YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TREE SERVICE.
Tree Care Tips
• Check for Hazardous Trees: Winter storms can bring down weak trees or limbs. Inspect for dead branches, leaning trunks, or decay. Call an arborist if unsure.
• Prune for Safety & Health: Late winter pruning strengthens trees and prevents disease. Remove weak or overgrown branches to promote healthy spring growth.
• Mulch & Protect Roots: Add mulch around the base (but not against the trunk) to insulate roots, retain moisture, and prevent soil erosion.
• Plan for Spring Planting: Now is the time to choose native trees and schedule early spring planting for the best start.
• Watch for Pests & Disease: Even in winter, pests and fungal infections can threaten trees. Look for holes, sap oozing, or discolored leaves. Early action can save a tree!
DONI JONES, OWNER
It Takes a Village
There’s something about August that feels like a fresh start. New teachers, new routines, new notebooks – and for many of us, the familiar scramble of packing lunches, juggling schedules, and somehow getting everyone out the door on time.
In this issue, we’re pausing to appreciate the people who make that daily hustle a little softer and a whole lot safer. We recognize three incredible CSD crossing guards – Joyce, Carolyn, and Arthur – who don’t just help kids cross the street; they greet them with hugs, cheers, and heart. It’s the kind of support that quietly builds confidence and a lifelong sense of community.
We’re also sharing stories of local businesses helping families thrive – like Radiant Health Kitchen, where mealtime becomes a moment to reconnect; the whimsical world of Tutu School Decatur, where every kid gets to dance their heart out; and smart tips from Rêve Orthodontics on how early check-ins can set young smiles up for success. Each of these stories reminds us that family health is layered, shared, and best supported with a little help from our village.
Here’s to a season of new beginnings, full schedules, and the everyday heroes who make it all a little easier.
To our village,
August 2025
PUBLISHER
Caroline Ficken | caroline.ficken@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Natalie Fox | natalie.fox@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION MANAGER
Brooke Felder | brooke.felder@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Grace Boudreau | grace.boudreau@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Josh Cornwall, Brooke Felder, Natalie Fox, Brandon Malcolm
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Connelly Crowe, John Wachs, Jonathan Wade
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
Looking Out for All
These three Decatur school crossing guards uplift and protect our students.
Made with Love
From easing weekday chaos to grief support, one local kitchen is redefining mealtime.
Happy Twirling
Tutu School Decatur creates joy through dance.
Why Dr. Meagan Sturm of Rêve Ortho says age 7 is the magic number for your child’s first orthodontic visit.
City Schools of Decatur Crossing Guards, Carolyn Shorter and Arthur Davis, help CSD students cross the street safely.
Photography: John Wachs
LOOKING OUT for All
THESE THREE DECATUR SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS UPLIFT AND PROTECT OUR STUDENTS.
ARTICLE
BY NATALIE FOX
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN WACHS
The importance of an extended circle of trusted adults in kids' lives has proven benefits, and our Decatur Crossing Guards are no exception. Safety is their priority, but they do so much more than help students cross safely; they provide warmth, reassurance, and attentive care. By starting each day with a smile (and often, hugs and dancing), our City of Decatur students can walk into school excited for the day. Carolyn, Joyce, and Arthur are three of forty-eight crossing guards serving our community. They each epitomize the true definition of dedication, generously giving their time and hearts to the families they serve. Our little city is bustling, and drivers often cruise on autopilot. Ensuring the safety of every child, each morning and afternoon, requires mental and physical vigilance. We are thrilled to highlight three of our city’s greatest.
