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SPRING 2018 IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION:
City of Decatur: ..............................................www.DecaturGA.org Police (non-emergency): ............................................404-373-6551 Fire (non-emergency): ................................................404-373-5092 Active Living (Recreation Center): ............................404-377-0494 Children and Youth Services: .....................................404-378-1082 Economic Development: ...........................................404-371-8386 Mayor / Commissioners: ...........................................404-370-4102 Planning & Zoning: ...................................................404-370-4104 Sanitation & Facilities Maintenance: ........................404-377-5571 City Schools of Decatur: ....................www.Decatur-City.k12.ga.us Oakhurst Community Garden Project: ....... www.OakhurstGarden.org The Solarium at Old Scottish Rite: ..............www.TheSolarium.org
ADVERTISER PHONE LISTINGS:
Ace & A: .....................................................................404-373-4074 Avondale Veterinary Hospital: ..................................404-294-4800 Chip Wallace, KellerKnapp Realty: ...........................678-429-9731 Decatur Pest Control: ................................................404-296-4044 Dekalb Medical Hospital: ..........................................404-501-5200 Double Dragon ...........................................................404-832-0016 Finders Keepers: ........................................................404-296-0285 Gill Tree Service .........................................................404-354-2624 Griffin & Co. Insurance: ............................................404-378-2888 Guitar Decatur ...........................................................404-915-4599 Hammertime Construction: .....................................404-525-3332 Heather Tell, Atlanta Intown Realty: ........................404-219-4078 Intown Expert Realty: ...............................................404-788-6729 Jack n Jill Consignment: ............................................404-508-0611 Life Cycle OB / GYN ...................................................404-228-0601 Linda Lehsten, Keller Knapp Realty: ........................404-784-8779 mCary & Daughters: ..................................................404-370-0999 Matador Cantina: ......................................................404-377-0808 Mezcalitos: .................................................................678-471-6135 Miss Nails Salon .........................................................404-378-0011 MoJo’s Pizza: ..............................................................404-373-1999 Mustang Computers and Supplies .............................404-373-1321 Oakhurst Electric: .....................................................770-256-7174 Oakhurst Market: ......................................................678-732-3109 Pam Hughes, Harry Norman Realty: ........................404-250-9900 Plants Creative Landscapes: ......................................404-309-7175 Pure Gas Station: .......................................................404-856-0393 Scout Restaurant: ……………………………………404-496-6863 Second Life Store : …………………………………… 678-974-5671 Shelter Lending: ………………………………………404-277-6044 Steinbecks Pub: ………………………………………404-373-1116 Stivers Subaru .............................................................404-248-1888 Tiny House Fitness .....................................................404-786-4127 Universal Joint: ..........................................................404-373-6260 Wahoo Grill: ..............................................................404-373-3331 Wahoo Wine & Provisions: ........................................404-687-9463 Wildheart Salon: ........................................................404-228-7365 Disclaimer: The Clarke Agency LLC publishes the Village Magazine bi-monthly with the support of the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association (ONA) and the Winnona Park Neighborhood Association (WPNA). The content, including ads, articles and photos are not authorized or endorsed by ONA or WPNA and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ONA or WPNA, The Clarke Agency or the Publisher. Therefore neither The Clarke Agency nor the Publisher may be held liable for the business practices of the advertisers in the Village Magazine. The content reflects the views of its authors and we have provided the email addresses of the writers for direct response. We encourage Decatur residents to contribute content often. The Village Magazine staff reserves the right to modify, edit or not publish submitted content.
@2018 The Clarke Agency, LLC Mailing Address: 708 Church Street • Decatur, GA 30030 Phone: 404-587-7887
SPRING 2018
Village Magazine
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Spring for the Kids
This issue is all about your kids as we start an oddly cold spring season! I do not usually touch politics in the Oakhurst Village Magazine but I could not avoid the National School Walkout on March 14. Tears and fear have been rampant after another school shooting. Watching and listening to your children was inspirational. They spoke intelligently. They handled themselves respectfully. They were engaged. More importantly, I saw hope and pride in you, the parents’ eyes. Clare Schnexyder, vowed to stop school shootings with a message from her concerned Renfroe Middle School child. She would allow her 13-year-old to stay home from school one day. It was simple message that caught on across the nation. Renfroe Middle School made the headlines quite a bit this issue. The Boys basketball team won a championship and the Girls team made the final four. Sadly, the Renfroe Girls Soccer team held tributes to their fellow student, 14-yearold Shykia Ward-Reese, who lost her life at the hand of another. On a brighter note, Decatur High School student Anderson McKiernan is lighting up the stage. His nomination for a Shuler Award seems to be a proud stepping-stone for the 17-year-old. It was the first nomination for Decatur High School! Like Anderson, many of your children are searching for colleges in preparation for the next phase of life. Margie Archer provided tips on easing your college tuition anxiety. But we should not get ahead of ourselves since summer is coming. You will want to consider summer camps for the youngsters— Oakhurst Garden is just the spot! It is also the spot for the annual Beer Garden fundraiser this spring. Decatur is full of beer drinkers with a festival problem. Welcome to spring, and enjoy reading. —Anne Clarke, Owner/Publisher The Oakhurst VILLAGE Magazine is written by neighbors; for neighbors. Please email your story ideas to OakhurstMag@gmail. com or call directly 404-587-7887. We publish bi-monthly and are happy to hear about local news, accomplishments, events and anything you find interesting!
