#weanduofsc

[nolegrad-blog]

What’s different in this picture?  A whole lot!

What is unique about the West End?  The people of course!  In this meeting of neighbors there is every color, age, and gender obviously represented.  Add in non-visual representations of sexuality, economic status, education, background, family status, etc. and this picture is a great example of how diverse individuals can come together for a common cause.  In this moment it is for their community but the causes can be as wide and diverse as the people in the picture.  

In this picture I see diverse people united. They are focused on a presentation discussing the potential impacts of an infrastructure study that could reshape their neighborhood.  Unity.  Despite their differences they are united due to the shared space of their neighborhood.  This photo shows me that people are invested in standing together to protect their neighborhood.  This is a strength that is powerful because as more challenges assail the community a united front will be needed to defend the community.

[naquiadreamer-blog]

Endless possiblities

One of the main reasons why I chose the West End is the abundant amount of resources and infrastructure it has.  West End is unique in a way where not too many other neighborhoods can hold a candle to.  There’s no need to create a commercial district, because it’s already here.  There are storefronts on Lee and RDA streets.  There’s a mall with endless possibility.  What you see below is the Mall at West End.  Although there are some stores here, there are places where I can see more boutiques, even coffeehouses or restaurants!  This photo shows a glimpse of what can be the reason why in a few years this neighborhood can be the best all around neighborhood in the city.  We have the infrastructure, we have MARTA, we have the awesome neighbors and diverse community, all we need is a variety of restaurants and shops that everyone can enjoy! 

#atlantaresearch #WEandUofSC #westendbestendatl #weareuniqueinatl

[unialex-blog]

Father and son. Through the love of sport, life lessons are learned! In the West End a field is a classroom that you may get kicked out of at any moment. In the urban sprawl, we must remember green dedicated spaces for children to engage are foundational and must be created! #wechallengeyouatl #atlantaresearch #WEandUofSC #westendbestendatl

[mcnealwalker]

West End works together in many ways. Be it our monthly meeting, our clean ups, or just sitting on our front porches talking to each other about ideas to improve our neighborhood. This as well as other things is what's makes our neighborhood strong and thrive to be the best. I'm glad to be able to be a part of a neighborhood where I can be a part it's growth. #weworktogetheratl #westendbestendatl #WEandUofSC #atlantaresearch

[kananse]

This is not abnormal in the Historic West End. We actually help our neighbor’s. I can't count how many times my neighbors have stepped in to help us out. I'm just paying it forward with @kritakay @edyer7...no bribery necessary but beer & Pizza helps #westendbestendatl #Atlantaresearch #WEandUofSC #weareuniqueatl

[deniseblake1-blog]

I've never lived in a community where so many people come out to work on neighborhood issues. We are diverse in gender, ethnicity, religious orientation, and socioeconomic status, but there's such a sense of community in Historic West End that is unlike any place I've ever lived. #atlantaresearch #WEandUofSC #westendbestendatl #weareuniqueinatl

[jezzelbear84]

Never been in an area with such a high concentration of vegan restaurants. Margot's daycare is even vegan! #breastmilkdoesntcount #weareuniqueinatl #atlantaresearch #westendbestendatl #WEandUofSC

[nolegrad-blog]

A porch is where the heart is

If you feel that a front porch is nothing more than additional space attached to the main structure of a house stop reading this post now cause I’m about to get nostalgic.  A front porch is more than a place it is a mindset.  It is where knowledge is transferred, love is shared, bonds are created, and memories are made.  Back in the day a young man wasn’t allowed to take girl he was dating beyond the front porch.  When an old man wanted to teach a young man they’d sit on the porch and talk.  And when any man wanted to get out of the way of a woman on a rampage if he didn’t have a garage or a shed he’d manage to find his way to the porch.  Some of the best gossip shared between neighbors occurs on a porch.  So porches are more than mere structures they are moments etched in the details of key memories.  

