Focus City of Decatur
Clear zone
JULY-AUGUST 2020 Volume 31 • Number 1
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF DECATUR, GEORGIA
Frontline Decatur Decatur resident “Energe” organized a peaceful demonstration at the community bandstand to allow community members – parents, children, veterans, and friends – to be heard in the most positive way.
See more of Oakhurst resident Hector Amador’s photographs of the protest throughout this issue, with comments about the current state of affairs from the City Manager.
Focus City of Decatur
Decatur – Driving Global COVID-19 Response
A
s the world seeks answers to the devastating impact of COVID-19, many of the most critical questions about the virus and how to eradicate it are being routed through Decatur. And while the CDC certainly plays an outsized role in this equation and generates most of the attention, the Task Force for Global Health in downtown Decatur is quietly using its infrastructure to drive solutions. “When it comes to our work, we take pride in operating mostly behind the scenes and shining the light on our partners rather than ourselves,” said Bill Nichols, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the Task Force. Behind the scenes or not, the organization has been a crucial force in the worldwide response to the coronavirus pandemic, including coordinating the distribution of 1.4 million pieces of personal protection equipment to hundreds of hospitals and healthcare facilities around the country, strengthening epidemiological and lab skills through training 14,000 individuals around the world, and hosting monthly teleconferences for health officials worldwide to connect and share best practices and treatments. In addition, the Task Force coordinates critical collaborations between the public and private sectors, aligning the contact tracing efforts of tech giants like Apple and Google with health officials around the world. “This pandemic has clearly changed the way our country thinks about global health, and it’s up to all of us to ensure we don’t lose focus on this critical issue in the future,” said Nichols. “Being properly prepared for a pandemic requires billions of dollars, but it’s an investment worth making as an ‘insurance policy’ to protect against the type of economic fallout we are experiencing.” While the coronavirus pandemic has thrust discussions about vaccines into the mainstream, the Task Force regularly works on coordinating the vaccine safety efforts related to epidemics affecting areas and regions that are often overlooked. Having this infrastructure in place has allowed the organization to continue its lifesaving work in underserved regions around the globe while also addressing COVID-19, including through its Brighton Collaboration, a worldwide network of more than 5,000 vaccine researchers that ensures vaccine safety, and the Partnership for Influenza Vaccine Introduction (PIVI), a program that works with low- and middleincome countries around the world to develop their influenza vaccine delivery infrastructure, which will better prepare them for when a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. “Now more than ever, our location in Decatur serves as a major asset when you consider how closely we are working with the CDC, Emory and other Atlanta-based institutions to address the pandemic,” added Nichols. “It also allows us to give back, as we are sharing our global expertise with the DeKalb County Coronavirus Task Force to guide our own community through a safe reopening in the days, weeks and months ahead.”
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 George Dusenbury........Commissioner Lesa Mayer.........................Commissioner Kelly Walsh.........................Commissioner
BOARD Chris Sciarrone, Chair Darren Comer • Linda Curry Tony Leung • Conor McNally Noah Peeters • Lisa Turner
Decatur Business Association
DECATUR BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Susan Sparks................................President Daryl Funn........................President-Elect Jill Joplin.......................................Treasurer Emily Holden...............................Secretary Kyle Williams...................... Past President Design and layout: Lampe-Farley.com Information for the FOCUS should be submitted by mail to Editor, Decatur Focus, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031, or by email to decaturfocus@decaturga.com.
2 | Decatur Focus • JULY-AUGUST 2020
CITY News DDA Scores with COVID-19 Small Business Loan Program When the city announced its Emergency Small Business Loan Program in May, the expectation was that demand would be high, with so many small businesses struggling due to COVID-19. In fact, 45 companies completed the application for consideration, which was designated for companies with two to 30 full-time employees. Because the number of requests surpassed the $550,000 available in the fund, an anonymous lottery system was utilized to determine the recipients of the zero-interest loans. The City of Decatur pledged $400,000 and the Decatyr Development Authority (DDA) added $100,000, creating a total pool of $500,000. So where did the other $50,000 come from? It came from the community, in the form of tax-deductible donations through Legacy Decatur. “It speaks volumes about our community that during this time of hardship, we rallied together to donate $50,000 to the emergency loan program through Legacy Decatur,” said Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett. Qualified small businesses were eligible for loans of up to $25,000, based on the number of full-time employees. Ultimately, the average amount delivered to loan recipients was nearly $20,000, which provided a critical lifeline to many of the city’s restaurants, retail shops, and start-ups. Restaurants and pubs made up the largest percentage of applicants at 29 percent, followed by retail services at 23 percent and retail stores at 20 percent. DDA continues to operate an interactive map detailing which local businesses remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic and their updated operating hours at bit.ly/decaturopenforbusiness.
