Decatur Focus December 2018

Focus

Keep it indie-catur

City of Decatur

Terrific Thursdays see page 12 Clear zone

DECEMBER 2018 Volume 29 • Number 5

Official Publication of The City of Decatur, Georgia

Decatur Artway Adds New Sculptures

The city recently installed six new sculptures around town for Phase 4 of the Decatur Artway rotating sculpture collection project. Four are in Oakhurst, one is near the Leverett Public Works Building on Talley Street, and one is on the lawn of the High House, at North Candler and Sycamore streets. The sculptures will be displayed for two years. Five sculptures were installed around downtown in 2017 during Phase 3.

See all of the new sculptures inside on page 5.

3

City News

BUsiness 10 NEWs 15 DBA NEWs

Flying

by Robert Clements

DECATUR School AROUND 16 EVENTs news TOWN 19 23

Focus City of Decatur

Guess Who’s Coming to Downtown (because we can’t tell you just yet)

W

ork is progressing quickly at the old Callaway building site.

Below is an updated rendering of the new office building that is part of this mixed-use development. It will sit at the southwest corner of West Trinity Place and North McDonough Street. At press time, lease documents were being reviewed with a single tenant that plans to occupy the entire building. We hope to be able to identify that tenant in time for the January/February issue of the Focus.

To meet the tenant’s schedule, the construction start date of the office building has been moved up six months and will start early in the new year. Construction staging requires the closing of a portion of the southern-most lane along W. Trinity Place, but traffic management plans are currently being worked out to minimize the impact as much as possible.

Focus on Downtown Development

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

Clear zone

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

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

Decatur Business Association

DECATUR BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Kyle Williams......................................... President Susan Sparks.............................. President-Elect Jill Joplin................................................. Treasurer Lisa Bobb......................................... Co-Secretary Emily Holden................................ Co-Secretary Tim Martin.................................... Past President Design and layout: Lampe-Farley.com

Information for the FOCUS should be submitted by mail to Editor, Decatur Focus, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031, or by email to decaturfocus@decaturga.com.

2 | Decatur Focus • DECEMBER 2018

City News Bonfire + dec. 13 Marshmallow Roast 7 PM on the Square FREE!

THURSDAY

Register at freshtix.com so we have plenty of marshmallows for everyone! Hosted by the Decatur Business Association and supervised by the Decatur Fire Department.

Decatur Walk & Roll Superstars

Bobby Slotkin and the Ferrin family are this month’s walking stars.

Bobby Slotkin started biking as a child, but did not get serious about it until college, when he didn’t have a car and needed to get around. Eventually he graduated from law school and started making enough money to buy a car and several houses in Decatur. After finishing his law degree, Bobby took a job at one of the big law firms in downtown Atlanta for a few years before opening up his own practice in downtown Decatur.

By the time he did that he owned a house in Winonna Park, about a mile

Bobby Slotkin

The Ferrin family

from his new corporate headquarters. The proximity to work means he can walk or bike to work whenever the weather permits, and so he does.

His phone counts his 10,000 steps per day and he says that in all of his travels he has never found another city where the walking is as enjoyable as it is in Decatur. One of his favorite walks in Decatur is with his dog, Jack, through the Agnes Scott campus.

The Ferrins – Steve, Angie, Flora and Jude

– are a one-car family and enjoy biking.

The kids walk and bike to school whenever the weather allows, which is great for their mom Angie, because she prefers fresh air and sunshine over driving around in her minivan. Steve, also known as “that guy with the cool bike,” rides a cargo bike and can be seen transporting his two kids and whomever else he picks up along the way.

DECEMBER 2018 • Decatur Focus | 3

City News Reading Suggestions from Decatur’s Better Together Advisory Board

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ne of December’s gifts to us is the opportunity to reflect on the previous year and begin planning to make the new one more purposeful than the last. And with the ushering in of festive celebrations like Christmas, Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice and several other religious and spiritual holidays, this time of year presents an opportunity to learn about and engage with a myriad of faith-based cultures and traditions that make our multicultural world kind and joyous.

In The Good Heart, the Dalai Lama argues that the primary purpose of all our major religious traditions is to transform our hearts into temples of goodness and compassion. He concludes that there

is tremendous value in exploring and honoring other religious traditions because every dominant religion has the potential to create opportunities for genuine compassion and a spirit of harmony.

We hope you will use this December as an opportunity to engage with the spiritual beliefs of others while you find peace and love in a deeper connection with your own culture and traditions.

The Better Together Advisory Board (BTAB), in partnership with Little Shop of Stories, offers a small contribution to that effort with the following recommendations.

Why Religion? A Personal Story

by Elaine Pagels (Adult) This memoir of a scholar of religion explores the commonalities and differences of various faiths through the lens of her grief at the loss of her husband and son. She extends these thoughts to how spiritual practices and traditions continue to shape our lives

as individuals and as a group, whether religious or not.

