Focus November 2015.indd

Focus
City of Decatur
Holiday
Ornaments
see Page 9
Clear zone
NOVEMBER 2015
Volume 26 • Number 4
Official Publication of The City of Decatur, Georgia
DECATUR ARTWAY
Sculptures Installed Around the Square
This Is Something We Had to Go Through
James Davis
T
he five sculptures selected for the Decatur Artway, a
public arts initiative established by the Decatur Arts
Alliance and the City of Decatur, have been installed
around the square. Each of the works will be displayed
for two years, creating a dynamic rotating collection of public
art around town. To get a personal tour of the pieces, with
narration provided by the artists, download the free Otocast
app from iTunes or Google Play.
Learn more about each work at decaturartsalliance.org.
News
3City
Focus November 2015.indd 1
BUsiness
DBA
10 NEWs
16
NEWs
Mortification
Matthew Phillips
DECATUR
School 23Around
17
EVENTs
Town
news
19
10/22/15 5:16 PM
Focus
City of Decatur
Shop Local. Support
Your Community
I
t’s that time of year again. Time to consider the importance of supporting locally owned businesses. Our retailers and restaurant owners give their support to local PTAs, sports teams, and neighborhood
groups. They employ our young people and give us service with a
smile. You can return the favor this holiday season by taking the “Keep It
Indie-catur” pledge.
Look for special events, sales, and holiday treats during
the annual Terrific Thursdays events in November and
December. Receive a $20 restaurant gift card when you
bring in $200 in receipts from local retailers during November (limit three per customer, please).
Check out Decatur’s Shop Local tent on the square on
Small Business Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28 and 29.
There will be free gift wrapping, holiday music, face painting, five-minute massages, free hot
cocoa, live music performances, Santa, and a “Keep It Indie-catur” gift basket raffle.
New this year is our 30 Days of Shopping (November) blog posts to update you on the latest and greatest items in locally owned stores, along with our holiday hashtag photo contest
(use #holidaydecaturga to enter). Look for more information at thedecaturminute.com, facebook.com/Indiecatur and #decaturga on Twitter for continuous updates.
Join us downtown for the holiday tree lighting at Little Shop of Stories on Dec. 3, the
grand menorah lighting Dec. 10 on the square, and the annual bonfire and marshmallow
roast on Dec. 17.
Focus on
Downtown
Development
Retail Updates
Recently the Decatur Downtown Development Authority leased a retail storefront at 115
Clairemont Ave. adjacent to the Decatur Visitor’s Center. Our goal is to use it for retail and we
are looking for just the right retail tenant to sublease the space from us. We would love your
suggestions and ideas for how the space could be used. If you are interested, have an idea, or
know of a retail business looking for space, please contact us at [email protected]
or [email protected].
Art Updates
By now we hope you have visited the five sculpture pieces installed around downtown
Decatur. Thanks to the Decatur Arts Alliance for organizing the Decatur Artway project. This
installation is the first in a series of rotating sculpture installations. The downtown pieces will
remain for two years and will be replaced by new sculptures every other year. The Decatur
Artway will expand to the Oakhurst business district next year. That installation will also stay
in place for two years before being replaced by new sculptures.
A second bit of artistic fun has been installed around the city but you will have to wait until
it rains to discover these hidden pieces. Let us know when you spot them and let us know
what you think.
The Decatur Focus is a joint publication of the City of
Decatur, the Decatur Downtown Development Authority
and the Decatur Business Association. It is a newsletter
intended to provide announcements and information
related to events, activities, and businesses in the City of
Decatur. The purpose of the newsletter is to promote the
city and encourage the exchange of information among
residents, business owners and the school system. Letters
to the editor, editorials or other opinion pieces are not
published. All press releases, announcements and other
information received for publication are subject to editing. Information found in the Focus is also posted on
Decatur’s official website at decaturga.com. The deadline
for submitting articles, announcements or advertising is the first day of the month preceding publication.
Contact: Editor, Decatur Focus, P.O. Box 220, Decatur,
GA 30031, 404-371-8386; fax 404-371-1593; email: casie.
[email protected].
Clear zone
DECATUR CITY COMMISSION
Jim Baskett....................................................Mayor
Patti Garrett................................Mayor Pro Tem
Bill Bolling....................................Commissioner
Fred Boykin.................................Commissioner
Scott Drake..................................Commissioner
DECATUR DOWNTOWN
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Board
Chris Sciarrone, Chair
Linda Curry
John Drake
Bill Floyd
Scott Kentner
Tony Leung
Fisher Paty
Decatur Business
Association
DECATUR BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION
Tim Martin.............................................. President
Kyle Williams......................................... Treasurer
Floyd Smith............................................ Secretary
Marc Brennan............................. Past President
Design and layout: Lampe-Farley.com
Information for the FOCUS should be submitted by mail to Editor, Decatur Focus,
P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031, or by email to [email protected].
2 | Decatur Focus • NOVEMBER 2015
Focus November 2015.indd 2
10/22/15 5:16 PM
City News
Better Together:
Community Action Plan Review Nov. 12
W
ith contributions from almost a thousand Decatur residents, the Better Together team is working to compile, distill, and present the community’s many
ideas in the form of a Community Action Plan. The first draft of the plan will
be available for community review and comment on Thursday, Nov. 12, 6:308:30 p.m., in the Marriott Courtyard’s Decatur Conference Center, Ballroom B.
Join us for a full program in which we’ll review the work to date and explore the various
recommendations that have emerged. This is a public gathering open to all, so please come
and add your perspective on how Decatur can best foster the diversity that makes us such a
wonderful place to call home.
Decatur
Awarded Silver
Walk Friendly
Communities
Designation
T
Decatur Human Resources Relocates
Decatur’s Human Resources Department has relocated to the office suite that was previously occupied by the Planning and Zoning Department in the lower level of City
Hall (entrance on Trinity). The HR Department is responsible for employee recruitment, benefits administration, payroll processing, maintenance of personnel records,
performance appraisal management, employee development, and training, and the
management of employee and labor relations.
Anyone may stop by and apply for positions that are open, or visit our website at
decaturga.com. Office hours are 8 a.m-5 p.m. The HR Department also has a new main
telephone number: 678-553-6740.
Lifelong Decatur Presents: How Do I Get There?
Transportation Alternatives
W
here do you want to go? Decatur’s Lifelong Community Advisory Board
invites you to find out about the many transportation alternatives for getting
around when you can’t or don’t want to drive, bike, or walk. Some options
are ones we take for granted, such as MARTA. There are also many more
creative options from local nonprofit organizations and universities.
The board invites you to discover what is currently available and encourages you to offer suggestions for other options that you would like to see in the future. For more information about Lifelong Decatur and the board, contact [email protected] or
678-553-6548.
he Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center has named
Decatur a Silver Walk Friendly
Community for its walk-ability
initiatives and programs. Walk Friendly
Communities is a national program aimed
at recognizing communities for their commitment to pedestrian safety. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration
and FedEx.
The City of Decatur has a strong commitment to improving pedestrian issues
and walk-ability. All city departments work
together to achieve this goal. Decatur Active Living offers a variety of programs to
get the community out walking, including
Team Decatur, Walk With a Doc, Bright at
Night Walks, and Sunday Strolls. The city
also has a very strong Safe Routes to School
Program that is a model for the state.
To date, 57 municipalities in the U.S.
have been designated as Walk Friendly
Communities.
Decatur is among three communities
recognized in the latest round. The designation, awarded from bronze to platinum,
is given to applicant communities that have
demonstrated a commitment to improving
and sustaining walk-ability and pedestrian
safety through comprehensive programs,
plans, and policies.
For more information on Walk Friendly
Communities, visit walkfriendly.org. Additional resources: pedbikeinfo.org;
safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike.
NOVEMBER 2015 • Decatur Focus | 3
Focus November 2015.indd 3
10/22/15 5:16 PM
City News
DEC-Public Works to Host Open
House for Residents Nov. 19
D
o you have questions about your property? Or wonder how
things get built in Decatur? On Nov. 19 our doors are staying open
late to answer your questions. The staff of the Design, Environment and Construction Division (DEC) of Public Works invites
residents and business owners to an open house event at the award-winning
Leveritt Public Works building, 2635 Talley St. Staff will be on hand to answer
questions in a relaxed setting outside of regular business hours.
