Decatur Focus March 2018 by City of Decatur

Focus

for new residents

HELLO

City of Decatur

WELCOME TO DECATU

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MARCH 2018 Volume 28 • Number 7

Official Publication of The City of Decatur, Georgia

Imagine to

Innovate

Children’s Home Master Plan Process Continues

uring a kick-off workshop in February, the community came together to celebrate Decatur’s purchase of the United Methodist Children’s Home property on Columbia Drive and began to imagine the possibilities for its future. Tours of the 77-acre property and planning activities, followed by Civic Dinners hosted by Decatur residents, generated fond memories, great ideas, and shared perspectives.

What's your

Vision? united methodist CHILDREN’S HOME

Public Workshops Scheduled in March

We imagined – now it’s time to innovate. The city, assisted by its consultant team led by Cooper Carry, Inc., will host a series of interactive workshops with the public to listen, translate ideas to paper, and prioritize goals of the city and community. We want you to stay involved in shaping the vision for the future of the Children’s Home property. Find out how to host a Civic Dinner and sign up for announcements by visiting decaturnext.com/category/ umch. For more information, contact Angela Threadgill, 678-553-6575, or angela.threadgill@decaturga.com.

News 3 City

BUsiness 14 NEWs

All workshops will be held in the main building of the Children’s Home property, 500 S. Columbia Dr. Saturday, March 3 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, March 6 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 10 2-5 p.m.

DBA 16 NEWs

DECATUR School 17 EVENTs news 21

Focus City of Decatur

Decatur Makeover Expands Coverage:

Traffic Disruptions Now Reported Citywide

ave you checked out the recently updated Decatur Makeover site? It now reflects its own little makeover, refocused to keep residents up-to-date on planned traffic and construction-related disruptions citywide.

With the ever-changing nature of technology and its impacts on how people want or need to communicate, the city continues to monitor and evaluate how we connect with residents and how people can be informed more effectively and efficiently. The site was launched in 2016 to keep residents advised of traffic impacts and other inconveniences created by substantial downtown infrastructure and development projects. Those projects included the overhaul of N. McDonough Street, the rebuilding of railroad crossings at both McDonough and Candler, the replacement of crumbling stormwater infrastructure in the Old Decatur neighborhood, the Callaway redevelopment project, downtown crosswalks, and expansion work at Decatur High School. “People found it helpful,” reports Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon. So much so that, now that many of those downtown projects are wrapping up, expanding the site’s coverage seemed the logical next step. Expect a similar format moving forward, with the addition of new geographic color-coding (northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest, and downtown) allowing for a quick and easy relevance check when new updates are posted. New alerts can be found in the site’s main feed. Residents are encouraged to join the email list, which generates a notification every time new news is posted. Of course, immediate and time-sensitive issues such as traffic incidents or emergencies will continue to be communicated via city and Decatur Police social media channels. Plug in and keep moving. Here’s how: • Read the latest updates for what to expect and what to avoid at decaturmakeover.com. • Sign up for the all-new email list to receive notification whenever we post. • Follow the city on Facebook and Twitter.

Focus on Economic Development

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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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

City News

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT

DOWNTOWN DECATUR

s winter begins to wane, take a stroll through downtown Decatur to observe the rich layers of architecture it has to offer. Decatur was incorporated in 1823 as the seat of DeKalb County. The original DeKalb County Courthouse, lasting just one year, was a small log building. The 1917 granite courthouse, which today houses the DeKalb History Center, is the fifth to sit on the same site. The city founders laid out streets in a Roman-type town plan, with the focal point being the courthouse, set on a natural rise and surrounded by an open area functioning as the chief meeting place of the town, and bordered by residences and commerce. Evidence of the layout can still be seen in the brick commercial buildings dating from the 1890s to the 1950s on East Court Square and Sycamore Street. Architectural styles of this period include Beaux Arts and Classical Revival. A development boom in the 1950s brought more modern architecture, as seen in the Decatur Library, the Decatur Recreation Center and Decatur Fire Station No. 1 to the east of the square. The 1960s brought the construction of Decatur High School, towering bank buildings and several government buildings. With the decision to bring MARTA into downtown Decatur, the original town layout took on a new shape. Peavine Creek prevented the transit rail from going fully below grade; therefore several sections of streets and buildings were replaced with larger, open meeting places for a growing population with a penchant for festivals and celebrations. Because of thoughtful decisions made past and present, Decatur was designated by the American Planning Association in 2013 as one the Great Places in America. Take some time to appreciate our downtown’s history, streetscapes, and unique character that make it a special place.

Bike Safety Poster Contest: Happy Cycling Is Safe Cycling

2017 poster contest winners

May is National Bike Month and Decatur Safe Routes to School invites students in grades K-8 to participate in the third annual Bike to School Month poster contest. This year’s theme is Happy Cycling Is Safe Cycling. Creativity is encouraged. A panel of judges will select four winners who will receive gift certificates from Bicycle South, the contest sponsor. Judging will be based on creativity, inclusion of the bike safety theme, and originality. Age and grade will play a factor in the judging. The winning posters will be printed and displayed throughout the city during May. Winners will also be recognized at the Decatur City Commission meeting in May and poster art will be featured in the May issue of the Focus. The deadline is March 9. Students should turn in their entries to their schools by 3 p.m. For more information on how to enter, and the registration form, visit decaturga.com/srts or contact cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com. Entry forms will also be available at each participating school. MARCH 2018 • Decatur Focus | 3

City News Touch-A-Budget Returns

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BRUARY: Depar begin. MARCH: tment budget planning an d preparation Departments submit their bu for the coming dget requests year. Budget is reviewed collab all departmen ts. Public input oratively with begins. APRIL continue to wo : Departments rk together to develop draft input continu city budget. Pu es. MAY: Draft blic bu dg to City Comm ission. Public inp et completed and presented ut hearings on bu dget and millag continues. JUNE: Public e rate. Final ado and millage rat e. JULY: New pti budget takes effe on of budget ct. decaturga.com/ budget | info @decaturga.com | 404-370-410 2

Decatur Neighborhood Alliance Meeting

Tuesday, March 20 • 6:30 p.m. Decatur Recreation Center • 231 Sycamore St. ome represent your neighborhood at the Decatur Neighborhood Alliance meeting. You do not need to be a board member, you only need to care about your neighborhood and your neighbors. You are invited to attend whether you live in a house, condominium, townhome or apartment. Join the discussion on how to build stronger and more effective neighborhoods – bring your questions and solutions on how to make Decatur’s sense of community even greater for everyone. This is also a good time to start planning for National Neighborhood Day, a celebration of neighborhoods held annually on the third Sunday in September. This year, Neighborhood Day is Sept. 16. Come to the meeting and share ideas on ways to get to know your neighbors better. Last year, the Decatur Heights neighborhood invited neighbors to recognize each other with a simple greeting – waving, nodding or just saying hello. Join us to create some fun awards this year. Share your ideas for awards – best neighborhood to keep it friendly, keep it weird, or wave to the most people. Contact Lee Ann Harvey, leeann.harvey@decaturga.com, or 678553-6548, to confirm your attendance or to update your neighborhood’s listing. To update, find more information, and/or check if your neighborhood is on the Neighborhood Groups website visit decaturga. com/neighborhoodgroups.

