NEWS ARCHIVE
2005
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NEWS ARCHIVE |
2005 |
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Creative Spirit is Relocating! - posted 10-30-05 After much soul searching, I have decided to relocate Creative Spirit gallery to downtown Decatur. I have enjoyed being a part of the Oakhurst business community and the Oakhurst neighborhood. I appreciate all of the community support you have shown the gallery during the past two years and will miss many of the friendly faces who come in to shop and say hello. I hope you will continue to stop in at the new location at 335-D West Ponce de Leon Avenue. The anticipated opening is early November. Our last event here will be the Third Annual Jewelry Show on Saturday, November 12th. Hope to see you then! Becky Sizemore [info@csgallery.com] Enjoy a Thanksgiving Feast with your Neighbors - posted 10-30-05 Once again, the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association is hosting our annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Monday, November 14th, at 7pm at the Solarium--321 W. Hill Street. The ONA will provide turkey, dressing, gravy and beverages. Bring your favorite dish to share, and come celebrate the bounty of the season and give thanks for our unique community and all it has to offer. We encourage you to invite neighbors who do not regularly attend meetings, especially seniors who may not have the transportation to attend. Anyone who needs help getting a ride to the feast may contact Vandy Vail-Dickson, at 404-323-3004. Join the “Keep Oakhurst Clean” Campaign - posted 10-30-05 Are you tired of seeing litter on your street and your favorite walking route? You can either continue to look the other way, or you can make a difference. The ONA Beautification Committee is looking for volunteers to adopt streets for monthly litter pick-up. The time commitment is only 1 hour per month, but the benefits to the community are significant. Currently, 40 litter pick-up routes have been adopted, and our volunteers do an amazing job each month. In order to reach our goal of 100% of the designated routes adopted by January 1st, we need your help with the remaining 10 routes. Here’s what it takes:
Listed below are the routes available for adoption:
To adopt a route, please contact Stephanie at 404-281-5422 or by e-mail at sroach3@yahoo.com. International Market Place - posted 10-30-05 The Annual International Market Place will be held on November 19-20, 2005 at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, corner of East Lake Dr. and 2nd Ave. Gifts from around the world and local crafts persons will be selling hand made gifts for your holiday shopping. Tables will rent for $45.00 for community folks. Saturday hours are 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM and Sunday from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. For information call the Church at 404-378-6284 or email oakpres@earthlink.net. Our Market Place benefits youth ministries. Oh Baby! Fitness at the Solarium - posted 10-30-05 Starting in November, Oh Baby! Fitness will offer prenatal and postnatal exercise classes in partnership with the Decatur Recreation Department and Agnes Scott College. Decatur Rec will sponsor three classes at the Solarium in Oakhurst Village:
Two classes will be held at Agnes Scott
College’s pool at the Woodruff Physical Activities Building: To register online go to www.ohbabyfitness.com or call 678.528.1390. Play XTremely Crazy Croquet at the Oakhurst Garden, November 12 - posted 10-30-05 The Oakhurst Community Garden Project invites everyone to a day of wacky wicket fun for the whole family with "Xtremely Crazy Croquet" on Saturday, November 12, 2005, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Benefiting the Oakhurst Garden's environmental education programs for urban youth, Xtremely Crazy Croquet is not your grandfather’s backyard lawn game. It’s more like goofy golf meets croquet. The field for Extremely Crazy Croquet is laid out like regular croquet, but the similarities end there. The natural lay of the land in the Oakhurst Garden provides the perfect terrain—gone are the manicured lawns of turf grass. Instead, players will go up against bumps, stumps, rocks, blocks, hedges, wedges, and the occasional irate squirrel. Two courses will be laid out: a more challenging 15-hole course for older players, plus an easier, supervised, 6-hole Crazy Course for players eight and under. A shotgun start promptly at 10:00 a.m. will set off the teams of two (bring your own or we’ll match you up). A championship round will take place in the afternoon. Trivia questions at each hole will help teams boost their scores, and yes, mulligans will be for sale! Prizes will be awarded in various categories. Amenities include donuts and coffee in the morning and beer, soda, and hot dogs in the afternoon. Equipment will be provided, but players are welcome to bring their own. Fees are $30 for adults, $20 for ages 9¬–16, and $5 for ages 8 and under. Registration will begin at 9:30 on the day of the event, or is available on-line (www.oakhurstgarden.org). For more information, contact Stephanie Van Parys, svanparys@hotmail.com or 404-377-8675. Trick or Treat - posted 10-25-05 By Anne Becca (abaca1221@bellsouth.net) School has started and before you know it trick
