Welcome to the Fiberhood

Focus
City of Decatur
100
Camps
This summer
more
than
PLAYBOOK
Inside
Clear zone
March 2015
Volume 25 • Number 7
Official Publication of The City of Decatur, Georgia
Welcome to
the Fiberhood
It’s Official: Google Fiber Is
Coming to Decatur
D
ecatur is one of the metro Atlanta cities selected
to receive Google Fiber, an Internet and TV
service that provides Internet speeds up to one
gigabit per second,
along with hundreds of HD TV
channels. Google will work
closely with Decatur and other
local cities in designing and
constructing the fiber-optic
network. After a planning
and design stage that may take
several months, construction
will begin. What does designing the
network entail?
Google Fiber must build thousands of miles of fiber
throughout the city – but they can’t just put it wherever they want.
When the comprehensive plan is completed, Google Fiber will:
see Fiber, page 8
News
3City
BUsiness
DBA
12
NEWs
16NEWs
17
Decatur
events
20
School
news
23
Around
Town
Focus
City of Decatur
On the Horizon
S
everal new businesses are slated to open in Decatur this
spring and summer. They promise to add unique and exciting
dining choices and workout options to our vibrant retail and
restaurant scene.
Big Boss Chinese (BBC) is the most recent concept from Atlanta chef Guy Wong.
Construction will soon begin on the new restaurant, which will be located in the old
book-bindery building at 312 Church St. The restaurant will be designed by Smith
Hanes Studio, which also designed No. 246 at 129
E. Ponce de Leon Ave. BBC will serve authentic
Cantonese, family-style dishes. Rumor has it there
will be a karaoke room.
Focus on
Downtown
Development
Revival, Kevin Gillespie’s family-style “meat-andthree” restaurant, will open in the former Harbour
House Pub space at 129 Church St. Kevin is eager to take advantage of the large yard
and the patio space at that location.
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: casie.
yoder@decaturga.com.
Clear zone
DECATUR CITY COMMISSION
Jim Baskett....................................................Mayor
Kecia Cunningham................Mayor Pro Tem
Fred Boykin.................................Commissioner
Scott Drake..................................Commissioner
Patti Garrett.................................Commissioner
Pure Barre is opening in the former Seen Gallery space on Church Street next to the
Yogurt Tap. For those unfamiliar with the franchise, it specializes in workouts using a
ballet barre to sculpt muscles.
Solstice, a yoga and pilates studio, will open this spring at 302 E. Howard Ave. The
studio will offer yoga, pilates, barre, kids’ classes, on-site childcare, parenting resources, workshops, and support groups.
Kale Me Crazy, an Inman Park favorite, will open its second location at 358 W.
Ponce de Leon Ave. next to Decatur CD. Their menu includes cold-pressed juices,
smoothies, salads, and coffee.
If you like peanut butter in your smoothies, then you’re in luck too. Smoothie King
is opening a location at The Artisan in the former Chocolate Bar space.
What’s Your Business Plan?
Decatur, with its vibrant restaurant scene, is primed to have an equally vibrant retail
environment. If you are thinking about starting a business, growing an existing one,
or know of anyone interested in opening up a retail concept, call the Decatur Community and Economic Development Department, 404-371-8386. We can talk with you
about developing a business plan, put you in touch with local lenders, and find the
perfect storefront location for your business.
Information for the FOCUS should be submitted by mail to Editor, Decatur Focus, P.O. Box 220,
Decatur, GA 30031, by fax to 404-371-1593, or by email to casie.yoder@decaturga.com.
2 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
DECATUR DOWNTOWN
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Board
Chris Sciarrone, Chair
Linda Curry
John Drake
Bill Floyd
Scott Kentner
Tony Leung
Fisher Paty
DECATUR BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION
Tim Martin.............................................. President
Kyle Williams......................................... Treasurer
Floyd Smith............................................ Secretary
Marc Brennan............................. Past President
Design and layout: Lampe-Farley.com
City News
Decatur Holds Annual
Touch-a-Truck March 7
Touch-aBudget Event
Tuesday, March 31 • 5-7 p.m.
Decatur Recreation Center
231 Sycamore St.
G
et an up-close and personal look
at the city’s budgeting process at
the free Touch-a-Budget event.
See what “pending spending” is
planned for the 2016 city budget and how
it supports the 2010
Strategic Plan
principles
developed by
Decatur residents. Talk to
representatives
from all
city departments and play Budget Bingo for fun prizes.
For more information, check decaturga.com/
budget.
Ride Your Bike to the Event and Have It Registered.
Bring a Canned Good to Feed the Hungry.
Saturday, March 7 • 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
T
his popular community event gives children of all ages an opportunity to touch,
explore, and see their favorite trucks or equipment on wheels. The City of
Decatur and DeKalb County dump trucks, fire trucks, tractors, police cars, and
motorcycles and many other types of vehicles will be on display.
Ride Your Bike
We encourage folks to ride their bikes to the event to have it registered by the Decatur Police Department. All those who do will also receive a special bike pin.
Bring a Can or Two
Decatur Active Living is celebrating National Nutrition Month at this annual event. The
National Nutrition campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed
food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. When you come to
Touch-A-Truck, join in the effort by bringing a canned or non-perishable food item. All
items will be delivered to DEAM, Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry.
Touch-a-Truck, sponsored by Decatur Active Living, takes place in the Callaway Building parking lot, 120 W. Trinity Pl. In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for Saturday, April 25. For more information, contact Cheryl Burnette, 678-553-6541,
or cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com.
Save Your Decatur
Cemetery Photos
Photo Contest Postponed
T
he Friends of Decatur Cemetery
has announced the postponement
of the Fall/Winter Photography
contest. Nancie Sill, former chair
of FODC and the driving force behind the
contest since 2010, passed away in November
2014.
A new contest named in her memory will
be announced later this spring and will be
open as an all-season competition showcasing Decatur’s largest green space. Photographers need not be a Decatur resident to
enter, but all photos should be identifiable as
Decatur Cemetery. Every day, many people
from Decatur and the surrounding areas visit
the cemetery to walk, jog, or just enjoy its
peace and beauty.
Entries sent to FODC for Fall/Winter
2014-2015 will be retained for the contest
opening Spring 2015. For more information
email friendsofdecaturcemetery@gmail.com.
MARCH 2015 • Decatur Focus | 3
City News
Decatur Leads the
Way in Sustainability
T
he City of Decatur became the first local government in the 10-county metro Atlanta
region to reach Platinum certification by the Green Communities Program of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). This is the highest level of certification possible.
ARC developed the Green Communities Program in 2009 to recognize local governments that invest in programs and policies that lead to a more sustainable region. The nationally
recognized program showcases the ways in which local governments are helping to transform the
region by reducing their environmental footprint.
Decatur first achieved Green Communities certification at
the Bronze level in 2009 and upgraded to the Gold level in
2010. Some of the actions Decatur took to become Platinum
certified include:
• Developing an Environmental Sustainability Plan in direct
response to a charge from the people of the city seeking to become even more environmentally
responsible. The plan outlines goals and strategies that the city and community should take to
deepen their commitment to serving as good stewards of the environment and resources.
