Saturday, March 6, 2010

COLUMBIA MALL circa 1970




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COLUMBIA MALL
Was located at the corner of Columbia Dr. and Memorial Dr.
Decatur, GA.

Walmart now is at that location.

What memories do you have of Columbia Mall.
Also be sure to visit my Belvedere Plaza site.

DeKalb hopes to land money on D.C. trip

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The DeKalb County CEO, four commissioners and at least two staff members will spend the next few days in Washington, D.C., trying to secure federal funding.

CEO Burrell Ellis and the commissioners will attend the National Association of Counties annual legislative conference on Sunday through Wednesday.

“It’s about interacting with the federal agencies and White House staff to advocate for Community Development Block Grant and stimulus money,” Commissioner Lee May told the AJC.

The trip comes a little over a week after the commission passed a budget with $84 million in cuts, including unpaid holidays and cuts in health services, employee cars, libraries and other areas. May said he hopes he can access funding to help with those cuts.

The total cost for the trip is about $8,500.

ajc story

Avondale Estates annexation foes fear: ‘They want to run us out’


Mayor defends city’s quest to claim, clean gritty area
By April Hunt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Vi Nguyen’s small voice is growing loud with anger and fear.
The Vietnamese immigrant has spent 13 years building up Decatur Auto Tech in the gritty little commercial district between Avondale Estates and Decatur.

There was a time when much of DeKalb County had pockets like East College Avenue: clusters of used-car lots, auto shops, gas stations — worn at the edges but not run-down. Unlike the rest of the county, though, the 1-square-mile strip is sandwiched between two cities, one that spent the past decade gentrifying and one that wants to spend the next decade doing the same.

Decatur, of course, transformed itself into a quaint walkable town of fancy boutiques and trendy brewpubs. Avondale, often overlooked as Decatur’s smaller, less-improved neighbor, wants to refine its Tudor Village downtown and spiff up the strip that leads into town.
To do that, it would annex most of the East College tract and create a continuous line of prosperity from one city to the other. And that’s what frightens Nguyen.
ajc full story

Cut Staff or Raise Taxes

DeKalb schools must cut staff or raise taxes
By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DeKalb County class sizes likely will grow, teacher pay will be cut and 154 central officer workers will lose their jobs under budget proposals unveiled Friday.
Almost every area of the state’s third largest school district will be affected by what officials are calling the worst budget crisis in its history. The only option to spare impacting the education of DeKalb’s 101,000 students is to raise taxes, some board members said.

After only a week on the job, Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson on Friday presented five proposals to cut the budget to meet an anticipated $88 million deficit in next school year’s budget.
ajc story

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Hot Tub Time Machine Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You.

Name the Store Photo


Can you name the popular store in the Atlanta area ?

Marco's Pizza comes to Atlanta Area


Marco’s Pizza of Toledo, Ohio wants to make its presence felt around metro Atlanta. The company plans to open 42 locations in the market, with about one-fourth of the stores within Atlanta city limits. Marco’s does business in 17 states and recently marked the opening of its 200th store. It has experience store growth of more than a third in the past two years.


ajc story

Seeking Volunteers for the 8th Annual TOUR deCATUR!

From Gail @ Decatur Education Foundation



With record turnout expected the DEF needs additional volunteers for TOUR deCATUR!
If you are available on Saturday morning, March 13th email Claire McCarty at cmccarty@csdecatur.net
This is an easy and fun way to support Decatur Education Foundation as it raises money to support the children in our school system.

Visit www.tourdecatur.com for information about the event.

We need many hands to pull this off and you will be done by 11am!

Please email Claire McCarty cmccarty@csdecatur.net if you can give us a
few hours on Saturday, March 13.
TOUR deCATUR is an annual road race event for the whole family and every dollar raised benefits the Decatur Education Foundation. Started in 2003, TOUR deCATUR includes the 5k Road Race, One Mile Run/Walk and Tot Trot.

Buckhead store to be "The Dump" Grand Opening March 5-7


The Dump
see photos here

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

An even bigger big-box store is taking over the former Home Depot outpost on Sidney Marcus Boulevard in Buckhead.



Home Depot has leased the store to The Dump, a division of Haynes Furniture in Virginia Beach, Va.

The company will open its deeply discounted furniture concept there March 5, 2010.

