Charlie's Greater Decatur Get Together

When: Saturday, Jan. 9,2010 1:oo PM
Where: Holiday Inn Decatur.

This is an annual event open to all DHS alums.

New Tax Blog for City of Decatur

AJC
By April Hunt

The tax office in Decatur is launching a new blog, to keep residents up-to-date on housing development and tax information.

The blog will also include reminders about tax deadlines, national and local news on property taxes and real estate and special announcements.

Although the blog will encourage comments and feedback, anyone with questions about tax rates should contact local elected officials.

The blog link www.decaturtax.blogspot.com

Lane Drug Store at Clairmont & Ponce de Leon Ave. circa 1940's

Decatur GA circa 1940's
Click photo to enlarge.

Lane Drug Store at Clairmont & Ponce de Leon Ave was a gathering spot in Decatur.
Husbands and children rode the trolley out from Atlanta and then phoned from the drug store to get someone to pick them up in the days before the second family car.
Photo from Mrs. J.O. Bowen Jr.
Courtesy of Vanishing Dekalb
Dekalb Historical Society

A New Site for Decatur News: Welcome Decatur News Online

Geoff Koski has launched a new website for Decatur, Ga. news "Decatur News Online"
Be sure to check out his new site.

Welcome Geoff.

The link to his new site has been added to my blog/site roll.

Coming Jan. 30th to The Plaza Theatre: Buck Rogers Planet Outlaws

This is part of The Plaza's 1939 film festival
Kiddie Matinee 1:00pm (12 and under free everyone else 6 bucks)
Late Show 10:00pm ( Admission for late show is 10 bucks)

silverscreamspookshow.com

Happy New Year

ad circa 1962/63

Be sure to visit my Decatur Theatre webite.

Cookie Studio helps to support a local women's shelter.

Some fans call them cookies with a cause.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Jim Tharpe, jtharpe@ajc.com

Barbara O’Neill churns out hundreds of hand-sized confections every day at her Decatur baking business, the Cookie Studio, near the Avondale Marta station on College Avenue. You can get Blueberry Granola, Coffee Toffee, Ginger, Chocolate Chocolate Chip and something called a Breakfast Cookie (granola, coconut, cranberries and pecans).

It’s a growing business even in a bad economy — no small feat when you’re a small business trying to sell cookies for $1.35 each. It has a detailed business plan and an owner who works 12-hour days (seven days a week) trying to make it succeed. And it’s certainly an enterprise intended to turn a profit.

ajc story

Celebrate New Year's Eve at Wahoo! Grill

Celebrate New Year's Eve at Wahoo! Grill
Now accepting reservations for parties of any size.
Please call 404.373.3331.
We will be serving our dinner menu as well as the following


New Year's Eve Features:



Italian Sausage Stuffed Ravioli

Granny Smith Apples, Cranberries, Brown Butter, Montrachet



8 ounce Filet Mignon with Lobster-Red Wine Butter

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Root Vegetables



Grilled Red Snapper with Crabmeat Béarnaise

Sweet Pepper-Pine Nut Rice/Grilled Asparagus

1042 W College Ave
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 373-3331

Decatur Looking for MLK Day Volunteers

The City of Decatur is having a major service project over the MLK Day weekend (1/16 – 1/18/09). Volunteers will work on home repairs and yard work for senior citizens. There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities (from skilled and unskilled labor to delivering materials to helping out with food for the volunteers) over the 3 day period. Check out the Service Project’s web site for complete details and to volunteer.
source:http://www.30033talk.com/?p=323

Please mark your calendar to participate in project. Volunteers may work one or more of the following shifts:
Saturday, January 16: 9am to 1pm and 1pm to 5pm
Sunday, January 17: 1pm to 5pm
Monday, January 18: 9am to 1pm and 1pm to 5pm
For more info

http://www.decaturga.com/community_mlkworkday.aspx

New HGTV spinoff ‘Curb Appeal: The Block’ shot in Atlanta, debuts January 1

AJC
by Rodney Ho

Atlanta gets a new TV show and it should make the city look better — one block at a time.