There’s plenty to talk about. From taking in plans, reviewing plans, inspecting development, building roads and enforcing codes to keeping track of our
community’s tree canopy, DEC covers a lot of ground. If you have questions,
DEC has answers.
Decatur’s new high performance building standards go into effect this
month for all new single-family dwellings, multi-family residential buildings,
commercial buildings over 3,000 square feet, and for all non-exempt commercial projects. Requirements for single-family home renovations are right
around the corner in February 2016. The main focus of the open house will
be this new program.
Find out more about how Decatur grows. Come and meet the staff, check
out a great new Decatur building, or just ask your own questions. For information visit decaturga.com/city-government/city-departments/design-environment-and-construction or call 678-553-6531.
Congratulations, Bill Adams
Decatur resident Bill Adams is one of four
recipients of the Grant Park Conservancy’s
Legacy Supporter award. The Conservancy
is a 15-year-old nonprofit tasked with restoring and preserving Atlanta’s oldest park.
Adams served on the Conservancy’s board
for eight years and acted as the board’s
chair for five years. His company, Adams
Realtors, is based in Grant Park and has
supported the organization by donating
the proceeds from the company’s Run for
the Park 5K walk/run over the last 13 years.
DeKalb Choral Guild Presents Day of the Dead Concert
T
he DeKalb Choral Guild begins its
38th season with a concert celebrating Día de los Muertos, Day of
the Dead, on Saturday Nov. 7, 7:30
p.m., at First Baptist Church of Avondale
Estates, 47 Covington Hwy. Tickets are $5,
payable at the door or
for purchase online at
dekalbchoralguild.org
The performance will
be followed by a fiestastyle reception complete with holiday treats
such as bread of the
dead, pan de los muertos, and sugar skulls,
calaveras de azúcar.
The DeKalb Choral
Guild is a Charter for
Compassion Arts partner. Their concerts
bring people together to listen, share and celebrate choral music.
The DeKalb Choral Guild is led by
Decatur resident Mary Evelyn Root. Many
singers in the group are from Decatur, in-
cluding Haqiqa Bolling, Buddy Eades, Helen
Menefee, and Laura Willard. The DeKalb
Choral Guild attracts singers from across
metropolitan Atlanta and presents several
concerts per season under the direction of
music director and conductor Mary Root
and accompanist Leanne Elmer Herrmann.
The group’s upcoming spring events
include: the Georgia
Young Composers
Festival and Concert,
Saturday, March 5, and
the Spring Concert featuring texts by mystics
from around the world,
May 14.
4 | Decatur Focus • NOVEMBER 2015
Focus November 2015.indd 4
10/22/15 5:16 PM
City News
Decatur Awarded Public
Art Grant from ARC
T
he Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded grants to Decatur
and three other communities to help them develop public art projects
focused on the theme of “making history” in the Atlanta area. Sixteen
jurisdictions from six different counties submitted applications. Eligible
applicants included local governments, community improvement districts, neighborhood associations and nonprofit organizations in the 10-county Atlanta region.
Decatur’s award is for the mural on the MARTA overpass at West Trinity Place
and Atlanta Avenue. Here’s how the mural is described on the ARC website:
The Decatur MARTA overpass bisects several diverse communities while
sheltering children waiting for school buses, as well as neighbors and employees walking and riding bikes. Many cars traverse the corridor daily, and thousands of citizens from all over the Atlanta Region ride the Blue Line MARTA
train across the overpass every day. In essence, it creates a gateway into these
economically and racially diverse communities and provides an opportunity
for real connections through meaningful art on this large, durable concrete
canvas. The MARTA Overpass Mural will create neighborhood connections
and an exceptional art form that is reflective of the revitalization and vibrancy
of this historical community in downtown Decatur.
The four grants are the first made by the Atlanta Regional Public Art Program,
which is administered by ARC and managed with the support of the Community
Foundation for Greater Atlanta. The other three recipients besides Decatur are
Hapeville (125th Anniversary Sculpture Project), Downtown Woodstock (mural)
and the King Memorial MARTA Mural Project.
The ARC Public Art Program provides matching funding through a competitive
grant process to help communities install public art. It is managed with the support
of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. To learn more, visit publicart.
atlantaregional.com. Watch the Focus for updates on the community engagement
process that will begin in 2016.
Task Force for
Global Health
Swanton
Heights
City Schools
of Decatur
Administration
Trinity
Walk
Decatur Police HQ/
Municipal Court
W. Trinity Place,
looking west
Ebster
Recreation
Center
A Season of Giving/
Christmas Decatur –
Still Time to Help
A
Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur has
entered its 21st year of caring neighbors
and community members making the
holiday season brighter for low-income
children and senior citizens in Decatur. Approximately 650 children and seniors received gifts during the 2014 holiday season.
Ways to Help Bring Holiday Joy
“Adopt” a child or senior – receive a
personalized wish list and purchase
approximately $100 in gifts. If
you purchase a wish list book at
Little Shop of Stories and mention why, the shop will donate
20 percent of your purchase to
A Season of Giving/Christmas
Decatur.
Join together with your neighbors, co-workers, friends, place of
worship, or other organization to
purchase gifts for one or more children or seniors. Rather than buying that “token”
gift for a friend or family member, make your gift
a day spent together shopping for a child or senior
in need.
Need a project for your child’s class, troop, or
organization? Consider the benefits of teaching
your children about people in our area in need and
the excitement of making another child’s holiday
brighter!
Too busy to shop? Send a check and one of our
volunteers will do the shopping for you. Make your
check payable to A Season of Giving/Christmas
Decatur and mail it to P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA
30031. Donations of any amount are appreciated.
Volunteer in the office on flexible weekdays,
make phone calls and copies, and do other light office work.
Volunteer during the first week of December at
the distribution center. Opportunities are available
on Saturdays and weekdays (including evenings).
Note that all gifts will be due Saturday, Dec. 5.
To receive a wish list for a child or senior, inquire
about volunteer opportunities, or for additional
information, email [email protected]
or call 404-378-8068. Happy holidays!
NOVEMBER 2015 • Decatur Focus | 5
Focus November 2015.indd 5
10/22/15 5:16 PM
City News
MLK Service Project Jan. 16-18
Sign Up to Help Senior Citizens
J
oin family, friends, neighbors, and
clubs to volunteer for the 14th annual
Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project
on the weekend of Jan. 16-18. Discover the power of our community of volunteers
and make a difference in senior citizens’ lives.
The MLK Service Project helps senior
homeowners stay in the homes they love. You
can help with projects that include making
greatly needed repairs to homes and doing
yard work that elderly homeowners have been
unable to afford or are physically unable to do.
Jobs for All Skill Levels
When signing up, please indicate the shift(s)
selected, and any specific skills you have (such
as carpentry, general home repair, painting,
drywall installation and repair, plumbing, gardening, landscaping, etc.). Such skills are not
necessary, but help in assigning tasks. There
are jobs for everyone, from unskilled to DIY
handyperson to skilled professional.
Volunteers who are able to help make repairs to their own homes, skilled amateurs, as
well as skilled tradespeople, especially roofers,
plumbers, electricians, and carpenters are crucial to this effort.
There are many other ways to help. The
landscaping committee invites skilled and
“weekend” gardeners to lead simple gardening
projects. Volunteers can assist with transporting tools and materials (truck preferred), as
well as helping to weatherize homes. The food
committee seeks donations of sandwiches and
Volunteer Shifts
Volunteers may sign up for one or
more of the following shifts:
Saturday, Jan. 16
9 a.m.-1 p.m. and/or 1-5 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 17
1-5 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 18
9 a.m.-1 p.m. and/or 1-5 p.m.
homemade desserts to feed the hundreds of
hungry volunteers. More than 1,200 volunteers work on the project each year.
What to Bring
A limited number of tools and work gloves
will be available. Volunteers are encouraged
to bring tools to use (hammers, saws, drills,
and other tools; rakes, clippers, loppers, and
other yard work implements). Make sure tools
are clearly marked for identification purposes.
