Decatur
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Decatur
Focus Decatur Inside Decatur Education foundation impact report Clear zone October 2012 Volume 23 • Number 3 Official Publication of The City of Decatur, Georgia Remembering Alma Fleetwood Fleetwood family and friends and bench designer Brian Randall gathered recently for the dedication of the benches. D ecatur and the Decatur Business Association have honored the memory of Decatur native Alma Fleetwood, who died unexpectedly in March 2011, by installing two custom-built park benches, using funds donated by the community. The Decatur Arts Alliance worked with the city to commission the two artists chosen to design the benches: William Staubach and architect Brian Randall. Alma was all about positive communication and she found no greater joy than conversing with people. These benches, inspired by her spirit, provide places for people to stop, rest, enjoy our city and talk with friends. News 3City BUsiness 8 NEWs DBA 12 NEWs 13Decatur events news 21School Town 23Around Focus Decatur Changes Invigorate Downtown Shopping and Dining A vibrant shop-local campaign, a well-placed Visitor Center, and improved parking options invite residents and visitors to shop, dine and linger. 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 www.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: linda.harris@ decaturga.com. Clear zone Shop Local Campaign Focus on Downtown Development The Decatur business community launched the “Keep it IndieCatur” shop-local campaign last month. Local businesses now feature the new logo in their windows and many have purchased T-shirts with the logo for their employees. You can now purchase one of these T-shirts to show your love and support for your favorite locally owned business. T-shirts can be purchased at our new Visitor Information tent on the square each Saturday. With the holiday shopping season just around the corner, it is not too early to remind everyone of the impact that locally owned businesses have on our community. Our local business owners are usually the first to support school- and nonprofit-organization fundraisers with gift certificates and items for silent auctions. Many of them also provide a first job for local high school students. National statistics show that for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the local economy. National chains only bring in $43, while shopping online brings in no money to the local economy. Visitor Center Coming Soon Decatur resident Sherry Jackman has done an outstanding job as Decatur’s first Visitor Center manager – especially since she has been operating without a permanent center to manage. Sherry works closely with the new Marriott Courtyard to recruit conventions and meetings to the conference center, and with the Downtown Development Authority to market the city of Decatur. Several months ago, Sherry began setting up a visitor tent on the square every Saturday to answer questions, provide directions and sell Decatur logo items. We are excited to announce that Sherry and the Visitor Center will soon have a permanent home at 113 Clairemont Ave. The Visitor Center will share office space with the Decatur Arts Alliance at this location, providing a convenient information center just off the square and well placed just down the street from the Marriott Courtyard. The Arts Alliance will host revolving exhibits featuring local artists and help enliven this long-vacant storefront. We anticipate the new center will open in late November. New Parking Meters Over the years, we have explained the purpose of parking meters as a parking management tool designed to encourage turnover at the most convenient on-street parking spaces. The idea see FOCUS ON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT page 4 Information for the FOCUS should be submitted by mail to Editor, Decatur Focus, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031, by fax to 404-371-1593, or by email to [email protected]. 2 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 DECATUR CITY COMMISSION Bill Floyd.........................................................Mayor Jim Baskett.................................Mayor Pro Tem Fred Boykin.................................Commissioner Kecia Cunningham.................Commissioner Patti Garrett.................................Commissioner DECATUR DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Board Sheila Hunt, Chair Fred Cavalli John Drake John Joyner Fisher Paty Chris Sciarrone Betty Spiker DECATUR BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Wendy Watkins ................................... President Morgan Rowe........................... President-Elect Marc Brennan....................................... Treasurer Diana Charles........................................ Secretary Sean Dammann......................... Past President Design and layout: Lampe-Farley.com City News Enter . . . if You Dare Third Annual Halloween Decorating Contest Amanda Owens Brown and husband Eb won the 2011 Commissioners Cauldron by summoning forth and commanding a spooky army of scarecrows (inset photo). D ecorate your home or business in the colors and traditions of the season and enter Decatur’s third annual Halloween Decorating Contest. Submit a photo to [email protected] by noon on Monday, Oct. 29. Be sure to include your name and address. Judges will make their decision Monday evening and the winners will be posted on the Decatur website, the DowntownDecatur Facebook page, and the www.thedecaturminute.com blog. Winners will receive special yard signs on Tuesday, Oct. 30, to display throughout the week. The winner of the Commissioners Cauldron will be presented at the Nov. 5 city commission meeting. If you have questions or need more information email Katie. [email protected] or call 678-553-6573. Linda Harris Named Communicator of the Year At its annual conference, held early in September in Portland, Ore., 3CMA (City-County Communications and Marketing Association) named Linda Harris Communicator of the Year. Harris, pictured here with 3CMA Executive Director Dick Lillquist and 3CMA President Robert Tucker, is deputy director of community development for City of Decatur and editor of the Focus. 3CMA awarded the accolade to Harris “in recognition of her commitment to quality local government communication with diverse constituencies and leadership in raising the standards for marketing, civic engagement and community branding in Decatur, Georgia, and within the 3CMA family.” October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 3 City News Floodplain Information Available The Decatur Engineering Department provides general floodplain information on property located within the incorporated city limits of Decatur. The Decatur Library also provides references on flooding and flood protection. A map service is available for a $10 fee. This service provides inquirers with flood insurance rate map information and identifies whether a property is in a special flood hazard area. An accurate street address or DeKalb County/Decatur tax parcel ID number is needed to obtain this information. Call 404-377-6198 or email john.madajewski@decaturga. com. Last 2012 Homeowner’s Night Nov. 6 • 6-8 p.m. The Planning/Development department will hold its final 2012 Homeowner’s Night at City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Homeowner’s Night gives Decatur residents an opportunity to meet with Planning, Zoning, and Inspections staff to discuss home projects. Find out what your zoning allows, what construction is required, what inspections must occur, and how the permitting process works. For those who live in historic houses, this is an opportunity to find out about possible tax incentive programs and local designation requirements. For more information contact Amanda Thompson, [email protected] or 404-3704104. 