The Dump actually has plans to expand the existing building by another 30,000 square feet for a total of 178,000 square feet, said David Birnbrey, chairman of the Shopping Center Group, an Atlanta-based retail brokerage. His firm represented both sides of the transaction.

ajc story

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

DHS Boy's Basketball

.



Decatur Boys Down Chattooga 58-43 - Advance to Sweet Sixteen


By Bill Banks |

Nic Wilson claims that last Monday's 29-point loss to Greater Atlanta Christian was dead and gone and thoroughly buried even before the final buzzer sounded. "By the fourth quarter [on Monday]," he said, "by our last two timeouts, we weren't even thinking GAC. We were already talking about tonight (Friday)."

Friday, in the first ever on-campus state playoff game, this is didn't even look like the same Decatur squad. Playing with confidence, authority, and a defensive mastery not always seen on the high school level, Decatur thoroughly dispatched highly-strung Chattooga, out of Region 7B-AA, 58-43.

The Bulldogs roared to an 11-1 lead as Chattooga, averaging nearly 70 points a game, didn't get its first field goal until 1:25 left in the first quarter. Even after a frenetic, nearly desperate 2:18 surge -- much like a horse that's been given a sudden, deep stroke of the whip -- that saw the visitors tie the game, it was only a matter of time before Decatur took control of the reigns and wrestled all drama out of this one.

Chattooga was simply too small, too loose defensively, and displayed a way-too-erratic-shot selection, to stay in this game for long. Plus, the one player who caused Decatur legitimate match-up concerns, 6-1 post Spencer Williams -- he finished with 15 points, the only Chattoogan in double figures -- spent much of the night benched due to either foul problems or a bloody elbow.

The result was a win that, if not easy, was at least professionally accomplished with a sleeves-rolled-to-the-elbows manner of efficiency. It was by the far the fewest points scored all season by Chattooga, a team that had never fallen below 53 points, and had been held to below 60 points only seven times in 26 games before Friday.

Therefore Decatur, 22-5, advances to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season. The Bulldogs will play 18-7 Callaway in Hogansville Tuesday night (game time still undecided, though it appears it will be no later than 7:00 p.m. and possibly as early as 6:00 p.m.). After seeing a large lead cut to two with 1:30 left Friday, Callaway eventually prevailed over Dawson County 59-50

Though Chattooga deflected Decatur's early flurry of blows and even delivered a few of its own - typing matters at 11 -- the home team never buckled at the knees. "We wanted to knock ‘em out early," Nic said, "but they came back. They hit some shots. At that point the game is tied and you want to hit a 10-point shot to get your lead back. But, you know, there's no such thing. Besides this is playoff basketball. You have to get one basket at a time, you have to chip away, and that's what we did."

When Trumon Jefferson scored on a drive -- a lunging burst where he bobbled the ball, regained control and then shot, all while in midair -- Decatur led 13-11 with 5:06 left in the first half and never trailed again. From there the lead was built to 25-16 at halftime, which surely must've been Chattooga's lowest-scoring half in recent memory.

"They're used to getting at least 16 a quarter," head coach Carter Wilson said. "It has always been my belief that victory almost always favors the team that defends. Tonight we just did a great job. We made every shot tough for them, and we made every catch tough.

"The player who worried us the most," he added, "was [6-1 wing Rashad Ramsey, Chattooga's leading scorer at 19 points]. When we scouted him, we saw where he could shoot from out, or take it to the hole. But tonight he gets only 8 points. I think that sums up our entire effort tonight."

Decatur systematically increased its lead, eventually to 20 points at 54-34 when Nic hit Ron Boyd for a lay-up with 4:11. Later in the quarter Nic, starting from the high post, rumbled past his man for a one-hand dunk and Decatur's final basket. Nic finished with a game-high 22 points, while Trumon had 16, and must've corralled around 15 rebounds.

Currently ranked seventh in the state, Decatur officially closed out it‘s first home season in the brand-new, sparkling Decatur High School Performing Arts Center and Gymnasium, and did so before one of the larger crowds all year. But as Wilson told his team after the game, "This is only one pebble tossed into pond. We still have another four to go."

Tuesday's opponent is likely a far heftier stone. Callaway reminds assistant David Harbin -- who scouted the Callaway-Dawson County game Friday -- of Manchester, the team Decatur beat in last year's first round. Harbin (who, incidentally, was the starting point on Decatur's last Final Four team in 2003) said that Callaway is another up-and-down team, with good shooters and superb athletes who press most of the game. He also said Callaway will frequently change defenses from man, to 2-3, to 1-2-2 and others.

