Opportunity Knocking: Google+ Now Open for Business Pages

Hot off the presses as of 90 minutes ago.
In its latest effort to compete with Facebook, Google + is now allowing businesses to create pages just like (wait for it....) FB.

Full article here on Search Engine Land.

Important excerpts for those looking to try this out.  (Including yours truly, who just added it to the ever-expanding system upgrade project!)

Not everyone who goes to that page will get in (many will get a “Google+ Pages isn’t ready for everyone” message). Again, it’s a random rollout happening over the next two days. But once you gain access, you’ll be asked to create a page in one of five categories:

• Local Business or Place
• Product or Brand
• Company, Institution or Organization
• Arts, Entertainment or Sports
• Other 

Here's where it gets interesting:

Of course, many local businesses have already claimed their pages in the completely separate Google Places. Much of the information that Google+ Pages for local businesses wants — and more — are on those pages. But they remain unconnected. Google tells me: "Currently, Place pages and Google+ Pages must be managed separately. A Place page provides information about a business and makes it easy for customers to find local businesses on Google Maps and local search; while a Google+ page provides business owners with additional ways to engage, build relationships and interact directly with customers."

So if your small business is already listed on Google Places (and you should be to boost your rankings.  If you're not, then what are you waiting for???)  you have to decide if you want to put the time and effort into a second Google-based networking tool that isn't connected to the first.  AND - has fewer eyeballs than Facebook by a landslide.

Review the article at the link above for more info on how to create a page, including some interesting limitations to the obviously step-wise technical rollout.  IMHO, the desirability of a Google+ business page is going to be directly proportional to the amount of time and effort you want to put in to (a) experimenting with new outlets and (b) using social media at all.

I got the "not ready for everyone" message so I'll rely on the comments section of those who want to play with this new function for a first-hand account of its workability or lack thereof.

Dunwoody Election 2011: Lynn Deutsch

Our latest response is from Lynn Deutsch.  She is running for District 2 at large.  \

1) What one qualification do you have for elected office that exceeds those
of your opponents?

What sets me apart from my opponent is my service on the City of Dunwoody Planning Commission and my consistent and current involvement in city issues.  I have attended City Council meetings, actively participating in multiple city issues, for the last three years.  I am ready to hit the ground running as I am very familiar with the many issues and challenges facing the city.

2) The City's Economic Development Department's stated purpose is "The City
of Dunwoody Economic Development Director is responsible for leading efforts
to retain, expand and attract businesses that support a broad array of
employment opportunities; strategically grow its knowledge-based economy;
and expand the City's tax base." What should be this department's next
priority task to accomplish this purpose?

I think the Economic Development Department has done a great job thus far.  They have attracted several high quality companies and retail outlets to Dunwoody.  The department must continue to market Dunwoody as well as focusing on retaining the businesses that are already here.  Exit surveys for businesses relocating out of Dunwoody must be part of the department’s strategy as well.  If we understand why businesses choose other locations, or leave Dunwoody, we can better strategize in the future.

3) What was the City's best business decision to date? (Any level or
department, since operations started.)

Dunwoody’s model of government, using some private entities to provide public services, has been very successful.  This model has allowed Dunwoody to offer high quality services for less cost than other governments.  In addition, the city is able to hire companies that specialize in specific service provision and control costs..


4) What was one business decision made by the City (at any level, since
operations started) that should not have been made? If you were given the
chance, what would you have recommended be done differently?

The Perimeter Center Improvement District needs its own overlay district.  Treating the PCID the same as Dunwoody neighborhoods is a mistake and makes extra work for everyone from landlords to the city employees.  A retail establishment that backs up to I-285 should not have the same sign requirements as a retail establishment that backs up to a neighborhood.  We want the Ashford-Dunwoody corridor to be high quality and not turn into “just another highway exit” but we must use common sense.   The overlay district for the PCID should have been a top priority.

5) As a member of City Council, you will be able to appoint or recommend
members of various commissions. Besides an interest in the subject, and a
desire to serve, what qualifications do you want to see in a potential
commission member?

I am going to cast a wide net looking for interested persons who may want to serve.  I think that the vast majority of citizens are unaware that there are opportunities for really meaningful involvement or if they are aware, they have no idea how to get involved.  My recommendations will be for people who, aside from being interested in serving, will do the work necessary, attend the meetings and have a long term view to their involvement with the city.  I would like us to use these commissions to get more citizens really involved in Dunwoody.    


6) Which City department or commission (besides the Police) is the most
critically important in developing the future of Dunwoody?

The Economic Development department is critically important to the future of Dunwoody.  What types of businesses we attract and retain has a direct impact on our commercial tax base, which impacts our ability to provide high quality services.  Empty commercial space is a huge negative for a community and lowers property values for everyone.


7) Which City department or commission do you feel is underserved and needs
more attention in terms of funding and other resources (including
personnel)?

Code Enforcement.  If we are going to take code enforcement seriously, we need more than one person serving in this department.  If we pass ordinances, then we need  to enforce them, otherwise they shouldn’t be on the books.

8) In what ways should the City and Chamber of Commerce (or any other
private entity) collaborate and in what ways should they be working
separately to grow the City's economic base?

The City can collaborate with the Chamber and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) to promote Dunwoody to both businesses and visitors.  The City and these organizations share a mutual goal, the success of the City.   The Chamber and CVB can be more creative with initiatives because of their funding sources.

9) Elected officials are constantly contacted with requests to have specific
issues addressed by local citizens. If elected, how will you prioritize what
issues get on the Council agenda, what will get further private discussion,
and what will be tabled?

This will be one of the most challenging aspects of being a council person.  I will work with my constituents to help them solve issues that don’t require council intervention,  I will be cautious with introducing issues that really aren’t appropriate for Council meetings.  The City has to be a city, not a Homeowners’ Association and it is important to remember this as we move forward.

10) Open Mike Question: Make any statement you like on what issue or action
will be most important to you as an elected official.

When I am elected to the Dunwoody City Council, I will be accessible and available to my constituents. I am both a good listener and a good communicator. I will hold regularly scheduled town hall meetings where I will actively solicit feedback about issues. I will keep in close contact via a newsletter so that Dunwoody citizens can be regularly updated on issues that are important to them. I have friends in nearly every neighborhood in Dunwoody and am lucky that I can call on them to assist me in distributing information.

Nice is the New Black

I took a moment from shovelling up after Halloween to check in with the online opinionating regarding our upcoming elections.  I ran across this gem and just had to share:

Now, just because I won’t talk about what they said, doesn’t mean I can’t say this. Neither one of the candidates who responded agree with me on everything but I still I had some really pleasant email with one of them. This process has taught me what I WILL HAPPILY editorialize about: we need to remember that candidates, no matter how high the office, are people. Yes, real, actual, living breathing people, with lives and families, and their own problems, issues, concerns, experiences and filters. Just because some of their positions differ from mine doesn’t make these guys wrong or stupid or dense or ANYTHING. It just makes them different from me on these particular positions. Period. End of story. We get to make ZERO inferences or conclusions about the rest of their lives. A plus B does not necessarily equal C. 

All of us must step back during our political rhetoric and keep that in mind. It’s time to be nice. 

We need to be nice to Sarah Palin and we need to be nice to Barrack Obama. We need to stop attacking Tea Partiers and Democrats and Republicans. We need to find common ground. Who we pick for Mayor isn’t necessarily going to change America’s political landscape but we can certainly try to start acting differently here in Dunwoody. Shoot, after the name calling during the school districting process, it’s long over due. 

Spread the word: Nice is the new Black.

Dude I have no idea who you are but I'm glad I'm not alone in the universe who sees all of the people in our process as people first, people during the election, and people afterward, no matter how it turns out.

Check him out at http://howplanet.wordpress.com/

Dave FM Big Show for Little Voices - Tune in and Pledge!

This weekend is the annual Childrens Miracle Network radiothon, this year broadcast by DaveFM from CHOA-Egelston.  Listen in, call in, and pledge your support for CMN.  Local funds raised STAY local through CHOA hospitals.  Including Scottish Rite in Sandy Springs.  If you're a parent, you've made at least one trip to this establishment, which means you have benefitted from CMN and radiothons just like this one.

