Atlanta Contact Point

May 2013 Creative Loafing Cover Story

Nicola Vidali — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:46:16 +0000

MAY 2013 Creative Loafing COVER STORY

power point presentation MAY 2013

Nicola Vidali — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 15:12:18 +0000

Power Point May 2013

FAQ’s document

Nicola Vidali — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 01:55:57 +0000

FAQ’s

power point presentation

Nicola Vidali — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:28:29 +0000

Park Pride 6 lite

PreventObesity.net article — March 2013

Nicola Vidali — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:32:33 +0000

In its heyday, Atlanta’s historic Pullman Train Yard was where the South’s train cars and large locomotives were repaired and refitted for service. These days, the 25-acre site sits abandoned, a decaying piece of Atlanta’s industrial past.

But PreventObesity.net Leader David Epstein envisions a bright new future for the train yard. He wants to transform it into a sports and nutrition facility, where Atlanta residents — especially children — can take part in a number of sports and activities and also learn how to eat healthy.

“In Atlanta, we have a tremendous amount of people and tons of families who are moving back into the city, and we just don’t have the infrastructure for sports and activities,” he says. “I thought, ‘We have to find some space, so old industrial spaces in town, and turn them into active spaces.’”

A preschool teacher and tennis coach, Epstein launched the nonprofit Atlanta ContactPoint with the mission of building a multi-use activity center that can be used to promote overall wellness.

The Pullman train yard site is perfect, he says. Nearby public transit connects the North and South sides of the city, meaning all Atlanta residents will be able to use it, especially low-income residents who might not have any other options. The site also is big enough to accommodate multiple needs, from sports fields to indoor basketball courts to a greenhouse and office space for nonprofit groups.

The goal, Epstein says, is to make it a central place for Atlanta denizens to get healthy. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is a great opportunity to turn this space into a greens space, where every square inch will be for activity,” Epstein says.

While Atlanta ContactPoint raises the funds necessary to buy the site — the state is taking bids on the property later this year, Epstein says — the organization already is working to build healthy habits with its “PLAY DAYs.” Family-focused events held at local Atlanta parks, the PLAY DAYs offer residents the chance to try out different types of sports and activities.

Throughout the day, local coaches and organizations offer classes to get kids physically active, including flag football, ultimate Frisbee, street hockey, yoga, martial arts, tennis, dance and even hula-hooping.

“You just get a choice to play different sports you might not normally get to play,” Epstein says. “We want kids to be introduced to new things.”

Local farmer’s markets and other retailers also are scheduled to take part in the PLAY DAYS, offering samples of healthy products to try at home. ContactPoint also will help promote public transit and alternative transportation via “Bike to PLAY DAY,” which will see participants meeting at a transit station and bicycling to the park where the main event is being held.

Six PLAY DAYs are already scheduled be held this year, with the first one set for March 16. While it might be a few years before the new facility is built at the old Pullman site, Epstein is confident that his organization already is making an impact.

“It’s all about playing, having fun and learning about what it takes to be healthy,” Epstein says. “And these are things we can do now.”

Proposed Location Benefits & Added Values

Nicola Vidali — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:15:46 +0000

Economic

jobs creation | healthcare cost savings |transportation/CO2

Public Health

child and adult obesity | diabetes and sugar related diseases | cardio vascular diseases | personal hygiene | environmental/CO2

Education

Social

community building | cross generation dialogues and interactions | civics and ethics engagements | alternative entertainment

Branding

smart cities model |sustainable developments | land and historical preservation

Jill Maloney C.V.

Nicola Vidali — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:12:23 +0000

Republic of Ireland National Team:

Participated in 39 International games to date. 15 UEFA Championship games, 4 World Cup games, 1 as a member of the ROI Sr Team against the USA WNT in Phoenix on 12/1/12. Also has played against 4 English Premier League professional teams and was the goalie for the Ireland College All-Stars as a 15 & 16 year old. First cap was against England in U19 Tri Nations Tournament in ‘10 as a 15 year old, won 1–0. Won first UEFA game in ‘10 against Northern Ireland 1–0 in front of 1000 Northern Ireland supporters. Most recent win was a vicious battle against Serbia 3–2 that put the Irish in the Elite ’13 round. Reached UEFA Championship in ’11/’12 as a member of the U17 and U19 teams. Currently with the U19s team that will face Sweden, Italy, and host Netherlands in April in the Elite phase of the 2012/13 UEFA Championship. Was a member of the 2010 World Cup U17 team that reached the quarter finals in Trinidad and Tobago, team faced Brazil, Canada, Ghana, and Japan. Was one of the youngest players in the Cup at age 15. Has had the opportunity to play 25 different countries in Ireland, England, Trinidad & Tobago, Northern Ireland, Macedonia, Belgium, Austria, Norway, Serbia, Scotland, and the USA.

USA National Team:

2009 U14 Girls National Team – Carson, CA. 2009 U14 ID Camp Pumona,CA. 2010 U15 National Team Player Pool. US Soccer Training Center ID Events in 2010 and 2011.

W-League:

Backup goalie for Atlanta Silverbacks 2012.

College

Graduated HS early and enrolled at UGA and is a member of their SEC Women’s Soccer Team. Youngest player on team. Team is currently training for their spring ’13 schedule.

High School:

Starter all three seasons (graduated early, no Sr season). Team made Georgia playoffs all three years. Upset #1 Brookwood in first round as a sophomore 1–0. Set school records for wins, shutouts, save percentage. Was Rookie of the Year in ’10, Regional 6AAAAA All Star in ’11 & ’12. Defensive player of the year in ’12. Fulton/Forsyth county All Star game ’12. Was team’s second leading goal scorer while playing only 2 ½’s on the field in ’11. 3 year scholar athlete.

Club/ODP:

Member of GSA 95 Phoenix (’10-’13) ECNL & National League. Had perfect 0.00 GAA in 2010. Roswell Santos (’08-’09), Alpharetta United Super Y (‘95 goalie, ‘94 striker) (’08), ASA (’06-’07), Alpharetta Ambush (’04-’05). State Cup Champion ’05 and ’06. State Cup Finalist ’10. CASL Showcase Champion ’08, Disney Showcase Champion ’10, Vulcan and Atlanta Cup Champion ’06. Huntington Beach National Sand Tournament Champion ’09. Ranked in top 100 2013 players in ESPN The Rise (65) and Top Drawer Soccer (79).

Georgia ODP member ’07-’12. Region III team ’08, ’09, & ’10. Team captain ’11 & ’12. Georgia Team was Region III Champion ’11. Thanksgiving Regional Pool Games 2009, Coral Gables FLA. Interregional National Development Camp Pomona CA 2010 and 2011.

Personal:

Avid reader and writer, wrote novel in ’13. Enjoys surfing, video games, and movie watching. Excels at baseball, softball, basketball, golf, chess, and top world ranked monopoly player. Was a NFL PPK finalist (top 4 of over 100,000 participants) in ’10 &’11, 3 time Atlanta Falcon Finalist, 2 Falcon time champion. Daughter of Tim and Jennifer Maloney, one sister Samantha (22). Majoring in Political Science and International Affairs.

Jill Maloney Press Photo

Nicola Vidali — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:11:01 +0000

Pullman Yard Photo 2

Nicola Vidali — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:09:05 +0000

Pullman Yard Photo 1

Nicola Vidali — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:06:49 +0000