Sunday Shopping Parties at Kudzu!

Kudzu Antiques - Decatur        2928 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.       404-373-6498

Kudzu & Company - Sandy Springs       6450 Roswell Rd.           404-255-2548
http://www.kudzuantiques.com/

Mistletoe Drones coming to a FRIDAYS near you.

Agnes Scott campus, circa 1904

A panoramic view of the Agnes Scott campus, circa 1904. Photo: Agnes Scott College. 

The DeKalb History Center’s November Lunch and Learn  highlighted a Decatur institution which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.  In 1889, a group of men from Decatur Presbyterian Church decided that Decatur needed a better school for its girls. In a 2-month whirlwind of activity, they found teachers and a rented building for the elementary school they called Decatur Female Seminary. A year later, George Washington Scott stepped up to provide land and construct and furnish a building, and gave the school his mother’s name. Over the next 15 years, the school gradually developed from an elementary school, to a high school, to a college.

 From: http://wearedekalb.com
 

Eye on Decatur - 418 Church St. (W.J. Houston Doctor's Office Sign)

Sign shows where W.J. Houston's doctor's office was. circa 1905
To read some interesting comments about this house go to Decatur Metro site , they posted a 1982 picture of this house.

One of the comments said this house at one time faced the old courthouse and had a E. Court Square address. I would love to see a picture of that.
Also visit  Terry Kearns flickr site to see more pictures inside and out.

Pitbull is on Fire with FIREBALL

Sticks and stones may break my bones But I don’t care what y’all say.

Bleu Hanger Boutique Shop to Open Soon on E. College Ave

www.bleuhanger.com/

Website Under Construction. chic women's boutique. 305 E. College Ave., Decatur, Georgia, 30030. 

Back in the Day RICH'S Pink Pig Flyer was a Sweet Ride.

Back in the day they would say: Please enjoy the your Pink Pig Flyer ride today over the toy department but for everyone's safety Please Do Not drop anything out the windows onto the Christmas shoppers below.

If you have a memory of the Original RICH'S Pink Pig Flyer leave a comment. And be sure to visit

 http://pinkpigflyer.blogspot.com/

This time of year  The Pink Pig ride is a Christmas Holiday tradition for many. The new version of ride is now on a wheels, on a track  at Macy's at Lenox Square under a big tent in the upper level parking lot.

 From: http://en.wikipedia.org
The Pink Pig was an amusement park ride of sorts that was a miniature suspended monorail sized for children. Adults would be hard-pressed to fit inside the enclosed cars that the children sat in as the ride operated. The original ride "flew" from the ceiling of the toy department. The pig was then moved outside the building to a rooftop Christmas village that surrounded the Great Tree. The Pink Pig started outside under the tree, returned indoors to fly over the toy department before returning to its starting point. The original Pink Pig was named Priscilla. A second pig, named Percival was later added to meet the high demand to ride the pig. After completing their journey, riders received a sticker that said "I rode the Pink Pig".

 

Here is the new Pink Pig ride.

 From: http://www.simon.com

Event Dates: 11/1/2014 - 1/4/2015

For more than 50 years, Atlantans have started their holiday traditions by riding the Macy's Pink Pig - easily one of the most unique and beloved holiday traditions you'll come across.

Bring the whole family to take ride through a life-sized storybook adventure featuring Priscilla the Pink Pig and her friends. Tickets are available at the Macy's Pink Pig kiosk located between Abercrombie & Fitch and Godiva on the Upper Level.
2014-15 Operating Schedule:
November 2014
Grand Opening Saturday Nov. 1 10am- 9pm
Monday- Friday 10am-8pm
Saturday 10am- 9pm
Sunday Noon- 6pm
Friday, Nov. 28 8 am - 9pm
Closed Thanksgiving Day
December 2014
Monday-Friday 10am-8pm
Saturday 10am- 9pm
Sunday 11am-7pm
Wednesday, Dec. 24 9am- 6pm
Friday, Dec. 26 9am-6pm
Wednesday, Dec. 31 10am-6pm
Closed Christmas Day
January 2015
Thursday, Jan. 1 10am-8pm
Friday, Jan. 2 10am-8pm
Saturday, Jan. 3 10am- 9pm
Sunday, Jan. 4 10am-7pm

