Monday, March 22, 2010

Toco Hill library’s green remodeling series March 23rd


The last seminar in the Toco Hill library’s green remodeling series

Creating a Healthy Home: Tuesday, March 23rd @ 6:30PM @ the Toco Hill Avis Williams library in Decatur. Learn how to improve the indoor air quality of your home and protect your family from indoor pollutants like gases, chemicals, radon, and carbon monoxide. Presented by Joe Thomas and Steve Herzlieb, Home Performance Consultants. More info can be found at http://renewalsystemsolutions.com/whatsnew.php.

Have a good one,

Kelly Cheek

Marketing Manager
Renewal D
esign-Build


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

124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur, GA 30030

Kelly@RenewalDesignBuild.com

http://www.RenewalDesignBuild.com

renewaldesignbuild_logosignature

Sunday, March 21, 2010

28TH Annual International Auto Show March 20-28, 2010


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution International Auto Show now at the Georgia World Congress Center for its 28th anniversary on March 20 - 28, 2010.

1957 Porsche 356 Speedster

Decatur Time Machine for MOJO PIZZA & WILSON 'S ICE CREAM

Next Stop...Decatur
Decatur Time Machine for Mojo Pizza N Pub & Wilson's Ice Cream
By D.G. Whitefield

Decatur, GA
-- Today this location is Mojo Pizza N Pub and they are very successful at this location.
Their slogan is :
"My neighborhood pizza joint can kick your neighborhood pizza joint's butt!"
They also deliver to Decatur customers.

Decatur, GA circa 1947

Decatur's Wilson Ice Cream Co. was very popular for Decatur back in the late 40's and 50's
W. L. Wilson owner of the ice cream company said this new innovation of two horse drawn carts was a great way to deliver their frozen treats to the doors of Decatur customers. The two cart will have designated routes, one will be solely for the north side of Decatur while the other will remain south of the railroad tracks.
He pointed out this was developed to appeal to the children and in it's first week of operation proved to be highly successful.


HAVE SOME WILSON'S ICE CREAM (1940's ad)
"FOR A TASTE THAT YOU'LL NEVER FORGET"
Everyone Goes For This Grand-Tasting Treat.

COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME
~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ROSWELL BOOMER SAID:

The one on Church street had the very best Vanilla IC Cones.

March 23, 2010 7:49 PM

Friday, March 19, 2010

TABLE TENNIS TO BE HELD AT THE DECATUR RECREATION CENTER

Sent in by :

Dan.Magee@decaturga.com


DeKalb County Senior Olympics (50 years of age and older)

http://www.yourdekalb.com/parks/pr-senior-olympics.html#events



Activities:

Table Tennis (Singles & Doubles), Line Dancing, Swimming, Tennis, Water Volleyball, Golf, Bowling, Track and Field, Wii Bowling (New), Horseshoes, Canasta, Talent Show, Checkers, Dominoes, Mah Jong, Fun Walk, Billiards, Pinochle



TABLE TENNIS TO BE HELD AT THE DECATUR RECREATION CENTER

6:30 pm, Tuesday, May 11th - Singles

6:30 pm, Thursday, May 13th - Doubles
Registration Information brochure

http://www.yourdekalb.com/parks/pdf/2010Registrationpack.pdf



Registration Form

http://www.yourdekalb.com/parks/pdf/2010Registrationform.pdf



For additional information, call 404-371-2990 or e-mail jdswain@co.dekalb.ga.us.



The DeKalb County Parks & Recreation Department invite all men and women 50 years of age and older to come and participate in this wonderful senior athletic event. There are over 30 event categories and team sports offered. Our mission is to promote healthy lifestyles for seniors through fun, fitness, and play.The Benefits We are proud to be able to help promote healthy lifestyles for adults, particularly seniors of 50 years and older. It’s no secret that baby boomers are entering their golden years and are becoming more conscious about health and the way we age. Staying fit and active is the best answer to aging. The games provide an excellent way for seniors to maintain or improve their physical and mental condition as well as their coordination, while enjoying some friendly competition. Plus, you meet new friends, engage the whole family in the fitness mode and you can become a volunteer too!

