.
In other news, Chamblee has postponed their fireworks until Sunday, July 7 (same time, 5 - 10 PM)
If you're a parent like me who is seriously, if regretfully, reconsidering slogging the household through soggy ground, camping out in the usual spot and waiting til 9 AM to determine if the parade will happen, consider the following option:
Happy July 4th!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
UPDATED. Christmas For Kids Returns Early in 2013
Report on drive by CBS Atlanta News
Dunwoody Police are starting a special Christmas For Kids drive this weekend (June 29 & 30) to assist the 10 families that were displaced by the fire at Lacota Apartments this week.
Dunwoody Police are starting a special Christmas For Kids drive this weekend (June 29 & 30) to assist the 10 families that were displaced by the fire at Lacota Apartments this week.
From Channel 11 (with video)
60 residents displaced by DeKalb County apartment fire
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| Photo from Dunwoody Police via Facebook |
From Dunwoody Police via Facebook
Christmas for Kids is being called to action! As some of you might already know, an entire building at the Lacota Apartments was lost to a fire on Wednesday June 26th. We’ve learned that 10 families lost everything. Fortunately, the families were relocated to other apartments in the same community but are in need of clothing of all sorts for young and old, males and females. Household goods and non-perishables are also needed. We’re partnering with our friends at I Care Atlanta and coordinating a weekend clothing and food drive. If you’d like to donate come to the Georgetown Plaza and look for the I Care Atlanta truck and Dunwoody Police Van. Personnel will be on sight. Donation times are as follows:
Saturday June 29th 9 AM to 1 PM
Sunday June 30th 1 PM to 5 PM
If you have any questions contact Sgt. Fidel Espinoza at 678-382-6913.
DPD will also post updates on this drive via their Facebook page. They are also willing to make arrangements to pick up larger items (furniture, etc) if you contact Sgt Espinoza above for details.
The apartment complexes on PIB are just as much a part of Dunwoody as any other community or subdivision. Let's turn out in force and get these families the help they need in this tough time. It's the same thing we would call for in support of any other family or homeowner in town.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Talkin' Trash
I saw a DeKalb County truck lifting piles of branches off the curb on Tilly Mill this afternoon. Debris of that size and amount requires a specialized crane-equipped truck. I've heard some grumbling about how long it has taken for DeKalb to remove the storm-damaged trees. However, you'll probably be surprised to know that removing debris of that magnitude is not covered by our regular trash fees. The crews on the trucks need your help and cooperation in removing whatever fell during that storm.
From the City of Dunwoody via Facebook:
Storm Debris Pick-Up
The City has reached out to DeKalb County Sanitation Department regarding the remaining storm debris.
The county will pick up the debris from the storms. However, the limbs, sticks, and leaves must be properly prepared for pickup.
Standard Pick-up:
1. Limbs should be cut into 4-foot or shorter lengths
2. Tied and bundled or placed in proper containers
a. Approved containers include durable metal and plastic containers or durable biodegradable paper bags
3. Weight may not exceed 50 lbs
4. Call DeKalb Sanitation at (404) 294-2900 if there are large piles of yard debris at the curbside not meeting the restrictions, or if your yard debris has not been serviced on the scheduled day by 2:00 p.m.
Special Collection:
Special collection services are provided for a fee to residents to properly dispose of yard waste that is unbundled or cannot be lifted by hand and other large debris items. These special items are collected using specialized vehicles and are not included in the annual residential assessments. For scheduling call DeKalb Sanitation at (404) 294-2900.
You can visit the DeKalb Sanitation website at http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/publicwrks/sanitation/san_Residential_Special_Pickup.html
You can also contact them by email at sanitation@co.dekalb.ga.us.
While on the topic of trash, be mindful of what you put out on the curb twice a week. There's a perception that anything you put out, DeKalb Sanitation will pick up. Not only is this not accurate (paint cans come to mind...) but it can be downright dangerous.
From CBS Atlanta (emphases added)
Two injured when oxygen tank explodes in Marietta garbage truckMARIETTA, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Two people were injured Friday morning, when a discarded oxygen tank dumped into a garbage truck exploded.
It happened around 8 a.m. on Brentwood Drive in Marietta.
William Smith sustained serious injuries to both eyes, and was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. He saw an eye specialist on Friday afternoon. Marvin Markham suffered a laceration to the cheek, and was treated at the scene.
It's something the two sanitation workers on their normal route did not expect.
"I heard it, it woke me up," neighbor Eva Board said.
A neighbor put two oxygen tanks out with the trash. One exploded.
"There was like an explosion. It was literally like a bomb," neighbor Freda Heyen said.