• Expanding the Safe Routes to School program to include all eligible elementary and middle
schools in the City Schools of Decatur (CSD) system along with College Heights Preschool and
two private schools. An average of 55 percent of students participate in International Walk and
Roll to School Day each year.
• Committing to building LEED-certified facilities, the latest of which, Fire Station No. 1, is on
course to obtain LEED Platinum. Sustainable technologies at the station include high efficiency
equipment and lighting, a green roof garden, a geothermal vertical-closed loop heat pump
system, solar water heating, rainwater harvesting, and gray-water reclamation. The building is
designed to achieve a 33 percent reduction in energy consumption and in water usage.
• Supporting several community gardens with financial and in-kind support. At Decatur’s
Kitchen Garden, more than 30 refugee families grow hundreds of pounds of fresh food each
season, combating hunger that their families and neighbors face. The produce is also sold at
the Decatur Farmers Market and used by a number of Decatur restaurants.
Complete information about ARC’s Green Communities Certification Program is available at
atlantaregional.com/greencommunities.
4 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
Publix Georgia
Marathon
T
he Publix Georgia Marathon
is coming through Decatur on
Sunday morning, March 22,
and we would love to have you
participate! As the marathon organizers
say, “Volunteers are the heart and SOLE
of the marathon.”
Volunteers are needed to staff one of
two hydration stations, one at the East
Lake MARTA Station and one in downtown Decatur. Volunteers will hand out
water to the runners and cheer them on.
Check out georgiamarathon.com to sign
up as a volunteer.
Decaturites are also needed at the official cheering station on Ponce de Leon
adjacent to the Old Courthouse on Sunday morning, 7:30 a.m. We need signs,
noisemakers, and tons of people cheering
to help remind the runners that Decatur
is the best city around.
Runners will vote for their favorite hydration station and their favorite cheering
section so we want them to remember
us! Prize money will go toward Team
Decatur, the official group of Decatur
residents, employees, and friends who
participate in the annual Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk 5k and Fitness
Program.
For more information on the marathon, contact Katie Abel, 678-553-6573,
or katie.abel@decaturga.com.
MLK Service Project
City News
Another Great Year!
T
vey@decaturga.com or 678-553-6548.
he 2015 Decatur Martin LuSeniors must be at least 62 years old,
ther King Jr. Service Project
own and live in their home in Decatur,
benefited from beautiful
and meet financial guidelines.
weather and more than 1,270
enthusiastic volunteers who donated
MLK MVP Award
approximately 10,160 hours of their
The second annual Decatur Martin
time to the projects. The estimated valLuther King Jr. Service Project MVP
ue of the volunteer hours was $226,000
(Most Valuable Participant) award
(based on Independent Sector’s value
was presented to Mitch Sosebee of
of a volunteer hour). A total of 30
Sosebee Services – a heating and air
homes were repaired. Most of those
Mitch Sosebee
Louis Rice
conditioning company. Mitch has
yards and an additional 15 were “rehelped the MLK project for three
paired” thanks to volunteers supervised
years, assisting homeowners with
by the landscaping committee.
heating issues and providing soluAmong the work completed:
tions. For example, he added an entire
• Installed two handicap ramps and
heating system and ductwork for one
made modifications on a third.
homeowner. Another homeowner’s
• Replaced two water heaters.
furnace had failed on the coldest day
• Alleviated structural issues, such as
of the year and he replaced it. Mitch
repairs to stairs to make them safer
rerouted a furnace exhaust flue to fix
and code compliant and the addition
an issue that caused a homeowner to
of support beams under homes.
temporarily move out of her home.
• Made two bathrooms handicap acAll this was done with a cheerful discessible, including replacing tubs.
position and a strong dedication to
One senior in a wheelchair can now
Volunteers from Decatur Public Works replace a driveway.
the seniors. Mitch does whatever it
be rolled into the shower by her
takes to get the job done to help the
daughter.
senior homeowners.
• Repaired roof leaks.
Roof repairs in Oakhurst
• Secured doors and replaced windows.
MLK Golden Rake Award
• Laid floor tile and linoleum.
Louis Rice has been an integral part of the
• Repaired a driveway and rotted stairs at
MLK Project since it began in 2003. He is
one home where the owner was notified
moving out of town with his wife Sandy,
that she would lose her homeowners insurMLK Food Committee co-chair, so this was
ance if those issues were not addressed.
his last year on the project. He has served
• Removed a chimney that was left behind
as a member of the nonprofit board, house
when the fireplace below was removed. The
captain, tool “czar’” (coordinator) and coorweight of the unsupported chimney was
dinator of yard repair work (his most recent
causing the ceiling to buckle.
effort)—all major roles for the MLK Project.
• Completely weatherized two homes, inrented from the nonprofit Atlanta CommuLouis got to know, and is remembered well
cluding sealing ductwork and cleaning
nity Tool Bank to do a wide range of repair
by, all of the homeowners. He met with them,
vents in preparation for insulation.
projects. This work makes a positive impact
walked their yards, prepared work plans, and
on health, safety, affordability, and quality of
directed the yard volunteers. He is fondly
Yard repair crews filled 2,470 yard-waste
life for these senior citizens. The recurring
called the Yard General. Caring about the
bags, including 500 that were used in the
comment heard from the 45 very appreciative
people and helping the seniors is the essence
Oakhurst Dog Park to control erosion. The
homeowners was how happy all of the volunof Louis. His 13 years of service are greatly
Decatur Fire Department installed smoke
teers were, no matter what they were doing.
appreciated.
and carbon monoxide detectors in the
If you or someone you know needs assishomes. Volunteers used nearly 1,400 tools
tance with home repairs, contact leeann.harMARCH 2015 • Decatur Focus | 5
City News
The Facts on
Flooding
in Decatur
A
lthough the city is located at the top of the watershed, Decatur
periodically experiences minor to moderate localized flooding.
These conditions are a symptom of the fully developed nature of
the city. Several flood problems were documented in a January
1988 report prepared by the City Manager’s Office. Flooding problems have
occurred along Peavine Creek at a condominium complex near Coventry
Road. Along Peavine Creek Tributary, five houses at the end of Westchester
Drive, two houses on the south side of Garden Lane, and two houses on the
south side of Lamont Drive, are subject to occasional flooding.
Two isolated locations in the upper Peavine
Creek Basin, Landsdowne Avenue at Hibernia
Avenue, and an area along North Candler
Street, have some problems with flood damage due to poor localized drainage. Occasional
flooding on South Fork Peachtree Creek
Tributary has been a continuing problem for
property owners in the vicinity of Willow Lane
just downstream of the Church Street crossing.
In 1971, a flood on this tributary resulted
in substantial personal property damage
near Landover Drive and North Decatur
Road. Potential for flood damages appears to
be minimal in the southern half of the city,
which is drained by Shoal Creek and Sugar
Creek Tributary. The lack of any significant
history of flood damages to residences and
other buildings along Shoal Creek and its
tributaries is due to the absence of development on the floodplains in the southeastern
section of the city. Because of extensive storm
drainage improvements in the past, no recent
flood damage problems have been experienced along Sugar Creek Tributary.