4 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 Help Make Happy Holidays for Children and Seniors J oin A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur in making the holiday season brighter for low-income children and seniors in Decatur. You can help by “adopting” a child or senior and shopping for them yourself or contributing money toward gifts. Over the past 18 holiday seasons, individuals, neighborhood associations, places of worship, businesses and clubs have come together to purchase gifts for our city’s children and seniors. Thanks to the generosity of our community, A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur has served thousands of children and seniors. In 2011, the community helped more than 600 children and seniors through the program. Gift giving: Each child or senior referred to the program receives approximately $100 worth of gifts (a mixture of toys and clothing for the children). If you “adopt” a child or senior for gift giving, a “wish list” of their wants and needs will be sent to you. Too busy to shop? Make a financial contribution instead and we will do the shopping for you. Send contributions to A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031. Other ways to help: If you have a couple of hours available on a weekday, we can use your help in the office checking phone messages, returning calls, making copies, preparing mail-outs, and doing other light office work. Times are flexible. For more information on “adopting” a child or senior, or on other ways to help, call 404-3788068 or email [email protected]. Focus on Downtown Development continued from page 2 is to encourage downtown business owners and employees who park all day to use the many parking decks located downtown so that on-street spaces are available for customers and clients with short-term parking needs. We know that carrying around a pocketful of quarters makes it difficult for our customers and have been looking for the best technology available to make paying for parking as easy as possible. We have tested a variety of new meters and tried new technology like pay by cell phone. Current plans are to install new meter technology throughout the downtown district that will accept credit and debit cards as well as coins and an improved pay-by-cell-phone option. Local businesses may also have the option to purchase smart cards to offer free metered parking for valued customers. We will provide more details as final equipment is selected and installation schedules are firmed up. We look forward to making your parking experience much easier in the very near future. Join our Ambassador Team Decatur news, Surveys of residents and visitors consistently cite Decatur’s strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere. These traits are important to who we are as a community. We all play up-to-the-minute, an important role in creating this environment. Make a pledge to speak to everyone you meet in just one click. on the street in the next month. It is interesting to see the look of surprise on some faces when they hear “Hi, how are you today?” from a stranger, but it is also worth noting how many folks smile when they are greeted. Try it and see what happens. City News ‘Most Fit’ Threepeat! Congratulations, Team Decatur T eam Decatur completed its third KP Corporate Run/Walk in September and for the third year in a row won a trophy for the “Most Fit City.” In addition, two Team Decatur members won trophies in their categories: Kim Bentley won first place in the women’s category. She works for DeKalb Medical, a sponsor of Team Decatur since its inception. Kelly Walsh won first place in the women’s masters category. She is a member of the Active Living Board. More than 170 people signed up to participate and many trained together for weeks before the run/walk. Team Decatur members are invited to participate in the Grand Slam Challenge: run or walk in four out of six local races and become eligible for a special prize. For more information email [email protected]. Far left: Bill Adams and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Baskett accept the “Most Fit City” trophy. Left: Kim Bentley took first place in the women’s category. Above: Kelly Walsh with the first place trophy for the woment’s masters category. October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 5 City News 11th Annual MLK Service Project Set for Jan. 19-21 T he 11th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project is a volunteer home repair program that enables lower-income senior homeowners to remain in their homes safely, comfortably, and affordably. The project raises funds and brings together hundreds of volunteers to complete needed repairs, weatherize, add handicap-accessible features and do yard work during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. The project committee invites your business, neighborhood association, place of worship or civic organization to join in the effort. Sponsored by the Decatur Preservation Alliance in partnership with the City of Decatur, the MLK Service Project is supported through grants and private donations, both financial and in kind. Your gift is tax deductible. For more information about sponsorship and donations, contact Paul Mitchell, [email protected] or 404371-4444. For information about volunteering, contact Lee Ann Harvey, 678-553-6548, [email protected]. Holiday Ornament Series Launched The Decatur Tourism Bureau has launched an ornament series for the holidays. The hand-crafted ornaments, available with “Holidays in Decatur” or “Christmas in Decatur” inscribed, are $18 each and available at Wild Oats and Billy Goats, 112 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., and through the Decatur Tourism Bureau, visitdecaturga.com. The first ornament in the series was created by Malena Bisanti-Wall, a mixed-media artist whose work is featured at Wild Oats and Billy Goats. All proceeds go toward creating the 2013 holiday ornament. Malena Bisanti-Wall 6 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 City News Get to Know Decatur’s Largest Greenspace Cemetery Walking Tour Brochures Available ke Pa N ry LIVeS maDe cIty RIAN GA TE Decatur, Georgia • 8 Sect. 12 Sect. 9 Sect. 9 Sect. 9 9 11 Sect. 1 Sect. 8 10 Sect. 4 Sect. 5 13 Sect. 16, Cinerarium 4 USA 12 Sect. 2 Sect. 18.2 Office 3 Sect. 18.1 1 Sect. 7 2 BELL STREET POND 14 MAIN ENTRANCE GATE Sect. 15 Part 1 Sect. 15 Part 2 15 16 ur Cemetery is a The Friends of Decat ve, working to preser volunteer group t ve Decatur’s larges maintain and impro al historic and cultur a as space green rce. resou at 2:30 p.m. begin Strolls y Sunda Guided Second May y of each month on the second Sunda tour, email To arrange a group through October. . [email protected] friendsofdecaturce WaLKIN G Sect. 11 Sect. 10 Sect. 10 Sect. 10 