The Decatur Minute

Agnes Scott College will hold its 128th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13, 2017. Due to the Commencement activities, the campus will be closed that Saturday to pedestrian and bicycle traffic from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, E. Dougherty Street will be closed to vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic during that same time frame. Please anticipate traffic congestion around the college’s surrounding streets before and after Commencement between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Parking

Staff will begin parking vehicles in the Agnes Scott College parking lots. Once those fill up, parking will move to Decatur High School, then Renfroe Middle School and then the DeKalb County parking deck.  There will be a shuttle from the parking deck to Agnes Scott’s campus.

For questions, contact Agnes Scott College’s Public Safety department at 404.471.6355.

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Trinity Mercantile & Design brings Indigo Dyeing Workshop to Decatur

Indigo: What’s old is new again. Indigo is among the oldest dyes to be used for textile dyeing and printing – dating back 6,000 years to the ancient civilizations of South America, Africa and the Middle East. This timeless dye is responsible for the original denim and it’s also a hot trend in the converging worlds of fashion and design.

You’re invited to experience this ages-old village tradition for yourself at Trinity’s Art of Indigo Workshop on May 20^th. Guest artist Mollie Coffin of Jaipur Living, along with the team from Trinity, will teach hands-on techniques for creating beautiful designs on fabric. Each participant will create a one-of-a-kind piece to take home. Choose from a scarf, pillow, hobo bag or table runner, made from recycled natural fibers.

 The workshop will be held Saturday, May 20^th at Trinity Mercantile & Design in downtown Decatur. Come anytime between 12pm – 4pm and plan to spend about an hour creating your piece. Cost is $30 per person and includes instruction, materials and refreshments. All proceeds will benefit the Jaipur Rugs Foundation and re:loom.

Space is limited! To reserve your spot, RSVP to kate@131trinity.com.

Jaipur Rugs Foundation is a non-profit that supports artisanal communities in India that seek to preserve this timeless craft and sustain economic independence. re:loom is a local Decatur organization that employs and empowers homeless and low-income individuals to create beautifully-designed products.

Trinity Mercantile & Design

116 East Trinity Place, Decatur GA 30030

trinity-decatur.com | 404-378-0197

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Pure Barre Decatur celebrates its second anniversary this weekend and will be hosting an open house on Saturday, May 13. There will be free classes at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. with a suggested $10 donation to the Decatur Youth Fund. There will be sips, snack and sales after the classes.

Pure Barre Decatur
415 Church St.
470-428-2290
PureBarre.com/ga-decatur/

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To obtain updates on this and other construction projects in downtown Decatur, sign up for Extreme Makeover: Downtown Decatur Edition at decaturmakeover.com.

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A message from DeKalb County and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division:

DeKalb County is one of 52 counties under Level 2 drought restrictions being mandated by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and enforced by the county.

Under Level 2 drought, outdoor irrigation for purposes of planting, growing, managing or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants are limited to two days a week on an odd-even schedule:

• Even numbered addresses and sites without numbered addresses may irrigate on Wednesdays and Saturdays before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
• Odd numbered addresses may irrigate on Thursdays and Sundays before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
• No outdoor watering is allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The following outdoor water uses  are prohibited:

• Washing hard surfaces such as streets, gutters, sidewalks and driveways, except when necessary for public health and safety.
• Using water for ornamental purposes, such as fountains, reflecting pools and waterfalls.
• Use of fire hydrants, except for the purposes of firefighting, public health, safety or flushing.
• Washing vehicles, such as cars, boats, trailers, motorbikes, airplanes or golf carts.
• Non-commercial washing, or pressure washing, of buildings or structures, except for immediate fire protection.
• Charity or non-commercial fundraiser car washes.

The following watering practices are still allowed at this time:

• Commercial agriculture operations as defined in Georgia Code Section 1-3-3.
• Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or stormwater in compliance with applicable local ordinances and state guidelines.
• Reuse gray water in compliance with Georgia Code Section 31-3-5.2 and applicable local board of health regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
• Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by the EPD of the department to provide reclaimed waste water.
• Irrigation of personal food gardens.
• Irrigation of new and replanted plant, seed or turf in landscape, golf courses or sports turf fields during installation and for a period of 30 days immediately following the date of installation.
• Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses.
• Hand-watering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container.
• Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water by an owner or operate of property if such well or surface water is on said property.
• Irrigation of horticultural crops held for sale, resale or installation.
• Irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses or public turf grass recreational areas.
• Installation, maintenance or calibration of irrigation systems.
• Hydroseeding.