Although damage to buildings generally
is limited, ponding behind drainage pipes
and culverts and flooding of streets, driveways, parking lots, and yards are a recurring
concern at some locations in Peavine Creek,
6 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
Shoal Creek, and South Fork Peachtree Creek
Tributary basins. For example, the Peavine
Creek basin often experiences flooding
problems. Channel erosion and damage to
drainage and bank stabilization structures are
also a problem in some areas of these three
basins. As a result of basin improvements,
areas drained by Sugar Creek Tributary have
been relatively free of ponding or erosion
problems for many years.
City Flood Services
Decatur’s Design, Environment and Construction Division provides general and sitespecific flood and flood-related information
on property located within the city limits.
To obtain site-specific responses, individuals
making inquiries must provide a survey of
the specific property and elevation data relating to existing structures and site topography.
The Design, Environment and Construction
Division and the Decatur Public Library also
have reference documents on flooding and
flood protection available for review.
A map information service is available
from the division for a $10 fee. This service
provides inquirers with the current Flood
Insurance Rate Map information and identifies whether a property is in a Special Flood
Hazard Area. An accurate street address or
DeKalb County/Decatur Tax Parcel number
is needed to obtain this information. Anyone
desiring this service should contact the Design, Environment and Construction Division, 404-370-4104, or john.madajewski@
decaturga.com.
What You Can Do
Several of the city’s efforts depend on your
cooperation and assistance. Here is how you
can help:
• Do not dump debris or throw anything
into the ditches or streams. Depositing
debris, trash, and other items in ditches
and streams is a violation of the city’s Solid
Waste Ordinance Section 82-38. Even grass
clippings and branches can accumulate and
clog channels. A clogged channel cannot
carry the necessary volume of water. When
it rains the water has to go somewhere, usually flooding yards and streets, thus damaging property and endangering public safety.
Every piece of trash contributes to flooding.
• Individual property owners are responsible
for maintenance of the creeks and drainage
ditches on their property. Please do your
part and keep the banks clear of brush and
debris. In addition to maintaining the public roadways and public drainage facilities,
the city can help remove major blockages
from the creeks, such as fallen trees.
• Please report the depositing of debris and
trash into streams and storm drains and
blockages to the Design, Environment and
Construction Division, 404-370-4104.
• Always check with the division before you
build on, alter, re-grade, or fill on your
property. Such activities in floodplains
are strictly regulated and permits may be
needed.
City News
City of Decatur Design, Environment and Construction Division
404-370-4104 • DecaturGa.com
• Report illegal construction activities to the
Design, Environment and Construction
Division, 404-370-4104, or john.madajewski@decaturga.com.
will get much warning, so a detailed checklist
prepared in advance will help ensure that you
don’t forget anything.
Floodproofing
If you don’t have flood insurance, talk to your
insurance agent. Most homeowners insurance
policies do not cover damage from floods.
However, because the City of Decatur participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and implements activities that
exceed the minimum NFIP standards, you
can purchase a separate flood insurance policy
at discounted premiums. This insurance is
backed by the federal government and is available to everyone, even for properties that have
been flooded in the past. There is a 30-day
waiting period from the time the insurance is
applied for until it becomes effective.
Some people have purchased flood insurance because the financial institution required it when they got a mortgage or home
improvement loan. Usually these policies
just cover the building’s structure and not
the contents. Property owners need to verify
with their insurance agent what the extent
of contents coverage is available. During a
flood in 1990, the damage to the contents
of a property near the South Fork Peachtree
Creek Tributary exceeded the damage to the
structure.
At last count, there were 202 active flood
insurance policies in the city of Decatur. If
you are covered, check out the amount and
make sure you have contents coverage. Remember: even if the last flood missed you or
you have done some floodproofing, the next
flood could be worse. Flood insurance covers
all surface floods.
There are several different ways to protect a
building from flood damage. For example,
you can re-grade your lot or build a small
floodwall or earthen berm. These methods
work if your lot is large enough, if flooding
is not too deep, and if your property is not in
the designated floodway. Please note that permits are required prior to undertaking these
and similar activities.
Another approach is to waterproof your
walls and place watertight closures over the
doorways. This method is not recommended
for houses with basements or if water will get
more than two feet deep.
You can also consider raising the house
above flood levels. You may drive by and
check out the dwellings at 504 Westchester
Dr. and 249 S. Columbia Dr. to see examples
of elevated buildings.
Many houses, even those not in the floodplain, have sanitary sewers that back up into
the basement during heavy rains. This may
be due to stormwater infiltration into the
sanitary sewer line. A plug or standpipe can
stop this if the water doesn’t get more than
one or two feet deep. These can be purchased
at a hardware store for under $25. For deeper
sewer backup flooding, talk to a plumber.
The above measures are called floodproofing or retrofitting. More information
is available from the Decatur Engineering
Department or the Decatur Public Library.
Please note that re-grading or filling in the
floodplain requires a permit. Also, any alteration to your building or land may require a
permit from the Design, Environment and
Construction Division.
If you know a major flood is coming, you
should shut off the gas and electricity and
move valuable contents upstairs or raise
items off the floor. Fortunately, the flooding
experienced in Decatur is localized and most
floodwaters will recede within a matter of a
few hours. However it is unlikely that you
Flood Insurance
Flood Safety
Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths,
mostly during flash floods. Currents can be
deceptive; six inches of moving water can
knock you off your feet. If you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure the
ground is still there. Do not drive through
a flooded area. More people drown in their
cars than anywhere else. Don’t drive around
road barriers; the road or bridge may be
washed out. Stay away from power lines and
electrical wires. The number two flood killer
after drowning is electrocution. Electrical
current can travel through water. Report
downed power lines to the Georgia Power
Company by dialing toll free 1-888-660-5890.
If your house or other structure is flooded,
contact the power company to turn off the
electricity. Some appliances, such as television sets, keep electrical charges even after
they have been unplugged. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless
they have been taken apart, cleaned and
dried by qualified personnel. Look out for
animals, especially snakes. Small animals
that have been flooded out of their homes
may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or stick
to poke and turn things over and scare away
small animals.
Look before you step. After a flood, the
ground and floors are covered with debris including broken bottles and nails. Floors and
stairs that have been covered with mud can
be slippery. Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Don’t smoke or
use candles, lanterns, or open flames, unless
you know the gas has been turned off and the
area has been ventilated.
Inspections – Repair and
Maintenance Activities
The Drainage Division of the Design, Environment and Construction Division is available to conduct site visits to review flood,
drainage, and storm sewer problems and
determine if corrective repair or maintenance
action is the responsibility of the city or the
private property owner. For more information regarding this service or to request an
inspection call 404-370-4104.
Learn More
For more information call the Design, Environment and Construction Division or visit
decaturga.com and follow the links to the
floodplain information. Copies of this document can be obtained at Decatur City Hall,
509 N. McDonough St., or the Leveritt Public
Works Building, 2635 Talley St.