To make this project more environmentally
friendly, volunteers are asked to bring a reusable water bottle.
Youth Volunteers
Anyone over the age of 12 is welcome to volunteer. Those under 12 are also welcome if
they are volunteering through a supervised
organization such as Boy Scouts or Girl
Scouts. Please check first before signing up.
Any volunteers younger than 18 must have
parents or guardians sign release forms and
bring them to the project. That form and other
information regarding the service project are
available online at decaturga.com/mlk or mlkserviceproject.com. Each volunteer, regardless
of age, must complete a release form. Youth
groups should sign up by Dec. 15.
Sponsors and Donations
The MLK Service Project is sponsored by
the Decatur Preservation Alliance (DPA) in
partnership with the City of Decatur and is
supported through grants and private donations, both financial and in-kind. Gifts are tax
deductible. To make a donation, visit mlkserviceproject.com and click on “Join or Donate,”
or mail your check payable to DPA (designate
MLK Project) to Decatur Preservation Alliance, PO Box 1764, Decatur, GA 30031.
Whom to Contact, Where to Report
Volunteers meet at the Solarium at the Community Center of South Decatur, 321 W. Hill
St. in the Oakhurst district, at least a half-hour
before shifts start. All volunteers are invited to
attend a celebration cookout on Monday, Jan.
18, 5 p.m., at the Solarium.
To volunteer to make home repairs, do yard
work, help with logistics, or assist the food
committee, contact Lee Ann Harvey, 678553-6548 or [email protected].
Volunteer as individuals or as part of a group.
mlkserviceproject.com
6 | Decatur Focus • NOVEMBER 2015
Focus November 2015.indd 6
10/22/15 5:16 PM
City News
The Pout Pout Fish Author at
Little Shop of Stories
The Shadow
of Silver Birch
eborah Diesen, author of the New York
Times best-selling
children’s book series The Pout Pout Fish will be
in Decatur on Nov. 19 at Little
Shop of Stories. The latest installment to the series, The Not
Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish, was
released in September. The goal
of this sequel is to remind young readers what being
merry is all about.
A novel by Terez Peipins
anks are rapidly approaching Riga,
Latvia, and a family must decide
what to do.
Juris, the father,
finds a love that sustains
him from Siberia to the
new postwar Latvia.
Laura has left for Spain
with a Division Azul
soldier who was sent to
fight in Russia. Olga escapes Latvia
but ends up
in a displaced
persons camp
in Germany
until she and
her family
emigrate to
Canada. All
three reinvent
their lives in
this story of
love and war.
The Shadow
of Silver Birch
was published
by Black Rose and is available on Amazon
and by order at all bookstores.
Terez Peipins is a newcomer to Decatur.
Her poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared
in publications in the U.S. and abroad. She is
the author of three chapbooks of poetry.
D
Veteran’s Day Tribute
Nov. 11 at Decatur Cemetery
F
or the seventh year, the Friends of Decatur Cemetery
(FODC) and American Legion Harold Byrd Post No. 66,
will remember the veterans of all wars buried in Decatur
Cemetery. The brief, traditional ceremony is Wednesday,
Nov. 11, 11 a.m., at the memorial near the Bell Street entrance to
the cemetery.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, beginning at 9 a.m., more than 1,000
50-star flags will be placed by volunteers at the gravesites of Decatur’s heroes at rest in the 58-acre cemetery. One of the most interesting and gratifying parts of this project enables participants to ponder the names, dates,
and often the service details of each veteran. To volunteer, contact Amy Weaver,
[email protected].
Flags will be retrieved on the following Saturday, Nov. 14, beginning at 9 a.m. Volunteers
are needed for this important task. After pickup, flags must be cleaned and bundled for storage until next year’s remembrance ceremony.
Following the flag pickup, FODC member David Crenshaw will present a workshop on
proper cleaning of gravestones, beginning at 11:30. This will be a hands-on experience. To
register please email [email protected].
T
Decatur Residents Chronicle
Austin City Limits in New Book
A
ustin City Limits: A Monument to Music, published this fall,
is a coffee-table-style book with photos by long-time Austin
City Limits photographer Scott Newton and text written
by Decatur residents Tracey and Brandon Laird. Tracey
teaches at Agnes Scott and Brandon is a preschool teacher at Decatur
Presbyterian Church. Tracey previously published a more academic
history of Austin City Limits with Oxford University Press.
NOVEMBER 2015 • Decatur Focus | 7
Focus November 2015.indd 7
10/22/15 5:17 PM
City News
School News
The Importance of Housing
Options in Our Community
P
rinciple D of the 2010 Decatur Strategic Plan stresses the
importance of assuring a variety of high-quality housing
options to meet the needs of a diverse community. A
number of possibilities are offered in Goal 15 of the plan.
While affordable housing is a component of this goal, other
housing options are needed to respond to Decatur’s commitment
to creating a lifelong community that meets the needs of residents
throughout all stages of life.
Aging-in-Place and Starter-Home
Options
Providing housing options for an aging population will dominate the market in coming
decades. Smaller housing choices, accessible
housing, aging-in-place needs and expanded
assisted-living options will need to be considered. On the other end of the age spectrum,
some Decatur residents have concerns about
the lack of “starter home” options for young
adults who want to return home after college.
These issues, as well as the community’s stated
desire to preserve Decatur’s diversity, factor
into the city’s long-term view of housing needs
and housing options.
Affordability Issues and Solutions
Affordability can mean different things to different people. The Decatur Housing Authority
does an outstanding job of addressing housing
needs through traditional public housing and
housing assistance programs, and currently
provides more than 400 dwellings for lowincome residents. Private subsidized housing
such as Philips Towers, Clairemont Oaks and
Park Trace include almost 600 dwellings for
the elderly and handicapped with rental rates
based on income levels.
The redevelopment of the Allen Wilson Terrace, originally built in 1938, replaced 191 out
of Decatur’s 200 oldest public housing dwellings with new, energy-efficient, EarthCraftcertified housing. The original two-story
buildings were replaced with three-story
buildings and a four-story senior resident
building. This increase in density allowed the
Decatur Housing Authority to create a threeacre redevelopment site along Trinity Avenue.
The DHA Board then requested that the City
Commission rezone the site to C-2 downtown
commercial so that the property could be marketed for sale. Revenue from the sale or profits
from redevelopment of this site will allow the
Housing Authority to fund the replacement of
other outdated public housing in the area.
Gateway Manor Redevelopment
Currently the Housing Authority is redeveloping the Gateway Manor community (circa
1969) across West Trinity Place from the Police
Department in the Beacon Municipal Center.
The new development, renamed Trinity Walk,
will replace 88 units with 121 units constructed in two phases. The Trinity Walk development accomplishes this by replacing two-story
buildings with three-story buildings, allowing
the Housing Authority to increase the number
of dwellings. It also moves buildings away
from Peavine Creek, creating greenspace and
a community garden for residents to enjoy.
This project uses Section 8 housing assistance
funding that allows rents to remain affordable.
Families pay 30 percent of their adjusted gross
income toward rent and utilities.
Construction is ongoing at Gateway Manor.
Oakview Apartments Redevelopment
As part of the Trinity Walk redevelopment,
the Housing Authority will also redevelop the
24-unit Oakview Apartments (circa 1961) at
8 | Decatur Focus • NOVEMBER 2015
Focus November 2015.indd 8
10/22/15 5:17 PM
City
1111 Oakview Rd., as Trinity Walk Phase III.
The existing 24-unit Oakview Apartments
will be replaced with 34 affordable rental
workforce housing dwellings.
By linking and phasing the developments,
the Housing Authority can reduce the need
for temporary relocations and allow all of the
current elderly and disabled residents of the
Oakview Apartments to move into new housing in Trinity Walk Phases I and II.
Recently, comments made online and statements made at public meetings have created
the impression that Decatur’s public housing
inventory had decreased in recent years. However, through thoughtful design, development
and coordination with the community, the
Decatur Housing Authority will increase its
inventory of public housing and rental assistance units from 475 to 518 units. These
units, coupled with the 600 units of privately
subsidized housing for seniors and disabled
residents, represent about 9 percent of the total number of dwellings in the city.
