Dear art lovers, festival lovers and jewelry lovers--

Decatur's most unusual gift shop and gallery!

427 Church Street
next to Javamonkey
just south of Ponce de Leon
one block off the square

Mingei's current hours:
Mondays - Saturdays
10-am-6pm
Sundays
12-5pm




Dear art lovers, festival lovers and jewelry lovers--
(Does that cover everyone? )
This coming weekend is the Decatur Arts Festival, and we have great things planned for Mingei fans in addition to the usual Festival hoopla and excitement. Make your plans ro spend Memorial Day weekend in Decatur! Keep reading to learn about what we have in store for you!
Art Walk featuring Sally Wylde!
Friday, May 22, 5-10pm
Ever done the Art Walk? It's free and open to the public-- a progressive art opening around Decatur! This year, Mingei will be hosting Sally Wylde,:painter, puppet maker, sculptor and founding director of the Oakhurst Community Garden Project. Come meet Sally, see her wonderful work and share a glass of wine with us!

keeper
Hands-free convenience brought to you by refugee's hands
Sunday, May 24
These cool little eco-friendly pouches, called Keepers, are perfect for carrying ID cards, name tags, lunch money, your ipod. Head out for a coffee, a walk, a trip to the gym with all your essentials in tow! These are made right here in the Atlanta area by ME TOO! brands, who employs Bhutanese refugee artisans participating in Threads of Promise, a career development program of Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services (RRISA). To learn more about RRISA, visit www.rrisa.org.

community
Letters as Art
Saturday, May 23, 12-2 pm
Jamal Ali Mohamed, a recent Iraqi refugee and calligrapher, will be at Mingei on Saturday to demonstrate his craft. He will be happy to write your name in Arabic script for $5! Graduation or wedding gift idea: have him inscribe a journal or a card.
If you are an artist or paper lover and have nice paper or art supplies you'd like to donate to Jamal to help get him started in his new life-- bring them on Saturday-- only until 2:00pm!
By the way, the image above is of the word "community" in Arabic.
Thanks to the International Rescue Committee for introducing us to Jamal. To learn more about their work, please visit theirc.org.


NEXT weekend:
Herndon Heald jewelry trunk show
Saturday, May 30, 12-5pm

Ooooooo---Don't miss this one!

Herndon Heald's gorgeous designs have been featured in Lucky Magazine and the Sundance Catalog.Now is your chance to get the latest looks for less!

Hope to see you in May. We'll be sending out a reminder for the Herndon Heald trunk show!

Thanks for spreading the word!

Forward this email to a Friend

Ellen and Ann
Mingei World Arts

What DOES " Mingei" mean?
Mingei is a twentieth century Japanese word, a combination of the roots "min" meaning people and "gei", the same root as in geisha, meaning art. The coiner of the word was philospoher Yanagi Sōetsu, who wrote the book The Unknown Craftsman, He beleived that daily interaction with hand-made, imperfect objects was essentail to the human spirit. A Mingei object is one that is hand-made, functional, affordable, accessible and beautiful in its imperfection.

Glenlake Bathhouse and Pool Grand Opening Postponed Until June 5

Dan Magee sends this in.

Thanks Dan

Glenlake Bathhouse and Pool Grand Opening Postponed Until June 5


The Grand Opening of the new Glenlake Bathhouse and Pool, originally scheduled for Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m., has been postponed until June 5, 2009. Completion of the new bathhouse has been delayed by the numerous rain days which occurred this spring.

Both McKoy Pool and Ebster Pool will open on Saturday, May 23, 2009 as scheduled.

The Glenlake Pool and Bathhouse Grand Opening celebration will be held on Friday, June 5, 2009 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. and will include games, prizes, refreshments, and free admission. Details will be updated and confirmed on the City of Decatur website at www.decaturga.com.



Contact: Dan Magee, Active Living Director, 678-553-6541, dan.magee@decaturga.com or

Linda Harris, 404-371-8386, linda.harris@decaturga.com

Check out Whit's End for Father's Day Gifts

Jeff from Whit's End sends this in.

Father's Day is Fast Approaching
Posted by Whit's End Blog at 5/19/2009 1:51 PM
Categories: uncategorized
Hi Everyone,

We hope you all can come in for Father's Day gift ideas. We have some new items in, and all Dockers pants, Columbia shirts and shorts, and Patagonia & Toms shoes are on sale.

Thanks for your continued support, and please shop local!

We are closing early Thursday May 21 at 6p.

Thanks,

Jeff and Greg
Whit's End

This weekend is The 2009 Decatur Arts Festival

Pictured here from The 2008 Decatur Arts festival are the painted art doors.

