Decatur Focus January-February 2018 by City of Decatur

Focus

Playbook Inside

City of Decatur

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 Volume 28 â&#x20AC;¢ Number 6

Official Publication of The City of Decatur, Georgia

F.AVE 4th/5th Graders Take Charge

Decatur Mayor and Commissioners for a Day see story on page 10

News 3 City

BUsiness 13 NEWs

DBA 16 NEWs

DECATUR School 17 EVENTs news 20

Focus City of Decatur

Contribute!

Decatur’s many free events wouldn’t happen without community support

ow much do you enjoy the many free events provided in Decatur throughout the year? Many residents think these events are paid for by the city, but in fact most are provided by local nonprofit organizations. You can help keep these events free by supporting these wonderful organizations. Did you have fun at the Santa on the Square event and the Bonfire during December? What about the Concerts on the Square series in May and September or the brand new Summer in the City event in June? These are just a few of the events brought to you by the Decatur Business Association. If you own a business in the city and haven’t joined the Decatur Business Association, make that a New Year’s resolution to support this great organization and help keep these activities free. Residents can show their support by becoming associate members for only $50 a year. Visit the DBA website, decaturdba.com, to join online and become a member in 2018. If supporting the arts is your thing, joining the Decatur Arts Alliance should be your mustdo for 2018. One of the oldest nonprofits in the city, the Alliance has presented the annual Decatur Arts Festival for more than 30 years. This free event includes the Children’s Arts Fes-

Focus on Economic 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 Scott Drake..................................Commissioner Patti Garrett.................................Commissioner Tony Powers...............................Commissioner Brian Smith..................................Commissioner Kelly Walsh..................................Commissioner The new city commission elected a mayor and mayor pro tem in early January, but that information was not available at press time.

See Contribute on page 4 DECATUR DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Board Chris Sciarrone, Chair Linda Curry • John Drake Bill Floyd • Scott Kentner Tony Leung • Fisher Paty

Decatur Business Association

DECATUR BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Kyle Williams......................................... President Susan Sparks.............................. President-Elect Reshell Baldini...................................... Treasurer Lisa Bobb................................................. Secretary Tim Martin.................................... Past President Design and layout: Lampe-Farley.com Information for the FOCUS should be submitted by mail to Editor, Decatur Focus, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031, or by email to decaturfocus@decaturga.com.

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City News

Historical Highlight:

Beacon Hill

ecatur’s historic Beacon Hill was the city’s first African-American community. Its boundaries were roughly N. McDonough Street to the east, W. Ponce de Leon Avenue to the north, Water Street to the west and W. Howard Avenue to the south. The community was settled by freed slaves after the Civil War and thrived through the early part of the 20th century. The streets were bustling with businesses such as restaurants, shops and a movie theater. There were also several churches and schools. The doorway of the Ebster Recreation Center is the only remaining piece of these former African-American schools. The Beacon Hill Community was targeted by urban renewal programs beginning in the 1930s and lasting through the 1960s. Slowly but surely the area was demolished for housing projects and public facilities. The Allen Wilson Terrace Homes, Decatur High School and the DeKalb County Courthouse are all products of urban renewal.

See Beacon on page 5

Decatur Welcomes New Commissioner

elly Walsh has been elected to the City Commission. She has served on several boards and committees in the Decatur community over the last decade including the Decatur Active Living Citizen’s Advisory Board, the Clairemont Elementary PTA and the Decatur Education Foundation PTA Council. Kelly has been an advocate of health and fitness through coaching Girls on the Run, serving on the board of the Atlanta Track Club, and organizing the Fifth Avenue 5K and the Mayor’s Mile for the last two years. She is a member of the Decatur Business Association and of Leadership DeKalb Class of 2018. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona. She works as a residential realtor for Keller Williams in Decatur and lives with her husband, Pat, and their two children in the Great Lakes neighborhood.

City Commission Holiday Schedule City Commission meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of every month unless there is a Monday holiday. January and February meeting dates are affected by the New Year’s holiday, MLK holiday, and Presidents Day. Dates for meetings are at right. Learn more about the history of Decatur’s Beacon community. Pick up this brochure at the Visitors Center, City Hall, or the Beacon Municipal Center.

Tuesday, Jan. 2 Tuesday, Jan. 16 Monday, Feb. 5 Tuesday, Feb. 20

Holiday Solid Waste and Recycling Services Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 15 Regular services for Monday will be on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Tuesday services will be on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

Nurse Ivey collects height and weight information for the children of Decatur Nursery School at the Odd Fellows Hall at the intersection of Herring and Oliver streets, early 1940s. Among the children are Jackie Lowe Simmons, William Heard, and Julius Shaw.

Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 19 Regular services for Monday will be on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Tuesday services will be on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 • Decatur Focus | 3

City News Winter Weather Tips and Tools Preparing for winter isn’t complicated or expensive. While winter is dangerous, a few simple steps can help you and your family stay safe this season. Here is what NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) recommends:

• During and after the storm: never use a generator or kerosene heater indoors – carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer. • After the storm: take breaks when shoveling snow and stay clear of downed power lines.