Click Here to visit the Official Site

Winter Wonderland at Fernbank

 From:fernbankmuseum.org

Winter Wonderland

On view November 21 - January 11
Prepare to ooh and aah over two floors of twinkling, beautifully decorated trees showcasing celebrations around the world in the enchanting Winter Wonderland exhibition. Twinkling with lights, glimmering with color and shining with a variety of cultural objects, more than 30 trees and other displays recognize the diversity of celebrations, holidays, traditions and events from around the world. See a complete list of our 2014 partners.
Admission to Winter Wonderland is included with Museum admission and is FREE for members.

Special Holiday Programming

• Ask for the Winter Wonderland Seek & Find at the greeter’s station. Use this free self-guided activity as you explore the exhibition.

• Enjoy a variety of Holly Jolly Activities including classic holiday cartoons, puppet making crafts and appearances by Santa-saurus. The holiday cartoon schedule is: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Nov 29-30; ‘Tis the Season to be Smurfy, Dec 6-7; A Flintstone Family Christmas, Dec 13-14; How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dec 20-21; and Disney's Sing Along Songs: Very Merry Christmas, weekends Nov 29 – Dec 14 and daily Dec 19–24.
   
• Adults can enjoy music, films, small plates, a nip from a yuletide toddy and more as they enjoy evening viewing hours of Winter Wonderland during Martinis & IMAX®.

City of Decatur Could Share Callaway property with School System

Schools, city could share Callaway property
From: ajc.com
Bill Banks
For the AJC
During a recent joint meeting between Decatur commissioners and the school board, City Manager Peggy Merriss suggested the city could eventually share the Callaway Building property on East Trinity Avenue with the school system.

One level of a proposed parking deck could belong to nearby Decatur High, or a portion of the property could be devoted “to another type of school usage,” she said. “There is nothing that’s binding—we can make creative use of that property.”

Decatur bought Callaway from DeKalb County last November and will begin collaborating with Cousins Properties on a mixed-use development when the building’s finally evacuated, next November at the earliest.

Photo credit: google maps

Decatur's Annual Tree Lighting Dec 4

From: decaturga.com
Enjoy the annual tree lighting on E. Court Square at 7 p.m.
New this year: a customized light installation replaces the live tree for a more sustainable season. Little Shop of Stories and other local businesses sponsor this spectacle – complete with caroling, cocoa, snow and Santa!
 12/4/2014 7:00 PM
Location: Little Shop of Stories
To see  more Christmas tree lighting events around metro Atlanta
read the ajc here

Holiday Art Show in Decatur at Sycamore Place Gallery Dec. 6,

From: http://events.accessatlanta.com

Join us at Sycamore Place Gallery, in the heart of Decatur, on December 6 for a one of a kind holiday art show! All are welcome! Open studio showcasing our 15 resident artists. Featuring unique dolls by the late Emily Birdsong, a legendary local artist. Family Friendly Tea party and refreshments. Local adult and youth art show Live music by Carol and Alan Horne Sycamore Place Gallery is the location of Decatur Art Classes, Ms. Sylvia Cross, Sycamore Place Gallery, GA. It is a short walk from the Decatur Marta station at 120 Sycamore Place, Decatur, GA 30030. Check out the affordable classes and rental services while you visit Contact: Artist and Owner, Sylvia Cross Phone:404-660-9967 Email:ms.sylvia.cross@gmail.com Website: Decaturartclasses.com We look forward to meeting you!

Sycamore Place Gallery

120 Sycamore Place
Decatur, GA 30033 Map

Greenberg's Great Train & Toy Show Sat and Sun Nov 15-16 Cobb Galleria

SAT & SUN Nov. 15-16, 2014
Admission: $ 8.00 Good for both days
Kids under 12 Free
10AM -4PM  Both Days
Free Parking



Cobb Galleria Centre
2 Galleria Parkway
Atlanta GA 30339
GreenbergShows.com

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Rise & Dine for The South's Best Breakfast Joints

Rise & Dine: The South's Best Breakfast Joints
From: gardenandgun.com
by John Kessler
Whether you’re craving corned beef hash, quail and eggs, or just need a hangover cure—stat—we’ve scoured the South for the best places to get the day started right.

