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Homestead Exemptions in Time for Taxes

March 13, 2019 by Ellen

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Apply for a homestead exemption today – tax time is right around the corner! The City of Decatur offers several homestead exemptions to resident homeowners that may reduce the taxable value of your home by 10-, 25-, or even $50,000. These include general exemptions based on ownership and occupancy as well as exemptions based on age, income and disability. A complete list of exemptions and qualifications is shown here: decaturga.com/homestead It’s worth a look!

 

Apply online at decaturga.com/homestead or in person by March 15 (that’s this Friday!) to ensure your exemption appears on your first installment tax bill for this year. Applications are accepted year-round, but in order to grant an exemption for the current tax year, we must receive your application no later than April 1. Applications received after April 1 will be processed for the following tax year. 

 

Learn more at decaturga.com/homestead.

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Women’s History Month Books

March 12, 2019 by Ellen

Read along all month long with book club picks from Decatur’s Better Together Advisory Board and Little Shop of Stories that celebrate Women’s History Month. This week: Women’s history for little learners. 📚✨

 

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Little Dreamers: Visionary Women from Around the World by Vashti Harrison (Children). This follow-up to last year’s brilliant Little Leaders book is even more charming and delightful! Chock-full of both well-known and less-recognized historical figures, Little Dreamers exposes readers to a host of women who made huge impacts on the world. It is a picture book aimed for younger children, ages 3 and up.

From Decatur’s Better Together Advisory Board:

We hope that you will use this March as an opportunity to learn about and discuss the myriad of ways women enrich our communities, our nation, and the world.

Some discussion questions to consider, while reading or just thinking:

  • Are women and men (or, more broadly, people of different genders) different? If so, how should we as a society respond to such differences?
  • Who is a woman you admire? Talk with a friend or family member about why (or tell her!).

 

Books are available for purchase at Little Shop of Stories, 113 E. Court Square. littleshopofstories.com

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Touch-a-Budget Returns to the Square Next Week

March 12, 2019 by Meredith

Tuesday, March 19, 5-7 p.m. on the Decatur Square

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Get an up-close and personal look at the city’s budgeting process at the free Touch-A-Budget event. See what “pending spending” is planned for the FY 2019-2020 city budget and how it supports the 2010 Strategic Plan principles developed by Decatur residents. Talk to representatives from all city departments and play budget games for prizes. For information, check decaturga.com/budget.

 

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Future of Electric Scooters in Decatur Public Information and Input Session

March 11, 2019 by Renae

Lime Scooters

The community is invited to a drop-in public information and input session on the motorized mobility device (AKA electric scooters) ordinance, Wednesday, March 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Decatur Recreation Center (231 Sycamore St.). Currently, e-scooters are being operated through an Interim Operating Agreement while an ordinance is being developed.

City staff will be on-site to provide information on the current requirements, potential ordinance provisions, respond to comments and receive your suggestions. We are interested in hearing from you about the key components in the motorized mobility device ordinance.

Drop by the Decatur Recreation Center anytime during the workshop to learn about the potential ordinance and share your thoughts. For more information or questions, contact Ash Kumar at ash.kumar@decaturga.com or 404-370-4102.

When: Wednesday, March 27, 6 to 7:30 pm

Where: Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St

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This Week in Decatur: 3/11

March 11, 2019 by Ellen

This week in #decaturga: Eating bugs, prizes in pubs, St. Patty’s bike ride, and more

 

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Learn about eating bugs with graphic novelist Blue Delliquanti, author of Meal, and scientist / entomophogist Chelsea Thomas. Monday, March 11, 7-9 pm at Little Shop of Stories, 133 E. Court Sq. $5 family tickets include samples from the buggy buffet! Part of the Atlanta Science Festival. Tickets and information at facebook.com/events/585689508525348

 

Music Bingo is the new trivia night. Check it out at Universal Joint, Tuesdays at 8 pm starting this week, Tuesday, March 12. 906 Oakview Rd. It’s bingo meets Name That Tune, meets drink specials and prizes! Bring your friends. Information at facebook.com/events/2062565700524810

 

Decatur’s Third Friday Bike Ride rolls with a St. Patrick’s Day theme! Join Decatur Active Living for this friendly (no-rider-left-behind) 6 mile ride around town. Meet Friday, March 15 in front of the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St., wheels down at 6:30 pm. Helmets required; green flair encouraged. Information at beactivedecatur.com

 

The Southern Harp Festival comes to Decatur Friday-Sunday, March 15-17. There’s still time for harpists and enthusiasts to register for masterclasses and seminars through the weekend. And concerts are open to the community! Learn more and buy tickets for Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon harp concerts at southernharpfestival.com