New Approaches to Citizen Engagement Ready for new ways to engage in the City of Decatur’s planning and decision-making? Months of sheltering in place have forced us to think about ways to talk to one another without being in the same room. Online alternatives have blossomed, and people have become increasingly comfortable with digital tools for getting things done. The City of Decatur is interested in how these new approaches can play a role in citizen engagement in the years ahead. From current projects to those not yet in the works, online and other alternative means of citizen participation have the potential to expand our ability to make engagement more accessible and inclusive to all Decatur residents. We’re interested in hearing your thoughts. Would you participate more often with increased ways to do so? What works best for you? You should have received a response postcard in the mail, but if you prefer to chime in via your computer, tablet, or phone, scan the QR code to take the online survey now or visit bit.ly/decaturengage.
Frontline Decatur
“The city is committed to doing the hard work of addressing equity and rejecting hatred and intolerance because of one’s race, beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic. We have worked with the community to develop the Better Together Community Action Plan; the City Commission has adopted a non-discrimination ordinance; and in June the city was successful in having the Confederate monument removed from the square. These are tangible examples of Decatur’s commitment to living its values – and this is just the beginning of real and positive change to come.” — City Manager Andrea Arnold JULY-AUGUST 2020 • Decatur Focus | 3
CITY News Dismantling White Supremacy and Racism
O
ngoing police brutality and the recognition of deep racial injustices in our country are calling all of us to action. White supremacy and racism have existed in our nation, in our community here in Decatur, and in all of us, since our founding. Whether we are conscious of it or not, white supremacy, which enables white privilege, continues to exist powerfully in our world, shaping human encounters, educational institutions, the criminal legal system, public health, economic opportunities, and so much more. People of color have suffered and persevered through pervasive injustice throughout our history. But as those who benefit from this power structure, white people often do not recognize their own white privilege. We cannot fix what we cannot see. We can and must learn to recognize how power manifests itself in our own lives, in addition to working for systemic change at a policy level. To undo the legacy of slavery and systemic racism, we must teach ourselves and our children. It is not a full human life to live unquestioningly in a world that so nakedly oppresses and terrorizes our brothers and sisters. As Ibram Kendi puts it, we can “strive to be ‘antiracist’ on a daily basis, to continually rededicate ourselves to the lifelong task of overcoming our country’s racist heritage.” There are many books and resources about racism and groups working for racial justice. Here are just a few of the great books that the Better Together Advisory Board recommends. Consider buying from our local, independent bookstores in Decatur, including Brave and Kind Books, Charis Books and More, and Little Shop of Stories. Not My Idea: A Book about Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham This picture book is about racism and racial justice. It invites white children and parents to become curious about racism, accept that it’s real, and cultivate justice. (For young children)
THE BETTER TOGETHER ADVISORY BOARD WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU! 4 | Decatur Focus • JULY-AUGUST 2020
Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester “I am a story. So are you.” If race is just a portion of your story, why do people think it is so important? Lester shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. (For young children)
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi This remix of Stamped from the Beginning takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited. (Ages 10 and up) We Are Not Yet Equal by Carol Anderson with Tonya Bolden When America achieves milestones of progress toward full and equal black participation in democracy, the systemic response is a consistent racist backlash that rolls back those wins. (Teen/young adult) Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad This eye-opening book challenges you to do the essential work of unpacking your biases, helping white people take action to dismantle the privilege within themselves. How To Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi Instead of working with the policies and systems we have in place, Kendi asks us to think about what an antiracist society might look like, and how we can play an active role in building it.