Brunch-Time Barbecue
Southern Soul Barbeque
St. Simons Island, GA
Something unusual is happen-ing at Southern Soul Barbeque. A few years ago, the old gas station turned smokehouse in a laid-back corner of coastal Georgia was just a very good new-wave barbecue joint, with smoked beef, pork, chicken, and turkey, and a variety of regional sauces to complement. Then the folks in the kitchen started getting creative with the specials. Stop by when the doors open at eleven and you just might find some unexpected though highly brunch-worthy dishes like cornbread waffles with fried quail and local cane syrup, egg rolls stuffed with collard greens and rib meat, and burgers layered with house-cured pork loin, runny egg yolk, and Cheerwine hollandaise. Oh, and some mighty good pulled pork, too. southernsoulbbq.com

see list of more  Best Breakfast Joints

Photo credit: 365atlantafamily.com

HELP Decatur Student Athletes bring their "A" Game

11th ANNUAL DBB BASH
Saturday, November 15, 2014
From: City of Decatur Schools

HELP OUR STUDENT ATHLETES BRING THEIR "A" GAME

Saturday, November 15, 2014 * 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

NEW LOCATION:Color Wheel, 508 Howard Avenue, Decatur with parking available at Glennwood Elementary School

Tickets are $25 in advance ($35 at the door).  Click here to purchase your DBB Bash tickets. 

Read more here.

Mingei is gone from New Street. And now…?

So, now what? Thanks for coming out to support Mingei World Arts in the last few weeks as we prepared to leave New Street. Now that we have vacated that space, you may well ask, what now? Mingei is now ensconced in Ann's house in Avondale Estates.  Mingei will be managing online sales and office work from there, and will be popping up here and there.  Watch your email for news. Need something for your holiday table?  Need a gift?  Email Mingei and we will make arrangements to get it to you. Our next appearance?  Save the date! Holiday Open House at Himalayan Candles Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6. More details soon!

Ford's New Aluminum F-150

There’s Only One Kosmo Vinyl, USA Debut, Solo Art Exhbition

 The Decatur Minute tip me off on this Art Exhibition Nov. 15

From: http://www.buybritishart.com/kosmo-vinyl.html
THERE'S ONLY ONE KOSMO VINYL
USA Debut Solo Art Exhibition
15 NOV - 06 DEC, 2014
a pop-up show presented by VINSONART at Lightroom
115-A North McDonough Street Decatur GA 30030 USA

Private View: Sat. Nov 15 (call or email for info & RSVP) visit http://www.buybritishart.com/kosmo-vinyl.html for more info.

public gallery hours:
Fri & Sat: 12-8, Sun: 12-5 and by appointment
contact: Shawn Vinson • 404.939.2787 • email

Kosmo Vinyl
is one of the key figures of the 70s British Punk scene,
perhaps best known as the promoter/ manager/mogul, ringmaster & rabble-rouser
of The Clash and Ian Dury & the Blockheads.

His Pop Art influenced collages with a Punk aesthetic pay homage to 'the beautiful game',
particularly his beloved West Ham United FC, and the England & US national teams.
Kosmo's first exhibition took place at London's Eb & Flow Gallery in 2013,
followed by a show in Somerset UK during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

His US debut exhibition,  presented by VINSONART,
 opens Nov 15, 2014, at the award-winning Lightroom in Decatur GA.

Former Executive Park Hotel Will Be Demolished Saturday Nov 8th

 UPDATE:
 




 From: www.tonetoatl.com

The building at 1447 N.E. Expressway, near North Druid Hills Road and I-85, opened in 1971 as the Executive Park Motor Hotel.  In its later years, the building served as a training facility for BellSouth.  In the late 2000s, there was talk of a hotel operator taking over the building and renovating it to reopen it as a hotel, but that hasn't happened. There was also talk of an apartment developer redeveloping the property for hundreds of apartments, but again, nothing happened.    