E. Ponce de Leon Ave circa 1956

In this 1956 parade photo on E.Ponce de Leon Ave you can see Jacobs Drug store and Lane Drugs at the backside of old Court House.

1957 Scene at Clairmont Shopping Center

In this 1957 photo you can see Alan's Photo's,Chesterfield's Laundry & Dry Cleaning,Gibbs Hardware & Hobby Inc. and Hardin Drug Store.
Clairmont Shopping Center is located at:
Clairmont & N. Decatur Rd.
Decatur, GA.

Update on the new Glenlake Pool House

Avondale in Bloom Garden Walk and Marketplace Today & Sunday

SATURDAY, MAY 16

Avondale in Bloom Garden Walk and Marketplace

Six local gardens are featured on the tour. There is also a farmers market with garden experts, specialty nurseries and children’s activities. Sponsored by Avondale Arts Alliance.

• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 16; noon-5 p.m. May 17. Garden tour: $15; children younger than 12 free. Avondale Estates Downtown, Covington Highway and Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates. 678-923-1378, www.avondaleinbloom.org.
ajc story

Runaway - Del Shannon

This week-end The Northwest GA Festival of Balloons

May 15,16,17th 2009
http://nwgeorgiaballoonfestival


Where: Menlo Georgia Tillotson Field HWY 48
Benefit: Menlo Recreation Department
Chattooga County Tourism Board
Best Glove Silver Club Scholorship Fund
City of Menlo Fire Department
Hours: Friday, Saturday 9AM to Close. Sunday 12-Close
Cost: FREE!

9th Annual Keenagers Picnic May 21st

Dan Magee sends this over.
http://decaturactiveliving.blogspot.com/


For City of Decatur Residents 50 and Over

11 am to 2 pm, Thursday, May 21st

McKoy Park

1000 Adams St. or 534 McKoy St.

-Parking is very limited; please carpool or park by the Solarium and take the short walk to McKoy Park

Come & help us kick off the summer for KeenAgers and city residents ages 50 yrs. and over. Food, games, exercise, entertainment & music!

Please RSVP by May 18th. Must be a City of Decatur Resident or member of the Keenagers Program!

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Chris Lewis at: chris.lewis@decaturga.com or 678-553-6547.

www.activeliving.decaturga.com

This week at Eddie's Attic

Click photo for show schedule.

Remembering Roy Orbison

Click on photo.

10.....9 Central

Pearl Jam bassist attacked outside Southern Tracks

Pearl Jam bassist attacked outside Southern Tracks

By CHRISTIAN BOONE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution



DeKalb County Police confirmed Wednesday that Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament was assaulted and robbed recently in the parking lot of a Clairmont Road recording studio.

A police report was not made available Wednesday night, but Rolling Stone magazine reported the incident occurred April 27 outside Southern Tracks, where the Seattle-based band is completing its ninth album

ajc story

Struggling magazine Paste asks readers for donations

Struggling magazine Paste asks readers for donations

By STEVE VISSER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The trendy magazine Paste is asking its 205,000 readers to donate at least a dollar each to make up for slumping ad sales that are driving the Decatur-based publication out of business.

Paste Editor-in-Chief Josh Jackson said he needs donations in “the low six figures” to safely keep the magazine devoted to music, film and culture afloat.

ajc story

Warm weather brings Coldplay

Warm weather brings Coldplay
Band will hand out free CDs at Lakewood Amphitheater Sunday

By BO EMERSON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution



Coldplay frontman Chris Martin doesn’t know if Michael Stipe will be on hand when Coldplay returns to Atlanta Sunday, but having R.E.M.’s lead singer sit in with Martin’s band back in 2005 was “a front man’s wet dream,” Martin says.

One might imagine the admiration goes both ways, considering the triple-Grammy-winning, multimillion-selling success of Coldplay’s latest album, “Viva La Vida.”

AJC story

Springfest at Twain's May 16th, from 1 to 10 p.m.,

http://www.twains.net/

Looking Back at The Corvair

circa 1962

Belk-Gallant Building

Doug Thompson sent this in of the old Belk-Gallant building after Belk-Gallant moved out and with out the letters on the building.
When I received this you could still see where the letters were, so, though the magic of Photoshop I put the letters back on the building.
It turned out great.
Doug took the photo in 1977.
Thanks Doug for sending this in.

New Drawing of Decatur's Scott Drive-In Theatre

Bottom drawing is the newest one released.
These are drawings of the Scott Drive-In as it looked in the 70's.

