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SUMMER 2017 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 City Clerk: ..................................................................404-370-4100 City Manager: ............................................................404-370-4102 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 Dekalb County: .............................................www.Co.Dekalb.ga.us Agnes Scott College: ......................................www.AgnesScott.edu Oakhurst Community Garden Project: ....... www.OakhurstGarden.org The Solarium at Old Scottish Rite: ..............www.TheSolarium.org YMCA – East Lake: ................................. www.ely.ymcaatlanta.org YMCA – Decatur/Dekalb: .....................www.ddy.ymcaatlanta.org Samuel Jones Boys & Girls Club: ........ www.bgcma.org/club.jones
ADVERTISER PHONE LISTINGS:
Ace & A: .....................................................................404-373-4074 Avondale Veterinary Hospital: ..................................404-294-4800 Butch Whitfield, Harry Norman Realty: ...................404-897-5558 Chip Wallace, KellerKnapp Realty: ...........................678-429-9731 Decatur Pest Control: ................................................404-296-4044 Dekalb Medical Hospital: ..........................................404-501-5200 Downtown Decatur Food Tours: ...............................770-999-9663 Finders Keepers: ........................................................404-296-0285 Griffin & Co Insurance: .............................................404-378-2888 Hammertime Construction: .....................................404-525-3332 Heather Tell, Atlanta Intown Realty: ........................404-219-4078 Jack n Jill Consignment: ............................................404-508-0611 Linda Lehsten, Keller Knapp Realty: ........................404-784-8779 mCary & Daughters: ..................................................404-370-0999 Matador Cantina: ......................................................404-377-0808 Mezcalitos: .................................................................678-471-6135 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 Private Bank of Decatur…………………………….…678-799-4167 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 Universal Joint: ..........................................................404-373-6260 Wahoo Grill: ..............................................................404-373-3331 Wahoo Wine & Provisions: ........................................404-687-9463 Wildheart Salon: ........................................................404-228-7365
Summer is upon us so we will delve into the outdoors starting with fitness, health and, of course, our gardens! Our story inspirations include local elite athletes and coaches that are training both the elite and the every day athlete. The Davis family has built a dynasty in swimming with their Swim Atlanta facilities. Decatur High School Girls Soccer coach, Joey Widener, took the team to the state competition this year. Self titled, Fathlete, Tina Tait completed the New York marathon and continues to be an inspiration for the every day athlete. Pam Dooley of Plants Creative Landscape provides gardening tips for the home gardener while Butch Whitfield professes home improvement tips. Oh, how those home improvements can help sell your property! The home sale prices in our south City of Decatur —yes, that side of the tracks—are soaring daily. The fact that Agnes Scott College is in our backyard helps home prices, especially when Oprah Winfrey stops by for commencement ceremonies! Enjoy the summer issue of the Oakhurst Village magazine, written by neighbors, for neighbors! Please email your story suggestions to OakhurstMag@gmail.com or call direct 404-587-7887. We publish every other month and are happy to hear about local news, accomplishments, events and, well, whatever you all find interesting and informative.
Anne Clarke, Owner/Publisher Lorelei Cooper, Managing Editor Rob Boeger, Graphic Designer
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.
@2017 The Clarke Agency, LLC Mailing Address: 931 Monroe Dr. NE #282, Atlanta, GA 30308 Phone: 404-587-7887
SUMMER 2017
Village Magazine
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AROUND TOWN: DEKALB LIBRARY
Check out a personal hotspot device at Dekalb Library By JILL JOPLIN Executive Director of Dekalb Library Foundation JoplinJ@dekalblibrary.org The DeKalb Library Foundation recently received a grant from the Decatur Rotary Foundation to help expand a new initiative at DeKalb County Public Library — the Mobile Hotspot device program! DeKalb County Public Library in partnership with DeKalb Library Foundation has introduced a new service that allows library cardholders ages 18 and older to “take the internet home with them.” Patrons can now check out Mobile Hotspot devices. Hotspots are portable, rechargeable devices that can be connected to laptops, smart phones or tablets to access the Internet for free through the device’s wireless signal. Hotspots are available for check out for 21 days at the following library branches — Chamblee, Decatur, Flat Shoals, Stonecrest and Clarkston. All available devices were checked out within the first days of the launch this spring. Judging by the first month of the Mobile Hot Spot device program, it has been a great success. Go to DekalbLibraryFoundation.org for more information.