We are at a moment in time when numerous conversations around racial injustice in our nation and in our community are happening. Many have acknowledged this is a time for listening, while others have focused on the need for action. Toward both of those ends, the Better Together Advisory Board is soliciting feedback from the Decatur community to better inform city officials about what is needed to improve racial equity in Decatur. Visit decaturga.com/opencityhall to complete the survey.
CITY News Congratulations to Volha Olya Dupuis Monarchs Across Georgia (MAG) recently certified Decatur resident Volha Dupuis for their colorful home garden plans. The gardens have been designed to meet the needs of butterflies, hummingbirds, native bees, beetles, and moths. Other habitat requirements that Volha had to meet included providing additional caterpillar and adult pollinator nectar food sources, water and basking sites, and some type of shelter with choices ranging from dense shrubs, logs or brush piles. MAG’s Pollinator Habitat Certification Program was initiated in 2005 to promote conservation and the restoration of native plants, and to provide citizens an opportunity to reconnect with the natural environment. MAG has been engaging schools and families in learning experiences involving Monarchs and other native butterflies for more than 14 years. With the decline of the Monarch caterpillar’s only host plant, milkweed, the group decided to create the certification program as a way to further encourage gardeners to incorporate milkweed and other native plants into their landscapes.
Resident Sews Face Masks for Neighbors As soon as lockdown was declared due to COVID-19, Decatur resident Sue Pichanick was determined to help all 300 residents of Clairmont Oaks, and staff, by sewing facemasks for everyone. Sue requested donations of fabric, elastic and bias tape and got a lovely response. With help from a volunteer, Jima Word, and while practicing social distancing, she has made more than 800 masks.
Fourth of July Holiday Solid Waste and Recycling Services Monday, July 6 services will be on Tuesday, July 7 Tuesday, July 7 services will be on Wednesday, July 8
Frontline Decatur
JULY-AUGUST 2020 • Decatur Focus | 5
CITY News Decatur Visitors Center Launches Online Store
Thank you, DYC Members
Decatur logo apparel, key chains, coffee cups, tumblers, and more, are now available to browse and buy in the Decatur Visitors Center online shop. Shipping is available, or you can pick up your items at the Visitors Center, 113 Clairmont Ave. Follow the link at visitdecaturga.com.
To the members of the 2019-2020 Decatur Youth Council: thank you for your service this year. While the year did not go exactly as planned, the City Commission and city staff are grateful for the work you did to make Decatur a great place to live, work and play. Congratulations to DHS seniors Alix, Arda, Emma, Julian, Nayeli and Sydney on your graduation.
Decatur Walk & Roll Superstar Pam Martin walks every day and to wherever she can. Living near the Decatur Post Office, she walks to a lot of places, usually with her dog Mambo. No casual strolls either – always at a good clip. Pam and her husband (but not Mambo) also take MARTA to Atlanta Braves games. Pam is this month’s Walk & Roll Super Star.
6 | Decatur Focus • JULY-AUGUST 2020
R&R Tree Service Helps Older Resident with Dangerous Tree One of Decatur’s older residents was worried after a tree fell on her neighbor’s home. She definitely had a reason to be concerned about the tree in her own yard. Thanks to R&R Tree and Landscaping for removing the dangerous tree at no cost. The tree was especially hazardous due to wires that needed to be removed. R&R is a family-owned business that has been around for 34 years, with roots in Decatur and Avondale Estates. More information about R&R is available at randrtreeservice.com.
BUSINESS & NONPROFIT News Congratulations, Leila!
Wylde Center Thanks Dunns for New Sign
Leila Nadjariun
There’s a new entrance sign at the Wylde Center’s Oakhurst Garden, designed and built by John Dunn. Patti Gunn, a master gardener, encouraged her husband to get more involved with his community, so he approached Wylde Center and offered to create the new sign. Over the past few months, both John and Patti have volunteered their time and talents to creating this highly visible gift for the nonprofit organization headquartered in Decatur. The team at Wylde Center cannot thank them enough. Visit Oakhurst Garden and check out the new installation.