One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship

by Mary Pope Osborne (8 years and up) The author presents the many ways children around the world practice faith. Each chapter places a major religion in historical context and includes how practices and beliefs specific to that religion have shaped and influenced laws and customs, the arts, literature, music, and education.

The Three Questions

by Jon J. Muth (Children) Based on a story by Tolstoy, this book tells the story of a young boy seeking the answers to three questions: When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? Under the guidance of a wise old turtle, he learns the precepts shared by all faith traditions – service to others, love, and compassion. The Three Questions is a wonderful way to foster a discussion about embracing all that we share in our spiritual beliefs – that we are more alike than we are different as we strive to be fully present in the world.

You can find these books and many others at Little Shop of Stories, 133 E. Court Square, or online at littleshopofstories.com/shop-online/. Happy Holidays from the Better Together Advisory Board and Little Shop of Stories.

Decatur After-School Programs Accredited Congratulations to the City of Decatur’s Children & Youth Services Division (CYS) for earning accreditation for Ebster Whiz Kids, and re-accreditation for Oakhurst and Clairemont Animal Crackers after school programs. All CYS afterschool programs are now accredited by the Council for Accreditation.

4 | Decatur Focus • DECEMBER 2018

City News Meet Decatur’s New Artway Sculptures The Decatur Artway is a public arts initiative established by the Decatur Arts Alliance and the City of Decatur. To get a personal tour of the pieces, with narration provided by the artists, download the free Otocast app from iTunes or Google Play. Learn more about each work at decaturartsalliance.org.

Undulation

by Jordan Fowler A Refusal to Stop and Ask for Directions

by Harry McDaniel

Popsicles Sisters

by C. Charlie R. Gray Newton

Iliana

by Joni Younkins-Herzog

Stalemate

by Robert Coon

HERE

by Willie E. Williams Jr.

DECEMBER 2018 • Decatur Focus | 5

City News Decatur Tree Myths and Facts To clear up some of the misconceptions on how Decatur’s tree ordinance works, city arborist Kay Evanovich has created this myth and facts guide.

Myth: Builders are able to simply pay $500 per tree to cut them down to clear-cut the whole lot.

Fact: Builders must save a minimum of 25 percent of the existing tree canopy cover on the lot and must plant back 2.5-inch caliper trees (6 to 12 feet tall, depending on the species) to replace the trees that have been approved for removal.

There are a couple of ways to go about this. First, if there is not enough space on the lot for the replacement trees to grow and thrive, then a builder must plant what there is space for on the lot. The remaining trees can be planted at a nearby park or city-owned property.

The other option is to plant what there is space for and then pay for the remaining amount of the trees plus planting cost to the tree bank, for the city to then plant the trees.

The amount that can be paid to the tree bank is limited to a maximum of 50 percent of the cost of all the replacement trees.

Under the ordinance, if a builder cuts down a tree illegally, then the city issues a court citation for a fine of up to a $1,000, and the entire project is placed under a stop work order. Before a project is released, the applicant must revise the tree plan and plant two times the canopy of the illegally removed tree in 2.5-inch caliper trees in addition to required replacement trees (the tree bank cannot be used for these trees).

Decatur Ultimate Frisbee

D

ecatur Ultimate is a Frisbee club organized seven years ago by parents and kids in the Decatur community.

Thanks to support from Decatur Active Living, City of Decatur Schools, and Decatur volunteers like Ellen Powell (organizer), Meredith Leahy (girls coach), Ken Booth (organizer), and Eric Swett (boys coach since inception) there are boy and girl clubs at the middle and high school.

Programming has included a partnership with E.R.I.C. (Early Recognition in Cancer), which employs Ultimate Frisbee Clinics and Spirit of the Game to teach youth about cancer symptoms and the importance of an active lifestyle. The Ultimate Club participates in local tournaments and plays in the Atlanta Flying Disc Club High School (Spring Season) and Middle School Leagues (Fall Season). They play against teams from around the metro area, including Paideia, Brookwood, Druid Hills, Inman, Friends School, and many more. Decatur Active Living also hosts a camp in the summer. For more information contact Neil Norton at neil@neilnorton.com.

Myth: Homeowners can cut down all of the trees on their lot by taking out three healthy trees every 18 months.

Fact: Homeowners can remove three trees every 18 months, but they must plant trees back so that there is a no net loss of canopy. The city arborist also encourages residents to try to keep a minimum of 25 percent canopy of existing trees on each residential lot.

Myth: Homeowners must pay a permit fee and then wait for it to be issued before they can have a dead or hazardous tree removed.

Fact: Homeowners can remove dead or moderate to high-risk trees (as identified by a certified arborist) by obtaining the city arborist’s verbal permission and then filing for a free Tree Information Permit online within 72 hours after tree removal. To view this permit online, visit cognitoforms.com/CityOfDecatur2/TreeInformationPermit.

Focus Combined for January and February Decatur will print a combined January/ February issue of the Focus and it should arrive in mailboxes during the second week of January. The deadline for submission of information for the combined issue is Dec. 10.

