Atlanta Daily World

Event Showcases Homes in Historic West End

Potential homebuyers are invited to participate in the "Committed to Communities" open house on Saturday, Jan. 12, to showcase homes in historic communities and boost homeownership in southwest Atlanta. More events will be held in 2013. This year's theme is "Resolution 2013 – Own It!"

The free, family-friendly event will feature homes in the West End, West View, Oakland City, Ashview Heights, Beecher Hills, Adair Park and Capitol View, primarily in the 30310 zip code. This zip code -- once home to high rates of foreclosure and mortgage fraud – is rebounding as savvy buyers discover this area close to downtown and along the popular Atlanta Beltline.

Already 17 families have purchased homes in the area with $15,000 down payment assistance grants through the NeighborhoodLIFTSM program. Several million dollars are still available through the program. Those qualifying must buy and live in a home in the city of Atlanta and meet requirements including a maximum income of 120 percent of the Atlanta area median income, which is $83,000 for a family of four.

One family that bought a home in the West End through the program is the Mullens. "We have four children under the age of six, and we knew we needed a home we could grow in," said Amanda Mullen. "With the help of NeighborhoodLIFT and because we were willing and able to purchase and rehab a foreclosure, we got the home that we really wanted. We chose the West End specifically because it has a lot of potential and culture."

Those taking part in the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will find homes ranging from $40,000 to $250,000 in quaint communities filled with residents committed to strengthening and stabilizing their neighborhoods. Attendees will tour homes for sale; talk with builders, lenders, real estate professionals, and housing counseling agencies; enjoy refreshments; and meet families who call these communities home.

Derrick Duckworth, a realtor who started the open house event over two years ago, said, "As a resident and realtor for many years, I believe most of the neighborhoods on the south side of the Atlanta Beltline mirror many of the more well-known and established neighborhoods like Morningside, Virginia Highlands, and Garden Hills on the north side of the Beltline, but just at a fraction of the cost."

He continued, "In my opinion, now is the time to put down roots and buy in the city, and the NeighborhoodLIFT program is one of the better incentives to help people do that."

The event is hosted by The Beltline Team of Morris & Raper Real Estate Consultants and EpiCity. Other participants are Resources for Residents and Communities (RRC), Invest Atlanta, Loan South Mortgage, Area West Realty, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership and Wells Fargo. Invest Atlanta and RRC are administering the NeighborhoodLIFT program, which was funded by Wells Fargo.

"Committed to Communities" will kick off at a home located at 580 West End Place. Persons interested in attending the free Jan. 12 event can register at www.CommittedtoCommunities.com. Registration is encouraged but not required. For more information, email Derrick Duckworth This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or John Mangham at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Former Falcon Dewey McClain is New President of AFL-CIO Labor Council

Former Atlanta Falcon Dewey McClain has taken the oath of office as the new president of the Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council (AFL-CIO).

The Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council is an advocate for all working class communities. While placing emphasis on coalition building and partnering for working men and women in their battle for a strong working community, the AFL-CIO also advocates for workplace justice and equal opportunities.

McClain noted, "One of my many goals is to educate the communities on the resources that the Central Labor Council has to offer. This would create a lasting social and economic change for their families and communities. I am delighted to carry the torch in support of the mission – which is to build on the strength and capacities of workers and working communities, to be relationship driven and community focused. I plan to concentrate on an agenda that captures local definition, creativity and hope and which promotes and supports local leadership."

McClain is a graduate of the class of 1976 from East Central University, in Ada, Okla., with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in history and supplemental minor degrees in psychology, government, sociology and physical education.

He went on to sign as a linebacker with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League and played for five years. McClain also played for two years in the United States Football League. He is a founding member and past president of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Metro Atlanta Chapter and former member of the National Former Players Board of Directors of the NFLPA.

McClain retired from the City of Atlanta after serving 18 years in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, and four years with Atlanta Workforce Development Agency. He has received a host of special awards for his achievements including the 2011 Jessie Jackson Sportsman of the Year Award and the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. March Committee Rev. James Orange Award.

For more information on the Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council, visit the website at

http://www.atlantalaborcouncil.org.