MARCH 2015 • Decatur Focus | 7
City News
School News
Wanted: 2015 Decatur
Design Award Nominations
Every year in May, the City of Decatur and the Decatur Preservation Commission
recognize and honor projects or individuals that promote excellence in preservation,
design, sustainability, and advocacy. Categories include:
• Historic preservation
• New residential infill
• New commercial construction
• Landscapes/public spaces
• Public/institutional buildings
• Sustainable design/energy efficiency
• Leila Ross Wilburn Award for individuals or organizations
that promote preservation and/or excellence in design
Nominations for projects for the 2015 Decatur Design Awards are now being accepted. Projects must have been permitted and completed within the last five years
and must be located in the city of Decatur. For application requirements, contact
Amanda Thompson, amanda.thompson@decaturga.com, or decaturga.com/index.
aspx?page=684.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 3, 4 p.m., and nominations must be
turned in at Design, Environment and Construction, 2635 Talley St. The awards ceremony will be held in May. Below are photos of one of last year’s winning projects.
Fiber
continued from page 1
• Use the infrastructure data to create a map of where they can put fiber (e.g., existing utility poles, conduit) and areas to avoid (e.g., water, sewer and electric lines), as well as the
most efficient sequence of construction within the city.
• Send out a team of surveyors and engineers to fill in any missing details. You may see
crews out surveying – lots of staring up at poles and even a bit of geological rock testing.
The surveyors and engineers will take the information they gather back to the office and
create detailed network design maps with it. They will work with the city to locate network infrastructure and fiber huts, and start to prepare permitting packages.
Then they will design the network, street by street.
When will Google Fiber start service?
This is hard to pinpoint so early in the process. Designing the network may take several
months before construction can begin. The Focus will keep you posted.
Google Fiber is currently available in Kansas City; Provo, Utah; and Austin, Texas. For
more information visit googlefiberblog.blogspot.com.
8 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
Walk Decatur –
Explore, Connect
and Get Fit
Thursday walks begin March 26, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday walks begin April 12 • 2 p.m.
To encourage residents of all ages and abilities to
explore, connect and get fit, the Active Living Board’s
Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) has scheduled
a series of walks around Decatur. The walks will take
place on the second Sunday and fourth Thursday of
every month.
“The walks on Sunday afternoons are planned for
members of the community interested in learning
about various aspects of Decatur and will occur at a
leisurely pace,” said Danielle Suchdev, PAC member.
“The Thursday evening ‘Bright at Night’ walks will
provide an opportunity for a brisker pace.”
The walks will follow a “no drop” policy, meaning
that no walkers will be left behind. This will provide
an opportunity for participants of all abilities to walk
for exercise in a group setting.
Walks will begin and end at the Decatur Recreation
Center and will include tips on pedestrian safety. The
first Sunday walk, April 12, will feature Master Gardener Moira Bucciarelli leading a tour of local community gardens.
Be sure to check decaturga.com/walking for the
latest scheduling information and facebook.com/
decaturactiveliving for information and updates. In
the event of questionable weather, call the Decatur
Recreation Center, 404-377-0494, or check the Facebook page.
Sign up to be among the first to
receive updates about Google Fiber
in Decatur: fiber.google.com/cities/
atlanta. Share your thoughts on social
media with hashtag #FiberIsComing.
City News
Neighborhood Cleanup
Days Scheduled
T
he City of Decatur is hosting Neighborhood
Cleanup Days on Saturdays, March through
June, to allow residents to dispose of bulky
materials that would not normally be placed in
pay-as-you-throw bags. Every street in the city has been
assigned to one Saturday. The full schedule is available at
decaturga.com/neighborhoodcleanup. If you have questions, contact Sean Woodson, sean.woodson@decaturga.
com or 404-377-5571.
Instructions
All items to be collected should be placed at the curb no
later than 7:30 a.m. This ensures that we do not have to
rerun routes for late setouts. Collections run until 3:30
p.m., or until finished, whichever is sooner.
Acceptable Items
• Yard trimmings
• Building materials (that are not from the work of private contractors)
• Tires
• Furniture
• Appliances (not containing Freon)
• Trash that would not normally be placed in pay-asyou-throw bags
Unacceptable Items
• Liquids
• Dirt
• Bricks
• Blocks
• Stone, rocks, or concrete
• Motor vehicle batteries or parts
10th Annual Georgia Rides
to the Capitol March 24
J
oin Commissioner Fred Boykin and other Decatur staff members for
the Decatur leg of “Georgia Rides to the Capitol,” a bicycling event. Participants will leave from the north parking lot of the East Lake MARTA
Station, 2260 W. College Ave., at 10:45 a.m. on March 24 and arrive at
the Capitol at approximately 11:40 a.m. The ride from Decatur is five miles one
way with some hills and will proceed at a slow pace.
The “Georgia Rides to the Capitol” bicycling event is designed to raise support for the development of a regional-scale bicycle network of both on-road
facilities and multi-use trails, and cycling connections near major facilities,
activity centers and schools. It is co-sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association.
The bike ride is free and open to the community but participants should preregister at GeorgiaRidesToTheCapitol.org. Pre-registered cyclists will receive a
free reflective leg-band.
Visit georgiabikes.org for more information.
Schedule for March and April
Oakhurst Neighborhood No. 1 – Saturday, March 28
Oakhurst Neighborhood No. 2 – Saturday, April 4
Oakhurst Neighborhood No. 3 – Saturday, April 11
Oakhurst Neighborhood No. 4 – Saturday, April 18
Winnona Park Neighborhood – Saturday, April 25
More details, including the schedule for May and June,
online at decaturga.com/neighborhoodcleanup
Reminder from Public Works
Decatur now accepts bulky items like furniture
and appliances as part of regular sanitation
pick-up all year. There is no additional cost for
this except for a $50 collection fee for items
containing Freon.
Order Online from Decatur Farmers Market
A new online ordering systems allows you to pre-purchase products from local
vendors between Friday morning and Monday evening every week, and then
pick up your order on Wednesday evenings, 3-6 p.m., at La Calavera Bakery,
747 E. College Ave. Sign up at decaturga.locallygrown.net.
MARCH 2015 • Decatur Focus | 9
City News
SU N D
AY 10
M O N DAY TU ES DAY SPRING
11
10
W ED N ES D
march 2
015
AY 11
TH U R SDAY
FR IDAY SATU R DAY
Saturday
Electronics March 21
Recycling Day
12
13
14
Recycle
this hardware
for free
Adding machines
Answering machines
16
17
Batteries, any kind
18
19
Cable converter boxes
20
211
2
Cables
Calculators
Component parts
22
23
Computer mouses
263524
Talley St.25
Computers
18
Copiers
28
Digital cameras
TR
IN
IT
Digital projectors
Y
N
DHS
DVD players
AVE.
E. COLLEGE
Electric lawn mowers
Fax machines
MARTA
PARKING
Garden equipment
AGNES
SCOTT
GPS receivers
Game controllers
TALLEY ST
ENTER
HERE
Keyboards
PUBLIC
WORKS
Label makers
Electronics
Mini-towers
Recycling
Monitors
Pagers
PDAs
Recycle your old electronics and Styrofoam and safely shred and recycle your documents
Portable CD players
all in one place. It’s simple and convenient. Just drop off your recyclables 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Portable game players
(Sorry, early drop-offs are not possible.)
Printer cartridges
Printers
Since we started in 2005, we’ve diverted more than 1,000,000 pounds of electronics from
Radios
landfills. Contact Sean Woodson at 404-377-5571 or sean.woodson@decaturga.com for more
Remote controls
information and last-minute updates, or visit decaturga.com/electronicsrecycling.
