The Decatur Minute

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.

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.

The City of Decatur Planning and Zoning Division announces that Courtney Frisch has joined the department as the new Planner.  She comes to the City of Decatur from the City of Roswell, where she worked as a transportation planner. During her time with Roswell she worked on projects that included sidewalk inventory analysis and policy change, the Jones Road Corridor Study, and creating and maintaining the interactive online map and factsheets of current and future transportation projects for the city.

Courtney, a Decatur resident and graduate of Decatur High School, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Appropriate Technology and a double minor in Sustainable Development and Urban and Regional Planning from Appalachian State University.  Courtney also holds a Master of Science in Planning with a specialization in transportation planning from Florida State University.  She was awarded the Florida State University and Florida’s Department of Transportation transit fellowship allowing her to intern at StarMetro, Tallahassee’s transit agency.

“There is something to be said for working for the community in which I was raised and am now raising my own family,” Frisch says.  “I am so honored to be a part of the City of Decatur team and am passionately looking forward to continually improving the quality of life for both the residents and visitors of Decatur.”

Frisch will be responsible for assisting with the functions of the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission, providing a plan review for subdivisions, commercial and multi-family developments, contributing transportation planning skills to the City’s Complete Streets Team, and other initiatives that support and fulfill the goals within the City’s Strategic Plan.

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

Trees give us shade, clean our air and water, provide habitat for wildlife, and beautify our landscapes. The City of Decatur recognizes that all of us can contribute greatly to the health and structural integrity of these living treasures if we are empowered to recognize common problems and take proactive steps. Our goal is to help you help your trees and to provide that empowerment through education.

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)

City of Decatur Tree Ordinance Overview: This session will explain the new ordinance, what it means to the average homeowner and show you how to measure the canopy of your trees. I’ll explain the new Arbor Day Tree Planting, program offering trees to homeowners for their private property and scheduled maintenance for two (2) years.

Tree Identification: The first step in taking proper care of your trees is to know what you have. Decatur Trees 101 will guide you through the steps on how to develop an inventory of what is on your property. You will also learn the basic characteristics of trees that will help you identify the species of trees that you have.

Tree Planting and Maintenance: This information session will teach you how to choose the right species for your landscape and feel confident that you are planting it in a way that ensures success. If you have planted trees that are struggling with the transition to their new home, learn what it takes to direct your trees toward long productive lives.
Structural Pruning: Also known as ‘formative’ pruning, this method of care can provide surprising benefits. Decatur Trees 101 can take the mystery out of this technique and show you how easy it is to work pruning into your tree maintenance plan

Tree Walks (TBD): Get to know your local trees while getting to know your community. We will introduce the trees to you by name and explain the distinguishing features that make each species unique. These events are always interactive and participants are challenged to practice their newly acquired skills!

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 20
• Publix Georgia Marathon comes through downtown Decatur in the morning, see the course map here.
• Treehouse Kid & Craft: free Oli + Carol duck painting party, noon-1 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23
• Decatur Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m.

Saturday, March 26
• Touch a Truck, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 120 W. Trinity Pl. in the  Callaway Building parking lot.
• Easter Eve Mingei at Duck’s – come for brunch and shop in the courtyard, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Decatur Police Department will be hosting bicycle registrations at two upcoming events.

When: Saturday, March 26, 2016 from 10:00am-1:00pm
Where:  Touch a Truck Event, Calloway Parking Lot, 120 West Trinity Place

When: Sunday, April 24, 2016 from 12:30pm-3:30pm
Where: Earth Day Festival, Wylde Center, 435 Oakview Road

Bicycles are a commonly stolen item and are not registered like vehicles.
Bicycle registration includes bringing your bicycle, providing owner contact information, having the manufacturer and serial number documented and having a numbered decal applied to and a photo taken of your bicycle.

The process takes just a few minutes.  Registering your bicycle allows officers to look up recovered bicycles and contact the owner and allows for us to quickly look up the needed information about your bicycle if it were to be stolen.  The information is kept in a secured database only accessible by police department staff.

We will also register scooters that do not meet the size requirements for state tag registration.
*There is NO CHARGE to register your bicycle or scooter.

For additional information, please contact Lt. Jennifer Ross at jennifer.ross@decaturga.com or 678/553-6613.