 

Contra dance the night away! Every Friday night, 8-10:45 p.m. at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. New dancers lesson 7:30-8 p.m. $10. Information at contradance.org

 

Find upcoming Decatur community events at visitdecaturgeorgia.com/plan/calendar-of-events and submit your own by contacting sherry.jackman@decaturga.com or renae.madison@decaturga.com

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Railroad Crossing Improvements @ Atlanta Avenue Preferred Design Alternative/Refinement Final Online Workshop

March 8, 2019 by Renae

Whether you attended the Preferred Design Alternative/Refinement Final Public Workshop  on February 28 and want more information, or you missed the workshop but would like to participate, there is an opportunity to do so online. The graphic displays (links are below) will give you the same materials that the attendees of the Final Public Workshop received. We have listed each document along with a description of how it was used at the workshop.

  • 1 – About the Project – Provides detailed information on the various aspects and history of the Railroad Crossing Improvements @ Atlanta Avenue.
  • 2 – PedBike Paths – Displays the travel patterns of vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists within the project area.
  • 3 – Community Goals – Shows “word clouds” highlighting the greatest areas of concern and the most favored solutions, concepts and ideas. It summarizes project goals and objectives that have been developed from community engagement.
  • 4-6 – Workshop #2 Project Concepts – There were three boards displaying the concepts which emerged from November’s Kick-off Open House and Workshop and from the online Kick-Off Workshop. After thorough analysis, these concepts were deemed infeasible due to either high cost, operational inefficiency, the need for significant property, or some combination thereof. The three concepts include:
  • 7 – Matrix – Summarizes the results of the evaluation conducted by the project team. Evaluations were based on a combination of community evaluations of the concepts, modeled intersection effectiveness, expected pedestrian connectivity detour, and relative cost.
  • 8-10 – Top Ranked Concepts – The three top ranked concepts after the team evaluation were refined with additional detail. These refinements provided higher level visuals than the previous workshop that better described the expected roadway geometry and lane striping throughout the intersection. The three top ranked concepts were:
  • 12-15 – Workshop Worksheets – Each of the top ranked concepts were made available to participants to share design ideas for public amenities that extend beyond the scope of the facility geometry alone as well as provide general comments regarding ideas for elements of components. The worksheets correspond directly with numbers 8-10 above but include an enlarged drawing and comment space:
  • Thank You!– Stay tuned for project updates from the City of Decatur. Please feel free to forward this to any friends and neighbors who may be interested in participating.

We encourage you to participate in the Online Workshop and use Open City Hall to provide your Design Ideas and General Comments.  The deadline for submissions is March 18.

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This Weekend in Decatur: 3/8

March 8, 2019 by Ellen

This weekend in #decaturga: Happy International Women’s Day from the City of Decatur!

 

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Celebrate women artists, DJs, and business owners during the Women Create art opening at Trinity Mercantile and Design. TONIGHT, March 8, 5-8 pm at 116 E. Trinity Pl. View paintings, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, and more by 10 local women artist, free sips and bites. Information at facebook.com/events/323383764957760 and trinity-decatur.com

 

Pick up Tour deCatur bib numbers and watch beloved CoD teachers get a pie in the face! Tour deCatur Expo TODAY, March 8, 4-6:30 pm at the Ebster Recreation Center, 105 Electric Ave. The race(s) step off tomorrow morning from Decatur High School. Watch for road closures and runners, of course! Information at decatureducationfoundation.org/tour-decatur

 

Academe of the Oaks hosts Brain/Body Interactive Health Connection Summit, with mindfulness education, recipe demos, guided meditation, and more. Saturday, March 9, 9 am-5 pm at Academe of the Oaks, 146 New St. Tickets: $55, helps support scholarship funds. Information at academeatlanta.org

 

Pop in for a Trunk Show at Wild Oats and Billy Goats featuring paintings and jewelry by Jan Daniels and Patricia Dibona. Saturday, March 9, 12-5 pm, 112 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.

 

Mathapalooza! See the magic of math + the arts. This FREE event for all ages features puzzles, games, performances, music, art, and more. Saturday, March 9, 1-5 pm at Ebster Recreation Center, 105 Electric Ave. Hosted by Mathematics-in-Motion. Information at facebook.com/events/394390188035131

 

View Glennwood student art at Wild Oats and Billy Goats. Opening reception Sunday, March 10, 3-5 pm, 112 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. Celebrate young artists with ongoing special student exhibitions at Wild Oats and Billy Goats in partnership with the Decatur Arts Alliance. (Up next, Oakhurst!) Information at facebook.com/events/657146791371955

 

Find upcoming Decatur community events at visitdecaturgeorgia.com/plan/calendar-of-events and submit your own by contacting sherry.jackman@decaturga.com or renae.madison@decaturga.com

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Testing the Tornado Siren System Today

March 6, 2019 by Meredith

The March test of the Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren System will happen today (3/6/19) at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, 7 March 2019.