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, which already has a significant presence in the area, and more specifically within Executive Park, purchased the property in January, 2013. The roughly 5.5 acre property was purchased for $9.6 million and allow for both additional parking and a tentatively planned medical office building.  Although work is finally underway to level the buildings, the replacement facility situation is said to be "fluid," with a number of options being considered. 

A press release from July indicates a renovation was considered, but that the decision was made to demolish instead.  

"After a thorough evaluation, Children’s determined that renovation was not a viable option for this building. The current structure, with its outdated construction and design, would not be able to serve any potential future needs of the pediatric health care system."

Kudzu Trunk Sale at Decatur Store Nov 9

SUNDAY 1-5 PM at the Decatur 'Zu

Beautiful handmade jewelry from Fossil & Hide, Crafts & Love and Cameoko Jewelry - 20% off! 

Discounts storewide, plus wine & refreshments.

Jump start your holiday shopping!

Kudzu is proud to host a group trunk show at our Decatur store featuring 3 local jewelry designers on Sunday, November 9 from 1-5 pm. You'll find beautiful handmade jewelry from Fossil & Hide (@fossil_and_hide), Crafts And Love (@craftsandlove) and Cameoko Jewelry (@cameoko_jewelry). We'll also have wine and refreshments to help jump start your holiday shopping moods! We hope you can make it to this fun event! 2928 E. Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030.

Rio Bravo Cantina Reboot Finally Happening

From : Tomorrows News Today
 Rio Bravo reboot finally happening!

Ray Schoenbaum plans to reopen his beloved Rio Bravo Cantina restaurant in Sandy Springs next year. Now known as Ray's Rio Bravo, the restaurant will replace Peter Chang's Tasty China II, not far from Ray's on the River, on Powers Ferry Road.  Tasty China closed this past Sunday after a five year run. 

Plans call for the new Rio Bravo to open in time for Cinco de Mayo next year. 


Ray has reportedly been planning this reboot for over a year and began offering "Ray's Rio Bravo Catering" earlier this summer. 
 Rio Bravo was started in 1985 by Ray Schoenbaum, son of Shoney's founder Alex Schoenbaum.  With the success of the Tex-Mex chain, Schoenbaum sold the group to Atlanta-based Applebee's in 1995.  At the time of the sale, Rio Bravo was an 11-unit chain with four other restaurants.   Applebee's sold the then 100-unit Rio Bravo chain to California-based Chevy's in 1999. By late 2002, the restaurant's popularity had waned, and all locations were closed.

Former Rio Bravo Cantina locations are scattered all over metro Atlanta including former sites in Buckhead, Gwinnett, Dunwoody, Roswell and Kennesaw

There was talk that Cantina in Buckhead would be converted to a Rio Bravo but those talks fell apart and the restaurant space remains vacant. 

The Band Perry at The CMA Awards "Gentle on My Mind"

The Band Perry last night on the 2014 CMA Awards show.

From rollingstone.com
When the Band Perry step into the spotlight at the CMA Awards for their tribute to Country Music Hall of Famer Glen Campbell, they will do so with the requisite nerves expected on country's biggest night. Luckily the sibling trio's singer Kimberly Perry has an ace in the hole when it comes to calming herself down onstage: Faith Hill.

The newlywed Perry, who will harmonize on Campbell's "Gentle on My Mind" with brothers Reid and Neil, says she plans to look at the superstar vocalist to get through any uneasy moments. "I pick out a specific artist to interact with during my performance, that is very comforting to me. Somehow it always ends up being Faith Hill because she is in the front row and is such a gracious listener," she told Rolling Stone Country after the Band Perry's CMA rehearsal in Nashville.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-band-perry-share-secrets-faith-hill-inspirstion-cma-awards-20141105#ixzz3IJ4kVG2t

Decatur Terrific Thursdays are Back

From:  visitdecaturgeorgia.com
It's time to get gifty! - Shop in Decatur on Thursdays in November and December.
Terrific Thursdays are back with special in-store events, discounts, and treats at more than 20 shops, restaurants, and services. Park once and walk around town. Participating businesses will stay open late, offering beverages, snacks and special offers. In December Santa joins the fun visiting shops and restaurants within the city limits.
more

Smart move for Taylor Swift who removed her Music From Spotify

 By By Spotify, Hello Beats

From: http://mashable.com/2014/11/03/taylor-swift-removes-music-spotify/
Hell hath no fury like Taylor Swift scorned. Her exes know that. And now Spotify does, too.