When I look at this picture of my dog gazing off of the porch I see her expressing her love and concern for me by placing herself as the first line of defense to any potential danger that might come my way.  She has decided to allow me to put my guard down and have a glass of wine after a long day by raising her guard to protect me from whatever the darkness may hide.  We are making a memory without even trying to do so.  This act takes place all throughout my neighborhood.  We are a neighborhood of front porches.  As a community we aim to pull up a chair, ‘sit a spell’, and create memories by waving at a neighbor driving by, exchanging a couple of words when someone walks past, or sitting close to our special someone and allowing time to slow down while we enjoy each other’s company.  I’m proud to live in a porch community.  I’m especially proud because I know my neighbors take pride in what those porches represent - history, love, and memories.  The porches of West End offer memories and thus I’m glad to be able to receive them when presented to me.

[naquiadreamer-blog]

One of the many things that are unique to the West End is the endless economic development opportunities. Not too many neighborhoods in ATL has their own MARTA station and direct access to the interstate and BeltLine trail. A neighborhood would be grateful for at least one of these attributes! We have all three! #westendbestendatl #weanduofsc #atlantaresearch #weareuniqueatl

[bdbrewr]

May 14, 2015 The Wrens Scribes Program at Brown Middle School Launch Party, Fork and Pen, at the Hammonds House Museum Fork and Pen is the second book produced by students at Brown Middle School. They each worked 1-on-1 with a writing mentor for 10 weeks writing their own creative and imaginative stories on the theme of Farming & Food production. Farming and food production is important to Atlanta's Historic West End. Atlanta's Historic West End is home to half a dozen community gardens/urban farms, including Patchwork City Farms located on the Brown Middle School campus. Access to fresh produce is a strength of the neighborhood. We can get affordable produce at Big Bear. From the community gardens and farms, there is an abundance of organic produce as well enough to support a farmer's market in the neighborhood. In the first year beyond the CRCT test, it is fantastic our kids are learning outside the classroom about food and farming, one of Atlanta's Historic West End's strength.

[mcnealwalker]

What you see here simply looks like a sign for our Tour of Homes. This however represents what's unique about the West End, the homes. Each home in our neighborhood is beautiful and unique in its own right. The fact that each home is unique helps us market our neighborhood to many diverse people. #weareuniqueinatl #WEandUofSC #westendbestendatl #atlantaresearch (at Historic West End)

[kananse]

Looking forward to having a veterinarian in the neighborhood but it's a bonus that's she will be in walking distance from our home!!! #westendbestendatl #WEandUofSC #WEandUofSC #Atlantaresearch #WEOfferATL

[deniseblake1-blog]

One of the challenges in Historic West End is the constant fight against incomplete, inadequate, or just plain illegal renovations. This home has been left half painted for quite a while. It also needs substantive repairs. It has been periodically rented with long stretches of vacancy in between.#atlantaresearch #WEandUofSC #westendbestendatl #wechallengeyouatl

[jezzelbear84]

West End is Atlanta's oldest nationally registered historic district. Good luck finding antebellum homes like Joel Chandler Harris' (author of Uncle Remus stories) elsewhere. This beauty is an easy walk from my house. #weareuniqueinatl #atlantaresearch #westendbestendatl #WEandUofSC #atlanta #history #architecture

[nolegrad-blog]

This ain't the West End Atlanta neighborhood your momma used to know! Look at the diverse group of neighbors in this #westendbestendatl community meeting. Yes #weareuniqueinatl as individuals but those differences come second to building a safe vibrant community. Pride outweighs #prejudice. #WEandUofSC #atlantaresearch

[naquiadreamer-blog]

Do it for the Dogs!

In our neighborhood you’ll find a lot of things.  One special aspect of West End is our love for our pets, particularly dogs.  I remember when I first moved in, I felt left out because I didn’t have a dog.  So much so I accompany some neighbors to a dog park in nearby Castleberry Hill and felt quite silly, but had a GREAT TIME!  Penny came to our lives last year and it’s been the most challenging and exciting event to happen to us.  I’m grateful for our fenced in backyard that has been a haven for her, but I wish I had a place for her to go to in the neighborhood where she can socialize with other pups or as a neighbor of mine call “fur-cousins”.  Sure we go for group walks from time to time but it would be nice to have a dog park where they don’t have to be confined to a leash to interact with other pups.  I’m starting to sound like a crazy dog lady lol....

#westendbestendatl #weanduofsc #weofferatl #atlantaresearch