Focus November 2017

Focus

INSIDE: TERRIFIC THURSDAYS & HOLIDAY FUN IN DECATUR

City of Decatur

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NOVEMBER 2017 Volume 28 • Number 4

Official Publication of The City of Decatur, Georgia

ARTWAY PHASE 3

Five new Decatur Artway sculptures are placed around downtown in the third phase of the city’s ongoing rotating public sculpture gallery. These new works will be on display through 2019. See the December Focus for names and locations of the new works.

A Refusal to Stop and Ask for Directions by Harry McDaniel

News 3 City

BUsiness 12 NEWs

13 DBA NEWs

DECATUR 14 EVENTs

School news 19

Focus City of Decatur

Welcome, New Faces Downtown

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he health of any commercial district can be measured by the level of investment being made by property owners and businesses.

Based on a few recent announcements and openings, the future of our commercial districts continues to look bright.

New Owner for West Court Square Building One of the biggest announcements is that Pope & Land recently purchased the 1972 glass office building adjacent to the Old Courthouse on the Square. The purchase includes the parking deck behind the building and the retail/commercial spaces below it. Pope & Land is a local Atlanta area commercial developer and property owner with a long history in downtown Decatur. They developed the One and Two Decatur Town Center office buildings in the 1980s, which were the first commercial buildings constructed after the adoption of the 1982 Town Center Plan.

They are working on plans to upgrade the exterior of the building and create a stronger retail focus along Ponce de Leon Avenue. But the really good news is that they have disconnected the fake bird noises that once sounded from the top of the building. If you have been in Decatur for a few years, you know what we are talking about!

The new owners and their design team are working on ideas to bring more life to the plaza area in front of the building and create a stronger connection between the plaza and the courthouse square above it. Plans also include improving the exterior of the parking deck. Thanks to the interest and support of this new owner, this building will soon become more a part of the

Focus on Economic Development

See DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT on page 6 One West Court Square

The Decatur Focus is a joint publication of the City of Decatur, the Decatur Downtown Development Authority and the Decatur Business Association. It is a newsletter intended to provide announcements and information related to events, activities, and businesses in the City of Decatur. The purpose of the newsletter is to promote the city and encourage the exchange of information among residents, business owners and the school system. Letters to the editor, editorials or other opinion pieces are not published. All press releases, announcements and other information received for publication are subject to editing. Information found in the Focus is also posted on Decatur’s official website at decaturga.com. The deadline for submitting articles, announcements or advertising is the first day of the month preceding publication. Contact: Editor, Decatur Focus, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031, 404-371-8386; fax 404-371-1593; email: decaturfocus@decaturga.com.

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DECATUR CITY COMMISSION Patti Garrett...................................................Mayor Fred Boykin................................Mayor Pro Tem Scott Drake..................................Commissioner Tony Powers...............................Commissioner Brian Smith..................................Commissioner

DECATUR DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Board Chris Sciarrone, Chair Linda Curry • John Drake Bill Floyd • Scott Kentner Tony Leung • Fisher Paty

Decatur Business Association

DECATUR BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Kyle Williams......................................... President Susan Sparks.............................. President-Elect Reshell Baldini...................................... Treasurer Lisa Bobb................................................. Secretary Tim Martin.................................... Past President

Design and layout: Lampe-Farley.com Information for the FOCUS should be submitted by mail to Editor, Decatur Focus, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031, or by email to decaturfocus@decaturga.com.

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City News Helping Our Neighbors This Holiday Season

Holiday Decorating Contest Coming Soon

It’s not too late

he holiday season is here and that means it’s time to pull out your holiday decorations. Decorate your home or business in the colors and traditions of the season and enter the Holiday Decorating Contest. Submit a photo of your, or your neighbor’s, best decorations to Shirley Baylis at Shirley.baylis@decaturga.com for the judges to review

by Friday, Dec. 8. Be sure to include the name and address of the decorations in the email.

Judges will ride by the addresses on Dec. 9 and 10, and winners will be posted on the Decatur Minute and the Decorate Decatur Facebook page. Special yard signs will be posted in the yards of winners to display for the Holidays.

The Commissioners Cup will be presented to the winner at the Dec. 18 city commission meeting.

If you have additional questions or need more information email Shirley Baylis or call 678-553-6573.

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Season of Giving/ Christmas Decatur has entered its 23rd year in making the holiday season brighter for children and senior citizens in Decatur with the help of individuals, places of worship, businesses, neighborhood associations and clubs. You can help your neighbors by sponsoring a child or senior. Shop for them yourself, or if you are busy with your own holiday preparations, consider making a donation that will be used toward clothing, books and gifts.