My Phi Mu sisters and I will be taking pledges via phone throughout the day.  Stay tuned for pictures on Facebook!

Opportunity Knocking - Return of the Housecall

The other day I received an email from my son's playgroup list about her friend's hairdressing service.  Due to the same life and family demands many of us parents face, she created a new opportunity for herself.  Parts of the email are reproduced below, emphases are added.

Just wanted to share some info in case some of you other moms find it helpful.  I had a hair dresser that I loved before Alexa was born but she got pregnant as well and decided to stay at home with her son.  The fact is she loves cutting and doing hair so in her town she has started going to women's homes on the weekends and doing their hair in the homes to give them the convenience of not having to find someone to watch their kids.  I just recently made contact with her again and every other Friday she drives to Atlanta and does hair  so I got to have my hair done at my house this past Friday.   

She charges $40 for a hair cut, and charged me a total of $135 for a cut, and some high and low lights I'm not sure what her other prices are, but you can email to ask her.   She said a group of ladies in her town get together on a regular basis and have brunch and have her do the their hair in someone's home while the kids play.  She said its a lot of fun and she get mult. people's hair done while others are processing.  Could be a fun event for moms club or a play group at some point for those who wanted to try it.  I asked her if I could share her info and she said sure! 

Her facebook page is:
https://www.facebook.com/cayladoeshair  It has her number and her email on it.  

There is a number of reasons why this so simple idea is so perfect for small businesses in our town.

1)  This is Dunwoody.  You can't throw a stick without hitting a playgroup somewhere.  So if your company markets to moms, dads, and/or kids, you can meet potential customers in a group all at once.  That's a big demographic at your disposal!

2)  Because playgroups and kids' activities are so hard to balance with work (including housework, on top of  "the regular job") any chance to multitask is welcomed.

3)  Housecalls take advantage of a large loophole in the "home business" ordinances.  The Home Occupation laws say that a business owner must jump through a number of SLUP hoops - paperwork, public hearings, etc - to see customers in THEIR OWN home.  However, the ordinance is silent regarding a business owner seeing a customer in the CUSTOMER'S home.  No SLUP, no paperwork, no hearings.  In addition, there is no complaint regarding cars on the street, traffic or other objections that routinely get raised in the SLUP process.  

If your business - storefront or home-based - can be adjusted to provide housecalls, you may open up a whole new customer base and a whole new level of service that sets you apart from others in your field.  It works - I've already tried it!

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Halloween!

It was one helluva night last night!
Check out the photos on Patch.
I'll upload some video "views from the swamp" sometime when my desk clears.  In the mean time here's a photo I've been waiting for a month to post.  Nancy, next time, my house.  Go have a hot toddy and get over that cold!

Even Nancy's most mean-spirited detractors are human beings and deserve to be right one day out of the year.

Moving on now to All Saints Day, the real holiday in our family calendar preceded by Halloween.

Opportunity Knocking - Clean, Shine, Fix-Up Dunwoody

Right after the tempest regarding Dunwoody Glen hit Category 5 status, an announcement was released by City Hall regarding "Clean, Shine, Fix Up Dunwoody" day on November 5.

This got me wondering:  where exactly is all this cleaning, shining, and fixing up going to happen?  The City Council and City employees have decided that the east side needs drastic redevelopment.  Has there been any attempt to do any volunteer fixup in this area?

Here's the event announcement from City Hall.  There's a vague reference to assignments and some mentions of Brook Run (stream cleanup, etc).  Sounds great!  More information on another website.  Let's click....

Now we're at the North Atlanta Church of Christ website.  Wait a minute - I thought this was a City event.  Public/private partnership maybe?  That would be OK.  But say that on the announcement.  There's no search box and the clean-up event isn't on the front page.  Let's dig around a bit.

Under Calendars and Events, we find "Serve Day". No mention of a City of Dunwoody project, just anyone who wants to do some community fixer-upper service, just sign up and show up. This doesn't look like a City project, despite the main website saying, "...the City will be holding its Third Annual Clean up Dunwoody Day..."

The FAQ page has the following regarding what projects are going to be worked on:

Dunwoody Nature Center
⇒  Fire hydrant painting throughout the city of Dunwoody
⇒  City of Refuge
⇒  Ronald McDonald House
⇒  Many more!

Nothing outstanding here.  Fire hydrant painting projects have happened in town before.  Dunwoody Nature Center is an oldie but a goodie for community service.  What is City of Refuge?  Where is Dunwoody's Ronald McDonald House?  What constitutes "many more"??

There's several videos from past years included as well.  Brook Run and the Nature Center, Ebenezer Primitive Baptist, are obvious, but some other outdoor locations weren't clear.

Here's my question for anyone who knows:  if Winter's Chapel / PIB is such a terrible part of Dunwoody that entire housing developments have to be removed to improve it, where is the volunteer effort to improve areas of that part of town?  For example, everyone wants to "adopt a triangle" near the Farmhouse, who will adopt the traffic triangle at the intersection of Peeler and Winter's Chapel?  Everyone wants to spruce up the landscaping at Brook Run, who wants to do the same on unused lots along Winter's Chapel?

There is NO criticism here of any of the charity work that has been done thus far under the banner of "Clean Up Dunwoody".  I would like to know what volunteer efforts under this program have been done in the "less popular" parts of our City.  They're not readily apparent, they're not in any of the videos I saw on the church site, and they're not listed on the City website.  If the eastern parts of Dunwoody need to be "spruced" or "fixed", where are the volunteer efforts to do so?  The comments section is open.

Opportunity Knocking - What to do with all of those pumpkins???

As "Shrek" and "Donkey" are transforming the front yard into a swamp complete with an outhouse and "Puss in Boots" and "Baby Dronkey" are down for their naps I'm planning the rest of my errands including a last-minute Pumpkin Run for jack o'lanterns.

It's practically a rule in Dunwoody that every house of worship has to have a Pumpkin Patch to sell decorative pumpkins for fall, including Halloween.  Like all produce pumpkins have a limited shelf life and they have to be disposed of.  Decorative pumpkins don't get made into pie.  So hooligans are going to smash them or they're going to get thrown away.

Is there a better option?

When Christmas ends and Christmas trees start dying, there is a network of tree recyclers that runs the "Bring One for the Chipper" program.  Instead of leaving trees on the street to rot and then get picked up by DeKalb sanitation and put in a landfill, Christmas trees are mulched with giant chippers, then the mulch used for public beautification projects, or even given back to individual gardeners.

Is there any reason that pumpkins/jack o'lanterns can't be recycled in a similar way?  You can't chip them for mulch but you can compost them.  And there is a big gardening movement here in town encouraging vegetable growing.  You can't have enough compost to fortify your garden beds over the winter and into spring.

Only hitch is you can't guarantee that the pumpkins are organic.  Even so, this is an opportunity worth developing to keep the streets clean, avoid reeking rotting pumpkins on streets and sidewalks, and add compost to gardens that need it.

Anyone want to run with this idea?

There goes the neighborhood....

www.briersnorth.org.
Get a good look because it's going to change soon.
Make sure to check out the Halloween info
and For Sale listings.

When I organized Briers North Halloween in the past, the person I inherited it from was adamant that there be no "advertising" - no Internet, media blackout in the newspapers and TV, everything.

Then a couple of years later I handed off the responsibility to another neighbor who isn't quite so concerned.

Thanks to some posts today on Facebook from Dunwoody Police and CVB, as well as some news last year, I guess it's officially "advertised" and I can chat about it.

Everything you need to know if you're planning to visit Briers North on Halloween is at www.briersnorth.org.  This was one of the first sites I created after moving to Dunwoody in 2004.  It's due for a tweaking and an upgrade.  I created this website with an extensive private back-end info system back in the day when both Joomla and Drupal and similar content management systems were in their infancy and had security holes wide enough to drive a truck through.  I didn't trust any of them.  WordPress was still only a blog and even then much more primitive than most blogs today.  So I created a custom database with a custom CMS that has worked continually these past 7 years.  My hand-built databases have never been hacked.  I'm still deciding what road to go down with this upgrade and redesign, so stay tuned.  Some other customers' projects are moving along toward their launch dates.

Be careful if you do a drive-by before Monday.  The streets are narrow and there are tons of kids and other folks out walking.