HGTV has spun off “Curb Appeal” by expanding it to an entire city block. Well, not exactly. But rather than just improve the “curb appeal” of one home’s front yard, the show will work on multiple homes in the same vicinity.

The debut 13 episodes were all shot in the metro area. Each episode takes about two weeks to tape, said host John Gidding, who has also participated in the show “Designed to Sell.”

AJC STORY

More on the show at HGTV site here

New Year's Eve Bash @ Twains

Grinder Nova New Year's Eve Bash!
Grinder Nova is a seven piece below the border, disco dance riot featuring Eastside's most notorious Spy Cholos. Known for their stellar flash outfits, this band of Pit-Stop mariachi carnales are the soundtrack for Mr. Grinder Nova, a man's man, last of the four door convertible people. With their one-piece red jump suits adorn with Virgin De Guadeloupe, aviator shades and black bandanas, no gig is safe from the border-town sound. Ay dios mio! que demonios. Living embodiment of Cordoba Raza, Grinder Nova is sure to please, tease, astound and delight.
When
Thu Dec 31 11pm – Fri Jan 1, 2010
Where
Twain's Billards and Tap
211 E Trinity Pl, Decatur, GA 30030

Recycle Your Christmas tree @ Agnes Scott

The recycling center is open until Jan. 2 at the Agnes Scott College parking lot between 184 and 206 S. Candler St.

See Decatur High Band Holiday Concert Highlights!

Andrea Berry from eLIFE Magazine sends this in.



Decatur High School has a great band. Go Decatur ! Great Job.

GO LOCAL ATLANTA Cards can be used in Decatur

A new program GO LOCAL ATL was started to encourage
people to shop locally and educate
them on the importance of doing so.
Please see site: www.golocalatl.com

Here is a list of Decatur stores so far, where you can use your GO LOCAL ATL cards

Alexia Gallery

10% off except Pandora

* Cantina El Tesoro

free appetizer with purchase

* Dragonfly Reiki $10 off 60 min. session

* Hoopla

15% off

* Lotus of Life Chiropractic

25% off initial start-up & 10% off subsequent services

* Moxie Coaching

25% off initial 2 hr session & 10% off thereafter

Taste

15% off

Wiggle

10% off purchase

By All Means See Al Means - Decatur, GA circa 1960's

Al Means Ford
Decatur, GA
Located on Scott Blvd.

Can you name all the dealerships that have been located at this location.

Hint: one of them had a slogan "And Hey We're in Decatur"

Whit's End to Close in January

Dear Whit’s End Shoppers, Decatur Community, Friends, and Neighbors,




It is with great disappointment that we let everyone know that unfortunately, we have decided to close Whit’s End for business in mid to late January, and will be out of our space at the end of January. We just are unable to keep things going with the state of the economy, and after a very disappointing holiday shopping season, we see no reason to continue. We are so appreciative of everyone who supported our efforts over the last 3 years. It is hard to see our dream disappear, but it’s been a great experience, and we are proud that we lasted as long as we did.



We’ve always been able to pay our bills, but were not able to get the growth we needed to stay in business. We believe we were diligent in seeking out what our customers wanted. Having high quality, affordable and casual clothes for guys in a comfortable environment with parking and personal service was our goal. After living in Decatur for many years and doing our research, we truly believed a shop like ours could thrive here, as we know we filled a void and did something different. We know many will miss our store.



So, now we really need your help in clearing out our inventory and fixtures, so come shopping! Everything must go, and will be 40% - 75% OFF in order to move it out. Needing to pay our remaining bills, we really hope to sell it all. All sales will be final. Please forward this information on to anyone you may know who loves a bargain, we really need the word to get out so all the items move. All valid store credits and gift certificates are good until the store’s closing. Any exchanges on holiday gifts may be done until January 10th.