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SUMMER 2017
CITY NEWS: OAKHURST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING President & Treasurer: Greg Reihing Co-Vice President: Anne Clarke & Danon Stewart Co-Secretary: Blair Keenan & Taylor Higdon The quarterly Oakhurst Neighborhood Association meeting on Monday, May 8 at the Solarium had a strong contingency from Mead Road. The Mission Baptist Church parking lot, 830 W. College (at Mead Rd), was sold to a developer that initially proposed rezoning and neighbors were concerned. Angela Threadgill, City of Decatur Planning Director, assured the residents that the developer has not submitted viable plans for review. The review process would include presentations to the neighborhood association, Commissioner Brian Smith confirmed. He also confirmed that the City of Decatur would purchase the 77 acres United Methodist Children’s Home on Columbia Drive. This land will be annexed into the city. The chapel on the land will stay as well as a couple other buildings. The city plans to have their youth services on the property and
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provide much needed recreational facilities. As it concerns recreation, the city has teamed up with the PATH foundation to connect the bike lanes. They are also working on the traffic light timing at certain intersections. Doug Faust, the Executive Director of Decatur Housing Authority, presented the updated plans for the 1111 Oakview Road Apartments. The demolition was to be completed in May. These new apartments named Trinity Walk Place III, will be developed into 34 units; 7 two-bedroom and 27 one-bedroom units slated to be completed in 2018. The revitalized apartments will be under a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with HUD providing families affordable living. City of Decatur Police Captain Matics provided a crime update showing robberies were down but told the neighbors to please ask the police to check on your property during summer vacations. They are also looking for new recruits to serve in law enforcement. Anne Clarke, Oakhurst Jazz Nights producer, explained the serious and costly problems with children destroying the Solarium property. ONA had to purchase additional
yard signs with warnings and the Solarium (Community Center of South Decatur) had to compensate staff to monitor the grounds. Oakhurst Jazz Nights is in its 14th year at the Solarium. It is a free event for neighbors every Thursday night in April and September. While sponsors allow the event to be profitable for ONA, the consistent damage may derail its future. Please go to OakhurstJazzNights.com or email concerts@OakhurstJazzNights.com for more information. Thanks to the Oakhurst Jazz Night sponsors, including: DoubleDome Web Technologies, Hammertime Construction, Heather Tell with Atlanta InTown Realty, Oakhurst Electric, Petmeisters, Scout Restaurant, Oakhurst Market, Steinbecks, Oakhurst Realty Partners, Snap Fitness Decatur, UJoint, All Souls Church, Dan Barracliff with State Farm Insurance, Wahoo Grill and Wine Provisions, Keller Knapp Realty and the Private Bank of Decatur. If you would like to be involved in ONA, go to OakhurstGA.org, Facebook.com/ OakhurstNeighborhoodAssocation or email ONA@oakhurstga.org
SUMMER 2017
AROUND TOWN: OAKHURST ELEMENTARY AUCTION
The making of an auction! By LORELEI COOPER loreleimcooper@gmail.com What would you do if you found yourself agreeing to Chair the biggest fundraiser of the year for the biggest elementary school in Decatur, with five short months, very few existing records, no previous website and very little experience at any of it? If you are Leigh Anne Clark, mom to a first grader Madeline and 2-year-old Isabelle, you take a deep breath and start recruiting help. The first person she called (or "cornered" as Elizabeth likes to put it) was Elizabeth Durel, mother to 2nd grader Elliot, Kindergartener Daisy and 2-year-old Cate, who agreed to co-chair the Oakhurst Elementary spring auction entitled Give A Hoot. The two sat down and designed the rough plan of an event that they would like to attend. While the initial goal was raising money, they decided that a parallel goal with equal importance was community. The two wanted to make sure that every single person in the Oakhurst Elementary community would feel welcomed and a part of Give A Hoot, the Spring Auction. As they moved forward, Leigh Anne and Elizabeth recruited committee heads that helped underscore the theme of diver-
Give A Hoot Spring Auction Co-chairs Leigh Anne Clark and Elizabeth Durel celebrating after the event in May which benefitted Oakhurst Elementary. (Photo by Lorelei Cooper) sity and inclusion, which bled into every aspect of the event. Gretchen Cobb, the Children's Art Committee Chair, focused all the kids' art on diversity, helping the kids create art with quotes from Maya Angelou and Malala Yousafzai. Inclusion was seen in the fact that everyone on the Oakhurst Elementary school staff was welcomed to the event at no cost under the assumption that if a person's face was on the website, then that person is a part of what make Oakhurst “The Best Little School in the World”. The auction itself was inclusionary in that the price points, $10 Heads-Tails Game
to $1000 vacation homes, fit every budget. Because Leigh Anne and Elizabeth were making such radical changes to the event, they worried about hitting the PTA budgeted fundraising goals. So as Elizabeth put it: "We decided to front load (the auction) by figuring out how to raise as much as possible before we opened the doors the night of the event." That meant a lot of in-kind donations starting with Trinity Church who offered their space at no cost, and included a sound engineer. Leigh Anne and ElizContinued on page 19
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Village Magazine
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COVER STORY: SWIMMING IN THE FAMILY