Routers
Scanners
Servers
Speakers
This is a great opportunity to ensure that your important personal documents are disStereo equipment
posed of properly. AAA Security Shredding provides secure on-site document shredding,
Telephones
and all shredded documents will be 100 percent recycled. Most document types are acTelephony equipment
ceptable, including bills, invoices, correspondence, canceled checks, tax records, financial
3-in-1 devices
statements, purchase orders, and blueprints and maps.
Typewriters
These items cannot be shredded: Cardboard, glass, plastic, magazines, napkins, newsUPS units
papers, paper cups and plates, plastic or spiral-bound notebooks, phonebooks, three-ring
VCRs
binders, and trash.
Workstations
Zip drives
15
Styrofoam Recyling
& Shredding, too!
9 am-1 pm
COLUMBIA
CANDLER
MCDOONOU
GH
COMMERCE
at DECATUR PUBLIC WORKS
Your favorite recycling events — combined!
Paper Shredding
Styrofoam recycling
• Make sure foam has the “6” symbol on it
• Rinse and separate food service containers from other foam
• No straws, lids, tape or stickers
• No foam peanuts or insulation material
10 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
Recycling fee for TVs: $10
(cash only – exact change
required)
City News
Seen at Decatur Mayor Jim Baskett’s
State of the City Address
D
ecatur Mayor Jim Baskett
delivered the annual State
of the City Address at the
January 27 meeting of the
Decatur Business Association. There
he announced Decatur had been
selected as a Google Fiber city (see
page 1), and discussed annexation
and financial matters. He also invited
school board chair Garrett Goebel
to provide an update on the state of
City Schools of Decatur.
Baskett also recognized city
staff who reached employment
milestones last year, including Willie
Shoemake, who has been employed
with the Public Works Department
for 40 years.
MARCH 2015 • Decatur Focus | 11
Business & Nonprofit News
Private Bank of Decatur Names
Rob Beall Senior VP
R
obert C. “Rob” Beall, a banker with 30 years’ experience, was
recently named senior vice president by Private Bank. Beall, a
Georgia native, is a graduate of State University of West Georgia
(BBA in Finance) and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU.
He has worked in a number of banks across the metro area, focusing on
community banking. He last served as regional president of Hamilton State Bank (formerly
McIntosh State Bank and First State Bank).
Congratulations, Elaine!
Classes at
Sycamore Place
Gallery
Draw with Scissors Like Flora
Polish Wycinanki Papercutting Collage
Workshop
March 8 • 2-4 p.m.
The Sycamore Place
Gallery and Studios,
120 Sycamore Place, offers a Sunday afternoon
collage workshop for
both the novice and the
experienced artist. It is
led by one of Sycamore’s
teaching artists, Flora
Rosefsky, who will show how to create colorful symmetrical botanical-inspired art using
the traditional folk art Polish paper-cutting
process called wycinanki. The $45 workshop
fee includes supplies. To register or for more
information, contact ms.sylvia.cross@gmail.
com. To learn more about Rosefsky’s work,
visit florarosefsky.com.
Three-day April Art Camp at
Sycamore Place
Theme: Peter Max Psychedlic Paintings
9 a.m.-noon • 4-11 years
1-4 p.m. • 8-14 years
$95 for a.m. or p.m. session
To register: decaturartclasses.com;
ms.sylvia.cross@gmail.com
Call/text: 404-660-9967
Travis Hudgons/TheChampionNewspaper.com
Elaine Hayes Is McDonald’s
Crew Person of the Year
A
familiar face to anyone who regularly dines in the McDonald’s
in Decatur, Elaine Hayes is the Crew Person of the Year for the
six-state region that includes Georgia. She is one of only 21
people in the nation to receive this honor this year, selected
from 600,000 McDonald’s employees across the country.
Elaine has worked for McDonald’s for seven years and has never
been late or missed a shift. She volunteers in the community at a basketball camp for the deaf and hard of hearing, and won two gold medals in the Georgia Special Olympics last spring. The City of Decatur, the
DeKalb County Commission, the Georgia General Assembly, and Governor Deal have all recognized Elaine for her accomplishments.
12 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
Cartoons, Comics, and 3-D
Creatures!
Children ages 8-13 are invited to join Wanda
Rose Stewart for drawing and creating during days off from school in April for summer
art camps during June and July. Students can
draw cartoon characters, comics, and make
3-D creatures/characters using their creative
skills. There will even be some Edible Art
included. There will also be opportunities to
make creatures from socks, felt, yarn, and
buttons, and to curl up in a bean bag and
enjoy Ms. Wanda’s library of cartoon books.
Contact Ms. Wanda Rose at gypsyrosalia@
comcast.net or at 404-312-0366, or Ms. Sylvia
Cross at sylvia.cross@gmail.com for pricing
and to register. More information: decaturartclasses.com
Business & Nonprofit News
Holy Week and
Easter at First
Baptist Decatur
Easter Events at Decatur
First Christian Church
308 Clairemont Ave.
First Baptist Decatur welcomes the community to its services, especially:
April 5 • 9:30-10:30 a.m. • Front Lawn
Sunday, March 29 – Palm Sunday
8:45 a.m. • “Fresh Start” worship in Fellowship Hall (first floor)
10 a.m. • “Coffee Talk” breakfast for
guests in the parlor (first floor)
11:15 a.m. • Sanctuary worship in the
main sanctuary.
Thursday, April 2 – Maundy
Thursday
601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Children’s “Jesus, Lamb of God” Easter Event features live sheep and lambs, and an egg hunt.
9:30 a.m. • Children 3 years-5th grade can pet a lamb and take part in a variety of lamb-themed
craft projects
10 a.m. • Egg hunt – please bring your own Easter basket.
Families are welcome to attend the Easter service at 10:30 a.m. following the egg hunt. For information, email nancyoliver1@bellsouth.net.
Congratulations to DAA
Seed Grant Artists
7 p.m. • Main sanctuary
Friday, April 3 – Good Friday
7 p.m. • Service of music and readings
in the main sanctuary
Sunday, April 5 – Easter Sunday
8:45 a.m. • “Fresh Start” worship on the
front lawn (weather permitting)
10 a.m. • “Coffee Talk” breakfast for
guests in the parlor (first floor)
11:15 a.m. • Sanctuary worship in the
main sanctuary
Everyday clothes are appropriate for every
service at First Baptist Decatur, although
some people follow the traditional custom of
“dressing up” on Easter Sunday.
Pregnancy Loss
Support Group
Wednesdays • 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Beginning March 4, First Baptist Decatur, 308
Clairemont Ave., will offer a support group
for women and couples who have experienced miscarriage. The group will be led by
Ben and Ashley Neal. Ben is a pastoral counselor and he and Ashley have experienced
pregnancy loss. They are eager to offer a safe
place for others to begin to heal. For more
information: fbcdecatur.com/groups.
Congratulations to the first recipients of the Decatur Arts Alliance Seed Grants.
The recipients, from left, are Mary Pousner (digital art), Larry Holland (Tiny
Doors Project), Stephanie Smith (printmaking), and Synthia Williams (Domestic
Violence Play). Look for information soon about these art projects.
The 2015 grant application deadline will be announced in late spring. Thank
you to the HomeGrown Grant for the Arts program for their contribution to
the Seed Grant program.