If you REALLY like what you see on Halloween, remember this neighborhood is here 364 other days of the year and is a great place to live.  There are 3 houses up for sale, plus one up for rent.  (One of them is a  behemoth with a pool, spa, and finished basement - perfect for a large extended family.)  Links to MLS listings are on the front page above.  We need neighbors as much as we love our visitors!

See you on Monday, 10/31!

"Princess Fiona"

Dunwoody Elections 2011 - Kerry de Vallette

Next up:  Mr. Kerry de Vallette, running for District 2 At Large.  Kerry's campaign website is at http://www.kerry4dunwoody.com  His comments below are unedited, except for formatting.

1) What one qualification do you have for elected office that exceeds those of your opponents?  Proven executive leadership! Both in running large and small businesses, as well as a 3,000 (plus) member civic organization – The Dunwoody Homeowners Association.

 2) The City’s Economic Development Department’s stated purpose is “The City of Dunwoody Economic Development Director is responsible for leading efforts to retain, expand and attract businesses that support a broad array of employment opportunities; strategically grow its knowledge-based economy; and expand the City’s tax base.” What should be this department’s next priority task to accomplish this purpose? 
To continue to execute against the 2012 Economic Development Strategy, while determining what, if any, alterations should be considered for the plan.

3) What was the City’s best business decision to date? (Any level or department, since operations started.)  
Retaining Michael Starling as Director of Economic Development.

4) What was one business decision made by the City (at any level, since operations started) that should not have been made? If you were given the chance, what would you have recommended be done differently? 
I think providing the position of the City Manager with signator authority for any expenditure under $50,000 without Council’s consent needs to be revisited.  I want to make this clear this is not a reflection on the part of our City Manager, but of my personal belief that as a Council member I have accountability for significant tax dollar expenditures, which I consider to be non-recurring expenditures over $9,999.

5) As a member of City Council, you will be able to appoint or recommend members of various commissions. Besides an interest in the subject, and a desire to serve, what qualifications do you want to see in a potential commission member? 
Proven experience and practical knowledge in the subject area of the Commission panel that they are being appointed to.

6) Which City department or commission (besides the Police) is the most critically important in developing the future of Dunwoody? 
The Public Works Department.  We have got to address our traffic and transportation safety issues.  This includes accelerating the installation of side walks and safe bike lanes throughout our city.

7) Which City department or commission do you feel is underserved and needs more attention in terms of funding and other resources (including personnel)? 
Community Development.

8) In what ways should the City and Chamber of Commerce (or any other private entity) collaborate and in what ways should they be working separately to grow the City’s economic base? 
The Chamber and City do not and should not work in a vacuum.  However, that does not mean that both should be joined at the hip.  The City’s responsibility is to work with the Chamber, Convention Visitor’s Bureau and the PCID towards common goals shared by the various organizations.  The City also has a responsibility to provide leadership and governance on behalf of our residents when it comes to matters of Economic Development, including areas related to zoning, sign ordinances, and other governance factors related to business development items that will specifically impact homeowners and homeowner rights.

9) Elected officials are constantly contacted with requests to have specific issues addressed by local citizens. If elected, how will you prioritize what issues get on the Council agenda, what will get further private discussion, and what will be tabled? 
I would support a change to the current process related to how a Council member introduces an issue to Council without having a supporting “second” from the Mayor or another Council member.  I would support changing this process and adding a requirement that any item that a Council member would like to place on the agenda require a second in order to be presented before Council. 

10) Open Mike Question: Make any statement you like on what issue or action will be most important to you as an elected official. 
I would move to add a Commission on Aging to the City’s Boards and Commissions.  We need to have a Board or Commission that works with our various departments, including Economic Development, Parks & Recreation, and Police / Public Safety to insure the needs of our senior citizens are being considered as the departments develop their master plans, outreach programs, and facilities.

What exactly is Dunwoody being "transparent" about?

Late last night, the City of Dunwoody issued a press release regarding the intent to purchase the Dunwoody Glen (formerly Northchase) apartments and convert them to a sports complex.  A number of acquaintances, neighbors, and fellow bloggers who until now have been strongly against the parks bonds are starting to waver. So many people quietly gripe about "the apartments" in "that other ZIP code".  Now a secret ballot to eliminate them doesn't seem so bad.

I had heard about this plan in a number of conversations but I didn't think hoped the planning process had hadn't gotten this far.

Here's the problem.  If you think that these bonds are ONLY about eliminating "those apartments" think again.  This is the same government that tried to push through a "greenway" plan that would have confiscated significant amounts of property from single family homes as well.  The difference is the homeowners aren't going to take that casual threat lying down.  They rose up en masse at a public meeting that had Hutmacher sewing body parts back on and the City Council in hiding.  Are the families in "those" apartments going to defend themselves as vigorously?  I doubt it.  I'll bet City Hall doubts it too.

I'm not buying the argument about how humane it is to honor all current leases.  It's not generous or moral to simply uphold a legally binding contract.  How would any of you feel living in your home while someone else is sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for you to budge so they can swoop in?

Let's take a birds' eye view of City Hall's approach to development.  First thing after City Government was set up was the establishment of a "Sustainability" commission.  Talk of obscure certifications and awards.  Green this, green that, green the other thing.  Except for the sneakers - those are golden.  All supposedly for the health and well-being of Dunwoody citizens.  Public land was set aside for gardens with contributions to feed those in need.  City Hall touts these efforts to show how enlightened and generous and "forward thinking" Dunwoody is.  It's a paradise of cooperation and charity where everyone is of one oh-so-enlightened mind.  In addition, elected officials discuss at length their religious affiliations and activity in charitable endeavors.  Pictures and links and everything.  Now the same government wants to displace hundreds of residents who live away from the central paradise.    Eliminate those not-green-enough homes.  It's easy to be charitable to people who are different than you are if they're not too close.  It's easy to be a saint in paradise.  Displacing people as a recreational development measure is not just wrong it is - dare I say it - unsustainable.

These are my thoughts on economic development, significantly clarified from my earlier vision:

1)  The east side of Dunwoody has the most potential for economic development as it is the oldest and has gotten the least amount of attention from both DeKalb/Gwinnett counties and the City of Dunwoody.

2)  It is never acceptable to drive an entire neighborhood away, eliminate homes, or otherwise confiscate residential property for the sake of recreation.  It doesn't matter if we're talking about single family homes, duplexes, townhomes, or apartments.  It's one thing to slow down growth of mixed use high density developments, but once a set of homes is here, it's here.  Deal with it, and their residents like human beings.

3)  The City has other ways of improving the area.  Including incentives to both commercial and residential property owners to upgrade their properties.  There is no reason why Winters Chapel cannot be as desireable as Dunwoody Village in terms of business use or residential location.  Taking the land off the tax roles and eliminating the residential population is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

4)  Residents along Winters Chapel / PIB and for that matter in the 30360 ZIP code are just as much legitimate citizens of Dunwoody as those calling for their removal.  If the citizens calling for more and more expensive recreational opportunities want to have their opinions taken seriously by the people in this area, then they'd better treat their counterparts with the same respect they damn well want for themselves.  The latest proposal from the City doesn't qualify.

5)  Quality of life in any part of the city, not just Winters Chapel/PIB is going to require a greater investment in code enforcement.  One guy supervising enforcement in a city with a daytime population of more than 100K is not enough.  City Council has discussed funding police, rewriting a zoning code, and a skating rink, but not optimal enforcement of their ordinances.  I'd like to know why.

I'd like to see apartment residents organize their own advocacy group or civic association as the homeowners do.  This latest proposal looks like that organization is long overdue.  Anyone who lives inside the city has the same rights to defend themselves and their home.  No one should be more equal than others. This is not "Animal Farm" - yet.

I challenge City Hall, including our Council Members to make their way down to the apartments they want to eliminate and meet some people who live there.  Learn their names, look them in the eye, and tell them to their faces that a sports complex is more beneficial to the city than their presence.  I don't think any of you have the guts.  Prove me wrong!

UPDATE:  CBS Atlanta just posted the story on their website.  The comments should be interesting.

Dunwoody City Council wants to buy the "Northchase" apartments....

My commentary on the Music Festival and what an incredible time it was is going to have to wait.

