The Decatur Minute

Nothing says Spring like kids waving light wands, families picnicking on the grass, and the sound of live music playing on the Bandstand. Ladies and gentlemen, it is almost time again for the Decatur Business Association’s Blue Sky Concerts and Concerts on the Square series!!!

Here is the amazing line-up we have put together for May:

Blue Sky Concerts sponsored by Sun Trust-Wednedsays, Noon-1pm

May 4   Diane Durrett  Folk, Blues, Americana

May 11 The Band of Desperate Men  Americana

May 18 Troy Cono   Acoustic indie rock

May 25 Douglas Brake and the Sizzle Hiss Pop Band  Children’s Music

 (All Blue Sky concerts co-sponsored by Sammiches N’ Stuff, Lotus of Life, Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, Timothy Martin & Associates )

 Concerts on the Square sponsored by Wells Fargo-Saturdays, 7-9:30pm

May 7  (with Decatur Green Fest)  Please Please Rock Me Beatles Tribute Band

May 14 The Dammages  Rock and Roll

May 21 Roxie Watson  Americana, Bluegrass

May 28 Blind Five-0 Oldies, Classic Rock

 (All Concerts on the Square co-sponsored by Sammiches N’ Stuff, Common Ground Real Estate, Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service)

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 I am trying really hard to get through today (Monday, booo!) and to look forward to this weekend. The best way to get through it is to start the laundry list of all of the great things that are happening in Decatur this weekend.

On Friday, the amazing Lakeside High School Jazz Band will perform in the Decatur Square Community Bandstand from 5 – 7PM.  Come before dinner for some excellent jazz music from these phenomenal musicians.  

Saturday morning brings the annual Decatur Business Association’s Easter Egg Hunt on the Square. Bring your basket and join the Easter Bunny in the hunt for candy eggs on the square in downtown Decatur.  Easter Bunny arrives at 10:30 a.m.  Age categories:  0-2; Preschool, Kindergarten, 1^st – 5^th grades.  Sponsored by Decatur Business Association and local businesses. Free. www.decaturdba.com

On Sunday, join us in Oakhurst from 1pm-4pm. Celebrate Earth Day in the Oakhurst Community Garden. Free. www.oakhurstgarden.org

See? Don’t you feel better about it being Monday? The weekend is just around the corner!

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Just a reminder that Spring is here and the weather is supposed to be beautiful! Get outside and check some of these great events:

PAWS for the Cause- Saturday on the Square 10am-2pm FREE!

• Pet adoptions from Animal Action Rescue and Dekalb Animal Services
• Low cost microchip clinic – $20 (limited quantities)
• Low cost vaccines administered by a veterinarian
• Live music performances by Heidi Pollyea and Tracer Metula
• Cotton Candy, Popcorn & Italian Ice
• Moonwalk
• Many other pet related products & services



The Decatur Farmer’s Market  (across the street from Chick-fil-a and the DeKalb Courthouse) 9a,-1pm

Oakhurst Community Garden’s Plant and Tree Sale, Saturday and Sunday  Go here for more info

Have a great weekend and enjoy this beautiful weather! Also,  GO BRAVES!

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Habitat for Humanity DeKalb launched the inaugural Playhouse Build in February with eleven teams participating in building Playhouses to sell to the public as a source of funding for the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.  The Playhouse Build event kicked off at a February 12^th Framing Frenzy with 40 people working to frame 10 playhouses.  Since then, the Playhouses have been in the hands of each team as they work to customize and complete their unique Playhouse design.

Participants in the Playhouse Build include teams from Tucker High School Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Georgia Perimeter College, Meade’s Doors and More, Shallowford Presbyterian Church, Pepsi Beverage Company, the National Coalition of Black Women, and four individual teams. Southface and the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority have partnered to build a Green Playhouse for the event.

 The completed Playhouses will be on display on the Decatur Square and at Perimeter Mall during the week of April 9^th – 17^th.   The public will have an opportunity to bid to purchase the playhouses beginning April 10^th online at www.DeKalbHabitat.org  The public is also encouraged to “vote” on their favorite playhouse through DeKalb Habitat’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/dekalbhabitat.  Fun awards for playhouse designs will be announced at the Golden Hammer Awards Ceremony the evening of April 16^th at the Holiday Inn Select in Decatur.  The Golden Hammer event is a benefit for DeKalb Habitat celebrating the accomplishments of 5 award winners for their commitment to affordable housing. More information on the event can be found at www.DeKalbHabitat.org

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This just in from Peggy Rogers, Community Outreach Director for the Publix Georgia Marathon:

To all of the Neighborhood Challenge Cheering Zones:

Thank you so much for participating in the 2011 Neighborhood Challenge. You are a huge part of what makes this race memorable for the runners, and we really appreciate your participation in this friendly competition.

 The 2011 Neighborhood Challenge winners are:

 Division 1 – Marathon/Half Marathon Course

• 1st Place – $1,500.00 – Fourth Ward Neighbors/4th & SAND
• 2nd Place – $1,000.00 – Poncey-Highland Neighborhood Association

 Division 2 – Marathon Course

• 1st Place – $1,500.00 – Candler Park Neighborhood Organization
• 2nd Place – $1,000.00 – City of Decatur



Great job Decatur!

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Although we are hoping for the best, it is supposed to rain off and on most of tomorrow. If it does, we will move Alma’s memorial service, “Alma Hour” to City Hall. I will try and post a message here and on Facebook if we change locations. We will also post signs at the Bandstand if we have to make the move.

Also, if it is raining, we will may have to cancel the Bonfire. Check back here for updates. Thank you and have a great weekend!

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As Lena talked about on the blog last week, the DBA is presenting the annual Bonfire and Marshmallow Roast this Saturday night on the Square from 8-9pm. And the cost you ask…FREE! Thanks to all of our amazing sponsors!

City of Decatur, Clairmont Reserve, Color Wheel, Cornerstone Bank, CMC Decatur, Decatur School of Ballet, Dixie Home Crafters, Eye Physicians & Surgeons PC, Fidelity Bank, Holiday Inn, Lotus of Life Chiropractic, Melrose on Ponce, OnStage Atlanta Theatre Company, Patch,  and Superior Chevrolet.  

Bring the family out to enjoy roasting marshmallows over the fire that out City of Decatur Firefighters light. Be sure to thank our City’s Public Works crew for building the pit year after year in order to make this awesome event happen.

See you on the Square Saturday night!

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Despite being a little gray and chilly, Sunday morning was a perfect day to run a marathon! It was also a perfect day to be in Decatur, cheering on the runners, and making people realize just how amazing our little City really is!

Thank you to everyone who came out to volunteer and cheer! Here is just one email that a runner sent to our City Manager, Peggy Merriss:

“I wanted to send you a quick email to say thank you for the incredible welcome that your City gave to participants of the Georgia Marathon. I traveled from Orlando and it was one of the highlights of my trip.

 I have a background in Local Government in Florida related to Planning and Engineering.  I was impressed with the City.  I was also extremely impressed by the enthusiasm your City had for the marathon participants.  I really left feeling that Decatur has a strong sense of community and that it would be a great place to live or work. Congratulations again.  I think your efforts will continue to pay dividends in the years to come.”

Volunteers set up the Hydration Station in front of the Holiday Inn

These guys were the best entertainment!

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