Looking at the scores, once again this appears to be team averaging around 70 per game. Decatur and Callaway do have one common opponent in Lovett, which Callaway beat 84-67 back on Dec. 22 (Decatur played Lovett three times winning by 20, 32 and 21 points).

"The ideal that we strive for," Carter Wilson said, "is that we want our best game to be the last game of the season. Well, we sure haven't played our last game yet. And I'm convinced we haven't come close to playing our best game yet, either."

Clean Sweep for Region 6-AA

After Friday's victory over Chattooga, we asked Wilson how he compared Region 6-AA with the state's other double-AA regions. He replied that "I think every coach out there will tell you their region is the toughest. But I look at our region with the talent, the depth of coaching and the tough defense that just about everyone plays, and I don't see how anyone can be better than us this year."

He said this before later learning that all four Region 6-AA teams won their state playoff games What some may consider the biggest upset of the night (though Wilson certainly wouldn't agree) Westminster abruptly eliminated powerful Dade County (25-4, ranked third, and ranked anywhere from one through five almost all season) 83-81. Greater Atlanta manhandled 8-21 Temple, 87-27 (no surprise there) while Blessed Trinity destroyed fifth-ranked and 23-6 Rockmart 65

MARTA Cuts Back on Decatur Bus Routes


Decatur, GA
Photo NextStopDecatur.com

By Ariel Hart

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MARTA bus route N0. 1, serving the heart of downtown Atlanta – gone.
North Druid Hills Road bus service, from Lawrenceville Highway to Clairmont Road– gone.
Bus service on Moreland Avenue, between Ponce de Leon Avenue and Freedom Parkway – gone.
Bus No. 38, the only one to Chastain Park – gone.

As MARTA grapples with a $120 million budget deficit, these were among the proposed changes that could impact MARTA riders the most within months.

The anticipated cuts are so severe the situation represents a wholesale restructuring of the transportation service, MARTA board member Harold Buckley said.

“We’re going to affect the lives of many, many people,” said Buckley, calling it the worst budgetary situation in his 25 years on the board. “This is a difficult time."

ajc story

Decatur's Old House Fair - Saturday March 6

From The Decatur Minute:


Come to the Decatur Old House Fair @ The Holiday Inn Decatur this Saturday March 6 from 9:00 AM TO 5 PM and meet exhibitors who specialize in old house repair, maintenance, and restoration. Need your chimneys fixed? We ‘ve got that. Need an electrician that won’t install outlets in your heart pine wainscoting? We have that too! We’ve got outstanding renovation contractors, a stain glass window restoration artist, plumbers, painters, landscape experts, HVAC contractors, storm windows, and so much more.

Monday, March 1, 2010

The 1st Annual Georgia Walk/Bike to School Day is Wednesday

From Dan Magee Director, City of Decatur Active Living.



FYI: Wednesday is the 1st Annual Georgia Walk/Bike to School Day. Decatur Active Living staff and parent volunteers will be at Clairemont, Oakhurst,
Glennwood, and Winnona with snacks and Safe Routes tokens for students and coffee for parents/guardians. Greg White, 678-553-6543, is our contact person. It’s a nice photo opportunity and a fun event.



Thanks,

Dan Magee

Director, City of Decatur Active Living
Dan.Magee@decaturga.com
678-553-6541 office
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
Decatur - a vibrant city that is clean, green, active & attractive

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Winnona Park Home Featured on Curb Appeal: The Block



Decatur, GA
Curb Appeal:The Block in Winnona Park

From the HGTV site: Vicki Johnson spent all of her savings moving into a home in Decatur, GA so that her daughter could benefit from the amazing school system. Unfortunately, that left her with no money to spend updating her home. Designer and architect John Gidding and his team have stepped in with a design plan that will take Vicki's breath away. The bright green and yellow house color are the most important aspects of the house that need to be changed but John's plan also includes a proper patio in her front yard as well. Down the street, Vicki's daughter's elementary school Winnona Park also benefits with a new entry way. In this special episode, we're not only bringing this block together, but also improving the environment for local students.
New side entry way for Winnona Park School.
HGTV : This episode was on last week,so look for this episode in the reruns, they show them during the week.
nextstopdecatur.com

Brunch @ Twain's


Twain's is now serving brunch every Saturday and Sunday! We open at 11:30 and offer our brunch menu until 3:00.
Choose a delicious omelette, a fluffy stack of pancakes, or homemade biscuits with gravy or piled high with eggs, bacon and cheese.
Updated menu! Check it out!!

