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2009 Annual Report Now Online

August 3, 2009 by Catherine

annualreport09_coverI’m sure many of you read the City of Decatur 2009 Annual Report cover to cover as soon as the July/August Focus was delivered to your doorstep (the report is inserted in the July/August issue every year). I wouldn’t blame you for being so eager to read the report because it’s chock full of useful City-related information.

This year’s annual report focuses on Decatur’s ongoing strategic response to the current economic climate and the fiscal challenges across all economic sectors. Our theme is based on the generally accepted framework for addressing emergencies: Readiness, Response, Recovery, with an added category of Reinvention. Makes you want to read it, doesn’t it?

For those of you who somehow misplaced your July/August Focus or have yet to take a look at the Annual Report, it is now available on the City’s website for your viewing pleasure.

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Take Advantage of Georgia's Tax Free Weekend

July 30, 2009 by Catherine

Georgia’s Tax Free Weekend begins today (Thursday, July 30) and ends Sunday, August 2. The sales tax break applies to:

  • Clothing under $100
  • Computers and computer equipment under $1500
  • School supplies under $20

A couple of Decatur shops have sent out these friendly reminders:

  • Whit’s End: Today through Sunday, no tax will be charged for qualifying items under $100. There isn’t anything in the store over $100! Add that savings to items already on sale, and it really adds up. Come on by!
  • Kaleidoscope Boutique: Any item $100 and under will be tax free, and we are working hard to fill the store with brand new fabulousness for both guys and girls! We have just received shipments from 7 Diamonds, Joe’s, Maj and Tuelle and much, much more! We will also be offering an additional 10% off on all sale items (that means everything is 50-90% off)!
  • Big Peach Running Company: To help you take advantage of the sales tax holiday, all BPRC locations will be open Sunday the 2nd from noon to 5 p.m. All shoes, apparel and sock purchases at BPRC qualify as tax free items.

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The 3/50 Project

July 29, 2009 by Catherine

I know most Decaturites don’t need much encouragement to shop locally because they understand the value of supporting the local community. And most would agree that our local shops and restaurants make Decatur a great place to work and live. There’s little doubt that local shops and restaurants improve the quality of a community, but it’s hard to quantify that value.

That being said, I just discovered an organization that creatively sums up the quantitative value of shopping locally. It’s called The 3/50 Project. What does it stand for? Pick 3. Spend $50. Save your local economy.

In other words, pick three local businesses that you want to support and spend a total of $50 at those businesses each month. If half the employed population in the nation spent $50 every month in locally owned businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays local.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t shop at national chains. Instead, The 3/50 project encourages consummers to spend $50 of their budget each month at three locally owned shops. So next time you need a last minute birthday card or gift, stop by one of Decatur’s giftshops or boutiques.

To learn more about the 3/50 Project visit their website or click on the logo above.

Posted in Community, Retail & Restaurants, Sustainability | 2 Comments »

Decatur Boutique Warehouse Next Friday and Saturday

July 27, 2009 by Catherine

For those of you who, like me, didn’t feel like driving out to Atlantic Station for the last boutique warehouse sale, you’re in luck. “The Best Boutique Sale Ever” is taking place next Friday and Saturday at the Decatur Holiday Inn Conference Center. Decatur boutiques like Boogaloos, Kaleidoscope, Rockit and Squash Blossom will be there with all that great merch we’ve been eyeing in their shops for the past few months.

sunday ppr jr pg 8.09

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Outdoor Water Use Reminder

July 27, 2009 by Catherine

The drought may be over, but it never hurts to post a reminder about non-drought outdoor water use, right? Julie Gyuricza, Decatur’s storm water engineer, emailed me a recap of the state-wide outdoor water use for your reading pleasure:

The State of Georgia has returned to a non-drought schedule for outdoor water use. Under a non-drought schedule, outdoor water use is allowed three days a week on assigned days using odd and even-numbered addresses.

• Odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
• Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses are allowed to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Water use may occur at any time of the day on the assigned days, but to be water efficient, landscape watering should not occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ website.

Posted in Community, Sustainability | 1 Comment »

"Shrinking Charlotte" Filming in Decatur in August

July 24, 2009 by cburnette

imagesHow exciting – another  movie will be filming parts in Decatur during the month of August. “Shrinking Charlotte” is an independent film and according to www.IMDn.com  “Shrinking Charlotte is romantic comedy about three single men who stalk and date a woman in therapy in order to learn about honesty, fate, and eventually love.” The film features Kathleen Turner and Billy Zane, as well as host of other actors. For more information, click here.

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Decatur Preservation Holds Fundraiser at Feast

July 24, 2009 by cburnette

dpa logo

The Decatur Preservation Alliance

Invites you to

Feast Restaurant
314 E. Howard Avenue
Wednesday, July 29
7 to 9 p.m.

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres ~ Silent auction

$50 per person ($30 is tax deductible)

All proceeds benefit the projects of
Decatur Preservation Alliance

A few spaces remain.  To guarantee your space, please call 404.371.4444 (leave your name and number of reservations)
or email susan@decaturpreservationalliance.org

Deadline for reservations is Monday, July 27 – 5 p.m.

Pay at the door – cash, check or credit card

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Firefighters Find Shared Past

July 24, 2009 by cburnette

The City of Decatur has two new firefighter/EMTs who have life paths that have crossed many times. Francisco Albizu and Justin Sardine went to the same high school in Miami at the same time, but never met. Both have held jobs in different fields, with one being that Albizu worked for Costco and Sardine worked for Sams Wholesale club in the same competitive territory of Kendall, FL at the same time. Still, they never met. Years later, their paths crossed again, here in the City of Decatur. Sardine and Albizu are new EMT/firefighters working on the same shift at Fire Station #1. Both have been married 15 years and have two children each.

Their paths crossed many times, but the City of Decatur finally brought them together as co-workers and friends!

Francisco Albizu

Francisco Albizu

 

Justin Sardine

Justin Sardine

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Oakhurst Arts Festival Accepting Artists

July 23, 2009 by cburnette

 

oamf 09The 11th annual Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival will be accepting applications for the juried Artists’ Market through August 3, 2009. The OAMF will be held on Saturday, October 10 from 10 am until 7 pm in Oakhurst’s Harmony Park. In addition to the Artists’ Market, which features over 50 artists, join the community for the Art Run, Children’s Activities, a Community Pavilion, Parade and ongoing musical entertainment ending with a “Concert off the Square” by Decatur favorite Heaven Davis Band from 5 until 7 pm.

 

For more information about the Artists’ Market and an application, click here.

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Decatur Becomes One of the First ARC Certified "Green Communities"

July 22, 2009 by Lena

Recipients of the ARC Green Communities Certification

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has developed a new program designed to recognize local governments in the 10-county Atlanta region that are making efforts towards environmental sustainability.  Applicants are awarded points in 10 different categories.

Today, the City of Decatur officially became one of the first three certification recipients, with a bronze level certification.  The City of Alpharetta received the bronze certification as well, and Cobb County received the silver level certification.  Mayor Bill Floyd accepted the award on behalf of the City.  

Highlights of Decatur’s application include the cool roof and solar hot water heater at Fire Station No. 2 in Oakhurst, rainwater reuse at the Public Works facility, and the use of green cleaning products by the facilities maintenance staff.  A big thank you to ARC for coordinating this program, and to the city staff who are responsible for all of Decatur’s green initiatives- big and small.

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