Buying or Selling in Oakhurst?

Page 16
www.OakhurstGA.org
POSTAGE
Oakhurst Leaflet
December 2012
Leaflet Vol. 15, No. 12
Oakhurst Leaflet
P.O. Box 362
Decatur, GA 30030
Celebrating Art, Jazz and Nature Like No Other Deep-Rooted Neighborhood
Buying or Selling
in Oakhurst?
Contact your neighbor and
intown real estate specialist!
Sandy Donations Help Real Peolpe
Laura and Todd Cooper
231 4th Ave. $675,000
124 Park Pl. $575,000
Truly distinctive 5br/3.5ba
Gorgeous 5br/3.5ba new
new construction, high-end finishes construction, master on main
www.231fourthavenue.com
www.124parkplace.com
3
www.ChipWallaceRealEstate.com
678.429.9731 or chip@kellerknapp.com
Stop by our office in Oakhurst Village!
715 East Lake Drive • Decatur, GA 30030
coming soon!
245 East Lake Dr. $419,000
Spacious 3br/2.5ba true craftsman
bungalow loaded with charm
www.245eastlake.com
sold!
1021 East Lake Dr. $470,000
Renovated 4br/2.5ba bungalow
with screened porch, separate den,
and large level lot
615 Ansley St. $699,000
High-end 5br/3.5ba new
construction, optional in-law suite,
large lot close to Oakhurst Village
sold!
272 East Lake Dr. $449,900
Gorgeous renovated 4br/3ba
bungalow near Oakhurst Village
www.272eastlake.com
The generosity of the Oakhurst community has made a direct
impact on New Yorkers devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Longtime Cambridge Street residents Lynne and Mike Curtice felt
the need to help in a personal way after the storm hit. “Mike
and I decided that since we live in such a giving community
that we could take a truck load of donations directly to New
York,” said Lynne.
The Curtice’s planned to rent a U-Haul and drive the donations themselves, but it soon became apparent that a U-Haul
would not suffice.
Local residents jumped to action. Donors from the Oakhurst,
Winnona Park and DecaturMama list servs, Decatur First
Methodist Preschool and Kindergarten, the Intown Atlanta
Parent Exchange Facebook page and local neighbors flooded
the Curtice’s porch with clothes, baby gear, cases of water and
baby food, blankets, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable
food.
continued on page 15
Oakhurst Presbyterian Holiday Events
Put on your Sleigh Bells and join us at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church this December as we celebrate the Christmas season!
Join us for Sunday classes for all ages beginning at
10:00am and worship at 11:00am. Each Sunday has its
own special music and worship to remember the season
with joy! Oakhurst Presbyterian Church is a multicultural congregation and is listed as one of the top 300
congregations in the U.S. by the Lilly Foundation.
We are hosting our annual Holiday Market Place on Sunday, December 2 from 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm. This Holiday
Market Place has crafts from around the world including
here at home!! The proceeds benefit scholarships for our
youth to attend camps and conferences.
continued on page 11
Inside This Issue
13th Annual Atlanta Trees Sale
Dear Susan
Page 5
Page 13
Oakhurst Leaflet
Page 2
www.OakhurstGA.org
Sandy
Holiday Fun!
Burrr…. It’s cold out there Decatur! Keep warm and in shape by supporting
these fun holiday inspired runs throughout the Atlanta area:
Oakhurst Leaflet
The Oakhurst Leaflet is published monthly. Our
mission is to provide an outlet for communication in
Oakhurst. No association or individual is liable for
the content. We provide content contributors e-mail
addresses so readers can communicate directly with
the author. We encourage our Oakhurst residents to
contribute often. The Oakhurst Leaflet staff reserves
the right to modify, edit, or not publish submitted
content. Ads are printed as delivered. The advertiser
is responsible for the ad quality. No additional
modifications will be made to submitted ads.
Oakhurst Leaflet Staff
Daniel Flores
Mark Sanders
contributors
Oakhurst Neighbors
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Ad Deadline: December 15
Content Deadline: December 13
December 2012
The Ugly Sweater Run
Saturday, December 8 11am
Turner Field
755 Hank Aaron Dr. SE
Atlanta, GA 30315
It happens every December. Jingle Bells start taking over your radio, the
weather gets a little cooler and your Uncle Al breaks out his uber dope 1972
holiday sweater that was ugly even then. Well, now you need to borrow that
sweater and come out to the best Ugly Sweater Party on the planet. Join 10,000
of your closest friends for a jog around the city in your burly wool and hang
out at the finish line for free Sam Adams Winter Lager and awesome holiday
music played by your local 80’s band. Check out more info here: http://zvents.