The Housing Authority has also developed
several market-rate housing developments
since the 1990s that provided affordable and
market-rate housing units. These projects
included the Commerce Place Townhouses,
Commodore Square Townhouses, Talley Street
Lofts, and 13 single-family houses known as
the Village at Oakhurst. The affordable owneroccupied dwellings were offered to employees
of the City of Decatur and City Schools of
Decatur through a lottery program.
News
GET YOURS NOW!
2015 HOLIDAY
ORNAMENTS
D
ecatur artist Tania Julian created a series of four City of Decatur holiday ornaments for 2015, and unveiled them recently at Wild Oats
and Billy Goats on the square. Following a short presentation by City
Commissioner Scott Drake and Decatur Arts Alliance Board Chair
Doug Aholt, Julian demonstrated techniques used to create the ornaments.
This is the fourth in a series of handcrafted ornaments commissioned by the
Decatur Tourism Bureau and the Decatur Arts Alliance.
This year’s holiday ornaments are $18 each and are available at Wild Oats and
Billy Goats, The 17 Steps, Little Shop of Stories, Greene’s Fine Foods, Fabu Face
Spa, and the Decatur Visitors Center.
Work Still to Be Done
While the Decatur Housing Authority is doing great work to provide housing for lowerincome residents and options for workforce
housing, there is still work to be done to expand our inventory of small starter homes for
younger residents and make it easier for older
residents to age in place.
According to an Affordable Housing Study
commissioned by the city, Decatur’s housing
gap was in rental apartments and housing options for individuals making $35,000-$50,000.
Many of these wage earners are the service
employees who work in the city but find it
difficult to find housing here. The Lifelong
Community Advisory Board is working with
the city on these affordability issues. The next
issue of the Decatur Focus will detail how these
options are shaping up.
NOVEMBER 2015 • Decatur Focus | 9
Focus November 2015.indd 9
10/22/15 5:17 PM
Business & Nonprofit News
AADD Boosts Board with Three New
Members
Sunshine Jewelry
Opens in Decatur
ll About Developmental Disabilities (AADD), Georgia’s preeminent provider of support services for families living with developmental disabilities, has added three new
members to its board of directors: education consultant Rachael Barron, attorney
Kedrick Eily, and executive Stephen Fodroczi.
Education consultant/academic coach Rachael Barron is the owner of W3 Connections,
Inc., a company providing instruction in the area of executive functioning and study skills to
students and teachers. She graduated from AADD’s Partners in Policymaking program in 2004
and lives in Buckhead.
Attorney Kedrick Eily has
practiced law since 2004. He
is currently with the international law firm Greenberg
Traurig, where he handles
business litigation and corporate matters. He lives in
Mableton.
Executive Stephen FodrocRachael Barron
Kedrick Eily
Stephen Fodroczi
zi works for Verizon Enterprise Solutions as Solutions Executive, Security, where he is responsible for security sales in the
Southeast. He will also serve as the chairman of AADD’s IT committee. He lives in Marietta.
Founded in 1956, All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) is a Decatur-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing family support, advocacy and training opportunities
for individuals and families living with developmental disabilities. For more information:
aadd.org or 404-881-9777.
ith 25 years of experience in
fine jewelry design, Rafi Junaid
recently opened Sunshine Jewelry and Watch Repair at 225
E. Ponce De Leon Ave., Suite 130.
As owner and creative jewelry designer,
Rafi works with a variety of metals and gemstones, specializing in sales, service, and design of diamonds, fine jewelry, and watches.
He and his wife and business partner Sumaya
Karimi hope to connect and build a relationship with the Decatur community through
Rafi’s art.
Rafi custom designs unique jewelry, including engagement rings, wedding bands,
bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. More than
2,000 styles of rings are in stock to be cast to
your liking, and all pieces are made on the
premises with most designs requiring only
one- to two weeks to complete. An array of
charms for bracelets, anklets, and necklaces is
also available.
The shop offers the service of recycling and
re-designing jewelry you may already own to
create an original and distinctive piece. And
Rafi also provides timely and professional
watch repair services for any brand – including those considered most difficult to repair.
Sunshine Jewelry and Watch Repair is
open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.8 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. For information, call 678-691-7245.
A
Fine Arts Academy at First Baptist
T
he Fine Arts Academy at First Baptist Church of Decatur opens its doors in November with a short six-week session, followed by a 14-week session beginning in January. Initial class offerings are piano, guitar, and voice, as well as Music Together with
Miss Wendy, for infants and toddlers. The academy is taking registrations for dance
studio classes that will begin in January.
All classes take place throughout the week and weekends are possible based on need. Registration is ongoing. decaturfineartsacademy.com
W
10 | Decatur Focus • NOVEMBER 2015
Focus November 2015.indd 10
10/22/15 5:17 PM
Business & Nonprofit News
Trinity Mercantile Increases Retail Space
T
rinity Mercantile and Design is a
home furnishings and gift store
with a full-service interior design
studio in downtown Decatur,
owned by Lisa Turner and Wallace Bryan.
Trinity first opened its doors in 2012 and
quickly established itself as a destination for
home décor and design. In early October,
Trinity celebrated the grand opening of its
new home at 116 E. Trinity Pl.
With this move, Trinity doubles its size
to 3,450 square feet, making it the second
largest retail space in downtown Decatur.
The new location is the original Bowen
Press building from the 1920s, which once
housed a bookbindery. Owners Wallace and
Lisa transformed the space but kept all of
its charm by showcasing the original brickwork, windows and doors. The new space
allows Trinity to better serve clients and
expand the merchandise in its showroom.
In November and December, Trinity will
take part in the Decatur tradition of Terrific
Thursdays, staying open late with special offers and festive treats.
Trinity’s main entrance is next to Big Peach Running Co., with plenty of customer
parking. An additional entrance is accessed from Church Street. The store’s hours remain the same: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information call
404-378-0197 or visit trinity-decatur.com.
Decatur Waffle
House Now
Hiring
MAY 2015 • Decatur Focus | 11
W
affle House is hiring
for its new location on
N. McDonough Street
in downtown Decatur,
next door to City Hall. Open interviews are every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at
Waffle House, Unit 2000, 1194 Columbia Dr., Decatur, GA 30032 (just south
of Memorial Drive). Waffle House
employment includes two weeks paid
vacation per year, flexible schedules,
weekly pay, insurance benefits and
stock ownership.
NOVEMBER 2015 • Decatur Focus | 11
Focus November 2015.indd 11
10/22/15 5:17 PM
n
d
Business & Nonprofit News
Get in the
local spirit
this holiday!
decatur Swag
Shop this year's selection of
Decatur holiday ornaments
at our Visitors Center, 113
Clairemont Ave., and local
shops around town.
Shop and celebrate locally in November
and December. For the holidays, you can't
beat hometown, sweet hometown.
�� ���� HOLIDAYS IN DECA
TUR!
decatur Gets
decked out
#holidaydec
aturga
Shopping
Promo
#decaturga
downtowndec
atur
decaturga
Spend $200 in any city
of Decatur shop in
November (excludes
restaurants) and bring
your receipt(s) to the Visitors
Center or to the tent on the
square during Small Business Saturday
and Sunday to receive a $20 local
restaurant gift card. Limited
to three gift cards per shopper.
visitdecaturg
a.com
new!
holiday
hashtag
Snap a selfie on the square with the
new Keep It Indie-catur photo
frames found around town. Post your
pic on Instagram or Facebook for a
chance to win sweet seasonal prizes!
rga
#holidaydecatu
new!
1
8
terrific-thursdays-focus-nov2015.indd
2-3
Focus
November 2015.indd 12
15
16
New this year – tour our interactive
Google map at decaturga.com/
decoratedecaturholiday for decorated
Decatur homes.
Window Shopping
Local businesses show their holiday
spirit with seasonal window
displays. Bundle up and tool around.
17
7
6
5
4
10
9
homes for the holidays
g
n
i
p
p
o
h
s
f
o
s
y
da
3
2
Look for wreaths, bows, and lights
throughout the city's streetscape.
Decorations go up after Halloween
and set the square aglow.
your Live insider's Guide
11
18
12
19
Jumpstart your holiday spirit – and your
holiday shopping –14
with daily tips in
13
November on thedecaturminute.com
and facebook.com/indiecatur.
