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INTRODUCING ATLANTA’S NEWEST SOURCE FOR CURATED EUROPEAN ANTIQUES & SCANDINAVIAN MID-CENTURY
2 0,0 0 0 + s q f t • g o b s m a c k i n g s e l e c t i o n ! 2 9 3 5 E P O N C E D E L E O N A V E • D E C AT U R , G E O R G I A HOURS: Sunday - Wednesday 11AM - 4PM
K U D Z UA R C H I V E S .C O M
Proudly presented by Kudzu Antiques + Modern
CONTENTS TWENTY YEARS 3 Embracing Community for Twenty Years
THE ARTS 24 A Community Written Together
COMMUNITY 34 Winship 5K
DECATUR PROFILES 8 Alan Clark Architecture
14 Kudzu Archives
10 Calo Landscape
16 Rook and Dash
20 Hammertime Construction Inc.
12 Alair Decatur
19 In Bloom
DECATUR LIVING AND BEYOND
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Welcome / PUBLISHER’S LETTER
What We Make Together FOR 20 YEARS, Decatur Living has had the privilege of telling the stories of a community that never seems to run out of them. Across those two decades, neighborhoods have evolved, businesses have opened their doors, traditions have taken root and new ideas have found a place to grow. Through it all, there has been a rhythm to Decatur that is easy to recognize but harder to define. You feel it on the Square, along neighborhood streets and wherever people gather around something they believe can make their community a little stronger. This issue celebrates that spirit and the people who have shaped it. Over the years, these pages have introduced neighbors, entrepreneurs, artists, organizations and local characters who each brought something distinctly their own to Decatur. A business became part of a neighborhood. An event became a tradition. A creative idea became something others gathered around. Individually, they told wonderful stories. Together, they helped tell the story of a place built through participation. Perhaps that is what has made these 20 years so rewarding to chronicle. Decatur’s character has never been something preserved behind glass. It is alive, evolving and continually shaped by people willing to contribute their time, talent, ideas and energy. Twenty years later, that remains the heartbeat of this magazine and the community it celebrates. We are grateful to everyone who has invited us into their stories and helped us capture a place that continues to grow, evolve and give us something new to celebrate. And perhaps the best part is knowing there are still so many stories waiting to be told.
Natalie Gregory Publisher, Decatur Living
Decatur Living is now on Facebook and Instagram. CHECK OUT THIS ISSUE ONLINE @ WWW.DECATURLIVING.COM
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DECATUR LIVING, LLC P.O. BOX 2589 DECATUR, GA 30031
PUBLISHER Natalie Gregory
EDITOR Michael J. Pallerino
MARKETING AND ADVERTISING MANAGER Kelly O’Brien
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brent Cashman
PHOTOGRAPHY Joshua Vensel
Decatur Living
Telephone: 404-550-5113 hello@decaturliving.com
Decatur Living is published quarterly by Natalie Gregory. Distribution is a minimum of 14,000 with up to 11,000 being mailed to households in Decatur, Druid Hills, Avondale Estates, Candler Park, Lake Claire and Oak Grove. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for content of all advertisements. The publisher does not necessarily share the editorial opinions expressed in Decatur Living Magazine. Personal decisions regarding health, finance, and other matters should be made after consultation with the reader’s professional advisors.
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20 Years and Going
The Stories That Made Us
Beyond
THRIVE CONNECT INSPIRE
How these local business owners are redefining community
Conscious Consumerism
Where to shop gently used goods
Creature Comforts
Your guide to all things pet parenting
Cottages and Castles — Preview Druid Hills Home and Garden Tour (p.28) For the communities of Decatur, Druid Hills, Candler Park and Lake Claire
March/April 2007
Outdoor chic
Creating your own backyard oasis
Full festival schedule inside
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DECATUR LIVING AND BEYOND
and
SUMMER 2024
L LE IA IC VAUID FF O TI ’S G S ER FENSID
A CITY TELLS ITS STORY in a thousand different ways. In the people who dream something into existence. Artists who give it color. Businesses that become gathering places. Traditions passed from generation to generation. Moments when a community comes together. For 20 years, Decatur Living has been here to capture those stories and give voice to the people behind them. We have celebrated neighbors who made a difference without asking for attention. Entrepreneurs who turned ideas into community touchstones. Artists who shared creativity and possibility. We have celebrated beloved traditions and welcomed new ones into the city’s fabric. Along the way, we have watched neighborhoods find new rhythms, businesses become beloved landmarks and generations add their own chapters. These pages have become a living portrait of Decatur—its personalities and passions, milestones and memories, and the unmistakable spirit of a place we are proud to call home. Twenty years later, the story is still being written. And we are honored to keep telling it.