Lorelei Cooper, Managing Editor
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Village Magazine
Rob Boeger, Graphic Designer
SPRING 2018
CITY NEWS: DECATUR RATINGS & GROWTH
AROUND TOWN: UMC CHILDREN’S HOME
Decatur rated best place to live Niche ranked the city of Decatur as the best place to live and the best suburb in the state of Georgia! Decatur along with 73 other Georgia communities received an A+ grade on Niche’s rankings of best places to live for 2018. Nationally Decatur is ranked 45th as best suburb and #60th as the best place to live in America. Decatur has shopping and entertainment area centrally located at the historic downtown square. The three MARTA stops in Decatur make it accessible. Crime is quite low. Decatur has two major hospitals nearby providing a strong employment base. Decatur also has major colleges both inside and just outside this city providing higher education. 24/7 Wall St states that 73 percent of Decatur adults have bachelor’s degree. That education diversity is also recognized at the high school level in Decatur. All the Decatur public schools are ranked in Niche’s top three in the state. 24/7 Wall St ranked City of Decatur Schools as the best in the state. They showed spending per student of $12,593 per student with a total enrollment of 4,345. These rankings are probably why we see the strong housing market in Decatur. Of course the best part of the Decatur are the festivals and events! The AJC Decatur Book Festival is the largest independent
book festival in the country. And Decatur knows how to combine its festivals and music. Beyond the beer, wine and beach festivals, Decatur has Eddie’s Attic that brought famous music acts like Indigo Girls and John Mayer. Niche calculated the rankings and assigned grades to the communities. They look at factors like the quality of schools, crime rates, housing trends, employment statistics and access to amenities. Niche and 24/7 Wall St gains its data from government sources like Department of Education, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Census. —Staff report
Since the City of Decatur purchased the 77 acre United Methodist Church Children’s Home they have asked for community input on the use of the property. Current and past Mayors showed up to these community meetings. Pictured top is mayor Patti Garrett and below is mayor emeritus Elizabeth Wilson. (Photos by Greg White)
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Village Magazine
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SPRING 2018
SCHOOL NEWS: RENFROE BASKETBALL
Renfroe Middle School Basketball Champs By Oakhurst Magazine Staff OakhurstMag@gmail.com
Renfroe Middle School Basketball Champs (Photo courtesy @TabJohnson)
In only his second year as head coach, Chaz Wright led Renfroe Middle School Boys Basketball to win the Dekalb County Basketball Championship. It was his also his first year coaching the Refroe Girls who made it to the final four. The Refroe Boys team outscored every team in the playoffs by at least 15 points. In the championship game, Trey Wright showed his all around talent with outside shots, surges to the basket inside and excellent defense forcing turnovers. He was crowned tournament MVP finishing with 13 points and 8 assists. But the leading scorer was Marquis Hood, a 7th grader with 17 points and 16 rebounds He helped Renfroe beat Chapel Hill Middle
School 56-40 in the championship game. Coach Wright will have a great foundation with Hood at the helm of next year’s team. Tony Dawson scored 12 points and Kenric Lanier scored double digits with 10 points in the championship game. Dawson was also standout on defense with 7 rebounds. Both boys are 8th graders that will go onto high school next year. The Renfroe Girls team lost in the final four of the championship to Stephenson Middle School, a team they beat in the regular season. The good news is that standout players Chazadi Wright and Taliah Cornish are just 6th graders. Coach Wright has a great opportunity to build a championship girls team for next season. Congratulations to Refroe Boys Basketball winning the Dekalb County Basketball Middle School Championship!
