Focus June 2010.indd
Transcription
Focus June 2010.indd
In This Issue Focus on Downtown Development.............. 2 Decatur Part of $20 Million Grant............... 4 Creating Sugar Creek Garden...................... 5 Saturday Farmers Market Kicks Off ........... 6 Decatur Beach Party June 18....................... 7 Sidewalk Talk . ..............................................10 Celebrate the 4th of July in Decatur...........12 Official Publication of The City of Decatur, Georgia • June 2010 • Volume 20 • Number 10 2010 Decatur Design Awards he City of Decatur and the Decatur Historic Preservation Commission held the 2010 Decatur Design Awards ceremony in May at the Old Courthouse. The awards were established in 1997 to honor projects that demonstrate excellence in design, historic preservation, adaptive use, and residential additions. Every year the Decatur Historic Preservation Commission judges submissions and selects projects that are exemplary. This year nine projects were chosen, including Decatur’s striking Fire Station No. 2. Turn to page 3 for a complete list and more photos. Decatur Fire Station No. 2, 356 W. Hill Street City Budget Process Under Way The following are important dates in the budget schedule for the City of Decatur’s Fiscal Year 2010-11 budget process, subject to City Commission approval. May 17 – Formal Presentation of Budget to City Commission and Adoption of Tentative 2010 Millage Rate June 7 – Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2010-11 Budget and Revised 2009-10 Budget and 2010 Millage Rate, 7:30 p.m. June 21 – Public Hearing and Scheduled Adoption of Proposed FY 2010-11 Budget and Revised 2009-10 Budget and Adoption of Final 2010 Millage Rate, 7:30 p.m. All public hearings on the city budget will be held at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St. You may also make comments via the Internet using Decatur’s Open City Hall. See page 4 for information. Copies of the FY 2010-11 Proposed Budget and FY 2009-10 Revised Budget are available at Decatur City Hall and at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St. The information is also posted at www.decaturga.com. Sanitation Schedule Independence Day Holiday Monday, July 5, services will be on Tuesday, July 6. Tuesday services will be Wednesday, July 7. Focus on Downtown Development Strategic Plan Update: Translating Our Vision into Goals and Action T he community visioning phase of the city’s strategic plan update concludes on Saturday, June 5, when the last of the session three roundtables are scheduled. Since April, more than 600 Decatur residents have participated in a series of three small group meetings to talk about what they valued about Decatur and to offer suggestions for what the city should be like in 10 years. Facilitators from each group typed up the notes from their sessions and these reports are posted on the www.decaturnext.com website. More than 2,800 bullet points were submitted from session one. In addition to the regular session meetings, we worked with Jeanne Lee, a teacher at Decatur High School, to gather high school students to provide their input, and we worked with the eighth graders in the Renfroe Middle School Humanities classes to gather their ideas too. All these suggestions will be incorporated into the list of comments. Consultants are now busy sorting the bullet points into topic areas. They will consolidate the information and prepare a summary report over the summer. We will post a variety of online discussion topics at the Decaturnext website that will focus on some of the more frequently mentioned topic areas. We also plan to hold a series of informal “meet-up” sessions to provide for ongoing conversation. In August, we will gather again as a large group to celebrate our hard work, find out about what we learned and meet the planning team that will help us translate our vision into a strategic plan with goals 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: [email protected]. DECATUR CITY COMMISSION Bill Floyd.................................................. Mayor Jim Baskett.............................. Mayor Pro Tem Fred Boykin............................... Commissioner Kecia Cunningham................... Commissioner Patti Garrett.............................. Commissioner DECATUR DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY and action steps to direct our work for the next decade. Check in on our progress at www.decaturnext.com and find out about upcoming meetings and online discussion topics. A very special thank you to all the many volunteers who came forward to serve as facilitators and to all of you who gave of your time to attend and participate in the roundtable discussions. It has been said that “a community is only as good as its citizens choose to make it” and you have proven that you intend to do your part to help maintain this special place we all call home. 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]. Board Sheila Hunt, Chair Fred Cavalli John Drake John Joyner Chris Sciarrone Betty Spiker Decatur Business Association DECATUR BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Scott Drake ...................................... President Sean Dammann....................... President-Elect Marc Brennan....................................Treasurer Kash Ahmed .................................... Secretary Ann Berg....................................Past President Design and layout: Lampe-Farley Communications 2 | Decatur Focus • June 2010 CITY NEWS Decatur Design Award Recipients for 2010 139 S. Columbia Dr. Renovations/Historic Preservation 148 Erie Ave. Addition 223 Superior Ave. Addition 332 Spring St. Addition 411 Glenn Circle Addition 417 Oakland St. Renovation 122 Wilton Dr. Addition 235 Wilton Dr. New Construction and Landscape Design Fire Station 2 New Construction Each recipient received a certificate from the city signed by Mayor Bill Floyd and an honorary plaque that can be mounted on the building. 