com/e/JWadh/79
2012 Atlanta Beltline Eastside 10k
Saturday December 1, 2012 10am-1pm
Stoveworks – 112 Krog Street Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30307
The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside 10k is a run/walk showcasing the new Eastside
Trail which winds through Inman Park, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Poncey
Highland, and Virginia Highland. Participants will pass by the new Historic
Fourth Ward Park and Skate Park, take in beautiful vistas of downtown and
midtown Atlanta, travel an off-road stretch of the Atlanta BeltLine corridor,
and enjoy a jaunt through Piedmont Park. Check out more here: http://running.beltline.org/races/2012-atlanta-beltline-eastside-10k/
Reindeer Romp
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Chastain Park
West Wieuca Rd. NW
Atlanta, Georgia
Join us for what is sure to become a Holiday Classic: The Inaugural shemoves
Atlanta Reindeer Romp 5K! The race will take place in and around the friendly
confines of lovely Chastain Park. The first 300 participants registered will
receive Long-Sleeve Female Fit Tech Tops. AWARDS: Top 3 Overall and Top
3 within Age Groups, Stroller, and Mom & Pup Categories. Check out more
here: http://shemovesatl.com/events/reindeer-romp-5k/
Continued on page 4
Oakhurst Neighborhood Association
ONA@OakhurstGA.org
www.OakhurstGA.org
The ONA typically meets on
the 2nd Monday of each month
Mike Vajda — President
Linda Lehsten — Vice President
Mark Sanders — Treasurer
Margaret Scullin — Secretary
The Solarium
321 West Hill Street
7 PM
Everyone is welcome to address the community
during the New Business Agenda Item
Page 15
Oakhurst Leaflet
continued from page 1
The Atlanta Falcons and their cheerleaders also got on board.
Each day, multiple times a day, Mike and Lynne were clearing
off their porch and loading the items up in a spare bedroom.
It soon became apparent that they would need a much larger
vehicle to get these donations up to New York.
Fortunately, their son-in-law Doug’s company Thompson
Mechanical contracts with Pratt Industries on Staten Island,
NY. Doug was able to help arrange free transport for the donations through the Conyers-based company. With the help of
fellow Oakhurst and Atlanta neighbors with SUVs, minivans
and trucks, the Curtice’s transported dozens of loads to Pratt’s
headquarters.
After making collection stops in Texas, Oklahoma, Atlanta
and North Carolina, Pratt was able to deliver a semi-truck
73 feet long, packed ten feet high to the ceiling with these
critical items, to Staten Island on November 14th. The items
were sorted in a warehouse and distributed to anyone in need.
Nancy Black of the Long Beach Fire Department took a crew
to pick up items for Long Beach residents, many of whom
have lost their homes in the storm.
“The olive branch extends so far,” she said. “The kindness of
people has been amazing.”
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A Swedish Christmas Market
Sunday,December2nd,2012•11amto4pm
TrolleyBarninhistoricInmanPark•963EdgewoodAvenue,Atlanta30307
The tradition continues...
• Bakesale&Swedishcafé
Swedish Christmas Market
– Sunday, Decem• FamilyChristmasphotos
ber 2nd
• Kids’activities
•
•
•
Moderndesign
Traditional&localhandicrafts
Luciaprocessionat2:00pm
The Swedish Women’s Educational Association of Atlanta
welcomes you to our annual traditional
Swedish Christ
$5foradults•$2foryouth12-18
11&underfree
Freeparking
mas Market, on Sunday, December
2nd, 11am- 4pm, at
the beautiful Trolley Barn in historic Inman Park.
http://swea.org/atlanta
Vendors will be selling traditional and modern Scandinavian handicrafts such as holiday decorations, jewelry,
furniture, wooden toys, clothing, and traditional foods
such as home baked cookies, breads, Swedish chocolate,
and much more. There will also be a Cafe with traditional
food and drink, so come hungry! The Swedish School of
Atlanta is hosting children’s activities and you can even
have your picture taken with St. Lucia, the beautiful
Swedish patron saint of light! At 2:00 p.m., Oakhurst
children who attend the Swedish School of Atlanta,
including Greta and Liza Tell, Smilla and Felix Ekpfadt,
and Erik Hanberg among others will be participating in
the traditional St. Lucia procession and singing of Swedish holiday songs.
SWEA Atlanta is on
Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for ages 12 – 18, and under
11 years old are free. Parking is free. The Trolley Barn is
located at 963 Edgewood Ave, Atlanta, 30307, just one
block from the Inman Park/Reynoldstown MARTA station.
Alla ar valkomna!
Submitted by: Heather Tell, heather@heathertell.com
Page 14
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Oakhurst Leaflet
continued from page 13
Scar tissue is often associated with ongoing pain and stiffness and deep tissue massage can improve these symptoms by
promoting tissue regeneration (which also helps reduce stretch
marks).
This type of massage is often recommended for people who
are recovering from surgery and/or injured muscles because it
can help promote faster healing.
Getting a massage can do a world of good, and getting a massage frequently can do even more. Taking part in a regularly
scheduled massage can play a huge part in creating a healthier,
happier, and youthful you- it is an important investment in
your wellness program.
Deborah McGarry is a Certified Massage Therapist. She has
been practicing Therapeutic Massage since January 2000.
