CBS Atlanta reports on the latest efforts to build a government center downtown. Some residents are concerned the few historical buildings in the city center are to be knocked down.

Here’s the news report:

CBS Atlanta 46

.Simeon Smith and her kids have opened a “Little Free Library.”

We have a handfull of books in it already and are getting more. It is a place for kids and young people in the neighborhood to exchange books with one another.  We want people to use it! If kids have old books that they would like to share, they simply place them in the box and if they see something they would like to read, they may simply take it home with them.

It’s got its own Facebook page and email address: bayardlibrary@gmail.com

Another summer season kicks off …

And food trucks will be making an appearance too.

UPDATE:  Find race results here.

But the top finishers

Women:

• 5K: Elizabeth Callaway, 21:35
• 10K: Carolyn Poole, 53:49

Men

• 5K Sam Mugavero, 20:16
• 10K Dennison Strickland, 40:46

—

Lace up your shoes to hit the street for Saturday’s fundraiser for the public charter school, The Main Street Academy, College Park. You can find all the details for Saturday’s family-friendly event here.

If you’ve registered, you can pick up your numbers and swag bag Friday

Avoid the lines on Race Day and PICK UP your RACE NUMBER this FRIDAY from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, One Hartsfield Centre Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30354

Otherwise, on Saturday, it’s $30 to walk up and register.  And here’s what you can expect:

COURSE DESCRIPTION
1. The 10K USATF Certified Course loops through three Georgia cities College Park, East Point, and Hapeville
2. The 5K Course loops through Historic College Park
3. Both start and finish in Historic College Park with final lap on a fast surface track

The hub of activity is Badgett Stadium, at 3636 College Street, College Park, GA 30337

Some 69 people have already backed the Kickstart efforts of Jefferson Park resident Nicole Milliken – aka Birdy Jones – to produce her third children’s picture book, Mr. Cool.

Mr. Cool teaches children to be self-confident and how to get the better of bullies in a surprising way.

You can learn more about Milliken and her goal on the Kickstarter website.

She appears to be on track to raise much more than her $3,000. Pledges of $10 or more starts to earn rewards, so check it out!

EAST POINT – Downtown will hear the roar of classic muscle cars and a hot rods at the 2013 Taste of East Point and the South Metro Area.

• BBQ, Wings, & Wheels: The Taste of East Point and the South Metro Area
• Saturday, April 27th 2 PM – 9 PM
• West Cleveland Avenue, across from the MARTA station 2777 East Point Street, East Point, GA 30344.

Organizers teamed up with Grease Inc. Magazine/ Garage 71 Radio to put on this eye candy of cars, tricked out cars, hot rods, in addition to the food from area restaurants and eateries.  Oh. And there’s music too. Check out Zydeco T.

The East Point Main Street Association is hosting the annual food festival scheduled for Saturday in downtown East Point (across from MARTA), along West Cleveland Avenue and East Point Street.

Another addition Food Truck Alley which will feature some of the vendors that will be participating in East Point’s new Food Truck Court.  It will be part of the East Point Farmer’s Market, which starts in May.

In addition local brewery Strawn Brewing Company and Ace Beer Growlers offer local craft beer tastings.

Taste Tickets $1.00 each (initial minimum purchase of $5.00). Beer/Wine/Margaritas: $4.00.

East Point – Authorities reported a total of 425 major crimes here in March.

That’s a 13 percent increase from March 2012.

Above is the March chart of the reported crimes.

And a comparison of 2012 monthly report to the current crime picture below.

EAST POINT – From a car crash and court room to a funeral, authorities want to show students how one decision can cascade into a life-changing situation.

Police and emergency workers will be out in force Thursday, April 18, at TriCities High School to make a point as prom season gets underway.

Here’s the news release

(East Point, GA) The City of East Point Police Department, in partnership with Tri-Cities High School, will be conducting the Annual Safe Prom Night Program on April 18, 2013 8:00am -12:00pm at Tri-Cities High School. The goal of the Safe Prom Night Program is to educate students on the dangers and potential consequences of driving a car after drinking or using illicit narcotics on prom night. This program will include students participating in a series of stations including:
- Mock Traffic Accident Scene
o Students will see a wrecked automobile and hear the story of a student who attended prom and consumed a controlled substance only to lose control of their vehicle on the way home.
- DUI vision goggles
o Students will be asked to take field sobriety tests while wearing goggles designed to emulate the altered physical responses typically experienced while under the influence of controlled substances.
- Simulated Court Session
o This section features Rashida Oliver, Chief Judge East Point Municipal Court and the Tri-Cities Drama Department explaining the legal ramifications that result from driving while under the influence. Students will observe a mock trial of a high school student who made the unfortunate decision to take a controlled substance on prom night and observe as the Judge delivers a verdict that will change their life forever.
- Mock Funeral
o The Tri-Cities Drama Club created a reenactment of a funeral intended to make students realize how making a poor decision can impact their lives and the lives of others.

This program will take place in front of Tri-Cities High School beginning at 8:00 AM ending promptly at noon.
###

Neighbor Newspapers has the story about a TriCities senior who is making a name for herself as chef.

Since she was 9 years old, Cynthia Bobadilla, a Tri-Cities High School senior, has been cooking up culinary creations.

“I was working with my parents in a restaurant,” she said. “I’m not sure why. I just saw them cooking, and as a child, you want to do what you see.”

Last month during a scholarship competition at the Art Institute of Atlanta, Bobadilla’s love for cooking was taken to another level, as she clinched the gold medal for the competition, rising to the top above 10 other participants.

What did she whip up?

Bobadilla, along with the other 10 finalists, prepared shrimp cocktail as the first course and a sautéed chicken breast with a garnish, rice pilaf and broccoli sauté.

Her special touch, which she thinks set her apart was the garnish for the chicken breast.

“Mine was like a cream of mushroom sauce,” she said. “The ingredients for the sauce were kinda limited.”

Read more about this up and coming chef at Neighbor Newspapers.

EAST POINT – Two maps to help people find the 50+ homes that are part of the East Point community yard sale on Saturday, April 13
Hours: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
No early arrivals, please. Print the maps to help you find the sales.

Jefferson Park neighborhood, East Point

View Jefferson Park spring 2013 yard sale in a larger map

And all of East Point

View East Point Yard Sales April 13, 2013 in a larger map