Joyce Washington has served as a Crossing Guard in the City of Decatur for over twenty years. Her children always tell her she can’t go anywhere because she knows everyone. She not only connects with the students - she knows their parents, siblings, and “even their dogs’ names”, in the words of School Crossing Guard Manager Jennifer Ross. Glenwood Elementary has been her post for the past seventeen years, and watching students begin in kindergarten and grow to graduation provides a sense of professional satisfaction she never expected when she first started this work. Almost daily, a teenager she knew as a young child will wave to her and say “Good morning, Miss Joyce” from their car as they drive to the high school. Once, she was out sick for two weeks, and students tracked down her address and flooded her mailbox with letters of concern. To call her impact widespread is an understatement; it’s truly ever-present. One of her biggest missions is to fully embrace and welcome the brand-new batch of students at the top of every year. Whether they are starting kindergarten or transferring from another school, Washington goes out of her way to make them feel like they belong. It’s a sentiment needed by all humans, and she accomplishes it with genuine warmth and kindness. It’s no wonder that years back, a young kindergarten student was tasked with a presentation on the person she most admires. She chose Miss Joyce, dressed in a crossing guard outfit, and brought in a stop sign to boot. Washington still has the project displayed in her kitchen, a reminder of the power of unconditional kindness and care.
JOYCE Washington
ARTHUR Davis
Arthur Davis is a retired truck and delivery driver whose comfort in traffic and familiarity with Decatur set him up for success. His first crossing guard post was downtown near the DeKalb County Courthouse, where he took on the role of city representative, helping everyone he encountered. An army veteran, he thinks quickly on his feet and easily connects with people from all walks of life. Ross calls him “the happiest guy with such a positive attitude,” and he emanates a bright light to everyone who meets him. Davis is consistently impressed by the kind and respectful nature of the Decatur students he’s served for the past two and a half years. He is touched by the clear displays of appreciation he receives from the students, families, and his bosses. It’s not every job that fills your heart; he doesn’t take for granted the kind treatment and daily opportunities to learn from the sweet students. He hopes that each child retains their joyful spirit and sense of thankfulness. Kindness and consideration run rampant, and Davis is touched by the moments when parents “make it seem like I’m a superhero.” He describes himself as a people person who listens deeply, which is one of the most impactful things we can do for kids. They have sharp perspectives and compassionate perceptions, which cultivate hope for the future of our city. Decatur is a close-knit community, filled with people of all ages who care deeply. Ross speaks passionately about the great work each Crossing Guard does, intoning, “It’s so much more in-depth than people realize.” By handling the kids with care, checking in with them, and being the person who tells them to have a good day, they provide a literal and figurative safety net ensconced in authentic care.
Carolyn Shorter believes she should be in the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of hugs she gives out every day.
“I love to smile, I love to hug. I try to hype them up to feel okay,” Shorter tells me when asked to describe herself. She previously worked in transportation, but when the pandemic upended things, she took the advice of a friend and became a Crossing Guard. Shorter fell in love with the kids and the Decatur community, and when her previous job became an option again, she turned it down to stay at her post. Her fiercely protective nature is coated in an overwhelming sweetness, and it's no wonder the kids absolutely adore her. Manager Jennifer Ross describes her as having “the biggest heart as well as the biggest personality of anybody
you will meet.” The first time her influence on the kids hit her was shortly after she’d been working as a Crossing Guard for one year. The younger students were having a carol concert and begged her to attend. She promised she would take a break to see their concert, and she walked in, trying to sneak in the back. Immediately after her entrance, the kids spotted her and called out “Miss Carolyn!” as if it were part of the song. That real, genuine love moved her deeply, and she loves getting up every morning for work. Shorter is a floater and field training guard, which means she works all the posts on a rotating basis, allowing her to spread love far and wide. “I love the kids and the smiles,” she tells me with a wide grin. This reciprocal joy sets the stage for every school day.
I love to get up when I’m sad, knowing that when I come here, I’m going to smile when I see them smiling.”
“BODY20
Made
ARTICLE BY JOSH CORNWALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN WACHS
From easing Weekday Chaos to Grief Support, one local kitchen is redefining mealtime.
with Love
For Nancy Campbell, founder of Radiant Health Kitchen in Decatur, the food her team prepares goes beyond nourishment; it often provides care and connection for busy families in the community.