Send information to decaturfocus@decaturga.com.

6 | Decatur Focus • DECEMBER 2018

Holiday Solid Waste and Recycling Services Christmas Holiday, Mon., Dec. 24, and Tue., Dec. 25 Monday services will be on Wed., Dec. 26 Tuesday services, will be on Thurs., Dec. 27 Thursday services will be on Fri., Dec. 28 Friday services will be unchanged New Year’s Eve / New Year’s Holiday, Tue., Jan. 1, 2019 Monday services will be on Wed., Jan. 2 Tuesday services will be on Thurs., Jan. 3 Thursday services will be on Fri., Jan. 4 Friday services will be unchanged Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Mon., Jan. 21, 2019 Regular Monday services will be on Tues., Jan. 22 Regular Tuesday services will be on Wed., Jan. 23

City News Decatur Convenes a Housing Summit

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ore than 100 people convened on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Manuel J. Maloof Auditorium to establish a shared understanding of Decatur’s housing context, define affordability as it relates to Decatur, and explore strategies to create more opportunities for affordable and work-force housing in the city.

The day-long Housing Summit was filled with six tabletop activities and four presenters on topics of housing economy, housing development, affordable housing tools, and zoning codes. The day culminated in the creation of action plans for the city and housing partners to consider.

City staff will present a summary report of the event at the City Commission meeting on Dec.17. All materials shared at the Housing Summit, including videos of the presenters and display boards, are posted at decaturnext.com/ housing-summit-materials.

DECEMBER 2018 • Decatur Focus | 7

City News Decatur Fire Rescue Department

Fire Prevention Tips for a Safe and Festive Holiday Season

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any households engage in holiday activities that serve as some of the leading causes of U.S. home fires, including cooking, Christmas trees, candle usage and holiday decorations. As everyone gets busier during the holidays, we often become rushed, distracted or tired. That’s when home fires are more likely to occur.

Fortunately, with a little added awareness and some minor adjustments to holiday cooking and decorating, the season can remain festive and safe for everybody.

With unattended cooking as the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries, stay in the kitchen while you’re frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.

• Most cooking fires involve the stovetop, so keep anything that can catch fire away from it.

• Turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen, even if it’s for a short period of time.

• If you’re simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

• Create a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.

Candles are widely used in homes throughout the holidays, and December is the peak month for home candle fires. The nonprofit National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) statistics show that two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles.

• Consider using flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles. However, if you do use traditional candles, keep them at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Never leave a lit candle unattended.

• Use candleholders that are sturdy, won’t tip over, and are placed on uncluttered surfaces.

• Avoid using candles in the bedroom, where more than one-third of U.S. candle fires begin, or other areas where people may fall asleep.

• Never leave a child or pet alone in a room with a burning candle.

According to NFPA, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 210 home structure fires caused by Christmas trees per year. Three of every 10 of them are caused by electrical problems, and one in four result from a heat source that’s too close to the tree. Follow this advice for picking,

placing and lighting the tree: • If you have an artificial tree, be sure it’s labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant.

• If you choose a fresh tree, make sure the green needles don’t fall off when touched; before placing it in the stand, cut two inches from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand, and be sure to water it daily.

• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit, and is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles and heat vents or lights.

• Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory, and make sure you know whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use.

• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, or loose bulb connections.

Read the manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.

• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.

• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.

• After Christmas, get rid of the tree. Driedout trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside the home.

• Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

By following these fire prevention tips and measures you can greatly reduce the risk of fire in your home and enjoy a safe holiday season. Visit nfpa.org/holiday for more information and safety tips.

Commissioners Cauldron Cup Awarded to Starnes Family This year’s Commissioner’s Cauldron Cup winner is the Starnes Family, 221 McKoy St., for a haunted yard packed full of Halloween Jack-o’ -lanterns, black cats, ghosts, spiders, and skeletons. This yard had it all. The front entrance was a scary tunnel that would make kids think twice about walking up to the door for candy. The zombie scene put it over the top for the judges: a bright light casting shadows against a chain link fence, and shadows of frightening creatures jerking and stumbling in their search for braaaiinssss.

Runner-ups were 315 Madison Ave., 239 W. Benson St., and 267 Cambridge Ave. Thanks to everyone who decorated, submitted entries and made a showing for Halloween. See all of the entries on the Decorate Decatur Facebook page.

8 | Decatur Focus • DECEMBER 2018

City News

What a Saturday! t r Ic k .

It ’s n o

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caturga

pm Decatur’s downtown NooN-5 7 2 T. C y O a d r satu shopping district bustled more than usual on October 27 during the city’s semi-annual Storefront Saturday promoting local shopping opportunities.

As Storefront Saturday was was wrapping up, the Homegrown Haints and Saints Parade was gearing up, making its way up West Ponce and then rolling down Church Street.