SERVING ATLANTA INTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS
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Great Music for a Greater Cause
Rebirth&
Revitalization
Amplify Decatur Music Festival April 22
at DeKalb Medical Center Is Your Home Crowded and Dated? Spring is a Great Time to Renovate and Renew
Spring Cleaning What Tax Records to Keep and What to Toss
Plus:
Druid Hills Tour of Homes and Gardens Kudzu Update And more! Three-time Grammy winnner Lucinda Williams
Rail Arts District Studio Cruise
For the communities of Decatur, Druid Hills, Candler Park, Lake Claire, Avondale Estates and Oak Grove
Spring 2017
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Formerly Garden Lights Landscaping
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Architecture
Alan Clark Architects (Left to Right): Alan Clarke, Founder and Wendie Ault Clark, Design Assistant and Project Manager
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ARCHITECTURE IS AT ITS BEST when it feels like it belongs—to the people who live there, the landscape around it and the neighborhood beyond its walls. That idea has shaped Alan Clark’s work throughout a career influenced by Southern architecture, international design and more than two decades of living and working in Georgia. As founder of Alan Clark Architects, he creates spaces that feel personal while respecting the character and history around them. Clark launched the firm in 2011 after years with prominent high-end residential firms in Atlanta. “While working with larger architectural firms, I developed a strong desire to work more closely with clients, so starting my own firm allowed me to do just that.”
Today, much of his inspiration comes from the impact architecture can have on everyday life. Rather than designing around a particular look, Clark focuses on how a home reflects the people who live there, how it functions and how naturally it belongs within its surroundings. Growing up in Texas and spending the past 25 years in Georgia shaped Clark’s appreciation for Southern architecture, from porches and natural light to the connection between indoors and out. Studying and traveling abroad expanded that perspective, exposing him to everything from European urbanism to minimalist Asian design. “These experiences taught me the importance of balance: respecting tradition while not being afraid to push boundaries when the project calls for it.” Clark’s philosophy fits naturally in Decatur, where distinctive architecture and a community committed to preserving its character go hand in hand. “Decatur has a unique spirit. It’s diverse, community-oriented and deeply appreciative of good design. The clients are thoughtful and engaged. They care not only about how their home functions, but also how it contributes to the broader fabric of the neighborhood.” For Clark, finding the right balance between a homeowner’s vision and the character of a neighborhood begins with listening. Every client arrives with different needs and aspirations while every property brings its own history and constraints. “Our job as architects is to act as a translator between the two, making sure the design honors the architectural language of the area while still expressing something personal and new. Whether it’s a renovation or new construction, we strive for timelessness, not trendiness.” A historic Oakhurst renovation brought that philosophy to life. Clark preserved the character of a 1920s bungalow while opening the interiors and adding light-filled space for a modern family. “Seeing how much the family loves living there and how it continues to fit within the neighborhood was incredibly satisfying. As an architect, it’s exciting to contribute to a place where design matters, where the goal is not just to build more, but to build better.”
