The Decatur Minute

The Decatur Arts Alliance and the Steering Committee for the MARTA Overpass Mural Project in Decatur announce the artist chosen for the project is the MILAGROS Collective.  The MILAGROS Collective, from New Orleans, LA and Miami, FL, consists of  Felici Asteinza from San Pedro Sula, Honduras and Joey Fillastre from Lakeland, Florida.

Felici and Joey have extensive mural experience including a Public Art Commission for the New Orleans Public Library; 2015 Murals in Greensboro, NC hosted by the Elsewhere museum and funded by ArtPlace America; an Art in Public Places mural on the Yates Parking Garage in Jacksonville, FL, and more.

What set the MILAGROS Collective apart, though, according to Angie Macon, Director of the Decatur Arts Alliance, was their extensive community engagement experience in creating their murals and other pieces.  According to Angie, they have a commitment to and an excitement for the community engagement process around their projects.

Creation of the MARTA Overpass Mural includes a strong commitment to community engagement as part of the grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission.  In addition to the mural artist, the project also includes a community engagement consultant Joy Bailey Bryant with Lord Cultural Resources.

The next steps for the process will be to introduce the MILAGROS Collective to the community and begin the series of stakeholder community engagement meetings in May.  Estimated completion of the mural is in the Fall of 2016.

For information about the MILAGROS Collective and to see samples of their past work, visit http://milagroscollective.com.  For more information about the MARTA mural project, contact Angie Macon, admin@decaturartsalliance.org, 404-371-9583.

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Whether you call them dispatchers, communications officers or 911 operators, the fact remains that police and fire personnel would be lost without them.  April 10-16, 2016 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.  This week is not only a time for public safety personnel to drop by the 911 center and say thank you, but a time for everyone to take a minute to appreciate how complex of a job our communications officers have and the important role they play in keeping everyone safe.

Decatur communications officers duties include answering 911 and non-emergency calls, dispatching police and fire to calls for service and monitoring their radio traffic for requests and issues, operating and monitoring the NCIC/GCIC database from everything to driver’s license and warrant checks to stolen vehicles and all while assisting anyone that comes to the front window of the police department with a variety of questions or requests.

Our communications officers deal with the same stressors that the rest of public safety personnel deal with, but while tethered to a console.  They grow to know our voices by heart and are along for the ride whether we are rushing to a critical call or fighting a person, a fire or boredom during long winter night shifts.  They are behind the scenes, often invisible, but a lifeline to our community members, police officers and firefighters.  Please take a moment to send a quick note to jennifer.ross@decaturga.com to thank our communications officers this week.  We will be putting all of your responses together to share with all communications staff.

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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 Catherine.lee@decaturga.com.

Wednesday, April 13
• Decatur Farmers Market, 4-7 p.m.

Thursday, April 14
• Lunchtime in the Studio at CORE, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Friday, April 15
• Third Friday Bike Ride, 6:30 p.m., Decatur Recreation Center.

Saturday, April 16
• Decatur Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Winnona Park Neighborhood Yard Sale, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Happy Record Store Day! Go visit DecaturCD for some fun.

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The April 9 Trees 101 class has been canceled and will be rescheduled soon!

When: 10:00 – 12 Noon Saturday April 2, 2016 and April 9, 2016
Where: Woodlands Gardens, 932 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA
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, Decatur address and contact information (must have email response with seat number from me for verification)

Email India Woodson at india.woodson@decaturga.com if you want to be notified of the re-scheduled class.  We will also put up a blog post once we have a confirmed date.

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Agnes Scott College Programming Board and Center for Student Involvement presents Homeless the Movie on Saturday, April 30th at the Ebster Recreation Center’s Herring-Trinity Terrace. Jonna Greer, Assistant Director of Student Activities has worked closely with the City to bring this event to fruition.
Come out and join us as for a great movie under stars and learn more about a culture that is a reality in our community.

Doors will open at 7pm
Film start at 8:00pm
Followed by a Q&A session with the director/producer

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at: www.freshtix.com/events/homeless-the-movie
We also want to put a spotlight on local heroes like DCM and give all the net profit to assist with the great work that they are doing to help the homeless in the local community.

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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 Catherine.lee@decaturga.com.

Sunday, March 27
• Happy Easter!
• Celebrate Easter with Wahoo’s brunch buffet, $25 for adults, $10 for children.

Tuesday, March 29
• Farm Burger Dine Out for Woodlands Gardens, 5-10 p.m.
• Budget Expo: get an up-close and personal look at the city’s budgeting process at the Decatur Recreation Center, 5-7 p.m.

Wednesday, March 30
• Decatur Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m.

Saturday, April 2
• Decatur Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Decatur Electronics Recycling, Public Works building, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

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The City of Decatur hired Renae Madison as the new Communications Specialist.  Renae comes to the department of Community of Economic Development with 9 years of experience working with the citizens of Decatur and serving within the community.  She has spearheaded public relations campaigns following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans; community outreach and feed the homeless initiatives; media networking events and social media campaigns; and writing for various entertainment blogs.  Renae holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications & Psychology from Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“I am dedicated to the city’s mission to work with the citizens to meet the needs of the community while serving with respect and integrity,” Madison said.  “I believe it is important to build relationships and keep a constant line of communication open in order to carry out this mission.”

She combines her recent experience working with City of Decatur families and community with past experience with website management, social media, and public relations.

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