How do you get there?

They are located at 211 E Trinity Pl
Decatur, GA 30030 (Cross Street: Church Street)

It's Auction Time Again @ Winnona Park


It's Auction Time!

Welcome to the Winnona Park auction!

Let the Bidding Begin!

Take a look at the online catalog where you will find a wide variety of exciting auction items. Then bid and then bid some more. Remember, all proceeds will directly benefit our organization.

To see what's in the auction go to the site, type in password WILDCATS2010 . To learn more go to WP site.

Bidding will close at 12:00 AM, April 22. Winners will be notified via email after the auction closes.
For more information about this auction contact Vanessa Benz, Co-chair, Winnona Park Elementary, Auction 2010, 404-483-6851, vrbenz@bellsouth.net.
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Winnona Park School site.
and History of Winnona Park area.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Dinosaur Egg Hunt @ Fernbank Saturday April 3, 2010


Dinosaur Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presented in partnership with Radio Disney

Spring into family fun with an egg hunt like no other! Three age-appropriate egg hunts will be offered and a special toddler area will be available. Guests can also enjoy Radio Disney tunes, games, a Museum ScavEGGer Hunt and temporary dinosaur tattoos. Learn more.

Cost: Included with Museum admission. Free for members.

Presented in partnership with
Radio Disney AM 590
Saturday, April 3

Hop over to Fernbank for an EGG-cellent day of springtime family fun featuring a music, games and more!

The highlight of the day will be three age-appropriate egg hunts on the Museum’s expansive front lawn. Each hunt will include a special Grand Prize Dino Egg featuring a one-year Family/Dual membership, a set of 6 IMAX® tickets and a Radio Disney Prize Pack.

Schedule of Activities*
Dinosaur Egg Hunts
Cretaceous Critters: 10:30 a.m. – ages 3-5
Jurassic Jumpers: 11 a.m. – ages 6-8
Triassic Trekkers: 11:30 a.m. – ages 9-12
A special Toddler Area will be open from 10 a.m. to noon for our youngest egg hunters.

Egg Balancing Challenge
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Front Plaza
Don’t drop the dinosaur egg! Can you keep a steady hand and make it to the end?

Tic-Tac-Din-O
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Great Hall
Try a dinosaur version of this popular game

Dino-riffic Memory Game
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Great Hall
Do all dinosaurs look alike? Of course not! Test your dinosaur spotting skills in this fun match game.

Prehistor-stick Reptile (Temporary) Tattoos
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Great Hall (Line closes at 1:30 p.m.)
Learn the difference between dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles and receive a temporary dinosaur or ancient reptile tattoo.

Balloon Animals
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Great Hall (Line closes at 1 p.m.)

Cost: All Dinosaur Egg Hunt activities are included with Museum admission. Wristbands will be distributed with tickets and must be worn to participate in timed egg hunts. As always, Museum members receive free admission to Dinosaur Egg Hunt activities.

Support for Fernbank’s Dinosaur Egg Hunt provided in part by AT&T Real Yellow Pages, The Official Yellow Pages of Fernbank Museum.

Book Sale @ The Decatur Library this Saturday 2-27-10

Book Sale: Friends of the Decatur Library :: Book Sales
Family (All Ages)
9:00AM—4:00PM at Decatur
Lower level of the Decatur Library.

DeKalb County Public Library
215 Sycamore Street
Decatur, Georgia 30030
404-370-8450

Lady Gaga ~ Bad Romance ~




Bad Romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
Rah rah ah-ah-ah!
Ro mah ro-mah-mah
Gaga Ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Rah rah ah-ah-ah!
Ro mah ro-mah-mah
Gaga Ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your ugly
I want your disease
I want your everything
As long as it’s free
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your drama
The touch of your hand
I want you leathe-studded kiss in the sand
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want it bad
Your bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!)
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah rah ah-ah-ah!
Ro mah ro-mah-mah
Gaga Ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your horror
I want your design
‘Cause you’re a criminal
As long as your mine
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love, uhh

