The Decatur Minute

In October 2010 the City of Decatur’s Environmental Sustainability Board launched the Kilowatt Crackdown, a friendly neighborhood competition to encourage individual households to reduce their energy consumption.  Participants signed up with a tracking system called Earth Aid at www.earthaid.net/decatur.  The website automatically tracks energy usage through the household’s utility bills. Neighborhoods were asked to sign up a minimum of 10 participants to be eligible.  The Decatur neighborhood that reduced its electricity use during October and November of 2010 by the highest percentage over their 2009 usage would win a block party.

We are proud to announce that the Decatur Heights neighborhood has won the Kilowatt Crackdown.  With 13 participants, and 3,500 kilowatt hours saved, this group was able to reduce their usage by 20%!  This is certainly an amazing accomplishment, and one worth celebrating.

Of the users that signed up for the challenge and successfully linked their Georgia Power accounts to Earth Aid, Decatur saw a 1.46% reduction in electricity usage, representing an overall decrease of 1,800 kilowatt hours.  That is enough energy to run your air conditioner 24 hours a day for over 2 months.  During the competition, some users saved more than others.   Among users that decreased their usage, the reduction was almost 12,000 kilowatt hours, resulting in a $15 savings per month on each household’s bill.

“The most rewarding part of the challenge was the number of participants and the level of interest in the community,” said the Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Board Gary Garrett. Over 130 residents signed up for the program, representing 10 neighborhoods.

The program created some unexpectedly positive results.  “I’m proud that Decatur residents stepped up to the challenge and tightened their energy belts,” said Lena Stevens Resource Conservation Coordinator for the City of Decatur.  “Little changes in behavior really can make a difference, and the Kilowatt Crackdown proved that.”

Funding for this program is provided by the  Better Buildings Grant program.  If you are interested in learning more about upcoming programs and incentives related to home energy efficiency, email lena.stevens@decaturga.com.

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Although they have been filming the last week or so around Forest Hills Elementary School, “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” has offically begun shooting here in Decatur today. They will be on location all day today and then back at the end of next week to wrap up. The following is a press release with more infomation on the cast and crew…

Principal photography began today on Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” starring Jennifer Garner (upcoming “Arthur,” and  “Butter”), Joel Edgerton (upcoming “Warrior” and “The Thing”) and CJ Adams (“Dan in Real Life”).

Academy Award^®–nominated writer/director Peter Hedges (“Dan in Real Life,” “About a Boy,” “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”) is directing the film, and also penned the script, based on a story from producer Ahmet Zappa.  Zappa is producing along with Emmy^® and Tony Award^®–winning Scott Sanders (“The Color Purple,” “The Pee-wee Herman Show”), and Jim Whitaker (“American Gangster,” “Changeling”). Executive producers are John Cameron (“Lars and the Real Girl,” “Fargo”) and Mara Jacobs.

Rounding out the cast are Rosemarie DeWitt, Dianne Wiest, Ron Livingston, Odeya Rush, Lin-Manuel Miranda,  M. Emmet Walsh, Lois Smith, and Common.

 “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” is an inspiring, magical story about a couple, Cindy and Jim Green (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton), who can’t wait to start a family but can only dream about what their child would be like. When young Timothy (CJ Adams) shows up on their doorstep one stormy night, Cindy and Jim, and their small town of Stanleyville, discover a whole new view on what it is to love and be loved.

The production’s creative team also includes double Academy Award^®–winning cinematographer John Toll (upcoming “The Adjustment Bureau”), production designer Wynn Thomas (“Get Smart,” “A Beautiful Mind”), costume designer Susie DeSanto (“13 Going On 30,” “White Oleander”) and Academy Award^®–nominated editor Andrew Mondshein (“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Chocolat”).

The film is being shot in and around Atlanta, Georgia, notably in the surrounding counties of Walton, Morgan, Coweta and Cherokee. “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

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Date: February 8^th, 2011
Time:
6pm – 7pm (presentation)
7pm – 8pm (drop in at Planning, Zoning, and Inspections Office)

Location: Decatur City Hall, City Commission Meeting Room

Homeowner’s Night is a great opportunity for homeowners in Decatur to meet with Planning, Zoning, and Inspections staff to discuss projects you may be considering for your house.  You can find out what your zoning allows, what construction is required, what inspections will need to occur, and how the heck you pull a permit! 

As a part of the February Homeowner’s Night, the Planning Department is proud to present a special workshop on home energy efficiency from 6pm-7pm.   Guest presenters Mike Barcik and Frank Burdette of Southface will be providing homeowner’s with advice on how they can save money by reducing their utility bills.  As experts in the field, Mike and Frank will help attendees understand how most homes leak energy, and explain what projects can make your home more comfortable and easier to heat and cool—while saving you money.  Call it weatherization, energy efficiency, or greening your home… we’ll call it just plain smart.

After the presentation, homeowners are invited to drop into the office  untill 8pm with questions.  We look forward to seeing you at City Hall tomorrow night.

Contact Nathan Soldat for additional details at nathan.soldat@decaturga.com.

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Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd and New York Times best-selling author Mary Kay Andrews are among the local guest celebrities who will face a team of Glennwood Academy 5^th graders for “r  U smarter than a Glennwood 5^th grader?” sponsored by Decatur ED TV.

The fun begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at the Decatur High School Performing Arts Center. Advance admission is encouraged. Adult tickets are $10; $5 for students 14 years or older. Tickets at the door on the night of the event will be $15 per person.

All of the proceeds raised from this event will be donated to the 5^th Grade class at Glennwood Academy so they can produce an art project as a Legacy Gift for the new 4-5 Academy at Fifth Avenue. To buy tickets online, visit http://glennwoodshow.eventbrite.com. For more information, visit the show’s website at http://www.glgatorshow.org.

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