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March 31

3/2/17

Brief

Inclement weather site: Decatur Recreation Center • 231 Sycamore St.

The Budget in

Touchabudget-poster.pdf

Tuesday, March 20 • 5-7 p.m • MARTA Plaza Get an up-close-and-personal look at the city’s budgeting process at the free Touch-A-Budget event. See what “pending spending” is planned for the FY 2018-2019 city budget and how it Walk right in! EXHIBITS GAMES PRIZES supports the 2010 Strategic Plan principles Tuesday, March 21 • 5-7 pm By the Numb Tuesday ers: On the MARTA Plaza developed by Decatur $24,377,040 Adopted FY16-17 gen eral fund revenue and residents. Talk to repexpenditure tota (GF) l Get hands-on with Decatur’s Ado pte d GF 2017-2018 66% Fiscal 5:30-7:30 expenditures pm resentatives from all year budget! personnel cos 221 ft /266 p Adopted FY16-1ts7 city departments and t staffing play budget games for prizes. For informaThe Parts of a City Tax Dollar tion, check decaturga. com/budget. (Rain location: Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St.)

Have a Story You Would Like to Share?

he Decatur Focus, the official newsletter of the City of Decatur, is published 10 times per year and mailed to every household, business and professional license-holder in the city. January/February and July/August are combined issues. The publication is supported by the City of Decatur, the Decatur Business Association and the Decatur Downtown Development Authority. The Focus publishes announcements and information about the city, including city services, downtown development, school news, business news, and news about individual residents and neighborhood associations. Its purpose is to promote the city and encourage the exchange of information among residents, business owners, and the school system. Submissions (especially those with high-resolution images) are encouraged and should be received by the first of the month prior to the month of publication (i.e., information that appears in the April issue should be submitted by March 1). The Decatur Focus also accepts advertising. For information about ad rates call 404-371-8386. 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. Each edition of the Focus is available in a digital format and is posted on Decatur’s official website at decaturga.com/focus. Sign up for email to receive notifications as soon as each issue is posted. Contact: Editor, Decatur Focus, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031; 404371-8386; fax 404-371-1593; email decaturfocus@decaturga.com.

Public Restroom Availability in Downtown Decatur Decatur City Hall 509 North McDonough St. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri

Old DeKalb Courthouse 101 E. Court Square 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri

Decatur Recreation Center 231 Sycamore St. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Thu 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat

Decatur Branch, DeKalb County Library 215 Sycamore St. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thu-Sat 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sun

Ebster Recreation Center 105 Electric Ave. 11 am-6 p.m. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat Decatur Police Department 420 W. Trinity Place 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon-Sat

DeKalb County Courthouse 556 N. McDonough St. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri Maloof Building – DeKalb County 1300 Commerce Dr. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri

City News Neighborhood Cleanup Days 2018 • Saturdays, March-June, beginning 7:30 a.m. • Schedule available at decaturga.com/ neighborhoodcleanup The City of Decatur is hosting Neighborhood Cleanup Days on Saturdays March through June to allow residents to dispose of bulky materials that would not normally be placed in pay-as-you-throw bags. Every street in the city has been assigned a Saturday. See the instructions noted here, and find the date for your street on the city website. Please read carefully to note changes. All items to be collected should be placed at the curb no later than 7:30 a.m. This ensures that we do not have to rerun routes for late setouts. Collections run until 3:30 p.m., or until finished, whichever is sooner. If you have questions, contact Sean Woodson, sean.woodson@decaturga. com or 404-377-5571.

Acceptable items: • Yard trimmings • Building materials (that are not from the work of private contractors) • Tires • Furniture • Appliances (not containing Freon) • Trash that would not normally be placed in pay-as-you-throw bags Unacceptable items: • • • • •

Liquids Dirt Bricks Blocks Stone, rocks, or concrete • Motor vehicle batteries or parts

Spring Movie Night on West Ponce Join us on Friday night, March 23, 6 p.m., for Spring Movie Night on West Ponce, for a viewing of the movie Wonder. The evening will begin with some Decatur trivia at 6 p.m. West Ponce retailers and restaurants have provided prizes for trivia winners. The movie will begin at 6:45 p.m. Bring your blankets, soccer and lawn chairs, grab some dinner from one of the many restaurants on West Ponce, and settle in for an evening with friends and neighbors. This is a free event, but everyone must register at freshtix.com/events/spring-movienight-on-west-ponce-2.

Decatur Youth Council Update Members of the Decatur Youth Council, the city’s advisory committee for youth issues, volunteered for the MLK Day Service Project in January. They raked leaves, painted houses, and completed other home improvement projects for residents in Oakhurst. The DYC has made public service a priority and will continue participating in community service projects. The Decatur Youth Council recently toured the Decatur Public Works building to learn more about how the city operates. The council would like to thank David Junger, Sean Woodson, Sean Yates, and Courtney Frisch, who were very helpful in coordinating the tour and educating the council about the different roles of the offices in the Public Works building. For more information on the DYC, visit decaturga.com/DYC.

MARCH 2018 • Decatur Focus | 5

City News

The Facts on

Flooding in Decatur

lthough located at the top of the watershed, Decatur periodically experiences minor to moderate localized flooding. These conditions are a symptom of the fully developed nature of the city. Documented flooding problems have occurred along Peavine Creek at a condominium complex near Coventry Road. Along Peavine Creek Tributary, two houses on the south side of Garden Lane and two houses on the south side of Lamont Drive are subject to occasional flooding. Five houses damaged by flooding at the end of Westchester Drive were purchased by the City of Decatur, with help from FEMA, and converted to green space.