139 S. Columbia Dr. Addition to 411 Glenn Circle, including new kitchen and family room Addition to 223 Superior Ave., including new terrace dining room June 2010 • Decatur Focus | 3 CITY NEWS Open City Hall an Option for Public Input on Budget New this year is the option to comment on the Budget on Open City Hall. You can get to Open City Hall from the front page of www.decaturga.com. Click on the link and register and add your comments. All comments will be added to the public input received at the public hearings and be part of the official record. Fire Hydrant Tests Fire departments across the country are required to service fire hydrants twice a year, usually in the spring and fall. NFPA and ISO require that this inspection be done to ensure the hydrants have proper water pressure and operate as they are designed. The Decatur Fire Department will test fire hydrants in June. During the pressure testing and flowing of the hydrants the water can become cloudy due to disturbance within the water pipes. This condition is temporary and usually clears up quickly. For information call 404-373-5092. Floodplain Information Available The Decatur Engineering Department provides general floodplain information on property located within the incorporated city limits. The Decatur Library also provides references on flooding and flood protection. A map information 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 Identification number is needed to obtain this information. Call 404-377-6198 or email [email protected]. 4 | Decatur Focus • June 2010 Decatur Included in $20 Million Grant to Improve Energy Efficiency T he Southeastern Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) recently received a $20 million grant to roll out a program of innovative, large-scale building retrofits for homeowners and businesses from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Retrofit Ramp-Up initiative. This regional organization will partner with a dozen communities of varying sizes and characteristics, including two cities in Georgia – Decatur and Atlanta. SEEA plans to start this program in June. Each community will use a different approach to increase the energy efficiency of small and large residential, commercial and public buildings. This diversity will allow SEEA to test and evaluate a variety of models in both smaller, more rural, and larger, more metropolitan areas. The program’s goal is to provide residents and business owners with streamlined access to energy audit capabilities, financial incentives and support to make energy efficiency upgrades possible. It will serve as a “one-stop” source for information on efficiency, rebates, tax incentives, and project financing. It will simplify the process to encourage residents and businesses to take action. A large portion of the funding will be used to provide direct rebates and/or other financial incentives that lessen the cost of the upgrades. The Decatur Preservation Alliance (DPA) will provide administrative support for Decatur’s program. The DPA will market this opportunity to Decatur residents and guide interested participants through the process. Decatur First Bank has committed to exploring options to make low-interest loans available to participants to finance the remaining costs of the upgrades. Decatur Housing Authority Encourages Sustainability The Decatur Housing Authority has partnered with local community gardening advocate maMa Dirt to create a community garden for senior residents at Oakview Apartments on Oakview Road in Oakhurst. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Earth Day in April. Residents and volunteers are working together to prepare the ground for planting and growing fresh vegetables. Residents will maintain the garden and share its bounty. Growing some of their own vegetables will help senior residents reduce household grocery bills, increase social interaction, achieve healthier lifestyles, and become more self-sustaining. CITY NEWS Creating Sugar Creek Garden S ugar Creek Garden is the newest site of the Oakhurst Community Garden Project. It is located in the floodplain behind Oakhurst Presbyterian Church at East Lake Drive and Second Avenue (across the street from the dog park). The new garden broke ground in April and is receiving support from the City of Decatur as a pilot for the Decatur Urban Agriculture Initiative (DAI). The initiative focuses on access to fresh, healthy food for Decatur residents. The garden hosts “farm-like” rows for growing annual vegetables, tended by the community and aimed at production. The site will host fruit trees, shrubs and brambles, perennial vegetables and a medicinal herb meadow. Part of the project is to pilot perennial vegetables and medicinal herb species, especially those native to our Piedmont region yet not widely propagated locally. Like the OCGP, the mission of the new garden is community involvement and educational opportunity. Ongoing volunteer efforts and education classes for adults and children will be available through the OCGP. Lindsey Mann is the project manager for the new garden. Lindsey is a resident of Oakhurst and her house adjoins the floodplain. She has envisioned this garden since arriving in the neighborhood in 2006. She is founder and director of Sustenance Design, an edible landscape company focused on integrating sustainable solutions into homes and communities around Decatur/ Atlanta. Her main goal in establishing edible gardens, such as the Sugar Creek site, is to encourage self-sufficiency and abundant health for earth and people. Visit www.sustenancedesign.net for more information. Volunteer Opportunities Ongoing: Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m.