I want your psycho
Your vertigo stick
Want you in my room
When your baby is sick
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
(‘Cause I’m a freak bitch, baby!)
I want it bad
Your bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!)
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah rah ah-ah-ah!
Ro mah ro-mah-mah
Gaga Ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Work-work fashion baby
Work it
move that bitch crazy
Work-work fashion baby
Work it
move that bitch crazy
Work-work fashion baby
Work it
move that bitch crazy
Work-work fashion baby
Work it
I’m a freak bitch baby

I want your love
And I want your revenge
I want your love
I don’t wanna be friends

J'veux ton amour
Et je veux ton revenge
J'veux ton amour
I don't wanna be friends

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
(I don't wanna be friends)
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

(I don't wanna be friends)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
(Want your bad romance)
Caught in a bad romance
(Want your bad romance)

I want your loving
I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!)
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
(Want your bad romance)
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
(Want your bad romance)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
(Want your bad romance)
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah rah ah-ah-ah!
Ro mah ro-mah-mah
Gaga Ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

State basketball tournament Starts Feb. 26


State basketball tournament first-round schedule
The Champion Newspaper
By Robert Naddra



A total of 20 teams from DeKalb County – 11 boys and nine girls – will be participating in the Georgia High School Association state basketball playoffs, beginning Friday, Feb. 26. Here are the first-round matchups (some game times have not yet been set; please check back for an updated schedule):

Welcome to Decatur GA. 1950's and Today



Welcome to Decatur circa 1950's and today.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Property and Business owners plan to Clean up E. College Ave

Champion Newspaper
Written By: Jonathan Cribbs
A group of property and business owners under threat of annexation along East College Avenue plan to start tidying up the area this month with the help of a county commissioner.

On Feb. 27 commissioner Kathie Gannon will join on a small group of business owners who have protested several state representatives’ plans to annex a tract of unincorporated DeKalb County sitting between Decatur and Avondale Estates. The proposal would essentially bring Decatur’s borders east and Avondale Estates’ borders west along the small stretch of commercial property, making Sam’s Crossing the new border.

Champion Newspaper story

Monday, February 22, 2010

Avondale's new Police Academy

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Avondale Estates Police Department is launching a program next month to encourage strong relationships between the department and citizens.

The Citizens Police Academy is designed to give civilians a better understanding of the department and its role and duties. The eight-week course will cover everything from traffic enforcement to firearms and use of force.

The program begins on March 16 and is open to residents and business owners in the city.

For more information or to sign up, call Chief Gary Broden at 404-294-5410.

ajc

Bike-lane project for Decatur is a Go.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


A new bike lane from downtown Decatur to the city’s western edge is just months from breaking ground.

The city recently signed a contract with the state Department of Transportation, for the bike lanes along West Trinity and West Ponce de Leon avenues. Bids could be returned on the project in the next four to six months, said assistant city manager Lyn Menne.

The city will spend $65,465 of its own money, along with $261,860 in federal grant money, to build the lanes. They will eventually connect to city-planned streetscape projects downtown, linking to the PATH trail that runs along the railroad tracks, Menne said.

ajc.story

Sunday, February 21, 2010

The old Decatur Theatre website Updated.


click on photo to visit The Decatur Theatre website.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

The Variety Playhouse aka The Euclid Theatre


An icon of Atlanta's little five points district, this opened around 1945 as the Euclid Theatre (you can still see this name painted on the east side of the building). The theatre became the Variety Theatre sometime during the 1950's.

From 1961 until the late 1980's the theatre stood vacant until George Ellis aka Bestoink Dooley acquired the lease and relocated his Film Forum from Ashley Mall to the site. The theatre wasn't able to compete with the multiplexes that were now booking art films that were previously the priority of the Film Forum. The theatre is currently part of the group that manages the Roxy and the Temple concert halls. In 2007, it was renamed Variety Playhouse.
Related Websites
Variety Playhouse (Official)
Contributed by Jack Coursey
read more here
cinematreasures.org

Friday, February 19, 2010

Stick Around - Arnold Schwarzenegger to Speak at Emory

--

www.boomerslife.org
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will deliver the keynote address at Emory University's 165th commencement ceremony Monday, May 10. He will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.

Emory site

Thursday, February 18, 2010

New Avondale charter school to hold lottery for coveted slots Friday

Children in kindergarten through third grade who live in the Avondale Elementary and Midway Elementary school attendance zones. The school will expand by one grade each year through eighth grade.


by Maureen Downey
ajc

According to a press release:

The Museum School of Avondale Estates will hold a lottery on Friday to determine enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year. Applicants enrolled will become the first class of students for the new state-chartered public school.

