Archive for July, 2015
Sidewalk Safety- Clean the Street for Little Feet
Posted in Transportation on July 22, 2015 | Leave a Comment »
City Commission Green Lights Better Together Community Conversation
Posted in Community on July 21, 2015 | Leave a Comment »
Last night the Decatur City Commission voted unanimously to move forward with the Better Together process. The full details are available on DecaturNext.com (along with some photos of last night’s meeting).
The full work session about Better Together and the July 20 City Commission meeting can be viewed online here.
Better Together: Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THIS?
Better Together is a citizen-led, government supported effort to build deeper connection, understanding, and mutual respect among the Decatur community.
The process will facilitate a substantive community conversation that explores our strengths, weaknesses, perspectives and misunderstandings. Taking shape as a variety of citizen-participation opportunities later this year, it will culminate in the creation of a tangible Community Action Plan focused on cultivating a more just, welcoming, inclusive, equitable and compassionate experience for all who visit, live or work in the City of Decatur.
All the details are still coming together but the entire process will be promoted and documented here on Decatur Next, so stay tuned.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
Decatur’s no longer the sleepy, deeply-rooted little town it once was, where everyone invariably knows everyone else. With a broader mix of new and existing residents, it’s now on us to build the next generation connections and mutual trust that will power us through the coming decades.
Principle B from 2010’s Strategic Plan reads, “Encourage a diverse and engaged community.” Associated with this principle are multiple goals to maintain and encourage all manner of diversity, strengthen our connections, foster greater interaction, and promote a stronger sense of community.
That’s where we want to be but are we? Some recent events, particularly ones rooted in race, have called our community commitment into question and spotlighted the fact that not everyone feels equally welcome here. It’s clearly time, perhaps even past time, to get started.
WHO’S BEHIND IT?
The short answer is “all of us” in the sense that Better Together is ingrained in the task list of 2010’s Strategic Plan. But more specifically, it’s a collection of volunteer Decatur residents representing a diverse cross-section of the community who, together with our police chief and a handful of city employees, are serving as the Leadership Circle organizing committee. The city is also on board for logistical and resource support and a non-profit partner, Welcoming America, helped us procure a $25,000 grant to help fund the effort.
One paid consultant is serving as the group’s facilitator and helping to make their conversations productive. And you can meet the volunteer committee here.
WHEN IS IT HAPPENING?
The Leadership Circle’s been working together since late 2014 — getting to know and trust one another and working to define goals and a process for engaging the broader community. Those basic recommendations are expected to be presented to the City Commission sometime between May and mid-summer. Assuming the Commission is receptive to and approves the plan, the Circle will then work through logistics towards a formal, community-wide kick-off. That’s anticipated to occur sometime in August or September, once school has resumed.
A more detailed schedule will be posted as it comes together.
IS THIS A WISE USE OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES?
Building connections, relationships and trust among neighbors isn’t something that works top-down through government intervention or mandate. It has to happen roots-up, by and among the people who live here. That’s why the city’s on board with Better Together primarily in a support role, where our resources can help empower what the citizen-led Leadership Circle is working to do: engage the broader community in a meaningful, neighbor-to-neighbor dialog and actualize the results in the form of a plan.
It’s a role that makes sense because the Strategic Plan, which reflects the collective desires of a broad spectrum of Decatur residents, calls for the city to take action on diversity and its related issues. That means this isn’t just happening on a whim. It’s on the city commission’s ten-year to-do list, which emerged from an extensive public participation process. In short, we as a community value our differences and welcome municipal effort to ensure an ongoing culture of connection, mutual respect and fairness across the board.
We all want a Decatur that’s welcoming — not just to some but to all those who choose to visit, grow a business, or make a home here. Better Together is an effort to further pursue that goal in a way that’s a realistic and responsible use of government resources.
FIGMENT deadline extended
Posted in Events on July 20, 2015 | Leave a Comment »
FIGMENT Decatur has extended its deadline call for artists to July 24. Submit your ideas online here.
The Sheep are Back in Decatur Cemetery!
Posted in Community on July 13, 2015 | Leave a Comment »
The sheep and shepherds are busy at work in the Decatur Cemetery this week. The shepherd dogs have extra work with the addition of pups over the weekend. Mom is watching over both flocks now. Look for the flock behind the Old Cemetery.
Oral History Lunch & Learn July 21
Posted in Events on July 11, 2015 | Leave a Comment »
The DeKalb History Center is having another lunch and learn event on July 21. Here are the details from the press release:
Lunch & Learn: The Where, When and How of Doing Our Own Oral Histories
DeKalb History Center
Contact Melissa Forgey
404-373-1088 ext 22
How did Nana’s story go about Mom getting stuck in the trash can in Mrs. Turner’s second grade class? How long was Eunice stuck on I-285 in the Blizzard of 2014? What do you mean Dad’s high school band marched around the Old Courthouse Square? With today’s digital devices it’s easy to conduct our own oral histories in formats easy to preserve and share as told or first remembered. The July Lunch and Learn will focus on the basics needed to do oral histories of the people, places, things, life experiences, and events important in our daily lives sharing with present and future generations. And, these could be donated to the oral histories collection at the DeKalb History Center helping with its mission to collect, preserve and share the history of DeKalb County, Georgia.
Fred Mobley received his Master in Heritage Preservation-Public History Track from Georgia State University in August 2010. His interest in oral histories and their value in preserving history began as an intern at the Kenan Research Center’s Cherokee Garden Library of the Atlanta History Center. Starting his second career as Archivist at the DeKalb History Center this past April, he’s keen to publicize the history center’s archival assets including its Oral Histories Collection. Having been raised in DeKalb County he knows this collection contains hidden gems of some of the fascinating participants and events in the history of DeKalb County. It’s an easy format for anyone to conduct their own oral histories once the key basics are known and an excellent source of local history preservation.