“I was brought up by a mother who insisted the phone wasn’t answered and the TV was off at dinnertime,” Campbell said. “She created a nurturing space around the table so that we could connect.”
That foundational belief in mealtime as a sacred space shapes everything Campbell does. As a chef trained in the industry with a Master’s in Nutrition, she launched Radiant Health Kitchen in 2019 to help busy families—and others—reclaim time around the dinner table. “In 2007, I started a health journey that led me to radically change how I ate. I learned to cook through the lens that food is my medicine.” She eventually changed careers to become a culinary nutritionist and personal chef. “When I would see clients clinically, I realized so few people had the time, confidence, and patience to cook well for themselves. I could tell
them what to eat but saw a gap in their ability to get the meal prep done to make real shifts in their health.” As a result, she began scaling her personal chef business to feed more people healthy, allergen-conscious food they didn't have to think twice about. Radiant Health Kitchen offers weekly delivery of chef-prepared meals that are ready to heat and serve. Customers can choose from a rotating weekly menu with five vegetarian options and six meat and seafood entrees. When families order three servings or more of one menu item, the food is delivered family-style, encouraging shared meals and custom plating for picky eaters.
“WE’RE NOT JUST DELIVERING DINNER... WE’RE GIVING THEM SPACE TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER, LAUGH, TALK, AND BE PRESENT.”
“We’re taking the guesswork out,” she said. “They don’t have to think about what's for dinner that night. They’ve already taken meal prep off their list and enlisted us to bring dinner to their door. No groceries to purchase. No messy kitchen to clean up. That time-saving model also frees up space for what matters most: time spent together.
“It just allows them to focus on what’s most important, which is connecting with their kids, connecting with each other, and making sure that, especially with little kids, they get everyone to bed on time,” she added.
While the business centers around families, Campbell is quick to note that Radiant Health Kitchen also serves empty nesters, single professionals, and anyone who wants a break from cooking without compromising on nutrition or quality. “I don’t want to lose sight of that,” she said. “We serve a lot of people at all stages of life.”
Campbell sources nearly all her produce—around 95 percent—from Your DeKalb Farmers Market, with occasional trips to Buford Highway Farmers Market.
During the summer, she partners with Sherry’s Produce in Tucker to feature seasonal fruits and vegetables like Georgia peaches and okra.
“We design our menus weekly to offer a ton of variety,” she said. “We are very careful to ensure there’s something for every palate.”
The meals are designed to be clean and customizable. “Our clients want to know what they’re eating,” Campbell explained. “They don’t want a ton of sauces or extra cheese. They want good flavor, clean ingredients, and fresh food. So we’re also very transparent about what’s in each of our meals.”
Flexibility is built in. The subscription model the company utilizes allows for weeks skipped without
penalty. While the kitchen is already gluten and peanut-free, clients can also request side swaps to meet dietary needs, such as low-carb, dairy-free, or additional allergy-friendly adjustments. Every week, kidfriendly selections are included—either naturally simple dishes or tailored plates using components from other menu items.
“A great example is this coming week,” Campbell said. “We’re offering chicken satay skewers marinated in tamari, lime juice, honey, and spices with a side of almond butter ‘peanut’ sauce—but we’ll also do lightly seasoned grilled chicken tenders on skewers for kids sensitive to flavor or color.”
Some families place individual orders for each member; others opt for a shared dish with modified components. “Let’s say they order four servings of the meatloaf, and the mashed potatoes have dairy in them,” she said. “If one person in the family can't tolerate dairy, they can ask for three servings regular, and one with the dairy-free potato option. That flexibility makes it easier on everyone.”
For some clients, Radiant Health Kitchen has become more than a meal service—it’s a source of comfort in moments of profound difficulty.
One longtime client began using the service while caring for her husband during the final stages of ALS. “Her husband called me and said, ‘Nancy, I must take something off her plate. I can’t just give her another pair of slippers for her birthday,” Campbell recalled. “We delivered meals to them until he passed away. Then we fed their family during the wake and continued to support Suzanne as a widow.”