Also, I (Jeff) am now looking for a new career, or even a part-time job. So, anyone with any ideas or openings, please keep me in mind. I have my resume and cover letter ready to go. Our website, email, and phone number will be shut down, and we can be reached at our home, 404.377.8130, whitgold@bellsouth.net once the store closes.



Thanks so much for 3 great years, and we look forward to seeing everyone around town. Please continue to shop local and support the great Decatur businesses, it is important for our community’s vitality. We hope you enjoy the holiday season.



Best,


Jeff Gold and Greg Whitlock

Whit's End, LLC
431 W. Ponce DeLeon Ave, #2
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 377-3310
(404) 377-8335 Fax
whitsenddecatur@bellsouth.net
www.whitsenddecatur.com

Vintage Home Movies - American Flyer Xmas

Merry Christmas from Next Stop...Decatur

Handmade Gene Autry Christmas Card.

Last minute Gifts @ Whit's End

New for last minute Affordable Holiday Gifts @ Whit's End: Show how much you LOVE DECATUR!

Decatur Dad short sleeve tees and long sleeve waffle shirts! From $10-$22.50

City of Decatur license plates! Just $9

Decatur High School short sleeve tees, caps, and NEW HOODIE SWEATSHIRTS. From $10-$30

LIMITED AMOUNTS, so COME ON IN!

Don’t forget the rest of the GUYWEAR from Decatur’s Store for Men.

Whit's End, LLC
431 W. Ponce DeLeon Ave, #2
Decatur, GA 30030


www.whitsenddecatur.com

Decorated Decatur Home

Decatur, GA. near Suburban Plaza

To see some of the 2009 winners visit The Decatur Minute.

Happy Holidays from Greene's Fine Foods

Greene's Fine Foods
141 East Trinity Place
Decatur, GA 30030-3303
(404) 378-2001

Christmas Tree Shopping @ Suburban Plaza

Decatur, GA.

With less than a week before Christmas, people are still buying their Christmas trees.

Watershed Featured in Southern Living Magazine

Decatur, GA
Photos from Southern Living

Emily Saliers and Scott Peacock serve classic Southern fare at Watershed.

Watershed
406 West Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA.
404-378-4900


Hours of Operations:
Monday through Saturday 11:00am - 10:00pm
Sunday Brunch 10:00am - 3:00pm
Limited menu between the hours of 3:00pm and 5:00pm

SEASONS GREETINGS from HOOPLA

Hoopla
414 Church Street
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 371-9485

Have a Great Weekend enjoy Blues Bros' Rawhide

Best Wishes to you and yours from Whit's End

Best Wishes to you and yours,
Jeff and Greg

Holiday Hours: Closed Christmas and New Years Day
5p Closing Christmas and New Years Eves
We ‘may’ open 12n-5p Monday December 21st, if it is a nice day (Please Call Ahead)

Whit's End, LLC
431 W. Ponce DeLeon Ave, #2
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 377-3310
(404) 377-8335 Fax
whitsenddecatur@bellsouth.net

www.whitsenddecatur.com

HELP ATLANTA'S HISTORIC PLAZA THEATRE CELEBRATE ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY!

Atlanta, GA. photo credit: whitefield

Many cinema historians cite 1939 as film's finest year. It's also when
Atlanta's Historic Plaza Theatre opened its doors, popped its first popcorn and screened its inaugural movie. So it's time to celebrate, and we want you to join the party! Now with 501(c)(3) non-profit status, we're working to ensure the Plaza Theatre stands firm among Atlanta's landmarks and keeps entertaining the masses for the next 70 years. Come and be a part of that history!

In December of 1939, the Plaza Theatre opened for business. Flash
forward to January 15, 2010. We'll be stepping back in time for the Plaza's
70th birthday party, and it's going to be 1939 all over again. Period music
will fill the air, vintage decor will dress the lobby and actors in 30s-era
costumes greet guests.