The artist name is Chris McLaughlin. His website is www.chrisdraws.com
Thanks Tommy Holcombe for sending in and thanks to Chris McLaughlin for permission to post these.

These have also been posted to my Scott Drive-In site.

The Decatur Theatre site Updated

Click photo to see updates.

Scott Antique Markets - Antiques & Collectibles This Weekend

http://www.scottantiquemarket.com/coupon.htm

Print this coupon for 1.00 off Admission
Be sure to print it clearly. Coupon must be filled out completly to be valid.
Limit one per person.

Directions to

The Scott Antique Market

in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Expo Centers
3650 Jonesboro Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30354

3 Miles East of Atlanta Airport
1 mile East off I-75 on I-285 at Exit 55 (Jonesboro Rd.)

The Atlanta Expo Centers split I- 285, so a right or left
turn off of the Exit ramp onto Jonesboro Road will get you there.

Renewal Design-Build Recognized at Decatur Design Awards

More before & after at Renewal Design-Build


Kelly Cheek from Renewal Design-Build sends this in.



May 7, 2009 – This year, Decatur’s Historic Preservation Commission presented the annual Decatur Design Awards on May 3rd at the Old Decatur Courthouse. These awards recognize projects that preserve, enhance and contribute to the historic character of the City. Recipients were given a certificate signed by Mayor Bill Floyd, as well as an honorary plaque. And, this year, one of the awards for Best Addition went to Renewal Design-Build.

The judging commissioners thought the scale of the winning project - a major two story addition - was very compatible to the adjacent properties, and that incorporating sustainable materials also added a great deal of value. According to Regina Brewer, the awards’ organizer, “They also felt you could discern that the addition was new, and that it did not create a false sense of history.”



Once a small home in disrepair, this completely remodeled home is now a Tudor style cottage with double the square footage. And, the homeowner of the winning project couldn’t be more pleased. “My home is beautiful; it’s my dream come true,” says Dr. Dallin Randolph.



The Renewal team is humbled by such an award. “It is such an honor to be recognized by the City to whom we owe so much of our success,” says Renewal CEO, Peter Michelson. “Our goal is to continually contribute to the beauty and character of Decatur.”



Renewal Design-Build, 124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur, is an award-winning firm providing complete solutions for renovations, additions, kitchens, baths, small projects and repairs. For information, call 404.378.6962, or visit www.RenewalDesignBuild.com.


Kelly Cheek

Marketing Manager
Renewal Design-Build

t. 404-378-6962
f. 404-378-6963

124 S. Columbia Dr.,
Decatur, GA 30030
Kelly@RenewalDesignBuild.com
http://www.RenewalDesignBuild.com

Great news Trackside to be rebuilt

read story at
Decatur metro

Veterans Checker Cabs

Vintage Ad for Veterans Checker Cab Co.
These new specially build 7-passenger Checker Cabs have plenty of room.
Courteous drivers who know Decatur and the surrounding areas to take you to and from your destination promptly.
You'll enjoy your ride more in a CLEAN NEW CHECKER CAB.
Veterans Checker Cabs
Call JA. 5-5353 Day or Night

2009 Decatur Arts Festival Poster Unveiling Thursday

The Decatur Minute

Kiddie Olympics Thursday in Decatur

Kiddie Olympics Thursday in Decatur

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

The Kiddie Olympics will be held at Hallford Stadium in Decatur on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event had been planned for Wednesday but was changed due to the threat of bad weather.
More than 40 metro Atlanta child-care facilities with more than 2,000 pre-k students ages 3-5 , along with their teachers and parents, will compete for prizes and to learn the importance of exercise and good physical fitness.

Children will compete in five main events: the 20-yard dash, pogo ball race, sack race, tricycle race and tug-of-war.

— CRAIG SCHNEIDER
AJC STORY

Parade Down N. McDonough St. circa 1950's

From 1909 to 1958 Downtown Decatur had a Landmark Water Tower

In 1958 Decatur lost one of their landmarks, the municipal 80,000-gallon water tank behind City Hall, was erected in 1909 when the city had its own water system.The cost in 1958 to dismantle it was 2,700.00.
In the photo on right you can see the back side of the Belk-Gallant store and the back of City Hall on left

DeKalb Cinco de Mayo festival canceled

DeKalb Cinco de Mayo festival canceled

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sunday, May 03, 2009

A massive Cinco de Mayo celebration has been canceled after a case of swine flu was discovered in Georgia.

Organizers say the celebration at Plaza Fiesta in DeKalb County scheduled for Sunday was postponed “indefinitely as a precautionary step.” The celebration drew about 35,000 people last year.