Pieces of debris flew as far as four houses away. Supervisor David Tiggs said this is a reminder of the danger of the job.
"It could have been a little bit more, it could have been the loss of an eye, but we ask homeowners to call us and notify us when they have items such as this, so we can tell them how to dispose of it properly," said Cobb County Sanitation Supervisor David Tiggs.
Police said the oxygen tanks came from a home where a woman recently passed away. Her son, in from out of town, pulled up as CBS Atlanta was on the scene.
"I had cleaners come through, and I'm not sure what was put in the trash bags that I took out," Justin Schmidt said.
As soon as he learned someone was injured, Schmidt said, "I got to get down there. I've got to go to the hospital."
Neighbors hope this serves as a reminder for everyone to be careful what you throw out.
"It is very scary. These gentlemen do us a great service, and we need to take care of them, and be responsible and think about what we put out at our curbs," Heyen said.
Sanitation is one of the few departments that DeKalb gets right. The crews on the trucks deserve some consideration from us to stay safe on their routes.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Dunwoody at Dusk Starts Tomorrow
The Chamber and CVB have had plans in the works for months on this summer series of events at Dunwoody's many "hearts".
Park Place is first up. Many of you are going to be on your way home through the Perimeter anyway so it's a great chance to stop off and enjoy the samples, entertainment, special offers and raffles.
Both Alon's and McKendrick's are among the participants. Enough said!
Up to the minute news is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DunwoodyAtDusk
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| Current list of specials and offers at the first Dunwoody at Dusk at Park Place on June 21. |
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
INTRODUCING: WineShoe Atlanta
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| Open the site and you're there - this is WineShoe decked out for a paired wine/cheese tasting. |
www.WineShoeAtlanta.com
When I received an email from Nora Wiley with an RFP for a new website, the first question in my head is, "Where did she come up with "Wine Shoe"?
The Answer: someone in the City of Atlanta made a typo in her applications for a wine shoP. After a ton of red tape and still no correction, she decided to leave the name as is. WineShoe Atlanta was born.
WineShoe is a boutique wine store, wine classroom, and event facility in Castleberry Hill, on the ground floor of the Castleberry Point Lofts. Castleberry Hill was an industrial district in the 1920s and has been revitalized as the hippest, coolest, artistic sector of the city. Think Rent or La Boheme. Think Flashdance. Except these factories-converted-to-lofts are far more upscale.
Nora collects wine from "off the beaten path" vineyards all around the world and hosts tasting classes in the shop. Not only frequented by locals, it is a popular destination with downtown employees who work within walking distance and tourists soaking up the funky art-community atmosphere. Visitors from Georgia to as far away as New Zealand have booked her wine tasting classes weeks in advance.
WineShoe Atlanta is the kind of project website designers drool over. My only directive was "Be creative." WineShoeAtlanta.com has to reflect and portray the creative, artistic, and hip neighborhood where it resides.
The website is based on WordPress with a custom theme that goes beyond the standard trap of giant rectangle color blocks and an obligatory generic slideshow. Nora has collected an impressive library of images from her professional photographer friends. Those images became the backgrounds of the site: there is no need for a photo gallery. The fun and finesse of WineShoe comes through on every page.
From a functional standpoint there were two critical elements. The site had to have an impressive mobile component. More than 15% of WineShoe's visitors are using a mobile device - a huge percentage, even factoring in the recent jump in tablet usage. Most sites in my repetoire average 5-7% mobile usage, even with mobile friendly features.
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| WineShoe's mobile website with the menu expanded. All functions available on the desktop/laptop site are usable on tablets and smartphones. An essential for a destination for shoppers on the go, whether from work, or visiting tourists. iPhone/iPad users can add a desktop icon to their device to access the site quickly and linked phone numbers make calling the shop easy with just one tap. |
It is also easy to book WineShoe for private parties and corporate events.
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| It takes less than a minute to securely register for a wine tasting class at WineShoe. |
Enjoy!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Dunwoody-Style Moneyball
What is a "Dunwoody" Festival?
My three kids and husband (read: four kids) and I were hanging out at the first Food Truck Thursday in Brook Run and I was mentally making notes on which of these mobile enterprises had mobile-friendly websites, who promoted the event on their site, their social media, and who had visible QR codes on their trucks. My next post was going to be a commentary on the new necessity of mobile-friendly websites and web media. (It's still in the hopper, I promise.)
Five years into existence and the race is on for THE ultimate "festival" experience. Everyone has an idea for a "community" event. One that will "bring everyone out". Just have fun. And of course - earn some money, or lay the groundwork and name recognition for money-making in the future. Every idea floated around from the DHA to the Chamber, to the CVB, to City Council itself is conceived somewhere else and a local fan wants to copy or "recreate" it.