Thanks to the continued generosity of the community, A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur has served thousands. During last year’s holiday season, the community helped more than 600 children and seniors through this program.

Gift Giving “Adopt” a child or senior – receive a personalized wish list and purchase between $100 and $150 in gifts. Wish lists specific to each recipient are created through an in-person conversation with seniors and each child’s parent or guardian. If you purchase a wish list book at Little Shop of Stories and mention why, the shop will donate 20 percent of your purchase to A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur.

Too busy to shop? Make a financial contribution instead and we will do all the shopping for you.

Send contributions to A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031.

Other Ways to Help Volunteer during the last week in November and the first week of December at the distribution center. Opportunities are available on Saturdays, Sundays and weekdays (including evenings).

All gifts are due Saturday, Dec. 2. To receive a wish list for a child or senior, inquire about volunteer opportunities, or for additional information, email aseasonofgiving@decaturga.com or call 404378-8068. Happy holidays!

For more information on sponsoring a child or senior, or on other ways to help, call 404-378-8068 or email aseasonofgiving@decaturga.com.

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The Gabi family accepts the Commissioners Cup for 2016 from Mayor Patti Garrett. Their Pharr Road display took top honors last year.

Holiday Solid Waste and Recycling Services

THANKSGIVING • Thursday, Nov. 23 Regular solid waste and recycling services for Thursday, Nov. 23, and Friday, Nov. 24, will be on Wednesday, Nov 22.

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City News

At an October meeting of the city commission, Mayor Pro Tem Fred Boykin conducted a swearing-in ceremony for the Decatur Youth Council. Front row: Clara Wheelock, Ruiqi Zhang, Alix Wagner, Mai Allison, Harriet Mycroft. Second row: Lauren Smith, Sydney Wagner, Ellie Munson, Sulaiman Rashid. Third row: Arda Yigitkanli, Julian Daniel, Nina Bryan, Alden Wright. Back row: Michael Johns, Qiu-ee Neiditz, Julia Conley, and Decatur City Planner Sean Yates.

Not pictured: Jose Koluder-Ramirez, Fartun Sheikh, Bailey Tocups

Congratulations to the graduates of the 2017 Fall Junior Police Academy class.

Beecatur Seeks Committee Members

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elp Bee City USA – Decatur, GA (a.k.a. Beecatur) spread the buzz! If you share an interest and concern for bees and would like to help educate the community about these beneficial insects, then join up. Beecatur needs volunteers and committee members as they plan for events in 2018, including Earth Day and National Pollinator Week. Email beecaturga@gmail.com for meeting times and details.

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City News Tools the City Uses to

Communicate with the Community

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he City of Decatur uses multiple channels to relay information to the community, especially during an emergency. These range from the low-tech (e.g., Decatur Focus newsletter and signs posted on city buildings) to the latest social media apps. Here are the major ways the city currently communicates during an emergency: Decaturga.com – road closures and other last-minute alerts are often posted under “What’s New” on the Decatur home page. During a severe weather event a special emergency banner is splashed across the front of the home page, providing the most vital information on how to stay safe.

TheDecaturMinute.com – written by city staff, the Decatur Minute blog provides regular updates on all sorts of things happening around the city, including the latest developments during an emergency. Anything posted here is direct from the city with no third-party filter.

Facebook and Twitter – real-time updates are often posted to the city’s social media accounts. Facebook.com/decaturga and twitter.com/downtowndecatur are the two to follow. Many others in the community use the hashtag #decaturga on Twitter and Instagram to share what they are experiencing.

Smart911 – is used primarily to provide more extensive information to 911 call takers immediately when a resident places an emergency call. Residents and business owners can also sign up for emergency and general notification alerts through Smart911.

These alerts can be received by telephone, text or email depending on an individual’s preferences. All other telephone numbers have to be registered. Alert options include emergency and general notifications initiated by the city, and severe weather-based alerts on NWS weather polygon technology. Go to Decaturga.com to sign up for voice or text alerts.

NextDoor – the City of Decatur and the Decatur Police Department post important messages, updates and alerts to NextDoor.

Do you use any or all of the above? Do you have one outlet you like best? The city is interested in learning more about how residents and business owners prefer to receive communication. Visit decaturga.com/whats-new/open-city-hall to give your feedback.

Congratulations, Mayor Garrett Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett was selected to receive the Michael H.T. Lynch Scholarship. Each year the scholarship is awarded to one National League of Cities member to attend the NLC University Leadership Summit.