-noon; alternating Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. Regular volunteers eligible for work-trade for garden produce. Task-focused workdays: Projects include establishing a blueberry understory and preparing soil for the herb meadow. Youngsters were encouraged to take part in the planting festivities. Mayor Bill Floyd takes the green-thumb test. David Junger, assistant city manager for public works. Oakhurst Garden Director Stephanie Van Parys with City Manager Peggy Merriss. June 2010 • Decatur Focus | 5 CITY NEWS Tessitura Makes Music with Google Kids For the second year in a row, Ms. Lynnette of Tessitura in Oakhurst Village was invited to spend a morning at Google’s Midtown office in Atlanta. Ms. Lynnette, Google employees and their children had a blast singing, dancing, playing drums, shaking shakers, jumping through hoops and playing guitar for Google’s “Bring Your Kid to Work” day in April. Google’s creative approach to the corporate environment combined with Ms. Lynnette’s gift for engaging children’s natural creativity through music and movement activities made for a fun-filled morning for everyone. For information on Tessitura’s music and movement classes for children from birth to seven years, including the summer session starting in June, visit www.MyTessitura.com or email [email protected]. Decatur Tote Bag Coupons Remember to redeem your coupon for a free reusable Decatur tote bag. Bring in the coupon that came with your tax notice to Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St. (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) or Decatur Public Works, 2635 Talley St. (Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.). You must redeem your coupon by June 5. You may also purchase additional bags for $2. 6 | Decatur Focus • June 2010 Decatur Farmers Market Kicks Off Saturdays Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson and Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd cut the ribbon officially opening the Decatur Farmers Market’s Saturday location at the corner of N. McDonough Street and Trinity Place. They’re joined by Greg and Nicole Coleson, co-owners of the market. June harvesting should fill the market with plenty of new produce. Learn more about the market at www.decaturfarmersmarket.com. Focus Combines July/August Issues The July and August issues of the Decatur Focus will be combined and will come out in mid-July. The combined July/August issue will feature the city’s Annual Report. Send information for both July and August by June 10 to Editor, Decatur Focus, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031 or by email to [email protected]. Youth Baseball Opening Day Parade Youth Baseball opens on Saturday, June 5, with an Opening Day Parade for all t-ball and league baseball participants. The parade will begin at McKoy Park at 11 a.m. The first pitch will take place at noon. Plan to join the fun. Convertibles and volunteers are needed. Contact Stacy Green, 678553-6549, or [email protected] for information. Holy Trinity Announces Camps Sign up now for Holy Trinity camps for 2-7 year olds (science camps also available for children up to 10 years old). Children 4-7 can learn about their environment in a camp called Gateway to Green; younger children can participate in Motion Explosion (for 2 year olds) and I Spy (for 3 year olds). To register visit www.holytrinitypreschool.org ($35 registration fee holds your spot) or call 404-371-1310. Camp weeks are July 12-16; July 19-23; August 2-6; August 9-13; and August 16-20. Fees are one week, $80; more than one week, $75 per week. Hours are 9 a.m.-noon. Pay $15 extra and your child can stay until 1 p.m. Holy Trinity Parish Preschool is at 515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. city NEWS Decatur Beach Party June 18 C Celebrating 25 Years of Fun in the Sun! elebrate the beginning of summer at the annual Decatur Beach Party Friday, June 18, 5 p.m. until midnight. Decatur brings in 60 tons of sand and turns its landlocked square into the Decatur Beach complete with a kids’ boardwalk, live music, dancing, food court, and more. This year the Beach Party celebrates its 25th year. Attendees can start the evening with a visit to Decatur Beach, set up on Ponce de Leon Avenue with plenty of sand and sand toys. The expanded Kid’s Boardwalk area – “Ponce Fun Pier” – will be set up next to the sand. Sand buckets filled with a box supper and toy are available for children for $5. On the Community Bandstand on the square The Reputations will play beach music from 5 to 8 p.m. At 8 p.m. Terry Lee and the G.T.’s will play live from the main stage on the MARTA Plaza. Beachgoers can enjoy dancing on the plaza until midnight. The Food Court will be set up on E. Court Square between the beach/boardwalk area and the main stage, serving hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, beer, wine and soft drinks. No outside food, beverages or coolers are allowed into the festival area. Tickets are $6.50 in advance at www.decaturdba.com or $10 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free, limit two per paying adult. Kids’ boardwalk tickets will be for sale inside the event. For more information visit www.decaturdba.com or call 678-553-6573. The Decatur Business Association produces the Decatur Beach Party. The event is an annual fundraiser and proceeds help fund other free events, including the Easter Egg Hunt, Concerts on the Square, Blue Sky Concerts, and the Bonfire/Marshmallow Roast. Proceeds are also used for projects that benefit the entire community such as the Wayfinding Kiosk signs on and around the square. Thanks to the sponsors, which include the City of Decatur, the Decatur Downtown Development Authority, Eagle Rock Distributors, Barefoot Wine, HLM Financial, Holiday Inn Decatur, A-1 Amusements, Vulcan Materials, Leapin’ Lizards, Nanston Dental and Standard Parking. Free Sand! Remember, when the Beach Party ends at midnight everyone is welcome to load up the sand and take it home for a