Two isolated locations in the upper Peavine Creek Basin – Landsdowne Avenue at Hibernia Avenue and an area along North Candler Street – have some problems with flood damage due to poor localized drainage. Occasional flooding on the South Fork Peachtree Creek Tributary has been a continuing problem for property owners in the vicinity of Willow Lane just downstream of the Church Street crossing. In 1971, a flood on this tributary resulted in substantial personal property damage near Landover Drive and North Decatur Road. Potential for flood damages appears to be minimal in the southern half of the city, which is drained by Shoal Creek and Sugar Creek Tributary. The lack of any significant history of flood damages to residences and other buildings along Shoal Creek and its tributaries is due to the absence of development on the floodplains in the southeastern section of the city. Because of extensive storm drainage improvements in the past, no recent flood damage problems have been experienced along Sugar Creek Tributary. Although damage to buildings generally is limited, ponding behind drainage pipes and culverts and flooding of streets, driveways, parking lots, and yards are a recurring 6 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2018

concern at some locations in Peavine Creek, Shoal Creek, and South Fork Peachtree Creek Tributary basins. For example, the Peavine Creek basin often experiences flooding problems. Channel erosion and damage to drainage and bank stabilization structures are also a problem in some areas of these three basins. As a result of basin improvements, areas drained by Sugar Creek Tributary have been relatively free of ponding or erosion problems for many years. City Flood Services Decatur’s Design, Environment and Construction Division provides general and sitespecific flood and flood-related information on property located within the city limits. To obtain site-specific responses, individuals making inquiries must provide a survey of the specific property and elevation data relating to existing structures and site topography. The Design, Environment, and Construction Division and the Decatur Public Library also have reference documents on flooding and flood protection available for review. A map information service is available from the division for a $10 fee. This service provides inquirers with the current Flood Insurance Rate Map information and identifies whether a property is in a Special Flood

Hazard Area. An accurate street address or DeKalb County/Decatur Tax Parcel number is needed to obtain this information. If you would like more information, contact the Design, Environment and Construction Division, 404-370-4104. What You Can Do Several of the city’s efforts depend on your cooperation and assistance. Here’s how you can help: • Do not dump debris or throw anything into the ditches or streams. Depositing debris, trash, and other items in ditches and streams is a violation of the city’s Solid Waste Ordinance Section 82-38. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and clog channels. A clogged channel cannot carry the necessary volume of water. When it rains the water has to go somewhere, usually flooding yards and streets, thus damaging property and endangering public safety. Every piece of trash contributes to flooding. • Individual property owners are responsible for maintenance of the creeks and drainage ditches on their property. Please do your part and keep the banks clear of brush and debris. In addition to maintaining the public roadways and public drainage facilities, the city can help remove major blockages from the creeks, such as fallen trees. • Report the depositing of debris and trash into streams and storm drains and blockages to the Design, Environment and Construction Division, 404-370-4104. • Check with the division before you build on, alter, re-grade, or fill on your property. Such activities in floodplains are strictly regulated and permits may be needed. • Report illegal construction activities to the Design, Environment and Construction Division, 404-370-4104.

City News City of Decatur Design, Environment, and Construction Division 404-370-4104 • decaturga.com Floodproofing There are several different ways to protect a building from flood damage. For example, you can re-grade your lot or build a small floodwall or earthen berm. These methods work if your lot is large enough, if flooding is not too deep, and if your property is not in the designated floodway. Please note that permits are required prior to undertaking these and similar activities. Another approach is to waterproof your walls and place watertight closures over the doorways. This method is not recommended for houses with basements or if water will get more than two feet deep. You can also consider raising the house above flood levels. Drive by and check out the dwellings at 504 Westchester Dr. and 249 S. Columbia Dr. to see examples of elevated buildings. Many houses, even those not located in the floodplain, have sanitary sewers that back up into the basement during heavy rains. This may be due to stormwater infiltration into the sanitary sewer line. A plug or standpipe can stop this if the water doesn’t get more than one or two feet deep. These can be purchased at a hardware store for under $25. For deeper sewer backup flooding, talk to a plumber. The above measures are called floodproofing or retrofitting. More information is available from the Decatur Design, Environment and Construction Division or the Decatur Public Library. Please note that re-grading or filling in the floodplain requires a permit. Also, any alteration to your building or land may require a permit from the Design, Environment and Construction Division. If you know a major flood is coming, you should shut off the gas and electricity and move valuable contents upstairs or raise items off the floor. Fortunately, the flooding experienced in Decatur is localized and most floodwaters will recede within a few hours. However it is unlikely that you will get much warning, so a detailed checklist prepared in advance will help ensure that you don’t forget anything.

Flood Insurance If you don’t have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. However, because the City of Decatur participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and implements activities that exceed the minimum NFIP standards, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy at discounted premiums. This insurance is backed by the federal government and is available to everyone, even for properties that have been flooded in the past. There is a 30-day waiting period from the time the insurance is applied for until it becomes effective. Some people have purchased flood insurance because the financial institution required it when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building’s structure and not the contents. Property owners need to verify with their insurance agent what extent of contents coverage is available. During a flood in 1990, the damage to the contents of a property near the South Fork Peachtree Creek Tributary exceeded the damage to the structure. At last count, there were 202 active flood insurance policies in the city of Decatur. If you are covered, check out the amount and make sure you have contents coverage. Remember, even if the last flood missed you or you have done some flood proofing, the next flood could be worse. Flood insurance covers all surface floods. Flood Safety Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure the ground is still there. Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Do not drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out. Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.

The number two flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to the Georgia Power Company by dialing toll free 1-888-891-0938. If your house or other structure is flooded, contact the power company to turn off the electricity. Some appliances, such as television sets, keep electrical charges even after they have been unplugged. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned and dried by qualified personnel. Look out for animals, especially snakes. Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare away small animals. Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris including broken bottles and nails. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be slippery. Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Don’t smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames, unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated. Inspections: Repair and Maintenance Activities Staff from the Drainage Section of the Design, Environment and Construction Division are available to conduct site visits to review flood, drainage, and storm sewer problems and determine if corrective repair or maintenance action is the responsibility of the city or the private property owner. For more information regarding this service or to request an inspection call 404-370-4104. Learn More For more information call the Design, Environment and Construction Division or visit decaturga.com and follow the links to the floodplain information. Copies of this document can be obtained at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St., or the Leveritt Public Works Building, DEC office, 1st floor, 2635 Talley St.

MARCH 2018 • Decatur Focus | 7

City News Decatur Is Recognized as a Live, Work, Play City

n January, Decatur received a 2018 Live, Work, Play City Award presented by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), in conjunction with Georgia Trend magazine, during GMA’s annual Mayors’ Day conference in Atlanta. Though each city provides different services, contest judges praised the winning cities for their success in advancing job creation, housing offerings, and recreational amenities. Judges for the 2018 Live, Work, Play Cities Award represented Georgia Power’s office of Community and Economic Impact, the Department of Community Affairs and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. In addition to being recognized during GMA’s Mayors’ Day, winning cities will be highlighted in the association’s monthly newspaper, Georgia’s Cities.