Know Your Risks • Snow, ice and wind associated with winter storms can have a huge impact on travel, infrastructure, schools and businesses. • A few inches of snow or ice can shut down a city and leave you trapped at home for days. • Driving on ice and snow-covered roads can lead to car wrecks, injuries and death. • Some winter storms can cover nearly half the nation, affecting millions of people. Damages from winter storms add up to more than $1 billion annually. • Frostbite may develop on exposed skin when temperatures are below freezing. Add wind to below freezing temperatures and frostbite can set in even quicker. Hypothermia is a dangerous possibility as well. • Flooding is also possible due to snowmelt, ice jams and coastal storms such as Nor’easters.

Be a Force of Nature • Create a family communication plan so that your loved ones know how to get in touch during an emergency. • Help your neighbors before and after winter storms – especially the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable. • Look for opportunities to help your community prepare, such as volunteering with the American Red Cross. • Register at Smart911.com.

Take Action • Before you go out, check the forecast at weather.gov to make sure you’re prepared for the elements. Follow NWS on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest weather news. • At home: have an emergency preparedness kit with three days of food, water, prescription medications and other supplies. Also consider obtaining an NOAA Weather Radio. • Make sure your cell phone is fully charged when a storm is approaching and also anytime you’re planning to leave the house. It could become your lifeline should disaster strike. • In your car: make sure you have food, water and blankets in your trunk. Stay off the road when advised to do so by local authorities. • Dress for the season: wear loose, warm clothing in layers. • Don’t forget your pets! Keep them inside during cold weather.

Contribute continued from page 2 tival, the Fine Arts exhibit, and the popular artists market and performance stage every Memorial Day weekend. The Arts Alliance is also the force behind the new sculpture exhibits in downtown Decatur and the Oakhurst business district, as well as the painted utility boxes, Secret Doors series and the lamp post pop-up art throughout the year. These projects and programs are such an important part of our community. You can keep them going by joining

In the Event of Snow and/or Ice in Decatur • The city will concentrate on providing a usable travel lane in each direction on major streets and clearing sidewalks near MARTA stations. • The city will work with City Schools of Decatur to make sure entrances, exits, and driveways at the schools are clear. • Residents should expect to clear their driveways and sidewalks. It is unlikely that the city will be able to clear interior neighborhood residential streets. • If you, or a neighbor, are a senior, someone with a medical need or someone with special needs, consider creating a safety profile at smart911.com. Stay tuned to thedecaturminute.com blog, Downtown Decatur on Facebook, and the city’s website for information about facilities closures. These simple steps will help keep you safe from blizzards, ice storms and other winter hazards. A little bit of preparation can make a big difference. And many of these steps – such as preparing an emergency supplies kit – will also come in handy for other hazards, such as hurricanes or power outages. Stay tuned to decaturga.com and thedecaturminute.com for up-todate information.

the Decatur Arts Alliance at decaturartsalliance.org/join. Not only will you be supporting free arts events and public art installations but you also will be invited to attend monthly exhibit openings featuring local artists. And last but not least, what’s the largest free festival presented in Decatur each year? The Decatur Book Festival of course! Where else can you enjoy an entire weekend dedicated to reading and celebrating great books? Now the largest independent book festival in the country, the Decatur Book Festival continues to present a variety of free events every Labor Day weekend, including authors

4 | Decatur Focus • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018

appealing to a wide range of readers, and events and activities for children of all ages. If reading is your thing, the weekend-long market will have plenty to make you happy. The Book Festival supports literary events and activities throughout the year too. Show your support by visiting decaturbookfestival. com/ to make a donation or to become a member of the prestigious Decatur Book Festival Round Table. We look forward to seeing you in 2018 at some of the many activities and events around our city.

City News Homestead Exemptions Reduce Taxes If you own the property where you live, you may qualify for one or more homestead exemptions or assistance programs for city taxes in 2018: • General homestead exemption: Homeowners who reside at their homes are eligible to apply online or in person. Last year, this exemption reduced property taxes for eligible homeowners by $267. • GS-1 exemption: The GS-1 saved most eligible homeowners $1,467 in 2017. You qualify to apply if you’re at least 62 as of Jan. 1 and your total household income does not exceed $25,000. • S-1 exemption: The S-1 saved most eligible homeowners $187 in 2017. You qualify to apply if you are 62 or older as of Jan. 1 and the household income of you and your spouse does not exceed $10,000 excluding retirement income. Pensions and Social Security income do not count toward income for this exemption, but income such as salary, wages, rental income, interest and dividends are included. • GH-2/S-4 exemption: Regardless of income, owners who are 65 as of Jan. 1 may file one application to receive both the GH-2 and S-4. The S-4 exempts owners from school taxes; this exemption will ex-

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pire in 2021 unless it is renewed. S-4 savings vary based on the value of the home. The GH-2 saves homeowners about $105 a year. • S-2 and S-3 school exemptions: Owners who are 70 may file for the S-3 regardless of income. Owners over 80 with income under $40,000 may apply for the S-2 exemption. These exemptions do not reduce taxes while the S-4 is in effect. However, the city encourages homeowners to apply for these exemptions in case the S-4 is not renewed. • Disabled veterans can qualify for an exemption saving up to $2,485 if they reside at the property and have a 100 percent disability per the Department of Veterans Affairs. • Tax deferral allows the taxes on the first $100,000 of assessed value of your home to be deferred for owners 62 and above, payable with interest upon the sale or transfer of the property, allowing a deferral of up to $2,934 annually. Additional conditions apply. • Year’s support provides an exemption of taxes for one year upon the death of a spouse if approved by the DeKalb County probate court. • Un-remarried surviving spouses of U.S. service members, peace officers,