sandbox, garden or playground. It is free! Just bring your vehicle and load up the sand anytime after midnight or during the rest of the weekend. Many thanks to sponsor Vulcan Materials, which donates the sand every year. June 2010 • Decatur Focus | 7 DBA NEWS Agnes Scott College in the News Seen Around Town The Decatur Rotary Club recently announced its annual Community Grant recipients. The Community Grants Committee solicited grant proposals and awarded them based on specific criteria, focusing on local programs that serve at-risk youth or promote literacy. Pictured are: Far left, Decatur Rotary President Bryan Downs and far right, Community Grants Committee Chair Rev. James Brewer-Calvert. Recipients included representatives from Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Cooperative Ministry, Decatur-DeKalb YMCA, DeKalb Library Foundation, DeKalb Rape Crisis Center, Friends of Refugees, Mommy and Me, Global Village School, Our House, Outreach Development Unit of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and United Methodist Children’s Home. Decatur’s only plastic surgery practice Look Refreshed. Feel Great. Be Happy. Specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, including facelift, eyelid surgery, breast reconstruction, augmentation and lift; and body contouring procedures. Lisa M. DiFrancesco, MD PLASTIC SURGERY 404-377-3474 One Town Center 150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 190 [email protected] www.drdifrancesco.com Double board-certified in plastic surgery and surgery. Affiliated with DeKalb Medical, Piedmont Hospital, and Emory Midtown. 8 | Decatur Focus • June 2010 Introducing “smart lipo” laser-based liposuction. Nonsurgical offerings include Botox®, Juviderm®, skin rejuvenation and Latisse®. RecycleMania Champion gnes Scott College is the top-ranked college in Georgia and No. 35 nationally in this year’s RecycleMania Grand Champion Division. RecycleMania is a national college and university recycling competition. About 600 colleges and universities signed up for the 10-week competition, which pits institutions all over the country against each other in several categories to see which school can recycle the largest portion of their waste. The Grand Champion Division is based on a school’s combined results in the Per Capita Classic and Waste Minimization competitions and takes a school’s size into account. Agnes Scott’s cumulative recycling rate was 44.5 percent. The average cumulative waste pounds per person was 51.57, almost half that of other Georgia colleges competing in the waste minimization category. The college also placed No. 11 nationally in the Food Service Organics Division, with 17.6 pounds of food recycled (or composted) per person. Agnes Scott was the first college in Georgia earlier this fall to compost in its residence halls. The college also successfully launched its campus-wide, single-stream recycling program, which eliminates the need to separate recyclables, the previous fall. Recycling and composting, part of the college’s goal to move closer to producing zero waste, are also part of a much wider strategy to reduce Agnes Scott’s environmental impact. To learn more about sustainability initiatives at Agnes Scott College, visit www.agnesscott.edu/about/sustainability. A Environmentally Responsible gnes Scott College was included in The Princeton Review’s “Guide to 286 Green Colleges,” developed in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council and focused on institutions of higher education that have demonstrated above-average commitment to sustainability. The Review chose the schools based on the “Green Rating” scores they received in summer 2009 when it published Green Rating scores for 697 schools in its online college profiles and/or annual college guidebooks. Of 697 schools that The Princeton Review gave “Green Ratings” to in 2009, the 286 schools in the guide received scores in the 80th percentile or higher. A Aquatics for Kids Offered at Holiday Inn Infant Aquatics SE featuring SwimKids of Georgia is a swim school for children 6 months to 6 years old. Lessons are taught from the pool at the Holiday Inn/Decatur Conference Center. Morning, early evening and classes for working parents are offered. Infant Aquatics are for children 6 months to 4 years; SwimKids for children 4 to 6 years. Group lessons are also available. For information visit www.infantaquatics.com or contact Nadyne Siegel Brown, [email protected]. DBA NEWS From the DBA President M ay and June are two of my favorite months in Decatur and I want to take some time to thank those who make this possible. With Concerts on the Square we had five Saturday and four Wednesday concerts in May. In the past five years that I have been involved I have never seen such large crowds and great atmosphere for these events to take place. I want to thank our co-chairs Wendy Watkins and Jeremy Warner for a great job and everyone is looking forward to September concerts as well. Now June . . . and the Beach Party. Our co-chairs Morgan Rowe and Butch Whitfield have done an amazing job the past few years and I can’t wait to see what’s in store in a few weeks. This is the DBA’s largest fund raiser and allows us to put on other events for the community, but most importantly it allows us to help fund projects and initiatives that serve our business members and community at-large. So please come out and join us on Friday, June 18. Buy your tickets in advance online at www.ticketalternative.com/ Events/11302.aspx and thanks for supporting the DBA. I would like to say thanks to Cheryl Burnette, who handles the special events for the city, our concert series sponsors Suntrust and Wachovia, and all the local businesses who co-sponsored specific concerts. — Scott Drake, DBA president Meeting Reminder Decatur Business Association June Meeting • Tuesday, June 22 5:15 p.m. Networking reception 