Saturday 7:30 a.m-3 p.m. Office Phone 404-378-4411 our 6 7 Office Hours Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. CHURCH ST. Join tour guide Cathy Vogel for the last Decatur Cemetery Second Sunday Stroll of the 2012 season. Stroll through the historic section of the Decatur Cemetery and find out about some of the city’s leading citizens. Tours begin at 2:30 p.m. and last about an hour. Meet at the well house near the Commerce Drive entrance. , Part 2 5 every day Grounds are open sunset. from sunrise to that Second Sunday Stroll Oct. 14 Sect. 13 Decatur Cemetery OLD CEMETERY 17 40 39 36 34 WELLHOUSE 35 PEDESTRIAN GATE 20 22 38 37 26 32 33 21 19 18 29 28 27 30 31 Sect. 6 cemete rk PEDEST , Part 1 Decatu r , Part 1 Sect. 14 Photo by Gerald Huggins, from the 2010 Cemetery Photo Contest Glenla Sect. 13 STAIRS A new walking tour brochure produced by City of Decatur with assistance from Cathy Vogel, Victor Donham and other friends of the cemetery, provides an overview of 40 of the most interesting sites at Decatur Cemetery. Among them are the resting places of three veterans of the American Revolution, a monument standing over a field where numerous orphans are buried, and the final resting place of Dr. Thomas Holley Chivers, who abandoned his medical training for poetry and was described by Edgar Allen Poe as “one of the best and one of the worst poets in America.” The brochure, in describing the 40 sites, provides a glimpse of Decatur’s history. The 58-acre cemetery dates to 1823 (it’s a full decade older than Atlanta) and provides an interesting overview of how the nation’s attitude about cemetery design (and death) has changed over the years. The brochure includes a map of the cemetery, lots of color photographs, and a short collection of “Cemetery Manners” to ensure that the dignity of the site is not compromised. Pick up a copy at the Cemetery Office or at City Hall. 25 23 Sect. 6 24 COMMERCE DR. tOur October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 7 Business & Nonprofit News A Sunny Centerpiece Opens at Woodlands W oodlands Garden, the beautiful seven-acre nature preserve at 932 Scott Blvd., has created a sunny greenspace where the Morse family home used to be. Now that the old brick house has been removed, the newly opened area offers a pleasant contrast to the surrounding shady woodlands. The Woodlands Board looked to its core values of sustainability and stewardship for guidance in planning the deconstruction of the house. Woodlands worked with Lifecycle Building Center (LBC), a nonprofit that sells collected materials in lieu of disposing of them. LBC removed 5,200 pounds of oak flooring and sold it at below-market cost. The flooring customer provided some of the labor for the floor’s removal, further reducing its price. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be used to teach people about green construction. Woodlands also contracted with deconstruction and teardown experts Southern Demolition and Environmental. In addition to performing required asbestos removal, the firm salvaged mantels, ceiling tiles, window sashes, storm windows, 75-linear-feet of closet shelving, kitchen cabinet fronts, and 20 cubic yards of bricks. Some of these items are still available for sale at the company’s storefront. Details can be found at www.thedeconstructedhouse.com. Explore the Quaker Way with Quaker Quest The Atlanta Friends Meeting (Quakers) invites the community to Quaker Quest, a series of Sunday afternoon programs this fall at the Friends Meetinghouse, 701 W. Howard Ave. Childcare will be available. Topics will include: Quakers and Equality • Oct. 7 and Nov. 11 Quakers and Jesus • Oct. 14 and Nov. 18 Quakers and Peace • Oct. 28 Quakers and Worship • Nov. 4 The program will begin with refreshments at 1 p.m., followed by Quakers sharing their experiences on the day’s theme, discussion, and 30 minutes of Quaker worship. The program will end at 3:30 p.m. The Atlanta Friends Meeting has worship services every Sunday at 10 a.m. For more information, call 404-377-2474 or visit atlanta. quaker.org. Chalice Thrift Now Open Sunday in the Garden Continues Every Sunday in October, 2-4 p.m., guides will be on hand in the garden to show visitors around while music is performed in the pavilion. As you wander the garden paths, check out the ring of trees made visible by the newly opened space and enjoy the contrast of this new open area with the shady woods. And if you know of a home about to be demolished, be sure the owner is aware that recycling many of the materials will preserve some of our community’s virgin resources and help make affordable building products more available to consumers. 8 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 First Christian Church of Decatur has opened Chalice Thrift, a store that raises money for its outreach ministries. Chalice Thrift is at 200 Nelson Ferry Rd., Suite A, corner of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Nelson Ferry Road, in the lower level of the church. The store is open on Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursdays, 5-8 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Proceeds will benefit outreach ministries and donations are accepted during retail hours. Visit www.chalicethrift.org or email [email protected] for information. Business & Nonprofit News Oakhurst Presbyterian Church News Yard Sale Oct. 6 Oakhurst Presbyterian Church’s annual Yard Sale is Saturday, Oct. 6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Members will be the vendors and the community is invited to stop by. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Preston Compassion Fund. Clothes Closet Donations The Clothes Closet helps families with clothes and school supplies, and is always grateful for donations of clothes for all ages, including baby clothes. The Closet is currently collecting fall and winter clothes. “Job interviewing” clothes are needed, especially dress shirts and pants for men. Thanks to the BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival for a grant that covered the new storage area and shelves for the clothes. Welcome, Christin Johnson Oakhurst Presbyterian welcomes new Interim Associate Pastor Christin Johnson, a recent graduate of Columbia Seminary. Inaugural Jazz Concert Oakhurst Presbyterian Church is proud to sponsor its inaugural jazz concert for All Saints Day, Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. The concert will be in honor of “Saint” John Coltrane (yes, he was made a saint by the African Orthodox Church). Jazz players from all over the metro area will be a part of this interfaith concert in which we will give thanks for the saints in our lives, including St. John Coltrane. Admission is free, but donations for Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM) and Heifer International are welcome. Childcare for children 5 and under will be provided. The church is at the corner of East Lake Drive and Second Avenue. For more information, call 404-378-6284, or visit www.oakhurstpresbyterian.org. Lutheran Church of the Messiah News Days for Girls Georgia Days for Girls International provides washable feminine hygiene kits worldwide for women who would otherwise go without. The organization works to keep girls in school and improve women’s futures through the distribution of these kits. Of the world’s 130-million out-of-school youth, 70 percent are girls. Days for Girls Georgia meets the first Saturday of each month, 11 a.m., at Lutheran Church of the Messiah, 465 Clairemont Ave. No sewing experience is necessary. The group also accepts donations of 100 percent cotton flannel panties, girls size 14, and washcloths. New Ministry The people of the Church of the Messiah have developed a ministry called Jesus Cares, offering care for neighbors with developmental disabilities and their families. Through social time, Bible study, and support time for parents, the goal is to form meaningful connections with neighbors. Sessions are held on the second Saturday of each month at the church, 465 Clairemont Ave. Call 404-373-1682, or email [email protected] for information. Step into Africa at First Baptist Step into Africa is an interactive exhibit that allows participants to experience the impact of AIDS on an African community through the eyes of a child. Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church Decatur and World Vision have collaborated to bring the exhibit, which was launched in 2005, to Decatur. First Baptist Church Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave., will host the exhibit. Allow 20-30 minutes for the experience. Opening hours are: Sunday, Oct. 7 • 11 a.m. Monday-Friday. Oct 8-12 • 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m. Free tickets and additional information are available online at www.worldvisionexperience.org/decatur. October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 9 Business & Nonprofit News DFUMC Women’s Prison Ministry Adopts New Logo Decatur First United Methodist Church, 300 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., held a summer-long graphic design competition to create a new logo for the Arrendale Women’s Prison Ministry. The winning logo was designed by Mark Jones, a graphic design instructor at Decatur Career Academy. The logo depicts a woman holding a child, indicating the work the ministry is doing at the prison children’s center. The bars in the background of the logo fade toward the top of the design to indicate the re-entry of women into society. The logo also includes the Methodist flame and cross. Decatur First volunteers sponsor visitation, provide legal advice, and donate toiletries, paint, and rocking chairs to the facility. Scottish Heritage Sunday at Decatur Presbyterian Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan Oct. 28 Decatur Presbyterian, 205 Sycamore St., will celebrate its Scottish heritage on Sunday, Oct. 28, 10:15 a.m., with a Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan service. There will be a blessing of the tartans during the service, with an accompanying skirl of bagpipes. A reception will follow on the front lawn of the church. Everyone is welcome. Common Ground Real Estate Opens Storefront Office Common Ground Real Estate’s new storefront office is in the Artisan Building, 201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 119. The team of eight real estate professionals offers more than 20-years’ combined experience in the industry. In 2011, Common Ground’s first year in business, the team closed more than $10.1 million in sales. Expansion plans include a commercial division, foreclosure avoidance team and REO division. For more information call 678-4082473, email [email protected] or visit www.commongroundrealestate.com. 10 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 Park Overlook Preview of Homes Ten new homes in Park Overlook on S. Candler Street are nearing completion, and some are ready for move-in. Homebuilder Monte Hewett Homes invites Decatur residents to come by and take a look. The development is adjacent to the Oakhurst and Winnona Park neighborhoods and backs up to Dearborn Park. The four-bedroom homes with basements are priced from the low $600,000s and have features that include chef ’s kitchens, open floor plans, and large master suites. The architecture is designed to complement Decatur’s historical character and charm. The homes are open daily including weekends, with tours by sales agents Ted Blocker and Weslee Knapp. For more information, visit www.montehewetthomes.com or call Ted at 404-918-4455 or Weslee at 678-358-4321. Storytelling in Decatur Meet the Dark Side for Halloween Saturday, Oct. 27 • 7 p.m. Kim Weitkamp, nationally renowned storyteller, singer and songwriter, will take center stage at the Friends School Auditorium, 862 S. Columbia Dr., to present a blend of story and horror. She will perform original stories and songs from her latest album, Head Bone Rattles, as well as selections from her upcoming release Dead Bird Singing. Two regional performers, Shannon McNeal and Anthony Vinson, will also be featured on the program. Shannon performs humorous down-home Deep South tales that chronicle her adventures growing up in south Alabama and later moving to Atlanta. She is the originator of the monthly Stories on the Square at Eddie’s Attic. Anthony is a comedic-storyteller and humorist who will perform stories illuminating the “farce side” of the Halloween season. The performances are sponsored by the Southern Order of Storytellers. For information visit www.spooky-stories.com or call Shannon, 404-626-4453, or Anthony, 770-231-1831. Business & Nonprofit News Agnes Scott College News Women’s Leadership and Global Issues Agnes Scott College, 141 E. College Ave., is taking its focus on women’s leadership and global issues a significant step further, thanks to a half-million-dollar pledge from alumna Sarah B. “Sally” Gladden ’65 and her husband, Joseph R. Gladden Jr., former Agnes Scott board chair. The gift will be used to launch the Women’s Global Leadership Initiative, which will include a certificate program designed to provide Agnes Scott students with the skills and experience they need to lead in solving global issues. Quality of Life Ranking A Good First Year The Florio brothers and their employees at Sapori Di Napoli, 314 Church St., would like to thank the Decatur community for making their first year a success. They write, “We can hardly believe a year has passed and we’ve truly enjoyed meeting all of our customers. Sharing our culture and passion for food with the community has been a pleasure.” Look for the latest additions to their menu, including locally made mozzarella specialties. ASC’s quality of life for students is among the best in the nation, according to the Princeton Review’s 2013 Best 377 Colleges rankings, based on student surveys. ASC was ranked No. 8 nationally in the Review’s “Best Quality of Life” ranking. The review summed it up this way: “Great location. Gorgeous campus. Superb academics. That’s how a typical Scottie sums up the argument for Agnes Scott College, a small all-women’s school located a stone’s throw from Atlanta.” Campbell Hall Transformation Thanks to a $6 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Agnes Scott will transform its historic Campbell Hall from science labs into an innovative living and learning community. The planned renovation will create state-of-the-art academic and instructional facilities on the ground floors and suite-style rooms for up to 96 students on the second and third floors. The renovation will be designed to meet the standards for LEED Silver certification for green building design. Wild Oats & Billy Goats, 112 