MARCH 2015 • Decatur Focus | 13
Decatur YMCA
Completes
Renovations
T
he Decatur Family YMCA, 1100
Clairemont Ave., completed a
major renovation in January and
Decatur residents are invited to
stop in for a tour. A new and expanded
wellness center with strength training and
cardio equipment has been added to the facility. In addition, there is a free weight area,
a new group exercise studio, family dressing
areas, free play center for children while
parents work out, an updated aquatic center
with a new whirlpool, adult dressing areas,
teen center, and a new elevator.
Additional off-street parking, green
space, and sidewalks were included in the
renovation.
For a guest pass to try the Y, or for more
information call 404-377-9622 or visit
ymcaatlanta.org.
2014 Team
Decatur Grand
Slam Fitness
Champions
I
n January, 56 walkers and runners
were recognized for achieving
Team Decatur Grand Slam Fitness
Champion status at the annual
Run With the Dogs 5k. To become
a GSFC
they participated in
three of the
qualifying
races held
in Decatur
as well as the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run Walk held in downtown
Atlanta last September.
To find out how you can become a
Grand Slam Champion in 2015, visit
decaturga.com/teamdecatur.
14 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
Congratulations to Meredith Anderson, Delaney Anderson, Nolan Vickers, Danielle Perry, Lartesha Chaney, Shirley Bayliss,
Meridith Yancey, Arma Benoit, Jeanne Reed, Brian Westlake, Michael Kavanaugh, Joy Provost, Susan Keenan, Laura Baker,
Peggy Baker, Enid Steinbart, Joyce Washington, Stephanie Batson, Casey Todd, Jim Camp, Helena Harrison, Richard Cohen, Sally Brozek, Laurie Ford, Gregory Washington, Toni Washington, Diane Loupe, Ross Palumbo, Michael Harbin, Don
Hooten, Danny Cortese, Sheila Fehrenback, Bill Adams, Leif Terry, Katie McLennan, Karen Scarborough, Clay Scarborough,
Pat Godbee, Kathy Morelock, Coleman Hayes, Alison Kyle, Gene Clower, Joanne Hauserman, Artesha Chaney, Pamela
Brown, Felicia Chaney, Mary Burt, Kore Breault, Laura Willard, Mark Thomas, Sharon Urban, Kathy Allen, Veronique Tragett,
Kylie Ainslie, Kelly Walsh, and Srebrenka Ingram.
Kaaren Nowicki
Business & Nonprofit News
Business & Nonprofit News
DeKalb History Center Offers New Programs
T
he DeKalb History Center offers
a variety of new programs this
spring for the public, children, and
schools.
The Civil War Walking Tours continue, mainly on Fridays and Saturdays,
March 6-June 13. Exact dates can be found at
dekalbhistory.org, along with the select Saturdays when the Swanton House and pioneer
log cabins will be open for tours.
All tours are $10 for adults and $6 for children (no charge for 6 years and under). The
restored Swanton House, W. Trinity Place
near Ponce de Leon, is the original home
of prominent local businessman Benjamin
Swanton, who moved to Decatur in 1850.
Over spring break, April 6-10, children
can learn about life in the mid-19th century
at Frontier House 1850 Camp. Campers
will play, work and have fun at the Swanton
House and pioneer log cabins while simulat-
ing the lives of early settlers
in DeKalb County.
The DHC has new
school programs to
engage students in learning
about history. School tours
called Life in the 1850s,
The Civil War, and
Pioneers and Natives
make up the core of these
programs. Steve Daniel, a
volunteer who participates
in many of the school tours, knows how well
students respond to the programs, “I am continually impressed with how well-behaved
the children are and how attentive they are to
the presentations,” he said. “They always ask
interesting questions, and they are eager to
participate in the interactive portions of the
tour.”
In addition to tours, several special school
programs are offered
throughout the year. Third
Grade History Day,
March 27, features Paul
Revere, Susan B. Anthony,
Lyndon Johnson, and Cesar Chavez. The Center’s
Ranch House exhibit
plays an important role in
illustrating for students the
way people lived during the
time of LBJ.
Outreach to schools is a new offering this
spring. A play about the Civil War in DeKalb
County, Shadows of the Past, can be performed as part of a tour at the history center
or at schools. Other outreach programs include Harriett Tubman and Creek Indians of Georgia.
For more information visit dekalbhistory.
org or call 404-373-1088, ext. 20.
Woodlands Celebrates the Vernal Equinox March 21
W
oodlands Garden, 932 Scott
Blvd., invites the public to
celebrate the vernal equinox at
a concert and poetry reading
presented on March 21, 4-6 p.m. Cellist Jean
Gay (jgcello.com) will perform original compositions that reflect upon the energetic and
physical changes we see in our external world
at this time of the year. Poetry readings will
be interspersed with the music.
Parcel Preservation Campaign
Woodlands Garden is excited about the opportunity to preserve a one-acre parcel at 915
Clairemont, at the corner of Scott Boulevard.
In an agreement with the Decatur Development Authority, Woodlands can purchase the
property if funds are successfully raised by
February 2016.
To accomplish this goal, the garden
launched a $1 million capital campaign in
December 2014. In addition to preserving the
corner, these funds will go toward improvements that will allow Woodlands to become
more public and user friendly for Decatur
and beyond. Community commitment at all
levels will make this possible, and the campaign is off to a promising start. The Woodlands board of directors and all descendants
of the original Morse property donors have
pledged their support. The public phase of
the capital campaign will kick off in early fall
2015 with a fundraising event.
Enjoy the Spring Awakening
Woodlands is open to the public every day
during daylight hours at no charge. During
March, visitors can enjoy hundreds of spring
ephemeral flowers. Throughout the year volunteer gardeners lovingly tend these native
piedmont plants. The volunteers donated a
record 1,430 hours in 2014, installing more
than 300 additional specimens. For additional information: woodlandsgarden.org
MARCH 2015 • Decatur Focus | 15
DBA News
Easter Egg
Hunt
Saturday, March 28
H
op on over to
the front lawn
of Decatur First
Baptist Church
for the Decatur Business Association’s annual Easter Egg
Hunt. The bunny arrives at
10:30 a.m. and the hunt begins at 11 a.m. sharp. Be sure
to arrive on time, because
the bunny waits for no one!
In case of rain, the egg hunt
will take place in the gym at
the church. The event is presented by the Decatur Business Association in partnership with Decatur First Baptist
Church.
Meeting
Reminders
March 24
NEW DBA OFFICERS
Fidelity Bank
160 Clairemont Ave.
5:15 p.m. Networking reception
6 p.m.
Program
Food and beverages provided by
Fidelity Bank
Sponsored by Fidelity Bank
The Decatur Business Association elected new officers and committee chairs recently. From left,
President Tim Martin; Membership Chair Brian Smith; Treasurer Kyle Williams; Sponsorship cochair Melanie Funk; Communications Chair Donald Hackett; and Past President Marc Brennan.
16 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
Decatur Events
Lawyers and Doctors Compete
in ‘Jawbones vs. Sawbones’
Basketball Tourney
Presents
Event benefits people with traumatic brain injury
UR
DECAT UNDATION
FO
TION
EDUCA
CE / 1
AD RA
5K RO
N
UN RU
MILE F
The 13th annual Tour deCatur will be run on March 14 – Pi
Day! Pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter
– which is 3.1415 . . . (the number goes on infinitely). This year
is the one and only time that the date will be the first five
numbers of Pi (until 3015). Register at tourdecatur.com.