DECATUR VISITORS

CENTER / REBRAND

/ OPTION 2:

MAT WELCOME

PRESENT

Halloween saturday

october

Parade

27 5.

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downtown

decatur

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Business & Nonprofit News Get Active with Activcore Decatur resident Elizabeth Dalrymple invites the Decatur community to experience Activcore Physical Therapy and Performance.

She works with a team of integrated movement experts who offer one-on-one physical therapy and performance (Pilates, Redcord, kettlebell training) services in their newly renovated space. They are located on Zonolite Road near the intersection of Briarcliff and Clifton roads. Call 404-817-0900 or email nsamuel@activcore.com to schedule your initial consultation.

Decatur Makers Partners with Magic Wheelchair to Bring Smiles For Halloween this year, Decatur Makers turned a little ride into a big ride for two Atlanta-area kids in wheelchairs.

Armani wanted to be a zombie driving the Tanzit bus from the video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops II.” Chase wanted to be Bruno Mars, driving the 1985 Lincoln Town Car limousine from his “Uptown Funk” video.

The team from Decatur Makers – working with REARLab at Georgia Tech and the nonprofit Magic Wheelchair – made both wishes come true by building eight-foot costumes propelled by the kids’ wheelchairs. Magic Wheelchair helps build epic costumes for children in wheelchairs at no cost to the families.

Armani was presented with his “bus” on Oct. 27 at Walker Stalker Con at the World Congress Center. Austin Amelio (Dwight) from “The Walking Dead” TV show even came over to say hi. Chase’s Lincoln was revealed the next day at Maker Faire Atlanta.

Many volunteers from the Decatur Makers community, all with different creative skill sets, worked for two weeks to create the costumes complete with working lights and sounds. The kids’ smiles and swagger say it all.

For more information, visit DecaturMakers.org.

10 | Decatur Focus • DECEMBER 2018

Business & Nonprofit News Backyard Bird Care this Winter

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ave you ever noticed a little bird in your yard on a cold morning and wondered how it made it through the night? Birds have a very high metabolism rate and they need lots of nutrition to keep them warm through fall and winter nights. “If you have feeders in your yard, now would be a good time to clean them thoroughly, and be sure to keep them stocked through the winter,” says Ralph Smith, Master Birder at the Atlanta Audubon Society and veteran volunteer at Woodlands Garden.

Volunteers like Ralph keep the bird feeders at Woodlands stocked with high calorie foods such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. He recommends visiting the Cornell Ornithology Lab website to get more ideas about bird feeding.

Since the nesting season is over, it is also a good time to clean out the birdhouses – but leave them up as roosting sites for cold nights. Ralph adds, “Most birds you see in your yard are here all year round, but keep an eye out for special winter visitors such as sapsuckers, kinglets, winter wrens, fox sparrows, and yellow-rumped warblers.”

Woodlands Garden has tallied more than 85 species of birds over the past few years. To enjoy a bird-watching experience, stop by Woodlands for a quiet stroll and observe the feeders in the bird sanctuary.

About the Garden Woodlands Garden is a nonprofit with a mission to preserve a woodland garden as an urban sanctuary for educating and engaging the community in the natural world. The eight-acre garden is open daily from dawn to dusk for free. Visit Woodlands in every season at the intersection of Scott Boulevard and Clairemont Avenue in Decatur.

Beecatur Announces ‘Gifts That Grow’ Giving Program This holiday season, Bee City USA-Decatur, GA (“Beecatur”) encourages Decatur residents to give a gift that grows. For a donation of $15, $25 or $50 (or more), Beecatur will install a pollinator-friendly native plant, shrub or tree in one of Decatur’s dedicated pollinator habitats. In recognition of your gift, the recipient’s name will be posted at the habitat site and online. On planting day, they will receive a photo of their plant being installed.

Help nourish and support our city’s pollinator species without spending a lot of green. One size fits all bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and more. To learn more about the Gifts That Grow program, or to purchase a gift, visit Beecatur’s website, beecaturga.com.

Cleaning Service Available for the Holidays Woodlands volunteer Ralph Smith (middle with hat), seen here leading a Birdhouse Building Workshop

Upscale Cleaning and Hospitality would like to provide services for your next event.

Holiday specials are available for event set-up and clean-up. Contact Tracey Taylor, traceytaylor10@outlook.com, or 404-226-9239 to schedule your appointment.

DECEMBER 2018 • Decatur Focus | 11

! t s r i f p sho On Thursdays in December Enjoy seasonal shopportunities, drinks and snacks, special in-store events, sales, and extended hours at these shops.

december 6 13 20 •

threads + shoes

•

QuIrKY GIFts + ChIC déCor

Boutique Karma

Found Co. Decatur

145 Sycamore St. boutique-karma.com

335 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. foundcodecatur.com

Squash Blossom

Sq/Ft

113 E. Court Square squashblossomboutique.com

149 Sycamore St. sqftdecatur.com

Très Jolie

Vivid Boutique

427 Church St. | tresjoliebtq.com

308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. vividdecatur.com

aLL that sParKLes

haNdCraFted Goods + art

Worthmore Jewelers

HomeGrown

117 E. Court Square worthmorejewelers.com

412 Church St. homegrowndecatur.com

Kismet Fine Jewelry

Wild Oats & Billy Goats

414 Church St. kismetfinejewelry.com

112 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. wildoatsandbillygoats.com

Wild Oats & Billy Goats Rotating artist specials.