For more information on the latest drought status, visit www.northgeorgiawater.org/current-water-stats/drought-status/.

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Were you startled to hear the outdoor tornado warning sirens go off yesterday evening and wondered if the threat was real? The siren system was designed to alert residents and visitors who are outside that a tornado may be imminent. The system was not designed to be heard within a home or building though if you live or work near one, you will likely hear a siren while indoors.  It is the city’s policy to sound the alarm when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a tornado warning for the Decatur area or when a tornado is spotted by a member of the public safety staff. The sirens will sound for three to five minutes per issued warning.

If you hear a siren, here are a few actions you can take:

• In a building – go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows.
• In a vehicle, trailer or mobile home – get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a nearby, sturdy building or storm shelter. Never try to outrun a tornado in an urban or congested area in your vehicle.
• Outside with no shelter – lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or a bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. Watch out for flying debris, which is the cause of most fatalities and injuries during tornadoes.

Because the sirens aren’t meant to be heard indoors, the city does use another way to alert residents who are inside their homes and offices that severe weather is threatening. Residents and business owners can sign up for Smart911 severe weather notifications for events such tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash flooding warnings at smart911.com. (If you already have a registered safety profile, just sign in and select or update the notifications you would like to receive.) The alerts notify residents in the areas immediately affected and are triggered by NWS polygon technology.

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Mark your calendars for the Spring Electronics Recycling event. Gather your old electronics, documents and even styrofoam to be recycled and shredded.

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 2017 (9 am to 1 pm)

LOCATION: Decatur Public Works, 2635 Talley St. (Enter from Columbia Drive)

Recyclables must be dropped off during the hours of the event. Early drop-offs are not possible.

The fee for recycling cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs is $10 per TV set, and the fee for CRT monitors is $5 ea. Cash only, exact change required.

There is no charge to recycle other items. Any metro area resident can participate.

Visit the Electronics Recycling page to get a list of acceptable electronics, foam recycling and shredding guidelines.  Have additional questions? Contact Sean Woodson, solid waste superintendent, 404-377-5571.

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Update: Thursday games have been moved to Wednesday

Decatur High School student athletes are having a great spring season.   Decatur residents have a chance to attend several state playoff games right here at home this week.   So make plans to come out and cheer on our local teams!

Decatur Varsity Soccer

• Tuesday, May 2, Decatur Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Union Grove
  6 p.m.   Decatur High School stadium
• Wednesday, May 3, Decatur Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Wayne County
  6 p.m.   Decatur High School Stadium

All games are $7

Decatur Varsity Baseball 2^nd Round of GHSA Baseball State Playoffs

• Wednesday, May 3, Decatur vs. Union Grove  Double header*
  4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. McKoy Park Field
• Friday, May 5, If necessary, Game 3 is scheduled for at 5:55 p.m. McKoy Park Field

Ticket price is $10 but the entry ticket gets you both games on Wednesday.

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This is a weekly blog post that lists all of the events and sales going on around town. It will be updated daily. If you would like to add an event, email renae.madison@decaturga.com.

Tuesday, May 2

• City of Decatur and Decatur Housing Authority Hosts Public Meeting on Improving Resources for Low-Income residents of Oakhurst, 6:30- 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 3

• Wednesday Decatur Farmers Market , 4 p.m.
• Jazz Ensemble & World Percussion Concert, 8 p.m.

Thursday, May 4

• Agnes Scott Annual Student Exhibition
• Decatur Arts Festival poster unveiling party 5 p.m.

Friday, May 5

• Agnes Scott Annual Student Exhibition
• High Noon History, noon

Saturday, May 6 

• Agnes Scott Annual Student Exhibition
• Saturday Decatur Farmers Market , 9 a.m.
• Into The Wylde – A Tour of Gardens, 10 a.m.
• Downtown Decatur Food Tour, 11- 2 p.m.
• Concert on the Square, 7 p.m.

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