AJC story

Decatur's No. 2 Fire Department

New letters have been added to the front.

The Glenwood Drive-In circa 1978

This picture of The Glenwood Drive-In in Decatur was sent in by Tommy Holcombe.
He took this photo in 1978.

Enjoy The 1978 Glenwood Drive-In Pic! Tommy Holcombe
Thanks Tommy for sending it in.
To see other photo go here.
>

First Waffle House now a historic property

First Waffle House now a historic property

Friday, May 01, 2009

Wichita, Kan., can claim the first Pizza Hut. San Bernardino, Cal., is home to the first McDonald’s. And Corbin, Ky., is on the map because of Colonel Sanders and the first Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Maybe fast food history buffs will flock to the strip mall-dotted byway that connects Decatur to Avondale Estates now that the DeKalb County Commission has made it official: the derelict Waffle House there has been designated a historic property.

t’s the home of the first Waffle House, and the company wants to turn it into a museum. Commissioners approved the request Tuesday after a company representative elaborated on plans to operate the facility at 2719 E. College Ave. as a center of breakfast history. The company is restoring the building to the state it was in when it opened in 1955.

— TY TAGAMI
ajc

Room & Board opens first store in Atlanta this weekend

Room & Board opens first store in Atlanta this weekend
Furniture company’s first store in Southeast will be on Howell Mill Road

By Rachel Tobin Ramos and Katie Leslie

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Last fall, Minneapolis-based furniture company Room & Board sent 20,000 catalogs to Atlantans, foreshadowing the opening of the company’s first store in Atlanta.

This weekend, the mostly American-made furniture chain will open the store, its ninth U.S. store and first in the Southeast.

AJC story

Re-post of my Decatur Time Machine from July 2008

I had to do a repost of my Next Stop...Decatur Time Machine post from July 2008 after seeing the Mayor talk about Decatur this morning on the zip trip visit from CBS channel 46 Better Mornings Atlanta show.
I'm so glad someone looks at my Time Machine photos.




Pythagoras Masonic Temple Building

(click on pictures to enlarge)
Notice that both pictures have Decatur cops,
coincidence, you be the judge.

106 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur. This building, constructed in 1924, was originally built to serve as a Masonic Lodge. The official name of this building is the Pythagoras Masonic Temple Building, at least according to a sign on the northwest corner of the building.

Today, the Masons still meet in the building, on the third floor. The first and second floors are rented out, however, and among the tenants are Dekalb County's Dispute Resolution Center and the Temple Gallery, which is run by the Dekalb Council For the Arts.

This is what I said on July 2, 2008

Take a look at Glenn's Pharmacy, that looks so classic. What they should do is restore that corner of the building back to look like that and have another pharmacy in that spot with a lunch counter, if they did that it would give that area alot more attention. I think Decatur needs to connect the new section of stores down towards Ted's Montana Grill with the old section of Decatur, something needs to be done to make a better transition between the two areas.

Black & White photo 1942

NOTE: TO SEE MORE OF MY NEXT STOP...DECATUR TIME MACHINE PHOTOS CLICK HERE

First Zip Trip was in Decatur

Click photo to play video.

Better Mornings Atlanta hit the road early...they are at Parker's on Ponce this morning on a zip trip...looking for some of the most interesting towns in metro Atlanta. Corinna Allen was live in Decatur this morning 5 - 7 a.m. Yes, I said 5 a.m. - 7 a.m.

Decatur Kids & Teens Arts Festival

Dan Magee sends this in.

New poster attached for Arts Festival, Kids & Teens Event, 10 am to 2
pm, Saturday, May 23rd.
In addition to all the regular offerings for children, there will be new
activities and games specifically for pre-teens and teens.

Thanks much,
Dan Magee
Director, City of Decatur Active Living
Dan.Magee@decaturga.com
678-553-6541 office
404-391-3244 work cell
404-370-4130 fax
Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St., Decatur, GA 30030
www.decaturga.com/playbook www.activeliving.decaturga.com Please visit
our blog! http://decaturactiveliving.blogspot.com

Better Mornings Atlanta will be in Decatur Tomorrow Morning

Zip Trip to Decatur Live April 30


Better Mornings Atlanta is hitting the road...they are going on a zip trip...looking for some of the most interesting towns in metro Atlanta. On Thursday, April 30 BMA and Corinna Allen will be live in Decatur from 5 - 7 a.m. Yes, I said 5 a.m. - 7 a.m. (that's morning for all you late-night folks).