20
21
10/22/15 5:17 PM
11 /28 + 29
noveMBer /
deceMBer
Business
&
Nonprofit
News
nov. 5, 12, 19 + Dec. 3, 10, 17
small business
saturday –
and sunday!
tree
lighting
Enjoy seasonal shopportunities,
snacks, sales, and extended hours at
participating shops and restaurants
around town, Nov. 5, 12, 19 and Dec.
3, 10, and 17.
nov. 28+29
terrifiscdays
thur
12/3
terrific thursdays
12/10
menorah lighting
Small Business
Saturday + Sunday!
Bring your list and check it twice!
Shop locally for gifts and treat yourself to festivities on the square – live
music, giveaways, free gift wrapping
for Decatur purchases, and Santa!
Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., noon-5 p.m.
Dec. 3
tree Lighting
Enjoy the annual tree
lighting on E. Court Square at 7 p.m.
Local businesses sponsor this
spectacle – complete with caroling,
cocoa, snow, and Santa!
Dec. 10
Grand Menorah
Lighting
Join in the Chanukah celebration
on the square at 6 p.m. Enjoy hot
drinks, latkes, raffles and prizes!
Learn more at chabadintown.org.
bonfire onre
the squa
12/17
ta
n
a
s
th
i
w
t
s
a
breakf
12/19
Bonfire on the Square
Roast a marshmallow (or three)
around the popular 10' x 10' bonfire,
7-8 p.m. This free event is hosted
by the Decatur
Business Association
and supervised by
the Decatur Fire Department.
Dec. 17
Breakfast with Santa
Start your day with Ol' Saint Nick
during this DBAsponsored event,
8-10 a.m. Buy tickets
at decaturdba.com.
Dec. 19
Focus November 2015.indd 13
P
CAL
D
decaturga
A
Find all of the participating
shops, salons, services,
cafés, and restaurants
at visitdecaturga.com/
terrificthursdays
LO
Stay connected!
E
Join in the terrific
thurSdayS fun!
PROV
downtowndecatur
#decaturga
visitdecaturga.com
10/22/15
10/22/15 4:53
5:17 PM
PM
Business & Nonprofit News
HOI to Honor Former Mayor Bill Floyd
H
OI (formerly Honduras Outreach
Inc.) has announced that this year’s
annual celebration of ministry will
feature a “roast” of former Decatur
Mayor Bill Floyd, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the
downtown Decatur Marriott Courtyard Hotel and
Conference Center. The evening will begin with a
silent auction at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner and
program at 7 p.m. All proceeds of the event will
benefit HOI’s community development efforts in
Honduras and Nicaragua.
Honorary roasters include: Georgia House
Minority Leader Stacey Abrams; former Decatur
Mayor Walter Drake; Leading Age CEO Larry
Minnix; HOI CEO Jerry Eickhoff; and Decatur
City Mayor Pro Tem Patti Garrett. There will also
be a special prayer and veteran tribute led by Rev.
Don Harp, pastor emeritus of Peachtree Road
United Methodist Church, and a musical performance by the Atlanta Rat Pack.
HOI is a metro-Atlanta-based nonprofit that serves communities in rural Honduras and
Nicaragua. For more than 25 years HOI has partnered with the people of Central America to
bring improvement in the areas of health, education, spirituality, economic development, and
agriculture through asset-based community development and short-term mission trips.
Floyd has served the people of Honduras with HOI since its inception in 1989. He designed
and implemented the wastewater treatment plan and infrastructure for Rancho Paraiso, HOI’s
base of operations in Honduras. Floyd’s love for people made him one of the longest-serving
mayors in the Atlanta area. He was elected to the Decatur City Commission in 1991, served as
mayor pro-tem 1994-1997 and as mayor from 1997 until 2013.
Floyd has also served as president of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and the
Metro Atlanta Mayors’ Association. He currently serves on the Atlanta Regional Commission
and is former chair of the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center board. Floyd earned the Bronze Star for
Service in the U.S. Army, serving in Japan and the Republic of Vietnam.
For registration, table sponsorship, ticket information, or honorary donations visit hoi.org/
billfloyd or call Caitlin McCormick, 678-704-2532.
Ted’s Will
Be Open on
Thanksgiving
T
ed’s Montana Grill, 201 W.
Ponce de Leon Ave., will be
open on Thanksgiving Day.
The three-course Thanksgiving meal includes:
• Choice of side salad, cup of soup or
Karen’s “Flying-D” bison chili
• Ted’s whole-roasted turkey and gravy
with herb dressing and cranberry
sauce
• Aunt Fannie’s squash casserole, garlic
mashed potatoes and buttered carrots
• Ted’s famous apple pecan crisp, featuring Granny Smith apples baked in
caramel sauce, topped with oatmeal
pecan crust and served warm with a
scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The Thanksgiving menu also offers
half-sized portions for kids. Regular
menu items will still be available, including bison meatloaf, cedar plank salmon,
the Delmonico ribeye, and other classic
favorites, along with Thanksgiving Day
wine specials.
The restaurant will be open 11 a.m.8 p.m. on Nov. 26, with reservations being accepted now.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Seeks Georgia
Volunteers for 2016 Season
A
ARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation
and assistance service, seeks volunteers across Georgia to help taxpayers who need
assistance preparing and filing their 2015 tax returns. If you have ever prepared a tax
return, even your own, and if you can volunteer daytime hours during the week, you
might be able to help.
Qualified AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers receive free tax training and are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program-related expenses. They help taxpayers at sites
around the state, learning new skills while giving back to countless communities. While some
tax preparation and computer experience is needed to prepare tax returns, other positions are
available that do not require such experience.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS. For more information
on how you can join the AARP team, visit aarp.org/taxvolunteer.
14 | Decatur Focus • NOVEMBER 2015
Focus November 2015.indd 14
10/22/15 5:17 PM
Business & Nonprofit News
Woodlands Garden Thanks the
Community
On the Same Page
Presents Two
Special Events
Cece Bell Author Visit
Friday, Nov. 6 • 7 p.m.
(doors open at 6 p.m.)
Drew Charter Upper
School Auditorium
300 E. Lake Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30317
El Deafo, by Cece Bell, is
a funny, poignant graphic
memoir that chronicles
Cece’s hearing loss at a
young age, her struggles
with fitting in at a new
school, and her search to find a true
friend. Don’t miss this special celebration,
complete with performances, art, and, of
course, a reading and signing by the author.
This event will be first come, first seated.
Peter Cook Storytelling Performance
Saturday, Nov. 21 • 4 p.m. (doors open
at 3 p.m.)
Cannon Chapel, Emory University
515 Kilgo Cir., Atlanta, GA 30322
W
oodlands Garden, 932 Scott Blvd., is pleased to acknowledge the Decatur
community’s generous and active support of the Keep It Green Indie-catur
capital campaign. October opened with Green Ribbons all over town (with
special thanks for the support of the Downtown Decatur Neighbors). Wellattended garden events included Woodlands Garden’s annual trip to fairyland during
“Fairies in the Garden,” with partner Skyland Trail and sponsors Intown Ace and LampeFarley Communications, and story time provided by Little Shop of Stories.
The garden hosted a night of circus delights, Cirque De Catur – a fundraiser for adults
featuring local chef Kevin Clark from Home grown and hometown brews from Creature
Comforts and Three Taverns Brewery. The evening full of performances was sponsored
by Private Bank of Decatur, Natalie Gregory Sold, Emory Alliance Credit Union, Decatur
Pure Station and Revolution Mercedes Benz.
More than just a campaign to raise funds to purchase the property at 915 Clairemont
Ave., the Keep It Green goals include making Woodlands more easily accessible and userfriendly. Once acquired, the corner property will make possible a safer entrance relocation, better parking with increased handicapped accessibility, and the addition of public
bathrooms. These amenities will be especially helpful to patrons who:
• Bring children to create their own imaginary world in the natural play area.
• Conduct a class or nature-related activity for school and youth groups.
• Seek relaxation and renewal by savoring the sensory delights of the changing seasons.