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WHEN YOU WANT YOUR MORTGAGE DONE RIGHT! Shelter Home Mortgage Offers a Full Line of Mortgage Products Designed to Fit Your Needs. JPHECKMAN.COM Stop by our Oakhurst location! 321 W. Hill St. Suite 3A, Decatur, GA 30030 Š 2018 Shelter Home Mortgage, LLC. All Rights Reserved. This communication does not constitute a commitment to lend or the guarantee of a specified interest rate. All loan programs and availability of cash proceeds are subject to credit, underwriting and property approval. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply. Shelter Home Mortgage, LLC, 1770 Indian Trail Lilburn Road NW, Suite 400, Norcross, GA 30093. Corp NMLS#: 1616534 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). GA - Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee # 56537. Additional licenses available at http://www.shelterhomemortgage.com. 321 West Hill St., Suite 3A, Decatur, GA 30030.
SPRING 2018
Village Magazine
7
COVER STORY: SCHOOL WALKOUT
Clare Schexnyder speaking at the Georgia Capital during her Stop School Shootings Now rally. (Courtesy photo)
Decatur mom creates school walkout By Anne Clarke OakhurstMag@gmail.com Through tears, Clare Schexnyder sprung into action after watching the Parkland, Florida school shooting unfold on television. “I knew it could have been my kid,” she said. Clare has a 13 year old in 8th grade at Renfroe Middle School. She had heard the same response: ‘thoughts and prayers’ but this time she was going to do something. She wanted to keep her kid home to protest: “Congress change the gun laws and the GUN CULTURE and DAILY MASS MURDER in our country,” her Facebook page said. As owner of Oh Baby Fitness, an exercise resource for new and expectant moms, Clare’s circles of friends are concerned
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Village Magazine
parents. Responses were pouring in on her public page and private social media pages. The shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School was Wednesday, Feb. 14; by Thursday Clare had called for a meeting at her home to discuss a National School Strike. Clare’s public Facebook page post: “Meeting at my house tomorrow at 2 p.m. to discuss a National School Strike. There will be a call in line if you can’t attend in person. You can join from anywhere in the country. Let me know if you want to help plan this. PM me for address or phone dial-in info. It's gonna happen. We’re going to make change happen. BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE. Please join me.” Clare went from 400 members on a private
Facebook page to 2500 members overnight. On Friday, just 2 days after the shooting, there were 10,000 members on the page and Clare had about 30 people in her home with another 100 on a conference line. Her 13-year-old was plugged it everything she was doing. Clare had successfully engaged the local Decatur community and beyond to stage a National School Walkout on March 2. She knew the power of media, having worked as a producer with CNN for 17 years. So there was national news media in her living room and a broadcast schedule that Friday evening. “My background helped. I was trusted to be a front person and clear in my message,” Clare explained. Continued on page 9
SPRING 2018
COVER STORY: SCHOOL WALKOUT
Top: Clare holding a meeting in her living room to discuss organizing a national school strike. There was a live feed so others could join the discussion from anywhere across the country. Bottom: Walkout at Decatur High School. (Photo courtesy Patti Garrett) Right: Protestors outside of Renfroe Middle School. (Photo courtesy April Gabor) Continued from page 8 Leaders of the Women’s March reached out to Clare about the Walkout date originally scheduled for March 2. They wanted to combine the School Walkout with their planned protest on March 14. Clare was adamant about keeping the name and the specific goals of the National School Walkout. But she said it made sense to move the date to the one-month anniversary of the Parkland shooting. Clare was then able to use the Women’s March tool kit including the mapping technology. It sped up the community engagement processes. By Feb. 17 the Parkland students began speaking publicly and it was the date of the first town hall meeting. Clare had launched the Stop School Shootings Now website and social media page. The Women’s March launched the Youth Empowerment programming. These students had powerful partners. “It was the birth of a national movement in Decatur,” Clare exclaimed. State-by-state; school-by-school; town-bytown walkouts and marches were organized under the National Stop School Shootings
SPRING 2018
“It was the birth of a national movement in Decatur.”
Clare Schexnyder
Now banner. Young students rallied across the country in an effort to reach their government representatives for common sense gun regulations. “It is simple”, Clare said. “These kids want to be safe at school and they should be. I—my generation failed them.” On March 14, students across the nation walked out of their classroom at 10 a.m. for 17 minutes to honor the 17 lives killed in Park-
land, Florida. At Decatur High School the parents stood across the street while the students walked out in front of the school. Kids at Renfroe Middle School were told to walk out in the backfield of the school. There were 25 students who did protest in the front of the school. The speeches were short and then 17 minutes of silence was recognized. Clare said, “Decatur kids showed great decorum.”