‘The Teacher Who Changed My Life’ Essay Contest Announced

The Atlanta Daily World is partnering with New America Media (NAM) and other media outlets in Atlanta to promote an essay contest on teachers.

Teens and adults are invited to write a short essay (a maximum of 500 words) describing the teacher who changed their life or the life of their child. Tell us: Who is this remarkable person? Did this person mentor you, open your mind to a subject that became your passion, help you in a personal crisis?

The contest deadline is Feb 4, all mail-in entries must be postmarked by then. All entries are subject to the contest's Official Rules which are listed at www.atlantadailyworld.com.

All contestants must reside in the city of Atlanta or surrounding counties. Participants can only enter one of the following categories:

1) Teenagers between 14 to 18 years old; Write about a teacher, who is not your relative, who teaches in public or private school in the city of Atlanta or surrounding counties.

2) Adults 19 years of age and older; Write about a teacher, who is not your relative, who teaches in public or private school in the city of Atlanta or surrounding counties who have changed your life or the life of your child.

3) Teachers in Memory; Write about a teacher, who is not your relative, who might have passed away or lost contact with, or a teacher who taught you in your home country.

Essay writers are invited to write up to 500 words in English or in the writer's native language. In-language submissions will be translated prior to final judging. Essays should be sent via email or regular mail, along with the entry form.

Visit www.atlantadailyworld.com to fill out an entry form.

Distinguished educators, journalists, scholars and advocates will select a winner from each category. Judges will look for evidence that the teacher opened up a new pathway of knowledge or opportunity for the student that he or she had previously not been aware of, or that the teacher inspired or fostered a love of learning. We are looking for real life examples and expect the entries will help us expand our definition of what a "great teacher" is.

Winners in the "Teenager" and "Adult" categories will each receive a cash award of $500 and the teachers profiled will also receive an award of $500. Winner in "Teacher In Memory" will have the honor to pick a local public school in Atlanta or surrounding counties to donate a $500 check made by NAM.

A special presentation of the awards will be held in Atlanta in February. Winning essays will be published by NAM and participating media outlets.

FOR ENTRY FORM & OFFICIAL RULES, PLEASE VISIT: www.atlantadailyworld.com

TO JOIN, PLEASE EMAIL OR MAIL YOUR ESSAY AND YOUR ENTRY FORM TO: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Teacher Essay, Atlanta Daily World, 3485 N. Desert Drive Suite 109, Atlanta, GA 30344

Atlanta DMW Changing Water/Sewer Bills

Starting this month, Atlantans' water/sewer bills will take on a new look. In response to customer requests, the water/sewer bills will include information that Atlanta Department of Watershed Management says is designed to make them more informative and helpful.

The new bills will include usage figures in gallons, as well as hundred cubic feet (CCF). The Department of Watershed Management, like many water utilities, has long used CCF as its billing standard. 1 CCF is equivalent to roughly 748 gallons. Determining usage in more easily understandable gallons required simple math. Now, the billing system will handle the math and include the number of gallons used on the bill.

Customers also will be able to see their usage by tier. Atlanta uses conservation rates to encourage wise use of this resource. Under the City's tiered billing system, customers pay one rate per CCF if they use 3 or fewer CCF; a higher rate if they use from 4 to 6 CCF; and a still higher rate for using 7 CCF or more. (Sewer charges, which are about three times higher than water rates because of the federally mandated overhaul of Atlanta's sewer system, are also billed in tiers.) The new bills will clearly show customers how being careful with water usage can help them save money.

Other changes include:

· Information on daily usage so customers can be more aware of the effect conservation has on their bills;

· The amount saved monthly for those receiving the Senior Citizen Discount; and

· Options that will allow customers to donate to the Department's award-winning Care & Conserve program, which provides billing and plumbing assistance for qualifying low-income Atlantans.

"Our customers told us what they wanted, and we responded," said Commissioner Jo Ann Macrina. "The changes make it easier for our customers to understand their bills and give them a way to help their less fortunate neighbors."

Additional changes, including new payment methods, will be made in the coming months. For more information about the changes to the bills, visit www.atlantawatershed.org or check out http://youtu.be/0lYAlPCjLSg and http://youtu.be/rbFvlId236Y.