Going Mobile Decatur’s Community Transportation Plan Update On Oct. 26, Decatur held its first public workshop to help kick-off preparation of the city’s Community Transportation Plan Update, to begin to identify various mobility needs, and to take a deeper look at the state of mobility. If you work, live, and recreate in the community and didn’t have a chance to participate, we still want to hear from you.

More public workshops will be held in the future, but there are two online opportunities now in the form of a survey and a WikiMap application. They are designed to be easy, informative and fun for everyone to discuss the future of all modes of transportation, identify current and future needs, make short- and long-term recommendations, and develop a vision for new mobility options and improvements throughout the city.

Public input is a large part of Decatur’s Community Transportation Plan Update.

Through this plan, we will build on the 2007 CTP to address the broader equity, sustainability, and active living goals in Decatur’s 2010 Strategic Plan. Decatur has hired the professional consultant team of jB+a, a division of Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Inc., and Toole Design Group to assist in the plan update.

Stay informed on the CTP Update by visiting the Decatur website and future issues of Decatur Focus for project information and meeting announcements. For more information, contact Angela Threadgill, 678553-6575, or angela.threadgill@decaturga. com, or visit DecaturNext.com.

Public Input Survey and WikiMap Available through Nov. 27 Survey: surveymonkey.com/r/ DecaturCTPU

Mayor Patti Garrett with husband, Gary

WikiMap: tinyurl.com/DecaturCTP

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City News DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT continued from page 2 W. Ponce de Leon corridor and create a stronger pedestrian connection between the square and the retail and restaurant shops to the west.

Look for the Root City pop-up holiday shop in the former Art Institute gallery space through the end of the year, thanks to the support of these new building owners.

Harken Health Care Is Now Emory Clinic Emory Clinic has purchased all of the Harken Health Care Clinics in the Atlanta metropolitan area, including the one at 158 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur, which will continue to provide primary healthcare services under the Emory Clinic name. In fact, the Decatur location will continue under the direction of Decatur resident Kristina Lundberg, MD, who served as director of the site with Harken. The center officially reopened in October.

Sherwin Williams Chooses Decatur Downtown Decatur’s newest retailer is Sherwin Williams, 345 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Why did Sherwin Williams open in downtown? It is part of their focus on smaller urban centers that cater to the growing do-it-yourself market. They look for locations with a strong residential housing market and a healthy indication of ongoing home remodeling and expansion.

Steel City Pops Opens Downtown Another new business downtown is Steel City Pops, 312 Church St. (behind Brush Izakaya and next to Trinity Mercantile). This small company got its start in Birmingham, Alabama, and their downtown Decatur location is their first store in the Atlanta metropolitan area. What’s even more exciting is that the location is also their manufacturing center and will supply future retail storefronts around metro Atlanta.

The owners and the local staff are great fun and love Decatur. They have already supported a number of events and organizations around the city, so stop by and welcome them. Remember that parking for the shop is available in the parking lot adjacent to Sapori di Napoli and, after 5 p.m., in the City Hall parking lot. Check out their menu at steelcitypops.com/our-menu/. You can go healthy and fruity or splurge on a creamy option. And if that’s not enough, you can add a chocolate dip.

ARLO Offers Korean BBQ Decatur’s newest tenant is a Korean barbeque restaurant from the owners of 9292 BBQ in Duluth. They recently signed a lease for the restaurant space at the ARLO, bringing a different type of dining experience to Decatur. The restaurant features individual grills at each table to allow patrons to cook their own meals to order. The menu will be a little bit different from their existing restaurant. The owners plan to add signature cocktails and late-night snacks, as well as vegetarian and vegan options.

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‘Make East Lake MARTA Yours’ Continues with

Design Workshop

Saturday, Nov. 18 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bessie Branham Recreation Center 2051 Delano Drive, NE • Atlanta, GA 30317

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ver the past few years you may have noticed MARTA building out some of their transit station properties, such as efforts presently underway at the Avondale station. This reflects their long-term goal to transition certain automobile-focused locations from just parking facilities to active neighborhood centers. Among their identified locations is the East Lake MARTA station.

Many Decatur residents, particularly in neighborhoods like Lenox Place, Parkwood, and Oakhurst; DeKalb County residents in the southern parts of Druid Hills; and Atlanta residents in Kirkwood and Lake Claire have voiced an interest in more walkable and bike-able surroundings offering increased local services, recreational amenities, convenient and safe access to transit, more affordable housing, and community gathering spaces.