15% OFF
on all tax services
for new clients ONLY
Saturday, March 7 • 6 p.m. • Decatur High School Gym
J
oin Side by Side Brain
Injury Clubhouse for its
fourth annual Jawbones
vs. Sawbones basketball
benefit. The family-friendly evening includes a silent auction,
live music, and food. Presented
by Long and Holder, LLP, and
Cash, Krugler and Fredericks,
LLC, the tournament will see the
Sawbones team of physicians attempt to even the 2:1 score against
the Jawbones team of attorneys.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet members of Side by
Side and hear their stories. Side
by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse
Former NBA star and event emcee
is Georgia’s only nonprofit that
Gerald Wilkins presents the 2014
provides lifelong support to people MVP ball to Justin Miller of Morgan
and Morgan, PA.
with TBI.
In 2014, this basketball benefit
raised $50,000 and drew a crowd of more than 500. This year, the notfor-profit organization will honor its long-time participant, Deputy
Cynthia Hall, for the great progress she has made since she acquired a
TBI in the line of duty during the Fulton County Courthouse shootings of 2005. Side by Side has provided extensive social and cognitive
support to Deputy Hall since she joined the organization six months
after she was injured.
For more information, contact Side by Side Development Director
Marian Dickson, 770-469-9355, or visit sidebysideclubhouse.org.
Tax Returns Prepared by Licensed CPAs
Accountants & Consultants
Alliance CPA Group, LLC
160 Clairemont Ave., Suite 455
Decatur, Georgia 30030
info@alliancecpagroup.com
404-419-6085
Individual and Business Tax
Return Preparation
Professional • Affordable • Reliable
www.alliancecpagroup.com
Dressed in plaid, attorneys Dick Ingwersen (back) and Jackie Saylor
(front) collect their bounty as the silent auction concludes.
MARCH 2015 • Decatur Focus | 17
Decatur Events
Augusta Read Thomas Gala
Concert at Agnes Scott
The Fisherman and the
Quiltmaker
Thursday, March 12 • 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 • 11 a.m.
hi Beta Kappa and the Agnes
Scott music department will
present a special gala concert
of Grammy-award-winning
composer Augusta Read Thomas’ works,
including the world premiere of her newly
commissioned solo violin piece by Agnes
Scott’s own Dr. Qiao Solomon. The concert
will be followed by a short artist talk and
champagne reception.
Augusta Read Thomas is University
Professor of Composition at the University
of Chicago and her piece Astral Canticle was a finalist for the Pulitzer
Prize for Music in 2007. She composes chamber and choral music,
along with ballets, orchestral works, and concertos. Thomas was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2009.
The event takes place at Agnes Scott College, Presser Hall-Gaines
Chapel, 141 E. College Ave. The concert is free, but reserve your spot
by registering online: http://goo.gl/forms/aPyjZm1Dyz. For more information, email wbrown@agnesscott.edu or call 404-471-6049.
Decatur Library auditorium • 215 Sycamore St.
The Waldorf School of Atlanta invites the community to attend The
Fisherman and the Quiltmaker, a marionette puppet show. In this
story, the fisherman journeys to meet a quiltmaker, and along the way
he shares his treasures with those in need. When he thinks all is given
away, he receives a
wonderful gift.
As the puppeteers move the
marionettes, their
voices blend with
the storyteller and
the percussion accompaniment as
they sing original
music created for
this show. The puppet show is provided free as a gift to the community by the Waldorf
School of Atlanta’s Early Childhood faculty. For more information
visit waldorfatlanta.org.
P
Saint Francis Veterinary
Specialists of Decatur is
pleased to announce the
opening of our new 24-hour
veterinary emergency center.
625 Dekalb Industrial Way, 30033
www.sfvs.com 404-924-2000
AEXURDNLM 10-Apr-2013 15:34
18 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
Decatur Events
Bonaventure Quartet
Plays at the Library
Seen around Town
Tuesday, March 10
Decatur Library • 215 Sycamore St.
The Bonaventure Quartet is an Atlanta-based confederation founded
by guitarist/composer Charles Williams. Music styles in the quartet’s
repertoire include le jazz, hot and cool, Broadway show tunes, Latin
noir, folk ballads, sea shanties and the occasional twinge of rock ’n’
roll. Funding is provided by the Friends of the Decatur Library.
Decatur firefighters trained in emergency medical service (EMS)
were tested by representatives from Grady EMS, Emory EMS, and
the department’s medical director. The test takers reviewed starting
IVs, trauma assessments, and cardiac arrests using advanced
airway tools. It was a three-day process that ensured all of the fire
department’s shifts could receive the training.
Giving you
the time and
attention you
deserve
LISA CRONIC, REALTOR®
lisacronic@atlantafinehomes.com
678.641.4325
Decatur Resident for Over 20 Years
AtlantaFineHomes.com | 404.874.0300
© MMXIV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.
MARCH 2015 • Decatur Focus | 19
School News
Decatur Makers Supports
Local Students
Illuminating!
T
he Georgia Technology Authority has awarded a contract to
Decatur Makers to bring together teachers and students in
middle school, high school, and college to create a handson activity and curriculum guide.
Through the arrangement, Decatur Makers
will pilot a scholarship program and help facilitate the building activity.
Partners in the endeavor include Georgia’s
own CreatomBuilder.com, which will offer
design training, and WorkReadyGrad.com,
which will help students build a “digital resume” that captures their maker experiences.
Opening doors to the younger maker
community is a focus of the nonprofit Decatur Makers. Local FIRST
Robotics teams have practice tables inside the maker space at 605 W.
Ponce de Leon Ave. to prepare for competitions, and area Cub Scout
troops have gathered to build Pinewood Derby cars in the space.
For more information on Decatur Makers, including its upcoming
grand opening, visit DecaturMakers.org.
Oakhurst Cooperative
Preschool hosted its
inaugural “Illumination” Lantern Parade,
a community event,
last December. Located behind Thankful
Baptist Church on
W. College Ave., OCP
provides a child-led,
play-based education
program for two- to
four-year-olds. OCP
is currently accepting
new family applications for the 20152016 school year. For
more information and
tour dates: oakhurstcoop.com
TheDecaturMinute.com
your best source for Decatur
announcements,
news, and notes
Est. 1823
Pop. 18,000
Relocating With
Your Brood?
Est. 1823
Experience. Knowledge. Patience. Results.
Emilie Markert.
318 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30030
markert@bellsouth.net
404-235-8900 C: 404.915.8222
20 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
Markert Helps
Make It Happen!
Willow School Opens March 2
The Willow School, a Reggio Emilia-inspired school for children ages
three months to five years, opens March 2 at 141 Sams St. The curriculum is intended to create a partnership
between children, educators, and parents
and deems strong relationships to be of
the highest importance.
The Willow School is currently enrolling students for the 2015-2016 school
year. Enrollment will be ongoing until all
classes are full.
To receive more information about the school or to inquire about
enrollment email Teresa Cole at willowschoolga@gmail.com. To learn
more about the Willow School visit willowschoolga.com.