Poolside power couple Chris Davis Jr. and Amanda Weir Davis find home in Oakhurst community By ANNE CLARKE OakhurstMag@gmail.com You are looking at swimming royalty right here in Oakhurst, the power couple of local residents, Chris Davis Jr. and Amanda Weir Davis. They will casually say they met (romantically) through a weight-training program in Atlanta. While the statement is true, the reality is that their bond was probably predisposed. Both Davis Jr. and Weir are swimmers that came through the Swim Atlanta program as young children. Chris’s father, Davis Sr., founded Swim Atlanta in 1977 and coached Weir and Davis Jr. to success at their respective high schools, winning division swim championships in Gwinnett County. Weir went to Brookwood High in Snellville where she earned four consecutive Class 5A state championships. Davis Jr. attended Duluth High where he led the swimming team to a Class 5A state runner up title his senior year. But their history started when Weir moved to Atlanta at a young age to train with Davis Sr. who had famously coached Olympic swimmers Doug Gjertsen and Hans Dersch. Davis Sr. coached Weir when she started breaking US swimming records at age 12. At that time, Davis Jr., 7 years older than Weir, was a competitive swimmer at UNC Wilmington. “We knew each other of course, but not like socially,” Davis Jr. explained. “We were at very different levels in life because of the age difference.” Davis and Weir connected romantically in 2006 when she ended her college career to became a professional swimmer. That was the year that Weir broke the American record in the 100-meter freestyle. Davis Jr. had
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Chris Davis Jr. and Amanda Weir Davis pictured outside the Kavarna Cafe in Oakhurst Village. In 2014, the couple purchased a home in Oakhurst and seems to enjoy the intown living. graduated with a degree in Recreation Management and was working at Swim Atlanta. Weir had already competed in the 2004 Olympics setting the US record in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. In 2005, she won the four relays for University of Georgia, plus two relay medals at the World Championships and she was recognized as the Atlanta Amateur Athlete of the year. Going professional seemed a natural progression. Davis Jr. was transitioning himself from
working in the Pool Management Division at Swim Atlanta to coaching like his father, “I liked interacting with kids as opposed to dealing with a dirty pool,” Chris expressed. By 2011, the two were planning a wedding but that did not slow Weir’s Olympic goals. She would be part of the 2012 4x100-meter relay team winning the bronze medal. Swim Atlanta was also achieving monstrous goals. It had become the largest club in US swimming producing national champions as well
SUMMER 2017
Left: Amanda with her brother Caleb Weir who is an accomplished swimmer in his own right. Top Right: Chris Davis Sr. who was inducted in the Swimming Hall Fame in 2015. Above right: Amanda with Michael Phelps at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. (Courtesy photos) as 5 Olympians, including Weir. The Swim Atlanta facility split off the entire pool management division as a separate corporation called Swim Pool Management. This company manages over 1000 pools in 16 US cities. While the actual Swim Atlanta pools (club facilities) have grown to 7 locations serving over 2500 swimmers. Weir, training at the Georgia Tech Swim Atlanta pool, won a silver medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the 2016 Rio Olympic games, her third Olympic appearance. She has won at least 26 international medals, which calculates to a lot of travel! The couple has adapted well to the world travels and competitions that can separate them for months at a time. Davis Jr. would be coaching at swim meets while Weir was traveling for her competitions. “It makes it nice when we are together,” Weir said. “We make the most of our time together.” Time was a consideration when the couple decided on purchasing a home in Oakhurst. Davis Jr. coaches at the Georgia Tech Swim Atlanta location where Weir trains. “We’d spend 45 minutes to an hour driv-
SUMMER 2017
ing each way,” revealed Davis Jr. who said they were living in Suwannee at the time. “We did not know our neighbors there. It wasn’t as interactive.” The couple had attended festivals and restaurants in Decatur where they felt more at home. “We realized how cool Atlanta was in town, the little pockets, pop up cities (like Oakhurst) that were so nice,” Weir said. In 2014, the couple purchased the home of one of Oakhurst’s longest residences, Mary Whitehead. They spent about six months renovating the house that they said was old enough that the crawl space had coal residue on the wood. Typical of these old Decatur homes, I suspect. The choice of living in town was easy. Weir said they really liked how folks in Decatur are both interactive and active. “Everybody is out all the time, walking dogs or just on their big front porch.” The drive from Oakhurst to Georgia Tech Swim Atlanta is also convenient allowing more time for our Oakhurst power couple to socialize. Well, they do dote on Jupiter, their Italian Greyhound dog and
they do enjoy the local Decatur restaurants. “We obviously eat heavy (Carbs), so some of our favorites would be 246 restaurant, Poor Henry’s, oh and Scouts brunch is awesome,” Weir advised. But their focus is centered on the training and work schedule. Weir is looking to qualify for the World Championships in Budapest this summer while Davis Jr. is working with the next young swimming stars at Swim Atlanta. “We have a schedule we are used to,” Weir said. “Our mornings are free but we are there (at the pool) late.” Weir is in the pool twice a day for training while Davis Jr. coaches after school, so their day truly starts in the afternoon. This power couple is part of a swimming dynasty with lofty goals! Beyond their own achievements, Weir’s younger brother Caleb is making competitive waves on the national stage. He is being coached at Swim Atlanta where Davis siblings, Scott and Whitney are also part of the family business. Of course, it was that family business that started it all for Chris Davis and Amanda Weir Davis!