The lottery will be held at noon at Avondale Estates City Hall, located at 21 North Avondale Plaza. Andrew Lewis, chief programming officer with the Georgia Charter Schools Association, will certify the results.

Because the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces available, a lottery is necessary to ensure a fair process with equal access for all prospective students. The school is open to students who live in the Avondale and Midway elementary school attendance zones.

Students whose names are not drawn in the lottery will be placed on a waiting list to be enrolled if space becomes available.

The lottery is open to the public, and parents of applicants are invited to attend. Following the lottery, lists will be posted at Avondale Estates City Hall. Parents will also receive notification by mail and will have 15 days to notify the school of their intent.

Full ajc story


2010 Strategic Plan Update for Decatur

Decatur has set up a new website for a Strategic Plan.
check it out here.
http://decaturnext.com/

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Bradley Observatory - Decatur, Georgia

Table Tennis at the Decatur Rec

Dan Magee of Decatur Active Living sends this in.



http://decaturactiveliving.blogspot.com/

Don't forget our TABLE TENNIS TUESDAYS, 7 to 9:30 pm every Tuesday, and SUNDAY TABLE TENNIS, 10 am to 12:45 pm every Sunday, for City of Decatur residents 13 yrs. old and older, at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. It's open to all skill levels.



Table Tennis is an Olympic sport, easy for beginners to pick up, and can also be a surprising cardiovascular workout. For more info., please contact Charlie Slater at: charlie.slater@yahoo.com. A city resident, Charlie is a top rated seniors table tennis player, and was featured in an AJC article:

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/health/stories/2008/12/15/workout_table_tennis.html



We hope to see you there on Tuesdays and/or Sundays! For more information on local table tennis, visit the Atlanta-Georgia Table Tennis Association website, http://www.agtta.org/.


Thanks,

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
ww.decaturga.com/playbook
www.activeliving.decaturga.com

TOUR deCATUR 5K Road Race March 13, 2010

TOUR deCatur 5k Road Race, Fun Run, and Tot Trot

Come walk, run, or trot for a cause on March 13, 2010, in the eighth annual TOUR deCATUR. Activities begin at 8:45, with the 5K race/walk kicking off at 9:15. All proceeds from the race benefit programs of the DEF.

More info below.

http://www.tourdecatur.com/

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

US Airways Hates Families and Kids says mother of two.

I found this blog story today about a mother and her kids who can't sit together on a plane, which I thought was good, it is a must read.


by Sierra on February 15, 2010

in Uncategorized

If you have kids, don’t fly on US Airways. We were on three flights of theirs yesterday as we slowly made our way from Boston to Tucson. Not once was I assigned a seat near my kids.

Now, I confess that when I saw I had a boarding pass for seat 5D and my kids both had seats in row 26, I was delighted. Who wants to sit between a two-year-old and a 5-year-old on a cross-country trip? Not me.

When I approached the gate agent to point out the error, I said, “Hey, I’m perfectly happy not to sit anywhere near these kids on the plane, but I’m sure you won’t really let me do that. Here’s my boarding pass, change my seat assignment.”

read full story here.

Used book sale at Decatur library

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Friends of the Decatur Library will host a large used book sale later this month.

Hardcovers, paperbacks and other media items will be available at the sale, with prices ranging from 50 cents to $4. Money raised will be used for various programs at the library, the main branch for the DeKalb County system.

The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 27 on the lower level of the library on Sycamore Street.

For additional information about the sale or other branch book sales, visit the system Web site at www.dekalblibrary.org.

ajc

Monday, February 15, 2010

Greene's Fine Foods - Nuts, Candy, Gifts , Fun and Snow.


Decatur, GA

http://www.greenesfinefoods.com/

Kevin Gillespie, “Top Chef” plans to open a BBQ Joint.

Bravo’s “Top Chef” saved Kevin Gillespie from financial ruin. Business had been so slow at Woodfire Grill that there were nights last year when just a couple of diners – and sometimes none at all – came in.

“I can’t tell you what it feels like to work all day tweaking and getting things ready to share with people and then have no one show up,” he said. Trying out for the show was a last ditch effort to save the restaurant he’d bought with two partners.