Village Magazine
9
DECATUR ARTS: OAKHURST JAZZ NIGHTS
New faces at the Spring Concert Series By Anne Clarke Concert@oakhurstjazznights.com Oakhurst Jazz Nights has a few new faces for the free Spring Concert Series on Thursdays in April. Diane Durrett brings her sultry blues style to the Solarium stage on April 5. While Eileen Howard will put a Disney twist on her special jazz performance April 19. Jazz Nights also brings back veteran players: Matt Wauchope Trio on April 12 where he will whip up some NoLa Jazz; Then the Bonaventure Quartet will close out the Spring Series on April 26 with Amy Pike on vocals doing their brand of swinging jazz. Pull up a blanket, low beach chair or reserve a bistro table on the lawn at the Solarium (Historic Scottish Rite Building) 321 W. Hill Street in Decatur from 7-9 p.m. Bistro table reservations are $25 done online at OakhurstJazzNights.com or email con-
10 Village Magazine
certs@OakhurstJazzNights.com. Oakhurst Jazz Nights is produced by the Oakhurst Neighborhood Assocation and offered free to the community thanks to funding from the Oakhurst Wine Crawl as well as community sponsors: Platinum Sponsors: Keller Knapp Realty, 2ULaundry and Private Bank of Decatur. Gold Sponsors: Heather Tell Atlanta InTown Realty, Arlene Dean Homes, Wahoo Grill and Wahoo Wine Provisions. Silver Sponsors: Hammertime Construction, Oakhurst Electric, King of Pops,
Petmeisters and Oakhurst Realty. In the case of inclement weather, the Solarium (Community Center of South Decatur) opens its doors for an intimate indoor concert. Oakhurst Jazz Nights are free concerts Every Thursday in April from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
SPRING CONCERT SERIES:
4/5 Diane Durrett 4/12 Matt Wauchope Trio 4/19 Eileen Howard 4/26 Bonaventure Quartet with Amy Pike
SPRING 2018
AROUND TOWN: TOUCH-A-TRUCK DECATUR
New event date in May Because of the severe weather in March, the Decatur Touch-A-Truck event was postponed to Saturday, May 5, 2018. Children of all ages are invited to touch, explore and see their favorite truck or equipment on wheels. All sorts of vehicles from the City of Decatur and Dekalb County will be on display at the East Lake Marta station (north lot) from 10am to 1pm. There will be a City of Decatur School Bus on display so children can learn how to stay safe on the bus. You are encouraged to ride your bike to the event. The City of Decatur Police will have a bike registration tent at the event. Registering your bike serial number and description helps the Decatur Police identify owners of bikes that have been lost or stolen. During the Touch-A-Truck event, the Decatur Active Living and Decatur Firefighters will be collecting food in celebration of the National Nutrition program. Please bring a canned or non-perishable food item to ‘Feed the Hungry’. For more information contact Cheryl Burnette 678-553-6541 with the City or Decatur or Cheryl.Burnette@decaturga.com.
SPRING 2018
Village Magazine 11
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE Home sales were supplied by Keller Knapp Realty via the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The information has not been verified and may not be listed by the office or agent advertised on this page.
Address
Area
List Price Sale Price Sold Date DOM Beds Baths Sq. Ft.