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson “Congratulations, Leila! We are so proud not only of your achievements, but also of the young woman you have become. We love and believe in you – always. GO DAWGS!” – Mom and Baba
Frontline Decatur
JULY-AUGUST 2020 • Decatur Focus | 7
BUSINESS & NONPROFIT News The AJC Decatur Book Festival Shifts to Online Programming This year’s Virtual DBF will kick off on Friday evening, Sept. 4, with a keynote address from 2020 Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jericho Brown. It will end on Sunday, Oct. 4, with Natasha Trethewey presenting her new memoir, Memorial Drive, as the Endnote. Two-time James Beard Award winner Toni Tipton-Martin will provide the Cooknote with her new cookbook Jubilee: Two Centuries of African American Cooking, a leadoff to the virtual culinary track that will run alongside the regular digital author program. Also confirmed are poet Kevin Young and Georgia author and theologian Barbara Brown Taylor. “I see this year’s festival as a microcosm of the traditional DBF,” says Joy Pope, interim executive director. “In addition to the 15 DBF alumni authors we are featuring as part of our anniversary celebration, we will have an additional nine events that are festival traditions, such as the Kidnote (TBD), the annual Lillian Smith Award ceremony presented by Georgia Center for the Book, a culinary track, and a movie with local nonprofit Out on Film.”
Congratulations, Little Shop of Stories! Little Shop of Stories has been named a recipient of the 2020 Pannell Award for excellence in children’s book selling. Since 1983, the Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) has awarded one of the most prestigious honors in children’s bookselling each year to a general bookstore and a children’s specialty bookstore as a way to “applaud the work of booksellers who stimulate, promote and encourage children’s and young people’s interest in books.” Along with WNBA, Penguin Young Readers Group co-sponsors the award, which was established in honor of Lucille Micheels Pannell, founding member of one of the WNBA chapters. Little Shop of Stories celebrates 15 years on the Decatur square on July 1.
Call for a Free Consultation
404-460-0101 www.robertnkatz.com
Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers Dedicated to Advocating for Victims for Over 30 years
DEDICATED. EXPERIENCED. RESPECTED.
One Decatur Town Center Suite 300 150 East Ponce de Leon Avenue Decatur, GA 30030
W E L L S P R IN G C H I R OP R A C T I C & WELLNESS "I am a practicing Chiropractic Physician. For the past 20 years I've been passionate about healthy living. The prevention of pain and chronic diseases are the focuses of my practice. I manage these conditions through Chiropractic Care, Functional Medicine and Nutrition."
Expert, uncompromising legal representation when you need it most.
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death •
235 E. Ponce De Leon Ave. Suite 109 Decatur, GA 30030
150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 260 • Downtown Decatur 404-253-7860 • doug@carllp.com • www.carllp.com
WELLSPRINGDECATUR@GMAIL.COM WELLSPRINGINDECATUR.COM
8 | Decatur Focus • JULY-AUGUST 2020
C&A-2col-ad-focus.indd 1
5/14/14 4:47 PM
O FFI C E - 4 04 . 37 7 . 7 2 63
BUSINESS & NONPROFIT News Woodlands Garden and L’Arche Atlanta Become Neighbors In May Woodlands Garden and L’Arche Atlanta officially became neighbors. In 2017, Woodlands was ready to sell the Merritt home and L’Arche was looking to expand to a second home. Decatur realtor Jim Jarboe introduced the executive director of Woodlands Garden, Kate McAlpin, to the executive director of L’Arche, Tim Moore. It quickly became apparent that this would be a wonderful match – L’Arche Atlanta’s future residents with disabilities would enjoy access to the beautiful garden, while the garden would gain the best kind of neighbor, one that practices radical inclusivity. L’Arche Atlanta launched a capital campaign to raise the funds necessary to purchase and renovate the home, and thanks to dozens of Decatur families, churches, and businesses, it acquired the $1.4 million needed to make this dream a reality. When Woodlands finishes its exterior renovations the gardens will reopen to the public with increased parking. Meanwhile, L’Arche has begun interior renovations (it will preserve the historical integrity of the home’s exterior) and hopes to open the house to residents early in 2021. Both organizations welcome the Decatur community’s ongoing support as they seek to become a reflection of the generous city that has nurtured their growth. Visit woodlandsgarden. org or larcheatlanta.org for volunteering and program opportunities.
