Decatur and Atlanta residents only have 10 more days to sign up for the Home Energy Makeover Contest! The DecaturWISE and Atlanta SHINE programs have teamed up to offer two lucky homeowners free energy efficiency improvements – worth up to $10,000 – that will increase the overall comfort of their home and reduce their energy bills. Makeovers will be awarded to homeowners in each city.

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DecaturWISE is at it again…

The City of Decatur is excited to announce the launch of the DecaturWISE Commercial Rebate Program. This time around, businesses and organizations will have the opportunity to apply for rebates for energy efficient upgrades to buildings located within the city. Funded through an Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant administered through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), rebates ranging from $1,000-$4,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis.  Applicants are also encouraged to seek rebates available from Georgia Power’s EarthCents program to maximize the benefits of DecaturWISE.

Why improve the energy efficiency in your buildings?

According to ENERGY STAR, commercial and industrial buildings are responsible for 45% of the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions, and almost 30% of the energy in these buildings is wasted.  By expanding the DecaturWISE Program to commercial buildings, businesses and organizations can now save energy costs over time, as well as reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in their facilities and throughout the city. As an added bonus, DecaturWISE Rebates may be added to Georgia Power Business Rebates.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must have a Georgia Power Commercial Account rate.  This can be verified by comparing your Georgia Power bill to the commercial rates listed on the Georgia Power EarthCents website at:  http://www.georgiapower.com/earthcents/business/rates.asp

How to Obtain a Rebate:

Step 1: Obtain an energy assessment or walk-through to determine energy savings project(s).
Step 2: Obtain a detailed cost estimate for the project.
Step 3: Contact Georgia Power to determine what rebates you are eligible for, if applicable.
Step 4: Apply for a DecaturWISE Commercial Rebate by 5:00 pm, August 31, 2011.  Click HERE to download the funding announcement and application.
Step 5: Once approval is granted, register your project at www.georgiaenergychallenge.org
Step 6: Contractor to install energy efficient upgrades.
Step 7: All required documents must be received by the City of Decatur by 5:00 pm, December 13, 2011.

Further information and applications can be accessed via the DecaturWISE Commercial Rebate Program website.

If you have questions, please contact:

Lena Stevens
Resource Conservation Coordinator
City of Decatur
678-553-6577
lena.stevens@decaturga.com

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The Rain Barrel Depot is hosting a workshop on August 13th from 10:00am – noon at the temporary Decatur Active Living building. Come on out to learn how to build your very own rain barrel from a re-purposed plastic barrel.

The cost is only $44 for white or blue barrels, and $49 for grey or terra cotta colored barrels. Price includes all parts and tools.

WHEN: Saturday, August 13th, 2011

TIME: 10am – noon

WHERE: Temporary Active Living Department in the Beacon Complex behind the Police Station, 430 West Trinity Place, Decatur, GA

COST: $44-$49 (cash, credit, or check accepted at workshop)

HOW TO SIGN UP: Email your name and color selection to customersupport@the rainbarreldepot.com or call 770-480-3650

Parking: Parking behind the building is limited.   Parking is available on the street along Trinity or in a lot located next to the Police Station.

Attendees should enter through the back door of the building. Walk to the parking lot behind the building and enter the door closest to the Ebster Pool.  There is a sign on the door for the Active Living Department.

Diverting water from your roof into rainwater catchment systems has several advantages:

• Reduces the volume of stormwater
• Backup source of water during times of drought or between rain showers
• Naturally softened water – great for delicate houseplants, auto cleaning and window washing
• Saves money by lowering your water bill

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August 2, 2011 is a big day for Pete the Cat, my family, City Schools of Decatur and Agnes Scott College. 

Pete the Cat is Rockin’ in his School Shoes; my 4 1/2 year old grandson picked out a blue spiral notebook for College Heights Pre-K “journaling;” my teacher/daughter has readied her room to welcome 7th graders at Renfroe; Safe Routes to School are ready and waiting for walkers and cyclists; and Agnes Scott will be holding a crisis management drill – and so begins the first day of school in the City of Decatur.