In another case, Campbell and her team supported a mother of three whose husband died suddenly. “Friends gathered together to enlist us to get food to their door, and we supported them for about six to eight weeks,” she said. “It was just one less thing for her to think about.”
Whether it’s easing the chaos of weeknight dinners, easing the transition for new parents, temporarily feeding someone post-surgery, or quietly supporting families through grief, Campbell believes her role is about more than providing food.
“It is a great privilege to be trusted to feed someone. I don't take that for granted. We’re not just delivering dinner,” she said. “We’re nourishing people from the inside and giving people their time back. We’re ensuring they can eat healthy while giving them space to sit down together, laugh, talk, and be present.”
She believes that kind of presence sustains families of all sizes—one delicious meal at a time.
Learn more or place an order at radianthealthkitchen.com
A MEXI-CALI CAFÉ WITH A SOUTHERN TWIST
TUTU SCHOOL DECATUR CREATES JOY THROUGH DANCE
HAPPY T WIRLING
“They’re learning to express themselves.”
At the Tutu School, it’s always time to dance.
“Every kid deserves to twirl and dance, right?” says Tutu School owner Tenéa Albright. Founded on the principles of creativity, joy, and the belief that every child should know what it feels like to dance, the Tutu School is a pre-ballet program built for children starting at 6 months. “We start with the very basics of ballet and movement and expose children to dance in a fun, whimsical way,” says Albright.
Ballet is the conduit for important lessons for students at the Tutu School. “Our youngest kids are learning handeye coordination, the basics of rhythm and movement,” explains Albright. “They’re learning to express themselves. We’re telling stories with our bodies and facial expressions. That’s an important part of ballet. Kids are learning a healthy
hobby, but also a lot about themselves in the process.”
With an always exciting selection of classes available at their studio in the Sam’s Crossing shopping center, there’s something for every child to discover at the Tutu School. “We like to say everyone is a beginner here,” says Albright. “Whether our students hope to be prima ballerinas or soccer players or whatever they dream, we help them build a strong foundation.”
The physical benefits of ballet are just the start for students. Albright says parents often come to her saying, “I didn’t know my kid had so much confidence!” after a recital (adorably called “Bravo Bashes”). “We’re just happy and having fun,” Albright says with a smile. “We’re more than just a dance class and invite anyone looking for a whimsical learning experience in the community to join us.”
ARTICLE BY BROOKE FELDER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JONATHAN WADE
SEVEN IS THE NEW SMILE Standard
WHY DR. MEAGAN STURM OF RÊVE ORTHO SAYS AGE 7 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER FOR YOUR CHILD’S FIRST ORTHODONTIC VISIT
When most parents think about orthodontics, they often picture preteens in braces—usually somewhere around middle school. But according to Dr. Meagan Sturm of Rêve Orthodontics, the ideal time for a child’s first orthodontic checkup is actually age seven
“By seven, most children have a mix of baby and adult teeth, which gives us a clear picture of how their smile is developing.”
“By age seven, most children have a mix of baby and adult teeth, which gives us a clear picture of how their teeth are developing,” says Dr. Meagan. “More importantly, some parts of facial growth, like the width of the upper jaw, are complete by that age.” That means if there’s a need to widen the upper jaw or create space for future adult teeth, it's much easier and often pain-free to do it earlier.
Historically, orthodontics has often relied on extractions to address a variety of concerns— crowding, jaw asymmetries, and bite discrepancies. However, what we’ve discovered over time is that many of these issues can be corrected without extractions by intervening earlier, while a child’s growth is still underway. Early expansion can create the space needed for developing teeth, increase upper airway volume, improve speech, and help correct high palatal vaults.