Sign of the Times The Pinetree Street neighborhood supported an effort to raise funds for the Atlanta Food Bank through selling Thank You signs for healthcare, first responders and essential workers. The effort raised more than $4,000!
Frontline Decatur
JULY-AUGUST 2020 • Decatur Focus | 9
BUSINESS & NONPROFIT News Trinity Home Honored for Excellence
H
ome furnishings and design source Trinity Home has been named one of Home Accents Today’s Retail Stars for 2020 by editors of the trade magazine. Trinity Home, 116 E. Trinity Pl., is owned by Lisa Turner and Wallace Bryan. The Retail Stars list, now in its 16th year, recognizes independent brick-and-mortar retailers of home accents – including furniture stores, home accessories boutique stores and interior design showrooms – that merchandise creatively, have a positive presence in their local communities and stand out from the competition. Members of the home furnishings industry are invited to suggest stores, and retailers are encouraged to submit information describing their businesses. This year’s list was compiled and narrowed down by research analysts and Thomas Lester, Home Accents Today’s digital and managing editor. Since 2012, Trinity Home Furnishings and Design has been a retail home furnishings and gift store with a full-service interior design studio in downtown Decatur. Trinity showcases the decorating possibilities of textiles, furniture, wall coverings, window treatments, rugs, upholstery, case goods, furniture, lighting, art, and handcrafted objects. Trinity also offers comprehensive design consulting. For more information about Trinity, call 404-378-0197 or visit trinity-decatur.com, @trinitydecatur, facebook.com/trinitymercantileanddesign.
Keep on swimming!
Dynamo Swim School offers year-round swimming lessons in Decatur at Agnes Scott and the Oakhurst Pool
Meet the New Garden Manager at Woodlands Woodlands Garden welcomes Julia Bryant as the new garden manager. Julia brings a passion for plants and engaging volunteers to the garden, as well as extensive experience in horticulture. Julia rolled up her sleeves and dug right in during a unique and challenging time for Woodlands, as it completed construction and is planning a safe, phased reopening of the garden. Julia has a varied background in both geography and horticulture. Most recently she worked as a GIS analyst at the CDC, making maps to assist scientists and researchers. Her appreciation for natural beauty has led her back to horticulture where she brings her mixed skill set and curiosity about nature to her new role as garden manager at Woodlands. Prior to her work in GIS, Julia focused on horticulture. Most recently, she volunteered at the Atlanta BeltLine’s Aluma Farms, Global Growers at Bamboo Creek Farm, and Truly Living Well Center for Urban Agriculture. She was employed as the kitchen gardener at Stone Mountain Park, an interior plant horticulturist at Lenox Square Mall, and a horticultural therapy intern at the Cheyenne Botanical Garden in Wyoming. Julia and her husband have been residents of Decatur for 18-plus years and graduated two children from the Decatur school system. She is also an avid cyclist, participating in many local rides and events and advocating for better cycling infrastructure. When she’s not cycling and gardening, you can find her teaching group exercises at the YMCA in Decatur as she has done for the past 14 years. You’ll meet Julia in the garden soon (sooner if you sign up to volunteer). Until then, connect with her by email at julia@woodlandsgarden.org.
CITY OF DECATUR OAKHURST POOL Indoor Heated Pool • Year-Round Lessons Classes are ongoing for all ages - 6 months to adults! The City of Decatur Oakhurst pool offers water aerobics, USA Club Swimming and lap swimming
$15 OFF!
Bring in this ad for $15 off one session of swimming lessons. This offer may not be combined with any other offer or coupon. Expires 09.30.20
Register online at dynamoswimschool.com 10 | Decatur Focus • JULY-AUGUST 2020
join in the dance with CREATIVE MOVEMENT | BALLET | JAZZ | TAP | MODERN HIP HOP | MALE DANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE | CONDITIONING FOR DANCERS and much more! 141 Sams Street | 102 Church Street | Decatur, Georgia 30030 404.378.3388 | decaturballet.com
er” g
BUSINESS & NONPROFIT News Volunteers Needed to Prepare the Garden for Reopening
Storywalk Project at Glenlake Park
Woodlands Garden’s staff and board are working on a phased, safe reopening, and the first step will be to prepare the garden for visitors. For this, we are organizing volunteer projects for all things related to garden maintenance. Sign up to volunteer for one of these outdoor maintenance projects, and get the first look at what’s blooming at Woodlands by completing a volunteer application at app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/woodlandsgarden/volunteer.html.