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., will hold its second annual Children’s Art Show on Monday, Nov. 5, 6-9 p.m. The exhibit will showcase the talents of the K-5 students in City Schools of Decatur. Attendance is free. Visit www.wildoatsandbillygoats.com for information. October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 11 DBA News Linda Harris Receives Alma Fleetwood Spirit Award L inda Harris, deputy director of economic and community development for Decatur, is the 2012 recipient of the Alma Fleetwood Spirit Award. Wendy Watkins, president of the Decatur Business Association, presented the Award for 2012 at DBA’s August meeting at Harbour Bar. The award was created in memory of long-time Decatur resident and City of Decatur employee Alma Fleetwood, who died in March 2011. The award honors the city employee who embraces and maintains the overwhelmingly positive spirit of Alma, who always had a smile, a kind word and a hug for everyone. Linda Harris (front and center) sits with members of Alma Fleetwood’s family, DBA president Wendy Watkins, and Tammy Washington (back row, far right), winner of the first Alma Fleetwood Spirit Award. Meeting Reminder October 23 The Wylde Center/Oakhurst Community Garden, 435 Oakview Rd. 5:15 p.m. Networking reception 6 p.m. Program Sponsor:The Wylde Center Visit www.decaturdba.com for updates and information about the Decatur Business Association, including information on the Foundations of Business quarterly seminars, events, and meetings. www.decaturdba.com 12 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 Decatur Events On The Same Page Announces Fall Events O n the Same Page is a citywide reading initiative whose goal is to foster a community of readers by bringing families together around the same book. The program continues with Newberry Award winner Holes, by Louis Sachar. The jigsaw-puzzle adventure has become a modern day classic since its publication in 1998. The program includes a treasure hunt, shoe drive and party. The culminating event is a visit by the author, Louis Sachar, on Friday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m., at Presser Hall, Agnes Scott College. Upcoming OTSP events include: Saturday, Oct. 13, 1-3 p.m. – Habitat for Humanity Work Day, sponsored by Intown Ace Hardware. Space is limited so email [email protected] to sign up. About the Book Friday, Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m. – Kids and Companions Book Group Discussion. Little Shop book group is open to kids ages 8-11 and the adult of their choice. In the current OTSP family reading selection, Holes, Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. He was wrongfully accused of stealing a pair of shoes belonging to a famous baseball player, and as punishment he has been sent to Camp Green Lake, a boys’ detention center in the middle of the desert. Day in and day out the boys at the camp are forced to dig holes five feet wide and five feet deep in order to build character. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake, but there are a lot of holes, and Stanley quickly discovers there is more going on than character building. What exactly is the warden looking for? Who was Kissin’ Kate Barlow? And when will Stanley and his rotten luck catch a break? Stanley and the D-tent boys try to dig up the truth. Saturday, Oct. 20-Saturday, Nov. 3 – Shoe Auction and Shoe Drive. The Atlanta Braves have donated sneakers to be auctioned. Be the owner of cleats worn by Chipper Jones, Freddie Freeman, Tommy Hanson or Kris Medlen by participating in the online auction at www. weareonthesamepage.org. Stop by Little Shop of Stories, 133 E. Court Square, to see the shoes in person. All proceeds benefit Our House, Inc., the childcare and support center for homeless families located in Decatur as well as On The Same Page. Bring new and gently used shoes to Little Shop during the same two weeks to be given to the families at Our House. Thursday, Oct. 25 – Decatur Day of Reading. The Decatur City Commission will issue a proclamation declaring Oct. 25 Decatur Day of Reading. Everyone is encouraged to spend 30 minutes that day reading. Saturday, Nov. 3, 4 p.m. – Movie Screening at DHS Auditorium. The movie Holes (2003) stars Shia LaBeouf and Sigourney Weaver. The whole family is invited to enjoy the free movie matinee and see how the movie measures up to the book. Treasure Hunt – Visit the eight participating Decatur locations, solve the clues, and come to Little Shop of Stories for your reward. Clue 1: Find the place where people rest, a plot by a magnolia is the best . . . for the rest of this clue and all of the others, visit www. weareonthesamepage.org or go to Little Shop. Tourism Bureau Logo • 4/19/11 More events will be featured nextDecatur month. Coordinators of On The Same Page include Little Shop of Stories, 133 E. Court Square, in conjunction with the Decatur Book Festival, the Decatur Education Foundation, and Decatur Rotary Club. Visit www.weareonthesamepage.org or contact [email protected] for more information. Gray scale logo Flat logo Textured logo Check out the Decatur Tourism Blog www.visitdecaturgeorgia.com Decatur news in just one click. October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 13 Decatur Events What’s Up at the Wylde Center? 435 Oakview Rd. Free Family Events S’mores 4 All – Saturday, Oct. 20 • 6-8 p.m. Costume contest, pumpkin carving contest, live music, paint the new Little Free Library box, and S’mores for all. Local Girl Scouts will assist children with S’more making. Prizes will be available for contest winners. Leaf Pile and Drumming Saturday, Nov. 10 • 6-8 p.m. Live drumming and fun in the giant leaf pile. Come early for the family drum class at 5 p.m. Register for these events at www.wyldecenter.org. Fall Plant Sale Runs through Oct. 15 More than 50 vegetable plant varieties are available, including lettuce, Asian greens, arugula, kale, Swiss chard, and more, in the front yard of the Wylde Center’s garden house. The fall plant sale is based on an honor system. All plants are well labeled and priced. Prices include sales tax. Come anytime during daylight hours, choose what you would like to purchase, and pay by dropping exact cash or a check made out to OCGP in the locked mailbox next to the front door. We check it daily. Visit www.wyldecenter.org for information. Annual Run for Justice Nov. 10 T he Atlanta Legal Aid Society hosts its 21st Run for Justice in Oakhurst on Nov. 10. The event benefits the general operating fund of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. The 5K course begins and ends at One Step at A Time, 650 East Lake Dr. Jogging strollers, kids and pets are welcome. Awards will be presented to the top 5K finishers and teams in a variety of categories, including pets, children and strollers. Families, corporate, church, school and community teams can participate. All participants receive a dri-weave Tshirt. Race day volunteers are needed to monitor the course and register participants. Registration is $25 in advance and $30 after Nov. 4. The race and walk begin at 9 a.m. Register online at www.active.com or www.rungeorgia.com. The Run for Justice is a qualifying run/walk event in the City of Decatur’s Grand Slam Fitness Challenge. The Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc., provides civil legal services to persons with very