From Dunwoody Patch: City Council Looks at Purchasing Nearly 42 Acres on Peachtree Industrial

I had this great post forming in my head about dealing with the landlords on the east side of town as business people, improving code compliance, encouraging a neighborhood watch, maybe forming an apartment renters' association as a counterpart to the DHA and other civic associations in the area.  Just had to get past the Music Festival and get all that work out of the way and other customers caught up.  I may have to rethink it.  Our votes next month are going to have some serious repercussions on a lot of families.

Calm before the DMF storm

Tonight we had a party to celebrate 6 months of really hard work pulling the festival together.  The highlight of the evening was Dormtainment and "Straight Outta Dunwoody".  Hey fellas, next time get your audition in while the form is open, K?  Assuming we can afford you next year~!!

Here's my FB photo album.  I need to crash.  My kids will shoot me if I don't bring them tomorrow.  Nitey nite!

Music Festival on Better Mornings Atlanta This AM

WAY too early for me but we've got the video from CBS Atlanta!
Here's the link in case the embedded video is squirrelly.

Even MORE Dunwoody Music Festival updates

I've been working on this all night and I"m beat so here's the latest, without anything fancy to dress it up:

FAQ - read it, use it, love it, live it.

Printable Map of the festival layout

Updated Marketplace listing - including a printable to bring with you the day(s) of

Gallery - always in progress, I'm expecting to add to it.

Partial set list of the Saturday concert with Stars of 80s Rock.  I'm really excited for this and no, I can't tell you the rest of it or I'd have to shoot you.

FYI, reserved "chastain" seating is SOLD OUT.  That means the general admission seats are going to fly if you don't grab 'em now.  The site counter is about to explode from all the TV commercials on Channel 46.

Nitey-nite.  See you at the Chamber's Candidate Forum on Wednesday

Is Free Advertising Really Free?

Inc Magazine posted an article last week outlining the plans several social media outlets have to offer free advertising to small businesses.

Facebook (who IMHO has peaked as an advertising venue due to its sheer size and other terms of service in advertising that I blogged about a while back) is offering free advertising starting in January.

LinkedIn is offering coupons for limited amounts of free ads, as is Google.  I just got a coupon from Google myself over the weekend.

Each site/company has its own standards and limitations on the offerings.

So, is free advertising from any social media outlet worth it?
It's vital to remember that "free" always means "free of financial charge".   Advertising always requires time and effort.  The venue may be free but there is still an investment of time, planning, updating - or an investment of cash to pay someone else to make the investment.

Social media works in advertising because it's the online equivalent of in-person networking.  All business relationships are based on personal ones to some degree.  But it's more vital for entrepreneurs and small businesses to personally get the word out since their budgets are so tight.

So if you're going to venture into social networking....
1)  Make sure you know where your audience is.  Believe it or not, not everyone looking for your goods or services is on Facebook.  Research your online outlets, talk with your current customers, find out where they are, then put your actions in that direction.
2)  Count the cost in terms of time.  How much time and effort can you put into social media?  If you're not willing to use the service personally, then you want to rethink your ad plan.  Keep your content interesting or all of the free advertising in the world won't be worth a dime.
3)  Remember that social media is about driving traffic.  Driving it where?  To your website of course.  Social media is the draw, your website is the destination.  Make sure it's worth your visitors' time once they get there.

Dunwoody Music Festival Coming October 22

Not many of my recent projects have had a need for video.  The Dunwoody Music Festival is an exception.
Oktober Productions created a 30-second spot that is airing on CBS Atlanta during their news broadcasts.  I happened to catch it on Tuesday when it started running.

Stay for the end of the video.  I'm happy to say my corporate logo made it onto the final slide!

So now that video has joined the project, there naturally has to be a YouTube channel for SDOC.  Don't know how much I"ll be adding to it or when, but subscribe and check it out once in a while.

See you on October 22!  I'm bringing my kids to play on the rides!

Dunwoody Elections 2011 - Rick Callihan

Next up, Mr. Rick Callihan, also running for District 1 at-large.  His campaign website is at http://www.rickcallihan.com/

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1)    What one qualification do you have for elected office that exceeds those of your opponents?

I started my own business, from scratch, and then grew that business to become an industry leader.  The skills used to start and grow a business are similar to the skills needed to make decisions for a city: proper planning, disciplined spending, excellent service, and a great product.

2)    The City’s Economic Development Department’s stated purpose is “The City of Dunwoody Economic Development Director is responsible for leading efforts to retain, expand and attract businesses that support a broad array of employment opportunities; strategically grow its knowledge-based economy; and expand the City’s tax base.”  What should be this department’s next priority task to accomplish this purpose?

The city should create a new overlay district for the Perimeter area, allowing the PCID to have its own sign ordinance.  And of course, the city should not be buying property zoned O & I.  Our Economic Development Director needs all the tools he can get.  It does not make sense to convert prime real estate to green space. 

3)    What was the City’s best business decision to date?  (Any level or department, since operations started.)

Instead of directly hiring employees, I am glad the city opted to follow, to a degree, the Sandy Springs model of contracting with different companies to provide city services. 

4)    What was one business decision made by the City (at any level, since operations started) that should not have been made?  If you were given the chance, what would you have recommended be done differently?

The city should not have taken over the stormwater system from DeKalb.  In years to come this has the potential to be as expensive as our police department on an annual basis.  The taxpayers in Dunwoody will see the stormwater fee on their tax bill rise steadily year after year.  I would have kept the stormwater system in the hands of DeKalb, and made sure they kept up with repairs as needed. 

5)    As a member of City Council, you will be able to appoint or recommend members of various commissions.  Besides an interest in the subject, and a desire to serve, what qualifications do you want to see in a potential commission member?

I want to see people dedicated to the success of our city, and I will seek out people with real-world experience they can bring to committees.  I also feel all committee members should be residents of Dunwoody or owner/manager of a business in Dunwoody. 

6)    Which City department or commission (besides the Police) is the most critically important in developing the future of Dunwoody?

Zoning Board of Appeals 

7)    Which City department or commission do you feel is underserved and needs more attention in terms of funding and other resources (including personnel)?

Code enforcement.  We have one guy responsible for inspecting apartments, removing illegal signs, and general code enforcement.  If elected to council, I would suggest adding at least one more full-time person to code enforcement. 

8)    In what ways should the City and Chamber of Commerce (or any other private entity) collaborate and in what ways should they be working separately to grow the City’s economic base?

The Chamber has its own mission, as does the city.  The city’s Economic Development Department needs to focus on bringing jobs to the city.  Once here, the Chamber plays a key role in helping new (and existing) businesses get involved in city events.  The Chamber can play a pivotal role, using current members to help develop leads for the Development director. 

9)    Elected officials are constantly contacted with requests to have specific issues addressed by local citizens.  If elected, how will you prioritize what issues get on the Council agenda, what will get further private discussion, and what will be tabled?

Managing a business, I deal with major industry distributors, and I deal with the end-user of the company’s products.  Both need treated with respect.  Major issues need directed to the appropriate city department.  In these departments we have experts that help council determine the next step.  There are countless situations in regards to contact between residents and council members, and each need handled differently.  There can be no set policy as to what does and does not get brought before council.  As a small city, we can handle individually with all requests. 

10) Open Mike Question:  Make any statement you like on what issue or action will be most important to you as an elected official.

I am opposed to the urbanization of the Perimeter area.  I am also opposed to Transit Oriented Developments that have Federal set-asides for low income housing.  We need a council that will defend the homeowner, yet work with the PCID on job growth. I believe it is in the best long term interest of Dunwoody to maintain the current ratio of jobs to housing units in the PCID. 

Home Occupation Updates from Planning Commission

Last night was the perfect storm from Hell.  Husband gets home late from a meeting and I leave my carefully crafted notes on a table by the door as I rush out to City Hall, arriving half an hour late. 

Then discover that I am the only representative of The Public in attendance.

John's blog outlined the changes that were being made in the Zoning ordinance (which is temporary anyway, more on that later) that would affect home-based businesses and employees.