The next time you visit Glenlake Park be sure to take a walk on the trail and experience the new Storywalk. The Decatur Library worked with Decatur Active Living to place signs along the trail. Each sign is a page of a nature-themed children’s book so you can read a book as you walk. There will be three books featured throughout the summer, rotating every two weeks. There will also be an activity guide at the end of the Storywalk with activities to do at home based on themes from the featured book.
Giving you the time and attention you deserve
625 Dekalb Industrial Way Decatur, GA 30033 404-924-2000 www.SFVS.com Internal Medicine | Medical Oncology | Orthopedic & Soft Tissue Surgery | 24/7 Emergency Service
LISA CRONIC, REALTOR® lisacronic@atlantafinehomes.com 678.641.4325
Decatur Resident for Over 20 Years AtlantaFineHomes.com | 404.874.0300 © MMXIV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.
JULY-AUGUST 2020 • Decatur Focus | 11
BUSINESS & NONPROFIT News Girl Scout Troop 12571 Creates Literacy Kits As part of their Silver Award, Girl Scout Troop 12571 is helping to improve early childhood learning and literacy in the city of Decatur. The troop recently created several Literacy Kits to help. Studies show that kids growing up in poverty hear 30 million fewer words by age 3. The troop’s goal is to provide children with access to free, quality books at an early age. The Literacy Kits – also called Bunny Bags – have been donated to College Heights for use in the school’s Early Head Start program as well as in the school’s Read to Your Bunny program, in partnership with the Decatur Housing Authority. Each Bunny Bag consists of books appropriate for the 0-3 age group, puzzles, and other props beneficial to children’s development. A small pamphlet included in each bag explains to parents the importance of kids starting to read at a young age and provides tips for reading. By encouraging parents to take time to read to their kids, and providing them the appropriate resources to do so, Troop 12571 hopes to prevent children from falling behind and to help them reach their full potential.
DEF Welcomes New Board Members The Decatur Education Foundation welcomed two new members, Lynn Paxton and Lauren Pelissier, to their board of directors at the annual meeting in June. Lynn Paxton began volunteering with DEF shortly after retiring from a career in public health. She holds both an MD and MPH and has held multiple leadership positions at the CDC in the field of infectious disease. She retired as a captain in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service. She recently came out of retirement to serve as the medical director for Fulton County. After learning about DEF’s scholarship program, Lynn founded the Lawrence and Gertrude Paxton Memorial Scholarship to honor her parents and provide support to students interested in humanitarian work and the health sciences. Lauren Pelissier moved here from Southern California two years ago with her husband and son. In addition to owning and managing her own event design and production company, Lauren worked for many years in youth-centered non-profits and founded S’more Smiles, an organization that provides a safe and accessible way for children receiving medical treatments to experience summer camp. After resettling in Decatur, Lauren immediately looked for community groups to plug into and found DEF, bringing her creativity to the Supper and Sips event and creating one-of-a-kind, personalized gift packages for DEF’s scholarship recipients. The Decatur Education Foundation is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to connect people, resources and ideas to solve the problems facing our youth so that every child can reach their full potential. To learn more about how you can support DEF’s initiatives, visit decatureducationfoundation.org.
While life is currently anything but simple, we are here for a conversation or a consultation around what we’re seeing in the real estate market.
When it comes to Women’s Health,
“It takes one to know one.” (We have 10, and 2 are Atlanta 2019 Top Doctors)
Our diverse group of all-female physicians, midwives, and nurse practitioners, shares your unique perspective and experience. Let us partner with you to make the best decisions for your total health.
404.295.2068 | 404.668.6621 | chrissie.kallio@compass.com | chrissiekallio.com
Chrissie Kallio is a real estate licensee affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by equal housing opportunity laws.