or treaters will be knocking on your door. Halloween is right around
the corner and in what will no doubt be the highlight event of the
fall, the Community Center of South Decatur will be hosting its
annual Halloween Party at the Solarium. We are currently looking for
some eager volunteers to help with the details of the party. Oakhurst Elementary Distinguished - posted 08/08/2005 The Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed that all four (100%) of Decatur's elementary schools have received the "2005 Distinguished Elementary School" designation for having made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for three consecutive years. The original AYP report from the state failed to include Oakhurst Elementary with the list of distinguished schools. After reviewing the data, the GDOE confirmed that the omission of Oakhurst was an error, and the report will be corrected. Schools that are designated as "distinguished" have success in helping their students meet academic expectations that increase each year according to Georgia's interpretation of the No Child Left Behind legislation. In 2005, the performance standard was raised for elementary schools across the state. 58.3 percent of the students in each school - and each qualifying subgroup - had to meet or exceed the standards on a math portion of the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), increased from 50 percent last year. In the English/Language Arts portion of the CRCT, 66.7 percent of students had to pass compared to 60 percent last year. A complete listing of all Distinguished Elementary Schools in the state of Georgia can be found on the Office of Student Achievement Web site at http://www.gaosa.org Jazz Nights To Return In September - posted 08/08/2005 Mark your calendars for the fourth series of Jazz Nights. Jazz musicians will play under the stars in front of the historic Scottish Rite building Thursday nights in September from 7 - 9 PM starting September 8. In case of rain, the concerts will take place in the Solarium. Lawn seating is free. A limited number of tables are available for $20. Sponsorships are still available. Please contact Cindy Sanders at jazznights@oakhurstga.org for further information. McKoy Pool Status - posted 08/08/2005 The Decatur Recreation Department will convene a meeting to discuss the status of McKoy Pool. Information about the current problems with the pool, as well as costs associated with addressing those problems will be discussed. Residents will have the opportunity to provide input about their desires for a pool in McKoy Park, as well as possible alternative solutions for recreational programs in the park. The goal of the meeting is to develop several options for developing the pool space along with associated costs to present to the city manager and the city commission for consideration. The meeting will be held at the Solarium on Wednesday, August 24 at 7 PM. If you cannot attend the meeting, but would like to provide input to the Decatur Recreation Department, please contact Mary Miller, Director of Decatur Parks and Recreation (phone: 404 377 0494, email: millem@decaturga.com). Oakhurst Presbyterian Update - posted 08/08/2005 Oakhurst Presbyterian Church invites community folks to join us for the beginning of our Church year together. Rally Day will take place on September 11, at 9:30 AM for a breakfast kick off to our education classes for all ages. First classes begin on Sunday, September 18 at 10 AM. Worship service resumes at 11 AM on September 11. The Church is located on East Lake Dr. and Second Avenue. Call 404 378 6284 for information or check out our web site at www.oakhurstpresbyterian.org. We will host a Back to School picnic after worship on Sunday, August 21 to celebrate our school staff, students, family and friends. The picnic will be on the front lawn at East Lake Dr. and Second Avenue at 11:30 AM. Oh Baby Fitness In Oakhurst - posted 08/08/2005 Classes held in Oakhurst Starting in September, Oh Baby! Fitness will bring a wide variety of prenatal and postnatal fitness classes to Decatur. Oh Baby! Fitness programs are an