6 p.m. Program Where: Eddie’s Attic 515 N. McDonough St. Visit www.decaturdba for more information. Former Decaturite Geoff Achison Slated to Perform at Eddie’s Attic June 13 Native Australian and recent citizen of Decatur Geoff Achison will play only one show in the Atlanta area to cap his spring tour of North America. Joining him onstage at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N. McDonough St., will be legendary Randall Bramblett and his all-star band, featuring Grammy winner Yonrico Scott and Grammy nominee Ted Pecchio. Achison has also promised to feature special guests throughout the evening. The June 13 show will begin at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.eddiesattic.com. Disability Insurance * � NON-CANCELATION POLICY � OWN-OCCUPATION DEFINITION** � PROTECT YOUR RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION Experience and insurance knowledge you can trust. Bill Markert, @ 404-239-0352 250 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 322, Decatur, GA 30030 0158673-00001-00 *Availability varies by carrier and state. **Pays for loss of occupation, but allows you to do other work. June 2010 • Decatur Focus | 9 eventS Sidewalk Talk Farm Burger Opens What’s up with Decatur restaurants and retailers Welcome to Blue Elephant Book Shop, which will hold its grand opening in Decatur on June 5. Blue Elephant is moving from N. Decatur Road to 407 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. (two doors west of Taqueria del Sol, two doors east of Dancing Goats Coffee Bar, and directly across the street from Watershed and Farm Burger restaurants). Stop by and welcome them, or call 404-728-8955, or email [email protected] for information. Congratulations to Forbici for Hair, which celebrates its 15th anniversary in Decatur in June. The shop will feature art by Emily Kennedy and Woody Hickox and the community is invited to visit. Hair styling will be offered at a discount rate. Owner Marty Kennedy thanks her clients, friends, and businesses for their support. Forbici is at 227 N. McDonough St., next door to Books Again. Call 404-378-4046 for information. Check out Stewart Clink’s Top Five restaurants on Citysearch and see a write up of Universal Joint. The PGA golfer and 2009 British Open champion picked five favorites in his hometown and Universal Joint made the cut. Clink says, “To find that small-town, feel-good burger stand, look no further than U-Joint – their burger is what a good burger should be – simple. Plus it goes great with almost anything from behind the bar.” See the write up at atlanta.citysearch.com/ list/157981. Farm 225 announces the opening of a sister operation, Farm Burger, in downtown Decatur at 410 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., next door to Watershed. The restaurant is a collaboration of Farm 255 owner and farmer Jason Mann and restaurateur George Frangos. The restaurant’s burgers are made from 100 percent grass-fed beef from cows raised on southeastern pastureland, and sourced from the same farms that supply 255, including their own operations Full Moon Farms and Moonshine Meats. The beef is from cows that are never fed hormones, antibiotics, or grain, and will be dry-aged and ground fresh on site. Farm Burger’s menu is seasonal and its space is convivial and comfortable. Build your own burger or enjoy one of the specials, sides and snacks. For more information visit www.farmburger.net. Garden View Massage, 215 Church St., Suite 109, has expanded its hours of operation. The practice’s Reduced-Rate Clinic will open Monday-Friday at 7 a.m., and close at 8:30 p.m. The additional hours will provide more opportunity for nine-to-fivers to experience the benefits of regular massage therapy. Garden View Massage offers online appointment scheduling, and is open seven days a week, in the purple building next to Twain’s. Visit www.gardenviewmassage.com or call 404-377-2909. Steinbeck’s, at 659 East Lake Dr. in Oakhurst, has scheduled a June 19 lobster boil. For $25, diners can enjoy lobster, corn on the cob and potatoes. Reservations are required. Learn more at www.steinbecksbar.com. 515-B N. McDonough St. Decatur, GA 30030 404.377.4976 www.eddiesattic.com ' ' eddies attic is decaturs only rooftop tavern & grill--a great place for you and your friends to bask in the great spring weather, indulge in nightly drink specials, & enjoy our free happy hour buffet on fridays! 10 | Decatur Focus • June 2010 EVENTs Columbia Seminary Residence Hall Earns LEED Gold The new residence hall for Columbia Theological Seminary students, opened last summer, has earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification by the United States Green Building Council. It is the first facility in Decatur to earn LEED Gold Certification and is expected to use approximately 50 percent less energy than a conventionally constructed facility. An energy-monitoring system in the entry lobby allows students and visitors to see real-time energy consumption as compared with an average building performance. The architecture firm of Lord Aeck Sargent designed the three-story structure, which includes studio, one-, two- and four-bedroom apartments; a recreation and workout area accessible to students, faculty, and staff; a community kitchen with indoor and outdoor seating and fireplaces; a laundry area for residents; and mechanical and facilities support spaces. Green design strategies include an exterior building envelope with above-average insulation values, energy efficient windows, and a geothermal mechanical system that provides low operating costs and a long life cycle. In addition, the residence hall’s orientation minimizes east and west exposures to reduce sun angles, thus reducing unwanted glare and heat gain. Nearby trees provide natural sun shading from the south. Large windows take advantage of natural light, provide access to views and use sunscreens