Call now for your appointment. Mention this article and
receive $10 off your first massage!
Her office is located at 321 West Hill Street at the Old Scottish Rite Hospital in the center of Oakhurst. You can contact
her at #404-441-2322 or by email at dmpetersen@comcast.
net.
www.OakhurstGA.org
COMING SOON...TO A MAILBOX NEAR
YOU.
continued from page 9
Business degree from James Madision University in Harrisonburg Virginia. After coming to Atlanta, she working
as a User Liaison in the Accounting department at the
Federal Reserve Bank. Amy worked as an Engineer with Amoco Chemicals after
graduating from Stetson University in Florida where she
received her undergraduate degree in Physics. She later
earned her Masters in Special Education.
They are very excited to be a part of the Decatur Community. You’ll see them at a fun festival, arts event, volunteering along side of you or enjoying a cool drink at your
favorite restaurant or pub.
The premier issue of About Decatur will be available in
early 2013. Watch for it in your mailbox, or pick it up at
a local business or the Decatur visitor packet. Get excited, we’re your best source for local services. December 2012
Page 3
Oakhurst Leaflet
The 28th Annual Inman Park Auction to Be
Held Dec 9
Presented by Thrive Homes and benefitting Inman Park
Cooperative Preschool. An intown Atlanta tradition, the Inman Park Auction is
part party, part fundraiser, part reunion and part shopping experience. The live and silent auction will take place
from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Trolley Barn in Inman Park,
963 Edgewood Avenue. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on amazing items and services, including:
• An in-home dinner for eight prepared by Top Chef winner and local restauranteur, Richard Blais
• Ten days at a vacation home in Provence, France
• An original painting by a Zoo Atlanta elephant
• Hundreds of dollars in gift certificates to local retailers
and restaurants
Admission to the auction is FREE and open to the public.
Auction proceeds support the preschool’s ongoing efforts
to provide a healthy and sustainable learning environment
and to maintain the school’s award-winning outdoor
classroom.
For more details, visit ipcp.org.
The Wylde Center Grows to Four Gardens
We are excited to announce that in 2012, the number of
managed gardens by the Wylde Center has grown from 2
to 4 gardens!
First, let me address the question I answer the most since
we changed our organization name. Is the Wylde Center the new name for the garden located at the corner of
Oakview Road and South McDonough, the one we all
know as the Oakhurst Community Garden Project? No.
As you read below, you will see that the Oakhurst Community Garden is now being called the Oakhurst Garden
and the organization that manages the greenspaces and all
of our other programs is called the Wylde Center.
Next, I would like to share with you a brief snapshot of
our four gardens and hope that you will visit one of them
soon.
Oakhurst Garden, 435 Oakview Road, Decatur
Chickens, bees, butterflies, owls, fish…. vegetables, fruit,
flowers! Celebrating 15 years since its founding in 1997,
the Oakhurst Garden is loved and visited by many (5,000
visitors per year). The Oakhurst Garden sits at the corner
of Oakview Road and South McDonough and consists
of 4 adjacent parcels of land. One is leased from the City
of Decatur and the rest are owned by the Wylde Center
non-profit. Community plots, plant sale, classes, field
trips, workshops, camps and events take place on 1.75
acres. Managed by the Site Coordinator, Daniel Ballard,
the Oakhurst Garden is open every day to the public from
sun up to sun down. Need a place to drop your compost?
Look for the compost trash can. Our community fills the
trashcans twice per week!
Sugar Creek Garden, located behind the Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur
continued on page 5
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Oakhurst Leaflet
Holiday Fun!
continued from page 2
Atlanta Speedo Run
Saturday, December 8 2pm
Midtown Atlanta (West Peachtree & Peachtree)
The Atlanta Speedo Run raises funds for those less
fortunate through the support of local charitable service
organizations while providing a fun, non-competitive
athletic event that brings people together to celebrate their
community. Check out more here: http://atlantasantaspeedorun.org/
Jingle Jog
Friday, December 7 7am
Perimeter Mall, 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30346
Tie on your jingle bells and join in on the fun in the 25th
Jingle Jog! It’s more than just a race, it’s a holiday phenomenon. Enjoy free food, holiday music, and visit with
Santa for some great photo ops. Check out more here:
http://www.jinglejog.com/
Strollers in the Front 5k
Saturday, December 8 8:30 am
Piedmont Park Atlanta
You bought that jogging stroller for a reason, right? If
you’ve ever run a race with your kids before, you’ve heard
it before: “strollers in the back!” Well, no more – come
join us for more than a family-friendly 5K where strollers
will lead the race! One hundred percent of your fundraising efforts will benefit the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. Check out more here: http://
www.stroller5k.com/atlanta/index.html
Atlanta Christmas 5k run/walk (formally the Virginia
Highlands 5K)
December 22 8:30am
Fire Station #19 located at 1063
N. Highland Ave NE, Atl, 30306
Don’t miss this Atlanta Christmas tradition running
through the Virginia Highland and Morningside neighborhoods. This is a family friendly event: walkers, strollers and dogs on leashes welcome.
