About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60^th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains.

Laura Whitaker is the executive director of Extra Special People, a nonprofit in Watkinsville, GA, that enhances the lives of children with disabilities by offering them recreation, education and socialization. Whitaker has been the executive director of ESP since 2006, and was only 21 when she took on the job. Under her leadership, the nonprofit has grown from a summer camp program to a year-round one, providing after-school care and family counseling for more than 150 children throughout 10 counties in Northeast Georgia.

Whitaker talks here about the challenges of running the nonprofit and the ambitious goals she has for Extra Special People.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever taken on?

A: The biggest challenge taken on was by far in January of 2006, when I took over ESP. After the sudden passing of the founder and director, I wanted the kids to have camp. However, I didn’t understand at the time that I was taking over a nonprofit and was required to raise $300,000 in order to have camp. In many ways I feel like my job chose me, and I am so thankful it did. I quickly learned, made mistakes and then learned again. The last seven years has taught me how to be a leader and how to effectively lead an organization that is changing lives every day.

After taking over ESP I quickly realized that we were only serving a fraction of the number of children with disabilities and families that needed our services. We have a waiting list that grows each summer. Our small, 1,600 square-foot facility does not match the incredible program of ESP. And as the waiting list lengthens and the request for additional services increases, my heart felt more and more burdened.

The second biggest challenge was making the step to do something about this. In 2012 the board, the families of ESP and I launched a capital campaign to raise $5 million, to one day build a bigger facility to serve more children. It was the biggest leap of faith the organization has made thus far but we had to make it. The needs are great. We believe that our community will rally behind us and allow us to serve more people. Until then, many children will wait.

In the last year we’ve raised about $500,000 in gifts and pledges. We still have a long way to go, but I’m confident that the members of our community believe in the children of ESP and will want to leave a long-lasting legacy through ESP.

Q: What will you do when you succeed?

A: When we finally get our new facility, we will march into our new home hand-in-hand with the individuals we serve and do nothing other than what we always do, just bigger, and have one giant dance party! 

• The Fresh Market Serves Up Cupcakes For a Cause The Fresh Market stores nationwide will host a cupcake decorating event this Saturday, May 18 from 10:00am-3:00pm. Customers will be able to purchase and decorate a delicious cupcake from The Fresh Market’s in-store bakeries for a donation of $3.
• Atlanta Rollergirls Roller Derby Double Header Atlanta Rollergirls All Stars, the Dirty South Derby Girls, take on the Ohio Rollergirls in an action-packed display of athletic prowess! During the 2nd bout, the undefeated Apocalypstix take on the undefeated Toxic Shocks in the home team bout. Who will keep the streak going and which team will have theirs broken?
• Running of the Balls The Associated Credit Union Foundation is hosting its 2^nd Annual Running of the Balls charity golf ball race! You can sponsor a ball for a chance to win a large Big Green Egg and other cool prizes! Proceeds benefit the Associated CU Foundation and its charitable partners.
• Walk Now for Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism Speaks event is unique, offering a safe and fun day for families impacted by autism. The day includes a one and a half mile Walk and Community Resource fair with educational sources, therapists, schools, recreational organizations, and creative child-friendly activities – a true “one-stop-shop” for families affected by autism.
• Atlanta Streets Alive at Publik Draft House On May 19th from 1pm-7pm, Publik Draft House (P.D.H.) be participating in Atlanta Street Alive and donating $1 per select beer sold to the organization, benefiting the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. 
• Imperial Opa at Atlanta Streets Alive Take a stroll through Midtown this Sunday, May 19 from 2 to 6, for an afternoon of circus amazement and street entertainment. As part of the festive Atlanta Streets Alive event in Midtown, Jamestown Properties has invited Imperial Opa to perform on the plaza at 999 Peachtree.

The following is a letter from Shannon with the latest updates as of Friday morning:

I have an update on the dog tentatively named Hercules, the chihuahua mix who was hit by a car, and his incredible recovery. He has been released from the Ansley Animal Clinic. His eye has healed and his ear will likely recover in time. He has no broken bones but some sore muscles. He is on pain medications and he is nervous and anxious perhaps because of the pain medications and most likely because he is away from home.  He is recovering in a temporary home but no owner has come forward to get him.  The vet bills total $500.00 and we are trying to figure out a way to get donations together.