or firefighters killed in the line of duty may qualify for additional exemptions. • Rehabilitated historic properties may qualify for preferential tax assessments. Your potential tax savings for each exemption will vary in 2018 depending on millage rates. Once you have applied for an exemption, you do not need to re-apply. But you’ll need to apply if you qualify for a new exemption based on age, income, if you are a new owner, or if you have moved within town. If you have only applied with the county, you must also apply with the city. By law the city can accept homestead exemption applications for 2018 any time between now and Apr. 1, 2018. However, homeowners are encouraged to apply for any new exemptions by March 15, 2018, in order for your exemptions to appear on your first installment 2018 property tax bill. For details on how homestead exemptions are calculated or to apply for the general homestead exemption online, visit decaturga. com/homestead. Applicants for all other exemptions can apply in person at City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Herring Street School, circa 1913. The highlighted brick entry is all that remains of the school and the Beacon community. It is now the entrance to Ebster Recreation Center.

The demolition of homes and businesses displaced the residents of the community and the historic buildings of the Beacon Community remain only in photos and memories. However, an exhibit was created to honor the life and people of this historic community. The exhibit also reminds us that actions that divide or displace Decatur’s diverse community should not be repeated. The Beacon Hill Community exhibit is in the lobby of the Ebster Recreation Center at 105 Electric Ave. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 • Decatur Focus | 5

City News Decatur Cheerleaders Perform at Falcons Game

tlanta Falcons alumnae cheerleaders from Decatur recently performed during halftime at a Falcons game in the new Mercedes Benz stadium. They were all Falcons cheerleaders in the ’60s and ’70s and have performed in all three stadiums: Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, Georgia Dome, and the Mercedes Benz. Janet Cutter was one of the first African-American cheerleaders on the team in 1970. Denise Bauer Forrester has taught school in Decatur for more than 43 years. Dinah McDaniel Farrell also dances with Classix Crew all over the United States and Gail Ansley Lezontier loves babysitting her grandson who is also a Falcons fan. The alumnae cheerleaders have several reunions throughout the year, but the highlight was performing in the new stadium for the Falcons. Pictured at right (from left): Decatur High School alumnae Janet Scott Cutter, DHS drill team; Denise Bauer Forrester, DHS cheerleader and drill team; Dinah McDaniel Farrell, DHS captain of majorettes; and Gail Ansley LeZontier, DHS cheerleader.

Hydro Punks Visit Active Living

ach year, kids from all over the world compete in the First Lego League (FLL) Challenge. The event consists of a robot game and a research project presentation. Preparation for the event requires kids to build and program a robot, research a topic, prepare a presentation, and work as a team through the process. There are always several teams of CSD students representing our city. This year, the research project theme is water and how humans find, transport, use or dispose of it. The Hydro Punks, an FLL team of 4th graders, wanted to learn more about water use in Decatur. They met with Greg White, Decatur Active Living (DAL) director, and Cheryl Burnette, assistant director, to learn about the DAL’s role in providing water at local events and purchasing and maintaining water fountains. The kids received maps indicating the locations of Decatur’s fountains. They were surprised to learn that water fountains are very expensive – $3,000 each. They also learned it is important to take care of our fountains so that everyone has access to water, and who to contact if a fountain is not working. To help their city, they decided to raise funds for a new water fountain.

This month’s Walk & Roll Star, Ken Rose, is a roller and a long-time cyclist and cycling advocate. He rides to the CDC every day, and for many years he has advocated for better on-street cycling conditions and better relations between cyclists and the rest of the community. By riding his bike to work and for errands, Ken maintains his health, keeps his car off the road and out of traffic. At far right, Ken rides along the new cycle track in front of the high school.

Walk & Roll Star

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City News Decatur Salutes Hometown Heroes

ecatur honored nine Hometown Heroes in 2017 for contributions made to the city: Bill Adams, Jenny Penick Garner, Andy Gonzales, Marnie Grodzin, Nancy Hostetter, Mia Manekofsky, Amy Marti, Tracy Rylands,; and CSD Special Education PTA (SEPTA): Kara Campbell, Nura Moshtael, Gwen Bair, and Amy Logan.

Decatur began its Hometown Heroes program in 1996 at the close of the Hometown to the World Festival held during the Olympics. The 14-day festival was a success because of the hundreds of volunteers who helped. At the close of the festival, the City Commission honored volunteers. Since then the Hometown Hero awards have been presented annually.

With the 2017 presentation, Decatur has designated 310 Hometown Heroes. For detailed information about the Hometown Heroes and their contributions to the Decatur community, visit decaturga.com. A plaque with the photo and names of 2017’s Hometown Heroes will join the “Wall of Heroes” outside of the City Commission Meeting Room in City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 • Decatur Focus | 7

City News Decatur Street Sweeping Schedule

treet sweeping helps keep Decatur clean. It prevents debris and contamination from entering storm drains, which flow directly into local waterways. Streets are swept once a month during the fall/winter season, but the schedule may change due to inclement weather conditions and/or equipment maintenance. To help us provide the best service: • Remove vehicles or trailers parked on the street. Street sweepers often have to go

around parked cars in residential areas, missing vital portions of curb/gutter and leaving unsightly debris that can reduce the flow of water into the storm drain system. • Do not place garbage cans, yard waste and other obstacles in the street during sweep day. Garbage cans and yard waste cannot be placed in the street more than 24 hours before pickup, and should be retrieved in the evening after pickup.