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.

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This Week in Decatur: 3/4

March 4, 2019 by Ellen

This week in #decaturga: Six dollar thalis, Tour deCatur, local architecture, Women Create art show, and more

 

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Celebrate Chai Pani’s birthday with $6 deals all day TODAY, March 4! They’re serving a special mini thali all day, plus drink and chaat specials at dinner — all 6 bucks. Chai Pani, 406 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. chaipanidecatur.com

 

It’s not too late to register for Tour deCatur! The race – with 5K, Fun Run, Tot Trot, and prize ceremony events – steps off Saturday morning. Register and pick up your bib number in advance, and raise money for the Decatur Education Foundation. Information at tourdecatur.com

 

Susan Hunter discusses her book Southern Homes and Plan Books: The Architectural Legacy of Leila Ross Wilburn. Wednesday, March 6, 5:30-8pm at the DeKalb History Center, 101 E. Court Sq. Tickets: $5 members, $10 non-members. Information at facebook.com/events/317210348864516

 

Join the Phoenix Flies Historic Decatur Square guided walking tour on Friday, March 8 at noon, and learn what the square looked like in 1900. This event is FREE. Meet at 101 E. Court Sq. Information at facebook.com/events/254600132130012

 

Women Create – art opening at Trinity Mercantile and Design featuring 10 local women artists, sips, bites, and DJ. Friday, March 8, 5-9 pm. Trinity Mercantile and Design, 116 E. Trinity Pl. Information at facebook.com/events/323383764957760

 

Contra dance the night away! Every Friday night, 8-10:45 p.m. at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. New dancers lesson 7:30-8 p.m. $10. Information at contradance.org
 

 

Find upcoming Decatur community events at visitdecaturgeorgia.com/plan/calendar-of-events and submit your own by contacting sherry.jackman@decaturga.com or renae.madison@decaturga.com
 

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This Weekend in Decatur: 3/2

March 1, 2019 by Ellen

This weekend in #decaturga: Mardi Gras party time, dance, art, singalongs, and a casino night with a cause

 

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FREE Historic Decatur walking tour presented by the Atlanta Preservation Center’s Phoenix Flies program. Saturday, March 2, starting at the Old Courthouse on the Square (101 E. Court Sq.) at 10 am. Information and RSVP at facebook.com/events/254600125463346

 

Mead Road Mardi Gras! This homemade parade of floats, costumes, and bands marches up Oakview and Mead Road from 4/5 Academy to the Imperial, where there’s a big afterparty. Saturday, March 2 at 1 pm. Information and Krewe sign-up at meadrdmardigras.org

 

Opening reception at Galeria Regina featuring art from the Avondale Estates Art Guild. Saturday, March 2, 5-9 pm at Galeria Regina, 409 Mead Rd, No. 5. Information at galeriaregina.com

 

The Marlay House hosts Casino Night with Sierra Nevada to raise funds for Butte County fire relief. Come out for casino classics, weekend-getaway raffle, DJ tunes, and a good cause. Saturday, March 2, doors at 6pm, games start at 7. The Marlay House, 426 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Tickets and information at facebook.com/events/2536754806365891

 

Mardi Gras Ball Benefiting F.AVE offers food, drinks, and live auction fun all supporting the 4/5 Academy PTO. Saturday, March 2, 7-10 pm at Color Wheel Studio, 508 E. Howard Ave. Tickets and information at facebook.com/events/875770356146383 and decaturmardigrasball.com

 

Scout hosts Sunday Singalongs and Fireside Jams with family-friendly music time in their outdoor space. S’mores kits and cocktails available for purchase. Sunday, March 3, 4-6 pm at Scout, 321 W. Hill St. Information at facebook.com/events/254215801995534

 

Enjoy English country dancing in Decatur. First and third Sundays of the month, 2-5 pm at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. New dancers lesson 1:30-2 pm. $9. Information at ecdatlanta.org

 

Find upcoming Decatur community events at visitdecaturgeorgia.com/plan/calendar-of-events and submit your own by contacting sherry.jackman@decaturga.com or renae.madison@decaturga.com

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