1218 Church St
Downtown Decatur
$662,000
$650,000
2/28/18
61
4
3.5
2800
1216 Church St
Downtown Decatur
$629,900
$629,900
3/16/18
30
4
3.5
2800
212 Northern Ave
Historic Decatur
$620,000
$632,500
1/26/18
14
3
3.0
2300
861 E Lake Dr
Oakhurst
$355,000
$355,000
2/2/18
14
3
1.0
1408
131 Lenore St
Oakhurst
$1,095,000
$1,075,000
2/22/18
11
5
4.0
3714
232 4th Ave
Oakhurst
$539,900
$541,900
2/22/18
4
3
2.0
1667
329 Leyden St
Oakhurst
$459,000
$459,000
2/22/18
3
2
2.0
1360
217 4th Ave
Oakhurst
$817,000
$800,000
2/23/18
39
5
3.0
2595
6 Oakhurst Common Dr Oakhurst
$479,000
$467,500
3/2/18
2
4
3.5
2362
121 Madison Ave
Oakhurst
$639,000
$625,000
3/9/18
4
4
2.5
1781
145 McClean St
Oakhurst
$1,050,000
$1,040,000
3/15/18
34
5
5.0
3217
216 4th Ave
Oakhurst
$475,000
$460,000
3/19/18
23
2
2.0
1228
23 Village Walk Dr
Village Walk
$625,000
$577,340
2/9/18
55
3
4.0
3010
3 Village Walk Dr
Village Walk
$549,900
$523,900
2/16/18
109
3
2.5
2210
416 Westchester Dr
Westchester Hills
$625,000
$637,000
3/8/18
4
4
3.0
2308
216 E Pharr Rd
Winnona Park
$390,000
$375,000
1/31/18
87
3
1.0
1490
317 Shadowmoor Dr
Winnona Park
$635,000
$635,000
3/1/18
11
3
2.0
1845
116 Park Dr
Winnona Park
$899,000
$850,000
3/8/18
94
5
4.0
3088
407 Adams St
Winnona Park
$840,000
$838,025
3/8/18
2
3
2.5
2708
315 Mimosa Dr
Winnona Park
$599,000
$599,900
3/16/18
0
3
2.0
1999
153 Inman Dr
Winnona Park
$639,900
$650,000
3/23/18
1
3
2.0
2112
12 Village Magazine
SPRING 2018
DECATUR ARTS: ANDERSON McKIERNAN
Decatur’s rising star after Shuler Awards By Anne Clarke OakhurstMag@gmail.com It was a sports injury that led Anderson McKiernan to the Decatur High School (DHS) stage as a sophomore. That choice ultimately led to Anderson being nominated for a Shuler Award as Best Performance by a Supporting Actor. He was nominated for his role as Gaston in the 2017 production of “Beauty and the Beast.” The Shuler Awards are fashioned after Broadway’s Tony Awards honoring Georgia High School Musical Theater. They are named after Georgia native Shuler Hensley, who has won the prestigious Tony Award. Anderson’s nomination was the first ever for Decatur High School. This is quite an accomplishment for the ‘new kid’ in town. The McKiernan’s, a military family, were planning a move from Kentucky to Atlanta in 2016. Anderson had injured his shoulder playing baseball so he was focused other extracurricular activities. He joined his Kentucky choral class in 9th grade and was moved by the choir director’s performance of “Prayer of Children” about a mass shooting. “It was an impactful moment,” he said. It seemed to steer him to musical theater, combining speaking and singing. Knowing Anderson enjoyed the arts the McKiernan’s sought Atlanta schools with strong music programs. DHS counselor Ken Jackson met with the McKiernan’s and asked them to attend their “Pippin” show at the new theater. Another impactful moment for Anderson: “I wanted to go to Decatur after seeing that production …the only artsy thing in my Kentucky school was choir.” Mom pushes son’s natural talent His mother, Christine, really pushed Anderson to expand into acting. “He is an outspoken person, always an entertainer,” she would say. Being sociable was acquired early for Anderson to cope with transitions of military bases. The McKiernan’s have lived in four different states moving five times in Anderson’s young life. After arriving in Decatur, Anderson began voice and acting lessons the summer before his sophomore year. He was focused
SPRING 2018
Anderson McKiernan, center, stars with a fellow actors in a Decatur High School stage production of “Beauty and the Beast.” (Photo by Troy Earnest) on auditioning for a role in the upcoming “Beauty and the Beast” show at DHS. “There were three guy parts,” Anderson explained. “But I never thought I would get the role of Gaston.” The character is a brawny bulky guy; Anderson is a thin lanky boy. He says he bought a “Baywatch” costume for bulk under his Gaston costume. Impressing teacher and award voters The costume, his voice, and his portrayal of the narcissistic villain Gaston impressed the Shuler Award voters. Anderson was one of six actors in the Supporting Actor category, but he did not win. “Just the nomination was a remarkable feat,” said Amy Rawlins, DHS Musical Theater teacher and choreographer of “Beauty and the Beast” show. The show produced a few honorable mentions in the run for Shuler Award nominations. Rawlins herself received an honorable mention in the choreography category. Amy Rawlins actually created the Musical Theater Program at Decatur High School. She has a BFA in Musical Theater and MA in Theater Education. In addition to acting, Rawlins spent 12 years teaching and directing musicals in Boston until moving to Decatur in 2012. She was quite impressed with Anderson when he arrived in
Decatur. “I am used to figuring out talent, polishing young talent; getting kids interested in theater,” Rawlins explained. “This was his first role and he came out like a pro.” Rawlins said receiving the nomination, as a sophomore, was a big milestone for Anderson. Now in his junior year, Anderson has shown tremendous growth starring as Danny Zuko in the “Grease” production. The DHS production of “Grease” ran thru March 25 this year with a 100 kids in the cast and crew. Quite a production when you consider the limited amount of time to prepare and execute. Rawlins would say, “it’s not about the process but the product.” She found that Anderson like many of these theater kids learn time management and deadlines. Theater is providing direction for Anderson. He has been on more than 16 college auditions across the country. He, like his mother, sees a future in theater — both film and stage. But Anderson does say there would be a back up plan in teaching. Something his teacher, Rawlins, knows well. Interestingly, Anderson’s top college choice is Shenandoah University, which has an excellent theater and music conservatory. It is one of the top ten conservatories in the country and also the alma mater of Amy Rawlins.