Little Shop of Stories: Spend $100 and get a $10 gift card to use in 2019. Enjoy story time with the Grinch Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.

Deals + UpDates + InsIDer tIps:

decaturga.com/terrificthursdays

decaturga

downtowndecatur

toYs + CraFts + BooKs

! e n i d n e . . . th Big Tex

Little Shop of Stories

308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.bigtex30030.com

133 E. Court Square littleshopofstories.com

Butter and Cream

Treehouse Kid & Craft 533 W. Howard Ave. treehousekidandcraft.com

FoodIe FaVes + sWeets Greene’s Fine Foods 141 E. Trinity Pl. greenesfinefoods.com

Rocket Fizz 115 Clairemont Ave. | rocketfizz.com

Splash of Olive 201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. splasholive.com

Savi Provisions 180 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. saviprovisions.com

416 Church St. butterandcream.com

Eyeworks of Decatur

Taco Mac

Doggy Dogg

240 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. tacomac.com

310 E. Howard Ave. heydoggydogg.com

Taiyo Ramen

Dog Town Franks 307 College Ave.

130 Clairemont Ave. taiyoramen.com

Farm Burger

Wahoo! Grill

410 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. farmburger.com/decatur-ga

Mellow Mushroom 340 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. mellowmushroom.com

Wahoo Wine and Provisions

335 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. eyeworksatlanta.com

653 East Lake Dr. mezcalitoscantina.com

627 E. College Ave. pubalicious.com

1036 W. College Ave. | wahoowine.com

stYLIsh FraMes

Mezcalito’s Cantina

Corner Pub

Get a

Lyft

on us

1042 W. College Ave. wahoogrilldecatur. com

The White Bull 123 E. Court Square whitebullatl.com

Request a Lyft on any Terrific Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. for drop-off in Downtown Decatur and we’ll pay $5! For discount codes check visitdecaturgeorgia.com/ terrificthursdays.

Sq/Ft: Live DJ, sales and snacks.

White Bull: Dine in and enjoy free sfincione (puffy Sicilian bread) with meal purchase.

cityofdecaturga

holidaydecaturga

terrificthursdays

seasonalspotlight

Business & Nonprofit News

Christmas on Clairemont Concert Sunday, Dec. 16 • 7 p.m. • First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave. The third annual Christmas on Clairemont will feature former Broadway lead Kamryn Loy and the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus. Guest conductors will take the stage throughout the evening, representing the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, the Atlanta Opera Chorus, the Atlanta Young Singers (formerly

the Callanwolde Youth Singers) and several local church choirs.

The concert is hosted by Daniel Solberg at First Baptist of Decatur, with full orchestra, organ, piano and a festival chorus of a hundred local voices. It is free of charge and open to the community, but an offering to

Breakfast with Santa in Oakhurst Friday, Dec. 22 • 9:30-11:30 a.m. • The Solarium, 321 W. Hill St. Children and their families are invited to a light breakfast, crafts and a photo-op with Santa, sponsored by the board of the Community Center of South Decatur (CCSD). This event is free to the community. RSVP at contact@thesolarium.com.

CCSD thanks business sponsors Griffin & Company Insurance, Corrective Chiropractic, MOCK the Agency and SCOUT. 14 | Decatur Focus • DECEMBER 2018

benefit the Decatur Cooperative Ministry is highly encouraged. DCM is a not-for-profit in the Decatur/DeKalb County area helping local families prevent, endure, and overcome homelessness.

Join the choir. Sign up to sing at christmasonclairemont.com.

Keep Jimella’s Bakery in Mind for Holiday Treats Jimella’s Bakery specializes in cookie sandwiches in a variety of flavors. Consider these handheld treats for your holiday gatherings and as an edible holiday gift. The cookie sandwiches are individually wrapped and arrive in a decorative box (plus shipping and delivery are available). Free delivery in Decatur.

For more information or to place an order, visit jimellasbakery.com or call 404-290-8725.

Business & Nonprofit News

DBA News

Decatur Students Visit Wylde Gardens for Field Trips

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ylde Center hosted several Decatur schools at its gardens this fall, engaging students in activities that reinforced their learning goals. The fourth and fifth grades from the 4/5 Academy at 5th Avenue walked to Wylde Center’s Hawk Hollow garden for interactive learning.

The fourth graders played water cycle games and built water filters using various materials to see which team could filter dirty water to produce the cleanest. The fifth graders learned about constructive and destructive forces while exploring the creek to observe natural and human influences on erosion.

