The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a Tornado Watch until 1:00 p.m. today.
A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornados to occur. Stay tuned to a weather radio, a local TV/radio station or a weather app for updates.
If you hear the tornado sirens today, seek shelter immediately.
Here are ways you can get prepared now:
Keep updated on the latest weather by tuning in to your local weather channel and downloading a weather notification app so that it will notify you when a television or radio isn’t nearby.
Sign up for the City’s Smart911 notification system to receive emergency weather alerts should your property be included in a storm predicting polygon.
Determine a safe place to shelter in the event of a tornado. Look around your place for helmets, pillows, e.g. anything you can use to protect your head in the event of flying objects in high winds. As always, it’s good to be on the lowest floor of a house or structure since winds are less strong near the surface.
Charge your devices including smartphones, laptops, etc. now, and leave them charging.
Decatur Architectural Walking Tour | Tuesday, Aug. 17 • 9-10:15 a.m. Take a tour and explore floor plans, house types, and architectural styles of some of Decatur’s historic gems, spanning 1830 to 1965. The tour is outdoors with a total walking distance of about one mile, and lasts about an hour and a half. Meet in the Historic DeKalb Courthouse lobby for the start of the tour. Tours will happen rain or shine!
Fleet Feet Wednesday Runs | Wednesday, Aug. 18 • 6:30 pm. Join Fleet Feet Decatur’s Wednesday Run club for 2, 3, & 4 mile routes every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The group meets in front of Fleet Feet Decatur, 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., and the courses start and end there. Afterwards, the club regroups and walks over to a local business for socializing and special discounts.
On third Wednesdays, the club heads over to East Decatur to support Three Taverns Brewery, 121 New St. The group meets up outside the brewery, and the courses start and end at there.
Sign in at the tent in front of the store (or the brewery on third Wednesdays) and grab a map! All runners and walkers are welcome. Water will be provided post run. Please plan accordingly if you need water on the course. Masks are encourage pre and post run.
Check out the Fleet Feet Facebook page for more details. On Strava? Join Fleet Feet Decatur Run Club for more access to routes, run club event reminders, etc.
Decatur Parents Network Speaker Series: Talking About Our Kids’ Mental Health | Thursday, Aug. 19 • 7 p.m. Join Decatur Parents Network for a virtual discussion on mental health, including:
Nurturing resiliency, confidence, and compassion
Confronting depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and risky behaviors
Transitions (big and small)
Intersection of mental health and substance use
Promoting wellness in a highly competitive social and academic environment
Fleet Feet Saturday Runs | Saturday, Aug. 21 • 8 a.m. Join Fleet Feet Decatur on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. for an open group run. The group meets in front of Fleet Feet Decatur, 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., and the run starts and end there. Upon arrival please check in at the table in front of the store, acknowledge waiver, and grab a map. Various routes are offered. Bathrooms are available. Water is not available on the course so please plan accordingly.
The August test of the Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren System that had been rescheduled for this afternoon (8/11/21) has been canceled.
Testing will resume in September on Wednesday the 1st at 5:00 p.m.
Consider registering to receive Smart911 severe weather alerts offered by the City of Decatur and CodeRed weather alerts offered by DeKalb County if you have not already done so. Or download a weather alerting app on your smart phone or tablet so that you will be prepared should severe weather pop in the coming days.
Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival | Saturday, Aug. 14 • 2-10 p.m.
Decatur 20th annual BBQ Blues & Bluegrass Festival, presented by Moore Team of Fairway Independent Mortgage, will return to Legacy Park Saturday, August 14. This year’s festival will be headlined by Grammy nominated blues artist G Love & The Juice.
Visit decaturbbqfestival.com to purchase tickets and for more information, or call 678 778-2000.
Decatur’s Decatur BBQ, Blues, & Bluegrass Festival is brought to you by the Community Center of South Decatur, thesolarium.com, and managed by Synertia Partners, synertiapartners.com.
Electronics Recycling | Sunday, Aug. 15 from 1-4pm. Behind Decatur First United Methodist Church (300 E Ponce De Leon Ave). Enter the parking lot from N. Candler and exit onto Commerce Dr.
Your laptop could provide a student in need of computer access with their very own refurbished laptop or help a local nonprofit in need of technology. Masked volunteers will unload donated items, so you don’t need to leave your car. Small plug-in electronics, wires and cabling, cameras, networking equipment, fitness trackers/smart watches, power tools, and phones are accepted for recycling. Only flat screen TVs will be accepted for a fee of $20. Other large appliance will not be accepted. Visit newlifetechgroup.com/faqs/ for a list of accepted items.
On the Candler side of the church, they’re also taking food donations for DEAM and DCM from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Other Updates/Announcements
Monthly Tornado Siren Test. Due to the need for repairs, last week’s monthly tornado outdoor warning siren system test is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 5 p.m,
Consider registering to receive Smart911 severe weather alerts offered by the City of Decatur and CodeRed weather alerts offered by DeKalb County if you have not already done so. Or download a weather alerting app on your smart phone or tablet so that you will be prepared should severe weather pop in the coming days.