Village Magazine 13
14 Village Magazine
SPRING 2018
FINANCIAL MATTERS: COLLEGE TUITION
Looking to ease college tuition anxiety? By Margie Archer Margie.archer@wellsfargo advisors.com Did you realize that, according to the College Board, more than $240 billion in grants from all sources (federal loans, federal work-study, and federal tax credits and deductions) was awarded to undergraduate and graduate students in the 2015-2016 academic year? And that those students came from households spanning a wide range of household incomes? During that academic year, the average aid for a full-time college student amounted to $14,460, including $8,390 in grants (that don’t have to be repaid) and $4,720 in federal loans. Once you realize how many resources may be available and begin your research on financial assistance, you could be on your way toward easing some of the anxiety often associated with paying for college.
5 lessons for seeking help for college costs
Start planning during the high school years. Pay particular attention to your child’s junior year of high school and reposition assets or adjust income before it begins. When financial aid officers review a family’s need, they analyze the family’s income in the calendar year beginning in January of the student’s junior year.
Assume you’re eligible for aid … until you’re told you’re not. There are no specific guidelines or rules of thumb that can accurately predict the aid you and your child may be offered. Because each family’s circumstances are different, keep an open mind as you consider financial aid alternatives. A number of factors ‒ such as having several children in school at the same time ‒ may increase your eligibility for assistance. Reassess assets held by your children. Federal guidelines expect children to contribute 20% of certain assets toward their education’s costs, while parents are expected to contribute up to 5.64%.
SPRING 2018
That’s why assets held in custodial accounts (bank accounts, trust funds, brokerage accounts) in your children’s names may reduce the aid for which the family qualifies. But assets held in Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and 529 plans are factored into the parent’s formula, having less effect on the aid for which the family qualifies. Help grandparents’ target their gifts. Grandparents’ hearts often lead them to make gifts directly to grandchildren or to pay their tuition expenses. Even though payments made directly to a college avoid gift taxes, financial aid sources generally count these payments as an additional resource the family has to pay for college expenses. Distributions from grandparent-owned 529 plans are also considered as resources and assessed as your child’s income, which can reduce eligible aid. A better idea for grandparents may be to make a gift to a 529 plan owned by the parent or grandchild. The financial aid treatment of gifts to 529 plans is generally more favorable than for gifts made directly to the grandchild. Plus grandparents using this al-
ternative may also realize estate tax and gift tax benefits. Assess your family’s financial situation to determine what your children will need. Gather records and begin researching available financial aid, grants, loans, and scholarships. Two forms will be key to your aid application process: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Profile (PROFILE). The FAFSA helps you apply for federal aid, and many states also use it to determine a resident student’s eligibility for state aid. You can find forms in high-school guidance offices, college financial-aid offices, or online. Many schools use the PROFILE to collect additional information before awarding their own funds, i.e., institutional student aid. Margie Archer, CRPS* ADPA* is a Vice President, Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager. *Wells Fargo Advisors does not provide legal or tax advice. Be sure to consult with your tax and legal advisors before taking any action that could have tax consequences.
Village Magazine 15
DECATUR ARTS: REGINA VERANI
Art, science and a local gallery By Anne Clarke OakhurstMag@gmail.com You could say Regina Verani art is a combination of science and visual arts but her art space is truly a community project. After 7 years in Houston Texas, Galeria Regina opened last year in Decatur, Georgia at the Oakhurst Commercial Lofts by Harmony Park. The aim of Galeria Regina is to support local artists and to provide to the community a place to enjoy and purchase good art at a reasonable price. Local artists are invited for solo exhibitions with a monthly artist reception at the gallery. Regina, the gallery owner, was born in Brazil where she became a medical doctor. She worked as a pathologist for 38 years at the University of Texas Medical School
16 Village Magazine
GALERIA REGINA 409 Mead Rd. Unit 5 404-431-7525 GaleriaRegina.com
in Houston. While she painted as a young girl, she decided to focus on her art about 20 years ago. Regina began painting those unusual patient specimens seen under the microscope. She would say her art is a different type of science. As a member of the Watercolor Art Society and Visual Arts Alliance, Regina participated in many juried exhibitions in Houston. Her current work is on display at the gallery along side of the rotating local artist exhibitions. Upcoming Solo Artist Receptions are from 5pm-9pm on Saturdays: April 21, May 19 and June 16.