Third graders from Oakhurst Elementary walked to the Oakhurst Garden to learn how humans and natural events affect plants and animals in their habitat. Second graders from Winnona Park also walked to Oakhurst Garden to learn about Native American history in the garden. Second graders from Glennwood Elementary also visited Oakhurst Garden and studied environmental impacts on pollinators.

Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool students came several times during the fall to learn about seeds. They planted carrots that they will harvest in the spring. In total, 1,400 Decatur students visited a Wylde Center garden this fall, with the majority of them walking to the location.

Meeting Reminders Tuesday, December 4 DBA Holiday Party Decatur Courtyard by Marriott, Ballroom B 130 Clairemont Ave. 5 p.m. Hometown Heroes

Beer Festival Grant Awards 6 p.m. Networking Reception Sponsored by Decatur Development Authority and Decatur Courtyard by Marriott

Seen at Decatur Cemetery Work is progressing on the John Renfroe grave cover restoration by Friends of Decatur Cemetery. Site cleanup and new plantings, to be installed over the next few weeks, will complete the project.

January 29 Decatur State of the City Address Decatur Courtyard by Marriott, Ballroom B 130 Clairemont Ave. 5 p.m. Welcoming Reception 6 p.m. State of the City address Sponsored by Decatur Development Authority and Decatur Courtyard by Marriott

Check for updates at decaturdba.com

DECEMBER 2018 • Decatur Focus | 15

Decatur Events Run With the Dogs 5K/One-Mile Pup Trot Saturday, Jan. 12 • 9 a.m.

D

ecatur dog-loving and running communities are invited to participate in the 15th annual Run with the Dogs 5K, sponsored by the Decatur Bulldog Boosters. The event will include a one-mile Pup Trot at 8:30 a.m. for those who want a shorter distance or warm-up.

The run/walk event will begin on Commerce Drive by the Decatur High School football stadium and take a scenic, if challenging, course through the neighborhoods. It will again feature a 5K and 1 miler where runners and dog-owners can run/walk with (or without) their dogs. Tshirts, awards, and treats will be available to participants, as well as a sporty race kerchief for canine companions.

All proceeds from the event go to funding the uniforms, equipment, and awards for student-athletes at the middle and high schools. Register online at RWTD5k.com.

Follow RWTD5k on Facebook at facebook.com/RWTD5k or Instagram @ RWTD5K. Send questions to Bethany Atkinson at BethanyAtkinson@yahoo.com.

Core Dance Fieldwork Showcase

Fifth Annual Holiday Market + Open House

Let’s Mardi Gras for F.AVE, Y’all!

Sunday, Dec. 9 • 5 p.m Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts Emory University

Saturday, Dec. 8 • 3-6 p.m.

533 W. Howard Ave.

Saturday, Mar. 2 508 E. Howard Ave.

Form Yoga’s fifth annual holiday market and open house will feature special secret sales and local community artists and artisans.

The event is free and open to the community. Enjoy local holiday shopping, community and libations to get your spirits primed for the holiday season.

Save the date for an evening of Mardi Gras festivities, Saturday, March 2, at the Color Wheel Art Studio. F.AVE families and friends will gather to raise funding for their Parent Teacher organization. Guests will enjoy food, drinks, dancing and a live auction with a New Orleans flair.

For more information or to learn about corporate sponsorship opportunities, visit decaturmardigrasball.com or email decaturmardigrasball@gmail.com.

The community is invited to attend Core Dance Fall Fieldwork Showcase, featuring local artists from the latest Fieldwork session. Fieldwork is a unique, 10-week forum for artists to meet and share developing works and exchange feedback, peer to peer.

For more information, visit coredance.org/fieldwork.html.

16 | Decatur Focus • DECEMBER 2018

Decatur Events Hops at the History Center Dance Hall Decatur – Wednesday, Dec. 12 • 5:30-8 p.m.

Historic DeKalb County Courthouse 101 E. Court Square, second floor

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oin the DeKalb History Center for a new author’s program debuting on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Author André Joseph Gallant will speak about his new book, A High Low Tide: The Revival of a Southern Oyster. Gallant, who lives in Athens, Georgia, is an independent journalist whose writing has appeared in Oxford American, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bitter Southerner, Modern Farmer, Civil Eats and more. He is the founding editor of Crop Stories, a literary journal exploring farm culture in the American South.

Oysters are a narrative food: in each shuck and slurp, an eater tastes the place where the animal was raised. But that’s just the beginning. Gallant uses the bivalve as a jumping-off point to tell the story of a changing Southeastern coast, the bounty within its waters, and what the future may hold for the area and its fishers. With A High Low Tide he places Georgia, as well as the South, in the national conversation about aquaculture, addressing its potential as well as its challenges.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event begins at 6 p.m. Copies of Gallant’s book will be available for purchase and there will also be an opportunity to get it autographed. Member tickets are $5, nonmember tickets are $10, and one drink ticket is included. Tickets are available for purchase via squareup.com/store/dekalb-history-center or by cash or check at the DeKalb History Center offices. For more information, contact Marissa Howard, 404-373-1088, ext 20.