to reduce direct solar gain where appropriate. To improve energy efficiency, lighting includes motion sensor switching, energy efficient lamps. Water efficiencies include rainwater collection for landscape irrigation and water saving plumbing fixtures. Indoor air quality is protected through low VOC adhesives and coatings. Recycled and regional construction materials were used, and construction waste was recycled and reused to the greatest extent possible. Columbia Theological Seminary is at 701 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur. Holy Trinity Parish Installs Solar Array System Holy Trinity Parish officially dedicated its solar array panels in April. They are on the south roof of Tisdale Hall and include 20 Suniva PV modules generating 4.7 KW of power. The system is connected back to the Georgia Power electrical grid and the power generated will offset a portion of Holy Trinity’s monthly electrical bills. A primary purpose of the array is to promote earth stewardship and to provide a visible symbol of sustainability. A web-based monitoring system allows parishioners to view power generation data. OneWorld Sustainable was the solar array contractor and Georgia Interfaith Power and Light was instrumental in helping to put this project together. Holy Trinity received a GIPPY Award, given annually by Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) to honor faith communities that exhibit “exemplary work incorporating creation care into the life of their congregations.” Holy Trinity won the Power Award for installing the solar array along with other power-related improvements and Green Team activities. To see the solar array at work, go to www.htparish.com, click on Green Ministries and then on Solar Array Monitor. Georgia Center for the Book: 25 Books All Georgians Should Read Some of Georgia’s most acclaimed novelists, poets, and nonfiction authors, including three Pulitzer Prize winners, are on the new list of “25 Books All Georgians Should Read,” selected by the Georgia Center for the Book. The list includes 11 novels and short story collections, three volumes of poetry, and 11 nonfiction books. Pulitzer Prize-winners on the list include James Alan McPherson, Taylor Branch, and Douglas Blackmon. Four first-time authors also made the list: Amanda Gable, Lauretta Hannon, Deirdre O’Connell, and Jessica Handler. William W. Starr, executive director of the Center for the Book, said the selection and promotion of the list “is a significant way for us to recognize the extraordinary literary talent we have in this state.” Visit www.georgiacenterforthebook.org for information. Library Offers Downloadable Audiobooks Through a new service, OverDrive, DeKalb County Public Library patrons can check out new releases and popular titles as downloadable audiobooks, using their own Internet access and a library card. The library has an initial collection of more than 300 audiobook titles, including The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, SuperFreakonomics, by Steven Levitt, Impact, by Douglas Preston and books from the Twilight saga series by Stephenie Meyer. Currently patrons can check out two titles at one time and can choose the length of their check-out time from a range of one to three weeks. The downloads automatically expire at the end of the check-out period, so patrons do not have to worry about lost items or late fees. Patrons also can place requests for books already checked out. For more information about OverDrive, visit dekalblibrary.org and click “OverDrive” under the eLibrary tab. June 2010 • Decatur Focus | 11 EVENTS Celebrate July 4 with Parade, Concert, Fireworks Join Decatur’s Fourth of July Pied Piper Parade as it winds through downtown Decatur. Decorate your wagon, ride your bike, skate or walk in this event. The City Commissioners will lead the parade in the mini-firetruck. Neighborhoods and organizations are encouraged to make floats and join the fun. Parade lineup is at the First Baptist Church of Decatur at 5:30 p.m. The parade begins at 6 p.m. It ends at the Community Bandstand on the square with a presentation of colors and the Star Spangled Banner. Anyone may participate in the parade but those with vehicles must register by calling 678-553-6573 or emailing [email protected]. The concert features the Callanwolde Concert Band and begins at approximately 7 p.m. in the Community Bandstand. Fireworks begin at dark (approximately 9 p.m.) and are shot from the top of the DeKalb County parking deck. Many thanks to the Decatur Business Association for its annual contribution toward the cost of the fireworks. For information visit www.decaturga.com or call the 24-hour Decatur Events Hotline at 404-371-8262. Now in Candler Park! Spring into ! S S e N Fit OW! ly — JOIN N arting month st ps am C t s Boo 30 Day Fitnes NOW -FITm 888-7 om bootca p.c operatioLoncations throughout Atlanta 12 | Decatur Focus • June 2010 EVENTS Help Organize Team Decatur for Fall Kaiser Run/Walk Puppet Show Presented by Waldorf School Faculty Thursday, June 24 • 6-8 p.m. • Holiday Inn Decatur Conference Center The Active Living Board invites the community to learn more about participating in a citywide Team Decatur for the annual Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk & Fitness Program. If you are interested in finding out about Team Decatur or getting your company, church, neighborhood, neighborhood association, nonprofit organization or any other group involved in the effort, please join us at the June 24 informational meeting. The Kaiser Run/Walk features a training program that is included with registration and kicks off July 26. The program culminates with the signature 5K run/ walk and picnic in downtown Atlanta on Sept. 16. The Decatur effort will encourage businesses, neighborhoods, organizations and residents to join Team Decatur for the community training program. For information