Tuesday, July 21, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur GA 30030, Second Floor
Free! Bring your lunch.
Oakhurst Village Welcomes Your Business
Posted in Retail & Restaurants on July 10, 2015 | 1 Comment »
During construction of the Oakhurst Streetscape Improvements, don’t forget to visit the many fine restaurants, stores and services in Oakhurst Village. These will remain open during regular business hours.
Bee’s Knees
Decatur Eye Care
Family Dollar
Halo Salon
Intown Acupuncture
Intown Auto Care
Kavarna
Keller Knapp Real Estate
Matador Cantina
Mezcalito’s Cantina
Mojo Pizza
New Acropolis
Oakhurst Cleaners
Oakhurst Market
Oakhurst Pediatrics
One Step At A Time
Origins Real Estate
Saba
Steinbeck’s
Hop ‘N Shop
Sugar Moon Bake Shop
Taj Ma-Hound
Tessitura
The Solarium
Universal Joint
Upcoming Shopping Events in Decatur
Posted in Retail & Restaurants, tagged local shopping, summer sales on July 8, 2015 | 1 Comment »
Stop by Squash Blossom, Boutique Karma, Boogaloos, Furry Tails Pet Shop,Vivid Boutique, and Decatur Square Gallery & Framing this weekend for some fun and awesome deals.
Boogaloos: Semi-Annual Summer Sale Wednesday, July 8-Tuesday, July 14. All spring and summer clothing and accessories are on sale. Buy 1 item get 50% off, buy 2 or more items and get 60% off.
Furry Tails Pet Shop: On July 11, 2-5 p.m. the shop will be hosting award winning silhouette artist Edward Casey. Call 404-205-5049 to schedule an appointment. You will also be able to meet professional dog trainer, James Lyon, who will answer your questions and give advice. Food, refreshments for you, free treats and samples for your pet and other special deals.
Vivid Boutique: Now until the end of summer, spend $50 at Vivid and get a $10 gift card. Stop in the store and ask Floyd or Michael for details.
Squash Blossom Boutique: Celebrate Christmas in July this weekend. Take advantage of pop up discounts, refreshments, special gifts with purchases over $100 and general all around Christmas cheer, Friday-Sunday.
Decatur Square Gallery & Framing: Formerly Rose Squared Gallery, the shop is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a new name and 20 percent off on all framing for the entire month of July.
Boutique Karma: Tent sale this weekend. Get 25-60% of all items.
These events are the perfect way to:
City of Decatur is Special Needs Certified
Posted in Community on July 7, 2015 | Leave a Comment »
Congratulations to the City of Decatur, one of the first cities in the nation to become special needs certified. Every single employee who works for the City of Decatur is given a small lesson on interacting and improving service for persons with special needs. Decatur is constantly striving to improve upon itself and continue to be one of the most progressive and attentive cities in the U.S. We want to better the way we meet the needs of all persons living in our city. For more information visit www.specialneedscertified.com or contact Captain Violante at ninetta.violante@decaturga.com or 404-947-0522.
Fire Dept Presents Class: Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error
Posted in Community on July 7, 2015 | Leave a Comment »
The City of Decatur Fire Department will be hosting a PRIDE class, Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Education. The class will be from 10am until noon on August 1st.It is free and will be held in the commissioners room at City Hall, 509 N.McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030. This class is for teenagers and the adults that supervise them. The teenager cannot attend alone. If you have any questions, please contact Captain Violante at 404-947-0522 or ninetta.violante@decaturga.com. There is more information about the PRIDE class at ridesafegeorgia.org.
Decatur Trees 101 is July 25
Posted in Events on July 7, 2015 | 2 Comments »
India Woodson shares the following information about an upcoming Decatur Trees 101 class:
Trees give us shade, clean our air and water, provide habitat for wildlife, and beautify our landscapes. The City of Decatur recognizes that all of us can contribute greatly to the health and structural integrity of these living treasures if we are empowered to recognize common problems and take proactive steps. Our goal is to help you help your trees and to provide that empowerment through education.
When: 10:00 am- 12 Noon Saturday July 25, 2015
Where: Woodlands Gardens, 920 Scott Blvd, Decatur, GA 30030
How much: FREE (for 20 City of Decatur homeowners only)
How to sign up: Email India Woodson at India.Woodson@decaturga.com with your name, address and contact information (must have email response with seat number from me for verification)
City of Decatur Tree Ordinance Overview: This session will explain the new ordinance, what it means to the average homeowner and show you how to measure the canopy of your trees.
Tree Identification: The first step in taking proper care of your trees is to know what you have. Decatur Trees 101 will guide you through the steps on how to develop an inventory of what is on your property. You will also learn the basic characteristics of trees that will help you identify the species of trees that you have.
Tree Planting and Maintenance: This information session will teach you how to choose the right species for your landscape and feel confident that you are planting it in a way that ensures success. If you have planted trees that are struggling with the transition to their new home, learn what it takes to direct your trees toward long productive lives.
Structural Pruning: Also known as ‘formative’ pruning, this method of care can provide surprising benefits. Decatur Trees 101 can take the mystery out of this technique and show you how easy it is to work pruning into your tree maintenance plan
Tree Walks (TBD): Get to know your local trees while getting to know your community. We will introduce the trees to you by name and explain the distinguishing features that make each species unique. These events are always interactive and participants are challenged to practice their newly acquired skills!
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