New Year’s Eve

Monday, Dec. 31 • 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

Historic DeKalb Courthouse 101 E. Court Square, Second Floor Let’s ring in the New Year in Decatur! The DeKalb History Center’s holiday extravaganza features a professional DJ playing dance hits. Admission includes appetizers from Gotta Have It Catering, two drink tickets, a dance floor with DJ, sodas, a champagne toast at midnight, and holiday party favors. Guests may purchase additional drink tickets for beer, wine or cocktails. Festive holiday attire is encouraged.

Tickets are available at the DeKalb History Center offices or online at dekalbhistory.org. Tickets are $45 per member adult and $60 for nonmember adults. Tickets are $15 for guests under 21 only. All proceeds benefit the DeKalb History Center.

Vile Kyle on Exhibit in Decaur Decatur Arts Alliance will present an exhibition of works by Decaturbased Vile Kyle, aka Kyle Griffith, in the gallery at 113 Clairemeont Ave. An opening reception is set for Thursday, Dec. 6, 7-9 p.m., and the show will close on Jan. 18.

Griffith uses a combined medium of acrylic and spray paint to create works full of bold lines, eye-catching color, and threedimensional contouring. With a background in carpentry, Vile often uses wood as the base of his art, layering key elements to create depth. He has just begun to explore this artistic avenue influenced by tattoo culture, street art, and the horror genre.

The Decatur Arts Alliance is a nonprofit partnership of artists, business owners, residents and government dedicated to supporting and enhancing the arts in the city of Decatur.

To learn more, visit the website or call 404-371-9583.

DECEMBER 2018 • Decatur Focus | 17

Decatur Events School News

Advent/Christmas at Decatur Presbyterian 205 Sycamore St. • 404-378-1777 • dpchurch.org Wednesday Night Fellowship Supper Wed., Dec. 6 • 5:15 p.m.

Sunday School for all ages Sun., Dec. 9 • 9:15 a.m.

New Members and Visitors Coffee Sun., Dec. 9 • 9:15 a.m.

Worship Service Sun., Dec. 9 • 10:30 a.m.

Rev. Dr. Todd Speed, “Lighting the Candle of Hope” Youth Christmas Parties Sun., Dec. 9 • 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Fellowship Supper Wed., Dec. 12 • 5:15 p.m.

Christmas Caroling at Philips Tower and Beyond Wed., Dec. 12 • 6:30 p.m.

Sunday School for all ages Sun., Dec. 16 • 9:15 a.m.

Worship Service Sun., Dec. 16 • 10:30 a.m.

Rev. Alex Rogers, “Lighting the Candle of Peace” Wednesday Night Fellowship Supper Wed., Dec. 19 • 5:15 p.m.

Longest Night Service Wed., Dec. 19 • 6:30 p.m.

Jingle Mingle College Connects Christmas Gathering Thurs., Dec. 20 • 7 p.m.

Comet Bowling Lanes

Worship Service Sun., Dec. 23 • 10:30 a.m.

Rev. Dr. Todd Speed, “Lighting the Candle of Joy” Christmas Eve Service for Young Families Mon., Dec. 24 • 3:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service Mon., Dec. 24 • 5:30 p.m.

Communion, Child-led, Children’s Carol, Chapel, and Youth Covenant Singers Choirs Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols Mon., Dec. 24 • 10:30 p.m.

Communion, Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, and Brass Quartet

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18 | Decatur Focus • DECEMBER 2018

School News Glennwood Elementary Wins Golden Shoe Award

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Congratulations to Glennwood Elementary School for winning the Golden Shoe Award for having the highest percentage of children participating in International Walk and Roll to School Day. The school reached an 83 percent participation rate, the highest number since we began tracking in 2013. International Walk and Roll to School Day is the first Wednesday of October.

Pictured: Glennwood Elementary staff and teachers accept the Golden Shoe Award from Decatur Active Living’s Cheryl Burnette.

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DECEMBER 2018 • Decatur Focus | 19

Decatur School News Events City Schools of Decatur Honored for Farm to School Excellence City Schools of Decatur has been recognized at the Gold level for accomplishments during the 2017-18 school year: • Decatur Farm to School held the annual district-wide Fall and Spring Taste Tests with organic produce that was planted in eight of the nine school gardens by students, teachers, and Wylde Center Farm to School staff. They supplemented the garden harvest with Swiss chard and hakurei turnips from Crystal Organic Farms, purchased from the Turnip Truck.

• Second graders at Oakhurst Elementary spent six days visiting Farmer Joe Reynolds and his staff at Love is Love Farm at Gaia Gardens.

• Renfroe Middle School teacher Krysta

Johnson teaches a class for 6th, 7th and 8th graders called International Perspectives. Every week, her students work in the garden and utilize the food they grow to learn about cultures all over the world.