low incomes in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Clayton and Cobb counties. Last year, Legal Aid attorneys assisted more than 50,000 people and handled more than 20,000 cases, primarily involving housing, family, and senior citizens issues. The Community School and Eagle Secure Shredding are sponsoring Shred Day on Oct. 27. Drop by the First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave., between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to have your confidential documents shredded on-site and recycled. Donations of $5 per bankers box (maximum of 10 boxes per patron please) are welcome. All proceeds will support The Community School, a school for junior and high school students with autism spectrum disorders. Visit www.thecommunityschool.net for more information about the school and the event. Paper shredding only. Rain or shine. Fall SHRE 14 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 Decatur Events Oakhurst Arts and Music Festival Saturday, Oct. 13 T he 15th annual Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival is Saturday, October 13, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., at the center of the Oakhurst community in Harmony Park. The festival includes live musical performances all day long, a free arts activity area for children, a local artists market and a community area featuring Decatur-based nonprofit groups. OAMF! Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival Join the Parade! Local residents and groups are invited to participate in the Oakhurst Arts and Music Festival Parade at 2 p.m. It’s fun and it’s free! All entries are welcome. Performances Parade marshals this year are school principals Bruce Roaden 11 am:Oakhurst Community (4-5 Academy at Fifth Ave.) and Music Collective Mary Mack (Oakhurst Elementa1 pm:In The Wheelhouse ry). The parade route is only one 3 pm:Sehwe Village third of a mile and winds directly Percussion through the heart of the festival. 4 pm:Sydney Rhame So get creative and have fun. Your 5 pm:The BooHoo club, your team, your co-workers, Ramblers fellow dog owners, skateboarders 6 pm:Swamp Funk or your kids’ decorated bicycles Quartet would all be great additions. To enter yourself or your group in the parade, contact Angie Macon, 404-371-9583 2012 New This Year: Dogtoberfest The festival welcomes Dogtoberfest. Participants can enter the costume contest and do the parade walk. Register for the costume contest at TajMaHound and line up to walk in the parade at 1:30 p.m. The parade ends near Taj MaHound and winners of the contest will be announced. After the parade, enjoy the festival, which is dog friendly and will feature dog-related vendors, including art, jewelry, dog collars and leashes, soaps and candles. Oakhurst 5K Run The Oakhurst 5K Run kicks off the festival each year. The race includes prizes for male and female winners, plaques to the first, second, and third winners in each age category and an official course record. The 16-minute-20-second course record was set in 2001. Dogs and baby joggers are welcome but are asked to start last for safety reasons. October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 15 Decatur Events School News Flea Market and Plant Sale Oct. 19-20 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m. T he Fall Flea Market at the United Methodist Children’s Home, 500 S. Columbia Dr., will include a plant sale hosted by the DeKalb Extension Service Master Gardeners in partnership with the UMCH Auxiliary. All proceeds will go toward campus beautification. A sandwich shop and bake sale are also included. Donations of used items are accepted for the flea market any time. Just leave your items on the right side of the porch of Atlanta Cottage, which is behind the administration building (the main building in the center of campus). Receipt slips are available for tax records. The UMCH Auxiliary is always looking for new members to help sort, price and move items for the flea markets. Membership is open to all. For information call 404-3275832 or visit www.umchildrenshome.org or www.facebook.com/umchildrenshome. Decatur City Dance presents ‘A Day with Mother Goose’ Thursday, Nov. 15, 6 p.m. • Friday, Nov. 16 • 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 • 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Beacon Hill Arts Center, 410 W. Trinity Place Youngsters and grownups who are young at heart can help Mother Goose search for her missing son Tom. In this dance theatre show, you will see Mother Goose (guest appearance by Dee Wagner) call forth “The House that Jack Built,” and you will be entertained by three blind mice, Little Bo Peep and her sheep, Little Miss Muffet and a giant spider, and other Mother Goose favorites. Last season’s shows sold out, so buy your tickets early. Tickets go on sale Oct. 25. For more information, call 404-378-3388. Tellabration! A Night of Storytelling Nov. 17 The Southern Order of Storytellers (SOS) will present its 23rd annual Tellabration! Saturday, Nov. 17, featuring Andy Offutt Irwin and Georgia storytellers Betty Ann Wylie and Alice Henry, with Tracy Walker as emcee. The event will take place at the Friends School of Atlanta, 862 S. Columbia Drive. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and storytelling begins at 8. Free, onsite parking is available. Tellabration! is a night of storytelling celebrated worldwide, featuring stories that will appeal to ages 10 years and up. Tickets can be reserved with Shannon McNeal at [email protected] or 404626-4453. Tickets are $10 until Nov. 7, and $15 after that date. Limited tickets will be available at the door. Tickets are available online at www.Southernorderofstorytellers.org. 16 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 Save the Dates! Storytelling Festival Set for Jan. 25-26 Kickoff Jan. 24 at Eddie’s Attic The Southern Order of Storytellers’ 31st annual Storytelling Festival will feature nationally renowned storyteller Elizabeth Ellis (below). The festival will kick off with adult storytelling – Stories on the Edge of Night – at Eddie’s Attic on Thursday, Jan. 24, 8 p.m. All other events and concerts over the following days will be held at First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave. Visit www.Southernorderofstorytellers.org for details and information. Decatur Events HomeGrown Decatur Halloween Parade Sunday, Oct. 28 • 4 p.m. Join the spooky fun in downtown Decatur at the second annual HomeGrown Decatur Halloween Parade. Wear your costume and walk, ride or skate through the streets of Decatur. Neighborhood organizations, local clubs and area businesses are invited to participate. New this year: a ghoulish marching band, funky floats, the Atlanta Roller Girls, a classic car parade and the Dead Ends Hearse Club. More participants are added daily. Parade line-up for walkers, bikers and skaters will take place on the square at 3:30 p.m. Cars and floats line up at Decatur High School at 3 p.m. Anyone can participate but vehicles must be registered online at www.homegrowndecatur.com. For more information contact Lori Ronca, 404-373-1147, [email protected]. See updates at the website and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HomeGrownDecaturHalloween. Saturday, Nov. 3 • 1-4 p.m. • Rain or shine Taste more than 500 wines from around the globe, sample fare from Decatur’s finest