Portion of proceeds to benefit Atlanta Fire Foundation,
Fire Station 19, and other charitable causes in the neighborhood. Long sleeved t-shirts, Santa Hats to all participants, Santa returns to start the race and give out goodies, hundreds of dollars in drawings from local merchants!
www.OakhurstGA.org
December 2012
Because I Said So!
BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY
Dear Susan,
Having a massage feels fantastic-but more importantly; working with a properly trained Massage Therapist, you can receive
some great health benefits.
Experts estimate that upwards of ninety (90%) percent of
diseases are stress related. Consequently, the medical community is actively embracing massage and bodywork therapy as a
means to improve one’s health.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in Los Angeles, researchers
found that a single massage session can cause positive biological changes in the body. One of these beneficial massage styles
is called a Swedish massage. It involves soft, long, kneading
strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on the
top layers of muscles and is combined with movement of the
joints. A Swedish massage was proven to significantly decrease
levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can benefit blood
pressure. It also proved to strengthen your immune system
and increased hormones associated with contentment. Along
with the biological changes observed in the body, a Swedish massage has numerous other benefits, such as helping
with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shortens
maternity hospital stays. Arthritis sufferers notice fewer aches
and less stiffness and pain. Premenstrual syndrome sufferers
I have waited until my 22 month old shows signs that he
is ready to be potty trained but I still don’t see them. I
have heard that boys take longer to train than girls
but I’m tired of waiting. My mother-in-law says that I
shouldn’t wait for the child to be ready but I don’t want
to cause bathroom problems for my son by forcing him to
do something he isn’t ready for. Who’s right?
Waiting in Decatur.
Dear Waiting:
Everyone’s right. Sort of. You mother-in-law is right that you should not wait. You
are right to want the best for your son. Unfortunately,
you’re also misinformed. I know parents who have
struggled with the potty issue and it seems to me that it
has been largely a power struggle. To avoid that, follow
my much abbreviated advice which I modified from John
Rosemond’s book Toilet Training without Tantrums.
Page 13
Oakhurst Leaflet
have decreased water retention and cramping. And migraine
sufferers get significant pain relief.
Many doctors also recommend deep-tissue massages as a
treatment option for their patients because of its benefits. In
this type of massage, the Massage Therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or
other tissues deep under your skin.
By using deep pressure and slow, firm strokes, deep tissue
massages can treat a variety of physical ailments. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that deep-tissue massages are more effective and affordable for relieving chronic
pain than conventional medical remedies. Because deep-tissue
massages increase the flow of blood through the body, it helps
reduce the inflammation that causes pain.
It can also help alleviate muscle tension that is often a side effect of chronic pain by loosening the tight tissue clusters.
Over time, deep tissue massage therapy can help break up and
eventually erase scar tissue in the body. It does this by improving lymphatic circulation and drainage to improve flexibility
and range of motion in the affected area.
continued on page 14
Start the process on a weekend, a long weekend if possible. You will need a potty bell (kitchen timer), a potty
(or two), and a few books and simple toys. You will also
continued on page 12
To see more options around the entire state of GA check
out this site: http://www.runningintheusa.com
How to GIVE BACK during the Holidays
The holidays are a time for love and togetherness, it’s a
time for giving and sharing, and it’s a time to be thankful
for what you have. The holidays are also a time to think
about those less fortunate than you. There are plenty of
ways to help children, the homeless, animals, our community and environment, etc during this holiday season.
Any easy way to see what’s out there is by checking out
Hands On Atlanta’s (http://www.handsonatlanta.org) volunteer opportunity calendar: http://www.handsonatlanta.
org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Calendar_Page.
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Page 12
Because I Said So
Oakhurst Leaflet
www.OakhurstGA.org
Put the potties in plain view. If your son spends most of
his time in the living room, then put one in there. You
can put the other one on a different floor of the house or
in a room your son spends time in. The day before you
begin, show your son how you go to the potty.
When you wake your son up, remove his diaper, put on a
thin (must be thin) pair of underpants and tell him that
he is no longer going to wear diapers and that you are
teaching him how to use the potty today. *Do not put
pants on him and allow him to just wear a t-shirt (long
sleeved is ok). Take him to the potty first thing and you’re
on your way! During this process you are to give your
son mostly water to drink (out of a regular cup, no sippy
cups needed for a boy his age) and a high-fiber breakfast. I’ll throw in a PSA for healthy food throughout the
day as well. If you feel you may micromanage the process, read on...
