WHEN: Monday, February 13th, at 6:30pm, come to the Riverfest Committee Meeting at the Argos Cement Plant (formerly LaFarge), 2520 Paul Avenue, at the building immediately to the left of the entrance.

It is important for neighbors to help this year to make Riverfest 2012 the biggest and best event ever. We need help recruiting Sponsors, Vendors, obtaining Silent Auction items, and volunteers the day of the event.

Riverfest 2012 is just around the corner. This year will be the fourth annual, family friendly fundraiser event and will benefit Riverwalk Atlanta, a new park on the Chattahoochee River, IN RIVERSIDE. The event will be held on Saturday, May 12, beginning at 12 noon until 10pm at the Argos Cement Plant (formerly LaFarge), 2520 Paul Avenue NW, Atlanta Georgia 30318.

To help with Sponsors, please assist us to connect with your employer, or people you know in other companies. A warm introduction helps to get the appointment, to share the vision and explain the benefits.

Vendors make the event more interesting. Do you have a neighbor or a friend who makes crafts, art, or a service they would like to sell and advertise?

The Silent Auction is another opportunity for companies and people to donate items or services to help our fund raising efforts.

We also need help for set up the day before, and for clean up the day after the event. Many different volunteers are also needed the day of the event. From checking in sponsors and vendors, to selling beer, selling Riverside garb, water, sodas, people to supervise the bouncy houses, VIP services and more.

If you can’t make the meeting, please contact Keith Sharp, 678-778-8774 about sponsor levels and opportunities, and Cindy Poortinga, 404-227-2876 for information about becoming a vendor. If you are able to help the day of the event or the day before or after please email your hours of availability, job preferred, and questions to Keith Sharp <keith@oksharp.com>.

The time is here to do something really great for Riverside and the surrounding areas, get to know your neighbors and have a great memory for us all to be proud of. Thank you for your participation.

Please join us for the groundbreaking ceremony on December 6th from 1:30-3pm at the corner of Hollywood/Felker Road. All those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP by Dec. 2nd (Email: kkingsbury@atlantaga.gov). We hope to see you there!  (Click here for more recent rendering: Fire Station 28 Rendering)

John Pamplin presenting the Riverfest 2011 proceeds of over $6,500

Our 3rd annual Riverfest Music Festival was a great success, and the Riverfest Committee was on hand last night to present the “big check” to the Association at last night’s meeting.  John Pamplin, Chairman of the Riverfest Committee, presented a check for $6,523.52 in net proceeds to Jeremy Jones to benefit local charities and community projects.  Riverfest has raised over $16,000 since 2009!

“I really want to thank the members of the Riverfest Committee for stepping up and doing most of the work – Riverfest would not happen without their committed effort,” John said as the check was being presented.  Keith Sharp handled corporate sponsorships, Kathy Hearn managed the bands, Fred Jacobsen was crucial with several aspects including the sound system and early meetings, Beth Highley made our awesome flyer, Don and Joann Penovi helped coordinate registration volunteers, and Cindy Poortinga wore multiple hats with vendors and the silent auction.  There are many volunteers who helped set up the event, serve beer, etc. – your efforts are sincerely appreciated!

Now the decision of how to spend the money rests with the Association – the Projects Committee will meet soon to discuss ways to best utilize this year’s funds.  Watch out for announcements in the coming weeks, and get involved to help get things done.  Next year’s Riverfest will be an even bigger event, planned for a new venue, so we truly need volunteers to help out for 2012.  ”This event directly benefits individuals in this neighborhood,” John said, “and if you needed that kind of help, wouldn’t you want others to step up and say yes?  Then please volunteer next year – get involved – make a difference.  That’s the essence of Riverfest, to build our community.”

UPDATE: We need volunteers to help distribute flyers Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.  This would really help get the word out – if you can help even a little while, please come to the Main Street Fire Station at 1:30pm each day to chip in!

This year seems to be quickly moving along, and for many of us living in Riverside, Fall just can’t seem to get here quick enough to satisfy our yearning to cool down.  Between the hotter than normal temperatures that we’ve experienced from early June through through July, to the tropical moisture that seems to be enjoying a lengthy visit to our area, we might as well have been in the “Dog Days” all Summer long.  many outside activities have been relegated to early morning or late evening hours, unless bathing by or in a great swimming pool somewhere.  Some may say that this is normal, when in fact, the temperatures we’ve experienced are usually only experienced for a couple of weeks at most each year, rather than a couple of months.  Hopefully this is simply a side effect of El Niño and/or La Niña, and nothing more permanent.

Whatever the case may be, please be sure to keep yourself hydrated when performing outdoor activities, such as working in the yard and garden, walking and jogging, or simply being outdoors having fun with the family. Allow for rest periods, in the shade or indoors, when working in excessive heat for lengthy periods of time. Wear sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and other protective clothing to prevent over exposure to the damaging sun rays.  Don’t forget to provide shade for and give plenty of water to our loving outdoor pets. Never leave pets or children unattended in cars, even with windows cracked and providing water. The interior car temperatures will quickly rise to 170+ degrees in the sunlight and heat, which can be lethal, not to mention criminal with consequences.

For the house, keep blinds, shades and draperies pulled to assist in preventing many of the suns rays from becoming added heat inside your home.  Consider doing laundry in the much cooler early morning or late evening hours. Try using your grill more often for less kitchen clean up and heat created during the cooking process. You may even consider applying a window film to your windows, available from local hardware stores to “do-it-yourself” types, like me, or from a professional vendor located in the Metro Atlanta area.  These films can also provide added security to your home, depending on type used, in addition to blocking upwards of 70% of the suns heat causing rays.  Do this can help in reducing your utility costs and in keeping your home much cooler.  Don’t forget that there are tax credits available for purchases made through the end of 2010, both state and federal, that can be applied to cost saving measures like this that increase the energy efficiency of your homes. Ask your vendor or retailer for more information, or find more information available to you at US Department of Energy:Consumer Energy Tax Incentives

I’ve applied a window film to the windows in my home, which immediately caused a drop in my electrical bill the following month to the tune of about $60.  I highly recommend it, but bear in mind that individual results will vary.  The film I used was purchased at a local big-box home improvement store, costing about $35 each.  The roll is 3 feet wide and 15 feet long, and claims to cover 3 standard-sized windows, although there are other sizes that can be purchased.

The bottom line…always enjoy life, but remember to do it safely during these extreme conditions.

Barry D. Batts

RNA Vice President