Along with food, drinks, raffles, and silent auctions, Turner Classic Movie's Robert Osborne will introduce the night's film, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and speak on 1939 in film history. The evening will be a must-see event for film buffs everywhere. And guests will be some of the first to see the Plaza Theatre's renovation plans. The night caps off as the theater's lavish drapes open revealing a rare 35mm screening of one of the greatest films of 1939. The Plaza Theatre's 70th anniversary party will kick off an exclusive 1939 film festival. We raise two thumbs up to 1939 with three weekends showcasing some of the most acclaimed films of all time made when Hollywood was at the height of its golden age.

The Plaza Theatre

The Drifters - White Christmas (1954)

Mean Girls - Jingle Bell Rock

New concert series, ‘Eddie and Agnes,’ to launch in 2010

“Eddie and Agnes,” a new Decatur concert series expected to be announced this week, will offer audiences the size and acoustics of Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College and the talent-booking skills of local music man Eddie Owen.

No artists or dates have been announced yet, but organizers hope to have the first show booked for February and to follow up with 10 to 15 more shows throughout the year. At 800 seats, Presser Hall is roughly the size of venues like Variety Playhouse, but expect these shows to feel more like Decatur, less like Little Five Points.

AJC (full story)

Holiday Greetings from Decatur Education Foundation

From Gail Rothman of Decatur Education Foundation

The Clermont Hotel Has Closed it's Doors

Atlanta, GA. photo credit : D.G. Whitefield

Clermont hotel shut down, strippers unaffected
By Ty Tagami

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

An infamous Atlanta hotel known for its campy lounge with baby boomer strip dancers has been shut down.
The AJC was the first to report the Clermont Motor Hotel was ordered to close by Dec. 31 after a visit by Fulton County health inspectors uncovered a laundry list of violations, starting with, uh, the laundry.

"There are several issues that would have to be addressed," said Kevin Jones, a manager with the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness. Dirty linen, old bedding and bed bug stains were among them, he said. Inspectors also found mold growing on the walls, black water spilling from faucets and broken toilet fixtures.

The hotel's manager and other employees refused comment Wednesday night. A sign on the door said the hotel closed Dec. 12, but residents have until Dec. 31 to find new lodgings.

AJC

Decatur's Video Holiday Card from eLIFE Magazine

A Decatur Video Holiday Card from eLIFE Magazine on Vimeo.

Andrea Berry of eLIFE Magazine and her team did a great job on putting this all together.

Decorate Decatur

Decatur GA. bungalow decorated for Christmas 2007. One of the winners of Decorate Decatur 2007

A string of oversize colored Christmas bulbs (w-a-a-a-y bigger than C9s) light up the front of this cozy Winnona Park bungalow, creating a unique and elegant display that is as attractive during the day as it is at night.

Decatur to get Tornado Sirens

By April Hunt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Decatur is in the process of putting up tornado sirens in all quadrants of the city.
Once installed, the city will sound the sirens whenever a tornado warning is issued for the area. The 3-to-5-minute blasts are designed to alert citizens who are outdoors to take cover.
ajc

Johnny Reb's circa 1958

Bargain Warehouse on Ponce

--The sign says everything's a dollar, but I saw thinks over dollar.
They have a lot of christmas paper and the kind of stuff you see in a regular dollar store.

Bargain Warehouse
3031 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA

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Holiday Shopping Parties @ Kudzu's

Open 7 days

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Holiday Shopping Parties the last 4 Sundays before Christmas started Nov. 29. Live music, free refreshments, and great sale prices!

Kudzu Antique Market – A Vintage Home Market

2928 East Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030

Phone: 404-373-6498

Hours of Operation: 7 Days a week, 11am-7pm

Frame a Lasting Treasure

THERE IS STILL TIME
TO
GIVE THE GIFT OF FRAMING
FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
20% OFF
Any Orders Received by December 16, 2009

ROSE SQUARED
GALLERY
&
FRAMING
111 Clairemont Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
call JD
404 377-1414
www.rosesquaredgallery.com

The Dutchess and the Duke Live at Decatur CD Dec. 16

From Decatur CD site. A FREE SHOW Dec 16 @ 5pm (You can't beat free)
Young Eliot crafted the excellence you see above. Please feel free to post far and wide on these very interwebs. Let us know if you need a different size or format, or, if you have a real-life place you'd like to hang the poster, we'd be more than happy to facilitate that as well. Just say the word. Once again, that in-store performance goes down on Wednesday, Dec. 16th at 5pm. Clearly, we're excited.