Show him the Potty Bell. Put it in the room he’s most
likely to be in (like the living room). Tell him that when
he hears the bell (make the noise) that it is time to stop
what he is doing and try to go potty. Go through the
process of bell ringing, showing him how to potty, how
to dispose of the output, and how to wash hands. You
may want to practice a few times. Set the potty bell for 60-90 minutes. You may need
to adjust this as the day requires (for example, set it for
20 minutes after lunch) or as your son’s schedule requires. When the bell goes off, wait to see if your son sits
on the potty. If he does not, you are to go to him and say
“The potty bell went off and that means it’s time for you
to go to the bathroom until you potty.” This is said in a
very matter-of-fact tone. Tell him to let you know when
he’s produced something in the potty. Do not hover.
Continue this process for the next 2-6 weeks. Accidents
are bound to happen. When they do, show your son
how to clean it up and cheerfully help him get the job
done. No big deal. When he produces, do NOT praise
him, give candy, etc. Again, no big deal. Why? Because
Oakhurst Leaflet
The Wylde Center Grows to Four Gardens
continued from page 3
continued from page 4
need support from family and caretakers as well as commitment to stay the course!
December 2012
studies show that praise in this manner does not work in
the long run. Children reach a saturation point and it is
no longer effective to produce a result. Better not to get
into the game of giving jelly beans for going potty!
Once your son is day trained (about 6 weeks or less from
the start of this process), begin the process of night training but never, never, never use the transitional diapers
called Pull-Ups! They are bound to derail your efforts!
Good luck and please let me know how it goes!
Susan
Susan Eppley,
Leadership Parenting Coach
www.ParentCoachAtlanta.com
If you have a question for Susan, send an e-mail to Susan@ParentCoachAtlanta.com
Envisioned and managed by Lindsey Mann and Dara
Suchke, the Site Coordinator, Sugar Creek is a one acre
garden leased to the Wylde Center by the City of Decatur. Since April of 2010, the garden focuses on access to
fresh, healthy food to all residents of Decatur. The garden
hosts “farm-like” rows for growing annual vegetables,
tended by the community and aimed at production.
The site hosts fruit trees, shrubs and brambles, perennial
vegetables and a medicinal herb meadow. Part of the
project is to pilot perennial vegetables and medicinal herb
species, especially native to our Piedmont region yet not
widely propagated locally. Volunteers maintain the site
alongside Lindsey taking home produce as their thank
you. Perhaps you’ve eaten some of their lettuce at a local
restaurant…
1st Avenue Garden, 2504 1st Avenue, Atlanta
We are very excited about our first garden located in
Atlanta just outside the Decatur city limits. Donated by a
builder to the Wylde Center in May 2012, we are adding
.62 acres to our managed greenspaces. Though it looks a
little wild right now, we are looking forward to creating a
Page 5
space that can be used for education and recreation.
A lovely stream runs through the mixed sun and shade
forest. Community plots are part of the plan as well
removal of invasive plants and the planting of beautiful
gardens. Community meetings to gather a wish list of
what folks would like to see in the space will take place
this fall. The space will also be used to host a number of
the Wylde Center’s activities: field trips, events, classes,
and volunteer workdays.
Edgewood Community Learning Garden, 1503 Hardee
Street, Atlanta
Our latest garden as of August 2012, the Edgewood
Community Learning Garden will be enjoyed both by the
community and the local schools. Whitefoord Elementary and Coan Middle School students will garden, eat
what they grow and learn about environmental stewardship at the at the ECLG. Our Environmental Educator,
Cassandra Loftlin will work with the students both at the
ECLG and at their schools. The garden will be maintained by Monica Ponce, the ECLG Site Coordinator.
For more information about volunteering at one of our
greenspaces, please visit wyldecenter.org.
Page 6
Oakhurst Leaflet
Love. Drool. Foster.
by emily weil
The journey to loving a bulldog starts with its face. Some
say it’s a face only a mother could love; others say a bulldog’s face is so ugly it’s cute. Whatever the case may be,
it’s hard to deny that bulldogs have a special way to melt
your heart.
Bulldogs don’t have much of a poker face either; you
know right away when they are happy or when they are
sad, when they are excited to see you, or when they really,
really, really don’t want to go to bed in that crate.
I can also tell you from experience that they are an extremely smart breed with a long, yet forgiving memory.
The bulldog by nature wants to love you. They want to
sit on you, lick you, protect you, watch over you, and eat
everything you are eating.
Did you know that bulldogs are one of the most sought
after breeds? People pay high dollar for a purebred
bully. It’s because of a lot of the things mentioned above.
However, did you know that they are often thrown in
dumpsters, left on doorsteps, dropped off at shelters, and
sometimes even discarded on the side of the road and left
for dead? Many times owners surrender bulldogs because
they become a burden to take care of. This is how we got
www.OakhurstGA.org
our bulldog, Maggie Mae. She was left in a dumpster and
a good samaritan found her and brought her to a rescue
facility. We are proud to say we adopted our bulldog.
There are plenty of animal rescues out there, and many
of them are not “kennel” operated. This just means that
when a dog is rescued, it has to be placed in a home because there is no kennel for the dog to go and wait for its
forever home. Have you ever wanted to help an animal in
need but didn’t know where to start? How about fostering!?!