Regardless, a host of Midtown residents are continuing their search for his owner while he stays with his KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR aka Christian Seklecki who was one of many Good Samaritans in Midtown who rescued this pup. Christian took him to the clinic and he has shouldered all the financial burdens. “It is so nice to know that so many people are willing to hep in a time of need like this,” Christian said.

A big thank you must also go out to Dr. Woods at Ansley Animal Clinic and the vet techs, nurses, and staff who tended to him and all the Midtown residents for all their help at the time of the incident and afterwards including Bernard, Terry, Diego, Carla, Cary, Nancy, and Chris who offered to pick him up from the emergency clinic.  Go Midtown!

If anyone recognizes this dog or if his owner is reading this, please contact Christian Seklecki if this is your dog. He can be emailed at christianseklecki@gmail.com. —

Thanks again Midtown!–Shannon Alderman

Original Story – Did you lose your dog?  A Midtown Patch reader sent in this picture of a dog they found near 12th street in midtown Atlanta.

According to the reader:

He is a chihuahua mix and he was hit by a car.

It was a hit and run incident. Right now, he is in guarded condition at Ansley Animal Clinic. Please call the clinic at 404 873 1786 if he is yours.  Otherwise, please pray for a swift recovery for the little guy!

Ansley Animal Clinic does have ways to determine if this actually your dog or not, so please do not think you will be able to fool them.  In fact, if this is indeed your dog you are advised to bring photos and other materials to support your claim.

Brookview Cafe
1819 Peachtree Road
5/7/13
Score: 84

Buckhead Pizza III
3324 Peachtree Road
5/2/13
Score: 82

Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern
1551 Piedmont Avenue
5/3/13
Score: 99

The Imperial Fez
2285 Peachtree Road
5/13/13
Score: 61

The Masquerade
695 North Avenue
5/13/13
Score: 90

Tantra Restaurant
2285 Peachtree Road
4/29/13
Score: 89

(A food service establishment that is graded as a “U” and does not earn at least a grade “C” within 10 days of receiving the “U” will be requested to voluntarily close until all violations are corrected and/or have enforcement action taken to suspend or revoke the food service permit.)

Also: local hero helps special needs children; attempted armed robbery in Stone Mountain; a full list of weekend activities throughout metro Atlanta.

According to the reader:

He is a chihuahua mix and he was hit by a car.

It was a hit and run incident. Right now, he is in guarded condition at Ansley Animal Clinic. Please call the clinic at 404 873 1786 if he is yours.  Otherwise, please pray for a swift recovery for the little guy!

Ansley Animal Clinic does have ways to determine if this actually your dog or not, so please do not think you will be able to fool them.  In fact, if this is indeed your dog you are advised to bring photos and other materials to support your claim.

Also: Chipper Jones at Emory; Tucker home on AE; new school for Pace Academy; Avondale Estates citizens patrols; Southwest Atlanta Recycling Fire.

It’s that time of year again and you’re outside, enjoying your yard. Then you start nosing around—maybe you’re inspecting your plants, or reviewing the condition of your lawn or setting up your sprinklers—and before you know it, reality hits.

You need to paint the house.  

A daunting task. An expensive task. A necessary task—because it’s not just about how your house looks, it’s about your home’s value. Neglect is not an option.

Take heart, however. Information and resources have never been more easily available to help you through this project.

Know Your Options

Your options are to either hire a contractor or paint it yourself. Hiring a contractor is an expensive option, but if it’s in your budget and you do the necessary research to find a quality contractor, you won’t regret it.

The best method to find a professional painter is word-of-mouth. Ask a neighbor who’s recently repainted, or go to a local paint store and ask for recommendations. You could also use a service such as the popular Angie’s List. Once you’ve contacted the painter, ask for references before you even bother getting a quote.

Most professional contractors will give you a free estimate. They know what they’re looking for and can point out important issues you may have missed such as carpentry work on deteriorated siding.

If your house is extremely tall or has dangerous gables, professionals have the equipment and insurance to handle this type of treacherous job. And many contractors guarantee their work for a year, so if something chips or peels, you’re covered.

Your DIY Checklist

If your budget—or your house—is smaller, and you enjoy a good do-it-yourself project, you can paint your house yourself. It’s a multi-step process, and you’ll want to spend some time preparing for it. Here’s a brief game plan:

1. Decide when to paint. Spring and fall are the best times of year to paint. When outside temperatures are in the mid-50s and higher, the caulk, primer and paint cure properly.