These ambitions converged to form the Make East Lake MARTA Yours initiative, thanks to a $100,000 Livable Centers grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission. Together with MARTA, the City of Decatur, and the City of Atlanta, residents and business owners will help develop a vision for the station’s future – from what kinds of new uses would benefit surrounding communities, to what kinds of amenities might be included, to what sort of scale and arrangement best fits the neighborhood, to how access into and out of the area might be made safer and more convenient.

Two public participation opportunities occurred at the kickoff meetings on Sept. 25 and 26, with a Community Academy and Open House. Did you miss it? Visit DecaturNext.com to get details.

The next event will be a design workshop when the consultant team of TSW, Toole Design Group, and Noell Consulting invite residents to meet at the East Lake MARTA Station, explore the site on foot, then proceed to the workshop to help map out a long-term build-out for the station and the underutilized surface parking areas that surround it.

For more information contact Decatur Planning Director Angela Threadgill, angela.threadgill@decaturga.com. Because this is a multi-jurisdictional planning effort, residents of Atlanta and unincorporated DeKalb County should also share their thoughts with their own elected and staff leadership, and everyone can follow MARTA’s project news at courbanize. com/projects/east-lake-station/information.

City News Mind the Art

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n September, Decatur residents had the opportunity to join the Heart Community by becoming artists for a day, marking a spot of significance and sharing the story behind it with the world. Their photos and stories were on display at the Decatur Arts Alliance Gallery through Oct. 31.

Israeli artists Maya Gelfman and Roie Avidan started Mind the Heart in response to their observation that as we get used to our surroundings, we no longer pay attention to them. We become less connected with the world around us, missing the changes that occur over time and the fleeting moments of beauty and wonder that can surprise us even in the most mundane moments.

With this realization, the artists went out into the streets of their hometown of Tel Aviv and placed little red yarn hearts to mark spots that merited attention. They highlighted the beauty in decay, the order in chaos, the magic in the ordinary, the soul in things. They have since added other motifs and materials, but the little tangled heart has remained the core symbol of the project.

Mind the Heart started in 2009 in the streets of Tel Aviv and has since reached more than 40 cities worldwide – from Sydney to London, Paris to Bangkok, and the Israel National Museum to orphanages in Kenya and Uganda. Now Gelfman and Avidan are taking their art on the road, traveling across the United States from August 2017 to August 2018, handing out thousands of red yarn hearts along with a simple mission: to go and put it out there.

For more information about the project and to view the collected stories of the Heart Community, A Utility police bodycam visit thea Mind the Heart website. with wrist-mounted controller,

Utility

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City News better together

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

In September approximately 85 residents participated in community conversations across differences. The event took place in the Ebster Recreation Gym, and was facilitated by Better Together Advisory Board member Ed Lee. Participants had the opportunity to meet fellow Decatur residents with whom they may not have interacted before, and to discuss topics presented to them throughout the evening, including “who are our neighbors and what steps and/or sacrifices do we make to care of them?”

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City News

November Walking Superstar: Darla Barrett

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arla walks in her Decatur neighborhood regularly.

Along the way she picks up trash, and she has been doing this since 1996. She has been called the “angel of South Candler’.” Darla lives with her husband Steve, and Annie, their white lab puppy. She takes the puppy on walks two or three times a day. Steve and Darla usually eat out three times a week in Decatur and she picks up trash as they walk to a restaurant. She says she does get frustrated with the constant garbage but that has not stopped her from continuing with trash collection. She like things organized and neat.

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City News Decatur’s Indoor Year-Round Swimming Pool Opens

Summer Camp Alert!

Save the date: Jan. 6, 2018 Camp Registration for 2018 Summer Camps opens at 9 a.m. on Jan. 6. Visit decaturga.com/cys for more details.

December 12 – Online release of the Summer Camp 2018 Playbook December 12 – Camp Sneak Preview 6:30-7:30 pm at Decatur Recreation Center December 21 – Print Camp Playbook available at Decatur Recreation Center

From left: John Strong, Boys and Girls Club; Amy Tisenchek, Comprehensive Program Services; Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett; Active Living Director Gregory White; Mike Cotter, Dynamo Pools; and Todd Thompson, DPR. Youth in the picture are children from the Boys and Girls Club.

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n October 16, Mayor Patti Garrett cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the city’s first indoor pool at the Samuel L. Jones Boys and Girls Club in Oakhurst.

The pool is a partnership between the Boys and Girls Club, Decatur Active Living and Dynamo Swim. The five-lane 148,000-gallon pool is at 450 East Lake Dr. and can accommodate 50 swimmers at a time.