The bottom line is, most of the changes are being accepted as is - that home occupations may allow customer or employee contact, with some limitations.  The verbage regarding home-based daycare centers is being removed due to the fact that day care centers are going to have several "customers" in the home for several hours a day, with several parents picking up and dropping off in a short spurt each day.  Since I'm not familiar with all of the licensing and regulations and logistics of a home-based day care center, I'm going to hold comment on that one.  If someone out there is familiar with home-based daycare and would like to comment, the floor (comments area) is yours.

However - there still is a hearing process in place for any home-based work/business that will receive customers or employees and there was enormous resistance to any changes at all.  My friend Heather was dragged through FIVE meetings because the City staff had trouble reading their own regulations.  It was only supposed to be three.  After some verbal arm twisting the Commission whittled the number of hearings down to one (in front of Planning Commission) so that "the public can be notified".

In an ideal world, neighbors would talk to each other and bring issues to each other without dragging City Hall into it.  However we do not live in an ideal world and some neighbors would rather whine to the DHA or email nastygram blasts than talk to the person and attempt to resolve whatever questions they have.

There's some pros and cons to the recommendations.

Pro:  the business owner/employee has some protection in that they will get a fair hearing in public and can bring supporters to speak on their behalf.  Their fate is not at the mercy of an individual with an axe to grind, Internet access, and too much time on their hands.

Con:  for those business owners with irregular or occasional customer contact (as described in earlier posts) the process is the same.  There has to be public notification, additional expense, additional time spent, all to casually meet a single person - who may be visiting anyway in a non-business capacity - every few months or so.

Con:  Loophole City.  The zoning code places a greater burden on a homeowner for a "nuisance" allegedly caused by a business enterprise, than a "nuisance" allegedly caused by a social event. 

Is this the outcome that I believe will benefit the City in the long run?  No.  Is it a step in the right direction?  Yes, and I credit the PC with that because redefining the nature of a "residential neighborhood" is a huge question and there is a lot of persuasion involved in convincing some sectors of the public that they will not be harmed by it.  In addition, the Zoning Code as we see it today is not long for this world.  An RFP was recently awarded (but not linked on the City site) to completely revamp Zoning.  As I said at Community Council not long ago, the first step in setting up a comprehensive Zoning code is to clearly define "nuisance" - when do you have a problem that should involve City Hall, when you should talk to your neighbor, and when you should put on your grownup underpants and just deal with it - then use that definition as a uniform standard for any and all activity in a particular zoned area.

The question for "casual business visitors" is whether to go to the trouble of obeying the law.  Is it more trouble than it's worth to drag your case of one-visitor-every-three-months through public hearings?  Or do you feel safe under a "don't-ask-don't-tell" philosophy?  I'm usually in favor of obeying the law to the letter.  But do I submit the extra money and time into a process, or do I invest in doing the work I'm paid for?  For many entrepreneurs that's going to be a tough call for a while.

Dunwoody Election 2011 - Terry Nall

Mr. Terry Nall was the first to reply to my survey of candidates below.  Terry is running for District 1 at-large (city-wide vote) and his campaign website can be found at http://www.terrynallfordunwoody.com/
Thank you Terry and with no further ado, here are his answers, unedited:

1) What one qualification do you have for elected office that exceeds those of your opponents?


I will be the only active CPA serving on City Council. I bring conservative, comprehensive financial expertise to City Council and a belief that needs must come before wants.”

2) The City’s Economic Development Department’s stated purpose is “The City of Dunwoody Economic Development Director is responsible for leading efforts to retain, expand and attract businesses that support a broad array of employment opportunities; strategically grow its knowledge-based economy; and expand the City’s tax base.” What should be this department’s next priority task to accomplish this purpose?

I recommend the next priority task is to build, train, and grow a volunteer “ambassadors” program to assist with economic development tasks. See question #8 below.
3) What was the City’s best business decision to date? (Any level or department, since operations started.)

This is a tie. On the personnel front, the City’s best business decision to date is the hiring of Sharon Lowery as City Clerk and Chris Pike as Finance Director. Both are extremely experienced and well-qualified for their respective positions.


On the public works front, the City’s best business decision is to evaluate the condition of its roads via laser truck and inventory the condition of the storm sewer drains. Both infrastructures are liabilities that were inherited from DeKalb County and the evaluations provide elected leaders with proper information for establishing funding priorities.

4) What was one business decision made by the City (at any level, since operations started) that should not have been made? If you were given the chance, what would you have recommended be done differently?

The city recently made a significant (in my opinion) mistake in its Request for Proposal process to secure city services vendor contracts for 2012 and beyond. The procedures of the RFP for Publics Works and Parks Departments were openly admitted by the City Manager as not followed properly. The error was publicly known, yet my opponent on the evaluation committee wanted to award the two problem contracts regardless, according to emails obtained. Others on Council prevailed and authorized a rebid of the RFP. However, Council did not replace the evaluation committee members. I would have recommended a change of membership for the evaluation committee for the rebid process. Dunwoody is recognized as a City of Ethics and we must live up to it.

5) As a member of City Council, you will be able to appoint or recommend members of various commissions. Besides an interest in the subject, and a desire to serve, what qualifications do you want to see in a potential commission member?

Beyond the obvious items mentioned in the question, I would like to see a passion for Dunwoody, a demonstrated history of collaboration in working with multiple members of committees or community projects, and a record of good attendance and participation while working on committees or projects.

6) Which City department or commission (besides the Police) is the most critically important in developing the future of Dunwoody?

The Community Development Department and its associated boards of Community Council, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals, is the most critical to developing Dunwoody’s future. The planned total re-write of the Zoning Code, coupled with a future turnaround in the economy, will affect development projects that could set the course of Dunwoody for decades to come.

7) Which City department or commission do you feel is underserved and needs more attention in terms of funding and other resources (including personnel)?

Public Works is underfunded at its current levels. Though some progress has been made on repaving of roads, the progress remains sluggish and other needs, such as redesign of bottleneck intersections and computerized synchronization of all city traffic lights, remain unfunded despite having had three years of annual surpluses.

8) In what ways should the City and Chamber of Commerce (or any other private entity) collaborate and in what ways should they be working separately to grow the City’s economic base?

In a collaborative “joint” fashion, the City and Chamber of Commerce can help retain existing businesses and recruit new businesses to Dunwoody. To be successful in either area, the community needs well-trained “ambassadors” who live and/or work in Dunwoody and would sell and resell businesses on the merits of Dunwoody as a superb location for employees and senior executive families to work and live during “location scouting” visits. The confidential introduction of ambassadors to these businesses could extend to assimilating newly relocated employees to Dunwoody into the fabric of our community. Similar to how volunteer police reserves will supplement a police department, volunteer ambassadors could supplement an economic development department.


In a separate fashion, but with collaboration and cooperation when needed, the City and Chamber of Commerce could provide a number of Leadership Dunwoody and Opportunity Dunwoody programs. “Leadership Dunwoody” would help broaden established community leaders across Dunwoody for the expanded benefit of charities, schools, churches, and government service. “Opportunity Dunwoody” would work with newer arrivals to Dunwoody who were community leaders in their prior communities in an effort to acclimate and integrate them into the many community service opportunities available in Dunwoody.

9) Elected officials are constantly contacted with requests to have specific issues addressed by local citizens. If elected, how will you prioritize what issues get on the Council agenda, what will get further private discussion, and what will be tabled?

I have experience with a number of multi-person governance bodies. The best method of dealing with issues raised is to socialize the presented issues “one-on-one” with other Council members. Issues should not be raised for the first time at a formal meeting without the prior knowledge or involvement of others who would be involved in the decision. This pre-meeting work determines whether there is broader support for the issue from others, what other information is needed about the issue for others to make an informed decision, and helps identify any inadvertent, unintended consequences of the issue. This is called consensus-building and is needed by others on Council.

10) Open Mike Question: Make any statement you like on what issue or action will be most important to you as an elected official.

A key principle during my term will be to “maintain a small, efficient, disciplined government with accountability.” Government serves a limited purpose and we should stick to our priorities of needs first. We also need accountability. We’re no longer a start-up and we have well-paid, experienced staff in place. Certainly no one is perfect, but we need Council members to not be afraid to ask the tough questions when things go wrong. I am that person and that CPA.