Her classroom is outfitted with industrial sinks, prep tables, stoves and ovens, and several refrigerators. They also practice knife skills, using heat to cook, and how to maintain healthy soil systems and garden ecosystems to nourish our bodies and the Earth.

The Golden Radish Award publicly recognizes Georgia school districts for best practices in farm to school programs, such as local food procurement, exposing students to new foods through taste tests, and incorporating gardening and cooking activities in curriculum. City Schools of Decatur was one of 84 Georgia School Districts recognized at the awards. Collectively, these districts served more than 1.3 million students a whopping 109 million school meals with locally grown food items during the 2017-18 school year.

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20 | Decatur Focus • DECEMBER 2018

404•564•5560

School News Rebekah Scott Hall Receives LEED Platinum Certification

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gnes Scott College’s recently renovated Rebekah Scott Hall has been certified LEED Platinum by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world, and Platinum is its highestlevel rating. Rebekah Scott Hall houses 77 students and includes offices for college staff. It was initially renovated in 1986.

The most recent renovations were started in 2015 and completed in August 2018. Designed by Jenkins•Peer Architects and executed by Holder Construction Group, LLC, the most recent renovation exceeded $16 million and was funded via resources that would allow the college to make improvements that aligned with its commitment to sustainable operations and desire to create a lasting legacy of environmental responsibility. These resources were a part of the college’s “The Greatness Before Us” Campaign.

Rebekah Scott Hall achieved the LEED Platinum certification for implementing

practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. A geothermal HVAC system heats and cools Rebekah Scott Hall, providing the historic building with central air conditioning for the first time. The system, comprising 42 wells 500-feet deep, utilizes the consistent core temperature of the Earth to heat and cool the building in a continuous loop.

The system was funded through the col-

lege’s Green Revolving Fund (GRF), a nationally recognized fund established with donor gifts and foundation grants to implement energy and water efficiency projects across campus. To date, the college has revolved close to $2 million in energy and water efficiency projects with a combined projected savings of about $250,000 a year.

In addition to the geothermal HVAC system, the Rebekah Scott Hall renovation called for the removal of a former parking lot. The removal of the exposed pavement reduced the “heat island effect” and cools the campus while also reducing stormwater run-off and filtering rain water. The thriving garden space with drought-resistant plants and carefully selected trees assists with the college’s sustainability goals. Rebekah Scott Hall’s Platinum LEED certification is another major sustainability milestone for Agnes Scott College.

Rebekah Scott Hall joins two other LEEDcertified buildings on Agnes Scott’s campus: Campbell Hall (LEED Gold) and Anna I. Young Alumnae House (LEED Silver).

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DECEMBER 2018 • Decatur Focus | 21

School News Community Collaboration Makes a Difference

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ince the first Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) grant cycle in 2003, many things have changed at the foundation – but its support for innovative ideas in the classroom has remained constant. This year, DEF leveraged collaboration with other community organizations to enhance and expand their grant making.

The Decatur Craft Beer Festival has invested more than one million dollars through grants to local nonprofits. Knowing that DEF already had a well-established grant

22 | Decatur Focus • DECEMBER 2018

program, the festival partnered with them last year to make it easier to distribute grant money to individual schools. This extra funding has allowed DEF to leverage donors’ dollars to invest in more substantial projects, including a refillable water bottle station at Westchester Elementary.

Just a few years old, the Special Education PTA (SEPTA) made its first teacher grants in partnership with DEF to support projects for students with special needs.

Tubas don’t come cheap – but thanks to the Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade and

Party, Renfroe Middle School recently purchased two of the much-needed instruments for their band program. MRMG has donated close to $24,000 to DEF since 2014 to fund music grants. Thanks to these creative partnerships, DEF has increased the amount of teacher grant funds awarded this year by 40 percent; $45,000 was distributed to teachers representing every school in the district.

To see a complete list of this year’s teacher grants, or to learn how you can help DEF and the Decatur community, visit decatureducationfoundation.org.

Around Town

If touch football is your thing . . .

#decaturga

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

PD salutes crossing guards

In case you couldn’t tell, Ben Scholle is happy to be playing Decatur Active Living touch football.

Decatur PD enjoyed a breakfast (supplied courtesy of Chick-fil-A) with the city’s school crossing guards recently during Crossing Guard Appreciation Week.

#touchfootball

#crossingguardappreciation

#footballseason

#bigolfootballsmile

#partoftheteam

Mayors Mile!

Metro’s best crossing guard

Seven former Decatur Mayors participated in last month’s Mayor’s Mile during Decatur Education Foundation’s 3-4-5 5K.

Charlene Germany, crossing guard for Winnona Park Elementary School, was selected as the Metro Atlanta Crossing Guard of the Year, and saluted by Decatur PD as part of Crossing Guard Appreciation Week.

#magnificent7

#bestcrossingguard

decaturga

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#sayyestoourkids

downtowndecatur

cityofdecaturga

#loveallofyall

#besafe

December 2018 • Decatur Focus | 23

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