OAKHURST POOL SCHEDULE Lap Swim Schedule Monday: 6 a.m.-3 p.m., 8-9:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

Wednesday: 6 a.m.-3 p.m., 6:15 p.m.-9 p.m.

Thursday: 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

Friday: 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

During lap swim, some lanes may be utilized for programming. Sharing a lap swim lane is expected at any time (ideally splitting a lane or circle swimming)

Free Swim Schedule Saturday: Noon-4 p.m.

Sunday: Noon-4 p.m. . . . and more Water Aerobics: M/W/F 9-10 a.m.

Arthritis Aquatics: M/W/F 10-11 a.m.

In addition, swim lessons are offered in the morning, afternoon and early evening, as well as on Saturdays. Birthday parties can be booked Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Dynamo Swim Team practices are on weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings Hours will change for the holidays and other events and programing, and will be posted in advance. For more information and updates, visit decaturga.com/pools.

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Small-scale Development Workshop Wednesday, Nov. 15 • 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Courtyard by Marriott 130 Clairemont Ave. Join Incremental Development Alliance on November 15 for one-day workshops on small-scale real estate development and project formation. Attendees will take a big-picture view of neighborhoodbased development to help them analyze what makes a good project, how a building makes money, and how small developers interact with the broader ecosystem of professionals in the built environment.

By the end of the workshop, aspiring developers will feel more prepared to take the first steps on their own projects.

Regular registration rate: $215, concludes Friday, Nov. 10.

Last-minute registration rate is $245.

All registrations are final. There are no refunds after payment is processed.

For more information visit IncrementalDevelopment.org/events/ Decatur2017.

City News Trinity Walk Swings Open Its Doors

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ecatur Housing Authority hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 5 to officially open Trinity Walk in downtown Decatur. Participants included (L-R): David Pedrick, Southface senior technical project manager (pink shirt), Laurel Hart, Housing Finance and Develop-

ment Division director, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Dakar Gibbs, Bank of America senior vice president, Doug Faust, executive director of the Decatur Housing Authority, Melissa Heffner, chair of the DHA Board of Commissioners, Jon Abercrombie, vice-chair of the DHA Board of Com-

missioners, Fred Boykin, City of Decatur Mayor Pro Tem, Belinda Seats, DHA Board member, Bill Markert, DHA Board member, Haywood Curry, DHA Board member and Kells Carroll, Sugar Creek Capital acquisitions director. Photo by Judith Vanderver Photography.

Doug Faust, executive director of the Decatur Housing Authority, addressed guests at the Grand Opening of Trinity Walk, the DHA’s redevelopment of the former Gateway Manor and Oakview apartments at 421 W. Trinity Place in downtown Decatur. Seated behind Faust are (L-R): Fred Boykin, City of Decatur Mayor Pro Tem; Dakar Gibbs, Bank of America senior vice president; and David Pedrick, Southface senior technical project manager. Photo by Judith Vanderver Photography

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Business & Nonprofit News Capoeira Maculele Decatur

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n October, Maculele Decatur hosted their semi-annual Batizado e Troca De Cordas where beginners are initiated into the sport with their first cord, or belt, and higher students graduate. They are very cultural affairs with lots of dance, workshops, and fundraisers.

These events not only celebrate the dedication and advancement of the students, but also provide a platform for the group to network with locals and bring world-renowned martial artists to support the cause.

Working with breast cancer foundations and children’s cancer centers, Mestre Fran, Mestra Sara and Maculele continue to raise funds and provide medical necessities to causes in need both locally and across the globe.

New Dentistry Office Opens in Decatur Dr. Jennifer Dillon, DMD, invites the community to the grand opening of Decatur Smiles, 144 S. Columbia Dr., Nov. 3, 4-7 p.m. Dr. Jennifer and her staff are dedicated to creating a friendly environment and dentistry you can smile about.

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DBA News DBA Golf Open Thanks Sponsors and Players Thank you to all the sponsors of the fifth annual DBA Golf Open. The tournament took place in October at Smoke Rise Country Club.

Sponsors: Asbury Law Firm Big Tex Decatur CoWorks Gas South Griffin Company Joyner & Burnette, P.C. MixIt Marketing

December 5

DBA Holiday Party Meeting Reminder

Decatur Courtyard by Marriott Food by Taiyo Ramen

Oakhurst Market Pure Station Decatur Renewal Design + Build Steinbecks The Community School Tim Martin for Decatur District 1 Commissioner

Timothy Martin & Associates Wealth Strategies Universal Joint Wells Fargo Williams Teusink, LLC xfinity

5:15 p.m. Networking reception 6 p.m. Hometown Heroes, Beer Festival Grant Awards Sponsors: Decatur Development Authority, Decatur Courtyard by Marriott, Taiyo Ramen Visit decaturdba.com for details.