Touch a Truck Saturday, March 17 • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. East Lake MARTA Station North lot

he annual Touch-a-Truck community event gives children of all ages an opportunity to see, touch and explore their favorite trucks or equipment on wheels. City of Decatur and DeKalb County dump trucks, fire trucks, tractors, police cars and motorcycles and many other types of vehicles will be on display. There will even be a solar panel display truck. The event is presented by Decatur Active Living. Ride MARTA! This year’s Touch a Truck event will be held in the East Lake MARTA station’s North lot (on W. Howard Avenue/DeKalb Avenue). Parking is limited so consider riding the train, walking or biking to the event. Register your bike We encourage folks to ride their bikes to the event to have them registered by the Decatur Police Department. All those who ride bikes to the event will also receive a special bike pin. Food drive March is National Nutrition Month, a campaign that focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. When you come to Touch-A-Truck, join in the effort by bringing canned or nonperishable food items. All items will be delivered to the Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry (DEAM). For more information, contact Cheryl Burnette, 678-553-6541, or cheryl. burnette@decaturga.com. Be sure to visit beactivedecatur.com for up-to-date information on all Active Living programs throughout the year. This year’s event is sponsored by the City of Decatur, Two Men and a Truck, and MARTA.

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City News Publix Georgia Marathon March 18 The Publix Georgia Marathon is coming through Decatur on Sunday morning, March 18, and the community is invited to participate. Decaturites are needed to help place Burma Shavestyle signs along the route to welcome the runners into our city. Volunteers will pick up signs from city hall on Thursday afternoon, March 15, and place them in specified locations in the city on Sunday morning at 5:30 a.m. A placement distribution list will be provided at signage pick-up on Thursday. There will also be an official cheering section on Ponce de Leon adjacent to the Old Courthouse, on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. We need noisemakers, signs, and your cheers to help remind the runners that Decatur has the best cheering section of all! For more information on the marathon and to volunteer, contact Shirley Baylis, 678-553-6573, or email shirley.baylis@ decaurga.com.

New Cemetery Walking Tour Brochure More Stops! More History! A new, expanded edition of FODC’s self-guided cemetery tour brochure includes new stops and covers new time-periods and areas previously unexplored, including the historic African American section, a popular musician, the civil-rights mayor of Milwaukee, and a Supreme Court justice who made Georgia history. Decatur c emeter The new broWalking tour y chures, issued by the FODC (Friends of that Decatur Cemetery), are available at the our Cemetery Office and at the Decatur Decatur, Geo Visitors Center, rgia • USA 113 Clairemont Ave. Come take a stroll and learn about the history and people who shaped Decatur.

2018 National Citizen Survey

very other year for the past 12 years, Decatur has surveyed its residents through the National Research Center (NRC). Recently the NRC sent out a postcard notification announcing the 2018 survey to a random sample of Decatur residents. If you didn’t receive a postcard, your household was not one of the 1,500 randomly chosen this time. The actual survey was sent out twice, on Feb. 9 and Feb. 16, to the random sample. The survey is completely anonymous and we only get the final tabulations from NRC. If you are one of the lucky ones to receive the survey, make sure to fill it out and send it back via mail or online. We’ve had a 40 percent response rate for the past six surveys, which is outstanding, but we would like to see more. For a better idea of what the final tabulations look like, visit decaturga. com/citizensurvey to view and download the 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 survey results. The data from the survey is used by the city in its budgeting, strategic and annual planning processes. If you have questions regarding the survey, contact city clerk Meredith Roark, meredith.roark@decaturga.com, or call 404-370-4102.

Decatur Fire Department Works to Fight Human Trafficking in Atlanta According to the FBI, Atlanta ranks among the 14 worst cities for the domestic sex trafficking of minors. To raise awareness the Decatur Fire Department planted 500 pinwheels in front of Station One to represent the 500 children trafficked each month within the Atlanta metro area.

LIVeS maDe cIty

MARCH 2018 • Decatur Focus | 9

City News 2018 Decatur Design Awards:

Call for Nominations To celebrate National Preservation Month in May, the City of Decatur and the Decatur Preservation Commission recognize and honor projects or individuals that promote excellence in preservation, design, sustainability, and advocacy. Categories include: • Historic Preservation • Commercial Historic Rehabilitation • Residential Historic Rehabilitation • Adaptive Use • New Residential Infill • New Commercial Construction • Landscapes/Public Spaces • Public/Institutional Buildings • Sustainable Design/Energy Efficiency • Leila Ross Wilburn Award for individuals or organizations that promote preservation and/or excellence in design. Projects must have been permitted and completed within the last five years and must be located in the city of Decatur. For application requirements, contact Sean Yates, sean.yates@decaturga.com, or go to decaturga.com/design-awards. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 23, and must be turned in at the Design, Environment and Construction Division, 2635 Talley St. The awards ceremony will be held during National Preservation Month in May.

The renovation of this Huron Street home earned a Decatur Design Award in 2017.

10 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2018

Better Together Advisory Board:

Community Partners Better Together Community Partners are nonprofits and civic groups, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, neighborhood associations, and other organizations working on issues of equity, inclusion and engagement. They help carry out the Decatur Better Together Community Action Plan. The plan contains 60 action items around six focus areas: community participation and engagement; racially just community policing; diverse and affordable housing; welcoming and inclusive retail environment; use of public spaces; and low-cost transportation options. The Better Together Advisory Board also maintains a Community Asset Map and Community Partners events calendar. The asset map is a listing of all Decatur nonprofit and civic organizations, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and neighborhood associations including names, addresses, and contact information. The events calendar includes events submitted by community partners around equity, inclusion and engagement. The Community Asset Map and events calendar are updated regularly. If you are part of an organization and would like to be involved in this ongoing effort, contact Renae Madison, renae.madison@decaturga.com, 678-553-6561, or Linda Harris, linda.harris@decaturga.com, 678-553-6512. We welcome and encourage all to be a part of the effort.