Many rescues need loving foster homes, especially during the holiday season. Want to experience the ultimate
bulldog kiss or be loved and snuggled more than you can
even imagine? Consider contacting The Georgia English
Bulldog Rescue http://georgiaenglishbulldogrescue.org/.
Stephanie Gastinger, Director of Foster Care, had this to
say about why the rescue is so successful:
“I think GEBR is successful because we put the dogs first.
Their wellbeing is far more important to us than anything
else and we will do whatever it takes to heal a dog; regardless of the cost or amount of time invested in them. Some
dogs need medical help while others need emotional help
and some need both. We have spent the last few years
making great friends in the community that all share our
continued on page 11
Visit our Web site at
www.nealandwright.com
* Adoption
* Commercial
Real Estate
* Wills & Estate
Planning
Neal & Wright LLC
Your Family... Your Business...
Your Firm!
* Trademarks
* Corporate &
LLC Formation
* Other
Business Legal
Services
Sherry V. Neal, J.D.
(678) 596-3207
Sherry@nealandwright.com
Daniel S. Wright, J.D.
(678) 613-7850
Dan@nealandwright.com
P.O. Box 5207
Atlanta, GA 31107
December 2012
Oakhurst Presbytarian Holidays
Page 11
Oakhurst Leaflet
continued from page 1
Sunday, December 16 will be our annual Dinner starting at 5:30 pm and the Christmas Pageant at 7:00 pm
presented by our children and youth. Our Christmas Eve
Candle Light service begins on December 24 at 5:00 pm.
Sorting through your clothes? Remember our clothes
closet and bring in your warm clothes and coats for all
ages. We also need ‘job interviewing’ clothes especially
dress shirts and pants for men. Our clothes closet serves
over 900 families in our community and the metro area
each year. The Church can also give you a tax donation
letter for your clothing donations.
For information please refer to our WEB site at
oakhurstpresbyterian.org. or call the church at 404-3786284.
Oakhurst Baptist Church Celebrates
Oakhurst Baptist Church begins its annual Advent celebration on Saturday, December 1. Each Sunday service
through January 6 will begin at 10:50 with 10 minutes
of morning music, featuring talented musicians from the
congregation. Visitors are welcome; child care is provided.
The church is located at 222 East Lake Drive in Decatur.
Highlights of the season include the following special
observances:
December 1, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Children’s Advent
Festival: Crafts and gift-making, stories and songs for
children age 3 - grade 5. Suggested donation is $5/family.
(3 and 4-year olds are welcome but must be accompanied
by an adult.)
December 9, 6:00 p.m. Moravian Love Feast. An
Oakhurst tradition since 1979, a simple service of carols,
shared coffee and buns, and candle lighting. Designed to
include children. Childcare will be provided for infants
and toddlers. Sanctuary Choir will sing. Reception with
Friendship Baptist Church to follow in Fellowship Hall.
December 16, 10:50 a.m. A Musical Service of Anthems,
Hymns, and Carols
December 21, 5:00 p.m. Christmas caroling in the
Oakhurst neighborhood. (Meet at the church.)
December 24, 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Vespers: A quiet
service of scripture, carols, and communion, concluding
with a circle of candlelight. Designed to include children.
Child Care will be provided for infants and toddlers.
Oakhurst Baptist Church is a welcomes and honors all
people, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or
transgenered. The church will celebrate its 100th birthday
in 2013.
Love. Drool. Foster.
continued from page 6
love for the breed and are willing to do whatever it takes
to keep the bullies happy and safe.” You can contact
Stephanie at stephanie@georgiaenglishbulldogresue.org if
you are interested in fostering.
Bulldogs are special to my heart, but there are limitless
ways to help and many breeds that need your love. Think
about fostering or adopting this holiday season. Maggie
Mae thanks you.
Oakhurst Leaflet
Page 10
Public School Disciplinary Hearings – How to
continued from page 7
Prepare For One
(a) Determine whether to have your child speak at the
hearing or “plead the 5th” if her alleged misconduct could
lead to juvenile delinquency charges (her silence can be
held against her at the school hearing); and
(b) Identify and speak with any students, teachers or family friends who might make good fact or character witnesses for your child at the hearing;
(4) Get copies of documents your child’s school will use
at the hearing – as well as any other statements that were
gathered but may not be used - well before the hearing;
(5) Get a copy of your child’s school discipline record for
as many years back as you can, and discuss each incident
with your child so you can try to put a positive spin on
each at the second phase of the hearing;
(6) Research any alternative schools that your child’s
school may be offering in the event a rule violation is
found;
(7) Research how home-schooling works and determine
whether it is an option for your family;
(8) Find out if any local private schools would honor a
long-term suspension or expulsion order from your home
school to prohibit your child from enrolling;
(9) Understand thoroughly the rights you and your child
may have under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act;
(10) Call your county’s juvenile court intake division and
ask if there are any proceedings against your child;
(11) Consult an attorney familiar with school law, juvenile
law, and, depending on the nature of the alleged offense
and/or your child’s age, criminal law, if your child is alleged to have violated a school rule that is also a criminal
offense so that additional evidence is not created at the
school hearing that could be used against your child in
a juvenile delinquency/criminal proceeding. Remember
that in Georgia, 17 year olds are adults for purposes of
criminal prosecution; and
(12) Research possible collateral consequences, including
mandatory juvenile delinquency referral by the school,
loss of or delay in obtaining driving privileges, expulsion or suspension for felony conviction, and sex offender
registration .