• Do not rake or blow leaves into the street because they clog storm drains and impede drainage. They also make it difficult for crews to complete their appointed routes in a timely fashion. Recycle leaves and other green waste material by placing them in compostable yard waste bags. Green waste can include yard trimmings, grass clippings, leaves, weeds, brush and tree clippings. • Remember: raking leaves into the street is considered illegal dumping.

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Note: color coding is approximate. Please find your street name to verify.

First Monday of the Month Avery Street Derrydown Way Heatherdown Road Hilldale Drive Inman Drive Missionary Drive New Street Poplar Circle Sams Street Shadowmoor Drive S. Columbia Drive Talley Street Weekes Street Winnona Drive First Tuesday Bruton Street Buchanan Terrace Bucher Drive Candler Oaks Lane E. Davis Street E. Hancock Street Green Street (200 block) Kirk Crossing Kirk Road McKinnon Drive Midway Road Mimosa Drive Mimosa Place Oldfield Road S. Candler Street (100 to 800 block)

First Wednesday Adams Street (100 to 700 block) Ansley Street E. College Avenue Greenwood Avenue Greenwood Place Evans Drive Kings Highway S. McDonough Street (100 to 700 block) W. Davis Street W. Dougherty Street W. Hancock Street First Thursday Barry Street Church Street Champlain Street E. Howard (100 to 500 block) E. Maple Street Erie Avenue Geneva Street Hillyer Place Huron Street Lucerne Street Michigan Avenue North Candler Street Sycamore Place Seneca Street Superior Avenue First Friday Clairemont Avenue Eastland Drive Ferndale Drive Medlock Road North Decatur Road North Superior Avenue Parkside Circle Pensdale Road Scott Boulevard Willow Lane

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Second Monday E. Benson Street E. Hill Street Jefferson Place McKoy Street (100 to 200 block) Mead Road Oakview Road (400 to 800 block) Olympic Place W. Benson Street W. Hill Street

Second Thursday Fifth Avenue First Avenue Fourth Avenue Gordon Street Maxwell Street N. Fourth Avenue Northern Street Oakview Road (700 to 1600 block) Second Avenue Third Avenue

Second Tuesday Brower Street Candler Drive Chevelle Lane Driftwood Place Driftwood Terrace E. Pharr Road Garland Avenue Griffin Circle McClean Street Park Drive S. Candler Street (900 to 1100 block) W. Dearborn Circle

Second Friday Clarion Avenue Coventry Road (100 to 200 block) E. Parkwood Avenue Fairfield Avenue Nelson Ferry Paden Circle Parkwood Lane Pinetree Drive Upland Road W. Ponce de Leon Avenue Woodlawn Avenue

Second Wednesday Adams Street (1000 to 1100 block) East Lake Drive (700 to 1000 block) Fayetteville Road Lenore Street McKoy Street (500 to 700 block) Russell Street S. McDonough Street (800 to 1000 block) Spring Street Sterling Street W. Pharr Road

Third Monday Adair Street Atlanta Avenue Chief Matthews Drive Devonshire Avenue Drexel Avenue Emerson Avenue Greenwood Circle Hampshire Avenue Hibernia Avenue Lansdowne Avenue Melrose Avenue Pattillo Way Ridley Lane W. Howard Avenue

Third Tuesday Beaty Place Bryan Place Cambridge Avenue East Lake Drive (100 to 600 block) Feld Avenue Hood Circle Johnston Place Leyden Street Madison Avenue Park Place Winter Avenue Third Wednesday E. Ponce De Leon Avenue Grove Street Hillcrest Avenue Mountain View Street North Arcadia Avenue Oak Lane Ponce De Leon Court Springdale Street Sycamore Street Sycamore Place Third Thursday Fairview Street Forkner Drive Glendale Avenue Glenn Circle Glenn Court Grove Street Hickory Street Lockwood Terrace Mount Vernon Drive Old Decatur Circle Pinecrest Avenue Poplar Street Ridgeland Avenue Sycamore Drive

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Many in Decatur are familiar with 2007’s Community Transportation Plan (CTP) – our long-term policy roadmap for promoting health, choice, community, and connectivity through the design and implementation of the transportation infrastructure. The City of Decatur has hired the professional consultant team of Public Input Meeting jB+a and Toole Design Group to assist in the plan update. Through this plan, we will build on the 2007 CTP Thursday, Feb. 1 to address the broader equity, sustainability, and active 6-8 p.m. living goals in Decatur’s 2010 Strategic Plan. Decatur Recreation Center Community input is a large part of the CTP Update. 231 Sycamore St. More than 90 participants at the first public kick-off meeting in October identified various mobility needs and took a deeper look at the capacity of a street. We also had two online public input opportunities through a survey and a WikiMap application with nearly 1,000 participants. Did you miss these? More public workshops are planned for 2018. We’ll continue a discussion on the future of all modes of transportation, identify current and future needs, make short- and long-term recommendations, and develop a vision for new mobility options and improvements throughout Decatur. Stay informed on the CTP Update and sign up for announcements by visiting DecaturNext.com/category/transportation-plan-update/. For more information, contact Angela Threadgill, 678-553-6575, or angela.threadgill@decaturga.com. ON N . AV

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Going Mobile: Decatur’s Community Transportation Plan Update