Opportunity Knocking - City of Dunwoody is Hiring

... a Community Development Director

Excerpted essential job duties from the official description linked above:

•Supervise the initiation, amendment, and implementation of ordinances and resolutions relevant to community development such as zoning, land division and development, and building;



•Assures that citizen complaints and inquiries relating to departmental activity are researched and resolved in a timely fashion;




•Communicates official plans, programs, policies and procedures to staff and the general public;

•Directs ongoing research into new technologies and trends, and recommends implementation of programs and equipment to help the Department achieve its objectives more efficiently;


•Coordinates, researches and evaluates projects and programs that will enhance and preserve the City’s economic base;
 


•Ability to identify the department’s future direction in response to changing community needs, and to develop, implement, and monitor appropriate plans, schedules, and action steps;


Can you say "Hot Potato"?  I knew you could.  :-)  Who will step up and put their hat in the ring for this one?

Remember in an earlier post (linked here) where I said you can learn a lot about an elected official by who they appoint or hire?  The Council has final say on City hires and policies to be implemented - but it's people in roles like that that tell them what direction to go in, policy-wise.

Let's pay attention to who applies and who gets hired.  That could put an awfully big spin on some referendums coming up, as well as elections.

Speaking of which, I'm still waiting to see if there will be any responses to my one-woman campaign forum.  IMHO, I'll know who's responsive to the average Dunwoody citizen, and who may not be, based on who bothers to answer and who doesn't.  But like everything else, that's just one opinion.  That ends up on this blog.

Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

Everything we do on a computer today - streaming movies and animation, picking out a font in our email, to animated apps on our phone - is because of Steve Jobs and Apple Computer.  They're the reason I have a job today, and impacts every bit of my design and programming choices.

My family got its first computer - a Mac Plus - when I was 14.  I remember being fascinated by the "mouse" and how I had to sync an audio tape with the "Intro" program to follow the tutorial instructions.

My sophomore year in college, I was the only person on the dorm floor to have a computer - this time a Mac SE.  TWO floppy disk slots and an external hard drive.  I was hot sh*t in a champagne glass and I knew it.  The MacPaint program saved my life in the sterochemistry chapter of Organic Chemistry 204.  With my ImageWriter 2 printer I had the best documents in Warren Towers and the grades to show for it.

Today, whenever I create a website (especially the Dunwoody Chamber and a number of new projects coming up) a key question is "How is this going to look on an iPhone?"  "Do we need to make this mobile?"  The answer to that last one isn't always "yes" but it always has to be considered.

Rest in peace, Steve.  You did it - you changed the world.  I think for the better.

Straight Outta Dunwoody

BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I see wahy this was trending on Twitter after the DHA meeting last night!

Duwnoody Election 2011

And, they're off!
Campaign signs and bumper stickers are popping up like mushrooms and brief campaign bios are showing up in newspapers online.

Yesterday I sent out the following email to all candidates in our city's contested races to see if they would offer some deeper insights into their philosophy of local government and vision for Dunwoody.  As I promised, whatever responses arrive will be posted without editing or editorial comment.

Let's see what happens!

Tonight, I'm headed to the DHA meeting to hear the knock-down-drag-out civilized discussion over the Parks Bonds up for a vote in November.  I'm composing my own epistle on that saga for a future post.  Until then I'm packing a snack, a bottle of wine, stadium seat, and maybe a pillow and toothbrush, depending on how much this gets drawn out.

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Ladies and Gentlemen

I’m writing to you today to invite you to participate in an online Q&A on the Dunwoody Working Girl blog.

At the end of this email, ... I’ve assembled some questions regarding your vision of City government and your ideas of your place in it that are generally not covered by the local media. This invitation is going out to all candidates in contested races for the upcoming Dunwoody city election.

Any answers you choose to give will be posted on the blog, in their own dedicated post, in their entirety, unedited. (I’m not even running a spell-check!) Aside from some formatting, what you choose to say is what gets broadcast to the world.

This isn’t an “official” forum hosted by any group, HOA, the Chamber of Commerce, etc. I write a blog with a perspective on local business – citizens making a living. I am happy to provide a forum to each and every one of you to address questions and concerns from this perspective. I’ll post replies in the order that I receive them, as soon as they arrive. I am also planning a banner on the blog that will link to everyone’s official campaign site (or blog, etc). Feel free to include a mug shot to include with your responses if you wish.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and I look forward to learning more about each of your perspectives both online and in the upcoming candidate forums.

1) What one qualification do you have for elected office that exceeds those of your opponents?


2) The City’s Economic Development Department’s stated purpose is “The City of Dunwoody Economic Development Director is responsible for leading efforts to retain, expand and attract businesses that support a broad array of employment opportunities; strategically grow its knowledge-based economy; and expand the City’s tax base.” What should be this department’s next priority task to accomplish this purpose?

3) What was the City’s best business decision to date? (Any level or department, since operations started.)

4) What was one business decision made by the City (at any level, since operations started) that should not have been made? If you were given the chance, what would you have recommended be done differently?

5) As a member of City Council, you will be able to appoint or recommend members of various commissions. Besides an interest in the subject, and a desire to serve, what qualifications do you want to see in a potential commission member?

6) Which City department or commission (besides the Police) is the most critically important in developing the future of Dunwoody?

7) Which City department or commission do you feel is underserved and needs more attention in terms of funding and other resources (including personnel)?

8) In what ways should the City and Chamber of Commerce (or any other private entity) collaborate and in what ways should they be working separately to grow the City’s economic base?

9) Elected officials are constantly contacted with requests to have specific issues addressed by local citizens. If elected, how will you prioritize what issues get on the Council agenda, what will get further private discussion, and what will be tabled?

10) Open Mike Question: Make any statement you like on what issue or action will be most important to you as an elected official.

Introducing... The YPODs!

www.dunwoodycommerce.org/ypods

I've been working on this project for several months.

The YPODs are the Young Professionals of Dunwoody, a committee of the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce that was designed specifically for the needs of young professionals ages 21 - 35.   The YPOD site is a "subsite" within the main Chamber web complex.

This demographic needed two things:  1)  an image that is slick, hip, and upscale in a sense that appeals to a generation that was born with a cell phone in its hand - that is, radically different from the primary Chamber site and 2) a layout that was easily adaptable to mobile devices.  Everything had to be mobile ready, on any brand of device. 

I decided to create a theme that mimicked the standard iPhone graphic and utilized a grid layout of icons that resembled an app.  There is no menu, just a "Home" link on each page.  But it's still a website, and appears the same whether you're looking at a desktop, laptop, tablet/iPad, or smartphone.  There's no mistaking the YPODs for any other committee or initiative of the Chamber.  A blog is maintained by YPOD committee members.  Prospective members can even join through the online registration form, or contact the leadership with questions.

Most of all, the site is usable by any mobile device.

<---  Try it!

Update on Bone Marrow Testing Drive for Isaac del Valle

Again, from Holy Redeemer's email list:

Dear Friends and Family of Isaac:
This note is to try to answer as many questions as possible concerning the bone marrow testing event that will be held on Friday, September 30th at Marist High School (located at 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319). The purpose of this event is to specifically look for a bone marrow match for Isaac del Valle, a 10th grade student at Marist. Details are as follows:
The bone marrow drive will take place from 12:00-8:00 at Marist and people can come any time during these hours. No appointment is necessary. Testing involves a simple cheek swab and should take about 20 minutes.
Testing will be performed on individuals ages 18 and older. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (and many other children’s hospitals) has policies which prohibit bone marrow transplants from unrelated donors under the age of 18. Because of this policy, the del Valles have decided to limit testing to those ages 18 and older.
We cannot know who might be a match for Isaac. His doctors believe the most likely match will be someone between the ages of 18-60 of a mix of Hispanic and Caucasian background. However, anyone can be a match and are welcome to be tested. We do have a limited number of free tests for those who cannot afford the $115 cost. We do not want to turn away ANYONE willing to be tested and, therefore, are seeking donations to cover the cost of more test kits. If you would like to help us purchase test kits which will be made available to willing participants, you can donate online to www.curechildhoodcancer.org. Click on “donate” and put “Isaac” in the comments section. A special fund has been set up for Isaac at CURE Childhood Cancer for the express purpose of accepting donations to purchase test kits.
We will be selling t-shirts on Friday for $10.00 each in support of Isaac. All proceeds will go towards the test costs.
11Alive has been covering Isaac’s story and will be on site at Marist on Friday during the test drive to continue the coverage of this urgent bone marrow drive. We want to thank everyone for their assistance in helping to find a match for Isaac and in particular to Marist for their support and allowing the bone marrow drive to be held at the school. Thank you to everyone who has already donated money for this bone marrow drive and in advance to those who are considering a donation.
We are urgently looking for volunteers to cover one or two hour shifts from 12-8 pm on Friday. We need at least 15 volunteers per shift. If you can volunteer, please send the time slot you are available to Lynne Bauman at LBauman@syntapharma.com.
The following are some FAQ’s regarding bone marrow testing and bone marrow transplants. If you still have questions, please email them to Lynne Bauman at LBauman@syntapharma.com or Kristin Connor atkristin@curechildhoodcancer.org. Please do not call Kashi Labs. They have been overwhelmed with calls and do not have the resources to handle a large volume of calls.
1. What if I'm already on the registry? Should I be tested again Friday?
No. If you are on the registry, we already know you are not a match for Isaac and there is no need to be re-tested.
2. What if I can't come Friday or am already on the registry? How can I help Isaac?