check the Active Living Blog, 231 Sycamore Street, for updates, email [email protected], or call 404-377-0494. The Waldorf School of Atlanta performed its original puppet show Journey Cake, Ho! at the Atlanta History Center’s Sheep to Shawl event in April. The puppet show is based on the 1953 book by Ruth Sawyer. The story was told and sung by WSA faculty member Jill Hendrix and accompanied by Matthew Shelton on guitar and harmonica. The puppets were made by the Waldorf School of Atlanta kindergarten faculty. The three human characters in the show – Grumble, Merry and Johnny – are marionettes made of a wooden skeletal base wrapped in wool and then felted. The farm animals, a cow, pig, chickens, sheep and a donkey were also made by felting wool. For more information about Waldorf education and future puppet show opportunities visit www.waldorfatlanta.org. PUSHING Home. . . Made Efficient, Comfortable, Safe HealthGrades®, the leading healthcare ratings company, independently has ranked DeKalb Medical as the top 5% in the nation for Clinical Excellence two years in a row and the top 10% in the nation for Overall Orthopedic Services. Additionally, DeKalb Medical received 5-Star Ratings in Hip Fracture Repair for 2009-2010 and Total Knee Replacement for 2010. Call on Renewal for a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR assessment. We’ll uncover and fix your home’s energy loss problems and safety hazards, which can lower your energy bills and safeguard your family. Call today! Qualify for tax credits and cash rebates. For information about DeKalb Medical, or to discover more about the HealthGrades® ratings, visit our website: www.DeKalbMedical.org. 404.378.6962 For a reFerral to a DeKalb MeDical physician, please call 404-501-Well. RenewalSystemSolutions.com 124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur June 2010 • Decatur Focus | 13 SCHOOL NEWS Mike Killeen at Eddie’s to Benefit DCM Log Cabin Storytelling Begins June 16 Decatur singer-songwriter Mike Killeen will headline Eddie’s Attic on Sunday, June 6, in a benefit concert for Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM). Themed “Poverty is Real,” the concert begins at 7 p.m. and will feature opening acts by Lee and Lindsey Smith of The Regulars Band and former Decatur resident Nathan Beaver. The event will include a raffle and silent auction. Killeen is currently working on his fifth album, also entitled “Poverty is Real.” Between now and June 15, every $15 pre-order of Poverty is Real will also generate a $5 donation to DCM – a local nonprofit organization working to alleviate and prevent homelessness among families. For more information on Mike Killeen and album pre-sales, visit www.mikekilleen.com. For more on DCM, visit www.decaturcooperativeministry.org. Tickets can be purchased at Eddie’s Attic and at www.eddiesattic.com. For more information or to contribute to the raffle or silent auction, contact Bob Peach, 404-377-5365, ext. 5, or bob@ decaturcooperativeministry.org. Join storyteller Fran Frantz as she presents stories and authentic frontier crafts “with a twist.” Fran is a local historian and enthusiastic storyteller who creatively weaves fascinating tales of pioneer life including children’s chores, entertainment, bartering and science. Log Cabin Storytelling activities are on Wednesdays, June 16July 28, 10-11:30 a.m., at the historic Biffle Cabin, 720 W. Trinity Place (behind the Swanton House). The programs are for children ages 6-12. Ages 4-5 may attend if accompanied by an adult. The cost is $6 per child per session. Sessions feature open hearth cooking, candle making, butter churning, pottery, weaving, and ice cream making. Tickets are required. Call 404-373-1088 x 20 or email [email protected] for reservations or more information. Decatur Court Kings Kick Off Season The Decatur Court Kings and the World Basketball Association (WBA) kicked off its 2010 season in May with a home game played at Agnes Scott College. Founded in 2002 by Leroy McMath, the WBA generates exposure for players who are trying to make it to the NBA. Players seeking a career in basketball outside the NBA also use the WBA as a stepping stone, according to McMath. Markell King, the current Court Kings head coach, played in the WBA and has played professionally in Lebanon. Nine teams make up the WBA and six of the teams are in Georgia. Others are in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida. The season consists of a combined 30 games. Home games include June 4, 11, 19, 27 and July 9, 16. Home games are held at Agnes Scott College. For information visit www.facebook.com/pages/Decatur-CourtKings/137454122189 or www.wbacourtkings.com. Art and Music Camps at 120 Sycamore Place Condo, Cottage, Castle? Markert Helps Make It Happen. 14 | Decatur Focus • June 2010 Emilie Markert. Experience. Knowledge. Patience. Results. RE/MAX Executives 314B Church Street Decatur, GA 30030 404.378.9300 C: 404.915.8222 [email protected] Summer art camps at Sycamore Place Gallery are offered weekly through August for ages 3-9 and 9-12. Activities include hand building with clay, papier mache, paint, pastel and collage, accompanied by music and walking tours. Campers can also climb the magnolia trees outside and eat at Fellini’s next door on Fridays. Children should wear old clothes and bring water for walks. Camp costs: $125/week for five-day camps, $95/week for three-day camps. Morning camps: 9 a.m.