Thank you for reading this article. This article is meant
to provide general information and should not be relied
upon for a specific legal problem. If you need assistance
with a specific legal problem, you are encouraged to consult with a competent attorney familiar with the facts and
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December 2012
Page 7
Oakhurst Leaflet
Oakhurst Book Club
Does it seem like you’re reading the same rite-of-passageagainst-all-odds story over and over again, and only the
names are different? Joseph Campbell can tell you why.
Oakhurst Book Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday,
January 31st to discuss The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
Join us at Palate/McGowan’s for discussion and debate.
RSVP to attend or join our mailing list: oakhurstbookclub@gmail.com And after that challenging read, February’s selection will be lighter: The Code of the Woosters,
by P.G. Wodehouse.
Happy reading. Dali Cintra Bartharès
Oakhurst Elementary to Add Four Classrooms
The number of children who are slated to attend
Oakhurst Elementary school has grown beyond capacity
of the current building. Already, all four 3rd grade classes
have their classrooms in the learning cottages outside
of the brick and mortar walls of the school. In order to
bring those students back into the building as well as the
anticipated number of children that will enroll this next
school year, Oakhurst Elementary will add an additional
4 classrooms during the spring 2013 semester.
In December, the renovation process of the kindergarten
wing will begin. The current kindergarten wing will
be demolished and replaced by a new two story, 8 classroom wing connected to the main building. The current
kindergarten classrooms will move out to their own set
of learning cottages set up on the playing field during the
construction process.
The CSD School Board approved the building contract
at their November 13 school board meeting. With the
approval in hand, everything is now ready to start the
demolition of the building over the holiday break. Safety
and being a good construction neighbor is a priority
for the renovation team. Oakhurst Elementary and the
greater community will receive periodic updates on the
progress of the project.
If you are interested in viewing an image of the new wing,
be sure to check out the plans on the Oakhurst Elementary website: http://oakhurst.csdecatur.net/ On the left
hand side of the page in the blue column under About
Oakhurst, click on construction. There you will see examples of what the new renovation will look like. Parents
of current Oakhurst Elementary students will receive a
packet before the winter break about new pick up procedures and so forth.
Public School Disciplinary Hearings – How to
Prepare For One
© 2012 Michelle LeGault michelle@legault-legal.com
Imagine: your 14-year old daughter was caught having her friend’s prescription medication on her at school
or your 17-year old son was caught fighting (or fighting
back). Your child is likely facing possible long-term suspension or expulsion and a possible juvenile delinquency
charge. Public schools can informally impose minor levels
of discipline on students such as a few days of In-School
Suspension (“ISS”) or Out-of-School Suspension (“OSS”).
However, they must provide due process if they want to
suspend your child for 11 or more days, expel her for a
limited period of time, or expel her permanently. Planning and preparing for a hearing is critical as you cannot
put in any new evidence after the hearing is done and
most appeals to the local and state boards are unsuccessful.
Once the school decides to seek long-term suspension or
expulsion, your child will typically be put on OSS and a
hearing will be scheduled. By law, the hearing must take
place within 10 days of the start of your child’s OSS, unless you and the school agree to an extension. The school
will send you a notice letter which will identify the rule
that your child has allegedly violated, the level of punishment the school is seeking, the witnesses the school
intends to have at the hearing, and any deadline by which
you must notify the school board that you intend to bring
an attorney to the hearing. It will also provide information on how to obtain subpoenas for witnesses. If you’ve
been verbally told by your child’s school that it is going to
schedule a hearing (or “panel” as it is often called), don’t
wait until you receive the letter – go to the school that day
and get the letter so you have adequate time to investigate
and prepare.
Once you receive the hearing notice, at a minimum, you
should:
(1) Review your child’s school’s “student code of conduct”
for the rule your child allegedly violated and whether the
school district follows a progressive discipline system and/
or offers any lesser punishments in exchange for waiving the hearing (CSD offers to limit the punishment for
certain first-time alcohol and drug violations);
(2) Locate and review the school district’s internal policies
and procedures for disciplinary hearings (CSD’s is on its
website) ;
(3) Thoroughly discuss with your child the incident that
resulted in the alleged rule violation to:
continued on page 10
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Oakhurst Leaflet
11th Annual Decatur MLK Service Project
Set for Jan. 19-21
The 11th Annual Decatur Martin Luther King Jr. Service
Project will be held January 19 through 21, 2013. The
Project is a large scale volunteer initiative to help lowerincome Decatur senior homeowners to remain in their
homes safely, comfortably and affordably by:
•
Completing needed repairs
•
Weatherizing homes
•
Adding handicap accessible features
•
Yard Work
The senior citizens’ homes are predominately in the
Oakhurst neighborhood. We invite Oakhurst residents
to join us in helping your neighbors. In 2012, over 1,300
volunteers donated over 7,700 hours of their time to the
project. While skills are not necessary, we would love to
hear if you have any experience with carpentry, framing,
installing wheelchair ramps, concrete work, painting,
structural repairs, weatherizing, or gardening. There are
also jobs for skilled professionals. Electricians, plumbers,
HVAC and other skilled trades are always in demand
with this project.