Dr. Regina Verani paints art inspired by microscopic specimens. (Courtesy photo)
SPRING 2018
GARDEN NEWS: WYLDE CENTER
Oakhurst Garden spring and summer fun Spring showers bring May flowers … and summer beer. The Wylde Center is gearing up for the spring season and summer events!
PLANT SALE FESTIVAL AT OAKHURST GARDEN
April 13-15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Member Plant Sale Preview April 12 from 6-8 p.m. Join this 4-day festival for a unique and exhaustive selection of vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, perennials, natives, succulents, and so much more. All the plants are grown onsite at Wylde Centers Oakhurst Garden. The plant sale is set up like a garden nursery in the front yard of the Oakhurst Garden office from sunrise to sunset. Purchases can be paid with cash or check on the honor system by dropping payments in secure slot at the office. Credit card payments are accepted from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. during the week.
WYLDE GARDEN TOUR
Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 6 from Noon to 5 p.m. This is a citywide tour of private gardens in larger Decatur area. You will experience the beauty and charm of some of finest private gardens in Atlanta and Decatur. Tickets are $20; $25 day of tour; and just $15 for Wylde Center members. Children under 12 are free. The Wylde Garden Tour is a rain or shine event.
Kindergarten to 3rd Graders Register your kids for the Wylde Animals summer camp. The kids will explore all things animals including what they need to survive and what they do for fun. Your children will meet a few live animal ambassadors up close and personal. Registration for the full week is $225 for members and $250 for non-members.
MULBERRY FIELDS GONE WYLDE AT CANDLER PARK
Saturday, July 14 from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Wylde Center added Mulberry Fields to its garden management program in 2016. You will enjoy a fun summer party at this beautiful Candler Park garden. The 3rd annual Mulberry Fields Gone Wylde party is a family friendly event featuring live music, food vendors, drinks and games. The setting is perfect among the community plots; folk art and, of course, live animals including goats. Tickets are $15 with children under 12 free. Wylde Center members are free. All funds raised directly benefit the Mulberry Fields garden. Mulberry Fields Community Garden • 1301 Iverson St. NE Atlanta, GA 30307; Oakhurst Community Garden • 435 Oakview Rd., Decatur, GA 30030; For more information go to WyldeCenter.org
BEER GARDEN & SILENT AUCTION AT OAKHURST GARDEN
Saturday, June 23 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. VIP Patron Happy Hour 4:30-5:30 p.m. Held at the beautiful Oakhurst Garden, the beer fest features local breweries and cideries tapping their finest kegs! You will sip your beers while exploring the garden and enjoying the food and live music. There is an auction and raffle all supporting the Wylde Center mission of cultivating green spaces. VIP Patron tickets are $250. General admission tickets are $40.
WYLDE CENTER SUMMER CAMP AT OAKHURST GARDEN June 4-8 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
SCHOOL NEWS: TRIBUTE TO SHYKIA The Refroe Middle School Girls Soccer Team paid tribute to their fellow student who lost her life at the hand of another on March 25. Shykia Ward-Reese was a 14-year-old 8th grader involved in many extracurricular activities at school. Purple being Shykia’s favorite color, they adorned purple socks at a game and purple balloons at the community remembrance of her life.
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HOME MATTERS: LEVEL CRAFT
Hire a contractor you’ll trust By Angela Georges Angelageorges@gmail.com It’s hard to know what you’re getting into when you decide to build a home or begin a renovation. Where do you even start? Hiring the right contractor is the single most important decision you will make. Level Craft founder Virginia Van Lear and business partner Debbie Hollonbeck have been in the contracting business for over 30 years combined and offer some invaluable advise on why it’s extremely important to hire the right company for the job. You’ll want to hire experts that understand your vision, take pride in the quality of their work, understand the importance of sticking to your budget, and that get the job done on time. Being highly qualified and professional are definitely important qualities you want in a contractor, but there are other things to consider when deciding which contractor is a good fit
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Level Craft founder Virginia Van Lear and business partner Debbie Hollonbeck (Courtesy photo) for you and your family:
COMMUNICATION
Throughout the building process you will be working so closely with your contractor, that communication is key. It’s important
that your contractor responds quickly to your questions and concerns. Level Craft makes a point to follow up with clients within 30 minutes of receiving an email, phone call Continued on page 13
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HOME MATTERS: LEVEL CRAFT Continued from page 12 or text. Furthermore, someone from Level Craft will be on-site everyday, which makes it possible to keep you up-to-date, and informed every step of the way. Hire a contractor that is extremely hands-on, one you connect with and one that appreciates clear and open communication.
