Connecting Families graduates holding their laptops on the steps of City Hall
15 residents of the Decatur Housing Authority graduated on May 9th from a pilot program designed to improve digital access for Decatur residents. We developed the Connecting Families program as a partnership between the City of Decatur and the City of Decatur Schools Technology Department. This program gave families in the Swanton Heights, Allen Wilson Terrace or Gateway neighborhoods:
- A free, refurbished laptop
- A year of free wireless Internet access in their homes, using Decatur’s new municipal WiFi system
- And (most importantly!) 6 free classes on how to use their computer and the Internet to help their children in school and be in contact with their children’s teachers
The program resulted from a generous grant from the Great Decatur Beer Tasting Festival Committee. Training was provided by Alan Thornton, owner of an on-site computer troubleshooting company called Decatur Computer Help.
The Connecting Families program has the potential to affect 43 children currently enrolled in the school system. At graduation these women were thrilled, some to the point of tears, to finally take home their laptops.
Posted in Community | 3 Comments »
May 14, 2009 by cburnette
From Roxie Watson Myspace page
The Concert on the Square this Saturday, May 16th will feature local band Roxie Watson. Roxie Watson plays a mix of Americana and Bluegrass. You can hear a sample of their music on www.myspace.com/roxiewatson.
The band is comprised of members Beth Wheeler on mandolin, Lenny Lasater on bass and vocals, Linda Boller on guitar and vocals, Sonia Bolley on banjo and vocals, and Becky Shaw on a variety of instruments and vocals. The band plays at various venues around town including Eddie’s Attic in Decatur.
Be sure to come to the Concert early this week for the Rain Barrel Auction at 6:30 pm. The rain barrels were painted by children at Clairemont Elementary School and were scheduled to be auctioned at the Decatur Green Fest. Ironically, the auction was rained out! Mayor Floyd will be the auctioneer and will be joined by “The Rain Barrel Man” (yes, he wears a rain barrel)!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 30030, Concerts on the Square, Decatur, Roxie Watson, Special Events | 1 Comment »
May 13, 2009 by cburnette
The Seen Gallery is proud to present “Figuratively Speaking,” the newest works of renowned mixed-media artist Kimberly Dean, on display from Saturday, May 16 through Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Co-owners of The Seen Gallery, Bill Bibb and Amy Bradford, will host an opening night reception for the exhibit on Saturday, May 16 from 7 to 10 p.m., featuring complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. This event is open to the public and is the perfect opportunity to meet the artist and experience The Seen Gallery at its new location in Downtown Decatur.
“Kimberly Dean’s work is cerebral yet funny at times, poignant and with layers of creativity,” says The Seen Gallery co-owner Amy Bradford. “Her mixed-media pieces incorporate hand-built clay with recycled materials and found objects.”
“I attempt to create honest and inquisitive visual speed bumps – pieces that pose questions but don’t quite answer them, says Dean. “By combining my sculpted clay figures with surviving parts of discarded and forgotten objects like tools, boxes, architectural elements, I attempt to express those universal human qualities that reveal our own vulnerability and emotions.” Dean’s work has become highly collectible and in addition to The Seen Gallery, she is represented in Birmingham (AL), Charlotte (NC), and Savannah (GA).
For more information be sure to visit www.theseengallery.com or email art@theseengallery.com.
Posted in Community, Events, Retail & Restaurants | Tagged 30030, Art in Decatur, Decatur, Kimberly Dean, Special Events, The Seen Gallery | Leave a Comment »
May 13, 2009 by cburnette
The Decatur Arts Alliance invites the community to the annual Decatur Fine Arts Exhibition Opening Reception. The reception, at Agnes Scott Dalton Galleries, will be held on Tuesday, May 19 from 5 until 7 p.m. in conjunction with the Decatur Business Association monthly meeting.
The Fine Arts Exhibition attracts submissions from the best regional and national artists and is reviewed by respected members of the Atlanta Arts community. Thanks to Co-chair Lauren Lee and the rest of the volunteer committee, Lockey McDonald, Dorothy Moye, Lisa Alembik and Olivia White, for another great exhibit.