“We’re sitting there, literally, praying that Bravo would call,” he said. “We kept borrowing money, scraping by. We wouldn’t have lasted six more months.”

Now that his “Top Chef” run has ended he’s enjoyed getting back into the groove at the restaurant – and has plans to open another one. Details are still coming together, so he couldn’t reveal some of the specifics, but it’ll be a barbecue restaurant that he and his partners will operate while maintaining Woodfire.

ajc story

Saturday, February 13, 2010

A Charming Winnona Park Bungalow


Decatur, GA.

Winnona Park is a historic neighborhood in the southeast corner of the Atlanta, Georgia suburb of Decatur. It is listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places, [1] but it is not one of the City of Decatur's locally designated historic districts.

Winnona Park is located south of downtown Decatur; west of the Village of Avondale Estates, Georgia and the Forest Hills subdivision; and east of Decatur's Oakhurst community. It primarily consists of residences, but is also known as the home of Columbia Theological Seminary. Its rough boundaries are Mimosa Drive and the Decatur city limits on the south; East College Avenue and the railroad tracks on the north; South Candler Street on the west; and South Columbia Avenue on the east. In addition, the commercial buildings on the east side of South Columbia Ave. at East College Ave. have historically been part of this community. This commercial cluster historically housed the neighborhood pharmacy, gas station and barbershop.

The early families of Winnona Park also have historic links to Agnes Scott College, which adjoins Winnona Park on the northeast. However, the South Candler Street—Agnes Scott College Historic District is listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places. The City of Decatur has also designated South Candler Street - Agnes Scott College as a local historic district. Bounded by East College Ave., South McDonough St,, South Candler St., East Hill St. and East Davis St., it is no longer considered part of Winnona Park.

In addition, the Forrest Hills community east of South Columbia Avenue is located in unincorporated DeKalb County, and is not considered part of Winnona Park. However, the City of Decatur announced in 2008 that they were considering the annexation of Forrest Hills.

en.wikipedia.org

Friday, February 12, 2010

Name the Movie Trivia Photo


Name the Movie Trivia Photo

Blogger Ann said...

I know!!!!!!! But I cheated....

February 15, 2010 4:40 PM

Delete
Blogger Next Stop...Decatur said...

I thought this one would be hard.
Go ahead Ann and give your answer.

February 15, 2010 7:30 PM

Delete

Thursday, February 11, 2010

eurasia - Decatur, GA


eurasia
129 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA

New Friday Lunch Menu @ Wahoo!


New Friday Lunch Menu

Join us every Friday for a delicious lunch that's easy on your wallet!

Every item on the menu is $10 or less

including favorites such as...

Georgia Trout

sautéed and topped with

pesto butter and sugared pecans

white cheddar grits/ green beans

10

Parmesan Encrusted Chicken

all-natural breast seared golden brown

with dijon and Parmesan

brussel sprouts /5 cheese macaroni and cheese

9

Charleston Shrimp & Grits

sautéed and simmered in spicy tomato cream

over creamy white cheddar grits

10

Wahoo! Burger

8 ounces Angus beef, tobacco onions Montrachet-roasted red pepper spread, arugula, spicy pickles, wheat bun

8


1042 West College Avenue * Decatur, GA * 30030
404-373-3331
www.wahoogrilldecatur.com

Junk for Cash

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Crumpled police cars, tractors missing tires, decade-old garbage trucks and a repainted ambulance fill a lot near I-285 and Memorial Drive.

It’s the “Island of Misfit Toys” for DeKalb County equipment. But officials hope the abandoned vehicles and other paraphernalia will find new homes and generate cash to help the county close an $84 million deficit.

The crashed trucks may only generate a few thousand dollars each, but every little bit helps, DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson said.

“These are vehicles that have been wrecked or have too many miles to be considered safe on the road,” said Johnson, the County Commission’s presiding officer.


ajc

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Man attacks TVs in Lilburn Walmart with Baseball Bat

I'm guessing he didn't like the channel

By Mashaun D. Simon

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Lilburn Police are investigating what may have caused a man to walk into a Walmart and destroy 29 flat-screen televisions.
Just after noon Wednesday, Westley Strellis, 23, of Lawrenceville, walked into the Walmart on Lawrenceville Highway in Lilburn.

After grabbing a metal baseball bat from the sporting goods section, he walked to the electronics department and destroyed the TVs on display.