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Landscaping THERE IS SOMETHING FITTING
about a landscape company built around the idea of roots. For Jovani Calo, Founder & Owner of Calo Landscape, those roots stretch well beyond the gardens his team creates. They run through a family name and the values attached to it—pride in your work, respect for others and the understanding that a reputation is earned one promise at a time. “Calo Landscape is deeply personal to me because it carries my family’s name. Growing up, I learned that your reputation is something you earn every day. You do what you say you’re going to do, you treat people well and you take pride in your work. Those values became the foundation of our company.” Jovani’s love of horticulture and beautiful gardens drew him to the industry, but experience gradually showed him an opportunity to rethink what a landscape company could be. Exceptional design and craftsmanship mattered, but so did horticultural knowledge, strong relationships and an experience that made clients feel genuinely cared for throughout the process. Together, those ideas became the blueprint for Calo Landscape. That philosophy is reflected in the way Jovani thinks about the spaces his team creates. A landscape should be beautiful, certainly, but its real value emerges in how naturally it becomes part of everyday life. Understanding that requires getting to know the people who will live there. “Before we ever start designing, we spend time learning how our clients actually live. Do they love entertaining? Do they enjoy gardening? Do they have children or dogs that need space to play? Is their favorite part of the day sitting outside with a cup of coffee? Those conversations shape every decision we make.” Sometimes clients arrive with a clear vision. Others can describe a feeling more easily than a finished space. Jovani sees listening as the bridge between the two, allowing his team to understand not only the property but the life unfolding within it. The trust necessary for those conversations is earned through honest communication, consistency and following through on what was promised. “We want clients to know they’re never just another project on our schedule. We genuinely enjoy getting to know the people
DECATUR LIVING AND BEYOND
Calo Landscape we work with and many of those relationships continue long after construction is complete.” As Calo Landscape has grown, Jovani has been intentional about building a team that carries the same sense of care into every project. Jovani looks beyond technical ability for people who take pride in their work, enjoy serving others and want to continue learning. Landscaping brings together design, horticulture, construction and craftsmanship, making curiosity and character essential parts of the work. Decatur offers an especially rewarding place to bring those elements together. Jovani points to its mature trees, established neighborhoods and architectural variety as inspiration for landscapes that quietly complement their surroundings. The goal is not to impose something new on a property, but to create an outdoor space that feels as though it has always belonged there. And perhaps that is where the idea of roots comes full circle. Jovani measures success not only in finished gardens but in the relationships that continue to grow around them. “Our hope is that clients feel confident calling us again years later or recommending us to their family and friends. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.” For a company carrying a family name, there may be no better legacy to cultivate.
(Left to Right): Sussanah Calo, Director of Sponsorships and Events and Jovani Calo, Founder and Owner
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Home & Gardens
Alair Decatur
(Left to Right): Amanda Harris, Director of Project Planning and Heather Shuster, Partner
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FOR HEATHER SHUSTER, building was never part of the plan. Art, history, literature and museums were more her world. But, somewhere along the way, an appreciation for beautiful things became an interest in the places people call home.
First came decorating, then furnishings and eventually the spaces themselves. More than 20 years later, Heather has built a career around transforming homes and today serves as Partner at Alair Decatur. Looking back, the path makes perfect sense. Her background in art and history gave her an eye for composition, form, color, scale and balance—skills that help her understand an architect’s vision and recognize when something simply feels off. “Homes are so personal and carry the visual representation of the families they house. I love being part of the team with architects, designers, engineers, trades and craftspeople who make the spaces we call home so beautiful.” That appreciation for the personality of a home shapes how she approaches every project. Heather prefers meeting prospective clients in their homes, where listening and observing reveal as much as any design brief. “People bring the peculiarities of their own lives into their homes and I am here for it. Do you need a space in the kitchen that will remain completely free of gluten? Is there a horseback rider in the family and we will be housing saddles, bridles and boots? No TV or six TVs on one wall? Customization is the best.” The work also taught her that creating a home requires trust. Budgets change. Challenges emerge. Renovations can be stressful. For Heather, being candid about those realities is part of being a good builder. “There is no doubt that there will be some moments along the way that are especially stressful or challenging. Having a team where you know the good and bad news will be shared truthfully matters more than I can say.” Now, as an owner and partner, Heather is building something beyond homes: a team capable of guiding families through those moments and creating spaces that genuinely reflect the lives unfolding inside them.