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HEALTH MATTERS: TINA TAIT
Journey from fat to marathon By ANNE CLARKE OakhurstMag@gmail.com Tina Tait may have come across tragedy in 2016, but she has stuck to an amazing regime inspired by loss. In 2013, she underwent Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy that began the process of losing 130 lbs in 11 months. It was Al Roker from NBC’s Today Show that galvanized her to have the surgery. “I lost my dad to chronic obesity.” Tina expressed. She considered herself a Fat Athlete or as she says a ‘fathlete’ because she was active but could never shed the weight. “That was just the most helpless feeling in the world – there’s nothing else I could have done that would have made me more successful,” she says. The surgery itself is not a magical fix. Continued on page 11
Tina Tait in 2012 on the left and in 2013 on the right. She kept fit by focusing on racing after her gastrectomy. By 2016 she completed the New York marathon. (Courtesy photos)
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SUMMER 2017
HEALTH MATTERS: TINA TAIT Continued from page 10 Tina literally trained her way from walking to 5k road races to 10k races then Half Marathons. By her side was Ali Tait her husband of 13 years, until one Sunday in July when he had a heart attack while riding his bike. “I had the best weekend with my husband,” Tina said. “I had just gotten up to a 10 mile run on that Saturday.” The loss was devastating but Tina channeled her energy into training for the marathon. It was a goal she had written in her blog, Fatathon.com, 7 years earlier that if Al Roker could do it, she could do it. Tait enlisted the help of the Atlanta Track Club to keep her running. In November 2016 she completed the New York marathon. In fact, Tait was invited to the NBC studios after the marathon to what she thought was going to be a studio tour. Roker surprised her with an on camera interview! She has also been featured locally on Fox5 Atlanta and the AJC newspaper. But the story does not end there. Tait
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Tina Tait showing the pants she wore before the huge weight loss. (Courtesy photo) has to maintain eating discipline in what she says is 90 percent good vs 10 percent bad. “I like to go out to restaurants but I calculate that into my day.”
Using the My Fitness Pal App she can log food and portions. She keeps a calendar to maintain a training schedule. Tait actually equates calories to distance, “I count miles instead of steps. Two Krispy Kreme donuts would be a 5k run or 30 minutes.” It is hard for Tait to sit still and even harder to deal with cooking since she used to cook for two. She became a brand representative for Good Measure Meals, a service that delivers fresh, gourmet meals and food plans. “This keeps me on target,” Tait said. “But I do stray because I enjoy the social aspect to eating and drinking, well 10% of the time,” she surmised. Today Tait gets excited when she sees monkey bars at the park; “Exercise feels good, I feel strong and I have an entire new mindset.” She is working on a book loosely titled Journey from Fat to Marathon. She continues to work as a graphic designer; she even won the Peachtree Roadrace T-shirt design contest in 2015. And Tait is still active with her Fatathon blog.
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GARDEN NEWS: LANDSCAPING
Manicured lawn with landscape design by Plants Creative Landscape (Courtesy photo)
Landscaping during hot summer months By PAM DOOLEY Pam@PlantsLLC.com Summer in the south is a fun and beautiful time of year but we all know that sometimes the heat can be excruciating! While landscaping may not be the first thing on your mind during the hot summer months, there are some things you can do in your landscape to make it enjoyable, even when temperatures peak. Here are 10 tips that will keep your summer landscape healthy and fun! 1. Water deeply. It can be tempting in the warmth of summer to water your lawn and plants daily with just a little water. What may be surprising to some people is that it is actually more beneficial to water less often but deeply. With Georgia in the throes of a Level 2 drought restriction, this actually works in our favor. Dekalb County is only permitted to water established lawns and plantings two days a week. 2. Fertilize and aerate your warm season grass. Zoysia and bermuda benefit from aeration and fertilization during their active growing season at the end of spring and be-
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ginning of the summer. Aeration pulls small plugs of soil out of the lawn to allow water and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. Fertilization promotes root development, new growth, and overall grass health. Both will help keep your lawn beautiful during the summer! 3. Don’t cut your lawn too short. While many people prefer shortly sheared lawns, cutting your grass too short will cause it to turn brown, especially in the summer heat. Depending on the type of grass you have, you want to keep you lawn between 2” and 4” tall. Typically, you do not want to remove more than one-third of the grass blade when you mow. 4. Keep an eye on pests. Unfortunately, the summer heat can mean an increase in critters and pests. Check your plants and lawn for any signs of bug nibbles and summer pests that may cause browning. 5. Look out for poison ivy! The summer is prime poison ivy season. If you plan on doing work in your yard, especially in less manicured areas of your landContinued on page 13
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Left: Home photo of landscape design, featuring flowers and manicured bushes, done by Plants Creative Landscapes. Right: Flower photo from Plants Creative Landscapes (Courtesy photos) Continued from page 12 scape, be sure to check your surroundings before you begin working and wash any exposed skin when you are finished.