School News
DEF Helps CSD Students
Engineer Their Future
F
our Renfroe Robotics Teams have won a total of
five trophies over the course of the season with
one team, the Band Geeks, capturing the coveted
State Championship trophy at the First LEGO
League World Class Robotics Tournament at Georgia
Tech in January. A few months ago, the team received
funds from the Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) to
purchase eight new Lego Mindstorm EV3 Robots. They
have been practicing programming skills that send the
robots through a competitive obstacle course. The winning teams also present their programming innovations
to a panel of judges.
DEF is supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) efforts at other schools as well. Teachers at Oakhurst Elementary have formed an “Engineering
the Future” after-school club. The students engage in
hands-on exploration of sound and acoustical engineering principles. At the 4/5 Academy, DEF recently funded
a grant that will purchase inventor’s kits that will help students learn basic computer coding and will reinforce the
5th grade science standards on electricity.
PBD.Ad.DecaturFocus2014_vF_Layout 1 6/17/14 11:11 AM Page 1
Celebrating 35 Years
Let us make your Decatur dreams come true.
Anne Morris 404-290-1111
anne@adamsrealtors.com
Kelly B. Walsh 404-788-4248
kellywalsh@adamsrealtors.com
We believe ALL customers should benefit
from the heightened level of service other
banks reserve for a certain few.
FIRST CLASS SERVICE. FIRST NAME BASIS.
■
■
■
■
■
■
Anne Smith 404-374-2293
apsmith@adamsrealtors.com
Maya Anderson 404-374-4206
maya@adamsrealtors.com
www.adamsrealtors.com
404-688-1222
■
Construction lending
Tailored Mortgage Solutions
Home equity lines of credit
SBA lending
Mobile banking
Checking & savings
No-fee ATM usage*
*We don’t charge; we refund theirs.
404.809.3930 | PRIVATEBANKOFDECATUR.COM
ONE DECATUR TOWN CENTER, SUITE 120, 150 EAST PONCE DE LEON AVENUE
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
MARCH 2015 • Decatur Focus | 21
School News
Holy Trinity Parish Preschool
Wins Captain Planet Garden Grant
T
he Holy Trinity Parish Preschool’s dedication to gardening for each
student has resulted in the school winning a Captain Planet Early
Childhood Project Learning Garden Pilot Grant. With this grant, valued at
$3,000, the preschool plans to add additional garden beds and trellising as
well as fruit trees and berry bushes. Captain Planet will assist the school
in establishing a pollinator garden by providing milkweed and other
plants to add to the existing butterfly garden. Future dreams for the garden include a sensory garden and a space for native plants.
The garden was the vision of Preschool Director Kay Watkins. Under
the direction of Mary Miller, it has grown over the last five years. “Ms.
Mary” is a product of the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension Services Master Gardener Program and was responsible for the establishment
of the Scott Park Community Garden in Decatur.
Every student at Holy Trinity attends a gardening class each week,
working outside when weather permits or having indoor activities to
incorporate science, nutrition, and healthy living. A highlight this year
was harvesting tomatoes, peppers, and sweet onions, and then making
fresh salsa and tasting it during class. The preschool theme “Children
Grow Here” reflects the school’s commitment to experiential learning
and teaching children and families about healthful living.
The garden before . . .
. . . and after
Charles Cope, Proprietor
650-B East Lake Drive • Decatur, Georgia 30030
404-377-1030 • www.1stepatatime.net
Custom Fitting • Personal Service
DEDICATED.
EXPERIENCED.
RESPECTED.
Experience is not
Expensive…It’s Priceless!
Expert, uncompromising
legal representation
when you need it most.
“34 Years of Putting Nice People in
Fine Homes”
Exceptional, Personalized Service,
Experience, Insight, Integrity
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death •
150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 260 • Downtown Decatur
404-253-7860 • doug@carllp.com • www.carllp.com
22 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
C&A-2col-ad-focus.indd 1
5/14/14 4:47 PM
PAM HUGHES
404.851.0732 / 404.250.9900
pam.hughes@harrynorman.com
www.pam.hughes.harrynorman.com
Around Town
ss,
lson’s busine
nt Erick Car
man
de
er
si
G
re
in
ur
g
at
in
Dec
nics, specializ
ha
pair,
ec
re
M
d
an
um
Quant
e service
se automotiv
7 DeKalb
25
to
.
St
and Japane
y
lle
from 2601 Ta
square-foot
has moved
e new 8,000Th
.
zipper
ay
W
l
Industria
1958 to be a
inally built in
before
location, orig ent major renovations
rw
more
factory, unde
oved in. For
echanics m
.
95
Quantum M
39
4call 404-48
information
er
Judith Kenen, L.Ac., a practition
d
at InTown Acupuncture, 340 Mea
Rd., volunteers with the Atlanta
Veterans’ Acupuncture Clinic to
t
offer free acupuncture treatmen
This
lies.
fami
their
and
rans
vete
to
treatment is offered in a group
,
setting and aims to address PTSD
and
,
bility
irrita
n,
essio
depr
ety,
anxi
stress. The clinic is offered every
Monday evening at the Church
of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de
ent is necessary, but please
Leon Ave., Atlanta. No appointm
tact Judith at jkenen@
Con
arrive between 6 and 6:45 p.m.
s.
tion
ques
with
m
e.co
ctur
intownacupun
After hearing abou
t the
Decatur Fire Departm
ent’s
clothing/food drive
, Lee Rachel
Carlomagno, a fou
rth grader
at 4/5 Academy at
5th Ave.,
created her own flie
r and
distributed it to he
r neighbors
on Garden Lane. Th
e flier asked
“Can You Make a Diff
erence?
The answer is Yes!”
It explained
about the clothing
and food
drive and asked ne
ighbors to
give the Fire Depa
rtment “a
Garden Lane helpi
ng hand!”
Lee Rachel also cre
ated a
poster for her front
lawn that
asked for donations
. Garden
Lane’s residents res
ponded in a
big way. In just on
e week, Lee
Rachel collected 43
coats and
jackets in adult an
d children’s
sizes and 100 food
items.
She is pictured delive
ring the
donations to the De
catur Fire
Department.
Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015 | 23
pre-sorted
standard
u.s. postage PAID
Permit No. 199
Decatur, GA 30031
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.
• Top 1% producer, Atlanta
Board of Realtors (2009 – 2013)
• More than 120 homes sold in
City of Decatur since 2009
• More than 250 homes sold
overall since 2009
chip@kellerknapp.com • 678.429.9731
ChipWallaceRealEstate.com
Fine jewelry, watches and art...
Decatur Square . 117 East Court Square . Decatur . 404/370-3979
Amsterdam Walk . 500-L3 Amsterdam Ave . Atlanta . 404/892-8294
www.worthmorejewelers.com
(Ask us about trading in your old gold jewelry. It's a great way to buy a great gift,
update your jewelry collection–or just increase the contents of your wallet!)
24 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2015
DATED MATERIAL MARCH 2015
Printed on Recycled Paper
P.O. Box 220
Decatur, GA 30031-220
Decatur
Focus
Clear zone
Your neighbor and
intown real estate specialist.
Enlarging Your
Family Jewels
Since 1994