I hope to see everyone there.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 30030, Agnes Scott, Dalton Galleries, Decatur, Decatur Arts Alliance, Decatur Arts Festival, Fine Arts, Special Events | Leave a Comment »
May 13, 2009 by cburnette
On Wednesday, May 13th from 1 utnil 4 p.m., Hoopla on Church Street will be hosting a Mad Hatter Style Un-Birthday Party and Trunk show with Lark and Loon. The party will have cupcakes, balloons and party favors! Be sure to stop by.
On Wednesday, May 20th from 1 until 3 p.m. Hoopla will host a Mom and Daughter Tea party with Ruby Bird. Ruby Bird Designs sweet dress from vintage pillowcases. These little works of art no longer sleep at the back of closets or inside trunks. They have been recycled and revivied for today’s little girl’s and tomorrow’s hand-me-downs. For more information visit www.hooplakids.com.
Come to the Blue sky Concert at noon on the Square and then head on over to Hoopla!
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
May 12, 2009 by cburnette
The DeKalb Rape Crisis Center will hold their annual Jewelry Sale on the Community Bandstand next Monday, May 18 from 9 am until 3 pm. Donations are collected throughout the year and offered for sale from $1 to $3. This is great opportunity to not only pick up some gently used jewelry, handbags and more, but to support a great organization.
For more information, info@dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org or visit the website www.dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org.
Posted in Community, Uncategorized | Tagged 30030, Decatur, DeKalb Rape Crisis Center, Jewelry | 2 Comments »
May 11, 2009 by cburnette
Baatin Muhammed
Baatin and Top Secret played the Concert on the Square this past Saturday night and they were a BIG hit! Baatin is a multi-talented musician who plays guitar, keyboard, and sax as well as having a great singing voice. His band played a lot of jazz mixed with some R&B and some oldies such as “My Girl”.
Otis Redding III
The band was also joined by special guest Otis Redding III. I had the pleasure of talking with Virgil Gibson, who was the lead singer of The Platters. Some of you may be old enough to remember The Platters! Virgil didn’t get up on stage, but was there to show support to his friends and fellow musicians. He ahs had quite an interesting career and has played all over Europe.
Virgil Gibson of The Platters
I look forward to seeing everyone on the Square this coming Saturday to hear “Roxie Watson”.
Have a great week in Decatur!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 30030, Baatin, Concerts on the Square, Decatur, Decatur Business Association, Otis Redding III, Virgil Gibson | Leave a Comment »
This week’s Concert on the Square, Saturday May 9, features Baatin & Top Secret. Baatin has played on the square at the Decatur Arts Festival and at past Concerts on the Square. I hope you will join the Decatur Business Association and welcome Baatin as he releaeses his new cd.
The Concert begins at 7 pm and goes until 9:30 pm. See you on the Square!
Posted in Community, Events, Uncategorized | Tagged 30030, Baatin, Concerts on the Square, Decatur, Decatur Business Association | Leave a Comment »
Volunteers of the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values will conduct the Breath Water Sound (BWS) Trauma Relief Program for Bhutanese refugees in Decatur on June 5 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm and June 6 & 7 from 3 pm until 6 pm at the Decatur Recreation Center. The resettlement of the Bhutanese refugees in Atlanta is part of one of the world’s largest resettlement projects through which 120,000 Bhutanese are being resettled in the United Staates and other developed nations over the next five years. The BWS course provides stress relief tools to help refugees move through the trauma and upheavel in their lives. For information on the upcoming course, contact Pratik Jagad at 404-840-47899 or email pjagad@gmail.com.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 30030, Bhutanese refugees, Decatur, Internation Association for Human Values | 2 Comments »
Bring your mom to Vivid Boutique tonight from 5-10 p.m. for a special Mother’s Day wine and cheese shopping party.
If you and your mom can’t make it tonight, there will be discounts all day Friday and Saturday featuring jewelry starting at $10, gift bags from $14, monogrammed items from $8, eco-friendly handbags from $24 and French-chic housewares from $6.
Vivid is located on the square next to Little Shop of Stories.
www.vividdecatur.com
Posted in Retail & Restaurants | 1 Comment »
« Newer Posts - Older Posts »