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Spaces & Places
WALKING INTO KUDZU ARCHIVES
feels a little like being let in on a very well-kept secret. Inside a 1930s brick and iron-beamed warehouse once used as a Studebaker parts facility, 26,000 square feet unfold into room after room of European antiques and Scandinavian mid-century modern pieces, each carrying a history from somewhere else and waiting to begin another one here. For George and Kate Lawes, the newest addition to the Kudzu family is both an expansion and something of a homecoming. After years of traveling through Europe to hand select container loads of antiques, they often found their ambitions constrained by the warehouse and display space available at their existing stores. Then the old warehouse became available. “We decided to take the opportunity to greatly expand our direct import capabilities,” George says. “We believe this adds a new dimension to our business and provides the perfect complement to our existing nearby store.” The result is Kudzu Archives, a sprawling showroom that gives all those discoveries room to breathe. Customers can wander between periods, styles and price points, finding everything from traditional European pieces to sleek Scandinavian designs. The reaction has been equally colorful: Early visitors have called it “a feast for the eyes” and “like entering a treasure cave.” That sense of discovery has been part of Kudzu for nearly five decades. Founded in 1979 as a traditional antique mall, the business gradually evolved as the way people decorated their homes changed. George and Kate added new furnishings, custom sofas, lighting and gifts, followed by Kudzu and Company in Sandy Springs, which introduced a different mix for customers along the northern arc of metro Atlanta. Each addition expanded what
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Kudzu Archives Kudzu could offer but also left less room for the antiques at the heart of its beginnings. Kudzu Archives brings that part of the story back to the forefront, dramatically expanding the selection of traditional antiques and midcentury pieces while creating room for an ever-changing inventory of European finds. The timing also reflects the evolution happening around Kudzu. As Decatur and Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods have grown, new homes, apartments and residents have brought new generations of customers through its doors. Along the way, Kudzu itself has become a destination and part of the personality that makes Decatur feel like Decatur. “One of our greatest pleasures is having someone walk in who has never been, see their eyes go wide and watch them join our family of Kudzu ‘regulars,’” Kate says. “We are so grateful to our many loyal customers who have been coming for years and never take that for granted.” Perhaps the Archives is most meaningful because it manages to look backward and forward at once. The business that began with Kate’s mother now includes George and Kate’s daughter, Emily Costley, making Kudzu a three-generation family affair. After decades of introducing new categories, ideas and locations, they have circled back home to give the antiques that helped start it all a bigger stage. “There is a saying, ‘evolve or die,’” George says. “As long as we remain committed to serving our customers what they want and are willing to change as needed, who knows what the future may bring?” For now, that future looks a lot like Kudzu itself: old treasures, new possibilities and plenty more to discover.
(Left to Right): Kate Lawes, Co-founder and Emily Costley, General Manager
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Home & Gardens
Rook and Dash (Left to Right): Jillian Rooker, Co-founder/ Lead Designer and Amanda Dashwood, Co-founder/ Lead Designer
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A WELL-DESIGNED SPACE SHOULD do more than look beautiful. It should tell you something about the people who live, work or gather there. That belief sits at the heart of Rook and Dash, the interior design studio Jillian Rooker and Amanda Dashwood co-founded in 2022. The partnership brings together more than 25 years of collective experience spanning luxury hotels, award-winning restaurants, offices and residences. Jillian arrived there after designing movie and television sets in New York City and working in hospitality design, while
Amanda spent 15 years developing hospitality concepts and overseeing projects around the world. Today, their different strengths give Rook and Dash its creative rhythm. “Amanda is the queen of construction documents. She has an incredible eye for detail and can turn a mountain of information into organized, beautifully coordinated drawing sets.” Amanda sees a different superpower in Jillian. “She can pull finishes and furnishings like a ninja—lightning fast, instinctively knowing what works and somehow always finding the perfect piece to bring a design to life.” Before those talents go to work, however, they listen. Their Vision Sessions are “part detective work, part brainstorming and part design daydreaming,” giving Jillian and Amanda a chance to understand how clients live, what matters to them and what they want their space to become. “Getting to know our clients is one of our favorite parts of the design process. We take the time to truly understand their story, how they live, what matters most to them and how we can translate those details into a space that feels uniquely theirs.” That relationship-driven approach extends to the contractors, artisans, fabricators and other creatives who help bring their ideas to life. “Over the years, we’ve learned that this business is built on trust, shared ideas and the relationships we create along the way. The spaces we design are important, but the connections we build while creating them are what truly make the journey meaningful.” With Jillian living in Kirkwood and Amanda in Oakhurst, creating spaces within their own community makes those connections even more personal. And the best moment comes when clients finally see themselves in what Jillian and Amanda have created. “We live for those moments—the stories, the excitement and the feeling that a space has become more than just a room; it has become part of someone’s life. When a space just feels right, we know we’ve done our job.”