Learn more at AtlantaGynOB.com
12 | Decatur Focus • JULY-AUGUST 2020 19-AGOB-0423 Decatur Focus - Top Docs 3.625x4.75 JUN.indd 1
4/30/20 3:27 PM
BUSINESS & NONPROFIT News
Photo: Energe
Frontline Decatur
THERE'S A
NEW NORMAL
ARE YOU PREPARED? LET'S MAKE YOUR GAME PLAN!
Josh@ChamberlainFA.com
An independent, fee-only fiduciary based in Decatur, GA JULY-AUGUST 2020 • Decatur Focus | 13
BUSINESS & NONPROFIT News Help Your Community and the World with Low-Cost Solar
ASC Announces 2020 Fulbright Award Recipient
These are the last months to have a free assessment of your house for solar as part of the Solarize program. Help to make solar less expensive for you and your neighbors and to provide a solar array for a home identified by the MLK Service Project. Solarize Decatur-DeKalb provides businesses and residents of Decatur and DeKalb County the opportunity to leverage the power of group purchasing to save on the cost of exciting new solar technologies and clean energy products, including modern, high-efficiency solar panels, battery storage systems such as the Tesla Powerwall, and EV charging stations for homes and businesses. The Decatur Environmental Sustainability Board, Environment Georgia, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, Sierra Club of Georgia, Solar Crowdsource, and several local volunteers have come together to make Solarize Decatur-DeKalb possible. The more homes and businesses that sign up for solar, the less the solar costs. Financing is available, and you can sign up for the community solar discount and still claim the federal tax credit for the solar installation. For more details, upcoming events, and a free solar assessment visit solarcrowdsource. com/campaign/decatur-dekalb-2-0.
Agnes Scott College class of 2020 graduate Abisola James has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Award for an English Teaching Assistantship for the 2020-21 academic year. This award is administered by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, as well as ambassadorial abilities, leadership potential and language preparation. Teaching assistants help teach the English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the United States. Abisola, a political science major and an English minor, has traveled throughout mainland China and studied at the University of Shanghai. “These studies have inspired my interest in writing as a form of expression and political discussion,” said Abisola. “My plan is to spend my Fulbright grant as an English teaching assistant in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. I have been taking Mandarin since high school and have continued studying the language while attending Agnes Scott.”
Frontline Decatur
14 | Decatur Focus • JULY-AUGUST 2020
Around Town As a tech-driven real estate company, Compass is designed for seamless virtual operations. We can keep your home search and listing moving forward in the safest way possible.
NATALIE GREGORY & CO 404.373.0076 | 404.668.6621 | natalie.gregory@compass.com @nataliegregoryandco nataliegregory.com | We are in this together. Please reach out if we can assist you. Natalie Gregory is a real estate licensee affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by equal housing opportunity laws.
Estate Planning Wills & Trusts Probate As your family grows, or you prepare for retirement, it’s important to have a plan.
246 Sycamore Street, Suite 150, Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 793-2510 Brooks@Mackintosh.law www.mackintosh.law
TREE PRUNING, SOIL ENHANCEMENT, PLANTING, AND REMOVAL
CALL FOR FREE WOOD CHIPS!
JULY-AUGUST 2020 • Decatur Focus | 15
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 199 Decatur, GA 30031
New Twists for Your Wrists
117 East Court Square . Decatur . 404/370-3979 500 L-3 Amsterdam Ave . Atlanta .404/892-8294 www.worthmorejewelers.com
DATED MATERIAL JULY 2020
Printed on Recycled Paper
Decatur
P.O. Box 220 Decatur, GA 30031-220
P R O U D D E S I G N E R S O F T H E 2 0 2 0 AT L A N TA S Y M P H O N Y S H O W H O U S E
Focus
Clear zone
We’re open for business! Safety is our top priority. Visit trinity-decatur.com to learn more.
B R A N D N E W A PA R TM E N T S
S chedule a tour at w wH w.EADMULLI ED EACTAT SC OU UR R . cAoTm 855-7 7 7-9438
w w w. A M L I D E C A T U R . c o m 855-777-9438