He was arrested not long after.

ajc

Saturday Valentine's Events

This sent in by Dan Magee Director, City of Decatur Active Living

FYI: Below is info. on two Valentine’s events this Saturday for children and families. Just wanted to make a special mention of it, as it’s a little different from our normal offerings.







Hey Decatur First, Second and Third Graders and parents:

Come celebrate Valentine's Day with Decatur Active Living. Join us for an afternoon of good food and fun as we celebrate Valentine's Day. Participants will receive a free 4x6 photo of them and their parent(s). Photo will be taken promptly at 11:30am, and lunch will be served at 12:15pm. Entertainment will include audience participation, poems, reading, songs, etc., as well as scheduled events. Participants must RSVP in advance by signing-up at Decatur Recreation Center by February 6, 2010.

Cost: $10.00 per participant (parents free). For more information, please contact Lee Williams at 678-553-6551.

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The Annual 4th & 5th Graders Valentine's Dance

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Saturday, February 13th

Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street



Let's Dance! City of Decatur 4th and 5th graders, please join us for an evening of music, food, fun and friends. Come out and get your dance on at Decatur Recreation Center. Celebrate your Valentine's Day among friends. Doors open at 6:30pm. Participants will receive a free 4x6 photo. All photos will be printed on the spot. Participants must RSVP in advance by signing-up at DRC by February 6, 2010. This event will be supervised by Decatur Active Living Staff members.

Cost: $5.00 per participant (chaperons free). For more information, please contact Lee Williams at 678-553-65

Monday, February 8, 2010

Next Stop Decatur Time Machine - F.W.WOOLWORTH CO.

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Top photo is F.W. WOOLWORTH CO. on E. Ponce de Leon Ave. circa 1948
Note: The DeKalb Theatre is to the right and you can see movie poster of "The Adventures Robin Hood".

Bottom photo is the same location in 2010.
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Below is the same poster on the Dekalb Theatre above.



Chocolate Comes to Mingei - Eat and Help


These amazing artesanal, organic, raw, vegan and gluten free treats have arrived at Mingei just in time for Valentine's, AND your purchase supports two Haitian causes: Partners in Health and the Vassar Haiti Project which supports artists in Port au Prince and educational, nutrition and sustainability projects in rural Haiti. These delicious goodies also include some ingredients imported fom Haiti, such as organic coffee. ALERT: It arrived late yeserday and is going fast--
we have already ordered twice the amount
of our first shipment!

Decatur's most unusual gift shop and gallery!

Mingei World Arts

427 Church Street
next to Javamonkey

just south of Ponce de Leon

one block off the square



Sunday, February 7, 2010

Decatur Bulldog Booster Club


From Scott & Bailey Pendergrast

The Booster club is having their spring fund raiser March 27th at the Church of the Epiphany. If anyone has any items that they would like to donate to our auction it would be very helpful.It can be anything from a special cake you bake to donating a week at your mountain house.Or if you would like to donate time,that would help also. The money goes to student athletes of Decatur High and Renfroe. Please contact Bailey Pendergrast
-sbpender@gmail.com

Sammiches N' Stuff - Menu & Hours

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Menu

Store Hours

RELICS & RARITIES New Website


Click on photo to visit new website

Hooray for Clay Coming Soon to Decatur




This new Pottery store will be located in the old Spencer's Tire Co.
Pottery & Art Gallery
Hooray For Clay has a ceramics gallery that we like to call the Art Adoption Room! Our instructors, resident artists, and local clay friends have an assortment of ceramic art on display and available for purchase. Shop for any of your gift giving needs at our gallery!
Coming Soon

Hooray for Clay
402 E. Howard Ave.
Decatur, GA
404-421-2338

Name the Movie Trivia Photo


movie trivia: Name this movie.

Atl Flick Chick said: DUEL

Garry said: Bullitt

Garry you are correct, the photo is from "BULLITT" Starring Steve McQueen.



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Saturday, February 6, 2010

Superbowl Sunday @ Twain's



Superbowl Sunday @ TWAIN'S

Come watch the Super Bowl at Twain's this Sunday
We're setting up an extra big screen projection TV on the stage, selling wings for half price, running beer and food specials, and expect lots of fans of all stripes. Also, we've got Mysterious Stranger Brown Ale and Bullfrog IPA!

Twain's
211 East Trinity Place
Decatur, GA 30030-3414
(404) 373-0063