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Home & Garden
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JESSICA AND SELBY NEESE see a landscape through different eyes. Selby sees the possibilities—the colors, textures and shapes that can transform a space. Jessica sees the details that make it work and keep it thriving. At In Bloom, those perspectives have become a natural partnership, rooted in a shared love of gardening and a belief that landscapes should bring as much joy as beauty. Selby approaches landscapes with an artist’s eye. His path into design grew from a longtime love of art and the outdoors, along with hands-on experience working with respected landscape designers. In 1996, he brought those influences together to create In Bloom. “I’ve always loved art and being outdoors, so landscape design became a natural way to bring those two passions together. I love creating something beautiful that enhances the way people live and gives them joy.” Jessica joined him in 2002, bringing an MBA in Finance, a keen eye for detail and a willingness to get just as involved in the landscape as the business behind it. She manages her teams, customer relationships and knows what plants will thrive in metro Atlanta’s changing climate. “I’m picky because I really do treat every project like it’s my own yard. I want to know if the details are right, the plants are going to thrive and what we create is going to look just as good years from now.” Together, they have shaped In Bloom around a hands-on approach to landscapes and relationships, creating outdoor spaces designed to mature gracefully and become part of the way people experience their homes. “Gardening is a passion for us, not just a business,” Jessica says. “We live it at work and at home, and I think that passion comes through in the care we put into our clients’ landscapes.” Decatur has become an extension of that life. Jessica and Selby have lived in the area for more than a decade, raising their son, Henry, here and volunteering their talents at the Wylde Center and a local school. Their own Avondale Estates gardens offer another DECATUR LIVING AND BEYOND
In Bloom
glimpse into their shared passion, and they often invite clients home to experience their handiwork firsthand. In Bloom has grown considerably since Selby planted its first seeds nearly three decades ago, but becoming the biggest was never the ambition. They continue to expand their expertise in planting, hardscape, water features, lighting, irrigation and drainage while preserving the personal attention that has defined the business. “Our goal has never been to be the biggest,” Jessica says. “We want to be the best at what we do and give every project the same thought and care we would give our own. There’s nothing better than exceeding a client’s expectations and creating something they’ll continue to love for years.” For a couple who have built their lives around gardening, that remains the measure of a job well done.
(Left): Jessica Neese, Founder
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Home & Gardens
Hammertime Construction Inc.
(Right): Alistair Herriot, Owner/Operator
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LONG BEFORE ALISTAIR HERRIOT was building and renovating homes around Decatur, he was an eight-year-old boy in England learning his way around the hand tools his grandfather gave him. That early fascination with woodworking eventually led to a carpentry apprenticeship in 1987. By the time Herriot moved to the U.S. in 1994, he had worked his way from trainee carpenter to overseeing projects involving multiple trades. Today, that experience shapes Hammertime Construction Inc., the company Alistair has owned for 27 years and the one behind everything from modern new homes to the restoration of a 1915 Druid Hills mansion. Much of that work happens close to home. Herriot has lived in Oakhurst for 25 years and says the relationships he has built there are as important as the houses themselves. “I see former clients every day. I have become friends with many former clients, and that means a lot to me. You spend so much time
working with people on something that is incredibly personal to them, so those relationships become a big part of what we do.” Working alongside local architects keeps the projects interesting, while getting involved during the design phase allows Hammertime to help clients balance ideas with budgets. Once construction begins, Alistair looks for opportunities to make a home personal, whether that means crafting a mantel, cladding a wall with reclaimed wood from the demolition or creating a secret passage between children’s rooms. He also understands that building a dream home rarely feels dreamy every step of the way. “There will be great days, there will be bad days, but it’s all about the finish. You have to keep the client focused on where we’re going and help them through all of those decisions along the way.” Helping clients navigate those moments is part of the job, especially when families are making countless decisions while living elsewhere during construction. “Seeing them at the end of the job, being invited to the housewarming party and seeing how happy they are makes it all worthwhile. You’ve spent months, sometimes much longer, working toward that moment, so seeing a family finally enjoying the home is really rewarding.” After decades in construction, Alistair still measures a successful project the same way: in the details, the relationships and a home his clients are happy to return to.
