March « 2010 « The Decatur Minute

Archive for March, 2010

Design a Library Card

Posted in Uncategorized on March 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

Pull out your paints, pens, or computers and help DeKalb County Library design a limited edition library card. The Design-a-Library-Card art contest begins Tuesday, April 13 in three age groups – children (5-12), teens (13-17) and adults (18 and older).

Details will be available at library branches (including the Decatur Library) and at www.dekalblibrary.org after the launch of the contest on April 13. Get an early start so you will be ready to send in your winning design before the final deadline on June 1, 2010.

While you’re taking a break from designing, pull together your old/used books to donate to the Friends of the Decatur Library for their special sale during the Decatur Arts Festival in May. Donations are accepted at the Decatur Branch – just drop them off at the front desk with a note that says for the “Friends of the Decatur Library.” They use the proceeds to fund a variety of special programs including the popular music series.

And you thought the library was only for reading!

Read Full Post »

Gas Leak on Coventry

Posted in Community, emergency management on March 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

3:00 p.m. — It is now safe to return to the area.

The City Schools of Decatur will be holding children who reside in the area an extra 15 minutes this afternoon. When they are released, Police Officers and Firefighters will be in the area to make sure that the children get in their homes safely and open the windows.

City staff will begin shuttling people back from the Decatur Recreation Center to their homes within the next halfhour.

Representatives from the Atlanta Gas Light Company will be out this afternoon and evening to check and reset pilot lights in affected homes.

There were no injuries or property damage.

2:00 p.m. — The gas line has been shut off but it will still be several hours before residents will be able to return to the area.

12:50 p.m. — The following streets are being evacuated: 300 to 600 blocks Coventry Road; Merrill Avenue; Chelsea Drive; Pope Circle; Ridley Circle; Kathryn Avenue and Mockingbird Lane to but not including Westchester Drive.

At this time, all residents residing in those specific areas need to open various windows throughout their residences then immediately evacuate from the area. The City of Decatur has established the Decatur Recreation Center as the staging and evacuation point for all residents. The Recreation Center is located at 231 Sycamore Street within the City of Decatur.

If you need transportation assistance to the Recreation Center, Police and Fire units are standing by at Coventry Road @ Scott Blvd. and will assist you in relocating to the recreation center.

12:20 p.m. — Earlier today, DeKalb County crews hit a gas line which has resulted in a major gas leak centered along Coventry Road. The City is evacuating houses in the immediate area and providing the Decatur Recreation Center as an option for people.

We will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

Read Full Post »

Concerts on the Square and Blue Sky Concerts Announce Bands

Posted in Events, tagged 30030, City of Decatur, Concerts on the Square, Decatur Business Association, Events on March 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

The Bitteroots Play on May 15

May in Decatur brings the return of the Decatur Business Association’s Concerts on the Square and Blue Sky Concerts. Concerts on the Square, sponsored by Wachovia/Wells Fargo, are presented every Saturday night in May beginning at 7 pm and feature an eclectic mix of music. This year, the first Concert will be held May 1 in conjunction with Decatur Green Fest. The Holland Dutch will be the featured band and play from 7 until 9:30 pm. Bonaventure Quartet will play on May 8; The Bitteroots will play May 15; Tom Hill and the Midnight Suns will play on May 22 and Laura Monk and High Cotton will play May 29, in conjunction with the Decatur Arts Festival. Bring your picnic dinner or visit one of our many restaurants for either take out, or dining in, before the concert.

Blue Sky Concerts are held every Wednesday in May from noon until 1 pm at the Bandstand on the Square and sponsored by SunTrust. The Jane & Scott Show starts off the Spring series on May 5, Decaturite John Zedd plays on May 12, Mike Killeen plays May 19 and the series culminates with children’s favorite Douglas Brake and the Sizzle Hiss Pop Band. Bring your lunch or pick up a sandwich from one of our many restaurants.

For more information, visit www.decaturdba.com. See you on the Square!

Read Full Post »

The Mad Dash!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged 30030, City of Decatur, DBA, Easter Egg Hunt on March 29, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

Folks Lined Up and Ready to "Hunt"

Saturday’s Mad Dash, uh… I mean the Easter Egg Hunt on the Square, brought in record crowds. Everyone seemed to have a great time collecting easter candy and having photos taken with the Easter Bunny. Attendees also enjoyed climbing on the mini-fire engine and turning on the siren. Thanks to the Decatur Business Association and co-chiars Ron & Kathleen Everett for making this event a success. If you happened to miss it, check out this short film:

DBA President Scott Drake Hands Out Bunny Ears

DeKalb Ambassadors Putting Out Candy

The Firefighters Brought the Bunny

Dad Putting Bunny Ears on Son

Beth Ann Clanin and New Baby's First Easter

Read Full Post »

Atlanta Urban Area Partnership for Google Video

Posted in Community on March 26, 2010 | 1 Comment »

Check out the video we made with Andrea Berry for our Google Fiber for Communities Application:

Atlanta Urban Area Partnership for Google from City of Decatur on Vimeo.