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Decatur Events Everybody Loves Porchfest

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rom wild and raucous to sweet and heartfelt to strange and artsy, Porchfest offered free live music that could find a home on everybody’s playlist. Nearly 220 musicians participated, playing hour-long sets on porches, lawns and culde-sacs on a Saturday afternoon in October. This was year number three for Georgia’s largest organic free-range crowdsourced music festival.

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Decatur Events Decatur First Christian Church Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale

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ecatur First Christian Church, 601 W. Ponce De Leon Ave., will hold its tenth annual “Friend and Fund Raiser” Christmas tree and wreath sale through Dec. 3.

To purchase fraser fir Christmas trees and handmade wreaths, visit the church (across from the Decatur Post Office) or pre-order your tree through Nov. 23 for a 5 percent discount at decaturdisciples.org.

The deadline for pick up of pre-sold trees is Dec. 3. Local deliveries are only $10; certain conditions apply. Proceeds benefit church and community missions in Decatur, including the Toy Park.

For more information, call 404-378-3621.

Art Opening: A Curious Art Spectacle The community is invited to the grand opening of A Curious Art Spectacle pop-up art show, Jan. 26, at the Solarium, 321 W. Hill St. The show will run through Feb. 4 and will showcase 20 original paintings.

Local artist O.M. Norling has lived and worked in the Oakhurst neighborhood for 17 years.

He and his wife Amy have three boys attending FAVE, Renfroe and DHS. For years he has worked on private commissions and also donated paintings to Oakhurst Elementary School fundraisers as well as the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction.

For more information and to view examples of the paintings, visit omnorling. com or Instagram @om_norling.

Volunteers Needed and Appreciated Call 404-378-3621 for information on how you can serve for a four-hour time slot and receive a free long-sleeve T-shirt and homemade meal.

Sale Dates and Times Friday, Nov. 24-Saturday, Dec.10, or until sold out. Kickoff is Friday, Nov. 24, 9 a.m.8:30 p.m.

Normal sales hours are: Tuesday-Friday • 4:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday • 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Sunday • 1-8:30 p.m.

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Decatur Events School News

Remember Veterans Buried in Decatur Cemetery

Synchronicity Theatre Presents Heidi Dec. 8-31

n Saturday, Nov. 4, volunteers will gather in the 58-acre Decatur Cemetery and place flags on the graves of nearly 1,000 veterans of wars fought by our country, beginning with the American Revolution. This year will mark the ninth year that the Friends of the Decatur Cemetery will join with the Harold Byrd American Legion Post No. 67 to remember the men and women who served their country and earned their final rest in Decatur Cemetery. The flags will remain in place through Saturday, Nov. 18. To volunteer contact Amy Weaver, amy@b2creativeinc.com.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., join the Friends of the Decatur Cemetery for the traditional Veterans Day Ceremony of Remembrance. The time coincides with the armistice that ended the Great War in 1918. To many at the time it was considered “The War to End all Wars.”

For more information: friendsofdecaturcemetery@gmail.com.

Lee Nowell, Decatur resident and managing director for Synchronicity Theatre, invites the community to the family series Heidi. Heidi fosters hope, love and home life in the fresh mountain air, bringing joy to everyone she meets, from her small Alpine village to the bustling city of Frankfurt, Germany. The event is a retelling of the classic by Johanna Spyri, with book

by Martha King De Silva and music and lyrics by Joan Cushing (Petite Rouge).

This production is part of PJs & Play special programming. Dress in your PJs and enjoy cookies, milk and Swiss chocolate every Friday night at 7 p.m. during the production of Heidi.

Visit synchrotheatre.com/season/heidi for more information.

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Decatur City Dance Presents

Once Upon a Time …

Saturday, Nov. 11 • 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

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Once Upon a Time . . . features the Apprentice and Junior ensembles of Decatur City Dance presenting highlights from the most famous classical ballets, to open the company’s 65th season. Enjoy the magical fairies from Sleeping Beauty, the haunting Willis from Giselle, the mysterious swans from Swan Lake, the enchanting Sylphs from Les Sylphides, and Swanhilda and her friends from Coppelia. Shows will take place at the Uhry Theatre at Druid Hills High School. Tickets are $13 in advance (online at decaturcitydance.org), $15 at the door, $5 for students (18 and under) and seniors (65 and over). For more information, call 404-378-3388.