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No matter the situation, our financing options give you:
At Fifth Third, we’ve created clear, step-by-step process to help you move through construction to permanent financing
• Options for the financing of construction costs with loan amounts up to $3 million • Options for the financing of a lot purchase price with loan amounts up to $300,000 • One-time close loans which reduces closing costs, paperwork and time • Management of funds, disbursing them directly to the contractor • Quick, efficient draw schedules to help the construction process continue smoothly
Mortgage Loan Originator
To find out more about what Fifth Third can offer you, contact me today.
Jason Conn
NMLS# 210515
404.210.6663 3344 Peachtree Road Northeast, Suite 1000 Atlanta, GA 30326 Jason.Conn@53.com
53.com/mortgage
All loans subject to credit review and approval. Fifth Third Bank, National Association, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, NMLS# 403245. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Fifth Third and Fifth Third Bank are registered service marks of Fifth Third Bancorp.
627 Valley Brook Rd., Scottdale, GA 30079 • (404) 373-0023
The Arts
A Community Written Together FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES,
the Decatur Book Festival (DBF) has turned a love of books into a shared experience woven into the cultural life of the community. What began with the support of local booksellers, businesses, universities and volunteers grew into one of the region’s defining literary traditions, welcoming voices ranging from John Lewis and Sonia Sotomayor to Roxane Gay and Natasha Trethewey. Through packed rooms, downtown stages and generations of young readers discovering stories for the first time, the festival has created a place where ideas are exchanged and curiosity is celebrated. Even when financial challenges, leadership changes and the pandemic tested its future, the community’s response was unmistakable: This mattered. And it still does. Today, the festival is led by Executive Director Bailee Yarbrough, Literary Director Anna Dobben and Assistant Director Heidi Hill. In an increasingly divided world, the Decatur Book Festival offers something beautifully simple: a place to gather around stories, encounter different perspectives and connect with one another. A reminder that reading has always been about more than books.
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J.Tom Morgan Author THE IDEA OF JUSTICE took hold long before J.Tom Morgan stepped inside a courtroom. It started in seventh grade in South Georgia, when a teacher assigned the class to read “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Learning how Atticus Finch fought for what was right gave Morgan an early glimpse of the life he wanted to lead. The calling would eventually bring him to Decatur, where J.Tom built a career devoted to public service. As DeKalb County District Attorney, he became nationally known for prosecuting the corruption and murder case against former Sheriff Sidney Dorsey following the assassination of Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown. But Decatur was never simply where J.Tom worked. It became home. He walked from his house to the courthouse, spent Friday afternoons among friends and familiar faces at Eddie’s Attic, and raised his children in the City Schools of Decatur. “I cannot imagine my career without living in Decatur. The support of this community throughout my career has been profound.” Now J.Tom is revisiting one of the most difficult chapters of that career in “A Rainy Night in Georgia,” his first-person account of the Brown investigation, the DECATUR LIVING AND BEYOND
political corruption surrounding it and the startling discovery that J.Tom himself was next on a hit list. He began writing during COVID, returning to years he had long compartmentalized. “Lots of tears. My friend and fellow lawyer, McCracken Poston, warned me, ‘We are lawyers. We compartmentalize. You must dig hard into your soul. Be ready.’” The result reaches beyond one extraordinary prosecution. J.Tom sees the story as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with public service and the importance of holding those in power accountable. It also reflects the principle that has guided his career. “I believe firmly that the rule of law applies the same to the pauper as it does to the prince. Justice means that everyone is treated fairly and equally under the rule of law.” J.Tom carries those ideals onto the book’s dedication page with the Latin words, “Non Sibi Sed Aliis,” a reminder of the responsibility that comes with serving others. “I hope readers may be inspired to go into public service for the right reasons, and recognize the importance of holding public officials accountable when they abuse power and breach the public’s trust.”