-noon. Extended lunch at Fellini’s, noon-1 p.m., $15/day. Afternoon camps: 1-4 p.m. Themes: A Midsummer Night’s Surrealist Dream, Paul Klee’s Twittering Machines and Calder’s Circus, Picasso and Matisse and a Paris Tea Party, Michelangelo’s Grocery list and Architecture, Da Vinci’s Horses in Clay and Papier Mache, Mr. Damon’s Puppetry Arts Center, and more. For information and registration call 404-377-7747 and leave a name and number, or email [email protected]. AROUND TOWN ★Congratulations to 19 pre-kindergarten students at Our House, Inc., who have successfully completed their school year and will be moving on to kindergartens throughout the metro area in August. Our House, on Columbia Drive in Decatur, is a NAEYC-accredited child development center for homeless children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. For more information, go to www. ourhousega.org or call Amber Buck, 404-378-0938. ★Keller Williams Realty Associates recently spent the day cleaning, painting, organizing and doing landscape projects at Hagar’s House, an emergency night shelter in Decatur with support services for women and children. The effort was part of the Keller Williams community service initiative called RED (Renew, Energize, Donate) Day that was created to unite Keller Williams Realty offices and associates in an international day of service. Keller Williams is at 315 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 100. ★Decatur resident Carl Seville, owner of Seville Consulting, will present a green building and remodeling seminar, “Green from the Start,” which will award participants with four Sustainable Design AIA/CEU credits. The seminar, by the Southeast Chapter of the Institute of Classic Architecture & Classical America, will be June 19 at Historical Concepts’ Glenwood Park location, 490 Brasfield Square, Atlanta. For information call 678-4473996 or email icasoutheast@ gmail.com. ★Congratulations to Renewal Design-Build, which has been recognized as a regional winner of the 17th annual Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence. The awards program recognizes the nation’s best work in residential remodeling. Renewal received Best Kitchen Remodel in the $50-$75k category, Best Bathroom Remodel $40$60k, and Best Green Remodeling Project over $250k. All three winning projects are in Decatur. The Chrysalis Awards are open to any professional remodeler or design professional in the United States. For information visit www.RenewalDesignBuild. com. teaches Evidence and Criminal Procedure for upper level law students. ★Congratulations to Michael Mears, associate dean and associate professor at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, who has been voted 2010 Professor of the Year. Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School recently received its final American Bar Association certification and was also recognized in the recent listing of American law schools by U.S. News and World Report. Dean Mears serves as the Academic Dean for the school and ★The Decatur High Class of ’55 will hold its 55th reunion on Friday, June 11, 8-10 p.m., in the new DHS Performing Arts Center. The event is open to any graduate of Decatur High School and features the Roswell New Horizons Band, a swing band featuring Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller-era tunes. Tickets are $3 at the door. For information call 404-378-5340. A vibrant part of the new Decatur! Leasing affordable urban chic ...with a neighborhood feel. Visit us at our sister properties too: ACME Lofts 2752 E. Ponce de Leon Ave 185/189 Sams Street Main Office 111-C New St Decatur GA 30030 [email protected] 404.377.3095 10 years and still growing. Fairfield Mortgage, in partnership with Decatur First Bank, has been providing mortgage excellence for over a decade in the Decatur area. We bring a unique perspective to our customers because we concentrate on what we do best; delivering the right products and the best customer service experience possible. As a result, more customers return to us for their future home financing needs as well as refer us to their friends and family. If you are purchasing or refinancing a home... ...we have an array of low down payment programs for first time home buyers and refinancing options for seasoned homeowners. Or if you are a senior age 62 or older, ask us how a Reverse Mortgage may be an option for you. No matter what age or stage of the home buying process, we have hundreds of mortgage programs to assist. Like a tree planted years ago, we have stood through many seasons. Because our roots are deep and our base is strong, we will continue to serve you through many more. For more information please contact: Jeff Hancock - Serving Decatur since 1999 Senior Loan Officer Direct: 404-371-4500 Fax: 800-503-9829 www.JeffHancockLoans.com Information subject to change without notification. Information provided should not be considered as a commitment to lend. Offer subject to property and credit approval. Program and other restrictions may apply. Please contact your Loan Officer for further details. ©2009 Fairfield Mortgage June 2010 • Decatur Focus | 15 pre-sorted standard u.s. postage PAID Permit No. 199 Decatur, GA 30031 It’s not too late to plug in. Where To Next? 2 0 1 0 S T R AT E G I C P L A N U P D AT E C I T Y O F D E C AT U R , G E O R G I A Are You On A First Name Basis With Your Bank? Our Customers Are. Eco Banking Services Little Shop of Stor ies Kids C a recent fieldatrmipp visits DFB on . – Use any ATM and DFB will pay all fees for the first 10 withdrawals a month – E-statement Program allows for a secured paperless banking experience – On-Line Banking access 24/7 – After business hours & weekend banking at our branch located in Kroger in downtown Decatur Main Office: 1120 Commerce Dr. Decatur, GA 30033 tel: 404.373.1000 Kroger Branch: 720 Commerce Dr. Decatur, GA 30030 tel: 404.373.3125 www.decaturfirstbank.com DATED MATERIAL JUNE 2010 Plug in and be heard: www.decaturnext.com Printed on Recycled Paper Over 650 Decatur residents are now meeting with their Round Table groups. If you were unable to participate, don’t worry. As notable issues emerge, we’ll also be presenting them online for your consideration and comment. P.O. Box 220 City of Decatur, GA 30031-220 Not signed up for the Strategic Plan Round Tables? You can still contribute online!