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Third Friday Beaumont Avenue Fairview Avenue Garden Lane Lamont Drive Montgomery Street Northern Avenue Plainview Street Ponce De Leon Place Vidal Boulevard Wilton Drive

Fourth Monday Chelsea Drive Dogwood Way Harold Byrd Drive Harold Byrd Drive South Kathryn Avenue Maediris Drive Merrill Avenue Mockingbird Lane N. Parkwood Road Pope Circle Ridley Circle Westchester Drive

Decatur Fire and Rescue Receives New Mini-Pumper City Manager Peggy Merriss joined Decatur Fire as they honored the fire department tradition of putting a new apparatus into service. This tradition consists of hosing down the new engine with a hand line, drying it off as a crew, and then gently pushing it into its new home in the bay at Station One. The smaller size of the new mini-pumper allows Decatur Fire to respond more easily through narrow roadways as our community continues to grow. The mini-pumper can respond to both EMS and fire incidents.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 • Decatur Focus | 9

City News Essay Contest Winners Guide Decatur For a Day After a great response, five essays were picked to mirror our local city government, which has five commissioners. Fifth grader Cross Redden (not pictured) was selected as mayor for a day, and fourth graders Ella Takieddine, Madeline Fogt, Emily Deeb and Kara Diamond were selected as commissioners for a day. The winners had a chance to spend time with seven former Decatur mayors right before the F.AVE Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mile.

City News

Winter in Decatur Cemetery

A surprise December snowstorm showcased a different facet of the cemetery. The usual busy-ness of joggers, strollers, and cemetery workers ceased briefly to allow the quiet beauty of contemplation to settle on the winter landscape. Each season at the cemetery supplies its own quality. Come enjoy some “down time” as you wander among the graves and sample the stillness that winter offers. Photo by Demetrius Whatley

West Ponce Movie Night, Take 2

DIVE IN!

Swim Year-Round at Decatur’s Oakhurst Pool!

Decatur residents can now swim year-round at the city’s Oakhurst Pool, in the Samuel L. Jones Boys and Girls Club building adjacent to Oakhurst Park. Use the coupon here for a free first visit.

Gather your friends and family for a movie night on West Ponce de Leon Avenue on March 9.

Look for time, location, and movie titles in early February via Freshtix, the Decatur Minute, Facebook, and flyers at West Ponce retail shops and restaurants. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 • Decatur Focus | 11

City News The Decatur Craft Beer Festival Gives Back

ver the last 20 years, the Decatur Craft Beer Festival has given more than $1.3 million dollars to nonprofit groups and to a variety of projects in Decatur. Checks were given to the 2017 grant recipients at the Decatur Business Association’s annual holiday meeting in December. The 2017 recipients were: Community Farmers Market, Inc. For educational outreach programming to teach families how to prepare healthy meals on a budget using fresh fruits and vegetables for less than they would spend at a fast food restaurant. The Community School To support efforts to strengthen participants’ abilities to manage the emotional ups and downs of becoming an adult. Decatur Arts Alliance To market a collaboration with the Decatur Downtown Development Authority to give performing artists an opportunity to perform

through a revised busking program in the commercial areas of Decatur. Decatur Education Foundation To address the disproportionality in academics and behavioral referrals in Decatur Schools. DEF plans to create an Equity Fund for training and support. Decatur Family YMCA For a two-part program, including swimming lessons and fitness training, to serve 24 immigrant girls from the Global Village School in Decatur. Decatur High School Band Parents Association To purchase instruments for students who wish to participate in the band but cannot afford to purchase instruments. Decatur High School German Exchange Program For the 2018 Kidtoberfest, to be held on the Friday afternoon prior to the Decatur Craft Beer Festival on the Decatur square. Kidtoberfest began in 2016 when Little Shop of

12 | Decatur Focus • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018

Stories and the German Exchange Program formed a partnership, pairing Little Shop’s annual Root Beer Festival with the traditional German festival Octoberfest. Decatur-Area Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM) To replace 60-year-old furniture with updated desks and seating for volunteers and staff. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project To help support the annual project, which assists low-income senior Decatur homeowners with house maintenance and repairs, and provides its services free of charge to the community. DeKalb History Center To add two customized adjustable tables to the collections storage area. DeKalb Library Foundation To cover the cost of coding robot kits and special program experience for the new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) series at the Decatur Library. See Beer Fest Grants on page 13

Business and Nonprofit News Beer Fest Grants continued from page 12 Global Growers Network, Inc. To rebuild and revitalize an existing tool shed in Decatur’s Kitchen Garden, and to acquire the additional landscaping tools needed to maintain the garden. Haints & Saints Halloween Parade For marketing and event insurance for a selfsustaining annual event that attracts visitors (and their dollars) to Decatur. I CARE, Inc. To contribute to awarding gas cards to volunteer drivers and help defray part of their transportation costs.

Music Together of Decatur Offers Winter Class Music Together of Decatur – for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and the grownups who love them – invites you to join a 10-week winter music class, Jan. 8-March 17. Sing, dance and play instruments with other kids and grownups at First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave. Participants will receive two CDs and a songbook full of all the songs for the semester. For a schedule of classes visit musictogetherofdecatur.com. Email info@musictogetherofdecatur.com or call 678-466-0737 for more information.