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Ron Hsu Author RON HSU grew up understanding that a restaurant could be much more than a place to eat. His parents’ Hunan Village was part family business, part second home and part gathering place where people from different cultures regularly found themselves around the same table. It also became the foundation for a culinary journey that would take Hsu from his family’s restaurant to some of the most celebrated kitchens in New York City, including Le Colonial and Le Bernardin. Today, he is culinary director and a partner at Lazy Betty,
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the Michelin-starred Atlanta restaurant where his cooking continues to reflect both his heritage and the experiences that shaped him. Those worlds come together in his new cookbook, “Down South + East: A Chinese American Cookbook,” a deeply personal exploration of Southern and Chinese American food and the unexpected connections between them. Hsu’s upbringing also gave him an early understanding of hospitality that extended well beyond the restaurants. His parents brought people from around the world to work with them and sometimes into their home, where Hsu would give up his bedroom for weeks or months while they adjusted to life in the U.S. “The cultural mash-up of my upbringing was unavoidable, and it taught me a deeper sense of Southern hospitality. Not only were these people at my parents’ restaurants, they’d be sitting at our dinner table on their days off.” That sense of connection runs throughout the book, from an essay about growing up at Hunan Village to recipes for dumplings and Pimento and Pork Baos meant to be prepared with others. Along the way, Hsu invites home cooks to embrace ingredients and traditions that may initially feel unfamiliar. “The unknown isn’t so different if you try to look past surface-level things. We’re all more alike than we realize.” At a time when differences can easily divide us, Hsu sees food as a way to find common ground. “Our differences bring people together, quite like how recipe ingredients come together on a plate to create something bigger than the sum of its parts.”
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Colleen Venable Author JUNIE B. JONES HAS never been a character easily contained. Not in a classroom. Not in a grocery store. And certainly not inside the neat borders of a graphic novel panel. For author Colleen AF Venable and illustrator Honie Beam, that is precisely the fun of bringing one of children’s literature’s most beloved characters to a new generation. Their latest collaboration, “Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying: The Graphic Novel,” gives Barbara Park’s famously curious kindergartner more room to move, mug, investigate and occasionally make a spectacular mess of things. “Can anything prepare you for Junie B.?” Colleen says. “She’s more of a force of nature than she is a literary character.” Colleen came to the project with two decades in the graphic novel world, first as the sole designer for First Second Books and later as an acclaimed author whose work includes “Kiss Number 8” and the “Katie the Catsitter” series. Honie came from nearly the opposite direction. The Junie B. series is not only her graphic novel debut, but her first professional art job. What they shared was a connection to Junie B. long before they began working together. Honie remembers reading the books with her parents and still has her original copy of the first one. Colleen goes one step further, joking that Park somehow knew her as a child because “I was, and still am, Junie B.” Those different perspectives have gradually found their rhythm on the page. Colleen writes with collaboration in mind, leaving space for Honie’s expressive visual humor. Honie fills that space with hand-drawn sound effects, exaggerated expressions, tiny background discoveries and panels Junie B. sometimes refuses to stay inside. “As we get to know each other as creatives, the books keep getting better,” Colleen says. “Some of the absolute funniest scenes in the Junie B. graphic novels are just sound effects and facial expressions. I’ve learned to write those in and give Honie room to shine.” Their job is less about reinventing Junie B. than finding new ways to reveal what was already there. Junie B.’s humor and voice remain remarkably contemporary more than 30 years later, with modern touches appearing mostly around the edges—light-up sneakers, smartphones, tablets and FaceTime calls. The original books might have contained a handful of illustrations. The graphic novels give Colleen and Honie thousands of opportunities to explore the physical comedy living between Park’s words. And perhaps that is why the partnership works. Colleen brings years of experience understanding how words and pictures move together while Honie brings the enthusiasm of an artist who grew up with the character she now gets to draw. DECATUR LIVING AND BEYOND
For both, the larger reward is helping another generation discover the simple pleasure of reading something because it makes them laugh. “Junie B. shows kids it’s awesome to be yourself, trouble and all,” Honie says. Colleen sees something equally powerful in what happens after the last page, when books get carried onto playgrounds, passed between friends and talked about. “Talking about a book with a friend is such a joy, and to discover that joy so young is a gift Junie B. keeps giving 30 years later.” It is a legacy Colleen and Honie now get to carry forward—one wild expression, sneaky peek and broken panel at a time..