Because of the cost involved in expedited testing ($115 per person), we are trying to raise money to cover the cost of the kits so cost does not prevent anyone willing from being tested. The more people tested, particularly those fitting the profile of 18-60, Caucasian/Hispanic mix, the greater the chance a match will be found. You can contribute to this effort by visiting www.curechildhoodcancer.org and clicking on "donate". Enter "Isaac" in the comments section.
3. If I contribute to Isaac's fund through CURE, how will the money be used?
100% of all donations to Isaac's fund will be used to cover the cost of bone marrow testing. In the event funds donated are not exhausted by the bone marrow testing, excess funds will be used to cover cancer related costs incurred by the family, or, if the family chooses, they will be donated to CURE to further our mission of curing childhood cancer through research.
4. Are there medical conditions which might make someone ineligible to be a donor?

Yes. There are many factors that may make a person medically ineligible to donate. For guidance, please visit http://www.marrow.org/Join/Medical_Guidelines/Medical_Guidelines_for_Joining_the_Registry.aspx.
5. How is a bone marrow match determined?
Doctors look for a donor who matches their patient's tissue type, specifically their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue type. HLAs are proteins — or markers — found on most cells in your body. Your immune system uses these markers to recognize which cells belong in your body and which do not. The closer the match between the patient's HLA markers and yours, the better for the patient.
Source: http://www.marrow.org/
6. What happens if I am identified as a potential match?
More testing will be done to see if you are the best possible match for the patient. Additionally, an information session will be scheduled so you can learn more about the donation process, risks and side effects.
7. If I am tested Friday, will I be added to the National Bone Marrow Registry

No. This testing is being done by a private lab specifically for Isaac. If you wish to join the National Bone Marrow Registry, you will need to contact the Be the Match Foundation, http://www.marrow.org/.

Who Wants to Work for Dunwoody Bakery?

Announcements have popped up on John's blog and the Aha!Connection about Dunwoody Bakery opening up a retail location in the strip mall between Jett Ferry/Dunwoody Club/Mt Vernon.  This is a Dunwoody-Mom-owned firm that not only uses organic ingredients, but also has a line of gluten-free products.
Here's the ad from today's Crier:

Not only are they increasing their visibility, and improving their sales, they're creating jobs too, right here in town!

Click to email your CV:  jbakerlesperance@thedunwoodybakery.com

(Hint to the owners:  show up with cupcakes at a Dunwoody Chamber networking event and you'll be beating away the traffic with a stick!)

New Restaurant in Dunwoody Village

Ya Shu Yuen left a gaping hole with red doors when it closed suddenly.
In its place is now Carbonara Trattoria with new doors.

I haven't tried it yet, but my next-door neighbor has and they had a wonderful time.

Here's their website  (bare bones) and here's Facebook If you know the story behind this restaurant and its owners (or, if you are the owners) post a reply and bring us up to speed!

Support Dunwoody business and support our city!

Bone Marrow Drive for Marist Sophomore

I received the following via Holy Redeemer's email network this morning:

Dear Holy Redeemer Families,


On Friday September 30th friends of Isaac Del Valle—former Holy Redeemer student and now a Marist sophomore-- have organized a ‘Bone Marrow Test Drive’ to be held at Marist School, 12pm to 8pm, in the Centennial Center.

The Kashi Lab has agreed to lower its cost per test to $115 per person. Some sponsorship is available and more is hoped for! Note that this testing is still specific to Isaac, and is not for the National Bank of Bone Marrow Donors [sic] (National Marrow Donor Program)

The testing range is between 16 years and 60 years. Children (16 and 17) WILL REQUIRE a waiver from their parents.

Channel 11 has taken up Isaac’s need and it will have the first airing of his story tonight at 11.00pm on Channel 11. They will continue to air his story throughout next week and will give specific messaging on the testing that will be done and even the population they are hoping to attract so the best possible match might be found.

You will find helpful information about becoming a bone marrow donor at this website. http://www.marrow.org/Registry_Members/Donation/Donation_FAQs.aspx#happens

If you are willing to be tested and/or can contribute towards a sponsorship, please contact Ana Shields at anashields@comcast.net

Thank you.

This subject is near and dear to my heart because I worked in Pediatric Oncology back in the day, as well as in the Blood/Marrow Transplant department (currently called Stem Cell Transplant).  In 1996, I registered with the National Marrow Donor Program as a potential donor and had my HLA types recorded for this kind of emergency.  I haven't received a call, so that means my tissue type has already been screened and is not a match.  There are MILLIONS of potential donors tissue screened and listed on the database.  They got one match - ONE out of 8 million - and it fell through.  He's still waiting.

This story is more common than not:  tissue types have to be very close matches and more people die waiting for a match to appear than actually get one.  People of mixed racial heritage are even more difficult to match because of the unique genetic scramble. 

If you would consider being a bone marrow donor, please use the links above for more information and have your tissue type tested ASAP or at the drive next Friday.  If you are unable to potentially donate marrow, please consider donating the cost of a test so someone else can. 

You can also register to potentially match other patients in need.  Contact the NMDP at the link above for more information.

Come on, Dunwoody - time is of the essence and a life is in the balance.

Takorea - a New Dunwoody-Resident-Owned Restaurant

Buying local isn't just measured in miles.  You can buy local by supporting businesses owned by your neighbors, wherever it is!  Their website describes Takorea as "the best of Mexican and Korean street food ... East Meets Mex"  Interesting idea!  Check them out at http://www.mytakorea.com/ and at their Buckhead location on Juniper Street.

Volunteer Websites - Keeping a Good Relationship with your Webmaster

A lot of not-for-profit organizations and ultra-small businesses are caught in a catch-22 when it comes to their online promotion.  They need a professional website presence to give a first good impression online, but they don't have the money to pay for a truly high-end custom job.

Many of these organizations solicit a donated website like any other donation.  But building a professional website is not the same as simply writing a check or dropping off a load of supplies.  There are numerous factors involved and good communication is essential to a good working relationship.  Here are some tips for working with a volunteer webmaster that will make everyone's life easier.

If your organization's membership includes a web professional, DO ask them if they would be willing to donate their time and/or other resources to a project.  Some pros are happy for the chance to contribute to their favorite cause or need to build their portfolios.  DON'T merely assume that their skills are yours for the taking.  Freelancers may not have the time or may not be able to afford to donate their resources.  Salaried employees may not be permitted to use company assets in this fashion.

If you are not able to pay for a webmaster's services, DO consider other forms of compensation.  Like promoting their services via advertising in your organization's publication.  Or endorsing them on LinkedIn, Yelp, Yahoo Local, Google Local, etc.  Or providing them with a testimonial to use in their advertising.  It is very difficult for web professionals to write off their services on their taxes.  A creative approach I learned from a colleague involves exchanging checks for the same amount:  the webmaster gives a donation to the org, the org pays the webmaster.  Both sides break even but the advantage is reporting to the IRS.  Yes, it's legal.