• Attend or lead yoga classes, poetry writing workshops, retreats, and art exhibits.
• Host or participate in outdoor events, concerts and celebrations for nonprofits, businesses and neighborhood groups.
• Want to learn more about nature, with a visit to the bird meadow, by taking a mobile
phone tour, or working with a gardening group.
As the February 2016 deadline to purchase the 915 Clairemont Ave. property approaches, please join your neighbors in supporting this campaign with a contribution of $50,
$100, or $500 at woodlandsgarden.org. Give to this public garden so that Woodlands can
give back to you, by improving the beauty, livability, and sustainability of the community.
Woodlands Garden is open to the public during daylight hours every day of the year, so
come explore this living sanctuary in every season.
Peter S. Cook is an internationally renowned
deaf performing artist whose works incorporate American Sign Language, pantomime,
storytelling, acting, poetry, and movement.
Cook uses his whole body to tell stories without saying a word. Tickets can be purchased
at petercook.eventbrite.com, and cost $10 in
advance or $12 at the door. This event is first
come, first seated. Sign language interpreters
will be present.
Special thanks to
first-time sponsor
Intown Expert Realty
for supporting On
the Same Page
NOVEMBER 2015 • Decatur Focus | 15
Focus November 2015.indd 15
10/22/15 5:18 PM
DBA News
Sherry Jackman Earns Decatur’s
Ta mmy Washington
Fleetwood Award
2011
Linda
Harris
2012
Arthur
Ratliff
2013
Sherry
Jackman
2015
Mary
F lad
2014
December 1
S
herry Jackman, director
of the Decatur Tourism
Bureau, was awarded
the 2015 Alma Fleetwood Spirit award at a recent
Decatur Business Association
meeting. She is pictured at left
with DBA officers, previous
Fleetwood award recipients,
and members of Alma Fleetwood’s family. You can usually
find Sherry at the Decatur Visitors Center, 113 Clairemont Ave.
The award is presented
each year to a city employee,
resident, or volunteer who
embraces and maintains the
overwhelmingly positive spirit
of Alma, who always had a
smile, a kind word, and a hug
for everyone.
Thank you to DBA SPONSORS
Marriott Courtyard
130 Clairemont Ave.
Decatur Courtyard by Marriott
Holiday
Meeting!
5:15 p.m. Networking Reception
6:30 p.m.Hometown Heroes recognized
Decatur Craft Beer Festival
proceeds distributed
Food and drinks provided by the
Decatur Courtyard by Marriott and Decatur
Downtown Development Authority
Butter & Cream • DeKalb Medical • Private Bank of Decatur
Delta Community Credit Union • Fidelity Bank
DEDICATED.
EXPERIENCED.
RESPECTED.
Expert, uncompromising
legal representation
when you need it most.
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death •
150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 260 • Downtown Decatur
404-253-7860 • [email protected] • www.carllp.com
16 | Decatur Focus • NOVEMBER 2015
C&A-2col-ad-focus.indd 1
Focus November 2015.indd 16
5/14/14 4:47 PM
10/22/15 5:18 PM
Decatur
School Events
news
DhS
robotics
team
Decatur
Glassblowing
builds
with Party
ThirdSuccess
Anniversary
community Support
E
ach year FIRST Robotics, an organization whose mission is to inspire
young people to become science and
technology leaders, announces a
nationwide design competition. The 2015 challenge was to design a robot that could stack six
recycling bins on top of each other and then
lift a large can and place it on top of the bins.
Once the challenge was announced, the
DHS robotics team brainstormed just how
they would design a machine that could
achieve this task. After narrowing down many
options, the design team used computer-aided
design (CAD) software to create the drawings.
Owner
and
artist
Nardi
the community to
It took
a few
weeks
of Nate
trial and
errorinvites
to build
celebrate
three
years
of
glass-blowing
the robot, which stood up well in the heat of excellence on
Nov.
21,DHS
5-10team
p.m.,
at Decatur
theSaturday,
competition.
The
made
it to the Glassblowing,
250
Freeman
St.
Email
[email protected],
call
quarterfinals in a field of 66 teams in the final
404-849-0301,
or
visit
natenardi.com.
tournament of the season.
The 44 students on the DHS Robotics team
gain valuable hands-on experience on the way
to careers in engineering or other STEM-related fields. A coalition of funders – including
the school district, corporate sponsors, private
donations, and
theCooperative
Decatur Education
ecatur
MinistryFoundation – supplies
the
$30,000
needed
invites the community to aannually
to provide the
equipment,
and tourtimematerials,
of celebration
and givnament entry
fees
to
continue
operating
ing thanks, on Sunday night, at a
competitive
level.
Nov. 22, 5 p.m.,
at Columbia Presbyterian Church, 711 S. Columbia Dr. Dress
top: Junior team members finalize preparations
casually,
come and share a simple meal
for a match with the smaller bots.
and hear testimonies of thanksgiving
about
work
of DCM:
helping
right: the
senior
abigail
Deweerth
andfamisophomore
Garnet
simpson
show offsettle
the team’s
Frc robot
lies
facing
homelessness
into safe,
design development.
stable homes and building healthy lives filled with peace, hope, and
opportunity.
Decatur Cooperative Ministry:
A Time of Celebration
D
Decatur City Dance Presents:
Who Brought the Stories to
the People?
Decatur City Dance will perform on Saturday, Nov. 14, with shows at
1 and 5 p.m. Tickets will be sold online for $9.50 or will be available at
the door for $10.
In this performance: Two mythological characters, Anansi and Coyote, battle for the role of story-master. Anansi is the spider spirit from
West Africa and Coyote is the trickster of Native American lore. Using
modern dance, ballet, tap, and African dance, the teen companies of
Decatur City Dance will bring these legends to life.
Decatur City Dance has been bringing dance stories to the people
of Decatur and the surrounding communities for more than 60 years.
Who Brought the Stories to the People? will expand your definition
of dance. It incorporates stories from diverse cultures, uses different
dance forms to tell stories, and features a narrative that connects the
audience to the movement. For more information call 404-377-6927.
Decatur First Christian Church
Tree and Wreath Sale
For your Fraser fir Christmas trees and handmade wreaths, visit the
church at 601 W. Ponce De Leon Ave. (across from the Decatur Post
Office) or pre-order your tree by Nov. 26 for a 5 percent discount at
decaturdisciples.org.
The deadline for pick up of pre-sold trees is Sunday, Dec. 6. Proceeds benefit church and community missions in Decatur, including
the Toy Park. For more information
call Decatur First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), 404-378-3621.
Sale Schedule
Friday, Nov. 27, to Saturday,
Dec. 12 (or until sold out)
Monday-Friday 4:30-8:30 p.m.
9 a.m-8:30 p.m.
Saturday
Sunday
1-8:30 p.m.
Need to Find
Another Nest?
Experience. Knowledge. Patience. Results.
Emilie Markert.
318 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30030
404-235-8900 C: 404.915.8222
[email protected]
Markert Helps
Make It Happen!
NOVEMBER
MaY 2015
2015 •• Decatur
Decatur Focus
Focus || 17
21
Focus
2015.indd
Focus November
May 2015.indd
21 17
10/22/15
5:18 PM
4/21/15 12:10
PM
Decatur Events
A Novel Affair: Books & Bites
Raises $25,000 for Library
Decatur Farm to
School Event
n September, the
DeKalb Library Foundation hosted A Novel
Affair: Books & Bites at
the DeKalb History Center
to raise money for the DeKalb County Public Library. Guests enjoyed
a panel of chefs and food writers featuring Steven Satterfield of Miller
Union and author of Root to Leaf, Eddie Hernandez of Taqueria del
Sol, and Susan Puckett, author of Eat Drink Delta. Wild Heaven Craft
Beers provided beer and Revival provided dessert. A live auction and
Fund-a-Need raised funds to support the library system, including a
new family reading initiative, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, which
will launch in 2016.
For more information, visit dekalblibraryfoundation.org or telephone 404-508-7190.
oin us for dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5-9 p.m., at any of
the participating restaurants
below and a portion of your
purchase will go toward the Wylde
Center’s Decatur Farm to School. Your
purchase will help support great farmto-school activities held within the City
Schools of Decatur, such as district-wide taste tests, teacher training,
and student internships, all for the purpose of teaching children the
importance of healthy eating. Don’t forget to purchase raffle tickets at
the restaurants for prizes.