Lifelong Community Advisory Board:

Support Groups and Resources

Decatur is known as a helping community with neighbors helping neighbors. But sometimes we need more than neighbors – we need consistent support from people who are challenged with issues similar to our own. In Decatur you can find more than 20 differing kinds of support groups serving all kinds of life issues. The Lifelong Community Advisory Board has compiled a wide range of resources and put them in one place to make it easier for residents to find the help they need. The resource page is at decaturga.com/lifelong. In the Healthy Living section of the Lifelong Community resource page, you can find links to support groups for caregiving, divorce, grief and/or bereavement, widowers recovery, pregnancy and loss, mental illness, mothers for young ones, crime victims, eating disorders, and addictions to nicotine, alcohol, narcotics or sex. The page includes additional resources in housing, transportation, walking/ biking, affordability and taxation, safety, differing abilities, decatur neighbors, and need help now (for emergencies). Check it out – and if we’ve missed other important resources, contact leeann.harvey@decaturga.com, or 678-553-6548, to let us know.

City News Environmental Sustainability Board:

Native Plants Help Support Decatur’s Pollinators

ith the steady redevelopment of metropolitan areas like Decatur, pollinating species, including birds and insects, are increasingly losing the habitats they require to survive. But research indicates that small backyard gardens can create “pollinator corridors” to support these vital creatures. That little patch of flowers you plant really can make a difference! It’s especially important to grow native plants – those that occur naturally in a given area. Some insects, like honeybees, will seek out almost any kind of flower, but many native bees and hummingbirds prefer specific types. Native plants are better adapted to the regional climate, growing season and soils, and typically require less water than ornamental plants. They are usually the best sources of food and host plants for butterflies and other native pollinators. Plant a variety to have blooms throughout the growing season. Georgia hosts more than 160 different types of butterflies and 200 bee species. By growing native plants in your backyard and limiting pesticides, you’ll be amazed at the variety of species you can attract. If you want to go native the Georgia Native Plant Society, GSU Perimeter College, Trees

Easy-to-grow native flowers: Brown/Black-eyed Susan Purple coneflower Butterfly milkweed Rattlesnake master Joe Pye weed Blazing star Coreopsis

Atlanta, Fernbank Science Center, Woodlands Garden and the Wylde Center all host native plant sales. Atlanta area nurseries that specialize in native plants include the Night Song Native Plant Nursery (Canton), Nearly

Active Living Board:

Walk and Roll Stars William and James Taylor William and James Taylor are this month’s Walk and Roll Stars. James and his father William ride their bikes from Winonna Park to F.AVE every day – unless it rains. They wear bright clothing, abide by traffic laws, and ride safely. James repeats what he has learned in school: “Biking is better because there is less pollution.” William’s older daughters started riding to school on their own in fifth grade, so perhaps James will do that too next year. William took up cycling because he likes a challenge – in this case, the challenge of figuring out how to commute by bike safely in traffic – and he continues for the health benefits.

Native Nursery (Fayetteville) and Beech Hollow Farms (Lexington). For more information, visit the Georgia Native Plant Society, gnps.org, or Bee City USA-Decatur at beecaturga.com

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mydecaturga MARCH 2018 • Decatur Focus | 11

City News Hearts Warmed During Cold Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend

he freezing weather did not stop more than 930 volunteers from helping longtime Decatur residents during the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. A total of 27 homes were repaired. Those homes plus seven more had â&#x20AC;&#x153;yard repair,â&#x20AC;? resulting in a total of 34 older homeowners benefitting from the volunteer project. Expect the Unexpected A home that was planned as a small project turned into a much bigger assignment. A simple task of replacing some tile in the kitchen turned into a complex problem when a leak was discovered in the condensation tray of the refrigerator. Two layers of subfloor and all the floor tiles had to be replaced. Porches were a cause for concern and extensive repairs at many homes this year. A simple project of repairing a front porch turned into a much larger project when it was discovered that the porch was falling in and would need to be rebuilt. Another cause for concern arose when it was determined that a back porch had a rotted beam, leading to rebuilding the center floor joist. Repairs at one home were made due to a problem with plaster chunks falling from the ceiling. During the repairs, it was discovered that it was caused by a problem with the venting.

12 | Decatur Focus â&#x20AC;˘ MARCH 2018

Enhancing Mobility and Safety Two handicap ramps were installed. One was a 50-linear-foot ramp that allowed a woman who is an amputee to be able to get out of her house to enjoy the sun. A gentleman had difficulty getting out of his home due to bad knees. Volunteers removed a wall from the front of the porch, rebuilt the wall, and were able to create a sidewalk to the street. At another home, the back stairs had a badly rotted stringer and poorly attached handrail that had to be redone. Some toilets were replaced with new lowflow ADA height ones. Grab bars were installed in bathrooms to allow homeowners to safely get in and out of bathtubs. Weatherization One home benefitted from an intensive weatherization project. Volunteers from Southface Energy Institute worked with other project volunteers to stop leaks through

air sealing and prepared the home for getting blown-in insulation. Plastic vapor barriers were put in and ducts were cleaned and sealed. The house experienced a 15-degree difference in temperature from the start of work on Saturday morning to Sunday. Volunteers worked to ensure that drainage was diverted to improve moisture management, leading to greater foundation durability and indoor air quality. Electricians replaced old knob and tube wiring to allow the blown-in insulation to be installed safely. An Endless List Volunteers demolished and removed debris from old dilapidated sheds. A new fence was erected to keep the dog in. Screens were replaced. A doorframe was removed and rebuilt to allow a lock to work properly. Kitchens benefited from repairs to cabinet doors. Light bulbs were replaced with energy-efficient ones. Gutters were cleaned. Bathrooms were caulked. Lots and lots of rotten wood was replaced. The never-ending crusade to prevent squirrels from entering homes continued. Several homeowners had appliances that were no longer working correctly. The project was responsible for replacing a dryer, refrigerator, and stove. Volunteers did massive amounts of raking and removal of invasive plants.

City News A Happy Ending The work would not be possible without the dedicated volunteers led by Project Chair Paul Mitchell, who works tirelessly throughout the year. The Community Center of South Decatur graciously allows the project to use The Solarium as the gathering place for the volunteers during the weekend. The project concluded on Monday evening with a wonderful dinner of chicken and other Southern food, thanks to the Community Center of South Decatur. Volunteers and homeowners enjoyed the opportunity to relax and get to know each other better. And the volunteers talked about not just an ending, but how they were looking forward to participating again next year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this project a true community event. If you are a longtime Decatur resident in need of repairs to your home or if you would like to volunteer, contact leeann. harvey@decaturga.com or 678-553-6548, or visit mlkserviceproject.com.