DO decide what your site is going to entail before embarking on the project.  DO include the webmaster in the conversation to determine exactly what services they will be able to provide, and how much time.  DO put these decisions in writing so both sides know what to expect of each other.  DO allow the webmaster to set some limits.  DO agree to a "sunset" time when further development or maintenance is turned over to another group member internally.  Remember, they have to work their pro bono assistance in with the jobs that pay the bills!

DO appoint one or two people as the webmaster contact for your group.  It is easy to let a creative endeavor like designing a website become a tug-of-war between personalities.  DON'T drag the webmaster into any internal conflicts.  It will sink your project as well as alienate the very person trying to help you.

DON'T add more features or requests on to the project after it starts.  The webmaster has to measure the amount of time they can donate.  Additional development not previously discussed may be infringing on time that someone else has already bought and paid for.  There's even a term for it:  "scope creep".  Unless there has been a critical oversight, or a significant change in the organization, avoid last minute additions or "emergency changes". 

DO invest time and effort into learning to maintain the site, if you don't already know how.  DO know if you require any software, or how to manage the content management system (CMS) that is going to run the site.  The more the organization can handle itself on the web, the less likely you'll get into a bind if you need changes made and your volunteer is no longer available.

DON'T assume that you'll have your webmaster's services indefinitely.  Situations change, business picks up, life moves on.  Besides, some people get very comfortable having a professional at their side, and forget that they're working with a volunteer, not a paid contractor.  That's the fastest way to destroy an otherwise good relationship.  Service-on-demand-without-question is a commodity that you pay for.  See the comment above re:  sunset time.

Finally, DO take the opportunity to learn all you can from your volunteer.  You'll be able to apply their insight and technical tips to future communications.

Come Buy Our Stuff

A while back I posted in "You Know You're in Dunwoody When...." that no one pays retail for kids' stuff.

It's true!

This weekend is the Kingswood KidStuff Consignment sale, one of many held in churches around Dunwoody. Buyers get deep discounts on good quality childrens' clothing, toys and supplies, sellers get some pizza and beer money, and Kingswood UMC gets funding for its mission programs.  Everybody wins!

This is my first time as a seller.  Be gentle with me!  I managed to save lots of great stuff and now that my kids have outgrown it, it's up for sale!
Here's the official verbage.....

KidStuff & More Consignment Sale

Come shop with us!
Incredible bargains on everything for babies & children!

• Fall and winter clothing, shoes, and accessories
• Costumes and dress-up clothes
• Baby equipment, bedding, room décor
• Books, games, toys, movies, music, software, video games
• Bikes, trikes, scooters, skates, athletic gear

 

Sale Times:
Thursday, September 22, 5 pm – 9 pm (no children under 10, please)
Friday, September 23, 9 am – 2 pm
Saturday, September 24, 8 am – 1 pm (many items 1/2 price!)

 

Kingswood United Methodist Church
5015 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
(corner of Tilly Mill Rd. and North Peachtree Road)
Community Life Center Gymnasium
(Use North Peachtree Road entrance)

 

For more information:
http://www.kingswoodumc.org/missions/kidstuff.htm

Who Likes Mike?

Anyone else running for office who'd like to post an announcement for their event, feel free to send it on over.  :-)
I've got questions of my own for everybody coming up....

FREE - Two Tickets to Jazz and Art from the Heart

SDOC is a corporate sponsor of the Dunwoody Friends of Childrens' Healthcare of Atlanta.
Check out my earlier post for the story behind that decision and our involvement in Taste of Dunwoody.

This Saturday is Jazz and Art from the Heart, also benefiting CHOA.

Normally my husband and I would be here with bells on but, alas, we have a scheduling conflict.

So the tickets that go along with our sponsorship are up for grabs!

First Dunwoodian to send me an email at duncan@sdocpublishing.com to request the tickets gets them.  That's $125 gala tickets free for typing fast! 

Include in your email the two names of the people who would like to go, so I can get you on the guest list.  Enjoy the gala with my compliments!

Opportunity Knocking - Now that we have it, what do we do with it?

According to Dunwoody Patch, the PVC purchase is now a done deal.  Right or wrong, whatever the reason was, we the City now own it.

Now what?

Everyone and their dog has an opinion about what should be done with this property, usually centered around their own personal priorities.  That's normal.  However the City can't use an individual's single perspective in this kind of decision.

My opinion is it should be used for some facility that we do not already have, and can be created on a reasonable budget.  (I'm leaving the definition of "reasonable" to whichever CPA is holding the City's pursestrings.)  The City should also not compete with the private sector.  The latter pays taxes - don't drive them out of business. 

We already have tennis courts, baseball/softball fields, youth soccer fields, a nature center, community garden, greenhouse, playgrounds, and nature trails.  These already exist in other parks, and private facilities like church campuses.   Some of them are very underutilized.  Paying for something twice isn't a good use of tax money, by any standard. 

There are two things that Dunwoody doesn't have:
1)  A freestanding municipal center for our government
2)  A multiuse football/soccer/track field for Dunwoody cluster schools.

The first idea is not original - it has been bandied about ever since the first news broke about this land deal.  There's nothing wrong with renting space temporarily.  Dunwoody only had a few months to get its feet under it and start operations and leasing a space was the only option feasible for that timeframe.   But for the long haul, leasing can be more trouble than its worth.  Buildings get sold, landlords go bankrupt, mortgages go into foreclosure.  Time to start thinking about developing a municipal space wholly owned by the city that doesn't exist according to outside real estate machinations. 

There's been a lot of chatter about "what to do with Georgetown" as in, how should it be developed, improved, etc.  The general opinion I've heard is that it just "isn't a nice area".  I haven't seen any crime statistics but when I go down there for a bottle of milk or baby formula at some obscene hour because I didnt' get to it during the day, I don't feel unsafe.  Sure, the shopping center is an older building, that doesn't make it "bad" or blighted.  But if there are concerns about public safety, try putting your police precinct smack dab in the middle of the development.  Any remaining do-bads will scatter like roaches in daylight. 

The idea for the second option came from the last DHA public meeting where a gentleman representing DHS girls' lacrosse appeared with two ladies from the team requesting financial support to refurbish a field on Peachtree MS' property for practice.  My head has nearly exploded more than once from the twisted logic that is DCSS so I don't try to make sense of it.  There's good and bad news here.  The good news is that the kids team members at DHS are willing to put in the sweat equity to earn their money and pay for what they need, even going so far as to rebuild a field in a flood plain that DCSS owns.  They'll do what it takes to provide for themselves.  The bad news is the same 'ole story:  DCSS isn't going to provide facilities for Dunwoody, they don't give a damn about the increasing student population on the north side of the County, and maintaining the status quo in Stone Mountain is Priority One. 

There's nothing stopping the City from creating a sports complex with scholastic sports in mind.  Dunwoody HS doesn't have a home stadium - even for this Yankee that's ridiculous, moreso in the heart of SEC country.  The girls' lacrosse team is willing to rebuild a flood plain because North DeKalb Stadium is too booked for any additional teams to use.  Add to that boys' lacrosse, football, soccer, track & field, and you have one very busy athletic calendar. 

A municipal sports complex geared toward scholastic athletics would provide teams from high school (and middle school, if necessary) the space to get practice and workouts in and a place to call "home field".  The PVC farm has easy access to Peachtree and DHS, as well as 285.  There's room for parking, and even access to MARTA.  Bring in private vendors to manage concessions and maintenance, so you create jobs - hopefully for Dunwoody-area firms. 

If DCSS should want to use the field for official season games, they would be able to negotiate a reasonable fee.  (Clarification:  this does not mean that DCSS would have priority over a Dunwoody stadium or even that they would have any rights to it at all.  This does mean that if a regular game between Dunwoody and another DCSS school were to take place in this hypothetical stadium, DCSS would have to pay up to some degree.)

Thus Dunwoody scholastic athletics would have a place to play, and room to expand.  If the "charter cluster" concept, where local authorities/boards could manage the local schools, comes to fruition, or even if Dunwoody should find itself in another county, the infrastructure is there to support the schools' athletic needs.

With all of this said, the City should never again have to ask the opening question in the title.  "So now that we have it, what do we do with it?"  Plan first, the negotiate and buy.  Not the other way around, unless someone at City Hall thinks we have money and karma enough to squander.