eateries and enjoy live music at the largest outdoor wine festival in the Atlanta metro area. Proceeds benefit the Decatur Arts Alliance, which produces the Decatur Arts Festival and many other arts events, free to the community each year. For tickets and information go to decaturwinefestival.org. Music at the Decatur Library Oct. 23 • 7-8 p.m. Luis Stefanell, whose specialty is Latin American percussion, will play at the Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St. Enjoy conga, bongo, timbale drums, Native American flutes, and an array of world percussion instruments from Africa, Asia and South America in a performance highlighting Latin acoustic world music. Funding is provided by Friends of the Decatur Library and the performance is free to the community. Call 404-370-3070 for information. Charles Cope, Proprietor 650-B East Lake Drive • Decatur, Georgia 30030 404-377-1030 • www.1stepatatime.net Custom Fitting • Personal Service October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 17 Decatur Events Reserve Your Tickets for Decatur Ghost Tours T is the season for Decatur Ghost Tours, offered by professional psychic medium Boo Newell and paranormal investigator Teri Rice. The downtown route is easy walking and wheelchair accessible. The tour takes about two hours and participants experience both haunted places and Decatur history. Participants are encouraged to bring cameras to capture their own ghostly evidence. October tours run Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and begin at the Community Bandstand on the square. Advance reservations are required. For information visit www.decaturghosttour.com, call 404-296-7771, or email [email protected]. BeActiveDecatur.com Every Body • Every Day Wearing contacts feels like some sort of science experiment… Put them in. Take themDout. rop them Clean them. . Clean them in your mouth? Why are you putting PLASTIC in your EYES every day? Maybe contacts aren’t the answer? STOP THE EXPERIMENT. Get LASIK! www.AlantaLASIK.com Atlanta LASIK Center 404-294-3323 Blood Brother: Installations, Paintings and Drawings by Cooper Sanchez Thursday-Friday Oct. 18-19 • 7-11 p.m. Located at “The Gate Called Beautiful,” 424 W. Ponce De Leon Ave., between Farm Burger and the Marlay Irish pub and across from Dancing Goats Coffee. Artist Cooper Sanchez worked with property owner and garden art sculptor Chad Stogner to produce this art exhibit and installation. Seeking to bring fresh eyes and light to the property for one night only, Sanchez explores themes of local anthropology, fortitude and vengeance, using materials such as red clay and slate. The entire space is used with various installations and oddities as well as traditional paintings and drawings. Cooper Sanchez is an Atlanta-based gardener and artist who attended the New York School of Visual Arts and earned a degree in fine art and illustration. He works with themes personal to his own life, with aesthetic elements from southern folk art and European classicism. For questions or to schedule a daytime viewing, call Matt Benard, 404-213-2233. Let’s Move Them Dogs! Decatur Fitness Festival Oct. 27 The Decatur Booster Club will hold its second annual Decatur Fitness Festival on Oct. 27, 2-5 p.m., at the Decatur High football stadium. The event will be held in conjunction with the celebration of the school’s Homecoming weekend and the celebration of its 100-year anniversary. The free event is open to Decatur children of all ages and will feature carnival-type games and activities, healthy food and fitness demonstrations. To become a sponsor or volunteer for the event, contact Bernadette Seals, [email protected]. 5 Experience is not Expensive…It’s Priceless! “30 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 18 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 MOHAWK - SHAW Decatur Events ‘Compassionate Boldness’ Fundraiser Leapin’ Lizards and Dean Donut The Pregnancy Center of Decatur, a nonprofit organization providing support to women experiencing unplanned pregnancies, will host “Compassionate Boldness” on Sunday, Oct. 21, 3:30-5:30 p.m., at the Monster Mash historic Mary Gay House, 716 W. Trinity Place. The event includes hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, a silent auction-style raffle featuring a weekend getaway and tempting gifts from local retailers, and a preDance Party Oct. 27 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Grab your mummy and dance if you dare at Leapin’ Lizards’ annual Halloween Bash, featuring Dean Donut and his Monster Mash Dance Party. Hosted by Dean Donut, the party is designed to thrill pint-sized boys and ghouls along with their adult companions. The event will be held at Leapin’ Lizards, 185 Sams St., and includes trick-or-treat stations, trick-or-treat bags, unlimited fun on inflatables. a dance party, Halloween costume parade, raffle prizes and other age-appropriate activities As a special event boooo-nus, James Adam Hill Photography will take photos of little ghouls in their costumes. With a donation of $5 or five canned/boxed items for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, patrons will receive a complimentary 4x6 print of their trick-or-treater mailed directly to them. Tickets are on sale ($10 in advance, $12 at the door) for walkers through age 10. Adults are always free. Buy tickets at www.leapinlizardsplay.com or call 404-537-3030. Candlelight Vigil Oct. 18 To End Domestic Violence The Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence will hold its 20th annual Candlelight Vigil at the Community Bandstand on Thursday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. The Vigil program includes performances, speakers and the candle-lighting ceremony remembering those in Georgia who have lost their lives to domestic violence. Participants are asked to gather at 6:45 p.m. For information visit www.wrcdv.org. sentation by Executive Director Talli Moellering. Proceeds will enable the organization to continue its mission of compassion and care to teen girls and young women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy by providing free pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds and information about pregnancy and related options. Other services include long-term care through group classes and individual education with a focus on parenting, building healthy relationships, and the basic life skills needed to be self-sufficient. Tickets are $25. To purchase tickets or for more information about this event, sponsorship, or volunteer opportunities, visit www.pcdfriends.com or contact Jill Fossett, 678-628-4663. Living the Green Life Series Concludes From the Kitchen to the Medicine Cabinet Take advantage of the last of the Living the Green Life classes offered free to the community at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St. The class, From the Kitchen to the Medicine Cabinet, will be held Tuesday, Oct. 23, 7-8 p.m. Join one of the Wylde Center’s teachers, Charli Vogt of Beyond the Measuring Cup, and discover some of the food, herbs and spices in your kitchen that are support good health. Taste and learn about food that restores health and provides comfort. Charli Vogt, RN, MN, MPH, and herbalist, has a private practice in Decatur and helps many to be healthy in mind, body and spirit. For information contact Andrea Zoppo, [email protected]. To