MARCH 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Decatur Focus | 13

Business & Nonprofit News Decatur Renews Bee City USA Designation

he Decatur Chapter of Bee City USA, (a.k.a. “Beecatur”), has successfully renewed Decatur’s designation as a Bee City. In July 2016, the city became the first Bee City USA in Georgia. As a Bee City, Decatur affirms its support for the creation of sustainable habitats for pollinators and the education of residents about the critical role bees play in our city, state and nation. This year, Beecatur will hold a citywide celebration of National Pollinator Week in June and two new street signs will be installed to proclaim our Bee City status. Beecatur is also working with the city to establish Decatur’s first official pollinator garden.

Lotus of Life: New Hours, New Doctor Lotus of Life Chiropractic, 603 Church St., has expanded its hours of service and added Dr. Ryan Kenney, D.C., to the staff. The practice has served the natural healthcare needs of local families for 11 years and now offers early morning, late evening, and Saturday hours to accommodate all scheduling needs. Call 404-377-7743 to set up an appointment and meet Dr. Kennedy.

Woodlands Garden Is on Georgia’s Camellia Trail

14 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2018

Medical Exercise Trainers Comes to Decatur Medical Exercise Trainers, founded in 2012 by Phillip Godfrey and Don Alley, is expanding from Washington, D.C., into downtown Decatur, collaborating and cohabitating with Functionize Health and Physical Therapy at 755 Commerce Dr. Phillip, a native of Rome, Ga., now resides in Decatur with his wife Daphne and son Winston. Don, who operates the D.C. practice, graduated from Morehouse College and has family in Atlanta. They both have deep ties to the Atlanta area and are proud to serve Decatur with specifically designed programs targeting individuals who are transitioning out of physical therapy or are in long-term care. Medical Exercise Trainers bridges the gap between physical therapists and personal fitness professionals by expanding access and opportunities to meet the demands of the healing process. Visit medextrainersga.com for more information on hours, rates, and various integrative health and rehabilitation services.

More than 60 years ago the camellia collection at Woodlands Garden was established by Dr. Chet Morse and his wife when the seven-acre property at 932 Scott Blvd. was their private residence. In 2002, they arranged to have the property permanently preserved as an urban sanctuary so future generations could enjoy it. Nowadays, numerous staff and volunteers work to maintain the garden, where more than 100 camellia bushes bloom from November to March. While most plants take a break for the winter, camellias (also called winter roses) are at their best. The Georgia Department of Tourism’s Camellia Trail, unveiled in 2017, maps 30 public gardens across Georgia that boast a collection of these evergreen shrubs. Woodlands Garden is the only location on the Camellia Trail within Decatur and boasts more than 90 different varieties of camellias. To explore the Woodlands Garden Camellia Trail, visit the trailhead kiosk for a brochure. Be on the lookout for the original selections of camellias first cultivated by Dr. Morse, which include “La Peppermint” and “Pink Perfection.” Woodlands Garden Manager Ben Ackerley will conduct a free garden tour on March 23 at 11 a.m. with a focus on the ornamental beauties.

Business and Nonprofit News New Exhibition at Galeria Regina Through April 28 A new exhibition at Galeria Regina features local artists Don Dinkel and Rachel De Urioste and their work AFFINITY/PROPULSION, Explorations in Drawing and Sculpture. Receptions for the exhibition will be held on Saturday, March 17, and Saturday, April 21, 5 to 9 p.m. Galeria Regina is at 409 Mead Rd., Unit 5, in Oakhurst (near Harmony Park). For more information call 404-431-7525 or visit galeriaregina.com.

Decatur Y Has a New Executive Director Jan Lauten has been promoted to executive director of the Decatur Family YMCA. She has worked for the Y for more than 21 years, serving as the associate executive director since 2006 and reporting to Bill McKoy, senior vice president of operations. Prior to her time at the Decatur Y, Lauten worked as a senior program director and then associate executive director at the Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA. She has been a leader and a mentor for many others within the YMCA system of Metro Atlanta. She assumed her new position in January.

Local Women Break Down Walls in Construction

ith more than 30 years of combined experience in custom building and high-end renovations, Level Craft founder Virginia Van Lear and business partner Debbie Hollonbeck are an inspiring female duo right here in Decatur. Their company, Level Craft Construction, is helping raise the national bar for industry standards in gender equity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, women make up 9.1 percent of the construction industry in the United States, up from just 1.3 percent in 2015. Level Craft is a design-build company. Virginia, a licensed residential contractor and Earth Craft Certified Builder, oversees projects from beginning to end, managing timelines as well as budgets. Debbie, partner and project director, communicates with clients and onsite crews to ensure desired results. March 4-10 is National Women in Construction Week, and Level Craft invites you to contact Virginia and Debbie to discuss your dream home or walk through one of their custom-built homes. Contact Virginia Van Lear, 404-704-7350, Virginia@levelcraftatlanta.com, or Debbie Hollonbeck, 678-283-4418, Debbie@levelcraftatlanta.com.

Decatur Yoga Expands Decatur Yoga, 421 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., is opening a new location called Decatur Yoga North in the Decatur Crossing development on Scott Boulevard, home of Sprouts Market. The opening will take place in late March-early April. The new place will offer the same class options as Decatur Yoga Downtown, but will also offer circuit weight training, arial yoga, pilates on the apparatus and family yoga Saturdays. For more information, visit decaturyoga.com or call 404-377-4899.

KEEP ON SWIMMING!

Agnes Scott College and Decatur-Oakhurst Both Dynamo locations offer indoor heated pools and year-round swimming lessons for all ages. Decatur-Oakhurst also offers USAS Competitive Swim Team and Lap Swim!

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HOME FURNISHINGS - GIFTS - INTERIOR DESIGN Join us March 23rd to celebrate International Womens month for ‘Women Create’ Art show hosted by Trinity & The Decatur Art Alliance DOWNTOWN DECATUR 116 East Trinity Place

trinity-decatur.com (404) 378-0197 MARCH 2018 • Decatur Focus | 15

Decatur DBA News Events t Mayor Garret l nua News Delivers An State of the City Address

School

In the annual State of the City address in January, Mayor Patti Garrett introduced new City Commissioner Kelly Walsh and newly appointed Mayor Pro Tem Tony Powers. She highlighted the new additions and continuing improvements around Decatur, including the city’s two hybrid pedestrian beacons – with an upcoming third to be installed on Scott Boulevard; the public art installations

around town; and the passing of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) by voters in November 2017. The sales tax will provide for improvements to the fire station, bicycle and pedestrian crossings, traffic calming and more. Mayor Garrett also invited Anne Caiola, school board chair, to give an update on the state of City Schools of Decatur. Caiola

highlighted CSD’s progress, starting with the current 96 percent graduation rate. She also announced that Decatur High and Renfroe Middle have completed their expansions and will showcase the new classrooms, cafeteria and media/entertainment rooms in the spring, and that the new Talley Street 3rd through 5th grade academy is scheduled to open in 2019.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Meeting Reminder

Saturday, March 24 • 10 a.m.-noon

March 28

The Decatur Business Association and the First Baptist Church of Decatur are partnering to bring you the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Gather your friends and family and hop on over to the church lawn at 308 Clairemont Ave. The Easter bunny arrives at 10:30 a.m. and the hunt begins at 11 a.m. There will be other fun activities as well.