So instead of going with personal tastes and other subjective criteria, let's go straight to the stats and eyeball what works and what doesn't.
The most successful "community events" in Dunwoody (in no particular order)
Least Successful:
The Nature Center has an annual concert series that seems to be an exception to the above but it is unclear whether visitors are coming for the music, or to enjoy the Center where they are already members. Do the numbers for the concert series come even close to the Butterfly Festival, which fits two of the above three criteria? Comments are open for more input.
Another observation is that it is irrelevant whether or not the festival and its vendors are from Dunwoody, or whether the sponsoring organization is "for profit" or "not for profit". In the examples above, the only festival that makes money for Dunwoody is Lemonade Days: the Dunwoody Preservation Trust raises money to preserve and improve properties around the city, minus whatever cash the carnies drive off with along with their rides and attractions. (Update: the carnival company is Dunwoody-owned, per the comments. Confirmation pending.)
Chick-fil-A is a nationwide chain that makes no bones (pun intended) about their profit motive. All hail the marketing department and their social media campaign with contest to bring about Dunwoody ChickStock!
Dunwoody Arts Festival - produced by Splash Festivals, based in Norcross. Were there any artists selling wares that were based in Dunwoody? I didn't notice any.
Food Truck Thursdays - the promoter is from Atlanta and only one of the five trucks is owned an operated by a Dunwoody resident. (Update: supposedly two, Hail Ceasar and one other - pending confirmation.)
Dunwoody Green Market - not mentioned above but outdoor markets are part of "the latest thing" in "community events" and warrants a review. The mailing address for the organization is in Cumming and I could not find any Dunwoody-based or -owned vendors.
It doesn't seem like a big deal but consider: Dunwoody as a city and community is losing money with most of these festivals. Vendors and organizers set up shop to sell to the Dunwoody community, and then take the money elsewhere. We're a cash cow. Is that OK? Or do we want to generate festivals and events that bring money into Dunwoody's coffers?
Comments are open. Discuss.
My three kids and husband (read: four kids) and I were hanging out at the first Food Truck Thursday in Brook Run and I was mentally making notes on which of these mobile enterprises had mobile-friendly websites, who promoted the event on their site, their social media, and who had visible QR codes on their trucks. My next post was going to be a commentary on the new necessity of mobile-friendly websites and web media. (It's still in the hopper, I promise.)
Five years into existence and the race is on for THE ultimate "festival" experience. Everyone has an idea for a "community" event. One that will "bring everyone out". Just have fun. And of course - earn some money, or lay the groundwork and name recognition for money-making in the future. Every idea floated around from the DHA to the Chamber, to the CVB, to City Council itself is conceived somewhere else and a local fan wants to copy or "recreate" it.
The most successful "community events" in Dunwoody (in no particular order)
- 4th of July Parade
- Lemonade Days
- Light Up Dunwoody
- Arts Festival (Mother's Day weekend)
- Food Truck Thursday launch
Least Successful:
- Dunwoody Fair (by unknown promoter)
- Music Festival 2011
This isn't including one-offs like "ChickStock" at the newly-opened Chick-fil-A on Jett Ferry that was covered by local news outlets.
Successful festivals and events in Dunwoody - whether they are longstanding traditions or recent developments - have the following traits in common:
- Food
- Shopping
- Entertainment that is geared toward or engages children
"Live Music" is the huge fad in recent years. However, there is little to show that live music is a big draw in Dunwoody. When the chili cook-off changed over to a dedicated "music festival", attendance numbers dropped off, in spite of professional promotion and a headline act of national talent. Even earlier, in 2010, with Banks & Shane as headliners, there was more attention paid to the chili, city logo reveal, and fireworks than the performance.
Lemonade Days 2013 boasted new "live music" and yet, as the Dunwoody Talk blog noted, there was little attention paid to the bands. The Food Truck Thursdays kickoff had crowds milling about the parking lot and grassy areas between the skate park and kids playground, and about two-dozen people paying attention to the acts that could not be heard anywhere near the trucks.
The Nature Center has an annual concert series that seems to be an exception to the above but it is unclear whether visitors are coming for the music, or to enjoy the Center where they are already members. Do the numbers for the concert series come even close to the Butterfly Festival, which fits two of the above three criteria? Comments are open for more input.
Another observation is that it is irrelevant whether or not the festival and its vendors are from Dunwoody, or whether the sponsoring organization is "for profit" or "not for profit". In the examples above, the only festival that makes money for Dunwoody is Lemonade Days: the Dunwoody Preservation Trust raises money to preserve and improve properties around the city, minus whatever cash the carnies drive off with along with their rides and attractions. (Update: the carnival company is Dunwoody-owned, per the comments. Confirmation pending.)