Whether reading a book in the shade or playing with your family on the lawn, your yard is a great place to make memories with the people you love!
6. Install a rain catchment system. A rain catchment system allows you to gather and utilize rainwater, which in turn saves you money on your water bill and helps conserve water during this drought. Rain barrels and cisterns are the most common type of rain catchment systems and can be a great way to be eco-friendly and wallet friendly. 7. Mulch your beds. Mulching in the summer is a great way to help your plants conserve water. The mulch keeps the water from evaporating quickly and allows the water to soak into the soil. Just don’t mulch too heavily so the base of your plants still have access to nutrients and air. The recommended depth for mulch is between 3-4”. 8. Utilize heat and drought tolerant plants. There are several plant options that, once established, require less water than your average plant and are tolerant to the high summer temperatures. Some great examples are: ornamental grasses, perennials such as lantanas, salvias, lavenders, black-eyed susans. Ornamental shrub options include loropetalum, quince, forsythia, viburnum varieties. 9. Help out your summer pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and birds all help in the process of pollination and are an integral part of any ecosystem. Adding a small water feature or birdbath to your landscape helps these critters stay hydrated and cool during the summer months. Putting these water features by a window means you can watch the fun too! 10. Enjoy your landscape! Don’t forget that your landscape is there for you to enjoy!
SUMMER 2017
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Village Magazine 13
GARDEN NEWS: WYLDE CENTER
Wylde Center celebrates 20th birthday Wylde Center celebrated it's 20th birthday this year at its annual Earth Day event. Children participated in several activities including a scavenger hunt for a free Earth Day t-shirt designed by Olivia Phillips-Waldorf. The annual Sally Wylde Cultivating Life Award was given to this year's recipient Walter Kellar for his outstanding work at the Tanyard Creek Community Garden. Wylde Center served a large cake for the community celebration.
Kay Evanovich, City of Decatur’s Arborist, has on display a cross-section of a tree to show the tree rings. She also gave out materials on how to best care for trees, as well as a display showcasing insects that are not friends of the trees. Cathy Lyman plants bean seeds with the children. Photos courtesy of Stephanie Van Parys, Executive Director of the Wylde Center
City of Decatur's Environmental Sustainability board handed out cool tattoos to the kids.
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Four attendees complete the scavenger hunt and are wearing the 2017 Earth Day T-shirt featuring the winning design by Olivia Phillips-Waldorf.
SUMMER 2017
HOME MATTERS: HOME MAINTENANCE
Spring cleaning for curb appeal By BUTCH WHITFIELD butch.whitfield@harrynorman.com Regular home maintenance helps improve home values and bring top dollar when it’s time to sell. See those descriptions of homes for sale, the immaculate, well maintained, clean, and upgraded properties. Simple actions like pruning bushes, adding posies, and power washing the siding and bricks can dramatically improve the curb appeal of a home. During the spring before the weather really heats up, it is a great time to tackle big things—including the garage. In our humid, subtropical climate, the decades-old Atlanta real estate could also use special treatment to control rodents, carpenter bees, and termites. Continued on page 16
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Home maintenance can be a family project!
Village Magazine 15
Continued from page 15
even change the color.
coils. Check the ice cube line.
We asked a couple of the owners of well-maintained properties how they get it all done. Not everyone loves tinkering around fixing things and they hire professionals to do specific jobs. Some homeowners use annual checklists and seasonal routines.
5) Windows. Replace damaged caulking, add insulation film, and replace bad windows.
12) Gutters. Clean leaves out of the gutters to protect the siding and foundation.
Where to Start
7) Washer. Tighten connections and check for leaks in the water supply and drain lines. Replace plastic lines every three years.
Let’s get to it. Pay attention to the following important tasks. Start with a checklist, maybe one like moneycrashers.com published. We have incorporated many suggestions into the following list.
1) Faucets. Replace washers in faucet handles.
6) Roof. Check roof tiles, shingles, and flashing for any signs of deterioration.
8) Dryer. Wash lint catcher every week and have the vent to the roof cleared every five years.
2) Water heater. Annually drain and clean the floor of the water heater.
9) Air conditioner. Have the A/C professionally serviced every year and inspect the condensation hose regularly.
3) Plumbing. Get a snake or call a plumber to clean out the drains and then keep hair strainers on them.
10) Humidifier. Drain and clean with a vinegar solution. Close the water valve to eliminate molds and bacteria in the lines.