Visit wyldecenter.org/decatur-farm-to-school for more information.
I
Experience is not
Expensive…It’s Priceless!
J
Participating Restaurants
Leon’s Full Service
Arepa Mia
Makan
Brick Store Pub
Mojo’s Pizza n’ Pub
Cakes & Ale
Oakhurst Market
Calle Latina
Raging Burrito
Farm Burger
Sapori di Napoli
Kimball House
Seven Hens
Lawrence’s Café
Steinbeck’s Ale House
The Iberian Pig
The Imperial
The Yogurt Tap
The Universal Joint
Twain’s Brewpub
Wahoo! Grill
“34 Years of Putting Nice People in
Fine Homes”
Exceptional, Personalized Service,
Experience, Insight, Integrity
PAM HUGHES
404.851.0732 / 404.250.9900
[email protected]
www.pam.hughes.harrynorman.com
Dynamo Swim School offers yearround swimming lessons in Decatur
at Agnes Scott College
Agnes Scott College
141 E. College Ave • Decatur, GA 30030 •770.451.3272x16
Classes are ongoing - register online at dynamoswimschool.com
DynaBabies (6-36 mos) • Preschool (3-5 years)
Grade School (6-14 years) • Adult (15 years and up)
• Indoor Heated Pool • Year-Round Lessons •
$15 OFF!
Bring in this ad for $15 off one session of swimming lessons.
This offer may not be combined with any other off or coupon. Expires 01.01.14
www.dynamoswimschool.com
AEXURDNLM 10-Apr-2013 15:34
18 | Decatur Focus • NOVEMBER 2015
Focus November 2015.indd 18
10/22/15 5:18 PM
School News
Diaper Mountain: Middle School Service Learning
M
iddle School students in Alex Zinnes’ world studies class
at the Friends School of Atlanta (FSA) now know what
diapers cost. During the 2014-2015 academic year, the
project “Diaper Mountain” was born out of discussions
in the classroom about child poverty and
homelessness. The students decided that
the culminating experience should include
a short walk to Our House, which provides
childcare and support for families who
experience homelessness, to spend a morning working with play-dough, reading, and
playing outdoors with the children.
Further exploration and classroom discussions led the students to wonder how
much it must cost to diaper kids experiencing homelessness. The students found
that a child changed eight times a day
for three years uses 8,760 diapers, which
would cost about $100 per month to diaper one child. This is roughly
eight percent of a full-time minimum wage salary of $14,500.
Diaper Mountain began with a deep dive by the students into issues
of minimum wage and the poverty line. They ultimately decided to
conduct a school-wide diaper drive in order to donate diapers to Our
House. The students created a mountain of diapers as an art installation and sought to educate the FSA community about the cost of
diapers for families living at or near the poverty line. They received
donations for six months’ worth of diapers
and raised the consciousness of the school
community.
The Friends School of Atlanta has a long
history serving its community and building
meaningful community relationships. This
new relationship with Our House raises
awareness of a global problem, and encourages young people to engage their hearts
and minds to connect with the community
and events that unfold around them.
Moving forward, FSA middle school
students will visit Our House twice per
week and work in a hands-on capacity
with pre-kindergarten students to develop math and science skills.
For more information about the Friends School of Atlanta, visit
friendsschoolatlanta.org or contact Waman French, head of school,
404-373-8746 x8136, [email protected].
24-hour emergency pet
care and board-certified
veterinary specialists.
All under one woof.
625 Dekalb Industrial Way, Decatur 30033
www.sfvs.com 404-924-2000
NOVEMBER 2015 • Decatur Focus | 19
Focus November 2015.indd 19
10/22/15 5:18 PM
School News
Decatur
events
Clairemont
School Named a
it’s
a Date toElementary
Stay up late!
2015ll National
Blue
Ribbon
School
Decatur residents, and
everybody
else, too, are invited
A
U
to walk in the Decatur Lantern Parade on the evening of
scores, subgroup student scores and
Friday,
May 15.
is one of
those “the-more-the-merrier”
.S. Secretary
of This
Education
Arne
graduation
rates:
events,
sohas
planrecognized
now to participate
a part of helping
Duncan
Claire- and be
•
Exemplary
High Performing Schools
to make thismont
lantern
parade memorable.
Elementary
School as one
are
among
their
state’s highest perMake your
lantern
at home
of own
the 335
National
BlueorRibbon
forming
schools
as measured by state
come
to for
a lantern-making
Schools
2015. National workshop
Blue Ribbon status
assessments
or
nationally
normed
where
supplies
andacademic
guidance excellence
are provid-or
is based
on overall
tests.
Student
subgroup
performance
ed.
Find out
where and
when by gaps
visiting
progress
in closing
achievement
among
and high school graduation rates are
decaturlanternparade.com.
student subgroups.
also at the highest levels.
To
line Ribbon
up at Color
Wheel
Theparticipate,
National Blue
Schools
pro•
Exemplary Achievement Gap ClosStudio
at 508 E.
Howard
after
8 p.m.
gram honors
public
and Ave.
private
elementary,
ing
Schools are among their state’s
The
parade
at 9 p.m.
led students
by The eimiddle,
andsteps
highoff
schools
where
highest
performing schools in closBlack
Sheep Marching
and pa- or
ther achieve
very high Ensemble
learning standards
ing
achievement
gaps between a school’s
rade
guru Chantelle
Rytter. The parade
are making
notable improvements
in closing
subgroups
and
all
students over the past
will
wend its way gap.
to theEight
community
the achievement
Georgia public
five
years.
Student
subgroup performance
bandstand
in named
front of2015
the Old
Court-Blue Ribschools were
National
and
high
school
graduation
rates for each
house
on the square.
bon Schools.
subgroup
are
at
high
levels.
The
parade
is sponsored
by Color
National
Blue
Ribbon Schools
demonWheel
Studio,
Decaturcan
Artsachieve
Alliance,
strate that
all students
to high
Clairemont Elementary is recognized in
Decatur
Foundation,
levels andEducation
are recognized
in one and
of two perthe
Exemplary High Performing Schools
the
Decatur
Development
formance
categories,
basedAuthority.
on all student
category. The school has demonstrated tremendous success on Georgia’s College and
Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI),
ranking in the top 10 for all Georgia schools
for the last two years. In addition, Measures
of Academic Progress (MAP) scores have
specifically illustrated student growth over
the past four years.
P
N
for aren ick
Be t's elod
st Pic eo
Ar ks n
tsy A
Cl war
as d
se
s
Your child’s
best opportunity
to learn music
Your neighbor
and
is now.
intown real
estate specialist.
The most favorable time to learn music
from birthor
to six
years.—
Help
Whether you areis buying
selling
oryour
young child achieve his or her full
simply exploringmusical
your potential
optionswith
— an
call
me to
innovative,
be sure you are positioned
success
in
developmentalfor
music
and movement
Parent + child classes are
today’s changingprogram.
market.
playful and creative and each family
receives the acclaimed CDs and song
books
to1%
continue
developing
their
• Top
producer,
Atlanta
musical
abilities
at
home.
Over
Board of Realtors (2009 – 150
2014)
classes are offered in metro Atlanta.
Winter
sessions
starthomes sold in
• More
than 125
Developed by
Nov.City
7–13,
call now
ofso
Decatur
since 2009
Rob Sayer
for class times and
• Moreathan
schedule
free 260 homes sold
overall since
observation
class. 2009
770•645•5578
www.themusicclass.com/atlanta
[email protected]
• 678.429.9731
Kirkwood • Buckhead
• Toco Hills • Roswell
Cumming • Smyrna • Johns Creek • Woodstock
ChipWallaceRealEstate.com
Dunwoody • East Cobb • Sandy Springs • Suwanee
Giving you
the time and
attention you
deserve
LISA CRONIC, REALTOR®
[email protected]
678.641.4325
Decatur Resident for Over 20 Years
AtlantaFineHomes.com | 404.874.0300
© MMXIV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.