Decatur CD
356 West Ponce De Leon Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030-2439
(404) 371-9090

Bob Dylan Must Be Santa

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Click to buy.

Swing into the Holidays

Join Down South Swing (your swing dance resource) when: Saturday, 12/12 for a fun afternoon of Swing dancing and tasty snacks! Be ready to dance your pants off at all of your Holiday parties! No experience or partner necessary.

Swing 101 Crash Course: Swing into the Holidays
With Noah & Evin
Saturday, December 12
Firefly Studio
1026-c Atlanta Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
3:00-6:00 PM
$40 ($45 at the door)
This basic swing class will cover the 6-count patterns in Swing Dancing. 6-count swing is done to classic Swing-Era music, Rockabilly, R&B and many other types of dance music. We'll cover single and triple step timing, the 6-count closed-position and open position basic step and lots turns! We recommend Beginning Swing as the starting-place for those who are brand new to swing dancing. For more info: info@downsouthswing.com

Firefly Studio is located on Atlanta Avenue just behind Thinking Man's Tavern off of W. Howard Avenue, southwest of Decatur Square.

Register online at www.downsouthswing.com

Happy Holidays,
Evin Galang
Down South Swing

h/t 231 Sycamore St.
http://decaturactiveliving.blogspot.com/

Man Drives Car into Sears @ Northlake Mall

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- A driver was trapped after he crashed his car through a Sears storage building at Northlake Mall Monday morning.

DeKalb County officials said the driver drove his 2008 Infiniti G37 into the building just before 8:30 a.m.

Channel 2 Action News photographer Leonard Raglin was at the scene and said the driver’s car entered one wall and crashed through the other.
wsbtv

Did You Hear About the Morgans? Starts Dec. 18

A Holiday Movie to See.

A Great Way to see Decatur's Holiday Lights

This is a cool way to see the Holiday lights of Decatur.
Easy Living Pedicabs

Shop at the Intown Ace Hardware this holiday season and give back to Our House, Inc.!

Shop at the Intown Ace Hardware this holiday season and give back to Our House, Inc.!

The Intown Ace Hardware located at 1404 Scott Boulevard in Decatur, GA is offering free gift wrapping this holiday season. In lieu of payment for this special holiday service, they are requesting a donation to Our House, Inc. Our House Board members will be available on Saturday, December 5th, Saturday, December 12th and Saturday, December 19th from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m. to pass out information about Our House, talk with customers about Our House programs, and answer any questions. According to the agency’s Executive Director, Tyese Lawyer, “We are grateful to Tony Powers and his staff for this opportunity and proud to partner with the Intown Ace store this holiday.”

Our House, Inc., was founded in 1988 by a group of concerned citizens who recognized the need for a place where homeless children could go during the day when shelters are closed and their parents were trying to find work. Our House, Inc. offers a safe, structured, educational environment for young children ages six weeks to five years whose families are living in emergency shelters or transitional housing. Currently, sixty-nine children a day are enrolled in Our House, which holds the most prestigious recognition available to any child care program: accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). As soon as the children are enrolled, their parents work with the agency’s Family Advocates to set goals, get connected with needed resources (such as a primary healthcare provider) and develop plans to transition from crisis to stability. Our House has a measurable record of helping homeless parents find employment, secure housing and complete training that helps them break the cycles of homelessness and poverty.

For more information, please call Ace Hardware at 404-378-6006.

For more information about Our House, including volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved, please visit www.ourhousega.org or call 404-378-0938.

A Gift Certificate from Wahoo Grill for this Holiday Season