The Westview Community Organization is proud to announce the launch of its new newsletter, “Westview Neighbor“. The first issue contains articles about neighbor and a New Orleans Saints NFL player Leigh Torrence, the beginning of the “Westview Youth” program, an opinion piece about whether businesses can survive in Westview, tips on keeping up with your new year’s resolutions, and a lentil soup recipe.

If you have recommendations for future stories, would like to contribute an article, would like to pass out the newsletter on your street, or would like to inquire about advertising possibilities please email westviewnews@yahoo.com.

Download an e-version of the “Westview Neighbor” newsletter: January/February 2012 Issue

KIPP Metro Atlanta is pleased to announce the completion of a $10 million capital campaign to fund the construction of our first elementary school in Atlanta, KIPP STRIVE Primary. Thanks to the $5 million challenge grant issued by one of our greatest advocates, the Kendeda Fund, we were able to leverage this support and raise the remaining funds required to construct the facility on the campus of KIPP STRIVE Academy Middle School. Funders include the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, the David, Helen, and Marian Woodward Fund, the Tull Foundation, the Besse Johnson & George Blanton Allen Foundation, two anonymous donors, and numerous individuals.

Securing the funds at this time will allow us to begin construction this spring. The founding class of KIPP STRIVE Primary Kindergarten students will share space with KIPP STRIVE Academy Middle School during the 2012-13 school year. The new facility will be completed in time for the begining of the 2013-14 school year.

Such local philanthropic support would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of all our teachers, staff, students and parents who work each and every day to ensure our students have the knowlege and skills necessary to successfully climb the mountain to college.

Taken from KIPP Metro Atlanta E-newsletter (February 8, 2012)

When 5th/3rd Bank decided to open a branch in the Kroger CitiCenter shopping complex they did not simply renovate and start work, they actually came to the community. Future 5th/3rd bank manager Shaylah Richburg attended Westview Community Organization meetings months before the store was set to open and immediately asked “How can 5th/3rd Bank contribute in the community?” Shaylah continued to attend meetings and brought a ham to the annual Holiday Luncheon at Fire Station 17, mingling with the community like a committed neighbor. Through her attendance and communication with residents she soon found an issue that has become close to the heart for many residents in the past year – the work Pat and John Perdew have done with neighborhood children. The Perdew’s have opened their home to children where they can be in a loving, encouraging environment, where neighbors stop by to help the kids with homework after school, and where the kids can work together to cook a family meal. For their grand opening 5th/3rd Bank wanted to once again show their commitment to the surrounding area and chose the Perdew’s “Youth of Westview” children as the organization they would like to support. We are therefore proud to announce that the “Youth of Westview” were awarded $500 through fiscal agent “Next Steps Youth Entrepreneur Program” (from neighboring Beecher-Donnelly) to help fund future projects for the children.

Westview can be excited to have gained such a community-based bank at a time when most banks leave a bad taste in people’s mouths. Welcome to the neighborhood Shaylah and 5th/3rd Bank!

To view more photos of the 5th/3rd Bank grand opening please visit our Westview Facebook page.

The Westview Community Organization held a game night for young and old. Monopoly, chess, Uno, and Othello were some of the games played. Prizes were additionally given away to those able to answer quiz questions, which was especially fun for the children.

Would you have been able to answer one of the challenging but informative quiz question – “Who was the first man killed during the Revolutionary War?”. (The answer is “Crispus Attucks”.)

To view more photos of game night please visit our Westview Facebook page.

You can bring a check payable to the “Westview Community Organization” to the January WCO meeting. If you can’t make it to the meeting you can arrange to drop the check off by emailing info@westviewatlanta.com or pay online via PayPal.

Dues go to a wide variety of activities designed to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood, so your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Here are just a few things the members of the Westview Community Organization did in 2011:

• Organized neighborhood clean-ups
• Planted seasonal plantings in the traffic triangles
• Worked with Trees Atlanta to plant trees throughout the neighborhood
• Organized Thanksgiving baskets for the women’s shelter
• Continued to develop the community garden
• Developed a program for the neighborhood children
• Hosted National Night Out
• Completed a master plan for the neighborhood
• Hosted the Summer Solstice Celebration
• Organized an open house event
• Worked with the police on public safety issues
• Acquired land to create a new pocket park
• Partnered with Code Enforcement and non-profits to demolish dilapidated houses

In 2009 the Westview Community Organization collaborated with Trees Atlanta to have Princeton Elms planted along the western side of Ralph David Abernathy Blvd near the intersections of East Ontario Ave and Inman St. The trees have made a tremendous impact on the streetscape along this commercial strip.

Since then the community has aimed to continue this streetscape beautification, such as is outlined in the Westview Master Plan, and thanks to the continued efforts of both the WCO and Trees Atlanta additional trees have been planted. More Princeton Elm’s have been added on the western side of Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, between East and West Ontario Ave; Parrotia’s (Persian Ironwood) have been planted on the eastern side of Ralph David Abernathy Blvd; and Ginkgo’s have been planted along Inman St at the intersection of Ralph David Abernathy Blvd.

To view more photos of the tree plantings please visit our Westview Facebook page.

The Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education organization awarded not one, but two educators at KIPP STRIVE Academy!

The organization’s mission is to “improve the quality of education in Atlanta Public Schools by recognizing outstanding teachers and school leaders for their commitment to excellence.” KIPP STRIVE Academy’s Principal, Ed Chang, and 5th grade math teacher, Mike Stewart, were two of ten winners of the 2011 AFAEE awards. The awards each came with $7,500 in grant money to help fund innovative classrooms and school-wide projects. The project was made possible thanks to Councilmember Kwanza Hall, the Chick-fil-A cow, the Atlanta Falcons players and cheerleaders, and Superintendent Erroll Davis.

At a time when the Atlanta Public School system has been engrossed in news of cheating scandals it is refreshing to know that KIPP STRIVE Academy has continued to aim high. Westview residents can be proud to have such award-winning educators within the neighborhood school.

The Westview Community Organization would like to congratulate Ed Chang and Mike Stewart on their commitment and dedication to the future of the children in southwest Atlanta!

To view more photos of the awards ceremony please visit our Westview Facebook page.

The Westview Community Organization is partnering with NPU-T and Morehouse College to make Thanksgiving baskets for those in need. Rather than the usual food baskets, Westview members have committed to creating toiletry baskets for a nearby shelter.

Residents came together to donate shampoo, detergent, toothbrushes, lotion, and more. The contributions have been fantastic, and the WCO would like to thank all those neighbors who contributed and helped to make this holiday season a more memorable one for those in need.

Members of the Westview Community Organization awarded former WCO President Scott Smith with an award for “his commitment of time and inspiration to the Westview neighborhood” at the November WCO meeting.

Scott has been truly dedicated to the community – he has served as President and Vice President of the WCO Executive Committee for 8 years, has shown incredible leadership with code enforcement issues, has played a key role in the development of the community garden, has tirelessly been working with city officials over the years, and he has additionally been an officer of Neighborhood Planning Unit T. His endless efforts to serve the community are invaluable and the neighborhood can be thankful to have his continued support as the WCO Parliamentarian.

A tree will be planted in the neighborhood in Scott’s honor to exemplify an extraordinary resident.

Westview has some new food opportunities in the surrounding area:

On a healthier note a new natural foods store, The Boxcar Grocer, has opened its doors in nearby Castleberry Hill. They carry organic and gluten-free products as well as locally grown produce.

On a less healthy note the McDonald’s in neighboring West End tore down its old store and built a brand new building with a fashionable interior in its place and is now back open.