www.OakhurstGA.org
December 2012
cians, boutiques, spas, corner markets, hair salons and
everything else in between.
There are opportunities for unskilled volunteers to do
yard work, such as raking, removing invasive plants, and
trimming plants and bushes. You can also join our gutter
cleaning or materials team.
To sign up to volunteer, please contact Lee Ann Harvey,
678-553-6548 or leeann.harvey@decaturga.com. You are
invited to volunteer as an individual or as a group. Please
note that volunteers must be a minimum of 12-years-old.
The age requirement can be waived with pre-approval Girl
Scout or Boy Scout troops.
Sponsored by the Decatur Preservation Alliance (DPA) in
partnership with the City of Decatur, the MLK Service
Project is supported through grants and private donations,
both financial and in kind. Your gift is tax deductible. To
make a donation, visit the DPA website (www.decaturpreservationalliance.org) and click on “Join or Donate” or
mail your check payable to DPA (designate MLK Project)
to Decatur Preservation Alliance, PO Box 1764, Decatur,
GA 30031.
Page 9
Oakhurst Leaflet
COMING SOON...TO A MAILBOX NEAR
YOU.
About Decatur Magazine is who we are...a digest sized,
full color, high gloss community advertiser. Your business may have a social media presence, a website,
a great drive-by sign or cool customers that talk about
you. It’s most advantageous to have multiple avenues
to communicate your message to your customers. The
About Decatur Magazine will be a great addition to your
current marketing plan.
For the consumer, the magazine is a trusted source of local services. Services may range from doctors and lawyers
to restaurants, fitness facilities to plumbers and electri-
Support the Wylde Center
Did you know that the Wylde Center has an operating
budget of $277,000 and that 25% is raised through contributions?– it’s true! We raise these funds every year in a
variety of ways, but most significantly through community support. During the last three months of the year,
we raise $30,000 alone through contributions from our
community – You. You may ask, what does my contribution/membership support?
You are supporting access to our four gardens -the original Oakhurst Garden, Sugar Creek Garden, 1st Avenue
Garden, and the Edgewood Community Learning Garden - two in Decatur and two in Atlanta. How lucky we
are to have 4 great spaces to gather, garden, educate, and
experience life in a natural setting.
You are supporting our education programs which have
grown by leaps and bounds. Farm to School, a program
that works in the classroom, school garden, and cafeteria now impacts 5,000 students in Decatur and Atlanta.
Through system wide taste tests, teacher workshop
trainings, and symposiums, more students, teachers, and
parents become interested in Farm to School on a daily
basis. This year we expanded our offerings through their
Garden to Classroom model.
For the advertisers, it provides a cost effective way to get
your message to consumers within 3-5 miles of your business. Because it is published monthly, it keeps your business and services in front of the consumers you want to
attract. About Magazines has been a proven tool to drive
potential customers to your website, to pick up the phone
to call you or to walk into your business.
In addition to supporting local businesses, About Decatur will be an advocate for local non profit organizations. Each month the magazine will showcase a different
non profit organization. Who puts this magazine together? Rose Manning and
Amy Belanger.
Rose worked for Best Products after graduating with a
continued on page 14
With funding from donors and the school PTAs, our
education staff are able to spend significant more time
working on site at the schools. The children are planting, tending what they plant, harvesting, and eating
fresh what they have grown. The program receives great
reviews from the teachers and students.
You are supporting our Community Outreach Education
programs. In the last year, the number of students participating in our garden program at the Decatur Housing
Authority grew from 15 to 100 students. The participants
at the United Methodist Children’s Home are asking us
to continue their programs into the new year. And this
year, we expanded our nature based programs to Coan
Middle School and Whitefoord Elementary.
Remember, the Wylde Center started here in Oakhurst as
the Oakhurst Community Garden Project. Though the
organization name has changed, the garden remains the
Oakhurst Garden where it all started. Be the reason we
continue to offer access to the beautiful Oakhurst Garden
for FREE every day as well as educate youth on a daily
basis. Now is the time to give.
Joining is easy. Online at our website: wyldecenter.org and
click on Join Us. Or mail a check to Wylde Center, 435
Oakview Road, Decatur, GA 30030. All levels and their
benefits are listed on our website. Basic family membership is $50 and is tax-deductible.