Literacy Action To provide Literacy Action’s Decatur campus students free access to vision care and glasses if necessary so they can continue to move toward their academic goals. Mead Road Mardi Gras To cover expenses for police presence during the annual parade and festival. The event in early February raises money for gifts to the CSD music and arts programs. On The Same Page To pay for workshop materials, professionals’ fees, and live jazz music at OTSP events, including workshops led by professional writers, actors, and musicians from the Atlanta area. Our House To purchase classroom materials and supplies for early childhood education programs provided by Our House to homeless children. Reading Is Essential for All People (REAP) To support training for K-3 CSD elementary school teachers in multi-sensory, systematic, explicit, sequential, and phonics-based instruction. The TEARS Foundation-Georgia Chapter To assist with the cost of five infant funerals. The foundation works with local hospitals and funeral homes to reach newly bereaved families and assist with funeral expenses.

Youth Group Brings Halloween to Ebster

Last October, the Fitzgerald Court Junior Youth Group made 100 treat bags and brought Halloween to the Ebster Recreation Center. Group members worked closely with Portia Langley, program supervisor at Ebster, to plan the project and make posters. The group meets every week and its members are from many different backgrounds and faith traditions. Learning about service is one of the core components of the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program. The program is open to young people ages 1215 and works to enhance the qualities and attributes that a life of service to humanity requires. For more information about the group or to join, contact Linda Ahdieh Grant, lahdieh@gmail.com.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 • Decatur Focus | 13

Business & Nonprofit News Woodlands Garden Wildflower Spotlight: Trillium

Solarium Grants: A Call for Proposals

Georgia is home to dozens of early spring wildflowers that captivate and inspire plant lovers of all ages. One of these, trillium, is the first native wildflower to emerge during late January or February. Trillium derives its name from the three bracts (leaves), three petals, and three sepals that give the plant such a unique appearance. There are more than 50 trillium species described around the world. Georgia is home to at least 22 of them, making it the most concentrated area of diversity in the world. Trillium flowers can be red, maroon, purple, yellow, or white depending on the species, but the most common species in Decatur, trillium cuneatum, sports a deep maroon flower. Trillium is very slow growing, typically requiring seven years from germination to its first flower, but its leaves are just as unique and attractive as the petals. Beyond its ornamental features, Trillium is also special because its seeds are spread by ants. The seeds are attached to a fat-enriched structure called an elaiosome, which attracts ants that carry the seeds back to their colonies. After the ants eat the elaiosome, the seed is discarded underground where it can germinate and grow into a new plant. Look closely in your backyard to see if you can spot any trillium emerging this spring, or visit Woodlands Garden to see large patches of six unique trillium species and many other early-blooming spring wildflowers called spring ephemerals. Woodlands Garden is free to explore and open during daylight hours, seven days a week. For more information and the latest updates, visit woodlandsgarden.org.

he Community Center of South Decatur/Solarium board of directors is now accepting applications from Decatur-based nonprofit organizations to be considered for funding from proceeds from CCSD/Solarium fundraising events held in 2017. The CCSD is interested in funding projects that contribute to the quality of life in Decatur. The board prefers to use its grant funds to jump-start special projects and provide seed capital to get focused activities off the ground. Organizations must be based within the city of Decatur to be considered. The grant application for 2018 may be found at thesolarium.com. Applications must be received by Thursday, March 15. For more information, contact grants@thesolarium.com. Grant recipients will be notified in late April.

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Business and Nonprofit News Friends of Decatur Library Winter Book Sale

Geneticist/Painter Showing Works at Arts Alliance Gallery

Saturday, Feb. 3 • 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Friends of the Decatur Library will host a book sale on lthe lower level of the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St. Thousands of gently used fiction, nonfiction and children’s books, as well as CDs, will be available for purchase. Only cash or checks will be accepted. Dealers must scan at tables. All proceeds benefit the programs and collections of the Decatur Library. Admission is free. Donations of gently used books are always welcome at the library’s front desks.

emi-retired genetics professor Jim Ingles will exhibit a collection of his artworks at the Decatur Arts Alliance Gallery through March 3. On display are non-objective abstracts (acrylic paintings and silk-screen prints) and plein air landscapes painted outdoors. He also creates paper collages when traveling without his painting supplies. Ingles splits his time between homes in Toronto and Decatur, and has painted landscapes of places across the U.S., Canada, and in Provence and Tuscany. To see examples of his work, stop by the gallery, open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 113 Clairemont Ave., in the Decatur Visitors Center. More of his work is available at jiminglesart.weebly.com.

CORE Dance Lunchtime in the Studio Thursday, Feb. 8 • noon-1 p.m. • 133 Sycamore St. Core Dance uses dance to connect us, and Lunchtime in the Studio amplifies the artistic risk-taking, invention, community participation, collaboration, and enquiry that form the heart of Core Dance’s vision. The event is free and open to the community. Advance reservations guarantee a seat and lunch ticket as long as you arrive between 11:45 a.m. and noon. At noon all reservations will be released and lunch tickets will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Lunch for the first 40 who arrive. Visit coredance.org to register.

Second Annual Love Run 5K Join DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 24 for the third annual Love Run 5K to benefit the Women’s Resource Center. The 5K will take place in the streets of downtown Decatur and is walker friendly, while also being competitive for runners. For more information or to register, visit https://goo.gl/NQuBz8.