World Heart Games, May 14-15, 2010, Decatur, Georgia

From: Dan.Magee@decaturga.com



May 14-15, 2010 • Co-hosted by Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Georgia
Register at www.acsm.org/worldheartgames by April 2, 2010


Cardiac rehabilitation patients will get a wide variety of challenging, but safe activities to compete in for the 2010 World Heart Games. These provide a monitored and competitive way for the participants to be active in a way that they and their medical team are comfortable with. Some events that participants can expect to compete in are: table tennis, bocce, golf putting, bowling, prediction events, basketball, game of knowledge, volleyball, tennis, softball throw, soccer shoot a 9-hole golf tournament and much more. We encourage you to learn more about the game rules. As clinicians in cardiac rehabilitation, we have all witnessed the evolution of the sedentary, sometimes isolated life in our patients with cardiac disease or risk-related symptoms, to one of hope, activity and purpose. Cardiac rehabilitation programs prepare patients to reenter life!



Contact Jessica Hancock (jhancock@acsm.org) (317) 352-3893 with any questions or for information on how to support the ACSM World Heart Games.

Remembering Fess Parker - DAVY CROCKETT


Three Furlough Days for Decatur Teachers

DeKalb County News 8:07 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2010


Decatur teachers get three furlough days


By Megan Matteucci

Decatur teachers get three furlough days
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Decatur city schools officials voted to reduce the number of teacher workdays in the next school year.
n a 3-0 vote, the number of teacher workdays drops from 190 to 187, Marc Wisniewski, board vice chairman, told the AJC Thursday night.

The furlough days next school year are meant to help balance the budget.

The furloughs mean about a 2 percent reduction for most staff, Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said.

“I believe we’re taking the least destructive measures we can take,” Edwards told about 50 parents and teachers on Wednesday.
ajc story

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Waffle House Museum Open Saturday to Public


Decatur, GA
------------

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

If you've always wanted to how the Waffle House got its start, order up.
More DeKalb County news »



The original DeKalb County location was refurbished in 2007. Inside, the restaurant and museum house more than 54 years worth of all things scattered, smothered and covered.

On Saturday, it's open to the public for three hours. Here's your chance to see the history behind the 24-hour spot for hashbrowns, cheese ‘n eggs, bacon and waffles.

Hungry yet?

ajc story

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

1946 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Decatur

----

--1946 DeKalb Theatre Ad for "Week-End At The Waldorf"--




Decatur, GA ----- Monday March 18, 1946
Mr. Maury F. Mable leads his 51st St. Patrick's Day Parade.
St. Patrick's Day fell on Sunday in 1946 and the parade was held
on Monday the 18th.
Research by D.G.Whitefield

IT'S THE IRISH IN 'IM
Mable Plans 51st Parade in Honor of Patron Saint

By William O. Key

The Irishest man in the world undoubledly is Mr. Maury F. Mable, of Decatur, GA
Mayflower upper-deckers and Plymouth Rock boasters may sing of their blue blood.
Folks who loudly trace their dubioud antecedents back to some whistle-stop
in Eastern Latvin that sounds like throat trouble, may howl about their red-blooded Americanism.

But when Mr. Mable nicks himself with his razor, the stuff he stanches must of course, be as green as your Aunt Minnie's imitation emeralds. For Mr. Mable is,at heart, as Irish as Paddys pig than which there are few things Irisher.

