Sweet Auburn Festival 2018

Standing on Auburn Avenue looking north at the huge crowd on Hilliard Avenue at the Sweet Auburn Avenue Spring Festival.

Thousands packed the Annual Sweet Auburn Spring Festival despite the 90 degree heat.

There was delicious healthy and unhealthy food.  Everything from huge turkey legs, barbecue chicken, rum cakes, lobster tails, fish and french fries.  For those more health conscious, there was vegan barbecue, vegan mac & cheese, kale salad and rice.

This delicious vegan meal was quickly consumed by all who stopped at the booth of a nationally known vegan cook.

Our voter registration team registered voters and gave information on how to get a copy of their “sample ballot”.  With over 15 items on the primary ballot, voters need to do research to know who the best candidates before they vote.

Our voter registration team takes a quick break, while tryiing to look cool in the 90+ degree heat at Sweet Auburn Festival.

Emergency Contact Info for Irma

This is a comprehensive list of resources to help you, your family and neighbors stay safe as Hurricane Irma blows through Georgia and the Southeast region. With powerful winds, power outages, and continuous rain, please keep this list and pass it on:

Hurricane Irma’s realtime forecasts can be found at the National Hurricane Center’s website.

Stay up-to-date on Hurricane Irma by visiting the Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency’s website.

Follow GEMA on Twitter and Facebook.

Google the following:

GEMA evacuation map

List of shelters in Georgia

Map of shelters in Georgia

GDOT Traffic Map

Stay safe and be prepared by visiting “Ready Georgia”.

Please note that during a “state of emergency, MARTA trains run.  However, MARTA buses are not allowed to run.  It appears that buses are safer than cars since police, fire, hospital, and other emergency workers would be safer on a bus than in their own vehicle. They could run on a Saturday schedule.  This could also help those who need to get to dialysis and other critical medical appointments.  Hmmm.  Your thoughts?

Most flights in and out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport have been cancelled as of 1pm today. Check with your airline about waiving change fees when you re-book your flight.

When conditions are safe, you can sign up to volunteer to help those affected by Hurricane Irma through “NVOAD”.

Report price gouging by contacting the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit at 1-800-869-1123 toll-free outside of the metro Atlanta calling area, or call 404-651-8600 inside the metro Atlanta area. You can submit a written report using this form.

Stay Safe.

(List courtesy of Georgia Democrats)

Donate Only What is Needed to Hurricane Harvey Survivors

Did you know that everything donated after a natural disaster or devastating event is not needed?  From people to corporations, after Hurricane Katrina & Rita, after Sandyhook, after Haiti and now after Hurricane Harvey, we must be cognizant of the most effect and efficient ways to give and volunteer.

Believe or not, a lot of the wrong stuff causes more harm than good and may not be used at all.  CBS Sunday Morning did an updated story on this important topic right after Hurricane Harvey so that our good intentions can bring joy instead of wasting resources and causing pain.  Perhaps we simply need to donate cash via online website, through churches and at on-site donations events to well-vetted organizations.  So think before you give. View the full show segment at:

https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/disaster-relief-donations-that-dont-bring-relief-2/

Also, Tom Joyner set up a unique fund with $20,000 seed money and is taking donations where 100% of proceeds will go to the people.  This fund collects money donations to give $1,000 Walmart gift certificates to people who open their homes to family, friends, co-workers and strangers. In many cases, these Harvey survivors will be staying indefinitely with these angels who opened up their homes.  In one letter to the Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS), a family had taken in 21 people who lost their homes.  Can you imagine the increased food and  utility bills?  See the full story an how you can help:

Open Arms In The Midst Of A Storm

BlackAmericaWeb.com Relief Fund

Now you have the information you need to make sure your donation will be used by those who need it for the purpose for which you intended.  Thanks in advance for being a part of the village of people who do not just talk about how bad the disaster is, but gives what you can to make a difference for those in need.

And, people who survive these traumatic events, whether a weather or violent catastrophe, let us refer to those affected by these disasters as “survivors” instead of “victims “.   Thanks!!

Photos from Google Images.

ATL Tenants Shocked By Landlord’s Unpaid $700K Water Bill

Despite Sierra residents paying their rent, which includes water, their water was turned off earlier today.  After WAOK Radio Host And former Atlanta City Councilman Derrick Boazman and Atlanta Mayoral Candidate State Senator Vincent Fort held a press conference at the apartment complex late this morning.  It appears that the media exposure has helped the residence get a two week reprieve.

Also, I spoke to At-Large Councilman Andre Dickens, this evening.  He says, “As soon as I found out what was going on, about 2pm, I began making calls to various departments to see what could be done for the Sierra Ridge Residents.”

According to WSB TV2, the apartment owners are saying $480,000 of the $700,000 the City says they owe is from the previous owners.  They only want to pay what they owe.  Is it possible for a real estate sale to close with an unpaid water bill?  View the full story at:  https://www.google.com/amp/s/wsbtv.relaymedia.com/amp/news/local/atlanta/more-than-100-left-without-water-right-before-children-head-back-to-school/577207018

http://www.cbs46.com/story/36015866/apartment-complex-water-turned-back-on

And, many residents across Atlanta are appalled at the fact that several Atlanta businesses in Buckhead and Midtown owe millions of dollars in unpaid water bills and the City has not turned off their water.  See the full 11 Alive TV story from 2016 at:

http://www.11alive.com/mb/news/local/city-give-buckhead-condo-pass-on-1-million-water-bill/308316443#

Do you believe the City of Atlanta/Watershed Management should have different policies about who pays their delinquent water bill based on your zip code?

When is the water at the luxury Phoenix Condo building going to have their water turned off for non payment for their ten plus year, delinquent $1 million water bill?

What do you think should be done to help the 40 Sierra Ridge residents and their children?

(Please post your comment and “like” this page.)