ASC will hold its drill from 8 a.m. – 12 noon and they assure all that there will be no road closures and only a minmal impact on the community.  So if you are rockin’ and rollin’ to school on Tuesday and see extra activity at ASC – should you (or Pete) worry?  “Goodness No!”

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Tamara Jones, a Decatur resident, was featured on a Fox News segment today focusing on simple ways to save energy at home.  Tamara improved her home’s energy efficiency by an estimated 16% in December 2010 using rebates from Georgia Power’s Home Energy Improvement Program, earning her the coveted DecaturWISE Vanguard status as an early adopter of comprehensive, whole house energy efficiency.  Check out the video on MyFoxAtlanta.

If you are interested in improving your home’s energy efficiency, now is a great time.  Decatur residents are eligible to receive up to $1,000 from the DecaturWISE (Wise Investments Save Energy) program in addition to Georgia Power’s $2,200 in rebates.  The first fifty residents to participate receive Trailblazer status.  This week we’re proud to announce 2 additions to that list: Ben Sobel and C. Aiden Downey.

Learn more about it on the DecaturWISE website at www.decaturga.com/decaturwise.

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The South River Watershed Alliance (SRWA) will officially launch South River 2020, an eight and a half year community-based initiative to build involvement and mobilize the community around solutions to problems that have and are impacting the health of South River, at its July 30 membership meeting.  The meeting will be held from 11 a.m. – 12:30 at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore Street.  Doug Denton, Decatur resident and Vice President of the SRWA, encourages members and supporters of SRWA to attend.

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The City Schools of Decatur invites the community to a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of The 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue on Sunday, July 31 from 2 – 4 p.m. 

The 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue is the first new school constructed in Decatur since Renfroe Middle School in 1972.  The program begsins at 2 p.m. and includes guided tours, cookies and lemonade.

The 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue is located at 101 Fifth Avenue.  Come out and see the new space!

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The Decatur Police Department released the following information about the July 20 arrest of Robert McKenzie:

The Decatur Police Department received a call in reference to Robert McKenzie at Glenlake Pool on Tuesday July 20, 2011.  At that time, the pool staff informed us of an incident that occurred on Monday July 19, 2011.  On Monday a male informed staff that McKenzie had “touched” his son and he confronted McKenzie.  The parent did not notify police and McKenzie left the area immediately.  Pool staff did not witness the encounter nor were they able to identify the parent.  We are trying to identify the parent and get a more specific account of the incident and encourage the parent to contact Sgt. Jennifer Ross 404-373-6551 or Jennifer.ross@decaturga.com  to supply the details.

Click here to read the rest of the statement.

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If you are interested in hearing reapportionment information or sharing your views about transportation, growth and the future of the Atlanta region, here are two upcoming events for you:

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon will host an informational public meeting on the demographic changes in the 2010 Census that will drive reapportionment and changes in the political boundaries on Wednesday, July 27 from 7 – 8 p.m. at Meadowview Elementary School, 1879 Wee Kirk Rd, SW, Atlanta, GA 30316.

The Civic League for Regional Atlanta will host “Get A Move On: A 10-County Town Hall on Transportation, Growth and the Future of the Atlanta Region.  The regional town hall meeting will bring together participants in a facilitated conversation designed to get feedback on topics that are central to the debate leading up to the July 2012 transportation sales tax referendum – including topics like priorities for a fast-growing region, environmental sustainability, economic growth, investments that could make a positive difference in the region’s future and accountability and governance.

The Town Hall meeting will be Saturday, July 23 from 8:30 a.m. – noon at the Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland St., NE, Atlanta, GA 30303.  It is free and open to the public, though space is limited.  Participants are encouraged to register online or call 404-221-1553 or visit www.getamoveonATL.com for full details.

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Did you have to abandon your blankets and chairs for some place drier during the Independence Day festivities on the Square? Thanks to the City’s clean-up crew, you can claim your belongings by stopping by the Public Works facility this week.  Public Works is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m and is located at 2635 Talley Street. Want to check to make sure your belongings are there before making the collection trip? Call 404-377-5571.

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