There is good news: initial orthodontic consultations are complimentary at our office, and not every child will need treatment at age seven. “The first visit is often just a conversation and a chance to build trust,” says Dr. Meagan. “If we have built a level of trust where I’m seeing them every six months, I’m able to celebrate them, look at the X-ray with them. We have connected.” Kiddos even get Dippin’ Dots at Rêve Ortho’s offices.
Ultimately, Dr. Meagan says it’s about giving families information early so they can make smart decisions down the road. “As a parent myself, I’d rather have more information than not enough. I would want to avoid figuring out too late that there is a problem.”
Whether your child is seven going on eight or still losing baby teeth, it doesn’t hurt to book that first consultation and prepare your child’s adult smile for success.
WEDNESDAYS
Wednesday Volunteer Project at Woodlands Garden
Woodlands Garden, 932 Scott Blvd
Join us at Woodlands Garden to help care for this special green space! Volunteers meet Wednesdays, Mar–Dec. Ages 12+ welcome (under 18 with an adult). Bring water, closed-toe shoes, bug spray, and sunscreen. Register below to confirm you’ve read and signed the Volunteer Policy and Waiver.
AUGUST 2ND
L’Arche Atlanta’s Summer Olympics
Cochran Hall at Legacy Park | 2:00 PM
L’Arche Atlanta’s Summer Olympics returns with accessible games, trivia, art, and friendly competition. Expect “minute-to-win-it” challenges, creativity, and community spirit—all in true L’Arche style. Bring your best sportsmanship for an afternoon of fun!
AUGUST 8TH
DCM Annual Sip & Savor Wine Tasting
The Solarium, 319 West Hill St. | 6:00 PM
Sip, savor, and support at Decatur Cooperative Ministry’s wine tasting fundraiser. Enjoy light bites, a silent auction, music by DJ Gerry Dassey and Diane McIntosh, and wine education from a local sommelier -- all to help families facing homelessness find stability and hope. Tickets: $60–$75. Location: 319 W. Hill St., Decatur.
AUGUST 15TH
Candlelight: Hip Hop on Strings
The Chapel on Sycamore | 7:30 PM
Experience Hip Hop like never before—through strings and candlelight. Candlelight Concerts presents a 60-minute live performance at The Chapel on Sycamore, featuring hits by Outkast, Lauryn Hill, Drake, and more. This unique, multi-sensory show is open to ages 8+. Seating is first come, first served within your zone. Tickets and FAQs available through the link.
AUGUST 16TH
Pan African Festival
Downtown Decatur | 3:00 PM
Decatur’s Pan African Festival is a free, family-friendly celebration of Black culture and joy. Enjoy live music, dance, spoken word, African cuisine, art, and cultural activities. Featuring AfroBeats, reggae, hip-hop, and more, plus a self-guided walking tour of the historic Beacon Hill community. Presented by Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights and the City of Decatur.
AUGUST 16TH
Reading is Essential for All People Benefit Concert
Avondale Towne Cinema | 7:00 PM
Don't fear the REAPers! The Tiger Kings and Maxwell Street team up for a benefit concert to raise funds for Reading is Essential for All People(REAP) at Avon Theater. Come enjoy life in this historic venue in Avondale Estates with great music, friendly people, and the fantastic cause of literacy in Georgia public schools. Spread the word, friends!
ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH |
summer is POPSICLE SEASON
KIDS AND POPSICLES ARE THE PERFECT SUMMERTIME PAIR
As temperatures rise, children race to the freezer for this frosty treat or wait anxiously for the approach of the musical ice cream truck. Making homemade popsicles is a fun, kid-friendly activity.
SPICED GRAPE POPSICLES
ingredients:
Makes 18 to 24
• 2 quarts Concord grape juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 12 whole cloves
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 3 tablespoons whole allspice
directions:
Put all of the ingredients into a large saucepan. Bring the mixture to barely a simmer and let it cook for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour the juice through a cheesecloth-lined strainer into a bowl or pitcher to remove the spices. Allow the juice to cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate until well chilled. Pour mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze until firm.