4) Paint. Use paint to refresh the home. Touch up bumps and picture holes, maybe
11) Refrigerator. Check the door seals and replace if they are not tight. Clean the
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13) Pest control. During spring, pests and bugs awake from hibernation and try to enter our homes. Do-it-yourself treatments do not prevent or treat termites or carpenter ants. Professional assistance will be required. Pests can be minimal in clean, dry and tightly sealed houses. 14) Power wash. This is a big job, even for professionals. But the owners can accomplish it if the right equipment is available. Gas power washers are more powerful than electric options, substantially reducing the time it will take to get the job done. 15) Garage. Organize, tidy up, and clean. Some owners install cabinets, paint the walls, and tile the floor. After all, the garage is the new front door for most people. Please contact Butch Whitfield Group, Harry Norman Realtors, at 770.630.6668 or 404.897.5558 for more information about Decatur homes to fit your budget and goals.
SUMMER 2017
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.
523 East Lake Dr
Oakhurst
$359,000
$395,000
3/21/17
5
3
1.0
942
261 Madison Ave
Oakhurst
$443,000
$416,000
3/22/17
35
3
1.0
1288
129 Mcclean St
Oakhurst
$375,000
$387,500
3/24/17
1
3
1.0
1505
471 E Pharr Road
Winnona Park
$675,000
$670,000
3/27/17
43
4
3.0
2758
605 Avery Street
Winnona Park
$1,250,000
$1,254,974 3/30/17
0
5
5.5
3743
198 Feld Ave
Oakhurst
$639,900
$700,000
4/3/17
2
5
3.0
2182
504 W Pharr Road
Oakhurst
$579,000
$535,000
4/7/17
36
3
2.0
1734
309 Leyden St
Oakhurst
$759,900
$724,900
4/14/17
100
5
4.0
2684
151 Winnona Dr
Winnona Park
$549,000
$550,000
4/14/17
1
4
2.0
1757
875 Derrydown Way
Winnona Park
$374,900
$357,500
4/14/17
14
3
1.0
1441
298 Cambridge Ave
Oakhurst
$599,900
$566,500
4/18/17
41
3
2.5
2155
161 Hood Circle
Oakhurst
$989,900
$915,000
4/20/17
37
5
4.0
3600
108 Spring St
Oakhurst
$599,000
$575,000
4/21/17
12
4
3.0
1906
319 Fayetteville Rd
Oakhurst
$435,000
$434,250
4/21/17
11
2
2.0
1250
231 Madison Ave
Oakhurst
$489,000
$503,000
4/24/17
2
3
2.5
1619
455 E Pharr Rd
Winnona Park
$399,900
$406,000
4/24/17
7
3
1.0
1443
210 E Davis St
Winnona Park
$539,900
$540,000
4/26/17
6
3
2.0
1671
239 W Hill St
Oakhurst
$825,000
$825,000
4/27/17
7
3
2.5
2574
127 Candler Oaks Lane Winnona Park
$645,000
$657,000
4/27/17
3
4
2.5
2964
144 Madison Ave
Oakhurst
$375,000
$399,550
5/1/17
3
4
2.0
1296
933 Derrydown Way
Winnona Park
$925,000
$922,200
5/3/17
13
5
4.0
3281
144 Bucher Drive
Winnona Park
$1,000,000
$1,000,000 5/4/17
118
6
5.0
4000
175 Garland Ave
Winnona Park
$495,000
$508,200
5
4
2.0
1870
527 Mckoy Ave
Oakhurst
$1,050,000
$1,150,000 5/9/17
104
6
4.5
3660
SUMMER 2017
5/5/17
Village Magazine 17
SPORTS ROUNDUP: DECATUR HIGH GIRLS SOCCER
Decatur High School Varsity Girls Soccer Team were regioinal champions this spring, going on to compete for the state championship ring! (Photos courtesy of Joey Widener)
Regional champs road to the ring By COACH JOEY WIDENER joeywga@gmail.com The Decatur High School (DHS) Varsity Girls Soccer Team finished the 2017 season with a 10-4-3 overall record and a 7-0-conference record making them Region 6-Class 5A Champions for 2017! The DHS Varsity Girls went onto the State Playoffs this year; an exciting Road To The Ring ensued. Being region champions, DHS was given home field advantage for the first round of the State Playoff game, held at DHS vs. Johnson High School (Gainesville). DHS had four different scorers in the game:
18 Village Magazine
Emma Rose and Sarah Grace Tatum both scored one goal, with Lia Bodine and Grace Williams both scoring two goals. DHS won by a final score of 6-0! The win put DHS Varsity Girls into the Sweet 16 of the State Playoffs where they beat Union Grove. In fact, DHS scored 3 goals in the first half of the 4-0-victory. Grace Williams, Lia Bodine and Molly Enloe all scored in the first half, with Sarah Grace Tatum scoring the fourth goal in the second half. That win put the DHS Varsity Girls into the Elite 8 of the state playoffs where they faced Whitewater High School in Fayette-
ville. DHS scored just one goal by Sarah Grace Tatum, in the 5-1 loss to Whitewater. Whitewater ended up losing their next game to Buford High School who went on to play McIntosh High School (Peachtree City) in the championship game. McIntosh won the state championship, taking the ring home to Peachtree City. Because of their accomplishment this year, the DHS Varsity Girls Soccer Team increased their national ranking and their state rank. They also provided lots of excitement in the Decatur community. Find #RoadToTheRing2017 on social media or Facebook. com/DecaturHighSchoolGirlsSoccer
SUMMER 2017
