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“Haul out the holly; Put up the tree before my spirit falls again. Fill up the stocking, I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.”

Tis the season in Decatur once again. Decorate your home or business in the spirit of the holidays in time for the annual Decorate Decatur contest. Judges will ride by the nominated locations on Sunday, Dec. 14th in order to pick their favorites. Winners will include homes, a business, a neighborhood, and an overall winner who will receive the coveted Commissioners Cup from the City Commission on Monday, Dec. 15th.

Send a photo of your favorite decorations to specialevents@decaturga.com or call 678-553-6573 to nominate your favorite homes or businesses. All of the winners will be announced on the City’s blog, www.thedecaturminute.com on Tuesday, Dec. 16th

tree harmony parkOakhurst streetscape contractor CMES will continue preliminary construction activities and will begin removal of  several trees in the project area on December 8. Three large trees to be removed have been repeatedly damaged by utility line clearance. Other trees to be removed are in areas that will be impacted by new, wider sidewalks and more generous outdoor dining areas. Because the off-street parking lot at Harmony Park will be removed to increase the size of the park, one large tree will be removed  to provide an area for replacement angled parking.
Changes to the landscape are always dramatic.  However, new trees will be planted throughout the project area as part of the streetscape improvements, including large shade trees where not in conflict with overhead utilities.

A community-organized listening session (please note: this is not an official City of Decatur event and was organized by city residents for city residents) about potential future City of Decatur annexation is 4 p.m. this Sunday at The Church at Decatur Heights, 735 Sycamore Dr.

Members of the Decatur City Commission and the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education will be present. This event is free and open to the entire community.

LSOStreelightingNot only is this the first Terrific Thursday in December, it’s also the night of the Little Shop of Stories’ Christmas Tree Lighting. So get your shopping on at these participating businesses and then head over to East Court Square at 7 p.m. for carols from the 4/5 Academy, snacks, hot chocolate, snow and a visit from Santa.

December Siren Test

Tomorrow is the first Wednesday of December so we’ll be testing the tornado outdoor warning sirens at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, 4 December 2014.

siren

If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.

2014 Marketplace Logo (2)

When: Friday, Dec. 5 • 5:30-9:30 p.m. & Saturday, Dec. 6 • 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Clairemont Elementary School, 155 Erie Ave.
Website: www.DecaturHolidayMarketplace.com

 

If your holiday gift list has you feeling stressed, look no further than the Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe. Now in its 22nd year, the Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe offers a local alternative to crowded shopping malls and big box stores as Clairemont Elementary School transforms into a festive market, boasting nearly 100 local and national artisans. Featuring handmade jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery and more, this holiday market offers unique gifts for everyone on your list.

The event also hosts a well-stocked cafe, featuring homemade soups and decadent desserts from local eateries. Local musicians and carolers will be on hand to add holiday cheer. If you’re shopping with children in tow, kindergarteners and older can join in the fun on Saturday afternoon with Art and Science activities provided by Colorwheel Studio and Science Fun. Parents can pre-register online for the activities at the marketplace website.

 

A message from Captain Violante with the City of Decatur Fire Department:

The City of Decatur and Dekalb County have 2,100 homeless school age children and their families who are in need this winter.  We are asking for your help to assist individuals in need this season. Please donate non-expired food items or a winter coat. The City of Decatur Fire Department will be collecting items until December 19.  All items will go to Decatur Cooperative Ministries as they help families who face homelessness settle into safe, stable homes.

DCM offers comprehensive services helping to prevent, endure, and overcome homelessness. Drop off items at either of the City of Decatur Fire Stations (230 East Trinity Place or 356 West Hill St.), the Decatur Recreation Center (231 Sycamore St.), or City Hall (509 N. McDonough St.).

For more information you may call Captain Violante at 678-553-6583 or Decatur Cooperative Ministries at 404-377-5365.

Fire dept food drive

Holiday Happenings

Here in Decatur, we really really love our small businesses and the best way for us to show that is by celebrating Small Business Saturday (and Sunday)! So skip the malls after Thanksgiving and come to Decatur for all of your holiday shopping and dining!

Small Business Saturday and Sunday!

Saturday, Nov. 29 • 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 30 • noon-5 p.m.
Bring your list and check it twice! Shop locally for gifts and treat yourself to festivities on the square – live music, giveaways, free gift wrapping for city of Decatur shop purchases, and a special Saturday Santa appearance (Santa will be in the event tent on the Square from 3-5pm. Visits are FREE, bring your own camera to take pictures.)

While you are doing all of that shopping, keep in mind our special November shopping promotion: Spend $200 at any Decatur shop during the month of November, bring your receipts to the Decatur Visitors Center and receive a $20 gift card from a local restaurant. You don’t have to spend $200 all in one place, just make sure you keep all of your receipts from any store located in City of Decatur any day of the week (not just Thursdays!). Bring your receipts to the Visitor’s Center at 113 Clairemont Ave. and you’ll have your choice of gift cards from one of Decatur’s restaurants. Limited to 3 cards per person while supplies last. We will be taking receipts on Nov. 29th and 30th at the event tent on the Square.

Finally, don’t forget to buy your tickets for the Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 20th. Tickets are available here

 

 

 

Congratulations to the 2014 graduating class of the Decatur Citizen’s Police Academy.  Participants attended Thursday night classes for ten weeks covering various topics including criminal law, traffic enforcement, juvenile procedures, drug trends, use of force, criminal investigations, firearms safety & familiarization, crime in Decatur and community policing & crime prevention.  Participants also had an opportunity to tour the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Officer and ride along with a patrol officer for a shift to see policing from the inside. We want to thank all of the participants for spending time getting to know us and learning about our profession.

CPA 2014 Class Photo

If you are interested in attending the Citizen’s Police Academy in the future, please contact Sgt. Jennifer S. Ross at Jennifer.ross@decaturga.com or 678/553-6613.

 

Lifelong Decatur Third Thursday Series – November is National Family Caregivers Month

Family Caregivers – Unsung Heroes

Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.

Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street

Family Caregivers spend countless unpaid hours assisting parents, children and other family members with daily living tasks that they are unable to do for themselves. This work is frequently done without much outside support because there is no time available to research assistance options. Who is caring for the Caregiver? If you are a Caregiver or know someone who is, you are invited to attend this talk to find out what resources are available and how to ask for help.

For more information about this series or to suggest a topic, contact Lee Ann Harvey, Lifelong Community Coordinator, leeann.harvey@decaturga.com.

Here are some resources to find out more:

AgeWise Connection                                      www.agewiseconnection.com/services/svcsforcaregivers

AARP Caregiving Resource Center            www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving

Geriatric Consulting Services                       www.nancykriseman.com

National Alliance for Caregiving                 www.caregiving.org

Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving www.rosalynncarter.org