Decatur Events Farm to School Fall Dine-Out Wednesday, Nov. 29 • 5-9 p.m.

Save the date! The Wylde Center’s Decatur Farm to School (DF2S) Fall Dine-Out is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29, 5-9 p.m. Local restaurants like Raging Burrito, Farm Burger, Mojo’s, and Twain’s will participate, along with newest additions Scout and Double Dragon, just to name a few. Dine in or take out from any participating restaurant that night and a portion of total sales will go to DF2S. Visit wyldecenter.org/decaturfarm-to-school-dine-out/ for a complete list of participating restaurants.

All proceeds support Wylde Center programs including Decatur High School summer internships, school grants, conference scholarships and taste tests.

DF2S thanks dine-out sponsor Beth Ann Clannin, Intown Realtor, Keller Williams.

DEAM Celebrates 40 Years of Service

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o celebrate its 40th anniversary, DEAM, the Decatur-area Emergency Assistance Ministry, will host a party on Nov. 15, 2 p.m., at Decatur’s Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. DEAM volunteers, members of DEAM churches, and others who work tirelessly for this ministry will commemorate this 40-year milestone and express gratitude for DEAM’s founders and for those who keep faith in DEAM’s mission.

Founded in conjunction with Decatur Cooperative Ministry in 1973 and becoming a separate entity in 1977, DEAM today is a consortium of 22 area churches providing food, prescription and utility assistance, and clothing to neighbors in need. DEAM’s funding is derived from member-church donations, donations by social organizations and individuals, and grants. Food drives

by DEAM churches and by local organizations supplement DEAM’s pantry offerings.

Staffed by more than 100 volunteers and only

two part-time paid staff, DEAM is open five mornings a week and each year serves an average of 2,000 families, a total of more than 3,500 individuals.

Today the ministry is located at Holy Trinity

Episcopal Church, 515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., with a satellite location at Avondale First Baptist Church. Visit deamdecatur.org for detailed information on services and links to other agencies that offer help to those in need.

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Decatur Events Alternative Gift Market at North Decatur Presbyterian Church Saturday, Dec. 2 • 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • 611 Medlock Rd.

Sycamore Place Gallery Art & Music Parlor

Decatur residents Reverend David Lewicki and Reverend Beth Waltemath invite the Decatur community to North Decatur Presbyterian’s annual Alternative Gift Market, Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shop for fair trade, environmentally sustainable and reasonably priced holiday gifts, including many new items this year. Gifts for sale include olive oil, wood carvings and embroidered items from Palestine; hats, scarves, clothing and gifts from Guatemala and Peru; soup and cookie mixes that support people in transition; rugs and other gifts from local refugee and affordable housing initiatives; beaded jewelry and other items from Africa, Nepal, and Haiti; and fair trade coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate.

The market includes a children’s craft corner to engage the children, and snacks are provided for sustenance while you shop.

Holiday Gift Cards benefiting the Casa Materna Ana Sayre Birthing Center in Guatemala and the Community School of the EcoVillages of Collodere in Haiti will also be sold. The church is at the intersection of Medlock, N. Decatur Road and Scott Boulevard. Credit cards, checks and cash are accepted. For more information, contact Deedee Murphy, 404-276-0593.

Sycamore Place Gallery, 120 Sycamore Place, is offering holiday break camps for children ages 4-11 years, Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 20-22. The community is invited to enjoy a potluck and art on Saturday, Dec. 2, 5-8 p.m. Featured artists include the 13 Stupendous Studio Artistes and Marvelous Moira’s Music Parlor.

Affordable holiday art and gift certificates for art and music classes will be available for purchase.

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Decatur events Agnes Scott Up in it’s a Date to Moves Stay up late!

Prominent College Rankings ll Decatur residents, and everybody else, too, are invited

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to walk in the Decatur Lantern Parade on the evening of gnes Scott is Friday, May 15. This is one of those “the-more-the-merrier” ranked by the events, so plan now to participate and be a part of helping U.S. News & to make this lantern parade memorable.

World Report’s Make your own lantern at home or 2018 edition of Best Colcome to a lantern-making workshop leges as the No. 2 Most where supplies and guidance are providInnovative School in the ed. Find out where and when by visiting country. Agnes Scott is also decaturlanternparade.com. recognized for its study To participate, line up at Color Wheel abroad and first-year expeStudio at 508 E. Howard Ave. after 8 p.m. rience programs. The colThe parade steps off at 9 p.m. led by The lege’s overall “Best Colleges” Black Sheep Marching Ensemble and paranking is No. 61 among rade guru Chantelle Rytter. The parade national liberal arts colleges, will wend its way to the community nine spots higher than last bandstand in front of the Old Courtyear, and No. 22 among house on the square. colleges identified as a best The parade is sponsored by Color value based on the school’s Wheel Studio, Decatur Arts Alliance, academic quality.