For the fifty-first year, Mr Mable Monday forenoon will stage his traditional St. Patrick's Day one man parade
out Decatur way. This year there will be quite a few trailing Mr. Mable, but since for all but three or four parades Mr. Mable has walked alone, it still is regarded as a One-Man Show - the screwiest on earth perhaps, but a serious business with Mr. Mable


This parade photo is from the Dekalb Historical Society.
Which is from the Maury Mable Family collection.
Maury Mable is leading the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Decatur.
The year is 1946, looking at the Dekalb Theatre marquee you can see the movie playing is "Week end at the Waldorf "(1945).
You can see F.W. Woolworth's next door and the Western Auto Store on the other side. the view is on East Ponce de Leon looking from Church St. toward Clairmont, east to west on Ponce de leon
---


--
"Week-end at the Waldorf"
-- NOW PLAYING AT THE DEKALB THEATRE --

Consumer Alert: Don't Be Fooled by Fake Checks Sent to your Home.

Phony check fraud is surging. Here's how to spot this scam.


New Scam That Rips Off Consumers

Get the facts on fake check fraud at FakeChecks.org

What do Alcoa, Welch's and Bank of America have in common? They all have had their corporate identities stolen and placed on fake checks in a new scam that rips off consumers.

The average victim of this type of con -- in which people trade their own cash for a counterfeit check -- loses from $3,000 to $4,000, according to the National Consumers League (NCL). And consumers aren't the only ones who suffer. The reputations of legitimate corporations whose names are being hijacked are also tarnished. Our own company, Reader's Digest, has fallen victim to these thieves, as have other well-known firms.

"We are highly concerned about reports of scam artists using our name and good reputation to try and deceive consumers through these fake check scams," says Chris Irving, a senior executive with Publishers Clearing House. "If you have received what appears to be a legitimate check with a request to send a portion of that check back, stop immediately."

Warning: The checks look like the real thing. Don't be Fooled

Learn more here

The Seen Gallery



The Seen Gallery
415 Church Street
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 377-0733

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Decatur Easter Egg Hunt on the Square



Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 27 • 11 a.m.

Bring your basket and join the Easter Bunny in the hunt for candy eggs on the square in downtown Decatur. Easter Bunny arrives at 10:30 a.m. Age categories: 0-2; Preschool, Kindergarten, grades 1-5. Sponsored by Decatur Business Association. Free.

What questions do you have to answer on a census?

The only question required to be answered by the constitution is...how many people live in your home.
http://wiki.answers.com

Mitt Romney to speak at Emory

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, will give a speech at Emory University March 30. The lecture is sponsored by the Emory Law Federalist Society and Emory College Republicans.

Gov. Sonny Perdue is scheduled to introduce Romney, a 2008 presidential candidate.

The speech is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Emory's Glenn Memorial Auditorium. A question-and-answer session is scheduled from 8 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a book signing.

While the event is free, organizers are encouraging people to register at www.law.emory.edu/mittromneyevent.

ajc story

Easter Brunch at Wahoo! Sunday, April 4th

Wahoo! Grill


Featuring Delicious Favorites Like...
Shrimp & Grits
Fried Egg Polenta
Eggs Carbonara
Smoked Salmon with Capers
10 am to 3 pm
Accepting Reservations For Any Size Group
Make Your Reservation Today - (404) 373-3331
$16 Buffet or $19 w/ Coffee and Juice / $8 Children (under 12)
Complimentary Valet Parking

1042 West College Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
404-373-3331

Monday, March 15, 2010

Toco Hill ­ Avis G. Williams Library Offering Free Seminar Series in March

Toco Hill ­ Avis G. Williams Library Offering Free Seminar Series in March

This March, the Toco Hill ­ Avis G. Williams Library in Decatur will host a free seminar series focused on green remodeling. Topics discussed will be: The Homeowner¹s Guide to Green Remodeling, Show Me the Money:Why Green makes Sense for Your Wallet, and Creating a Healthy Home. The library is even featuring local green experts as speakers. Joe Thomas and Steve Herzlieb, Home Performance Consultants for Renewal System Solutions, will be speaking from their extensive experiences with green renovations. Sister company Renewal Design-Bu
ild is an EarthCraft Renovator of the Year and has been featured on the Discovery Network and HGTV. The seminar series was originally given at the Decatur Library.