TRANSPARENCY
When selecting a contractor, you’ll disclose your budget and want to stick to it. With possible setbacks and unforeseen snags, it’s important to know where your money is going. Level Craft has a total transparency policy – providing you with a detailed quote in the beginning and a run-down of expenditures as you go. You’ll never be left guessing about your biggest investment. Level Craft works with you to suggest ways to avoid overspending while maintaining exceptional quality in keeping with your overall vision. Hire a contractor that’s straightforward and honors your budget.
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REPUTATION
There’s no better indication of future performance than past performance. A contractor’s reputation is everything and they know it. Ask around your community for recommendations and hire someone local. The majority of Level Craft’s business comes from referrals. Both Virginia and Debbie live and work in the Oakhurst community, so of course their reputation matters – they’re your neighbors! Hire a contractor that supports local businesses and has a stake in your community.
Choose an expert builder as well as a talented design team that genuinely cares about putting out a great product. Level Craft meets and exceeds all expectations as your local contractor. They are a design + build firm, both having artistic and business backgrounds. If you want a contractor that is skilled and reliable, sensitive to you and your families’ needs, as well as being approachable, call Level Craft today and request a list of referrals or even walk through one of their custom-built homes.
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PET ROUND UP: BEECATER & OFFICE DOGS
Bee at home in Decatur This year, Bee City USA® Decatur, GA (a.k.a. “Beecatur”) will mark the National Pollinator Week with Decatur's first citywide celebration of the event. As designated by the U.S. Congress, National Pollinator Week will be observed June 18-24. The theme selected by Beecatur’s members is “Bee At Home in Decatur” According to Peter Helfrich, Chair of the Beecatur committee, “We felt the theme reflected the idea of bees being an important part of our community of homes, schools and places of worship. The art and poster for this year’s celebration tie in to that relationship as well.” Beecatur’s celebration event plans include a naturalist walk, a monarch butterfly film screening, a “Build-A-Bug” workshop for kids, talks about native bees and native plants, a pollinator photo safari and other special programming designed to inform the public about the critical role bees and other pollinator species play in our ecosystem. For more information, visit www.BeecaturGA.com. —Staff report
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The irreverent Ashley Derrick is working with her dogs at her Keller Knapp office in Oakhurst. We recognize she always posts the fun pet photos and videos on Social Media! Ashley is also a great animal supporter, saving many lives through the years. —Staff report
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AROUND TOWN: OAKHURST WINE CRAWL 2018
It was another fabulous day in March for the Annual Oakhurst Village Wine Crawl produced by Marc Brennan (Oakhurst Market owner) with the help of Oakhurst Neighborhood Association volunteers. There were more than 1,000 crawlers enjoying 37 wine stops at the 17th annual event. Proceeds from the Oakhurst Wine Crawl support the Decatur Arts Alliance events and the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association events to promote the area. (Photos by Hector Amador)
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Excited about new arrivals?
Welcome to DeKalb Medical Physicians Group Kirkwood OBGYN! Andrea M. Dabney, MD joins Dr. Elizabeth Kobe and Dr. Stuart Pancer to walk “with you” through the journey of childbirth — while Leslie Anne Pope, DO is only taking gynecology appointments.
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We’re With You.
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So far in 2017 a combined 52 real estate deals with over $20.4 million in sales. “Chris is great. Very knowledgeable about the area and detail oriented. She took note of our needs and wants and picked out houses she knew we would love. She goes over Chris Aiken and beyond her duties, especially if we were out of town, she'd go look at the house and Decatur resident report back to us. She made sure we weren't only content, but very pleased and satisfied chris@intownexpert.com with our home purchase.” (404) 735-6027 - Bought a home in 2017 “We could not have had a better experience working with Alex. She's incredibly knowledgeable, proactive (multiple times I would think of a question and then find she had emailed me the information before I could even ask her), responsive, professional, Alex Smith Meier full of great character (and fun!). We love our home and we wholeheartedly recommend Decatur resident alex@intownexpert.com Alex to anyone looking to buy or sell.” - Bought a home in 2016 (404) 788-6729
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Intown Expert Realty is a boutique residential real estate brokerage exclusively focused on serving Atlanta’s urban core neighborhoods and residents.