Southern Soiree & Auction: A Night Out for a Cause The Community School will host its seventh annual Southern Soiree & Auction at the Smoke Rise Country Club in Stone Mountain on Feb. 10. The event includes a buffet-style dinner, a cash bar, a DJ and dancing, as well as live and silent auctions. Sponsorships and auction items are welcomed and appreciated. The school is a local nonprofit organization providing services and programs to support the education and social-emotional development of adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum. Classes are tailored to meet the individual needs of each participant and to help them reach goals that they set collaboratively, including as much independence as possible. This event supports these programs. Visit thecommunityschool.net/southernsoiree to learn more. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 • Decatur Focus | 15

Decatur DBA News Events School News Francine Reed Performs in Black History Month Concert Francine Reed returns to Eddie’s Attic for Decatur’s annual Black History Month concert on Sunday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.). Tickets are on sale now and they’ll go quickly, so don’t hesitate. Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson hosts this annual concert and Francine has performed since its inception in 1995. Tickets are available at eddiesattic.com.

January 23

State of the City Address Decatur Courtyard by Marriott

Meeting Reminder

130 Clairemont Ave. 5:15 p.m. Networking reception 6 p.m. Meet the new DBA officer slate for 2018. Decatur’s Mayor delivers the annual State of the City Address Sponsored by Decatur Development Authority, Courtyard by Marriott, and Taiyo Ramen

Trillium cuneatum leaves and buds emerging in late winter. 16 | Decatur Focus • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018

February 26

Black History Month Meeting presented by Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson Location TBA 5:15 p.m. Networking reception 6 p.m. Program

Decatur Events Decatur City Dance Presents Winter Dance 2018 On Feb. 3, the Apprentice and Junior Ensembles of Decatur City Dance will present Winter Dance in the theater at St. Pius High School at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The show will feature a new contemporary work by Leslie Gourley titled Words, featuring quotes from various authors set to music by Max Richter and a pointe ballet titled Trios by Heather

Yates. Resident choreographer Toya Willingham will revive her moving dance, A Call For Help, originally staged in honor of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. Guest choreographers Lisa Fusillo of University of Georgia, and Bridget Roosa of Agnes Scott College, will present restaged works of Dvorak’s Serenade and Fara’s Dream. AboutFace (DCD’s

professional jazz ensemble) and BareGrounds (Decatur School of Ballet’s modern dance ensemble) will appear as guest performers. Tickets go on sale Jan. 8, $13 in advance (online at decaturcitydance.org), $15 at the door, $5 for students (18 and under) and seniors (65 and over). For more information, call 404-378-3388.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 • Decatur Focus | 17

Decatur Events Let the Good Times Roll! Mead Road Mardi Gras

oin Mead Road residents for the annual Mead Road Mardi Gras Parade and Festival. Grab your friends and neighbors and organize a krewe. You can show off your creativity and win bragging rights for the best float or costumes. The parade marches through Oakhurst and raises money to fund music and arts grants in Decatur city schools. Last year, Westchester Elementary took the grand prize for the best school krewe, the Yacht Club won for the best krewe and the Decatur

Makers won for the best float. The parade begins at the 4/5 Academy in Oakhurst and ends at the Imperial on W. College Avenue. After the parade, stay for the festival and enjoy live music, performances from students, and Louisiana cuisine. The money raised will be donated to the Decatur Education Foundation to fund music and arts grants in the Decatur city schools. Since 2014, the Mead Road Mardi Gras has raised $20,000 for the purchase of a bass clarinet for the Decatur High School band

program, a euphonium for the Renfroe Middle School band program, a piano for the DHS Performing Arts Center, African drums for the 4/5 Academy and age-appropriate instruments for Westchester and Glennwood elementary schools. It has also bought choral arrangements for the DHS and RMS choruses, PA equipment for the DHS chorus program and costumes for the DHS drama program. So “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” For more information, visit meadrdmardigras.org.

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ll Decatur and everybody else, too, are invited Sunday, Feb. 25 • residents, 2 and 4 p.m. to walk the Decatur 515 E. Ponce deinLeon Ave. Lantern Parade on the evening of Friday, May 15. This is one of those “the-more-the-merrier” ickets 18th annual Holy Trinity English events,forsothe plan now to participate and be a partAfternoon of helping Tea will be available starting Sunday, Jan. 28. They are $15 to make this lantern parade memorable. in advance and generally sell out at least a week before the Make your own lantern at home or event, so purchase them early. Tables for eight are available come to a lantern-making workshop for $120. where supplies and guidance are providfood the event is prepared and served by volunteers from the ed.All Find outfor where and when by visiting parish. The first seating begins promptly at 2 p.m. The second seating decaturlanternparade.com. is at 4 p.m. To participate, line up at Color Wheel Funds salesAve. areafter donated to Decatur-area outreach minStudio at from 508 E.ticket Howard 8 p.m. istries. Over the last 17 years, close to $80,000 has been distributed to The parade steps off at 9 p.m. led by The nonprofits such as Decatur Cooperative Ministries, the Decatur EmerBlack Sheep Marching Ensemble and pagency Assistance Ministry, Our House, and Hagar’s House. rade guru Chantelle Rytter. The parade Ticket sales begin prior to the 10:30 a.m. service at Holy Trinity on will wend its way to the community Sunday, Jan. 28. Telephone reservations begin Monday, Jan. 29, and bandstand in front of the Old Courtmust be paid for by Thursday, Feb. 22. Cash and checks are accepted. house on the square. Church office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon and The parade is sponsored by Color 1-4:30 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m.-noon. Wheel Studio, Decatur Arts Alliance, More details at holytrinitydecatur.org, or call 404-377-2622. Decatur Education Foundation, and the Decatur Development Authority.

