VOLUME 22 NUMBER 10
FREE
JUNE 4, 2016
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
Silver Spokes In Decatur
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popular DeKalb senior center is celebrating a decade of helping seniors remain active. The Lou Walker Senior Center, located at 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia, announces “Life Begins at Lou Walker,” a weeklong tenth anniversary celebration, June 3-11. “The Lou Walker Senior Center has become a premiere LWSC Director Bettye Davis example of how government should take care of those who have worked hard, supported families and served in the community for so many years,” said DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May. “This center is a place where seniors can remain physically active, mentally engaged and socially connected as they reap the benefits of their labors.” Opening officially in January 2006, the multipurpose facility serves active senior adults, ages 55 and older. The 40,000-squarefoot facility, which offers world-class amenities and programming, has had more than 1.3 million visits in the past decade. The center serves approximately 500-600 members daily. The LWSC’s anniversary week activities include: • Friends & Family Day, June 3, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will feature the center’s Anniversary Parade, a $3-a-plate fish and grits breakfast, and the unveiling of portraits of the 10-year Trailblazers. “The Trailblazers are 33 members who have been instrumental in starting programs, clubs and the choir, and volunteering for the past 10 years,” said LWSC Director Bettye Davis. “They have Lou Walker Senior Center page 6
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he City of Decatur is launching its Silver Spokes program this month to encourage senior citizens to exercise by riding a tricycle. The city applied for and received a $1,000 mini grant through the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association to purchase three adult tricycles for the new pilot program. “I had read about tricycle programs for seniors in Austin (Texas) and Portland (Oregon) and thought it would be great to start a pilot program here for our seniors,” said Tracie Sanchez, adult programs supervisor , Decatur Active Living. “We are designated as a bike-friendly city plus we have three solid miles of dedicated trails right here in the city through PATH.” Sanchez said the city kicked off the program on with a training session, which included one woman who had never ridden a bike before and another who was eager to overcome the fear of losing her balance. Sanchez said the city plans to initially operate the program in June on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 to 10 a.m., and then in the fall when the weather is cooler. Seniors who are interested in using one
Lou Walker Senior Center Turns 10
MARTA rolls out “accordion” buses
of the tricycles may sign up with Sanchez at 678-553-6559. The trikes will be available at the Ebster Gym courtyard, 105 Electric Ave. “We have three bikes and three helmets and participants can take turns riding them in the plaza,” said Sanchez. Participants should wear closed-toes shoes, comfortable pants or leggings and bring a water bottle.
MARTA has purchased 18 articulated buses that will complement the agency’s current fleet of 565, 40-foot buses. The “bendy” buses, which have a distinctive, accordion-like feature, are powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and cost about $845,000 each. The articulated buses will be used on routes that have the highest ridership, such as the #39, #196 and the Braves Shuttle. With capacity for 53 seated passengers and space for 4050 standing passengers, the buses are enabled with Wi-Fi that can accommodate light web-surfing and email accessibility.