20 | Decatur Focus • MaY
NOVEMBER
2015 2015
Focus May
November
2015.indd
20
Focus
2015.indd
20
10/22/15 12:10
5:18 PM
PM
4/21/15
School News
Friends School Art Teacher
Receives Outstanding
Educator Award
F
iona Thompson, visual
arts teacher at the Friends
School of Atlanta (FSA),
has received the University
of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator
Award for changing the course of
her students’ lives.
For three decades, U of C has
invited first-year students to nominate an educator who has changed
them, challenged them, or helped
them along the path of intellectual
growth. James Weigle, a member
of the FSA Class of 2011 and a
freshman at the university, nomiTeacher Fiona Thompson with
nated Fiona “because she inspired student James Weigle
him to think beyond the borders
of the classroom in pursuit of his own education.”
The Friends School of Atlanta is at 862 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur.
Saint Thomas More Open
House for Prospective Families
Sunday, Nov. 15 • 2:30 p.m. • 630 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Come and see how Saint Thomas More School can serve your child
with a faith-filled and academically challenging education. You will
meet kindergarten teachers and hear about the curriculum for this
age level. We are celebrating 65 years of excellence in education, here
in Decatur, Georgia. For more information visit stmga.org or contact
Eileen Maron, 404-373-8456.
Grand
Re-Opening!
Now also carrying quality
everyday shoes for infants,
toddlers and children
Charles Cope, Proprietor
650-B East Lake Drive • Decatur, Georgia 30030
404-377-1030 • www.1stepatatime.net
Jingle Bell Jubilee
a holiday world market benefiting the Tara Project
Your neighbor and
intown real estate specialist.
Custom Fitting • Personal Service
Whether you are buying or selling — or
simply exploring your options — call me to
be sure you are positioned for success in
today’s changing market.
• Top Ten Agent in Metro Atlanta:
2012, 2013, 2014
• More than 130 homes sold in
City of Decatur since 2009
• More than 275 homes sold
overall since 2009
[email protected] • 678.429.9731
ChipWallaceRealEstate.com
free admission
free food and drinks
silent auction
world artisan crafts
for sale
amazing raffles
and much more!
Sunday December 6
noon - 4 p.m.
The Solarium, 321 West Hill St.
Decatur 30030
NOVEMBER 2015 • Decatur Focus | 21
Focus November 2015.indd 21
10/22/15 5:18 PM
School News
DEF Helps Students REACH for Their Dreams
C
ollege is a goal for many Decatur
students, but the cost of education
can be quite daunting. For three
Renfroe Middle School eighth
graders – Dwight Armstrong, Jr., Lena Clark,
and Jay Patel, the 2015 REACH (Realizing
Educational Achievement Can Happen)
Scholarship recipients for City Schools of
Decatur – that dream is now within reach.
REACH is a mentorship and scholarship
program designed to encourage students to
persist in their educational pursuits. To be
eligible for consideration, a student must show
academic promise through grades, class attendance, and engagement in school. Those
selected will receive mentoring and a $10,000
scholarship to a Georgia college, university,
or technical school. Many schools in Georgia
will match the scholarship, and some of the
top schools are committed to a double match,
meaning students could receive as much as
$7,500 per year for four years of college.
The Decatur Education Foundation is the local funding partner for City Schools of Decatur
and has contributed $10,500 ($3,500/student)
for each of the past two years. This year, DEF
received a generous gift from Decatur City
Working for
Strong
Communities
.since 1979.
Church in support of the program.
To learn more about the Georgia REACH
Scholarship, go to reachga.com. To
learn more about DEF programs, visit
decatureducationfoundation.org.
SHE WARMS YOUR HEART
Now keep your home just as warm with the comfort of natural gas.
Save up to $1,000 when you convert to a natural gas furnace.
Visit atlantagaslight.com/rebates to learn more.
Please view all of our listings at www. adamsrealtors . com
458 Cherokee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30312
404-688-1222
@AtlantaGasLight
© 2015 AGL Resources Inc.
All Rights Reserved. AGL-13336
NOTHING SAYS WELCOME HOME LIKE THE COMFORT OF NATURAL GAS.
TM
22 | Decatur Focus • NOVEMBER 2015
Focus November 2015.indd 22
10/22/15 5:18 PM
Around Town
Rolls to School
Decatur Walks andfoun
escorts
d all sorts of students and their
Walk and Roll to School Day
ren
man walked a large group of child
all around Decatur. Lowanda Bow
n, principal at Glenatso
on-W
Herr
na
Dian
.
emy
from DHA to the 4/5 Acad
chilol, Portia Langley walked with the
nwood, walked a group to scho
the Clean Air Commute
from
Bear
e
Shar
Ride
The
nt.
dren to Clairemo
way to
children walked and biked their
folks was on-hand. Hundreds of
to be
y
happ
and
ram
prog
the
proud of
school. Decatur Active Living is
the city and the school
both
in
le
peop
d
cate
dedi
y
working with so man
nts!!
system – and of course, the pare
The Wylde Center to Host Fall
Roots Festival Nov. 15
The Wylde Center will host its Fall Roots Festival, Sunday,
Nov. 15, 1-4 p.m., at the Edgewood Community Learning
Garden, 1503 Hardee St., Atlanta, GA 30307. The free event
is open to the public and will feature a DJ, kids’ games, food
tastes from the garden, face painting, and refreshments.
It will be held rain or shine. The Wylde Center is based in
Decatur with headquarters at the Oakhurst Community Garden, at the intersection of Oakview Road and S. McDonough
Street. wyldecenter.org
Paint Love, In
c., a 501c3
nonprofit arts
organization
that connects
artists and
other nonpro
fits for a positive impact on
youth, took
headshots of
some of its
participating
volu
ists recently in nteer artdowntown
Decatur. The
organization
provides free
art lessons,
classes, and pr
ojects for
youth throug
hout metro
Atlanta. More
photos at go
paintlove.org
.
Congratulatio
ns to Dr. Emili
a
Bak, who will
begin teaching this fall at
the Universit
y
of North Caro
lina, Pembrok
e
campus, as an
assistant prof
essor in mass co
mmunications
.
Dr. Bak gradua
ted from the
University of
Georgia in 20
13
with a Ph.D fro
m
School of Jour the Grady
nalism. She is
a 2003 gradua
te of Decatur
High School
and most rece
ntly
worked as th
e media spec
ialist and marke
ting coordina
tor
for Finders Ke
epers of Dec
atur
and Avondale
. Dr. Bak is th
e
daughter of Ka
therine Bak of
Decatur and
Clemens Bak
of
Acworth.
NOVEMBER 2015 • Decatur Focus | 23
Focus November 2015.indd 23
10/22/15 5:18 PM
�
�
�
�
�
Construction lending
Tailored Mortgage Solutions
Home equity lines of credit
SBA lending
Mobile banking
Checking & savings
No-fee ATM usage*
*We don’t charge; we refund theirs.
404.809.3930 | PRIVATEBANKOFDECATUR.COM
ONE DECATUR TOWN CENTER, SUITE 120, 150 EAST PONCE DE LEON AVENUE
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
Printed on Recycled Paper
�
P.O. Box 220
Decatur, GA 30031-220
�
Decatur
FIRST CLASS SERVICE. FIRST NAME BASIS.
Focus
We believe ALL customers should benefit
from the heightened level of service other
banks reserve for a certain few.
DATED MATERIAL NOVEMBER 2015
Clear zone
pre-sorted
standard
u.s. postage PAID
Permit No. 199
Decatur, GA 30031
PBD.Ad.DecaturFocus2014_vF_Layout 1 6/17/14 11:11 AM Page 1
Fresh
from
Mother
Nature
Uniquely crafted
and one-of-a-kind.
Jewelry you can live in
from Vincent Peach.
Fine jewelry, watches and art...
Decatur Square . 117 East Court Square . Decatur . 404/370-3979
Amsterdam Walk . 500-L3 Amsterdam Ave . Atlanta . 404/892-8294
www.worthmorejewelers.com
(Ask us about trading in your old gold jewelry. It's a great way to buy a great gift,
update your jewelry collection–or just increase the contents of your wallet!)
Focus November 2015.indd 24
10/22/15 5:18 PM