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Decatur Events First Baptist Decatur Welcomes New Senior Pastor The congregation of First Baptist Church of Decatur has called Dr. David Jordan to become its next permanent senior pastor. The 155-yearold church on the corner of Clairemont Avenue and Commerce Drive has been without a senior pastor for more than two years. Dr. Jordan comes to First Baptist from Providence Baptist Church in North Carolina where he served as the teaching pastor. His first Sunday here will be March 11. Upcoming Events Good Friday: Community members and families are invited to join First Baptist Church of Decatur on Friday, March 30, 7 p.m., for the Good Friday Tenebrae Service. Easter Sunday Services: Community members and families are invited to attend Easter morning worship services on Sunday, April 1, at 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Trinity Mercantile & Design to Host ‘Women Create’ Art Show March 23, 5-9 p.m. Trinity Mercantile & Design, 116 E. Trinity Place, and the Decatur Arts Alliance, will host a “Women Create” art show celebrating International Women’s Month. The show will include photography, paintings, ceramics and jewelry from local and international women artists. Refreshments will be served. Collections will remain in-store through April 14.

MARCH 2018 • Decatur Focus | 17

Decatur Events Laurens Patzlaff to Perform March 22 at Agnes Scott College The Agnes Scott College (ASC) music department closes the sixth season of the Kirk Concert and Master Class Series in March with pianist Laurens Patzlaff. He will present a concert on Thursday, March 22, 7:30 p.m., featuring improvisations on themes by Leonard Bernstein. The concert will be followed by a light reception. In addition, Laurens will host a master class on Friday, March 23, at 2 p.m. Both events are free and open to the community; however, guests for the March 22 concert should reserve tickets at patzlaff. brownpaperticket.com. Patzlaff is a classical and jazz pianist who specializes in improvisation. In addition to international solo engagements, he plays in jazz bands and is also an accomplished chamber musician. He is devoted to promoting and popularizing a rare, fascinating musical mix of

the classics and improvisation. He has taught improvisation at several universities in Germany and in the United States. The concert and the master class will take place in Presser Hall, Maclean Auditorium at Agnes Scott College, 141 E. College Ave. Parking is available in the West Parking Facility at 127 S. McDonough St., directly across from the performance venue. Both events

and parking are free. For more information, email music@agnesscott.edu. The Kirk Concert and Master Class Series is funded by the James T. and Ella Rather Kirk Fund, which supports academic programs in history, music, literature, art, and philosophy.

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18 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2018

Decatur Events

Decatur events Amplify Decatur it’s a Date to StayReturns up late!April 14

The Lone Bellow

T A

he Amplifyresidents, Decatur Music Festival returns to the downtown square on Saturday, ll Decatur and everybody else, too, are invited April 14, with an all-star Americana line-up that includes to walk in the Decatur Lantern Parade on the evening of The Lone Bellow, The Jayhawks, Shires, and of Parker Atlanta-based folk duo Dwayne Shivers Friday,Amanda May 15. This is one thoseMillsap. “the-more-the-merrier” will also perform. events, so plan now to participate and be a part of helping arelantern available at amplifydecatur.org and through ticketfly.com. General Admission to Tickets make this parade memorable. tickets are $45 and include front-of-stage access on a first-come, first-served basis. VIP tickets Make your own lantern at home or (quantity limited) are $155 and include preferred seating with front-of-stage access, complicome to a lantern-making workshop mentary beverages, and dedicated VIP bathrooms. where supplies and guidance are providfunds thewhen thirdby annual outdoor music festival will The Jayhawks ed.All Find out raised where at and visiting be directed to Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM) to support decaturlanternparade.com. itsTo efforts to prevent homelessness in Decatur and participate, lineand up atalleviate Color Wheel DeKalb County. The 2017 concert Studio at 508 E. Howard Ave. after 8series p.m. featured Lucinda Williams and raised $40,000 for DCM. The parade steps off at 9 p.m. led by The Amplify willEnsemble also feature Black SheepDecatur Marching andshows pa- at Eddie’s Attic on Friday, April 13, and Sunday, April 15, with rade guru Chantelle Rytter. The parade artists to be announced. Community was founded in 2010 and is based willAmplify wend itsMy way to the community in Decatur. Its mission is to leverage bandstand in front of the Old Court- the universal love of music to fightonpoverty at the local level. To date, Amplify has prohouse the square. duced more than 60 concerts raised and donated more than The parade is sponsored by and Color $250,000 in unrestricted gifts to locally Wheel Studio, Decatur Arts Alliance, oriented anti-homelessness andEducation poverty-focused organizations – including more than Decatur Foundation, and $150,000 in Decatur. the Decatur Development Authority.

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MARCH 2018 • Decatur Focus | 19

Decatur Events

7/13

Run or Walk in the Tour deCatur 5K

A New Work by D. Patton White

March 1-3 • 8 p.m. Main Gallery @ The B Complex 1272 Murphy Ave. SW, Atlanta

Saturday, March 10 8:30 a.m. • One-mile fun run begins 9 a.m. • 5K road race begins 10 a.m. • Tot Trot (4 and under)

hat do rain boots, high-tech headphones, and a vacuum pump have in common? They are all equipment purchased last fall for use in City Schools of Decatur classrooms through the Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) Teacher Innovation Grants, which are funded by the Tour deCatur 5K. Proceeds from the race help provide funding for many of DEF’s other initiatives as well. Register online at tourdecatur.com until March 8. In-person registration is available at Fleet Feet Decatur on March 8 from 4 to 7 p.m., and at the Tour deCatur Expo at Ebster Recreation Center on Friday, March 9, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Runners can also register on race day, starting at 7:30 a.m. in the Decatur High School cafeteria. For more information about DEF’s programs and the Tour deCatur 5K, visit decatureducationfoundation.org.