They are showcasing everything that makes our community a great place to live, work, and play. They are spotlighting our businesses, shops, restaurants, events, and people, throwing in a bit of history and asking people what they love about our community.

How hip is our zip? Let's show Better Mornings Atlanta by turning out from 5 - 7 a.m. at Parker's on Ponce, 116 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., and showing our community spirit. The more the merrier. We'll have free coffee, soft drinks and bagels to help you wake up - plus the Rain Barrel Man, an Asian Cajun fashion show, and more. Please join us in showcasing our fabulous community - we need you.

See you Thursday morning!

Linda Harris
decaturga.com

Vintage Decatur, GA. Post Card circa 1915

Decatur's First Annual Greenfest!

Mingei World Arts sent this in.




Recycled Life
This Oscar nominated short documentary will be screened at the Decatur Library this Thursday evening, a preliminary event for the Green Fest. The film, created by producer Mike Glad and director Leslie Iwerks, tells the story of the families living on the Guatemala City garbage dump, and the organization, Safe Passage, that created a school for the children there. The screenings will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Safe Passage representatives and experts on related environmental issues.

Join us this week for Decatur's first annual Green Fest!

Saturday, May 2
3 pm
On Decatur Square

Live music
Green vendors
(Look for Mingei!)
Organic food
Rain barrel auction-- and more!


10% of Mingei's booth sales to benefit Safe Passage
(see below!)

For more on the Green Fest, click here.

Dear Mingei friends,

The pollen has dropped and the thermometer has risen and it is spring in Decatur! Please remember us as you shop for gifts and cards for Mother's Day, graduations, spring weddings and showers. We are full of goodies and more is coming almost every day!

Mark your calendars now, too, for the Decatur Arts Festival on Memorial Day weekend. Our featured Art Walk artist for Friday, May 22 is Sally Wylde, Decatur artist and gardener extraordinaire! More on that as we get closer--

Come out and enjoy spring in Decatur. Lunch at Leon's Full Service begins May 8!

Thanks for your support!

Ellen and Ann
Mingei World Arts

Thursday, April 30, from 7:30-9:30pm. Doors open at 7pm.
Where: Decatur Library Auditorium, Georgia Center for the Book at DeKalb County Public Library, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA.
Details: We'll screen Recycled Life, the Oscar-nominated short documentary created by producer Mike Glad and director Leslie Iwerks, along with a new short film about Safe Passage's Adult Literacy Program.

To learn more about Safe Passage, click here.


One man's trash...
Daryn Kagan
Featured for Greenfest:
An assortment of fun, funky, clean bags made of recycled polyethylene bags from the streets of Delhi and the city dump! Conserve India, a non-profit organization, trains and pays the city's ragpickers to collect, sort and grade the plastic. The plastic is then recycled into these beautifully made, sturdy bags-- using no colors or dyes, just creatively combining the colors of the trash to produce their fantastic designs!

Messenger bags, totes, shoulder bags, luggage tags- a limited selection available this weekend at Greenfest!

Mingei World Arts
427 Church Street
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Mingei World Arts

Remembering OZ Pizza

Kevin Byrd on Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Great photo looking out from inside of the old OZ PIZZA that was on E.College Ave in the old WATSON'S DRUG store building.
309 E. College Ave.
http://byrdhouse.typepad.com/byrdhouse/photography/

Parker's on Ponce with new paintings from Decatur's own JD Isaacs

JD Isaacs sends this in.
Just wanted to send along pics of my commissioned paintings that were placed yesterday into there new home, a fine dining steakhouse called Parkers on Ponce in downtown Decatur around the block from my gallery. These three paintings are oil on canvas, the largest being 90" wide by 46" high. The owner was ecstatic with the results. I hope you like them, they were a joy to paint.
Thanks again,
JD

It's great to see JT from Parkers for hiring JD Isaacs to do this and keeping it in the Decatur family. JT and his partner Allie and JD Isaacs collaberated on the look of the pieces and they look great.
Thanks JD for sending these photos.

Parker's on Ponce
116 E. Ponce dr Leon Ave
Decatur, GA
404-924-2230

Rose 2
111 Clairemont Ave
Decatur, GA
404-377-1414

This was a header photo I made for Next Stop...Decatur, but never used it.
Maybe I will in the future...maybe.

Vintage Street Scene in front of Scott's Pharmacy

N.McDonough St.
The New Court House is on this block now.

Decatur Electronics Recycling Day is Tomorrow

Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Decatur High School Parking Lot.
N. McDonough Street and Howard Avenue

Learn more from decatur-ga.com
http://www.decatur-ga.com/cgs_citysvcs_sfm_electronics.aspx