The "Shake It Off" singer is shaking off Spotify, removing all her songs and albums from the popular music streaming platform just days after Spotify publicly criticized the 24-year-old artist for not immediately making her latest album, 1989, available to stream.



Spotify had told Mashable on Wednesday that 1989 wasn't available on Spotify because of "a decision by the artist." A spokesman added that "Taylor Swift has nearly 2 million active followers on [Spotify] who will be disappointed by this decision."



Swift's camp, including Big Machine Records, appears to not be amused by Spotify's public finger-pointing and reacted on Monday by removing her four previous studio albums.
t's important to note that Swift's music, sans 1989, is available on the Apple-owned Beats Music service, a smaller streaming rival whose executives have stressed a desire to secure artist exclusives. Though Spotify has dominated the foot race for streaming exclusives and general availability over the years — converting digital holdouts like Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pink Floyd while also securing an impressive amount of newer music — Beats Music is primed to offer stiffer competition for exclusives now that it's under Apple's umbrella, which includes the powerful iTunes Store (could Beats now win the streaming rights for The Beatles' catalogue since Apple previously nabbed the digital-download rights for the music?).
photo credit usmagazine.com

Who Remembers Irvindale Farms Dairy and Minnie Quarts Playground ?

Irvindale Farms Dairy

-- Credit for Black & White photos : http://digitalcollections.library.gsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/lane/id/3830

Paying at Chick-fil-A just got Easier.

From : http://business.blog.ajc.com
Chick-fil-A is making it easier for customers to pay for meals without whipping cash out or swiping a credit card.
The Atlanta-based chain unveiled an app  that allows you to use your smartphone to pay for orders by scanning a Quick Response Code (that square abstract-looking image in the photo) at the register, whether inside or at the drive-thru window.

The free app, Chick-fil-A Mobile Ordering,  is available for both Android and iOS devices and can be downloaded at Apple’s App Store or Google Play.

Chick-fil-A advised Biz Beat on Friday that the app will be activated Nov. 11.

Before patrons can tap and scan, an account must be created with the app by using credit card information.

more

Big Tex Cantina Closing --Thank You for 3 great years.

        Decatur Metro contacted them and got this info.

Fox Brothers Restaurant Group (FBRG), the team behind Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and Big Tex Decatur, is closing Big Tex on November 3.  The Big Tex space will be retained by the group for an unforeseen period of time.
Growing demand on the Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q kitchen, stimulated in part by the designation of the restaurant as the official barbecue of the Atlanta Falcons, made the decision to close Big Tex necessary.  “We are certainly going to miss serving our loyal friends in Decatur we have made over the 3 years and we hope to be back one day.  We are thankful for the additional demand on our barbecue business but closing Big Tex is bittersweet.  We will be focusing on the future of Fox Bros Bar-B-Q with expansion and the build out of our new catering/commissary facility on Ottley Drive. The new commissary will really be a game changer for us and help meet the needs of our restaurant in Candler Park and future Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q restaurants,” Jonathan Fox, Partner and Pitmaster of Fox Bros Bar-B-Q.
Big Tex Decatur, located at 308 W Ponce de Leon Ave in Decatur opened the doors in May of 2011 and has served Texas-inspired food and drinks since 2011.

 Message on their facebook page reads:

Thank You for 3 great years, but it's time for us to say goodbye. We had a great time serving Decatur and look forward to seeing you soon!

h/t Decatur Metro

Decatur Wine Festival Saturday Nov 8

From :  http://decaturwinefestival.org/#about

About

Taste wines from around the globe, sample delicious food from Decatur-area restaurants, and enjoy live DJ Troy Cono at metro Atlanta’s largest outdoor wine festival. Proceeds benefit the Decatur Arts Alliance, which produces the Decatur Arts Festival and many other arts events, free to the community each year.