A big thank you to all of our residents who have nominated Decatur and the Atlanta Urban Area Partnership for Google as a trial location for Google’s high speed network. If you haven’t completed a nomination yet, you have until 8 p.m. tonight to do so!

Read Full Post »

Decatur Wins!!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged 30030, City of Decatur, Decatur, ING GA Marathon, Special Events on March 26, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

I just received a call from the ING Georgia Marathon folks who were happy to inform us that Decatur WON the Neighborhood Challenge!! Yea!! Thanks to the citizens, the Seed & Feed Band, the city employees and everyone else that helped us make this event a success. I am still amazed that so many people stood in the “cold mist” and cheered the runners on for hours. We were still there when the last runners trotted by.

Our prize is $3000 which will be put towards a fitness initiative. The city will use the money to “jump start” a new walking program, Walk There Decatur!

Thanks again to everyone who helped Decatur win and show the runners what a great city we live in!

Read Full Post »

Join Us for the Earth Day Festival Parade

Posted in Uncategorized on March 26, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

Some participants carried elaborate puppets in the 2009 Earth Day Parade.

Join us for the 2010 Earth Day Festival on April 18^th. The event kicks of with a parade at 12:30pm. Decorate your wagon or bike, skate, or walk in this event. The theme is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” so we hope to see you use recyclable materials in your decorations in fun and creative ways. No gas-powered vehicles are allowed in this event.

Parade line-up begins at Harmony Park in Oakhurst at noon, and the parade begins at 12:30 p.m. The parade will end at Oakhurst Community Garden.

: Earth Day Parade 2009.

Anyone can participate in this event, but groups are encouraged to notify the parade manager by April 15^th of their intent to participate. Groups are also highly encouraged to carry a sign to identify themselves.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the parade manager.

Parade Manager:
Lena Stevens
Resource Conservation Coordinator
City of Decatur, GA
(404)370-4102
lena.stevens@decaturga.com

Read Full Post »

Weekend Events

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged 30030, City of Decatur, Decatur, Decatur Business Association, Special Events on March 25, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

There is so much going on in Decatur this weekend that you will have to try hard to get bored!

The Annual DBA Easter Egg Hunt

The annual Decatur Business Association Easter Egg Hunt is on Saturday on the Old Courthouse Square. The bunny arrives at 10:30 am and the hunt begins at 11 am sharp, so bring your basket and join in. The hunt will be over in about 2 minutes- we have never seen children move so fast as when motivated by candy eggs!

The City of Decatur Fire Department is offering the first of three Child Car Seat Events this Saturday at the Callaway Lot from 10 am until 1 pm. Stop by before or after the Easter Egg Hunt and the technicians will make sure that your child seat is safely installed.

Saturday is also Electronics Recycling Day in Decatur. Bring your electronics to the upper parking lot of Decatur High School from 9 am until 1 pm. For more information click here.

For those of you who like to work in the garden, join Barrett Tibbetts at Renfroe Middle School beginning on Saturday at 10 am to help install the new garden behind the school. Let Barrett know you are coming: barrett.tibbetts@decaturga.com.

Remember to turn off your lights and non-essential electronics on Saturday from 8:30 until 9:30 pm to paticipate in Earth Hour.

Decatur Active Living’s Summer Camp Registration begins on Saturday from 9 am until noon at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street. For information on how to register online, click here.

On Sunday, you have another chance to meet the Easter Bunny. Greene’s Fine Foods on Trinity Place invites the communtiy to visit with the Easter Bunny from 2 until 5 pm. Bring your camera.

Hope to see you in Decatur this weekend!

Read Full Post »

Earth Hour Saturday 8:30 pm

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged 30030, City of Decatur, Decatur, Earth Hour on March 25, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

The City of Decatur is participating in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30 until 9:30 pm. Cities and states across the country are joining together to raise awareness and demonstrate our nation’s commitment to fighting climate change by joining Earth Hour. The City of Decatur will turn off the lights in City Hall as well as on the MARTA Plaza to show support for this global initiative.

Go to www.myearthhour.org to sign up to participate in Earth Hour as well as ideas for fun family activities to do at home.

Read Full Post »

Georgia Rides to the Capitol

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged 30030, City of Decatur, Decatur, Georgia Rides to the Capitol on March 24, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

Here are some photos from yesterday’s GA Rides to the Capitol Event. We had a large contingent leaving from Decatur and the sun came out in time for the ride!