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School News Westchester Announces Lineup for Battle of the Bands

ifteen rockin’ bands vied for five open slots to compete in Westchester’s third annual Battle of the Bands, presented by Decatur CoWorks and Natalie Gregory-Keller Williams. Westchester’s independent selection committee has announced that Flock of Eagles, Transmit and Receive, Kickin’ Edgar, The Squirrelheads, and The Benders will compete against each other for bragging rights and the golden wolverine trophy. The event, which benefits the students of Westchester Elementary School, will be held on Friday, March 23, at Avondale Towne Cinema. Yvonne Monet will emcee. Celebrity judges include Tammy Dammann, The Dammages; Dr. Dude, CSD superintendent; Tony Powers, Decatur city commissioner and Intown Ace Hardware co-owner; Shani Sammons, Board of Governors, The Recording Academy (Grammys) marketer; and Mark Trojanowski, drummer, Sister Hazel. Westchester thanks all of the sponsors who help make this event possible, as well as everyone who submitted their bands for consideration. For more information, visit westchesterrocks.org. Tickets will be available for purchase soon.

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Friends School Provides Free Aftercare for Youngest Students

ollowing a successful year piloting its Pre-K 3 program, the Friends School of Atlanta (FSA) will expand the capacity of its class for three-year-olds and will also offer aftercare at no additional cost for Pre-K 3, Pre-K and Kindergarten. FSA offers a full-day Pre-K 3 curriculum that is completely integrated into the elementary school program. Preschoolers receive individualized attention and participate in school-wide art and music programs. Keeping in line with FSA’s mission, students are taught Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. The school now offers aftercare at no additional costs for its youngest students. The new aftercare program caters to the specific needs of three- through-five-year-old students, starting in fall 2018. For more information, contact Nancy Bent at nancy.bent@friendsschoolatlanta.org, or 404-3738746. ext. 8135.

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School News Register Now for Tour deCatur 5K Race

n March 10, lace up your running shoes and join 3,000+ runners in Decatur’s biggest 5K event, Tour deCatur. In its 16th year, the Tour includes a one-mile fun run and the always-adorable tot trot, so the whole family can participate. Register today at tourdecatur.com to get a discounted rate and guaranteed race T-shirts. Your family’s participation in this community event helps support Decatur Education Foundation’s many initiatives, including its mentoring programs, Opportunity Partnership and REACH, for which DEF is currently seeking volunteer mentors for the 2018-19 school year. For more information about all of DEF’s programs, visit decatureducationfoundation.org.

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School News Decatur First Methodist Preschool and Kindergarten Registration for School Year 2018-2019

ecatur First Methodist Weekday Children’s Ministries includes a preschool and kindergarten program at 312 Sycamore St. Children ages two-and-a-half (three by Dec. 31) to six may attend the half-day program, 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday, mid-August through May. Optional 12-1 enrichment classes are also available. The program features: • A Christian environment • Small child-teacher ratio • Large classrooms, an outdoor playground, and a rainy day indoor playroom • Music every day for every class • A weekly chapel service for the 4s and 5s, led by the ministers of our church

• Teachers who attend at least four preschool workshop classes each year, are CPR/first aid trained, and have completed nationwide background checks • Special programs: storytellers, musicians, puppet shows, Science Excitement and Fun Fitness on Fridays • Field trips to the Decatur fire station, Stone Mountain, Georgia Aquarium, Oakhurst Community Garden and others • Handwriting Without Tears curriculum • Option of extended day from noon until 1 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday • Classes in Spanish, art, science and yoga with Theresa Taube • Letter Bugs classes with Jessica Dykes

• Junior Scientist classes with Myrna Hardjono and Kate Pawlicki • Vegetable garden planted and maintained by our kindergarten class • An active parent group with volunteer activities • Summer Smiles weekly summer camps. Decatur First United Methodist Church is at 300 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. Attend an Open House on either Thursday, Jan. 11, or Monday, Jan. 22, 9:15-10:30 a.m. Visitors, by appointment, are always welcome to visit our classes prior to the Open House dates. Call Joanne Hauserman or Beth Buyert, 404377-5784, email dfumpreschool@gmail.com, or visit decaturfirst.org.

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Around Town

#decaturga

Sprucing up for Porchfest

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

Story Time!

Did you notice how shiny and new Oakhurst ‘s Feld Avenue looked for Porchfest this year? It was no accident. Neighbors had a planning meeting (porch party) on Friday night and spent Saturday morning trimming hedges, mowing lawns, collecting litter, and doing general clean up.

School Resource Officer Edwards was invited to read to some comfy and cozy Winnona Park Elementary students (they wore their jammies!) on the last day before the winter break began.

#oakhurstlife #ittakesacommunity #andelbowgrease

#happyholidays

#decaturpd

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Bon Voyage, Cap’n Fred!

In a salute and send-off to Mayor Pro Tem Fred Boykin during his final City Commission meeting, Mayor Patti Garrett and commissioners Drake, Smith, and Powers all donned captain’s hats. Boykin has indicated he’ll spend a good part of his retirement as a boat guy and plans to make a new home somewhere along the coast. #happysails

#bonvoyage

#thelifeaquatic

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