The date and desc
ription of each seminar are as follows:


· Tuesday, March 16, 6:30PM: Show Me the Money: Why Green Makes Sense for Your Wallet
This seminar will discuss how certain green improvements to your home will increase energy efficiency and save you money. In addition, you will learn how the most recent green tax credits and rebates will put even more money in your pocket.


· Tuesday, March 23, 6:30PM: Creating a Healthy Home
Recent EPA studies have shown that the air in your home may be even more harmful than the air outside. In this seminar, you¹ll learn how to improve the indoor air quality of your home and protect your family from indoor air pollutants like gases, chemicals, pests, radon, and carbon monoxide.


Renewal System Solutions, 124 S. Columbia Dr. in Decatur, is part of the Home Performance w/ENERGY STAR program. They uncover and fix home energy loss problems and safety hazards.

For more information, call 404.378.6962 or visit the DeKalb County Public Library website at http://www.dekalblibrary.org/branches/toco-hill.html. The library is located at 1282 McConnell Drive, Decatur 30033.

Kelly Cheek

Marketing Manager
Renew
al Design-Build


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

124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur, GA 30030

Kelly@RenewalDesignBuild.com

http://www.RenewalDesignBuild.com

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Macy's ends Gift-wrapping Service


I always considered MACY'S as a high-end retail department store, but I must be wrong.

If they are trying to save money that's not the way to do it, but that's me, I guess the gift boxes will be next to go.

I sure do miss RICH'S.

