And today Decatur’s brightest rock star is Natasha Trethewey – named 2012-13 U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry by the Library of Congress. Natasha is not new to rock star status as she received a Pulitzer in 2007 for her work “Native Guard.”
Decatur is thrilled to celebrate this achievement with a toast in the Community Bandstand from 5 – 6:30 p.m. today. Come join the community fun that is co-sponsored by the Decatur Downtown Development Authority and the AJC Decatur Book Festival and features refreshments provided by Eddie’s Attic.
Decatur is full of rock star writers and we congratulate Natasha on her newest awesome achievement.
Catherine, Cheryl, Joe, and Bertha workin’ it at the souvenir tent
By volunteering, of course!
Volunteer for the Decatur Business Association’s biggest fundraising event – Decatur Beach Party on Friday, June 15. Proceeds fund the many free events in Decatur, including Concerts in May and September and 4th of July Fireworks. Volunteer at an Entry Gate, Children’s Boardwalk Games or Set Up. We have something new for 2012, a friendly competition! The group with the most individuals who sign up and work the Beach Party will receive a prize. The prize is a $300 gift certificate to McGowan’s Oakhurst Pub.
(Note: if an individual, please pick a ‘name’ and have all your friends/family/etc sign up under that name to become a ‘group.’)
To sign up as a group or individual, please contact Lee Ann Harvey at leeann.harvey@decaturga.com or 678-553-6548.
Join Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) for the Bike for Breakfast event as they celebrate the end of National Bike Month. This event will take place in the parking lot of the First Christian Church. Free coffee, pastries, and give-aways will be provided, and Bicycle South is setting up a mobile bike repair tent!
When: Thursday, May 31, 7:30am – 10 am
Where: Parking Lot of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 601 West Ponce De Leon, Decatur, GA 30030
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Biking to work is one of the ways that GIPL staff reflect their commitment to protecting the environment. Decatur is a community with many destinations – stores, restaurants, parks, schools and more. Whether you are going shopping, paying a water bill, mailing a letter, going to class, heading to worship or borrowing a book from the library, you can ride your bike! Get more information about biking in Decatur at www.decaturga.com/biking.
Our Children Youth and Services director, Claire Miller, asked me to do a post on DeKalb Library’s summer reading program. I was more than happy to oblige for two reasons:
1.) As a kid I loved participating in the summer reading programs and went to the library at least once a week. Yes, I am was a nerd and proud of it!
2.) It’s a rare opportunity to be able to post a video with puppets on this blog – what a treat!
DeKalb Library Vacation Reading Program:
DeKalb County Public Library has teamed up with the Center for Puppetry Arts to let children know it’s important to continue to read during the summer months when school is out.
The Vacation Reading Program runs from Saturday, May 26 through Tuesday, July 31. To promote it, DeKalb County Public Library is having three kick-off programs – including one in Decatur. The three events will include magic, crafts and other activites as well as provide and opportunity to sign up for VRP.
Saturday, June 2, 10 a.m. at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore Street.
Monday, June 4, 2 p.m. at the Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library, 5234 LaVista Rd. in Tucker.
Monday, June 4, 6 p.m. at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Rd. in Lithonia.
It should also be noted that summer reading at the library isn’t just for children and teens. The library also has a program for adults. It runs May 29 to September 4 and offers those 18 years and older the opportunity to read good books, share opinions about what they have read and win great prizes.
For more information, check at your local branch or visit www.dekalblibrary.org. For children, click “Kids,” then “VRP.” For teens, click “teens,” then “Own the Night.” For adults, click “More,” then “Shelf Help,” then “Summer Reading for Adults.”
It’s almost time for the annual Decatur Beach Party! Friday, June 15th on the Square in downtown Decatur 5:00-11:00pm $10 adults, $5 children (includes all games and activities), Kids under 2 free. Online presale tickets are $7.00 adults, buy online here
The Beach Party welcomes headliner Yacht Rock Schooner to help Beach Partiers “get smooth” and slip into a gentle groove for dancing and relaxing on the plaza. And don’t forget all that SAND on Decatur Beach!!
We are thrilled to announce a VERY cool event that the City of Decatur will be a part of in about 2 weeks. The Olympics are coming to DeVry University here in Decatur! The Team USA Road to London tour is an extension of the partnership that DeVry has established with the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). As we approach the Olympic Games in London this summer, the USOC is bringing an interactive Olympic experience to our extended DeVry University communities.
Attendees will be able to interact with each other in a number of fun activities, meet U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls, and receive some USOC and DeVry University branded merchandise. All of this excitement will be taking place on the Square in downtown Decatur on Wednesday, May 30 from 1-8pm.
We can’t think of a more exciting way to be a part of the 2012 Olympic experience. Come out and join us on May 30 for all of the fun and excitement!
You know it’s officially summer in Oakhurst when the Solarium Patio Party comes around. Believe it or not, this year is the 9th annual and it takes place on Sunday, June 3, 5-8 p.m.
Event details:
Tasty bites from caterers on the Solarium’s preferred vendor list
Wine and beer bars
A live a auction with creations from local artists and famous Decatur personalities
Decatur Greenfest is a free concert on the Decatur Courthouse Square featuring local and regional musical artists and is part of the popular Decatur Concert on the Square Series. The event benefits the Wylde Center and the Dogwood Alliance.
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In addition to live music on 2 stages featuring The Squirrelheads on the main stage at 7pm and 8 other bands and artists, this year’s Decatur Green Fest welcomes 10 Restaurants in the Organic/Local Food Tasting Pavilion, 56 Green Vendors and Services, 8 Environmental Groups, and 10 Artists Working with Recycled Materials. Some of this year’s features include Tree Hugger, a delicious beer brewed especially for the Greenfest by Terrapin, a Green Fashion Show, and a KidZone!
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Please visit the Decatur Green Fest Website for updated information, including entertainment, vendors, and restaurants participating in this year’s festival.
Questions? Contact our Festival Director:
John Beal | johnthebaker@yahoo.com | 404.840.4337
If you are looking for a way to de-clutter after your Spring cleaning, Decatur First United Methodist Church has the answer for you! They are holding a “Recycle Your Life” event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 12th in their parking lot. The event will not only accept items for “e-scraping” (electronic items for recycling), but also clothing, furniture, working household appliances, toys and other items that can be donated to charity.
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They will also accept:
TVs for disposal ($10 fee)
Paper for shredding ($5 box/garbage bag)
Shoes
Fabric
Toys
Much, much, more
LOCATION: Decatur First United Methodist Church, 300 East Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
The May 9 (that’s today) Blue Sky Concert has been cancelled due to rain. Make sure to come out this Saturday at 7 p.m. for the Concert on the Square during Green Fest or stop by next Wednesday, May 16 to hear Zydeco T at noon.