Chick-fil-A is a nationwide chain that makes no bones (pun intended) about their profit motive. All hail the marketing department and their social media campaign with contest to bring about Dunwoody ChickStock!
Dunwoody Arts Festival - produced by Splash Festivals, based in Norcross. Were there any artists selling wares that were based in Dunwoody? I didn't notice any.
Food Truck Thursdays - the promoter is from Atlanta and only one of the five trucks is owned an operated by a Dunwoody resident. (Update: supposedly two, Hail Ceasar and one other - pending confirmation.)
Dunwoody Green Market - not mentioned above but outdoor markets are part of "the latest thing" in "community events" and warrants a review. The mailing address for the organization is in Cumming and I could not find any Dunwoody-based or -owned vendors.
It doesn't seem like a big deal but consider: Dunwoody as a city and community is losing money with most of these festivals. Vendors and organizers set up shop to sell to the Dunwoody community, and then take the money elsewhere. We're a cash cow. Is that OK? Or do we want to generate festivals and events that bring money into Dunwoody's coffers?
Comments are open. Discuss.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Domain Name Registration Prices Are Going Up
When you renew your domain name, whether it's with el-cheapo GoDaddy or el-expensiveo Register.com, you're going to have to pay more.
According to an alert I just received from Register.com, VeriSign (the authority that doles out domain names) just upped their prices. So your registrar (the company you bought your domain name from) is going to up their prices as well. Note, they are not limited to just their cost increase. Register.com promises only to pass on the actual cost; others can add on anything they want and are legally entitled to do so.
See below....
ICANN Registry Price Increases
VeriSign and PIR have announced the registry price for NET, ORG and NAME domain names are increasing their registration fee. This ICANN-approved rate increase affects all domain name registrars and resellers alike.
These registry-imposed increases are unavoidable. To minimize the impact, Our Partnerships group are only increasing our costs by the amounts imposed by the registry. Unlike some other registrars we are making no additional profit from these price rises.
Here are some of the questions that you may have on these increases:
Q: What is the increase and when do they take effect?
A: Please see the below chart which outlines the increase and corresponding date.
Q: What do I need to do to implement these changes?
A: Nothing. These new fees will be automatically reflected in your account beginning on the dates indicated above.
Q: Why are the registries imposing these increases?
A: The registries argue that they need the extra funding to build up their security and support infrastructure and keep up with the ever expanding growth of the internet.
According to an alert I just received from Register.com, VeriSign (the authority that doles out domain names) just upped their prices. So your registrar (the company you bought your domain name from) is going to up their prices as well. Note, they are not limited to just their cost increase. Register.com promises only to pass on the actual cost; others can add on anything they want and are legally entitled to do so.
See below....
ICANN Registry Price Increases
VeriSign and PIR have announced the registry price for NET, ORG and NAME domain names are increasing their registration fee. This ICANN-approved rate increase affects all domain name registrars and resellers alike.
These registry-imposed increases are unavoidable. To minimize the impact, Our Partnerships group are only increasing our costs by the amounts imposed by the registry. Unlike some other registrars we are making no additional profit from these price rises.
Here are some of the questions that you may have on these increases:
Q: What is the increase and when do they take effect?
A: Please see the below chart which outlines the increase and corresponding date.
Q: What do I need to do to implement these changes?
A: Nothing. These new fees will be automatically reflected in your account beginning on the dates indicated above.
A: The registries argue that they need the extra funding to build up their security and support infrastructure and keep up with the ever expanding growth of the internet.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Atlanta Ranks 6th for female entrepreneurs
Full article from the Atlanta Business Chronicle
This info comes as a surprise to exactly no one in Dunwoody. Most of the start-ups I have interacted with were created by women (Lady Jane, Emily G's, and Dunwoody Bakery, for example). The majority of the heavy lifting at the Chamber of Commerce is done by women too.
Interestingly, Atlanta (or any other Southeast cities) were not even represented on this list of cities with vibrant start up communities. But for women looking to start businesses, Atlanta has emerged among the top 10 best places nationally. Intuit’s research found more than a third of businesses in Atlanta are owned by women, and there are 9.8 businesses per 100 Georgia residents.
This info comes as a surprise to exactly no one in Dunwoody. Most of the start-ups I have interacted with were created by women (Lady Jane, Emily G's, and Dunwoody Bakery, for example). The majority of the heavy lifting at the Chamber of Commerce is done by women too.
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