below is a AJC story about the gift-wrapping service ending.

~~~~~~


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

By Tammy Joyner

It’s a wrap.

At least that’s Macy’s take on its decades-old gift-wrapping service, which is now headed the way of the coat check. The Cincinnati-based retail giant will end gift-wrapping services at all but five of its 810 U.S. stores, including all 19 in metro Atlanta, by the end of April.

Macy’s at Lenox Mall wrapped its last gift last week. The retail giant has been quietly discontinuing the service for about three years because of dwindling demand, said spokesman Jim Sluzewski.

ajc story

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Wild Oats & Billy Goats Opens Today

---


Wild Oats & Billy Goats - Decatur, GA



---- Wild Oats & Billy Goats ---- Decatur, GA

---- Wild Oats & Billy Goats ---- Decatur, GA


----Wild Oats & Billy Goats---- Decatur, GA

Photo credit / nextstopdecatur.com

Check out Weatherly & Hugh Copenhaver new gallery "Wild Oats & Billy Goats" that just opened today.

It's got a lot of neat folk art and other cool finds.
They will have a GRAND OPENING on April 10th
but you can check it out now.
About the official GRAND OPENING on April 10th, you can come by and meet many of the artists, see your friends and enjoy some food, drinks, and live music.

Wild Oats & Billy Goats website



Wild Oats & Billy Goats
112 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone 404-378-4088

Friday, March 12, 2010

Thursday, March 11, 2010

"Touch-a-Truck" Saturday March 20, 2010


Decatur, GA / photo credit: nextstopdecatur.com

From Dan.Magee@decaturga.com


Come join Decatur Active Living on Saturday, March 20th for the annual "Touch-a-Truck" event. This free community event gives children of all ages a chance to touch, explore and see their favorite truck or equipment on wheels. The City of Decatur fire truck, dump trucks, tractors, police cars, motorcycles, bicycles and many other vehicles will be on display.

Location: Calloway Building Parking Lot, 120 West Trinity Place
When: Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

"HAMLET" To Open City's New Performing Arts Center


From elifemagazine.net
Decatur High School drama students will christen the city's new performing art center with their new production of William Shakespeare's Hamlet
March 18 - 20th 2010
For tickets call 404-370-4420


Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Mac McGee Irish Pub Review


Decatur, GA / photo credit nextstopdecatur.com

Mac McGee Irish Pub Review

For the AJC


Nowadays, there must be more Irish pubs in America than in Ireland. And surely on St. Patrick’s Day the madding crowds will be packing them cheek by jowl.

All that makes it even more sublime to think of nestling into the snug environs of Mac McGee for a quiet pint on an afternoon when nobody’s around.

The new Irish pub on Decatur Square looks as though it’s been there forever. Add an imaginative menu, plus an impressive selection of beer and spirits, and it becomes an even more pleasant surprise.

Vintage character

Occupying the former Saba space, the ultra-bright red color that frames the door and windows announces the entrance. The interior makes the most of brick walls and warm wood, with a busy array of knickknacks, signs and artwork. Among the intimate seating nooks, there’s a table pressed against a brick hearth. A vintage arched stained-glass window casts a glow over the burnished bar, giving the place an aura that seems more West Coast of Ireland than Downtown Decatur.

Full story @

http://www.accessatlanta.com

Comment:
jolomo said:

Their stew is my new favorite comfort food. Yum and last time I was there they had Two Hearted on draft. Double yum

March 10, 2010 2:17 PM

Hoopla Says Farewell to Decatur


From Hoopla site:
It was much thought we have decided to close our sweet Hoopla. We have so dearly enjoyed serving all of our customers the big and especially the small! The store is currently at 30% off. Please come in before it is all gone! We will have one last party on Saturday, March 20th from 11am-2pm. There will be facepainting, balloons, arts and crafts, and of course in the typical Hoopla fashion snacks for all! Thanks for the memories!

Thanks Hoopla for all you did for Decatur,
I will miss those great window displays
You always had the "BEST".

Wild Oats & Billy Goats to Open March 13

Wild Oats & Billy Goats to Open March 13

Wild Oats & Billy Goats is a new folk art gallery in downtown Decatur opening Saturday, March 13. The gallery will feature original paintings, pottery, face pots, primitives, wire, metal and wood sculpture, jewelry and hand-crafted items from artists across the United States. Owners Hugh and Weatherly Copenhaver live in Decatur with their three boys.
Wild Oats & Billy Goats will be in the former By Hand South space at 112 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. For information, email info@wildoatsandbillygoats.com, call 404-378-4088, or visit www.wildoatsandbillygoats.com.

http://www.decaturga.com

Monday, March 8, 2010

Decatur Neighborhoods to Exchange Crime Prevention Ideas


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

People from Decatur’s neighborhood and condo associations and block groups – as well as those interested in starting such groups – are expected at a community meeting later this month.
People from Decatur’s neighborhood and condo associations and block groups – as well as those interested in starting such groups – are expected at a community meeting later this month.

The Decatur Neighborhood Alliance meeting will give people the change to exchange ideas and information with other neighborhood leaders and learn about crime prevention, volunteer opportunities and special events in the city. Members of the city’s Environmental Sustainability Commission will also be at the meeting.

ajc

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. March 24 at the Decatur Fire Station #2, on Hill Street in Oakhurst.

To reserve a spot or for more information, call 678-553-6548 or e-mail leeann.harvey@decaturga.com.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

STEINBECK'S ALE HOUSE


A Saturday afternoon at Steinbeck's Ale House.

Steinbeck's Restaurant Hours:
Dinner served 7 Days a Week (5PM - 11PM)
Lunch served 7 Days a Week (11:30AM - 2PM)
Brunch served on Sunday (11:30AM - 2:30PM)
Bar open late. Call for details.

659 East Lake Drive, Suite B
Decatur, GA 30030
404.373.1116


Comments:

Blogger Pam said...

Best brunch in Atlanta...hands down.

March 8, 2010 11:34 AM

Delete

Saturday, March 6, 2010

COLUMBIA MALL circa 1970




----

---



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.