Continued from page 7 abeth created a super-secret, non-committal committee; they called it, welcoming volunteers at any level. There was a long list of people who stepped up to help with both procurement and sponsorships. Parents like Amy McClure who created a website out of thin air. It was teamwork from some amazing parents from Oakhurst Elementary. “It was a lot of work, but also fun," said Leigh Anne. “Elizabeth handled a lot of the front end things, while I did much of the behind the scenes work. We were a good pair,” she continued. “It was refreshing to see our community really get behind the idea.” Elizabeth added that the best part was on the actual night of the auction event. “Butch [Whitfield, a local realtor] and I were on stage running the live auction. It was wonderful to look across at the crowd laughing, socializing and bidding,” she said. “It was a fun night and the sense of community was palatable." Overall it was a very fruitful night! After all the guests were gone and the doors were locked, when Leigh Anne and Elizabeth calculated the auction proceeds, Give A Hoot netted $61,000. The money will be used for the usual school line items like teacher training and refreshing the active boards, but some of the funds will go to other projects. There are enough funds to begin sprucing up the outside classroom, funding an upcoming Diversity Initiative and seeding the inaugural Ms. Pam White Discretionary Fund. Yes, Oakhurst Elementary Head Nutritionist will have the leeway to take care of some lunch overages for kids in need. Not bad for first time auction Chairs!
SUMMER 2017
Village Magazine 19
AROUND TOWN: OPRAH AT AGNES SCOTT
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20 Village Magazine
Oprah Winfrey says ‘you are nothing unless you are the truth’ at the Agnes Scott College 2017 commencement address. (Photo by Mayor Patti Garrett)
SUMMER 2017
BUSINESS PROFILE: MOJO PIZZA N’ PUB
Neighborhood pizza sets development trend By VAN GROWER vangower@gmail.com Locals know that the Oakhurst Village businesses are the most appealing lure for regular denizens and MoJo’s Pizza N’ Pub is one of the originals that set the trend. Not just because of location, being the first in Oakhurst, but MoJo’s pizza is the realMcCoy not a corporate franchise pie. MoJo’s opened in June 1998 by business partners Pete Whitlock and Fred Smith at the time when Oakhurst Village was in decline. It was the first restaurant to open in the neighborhood since the 1970s. “As I understand it, the neighborhood was not a particularly wholesome place back then – crime-ridden and run down,” said Nik Jeffords, general manager for the last seven of Mojo’s 19 years so far. “Mojo anchored the corner, and soon other businesses followed suit. With the business district going strong, the residential areas began to revitalize and here we are almost 20 years later.” According to Jeffords, the MoJo building, located at the corner of East Lake Drive and Oakview Road, was built in 1928 along what was the East Lake Trolley line. It is the former home of the Great Atlantic & Pacific [A&P] Tea Company and the East Lake Pharmacy, the latter being a popular hotspot where children popped in to the soda fountain on their way home from school more than 70 years ago, he said. But while the history of Mojo’s location may appeal to local-history buffs, it is, of course, the pizzas that keep its customers coming back time and time again. One need only to see pizza names like Hurricane, Mardi Gras, Trinity, Big Easy, Salty Dog, Dixie Blue, Risin’ Sun, Graveyard, Voodew and BBQ Pit – not to mention see their eye-popping ingredients – to begin salivating over which one to try next…and next…and next! “The loyalty and patronage of Oakhurst residents has inspired our commitment to providing the best food in a friendly and comfortable neighborhood atmosphere,” Jeffords said. Jeffords stressed that, as general manager, he places a priority on from-scratch cooking in order to maintain high quality and
SUMMER 2017
The front of MoJo Pizza N' Pub on East Like Dr and Oakview Rd in Oakhurst. (Courtesy photo) low prices. That includes the pizza dough and sauce, marinara, basil pesto, meatballs, chili, lasagna, BBQ pulled pork, garlic butter, lemonade, mozzarella sticks and even cookies. Mojo’s sauce, marinara and chili are vegan and gluten-free. The dough is also 100% vegan, with a gluten-free option also available. One would be hard-pressed to find such dedication to freshness and pure flavor at any place other than an independent pizza establishment like Mojo’s. Operating the restaurant at that high level of quality would not be for the faint of heart or someone unaccustomed to rigorous multitasking, either. “Here at Mojo, I do all the things: hiring, ordering, accounting, menu development, marketing, scheduling, paying bills, fixing stuff, cooking, cleaning, you name it,” Jeffords explained. He honed those job functions, as well as his managerial leadership skills, over the course of a thus-far 25-year career working in pizza restaurants around Atlanta, including Mellow Mushroom, Rocky Mountain Pizza near Georgia Tech and the defunct Rocky’s Brick Oven Pizza from the 1996 Olympic days. The eclectic, hip vibe of Mojo lies not just in its comfortable, appealingly low-key aesthetic. Its “quite fun and irreverent” employees, according to Jeffords, are half the fun of