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We now offer an alternative for your loved ones with terramation, an earth-friendly option for returning to the cycle of life. Terramation is the biological process of gently transforming the body into nutrient-rich Regenerative Living Soil™ in about 2 months.
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Community
Winship 5K FOR THE PHYSICIANS AND RESEARCHERS at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, the Winship 5K is more than a race. It is a visible reminder of the community behind their work and an investment in the ideas that could shape what comes next in cancer care. “Looking out at the sea of people running and walking the Winship 5K each year is exhilarating,” says Jane Meisel, MD, Co-Director of Breast Medical Oncology. “As a physician, it reminds me that we are not fighting this alone. Every bib represents a story.”
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Created in 2011, the Winship 5K began as a relatively small fundraiser built around a shared goal of advancing cancer research. Sixteen years later, it has become Emory University’s largest community engagement event and an annual tradition for patients, survivors, families, care teams and supporters. “The fundamental mission has remained the same, but the event has come to represent even more,” says Scott Larimore, Director of Development Events at Winship Cancer Institute. “It is a fundraiser, but it is also a celebration of survivors, a tribute to those we have lost and a show of support for everyone currently facing cancer.”
The family-friendly Winship 5K returns Oct. 3, winding from the Emory University campus through the surrounding Druid Hills community. More than 4,300 people registered in 2025, reaching capacity for the second consecutive year. More than 5,000 donors helped raise $1.3 million, bringing the event’s total to more than $12.75 million, with 100% of donations supporting cancer research and novel approaches to fighting the disease. Neil M. Iyengar, MD, Co-Director of Breast Medical Oncology and Director of Survivorship Services, says those dollars can be especially valuable in helping promising ideas gain momentum. “One of the biggest challenges in cancer research is bridging the gap between a promising scientific idea and the evidence needed to bring that idea to patients.” Race funding can help investigators launch pilot studies, develop new tests, analyze tumor or blood samples and support early-stage clinical trials before an idea can compete for larger grants. Funds also have helped recruit and retain physicians and scientists and established endowed professorships that give researchers resources and protected time to pursue new discoveries. The goal extends beyond helping patients live longer. Dr. Iyengar says researchers also are exploring ways to improve symptoms, physical function, metabolic health and quality of life during and after treatment. Ultimately, the connection between research and community gives every mile meaning. “Every donation, large or small, contributes to that total and helps fund innovative research at Winship with the potential to change clinical practice,” Dr. Meisel says. For Decatur and the broader cancer community, the Winship 5K turns support into something tangible through research, connection and the possibility that today’s promising idea becomes tomorrow’s better treatment.
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CREATING YOUR DREAMS
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Fall Looks Good On Decatur. As we head into fall, Decatur’s market is finding a steadier rhythm. Buyers are still making moves, but with more homes to choose from, thoughtful pricing and preparation matter more than ever. If selling is on your radar, I’m here to help you make the most of this fall market.
216 Nothern Ave DECATUR 5 BD | 3.5 BA OFFERED FOR $1, 800,000
329 Huron St
252 Kings Highway
DECATUR 4 BD | 4.5 BA OFFERED FOR $1,675,000
DECATUR 4 BD | 3 BA OFFERED FOR $995,000 NATALIE GREGORY 404.550.5113 | 404.668.6621 natalie.gregory@compass.com nataliegregory.com nataliegregoryandco
512 Clairemont Ave
719 S Candler St
DECATUR 5 BD | 4.5 BA OFFERED FOR $1,150,000
DECATUR UNDER CONTRACT OFFERED FOR $1, 295,000
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.
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