Afterschool Counselor (Part-Time) Positions are Still Available. Are you or anyone you know looking for opportunities to make a difference while having fun and getting paid? Join the City of Decatur Children & Youth Services division as an Afterschool Counselor. Counselors lead enriching activities for children in school buildings across the city of Decatur with an emphasis on leadership, social emotional learning, STEAM and cultural competence. Schedules are 2-6:15 pm or 2:30-6:15 pm M-F on school days from August through May with some additional hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the year for meetings and professional development. The starting pay rate is $14/hour DOQ.
A couple of the sirens that make up the City’s tornado outdoor warning siren system are in need of repairs so the monthly test has been postponed until next Wednesday, August 11th at 5:00 p.m. Stay tuned for updates.
While the system repairs are being made, consider registering to receive Smart911 severe weather alerts offered by the City of Decatur and CodeRed weather alerts offered by DeKalb County if you have not already done so. Or download a weather alerting app on your smart phone or tablet so that you will be prepared should severe weather pop in the coming days.
The City of Decatur requests all property owners prune their trees and shrubs to clear the sidewalks and streets. This will make it safer for pedestrians and keep your trees from being damaged by trucks and cars.
Information on how to prune can be obtained from City Arborist Kay Evanovich at kay.evanovich@decaturga.com or 404.377.6198.
There is still time for rising 9th through 12th grade students to apply for the 2021-2022 Decatur Youth Council (DYC) leadership program. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 28.
The program is open to students who live within the city limits of Decatur and attend public, private, and home-based schools. DYC members volunteer, plan projects and events, and serve as an advisory board for local government.
City Commission Meeting| Monday, July 19 @ 7:30 p.m. (online and in-person)
Note: This meeting will be the first to utilize new virtual meeting technology. Please be patient with us as we work through any issues that we may encounter. If your participation must be a matter of public record, attend the meeting in person or email your comments to City Manager Andrea Arnold at andrea.arnold@decaturga.com by 5 p.m. Monday, July 19.
Join DeKalb History Center for a tour that explores the floor plans, house and architectural styles of some of Decatur’s historic gems, spanning from 1830-1965. This tour is outdoors with a total walking distance of one mile, and lasts about an hour and a half. The start and end point will be the Historic DeKalb Courthouse.
Tickets are $5 for members (in person) and $10 for non-members (in person). Visit dekalbhistory.org to purchase tickets.
Tai Chi on the Square | Tuesday, July 20 @ 9 a.m.
Wednesday Walks with Special Guest | Wednesday, July 21 @ 9 a.m. (meet in front of Decatur Recreation Center)
Maculelê-Capoeira Academy Decatur: Free Samba + Intro to Capoeira Open House | Friday, July 23 @ 7:30 p.m. at Core Studios. Visit capoeiraatlanta.com/ for additional details.
Hops at the History Center: A Scenic Georgia Sketchbook July 12 • 6-7 p.m.
Join DeKalb History Center for the first Hops at the History Center of the year! Author Ronald R. Huffman will be talking about his new book, A Scenic Georgia Sketchbook, Landmarks & Wonders from the Back Roads.
Take a look at Georgia’s architectural treasures through the lens of an architect’s sketchbook. Ronald R. Huffman captures the splendor of more than eighty buildings and landmarks throughout Georgia with a precise hand while sharing anecdotes and back stories behind each place. With this book, Huffman hopes to record each place in time to preserve the beauty and context before they are lost to time or progress.
Tickets are $5 for members (in person), $10 for non-members (in person), and $5 for virtual only. Drink tickets will be available for $5. Visit dekalbhistory.org to purchase tickets.
Tai Chi on the Square | Tuesday, July 13 @ 9 a.m.
Wednesday Walks with Special Guest | Wednesday, July 14 @ 9 a.m. (meet in front of Decatur Recreation Center)
3rd Friday Bike Ride | Friday, July 16 @ 6:30 p.m. (meet in front of Decatur Recreation Center)
Maculelê-Capoeira Academy Decatur: Free Belly Dance Workshop | 7:30 p.m. at Core Studios. Visit capoeiraatlanta.com/ for additional details.
Reminders
Decatur 2020 Strategic Draft Plan Review. An initial draft of the 2020 Strategic Plan is now available. Everyone in the community, whether you’re new to the process or have participated since the beginning, is encouraged to provide final thoughts on the emerging plan.
Afterschool Counselor (Part-Time) Positions Available. Are you or anyone you know looking for opportunities to make a difference while having fun and getting paid? Join the City of Decatur Children & Youth Services division as an Afterschool Counselor. Counselors lead enriching activities for children in school buildings across the city of Decatur with an emphasis on leadership, social emotional learning, STEAM and cultural competence. The role begins July 27-30, 2021 with orientation and then starts with school on August 3, 2021. Schedules are 2-6:15 pm or 2:30-6:15 pm M-F on school days from August through May with some additional hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the year for meetings and professional development. The pay rate is $12 or $13/hour DOQ.
After 18 months of community conversation we now have a full draft of the 2020 Strategic Plan for your review and comment — now through July 23, after which a final revised draft will work its way toward consideration by the City Commission. Visit www.decatur2030.com to provide your input.