2. Decide where to start your prep work. Do you need to scrape peeling areas? Do you have any rotten wood that needs to be replaced? Be sure to check the base of your columns and areas around and under gutters. Also check all window sills, especially windows that are in damp, shady areas. Replacing wood might require a handyman, and getting someone who knows what they are doing is worth every penny.

Do you have metal railings or awnings that need painting? This requires a whole different set of supplies and techniques.

3. Once all the scraping and potential rot problems are addressed, the next job is to pressure wash your house. Even if it’s brick or stucco, wash it anyway to remove any mold or mildew that will compromise your new paint job. If you’re doing this yourself, you’ll need to rent equipment and plan a day (at least) to complete the task.  

There is skill involved in pressure washing. Not too hard, not too soft. Make sure you find out which PSI setting the sprayer should be on for your particular house materials. To bleach or not to bleach? If your bleach is too strong, it will kill your plants, so consider holding off on new plantings until the job is done.  

You can do this yourself—just do your homework first. Pressure washing is a very satisfying job, but it’s not an easy one.

4. Now she’s clean—sparkling even. Time to caulk and prime. You’ll want to get every joint, every crack, every piece of wood. Caulking makes your paint job appear seamless, and seals off your home from infestation of termites, bees, and other problematic invaders. It also makes your home more energy efficient.

If your house already has several coats of paint, you may only need to prime new or recently exposed wood. The quality and type of primer you use in those cases is important. Many new paints have built-in primer, but old-school painters don’t go for that. Primer is an entirely different product from paint, so choose carefully. Primer not only protects your paint job, it can help you solve for lead-based paint issues and oil vs. latex.  

5. Now for the fun part! The colors. If your house is brick and you only need to paint a few siding areas, shutters and trim, you might want to keep the colors that came with the house. But if you’re open, a change can make it feel like a brand new home!

The newest software at Behr Paint offers color visualizer options that help you select both interior and exterior colors. You can view varying styles of homes and select swatches to make a virtual colorboard. You can also get sample bottles for a small fee at local Home Depot stores so you can try it before you buy it.   

Home Depot’s website offers a wealth of information on all the brands of paint it carries, including Martha Stewart and Glidden paints, and the top-rated Behr. Speaking of name brand paints, do your homework here as well. Cheap paint won’t hold up to sun and weather. This is an extremely labor-intensive job and you don’t want to have to do it again for at least another ten years. Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to exterior paint. If you are using a professional painter, make sure you find out what brand they prefer. Sometimes it’s more about their bottom line than the longevity of the paint job. Make sure they are using quality products.

Looking to choose an entirely new paint palette? Take a ride through nearby neighborhoods on a sunny afternoon to see what others are doing. It’s important to consider the colors of your roof shingles and any stone or brick on the foundation before you decide on a color. Reviewing exterior colors on other homes might change your ideas about what colors to choose for your own house.

If you just can’t make up your mind, hire a professional color consultant for a one-hour consultation.

Once you select your colors, you’ll need to determine quantities and buy supplies. Ask the experts at the store. Paint department employees have extensive training and experience and they really know their stuff. They can talk you through brushing vs. spraying, rolling vs. brushing, and all the other possibilities.  

It’s a lot of work to paint your own house. But if you take your time with it, you can save thousands of dollars and take great pride in your finished product.

This notice is to inform you that the Atlanta Public Schools has received a subpoena related to Fulton County Superior Court case 13SC117954. The subpoena requires the school system to produce information that may contain the education information of students, including student identification numbers. Please note that the subpoena is directed to the school system, and you are not required to take any action or provide any information.

The school system will comply with the subpoena and provide the subpoenaed information unless restrained in some manner by legal authority. The school system is providing you this notice as required by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Should you choose to seek protective action, it is your responsibility to take the necessary steps with appropriate court officials. The school system must comply with the subpoena unless restrained in some manner by legal authority, and the school system is not allowed to withhold the subpoenaed information based upon a request by a student, parent, or guardian.

Court officials will have access to the subpoenaed information on or after May 17, 2013, unless restrained in some manner by legal authority.

Please be assured that Atlanta Public Schools takes the privacy of students and their families very seriously and discloses information related to students and their families only in a manner allowed by law.

— Atlanta Public Schools