visit our community and to learn more about becoming a resident please contact us: Come Home to the Best in Senior Living At Clairmont Oaks everyday living is just the way you want it—comfortable and convenient. You’ll be delighted at the outstanding amenities and welcoming atmosphere in our senior apartment communities. Our Mission: Clairmont Oaks provide quality affordable housing and services to older adults. We welcome people of all faiths and beliefs. Clairmont Oaks 441 Clairemont Ave. Decatur, Georgia 30030-1855 Phone 404.378.8887 Facsimile 404.378.8969 www.clairmontoaks.org A Ministry of First Baptist Church Decatur Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/clairmontoaks October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 19 Decatur Events Park Renewal Day – Make a Difference! Register your team now to compete for the $1,000 Grand Prize O n Saturday, Nov. 3, volunteers will return to Dearborn Park to root out invasive plants in the fifth annual Park Renewal Day competition. Each year, more than 150 participants at this event –competing for prize money sponsored by Renewal Design-Build – clear more than an acre of English ivy and Chinese privet from the park. The event is organized by Renewal Design-Build, DeKalb County Parks, the City of Decatur’s Active Living division, and Park Pride. Teams will compete for the grand prize of $1,000. Second and third place winners will take home $500 and $300, respectively. Each team’s assigned plot will be scored by local experts and county park officials. A live band, food, and the awarding of prizes follow the competition. Any group willing to help the park and raise money is eligible to compete. In past years, teams have included school organizations, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, and Scout troops. Last year’s grand prize went to Boy Scout Troop 18. The winnings funded scholarships for boys who could not afford the Troop’s annual dues, uniforms, camps, and equipment. The Decatur High School Super Close Up Club used their second place winnings toward travel grants for their annual spring trip to Washington, D.C. Interested groups should register as soon as possible; the event is limited to 10 teams. For more photos and registration information, visit ParkRenewalDay.com. The 10th annual Low Country Boil benefiting the Decatur Education Foundation is Oct. 11, 6:30-10 p.m., at Leapin’ Lizards, 185 Sams St. Tickets are $60 ($40 for City Schools of Decatur staff) and include all food and two drink tickets, plus an event T-shirt. Visit www.decaturlowcountryboil.com to purchase tickets. 20 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 School News Glennwood Fall Festival Sunday, Oct. 21 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Join the fun at Glennwood Elementary’s Fall Carnival. Enjoy boardwalk games, craft booths, a 20-foot inflatable slide, the Spooky Cafe, Haunted House, cake walk, costume contest and – new this year – the scarecrow art auction. Glennwood will benefit from all proceeds. Festival sponsorships are available at many levels and are much appreciated. All sponsors receive advertising, tax benefits and promotion within the community. For more information contact Giffney Nagel, giffney. [email protected], or visit glennwood.csdecatur.net. Decatur Farm to School Dine Out Oct. 16 7-11 a.m. for breakfast/coffee shops 5-9 p.m. for dinner/dessert restaurants Enjoy a quick and delicious meal at a select area restaurant and a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Decatur Farm to School (DF2S). The organization’s mission is to integrate fresh, whole, locally produced foods into Decatur’s classrooms and school cafeterias. Participating restaurants include Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Raging Burrito, Oakhurst Market, Revolution Doughnuts, and more. Funds raised will go toward supporting teacher workshops, kitchen training for our cafeteria partners, classroom and garden projects, and student taste tests. Visit www.decaturfarmtoschool.org for details. Congratulations to Nick Richwagen (left), one of 22 University of Georgia undergraduates named 2012 CURO summer fellows by UGA’s Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities. Nick spent the summer engaged in a faculty-guided research project focused on obtaining usable biomass for energy production, earned academic credit, and will be invited to submit his research at the CURO Symposium, UGA’s annual spring conference for undergraduates. Nick is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in biology and ecology and has studied under the guidance of biological and agricultural engineering professor K.C. Das (right). October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 21 School News Decatur Education Foundation awards $17,000 in Mini-Grants Pictured are some of the happy recipients of the Fall Mini-Grants for Instruction from the Decatur Education Foundation. The $17,000 given out this cycle will support a diverse array of projects affecting all K-12 students in City Schools of Decatur: • a health and wellness fair at Oakhurst Elementary • a bike derby at the 4-5 Academy at 5th Avenue • an elementary math tutoring project at Clairemont Elementary • funds to provide visits to college campuses for Renfroe students • start-up funds to properly mount and display K-5 student artwork in public venues • purchase of fine art prints for a Hispanic cultural arts festival at Renfroe, and • funds to expand the choral library at Decatur High School. This list includes only a portion of the minigrants awarded. Salisa Bacon Business Consultant [email protected] 22 | Decatur Focus • October 2012 DEF awards grants twice each school year, in August and January. To see the impact these grants have on students in Decatur, visit www.decatureducationfoundation.org and read DEF’s impact report in this month’s Focus. 315 W. Ponce de Leon Suite 325 Decatur, GA, 30030 404. 377. 3262 Around Town Seen Around Town Congratulations to Ca kes & Ale Restaurant, which received the Ge for excellence in the cat orgia Downtown Assoc egory of Outstanding iation Award Sensitive Rehabilitatio ceremony is Louis Pic n/Restoration. Pictured hulik, owner of the bu at the award ilding, with Cindy Eid Affairs and Billy Peppers son of the Departmen , president of GDA. t of Community for new baseball team Decatur Rip Stix, a city the t en res r, will rep players 10 and unde the t ou gh nts throu at baseball tourname ces at Oakhurst Park. cti pra m state. The tea g baseball, the team In addition to playin pport the Decatur has committed to su g n through fundraisin Education Foundatio tur ca De . shirt sales activities such as Tby several Decatur red so on Rip Stix is sp rger, rlay House, Farmbu businesses: The Ma d an , ics an ch tum Me Universal Joint, Quan Ace Hardware. Decatur police officers participated recently in the National Night Out celebration at the Decatur Housing Authority. October 2012 • Decatur Focus | 23 (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!) Printed on Recycled Paper Amsterdam Walk + 500-L3 Amsterdam Ave. + Atlanta + 404/892-8294 Decatur Square + 117 East Court Square + Decatur + 404/370-3979 www.worthmorejewelers.com P.O. Box 220 Decatur, GA 30031-220 to do Business with Focus Fine jewelry, watches and aRt... 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