Decatur Education Foundation, and the Decatur Development Authority.

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School News Agnes Scott Names Knight New VP for Communications In October, Agnes Scott officially welcomed Danita Knight as vice president for communications and marketing. She has served as interim vice president for communications and marketing for the past five months. A prominent public relations consultant and motivational speaker, Knight was elected in May to serve on Agnes Scott’s Board of Trustees.

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NOVEMBER 2017 • Decatur Focus | 19

School News REACH and PCA Programs

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ix Renfroe Middle School eighth graders have just been selected as REACH Scholars. The state-sponsored program includes academic support and a mentoring component. The new REACH Scholars are: Sequoia Dudley, Emanjale “Nicole” Negussa-Little, Morgan Roach, Zakaria Salem, Brandie Shepherd, and Nashon Smith.

Decatur Education Foundation’s Partnership for Career Achievement program focuses on providing career guidance for high school students. This non-traditional mentoring program seeks to capitalize on community resources to expose high schoolers to different career fields through job shadowing, internships, and field experiences that will allow them to find their passions and the proper training to pursue them.

Do you want to be part of an initiative that impacts local students and unites our community? For more information about all of DEF’s mentoring programs and the other ways in which DEF is helping Decatur kids, visit decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring.

McCollum Joins DEF Team Decatur Education Foundation recently hired Marie McCollum to serve as its new mentor program coordinator. She is responsible for coordinating the nonprofit’s three student-mentoring programs –The Opportunity Partnership, REACH – Georgia, and the Partnership for Career Achievement (PCA).

Marie has a master’s of social work in community empowerment and program development from the University of Georgia, and will help expand the mentoring programs to allow more students to participate.

The three mentoring programs seek to reduce the opportunity gap that exists between low-income students and their upper-income peers and their access to extracurricular and educational enrichment opportunities. Marie joined the team just before the new school year began, when all three programs were enrolling new students. She will be instrumental in putting systems in place to manage their growth and engaging community volunteers.

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Decatur Events

F.AVE Mayors Mile

This year’s Mayors Mile included 587 registered runners, 45 parent volunteers, 34 sponsors, and $12,000 in sponsorships. Seven former mayors of Decatur were present for the event.

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NOVEMBER 2017 • Decatur Focus | 21

School News Holiday Marketplace + Café

The 26th annual Holiday Marketplace + Café will take place Friday, Dec. 1, 5:30-9:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Clairemont Elementary School. Enjoy the holiday spirit as the school transforms into a festive market where more than 100 local and national artists exhibit handmade jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery and more. Stop by the café for desserts and local food trucks for a bite to eat. Proceeds will benefit Clairemont Elementary School’s educational programs. For more information, visit decaturholidaymarketplace.com.

Your neighbor and intown real estate specialist.

Whether you are buying or selling — or simply exploring your options — call me to be sure you are positioned for success in today’s changing market.

• More than 180 homes sold in City of Decatur since 2009 • More than 400 homes sold overall since 2009 • Top Ten Agent in Metro Atlanta: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

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22 | Decatur Focus • NOVEMBER 2017

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Around Town

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PD in the community

Show off your Decatur on social media and share it with your neighbors. Email renae.madison@decaturga.com.

You have the right . . . to dance

Deputy Chief Richards attended the Decatur Day celebration in McKoy Park on Labor Day weekend.

Officer Santiago showcased his dance moves on Senior Day at Blue Sky Concerts.

#decaturpd

#decaturpd

#mckoypark

#community

You can’t spell “community” without the Y

Decatur Family YMCA celebrated Welcoming Week, Sept. 15-24. With the diverse membership the Y has, this was a chance for neighbors – both immigrants and U.S.-born residents – to get to know one another and celebrate what unites us as a community. The Y believes that communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome and works together for the common good. #welcomingweek

#pleasedtomeetyou

#howdyneighbor

#shakeyourbluething #squarelife

Tapas + Trivia

Trivia winners display their trophies at the DeKalb Library Foundation’s annual event, which took place in September at the Decatur Library. A Novel Affair: Tapas + Trivia raised more than $33,000 for the DeKalb County Public Library. #anovelaffair

#booktrivia

#bigfunforeverybody

NOVEMBER 2017 • Decatur Focus | 23

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