hanging out there. Moreover, many of them are either Oakhurst natives or current residents, he added. They tend to be loyal, too; out of 15 current employees, at least nine have been working at Mojo four years or more. Regardless which of the many complex aspects of overseeing the Mojo party he is engaged in at any moment of the day or night, Jeffords stressed it’s the restaurant’s customers – and the surrounding community – that are why he and his entire team work so hard. And it’s often as much about earning a place in customers’ hearts as it is about satisfying their stomachs with delicious food. “My goal here is to continue to earn our place as the neighborhood pizza joint by being a good neighbor and community partner to the people of Oakhurst,” Jeffords said. “We love to contribute to the community. We donate regularly to, and sponsor fundraisers for, all the schools, including Oakhurst Elementary, 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue, Renfroe Middle School, Decatur High School, the Phoenix School, Turning Sun School and Agnes Scott College. We also support neighborhood associations – the Wylde Center, and local charities, activists, artists and philanthropic organizations.” MoJo Pizza N Pub is open for dine in, take out or delivery. Go to MoJoPizzaNpub.com for more information.
Village Magazine 21
AROUND TOWN: JAZZ NIGHTS
Oakhurst Jazz Nights had another successful Spring Concert Series this April despite the weather. Faith Carmichael and Joe Gransden performed inside the Solarium, making for an intimate concert. Gransden was a last minute replacement for Diane Durrett. Bonaventure and Matt Wauchope Trio both performed outside on the patio steps to a large crowd. Local kids enjoyed dancing with their parents while running laps around the Solarium grounds. This free event produced by O.N.A. would not be possible without the support of the Solarium (South Decatur Community Center) and the Decatur
22 Village Magazine
Development Authority. The Oakhurst Jazz Nights sponsors help fund the event, including: DoubleDome Web Technologies, Hamertime Construction, Heather Tell with Atlanta InTown Realty, Oakhurst Electric, Petmeisters Pet Sitting, Scout Restaurant, Oakhurst Market, Steinbecks, Oakhurst Realty Partners, Snap Fitness Decatur, UJoint, All Souls Church, Dan Barracliff State Farm Insurance, Wahoo Grill and Wine Provisions, KellerKnapp Realty and the Private Bank of Decatur. The Fall Concert Series is every Thursday in September! Go to OakhurstJazzNights.com for information on tables, performers and volunteer opportunities!
SUMMER 2017
AROUND TOWN: NAMASTE SIGNS
If you have driven through East Lake you will probably see the Slow Down Namaste signs. In fact, you may see hundreds of the yard signs that Ashley Derrick (pictured top right) personally created for her neighbors after I-85 created more traffic through town. She posted the yard signs on social media telling neighbors to pick one up for free. The original Facebook post said “You remember that time you got tired of people speeding in your neighborhood and created 100 yard signs for neighbors to grab
and put in their own yards? Yea, me too.” The post went viral and Derrick found herself at the helm of a fundraiser to improve sidewalks in East Lake. www.gofundme.com/sidewalk-fundraiser-for-east-lake. The original yard signs created a bit of controversy so she toned down the explicative in the sign for the second printing (pictured here). But the success of the yard signs earned Derrick local media broadcast attention and a whole lot of respect from neighbors. (Courtesy photos)
AROUND TOWN: ASIAN SPRING FEST
The annual SpringFest benefiting the non-profit Asian American Community Alliance (WWAAC) was held at Lenox Square’s Luxury Area on Saturday, April 29th. The fashion show featured Oakhurst resident Jennifer Waldrop and new Dekalb County Judge, Al Wong, as well as Asian Community Leaders in traditional dress. There were also Asian musical performers, artisans and traditional entertainment at the SpringFest. The WWAAC (Who’s Who in Asian American Community) Alliance Foundation was created to advance and benefit the lives of Asian American Pacific Islanders. The organizations mission is to educate the public bringing awareness, understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures and ethnic background of Asian Americans. WWAAC serves as a platform to recognize and honor Asian Americans who have contributed greatly to various sectors of society. For more information go to WWAAC.com. (Courtesy photo)
SUMMER 2017
Village Magazine 23
PAST OAKHURST BUSINESS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT | PAST BOARD MEMBER – DECATUR BUSINESS ASSOCIATION PAST CO-CHAIR OF DECATUR BEACH PARTY | OAKHURST ELEMENTARY AUCTION 2017 - AUCTIONEER
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