Hours

Saturday, November 8, 2014
New Expanded Hours: 12:30-4:30 p.m.
On the square in Downtown Decatur • Rain or Shine

 Buy Tickets here

Decatur High plans get first Public Unveiling NOV 3

 From: http://www.ajc.com
By Bill Banks
For the AJC

Architects and designers will discuss the four preliminary master-plan options for Decatur High School,  6:30-8 p.m. Monday in the school’s auditorium, 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur. The team will also gather community input regarding master plan and Phase One improvements. Projections call for school enrollment to increase from its current 1060 to 2400 in five years, ultimately requiring 66 more classrooms. Initial construction may start as early as January.

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Nov 3 at 6:30-8 p.m.
310 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA

Photo credit: Next Stop...Decatur

Celebrate Vincent Price at MetroFresh

From:  http://atlantarestaurants.blog.ajc.com/2014/10/31/celebrate-vincent-price-at-metrofresh/
By Alexa Lampasona
MetroFresh will be honoring the famed actor, Vincent Price, this Sunday with the wine dinner “Cooking for Vincent” featuring Vincent Price’s signature collection. While some may know Price from his career as an actor in horror films, he was also a wine connoisseur and the first spokesman for the California Wine Institute.

Price’s daughter, Victoria, takes this dinner to both the James Beard House in NYC and Edgar Allan Poe Museum, and the final stop is here in Atlanta. MetroFresh’s owner Mitchell Anderson is a dear friend of Victoria and Vince. He assisted Victoria in caring for Vince during the final days battling Parkinson’s disease. The dinner is cleverly named “Cooking for Vincent” as an homage to Anderson’s time cooking for Vince while he was in New York acting alongside Neil Patrick Harris in “Doogie Howser.”

The evening includes a five-course meal with wine pairings that are inspired by Vince’s book, “A Treasury of Great Recipes.” Anderson and Victoria will share stories of Vince throughout the meal. More information is available on the event page.



http://metrofreshatl.com/

"HAPPY HALLOWEEN" From a 1950's Decatur GA

Decatur GA

Happy Halloween from Decatur GA (circa 1955)
That Devil is my brother (Phil)  the other kids are from the neighborhood.
Location: 202 E. Davis St.
So if you lived in the area  circa 1955 and went to Winnona Park School, you could be one of these kids.

-This is a reprint from the Atlanta Journal dated Oct. 31, 1958
BEWARE, ATLANTA! TONIGHT THE WITCHES COME CALLING
BY Laura McGregor

ATLANTA BEWARE!
Tonight the witches take to the air.
Bubbling brews will steam from black kettles,
witch-ridden brooms will swoop across the sky.
Ghosts will flutter overhead and for a few shorth hours Atlanta will become an eerie city filled with the supernatural from on high.
Halloween with all it's magical powers will capture the children turning them into frightening little creatures, punching doorbells and screeching loudly "Trick or Treat".
Bright orange pumpkins hollowed and carved into a variety of contorted faces will brighten porches and shine from windows.
And the howl of a lone black cat and the smell of burned autumn leaves will put a hypnotic spell in the crisp night air.
Amid the dancing neon signs downtown will roam the celebrants-blowing horns, rattling noise makers and belive bones.
While out from the city lights, little clowns, gypsies, skeletons and ghosts will douse their heads in washtubs filled with red apples and eat marshmellows from a string.
But at the stroke of 12 trick or treat bags will be empty again.
The last of the candied apples will be washed from dirty little hands and the last of the witches will point their brooms toward the land of spirits to await another magical night of Halloween.

More Decatur Halloween Homes

Located in Winnona Park area on Avery St. Question: Did these Pumpkins move from the white house next door ?

Located next door to the house above.

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Located on Winnona Drive

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Located on Avery St.
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Located on Sycamore

Kings Hwy is a Halloween Treat

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-- This Halloween house is located at 252 Kings Hwy. Decatur GA
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In related news The Decatur Minute has a list of the Decorate Decatur Halloween winners.