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Memorial. Memory. Relationship. These are the themes and ideas explored in the new work by choreographer and conceptual artist D. Patton White. Following the unexpected and untimely death of his brother Claiborne, White began the creative process for “7/13” with several sources of inspiration, including the creative talents of the dance artists of Core Performance Company. At the top of the evening, the audience will enter into a realm already in animation. Saw horses, boards, and assorted construction materials will populate the space, with the dance artists manipulating them into various “play structures.” The audience will be invited to participate in this creative playground, helping to make some of the structures, and then moving through the resulting architecture of space. As the piece begins, the audience will shift into a more passive observing role. As the performance section concludes, the audience will enter into the space and explore moving in partnership with another person in a meditative and contemplative realm. A microphone will be made available for people to share the name(s) of departed loved ones they wish to remember/memorialize. Musical instruments will be made available for people to sound notes into the space. Incense will be available for people to light. For more information visit coredance.org.

Steel City Pops Spring Kickoff March 24 Join Steel City Pops, 312 Church St., on March 24 for its annual Spring Kickoff. Stop by with your family from 7 to 11 p.m. for a fun evening and free pops.

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School News Agnes Scott College Appoints President-Elect

Frank Hamilton School Expands Musical Classes

he Agnes Scott College Board of Trustees has selected Leocadia (“Lee”) I. Zak as the college’s ninth president in its 129-year history. Zak will assume the role officially on July 1. She will succeed current Agnes Scott President Elizabeth Kiss, who is stepping down at the end of June. Zak is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Mount Holyoke College, which recognized her as a Woman of Influence in 2012. She also holds a J.D. degree from Northeastern University School of Law. She comes to Agnes Scott with an extensive background in international economic development and international project finance. She has taught International Project Finance as an adjunct faculty member at the Georgetown University Law Center and the Boston University School of Law.

he Frank Hamilton School in Oakhurst Baptist Church has added a third evening of classes to meet popular demand. From Monday through Wednesday you can learn to play guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and/or ukulele. You can also choose from a variety of rotating pop-up classes such as Old Time Music, Irish Dance Music, Harmonica, Rock and Blues Guitar, and Improvisation. The school welcomes all levels of players, and loves to support beginners. The Frank Hamilton School was co-founded by Frank Hamilton, who in 1957, was the first teacher at the legendary Chicago Old Town School of Folk Music when it opened. Hamilton went on to sing with the Weavers and teach all over the country before settling in Atlanta. Find out about classes, instructors, and the history of the school at frankhamiltonschool.org.

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MARCH 2018 • Decatur Focus | 21

School News Decatur High School Presents DHS Performing Arts Center • 310 N. McDonough St. The excitement is growing on the Decatur High School stage. Here’s what is upcoming on the theater schedule: March 15-25 • Grease Get out your pedal pushers, leather jacket and hair gel – Grease is coming to Decatur. Apr 27-28 • Musical Theater Ensemble Spring Revue A combination of music, dance, and theatrical sketches that highlight some of the most famous and beloved songs and dances from Broadway musicals while also including others that some may not have heard before. May 11 • Decatur Idol At this signature fundraising event, student singers bring down the house as they compete for the audience and judges’ votes, leading up to the achievement of the top spot and cash prizes. May 15 • Chorus Spring Concert The 160-member DHS Men’s and Women’s Choruses present an endof-school-year concert of choral music in the DHS Performing Arts Center. Visit DHSPerforms.com for the latest updates and tickets.

Westchester Battle of the Bands March 23 Avondale Towne Cinema 106 N. Avondale Rd., Avondale Estates Tickets are now on sale for the third annual Battle of the Bands fundraising event, which features celebrity judges and local bands that battle it out for the students of Westchester Elementary School. 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. Atlanta radio personality Yvonne Monet will emcee the event. Celebrity judges include Tammy Dammann, singer, The Dammages; Dr. David Dude, City Schools of Decatur superintendent; Tony Powers, Decatur City Commissioner, Intown Ace Hardware; Mark Trojanowski, drummer, Sister Hazel; and Shani Sammons, board of governors, The Recording Academy (Grammys). Visit westchesterrocks.org for to buy event tickets or for more information. The Battle of the Bands is presented by Decatur CoWorks and Natalie Gregory Keller Williams.

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22 | Decatur Focus • MARCH 2018

Around Town

Support the Red Pandas!

#decaturga

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

Welcome to the Hall of Honor

For the second year in a row, Oakhurst residents Katie and Jake sold and delivered holiday mailbox decorations to raise money for the red pandas at Zoo Atlanta . Altogether, they succeeded in raising $255 for the red pandas. Money from red panda sponsorships helps to provide special things like toys and equipment for the pandas and helps to fund conservation efforts in the zoo and around the world.

Decatur High School inducted four former student athletes – Walter Chadwick, Class of 1964; Dennis Chadwick, Class of 1968; Alan Chadwick, Class of 1969; and Chaz Wright, Class of 2005 – into the Decatur Hall of Honor recently. Hall of Honor members are selected by by a committee vote in the fall of each year and recognized in January.

#oakhurstlife #lovethezoo #pandamonium

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#stillgotit

Decatur Salutes 68-69 Bulldogs, Regional Champs

In January, Decatur High School recognized the 1968-69 Decatur Bulldogs basketball team and replaced the championship trophy that had gone missing at some point through the years. The team was one of the few integrated teams in Georgia during that time, having an equal number of black and white players. Although they were surrounded by divisiveness and violence, this team created a bond and worked together to become the regional champions. Players: Samuel Favers-11, Jimmy Sims-32, Doug Jarboe-22, Steve Swain-50, Lee Robinson-42, Tommy Lewis- 44, Phillip Legg-20, Tommy Hill-14, Eddie Carter-54, Harvey Scales-12. #studentathletes

#afteralltheseyears

#thanksforthememories

#wherewereyouin68

MARCH 2018 • Decatur Focus | 23

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Morning Session: 10-11 AM Evening Session: 6:30-7:30 PM �

$160 per 6 week session Jonathan Guy, M.D.

To Register: Sara Holmes, sara.holmes@decaturga.com or 678.553.6559 For Questions: Instructor, Terri Kruzan, tkruzan@bellsouth.net or 404.510.3113

DATED MATERIAL MARCH 2018

ATLANTA

Dog Obedience Classes

Decatur Active Living Center � 231 Sycamore Street

Printed on Recycled Paper

P.O. Box 220 Decatur, GA 30031-220

Decatur Square.117 East Court Square.Decatur.404/370-3979 Amsterdam Walk.500-L3 Amsterdam Ave.Atlanta.404/892-8294 www.worthmorejewelers.com

Decatur

Worthmore Custom Design Services

Focus

Clear zone

For those who don't compromise on love or jewelry...

Experiencing depression? Getting help is the best first step.

470-296-1636 160 Clairemont Ave., Suite 200 Decatur, GA 30030 atlantastresscenter.com | Hablamos español