excellent way for expectant and new moms to find support and exercise with their babies. All Oh Baby! Fitness instructors are certified in prenatal and postnatal fitness, so exercise is fun and safe. Oh Baby! Fitness classes for pregnant women include: yoga, aqua aerobics, total body toning and birthball fitness. Mom and Baby classes include: yoga, aqua aerobics, Mom and Baby fitness, stroller workout and Pilates/abdominal recovery. Babies are included in the workout routine of all postnatal classes. Oh Baby! Fitness will also offer "moms only" yoga and toddlercise classes. Through a partnership with DeKalb Medical Center, Oh Baby! Fitness will offer classes at The Wellness Center in Decatur and DeKalb Medical Center's Hillandale location in Lithonia. Classes will also be offered at the Student Activity & Academic Center of Emory University (Clairmont Campus) as well as at the Solarium and Tessitura in Oakhurst. Please visit www.ohbabyfitness.com for more details and to register for fall classes! Classes start September 6! BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival - posted 08/08/2005 Saturday, August 20, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Enjoy live music at this event sponsored by the Community Center of South Decatur, Oakhurst Neighborhood Association, and Decatur Recreation Department. Held on Howard Avenue in front of the Old Depot. As one of the Co-Sponsors, our job is to provide VOLUNTEERS!! Volunteer opportunities are at the entry gates, souvenir tent, children's area, and the beer truck. We are still in need of volunteers to spend time
in the children's area of the BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass event in
Decatur on August 20th. Times of service are variable, and specific
shifts can be requested. We are looking for people, especially
parents, who enjoy working alongside kids for games, crafts and
creativity. Please give yourself the gift of a fun-filled afternoon of games, music, food and drink, and contact Lea Whitfield at lea_w_99@yahoo.com or (404) 687-0412 ASAP. Recycling in Harmony Park!! - posted 08/08/2005 You might have noticed the permanent recycling facility has gone into Harmony Park, thanks to funds from the Decatur Beer Festival and work by the Beautification Committee and the City of Decatur... Thanks to all who had a hand in this effort! The Beautification Committee is in need of more volunteers. If you are interested in finding out more about what is going on, please contact me at ONA@oakhurstga.org KEEP Dekalb Beautiful Needs your Help!! - posted 08/08/2005 This is Al (Chair of the DeKalb County Community Human Relations Commission) and I could use your help. Next Tuesday and Thursday, August 9 & 11, KEEP DeKalb Beautiful is doing its Litter Index Survey. We ride around in an air conditioned Van and survey areas for litter and grade them. We do the area's, the same each year to measure our progress. The time is 9am-3pm each day. I would really appreciate if you can help out. Please, Please! I need about 4 people each day, so if you have some friends that would be great. It will be a fun project. Contact me at mayoralf@bellsouth.net if you are interested. MLK Service Project - House Captians Wanted!! - posted 08/08/2005 The Decatur Preservation Alliance is currently planning its annual home repair program for senior citizens, the 2006 Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Project, which will take place January 14-16, 2006. If you have construction or other home maintenance skills, our seniors need you! Please consider becoming a house captain for one of the 15 houses that will be part of the project this year. House projects range from extensive to basic, and we can match your skills with the appropriate house. In addition to captains, we are always looking for assistance from skilled tradespeople, such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters and painters, as well as financial and volunteer-crew sponsors for each house. This project is a wonderful way to give back to those in need in our community, and we hope you will join us. If you are interested or have additional questions, please contact Kimberly Fulghum at kimberly@decaturpreservationalliance.org. Announcements from the CCSD - posted 07/15/2005 Summer and fall classes at the Solarium Classes now in session at the Solarium include kung fu (Tuesday & Thursday, 7-9 PM) and Tai Chi (Monday & Wednesday, 7-9 PM). Sign up through the Decatur Recreation Department. The Rec will also present summer recreation camp July 11-15, 9 AM-5 PM. Beginning this fall, the Community Center will present classes in partnership with Dekalb Medical Center. The course schedule is not final at press time, but will probably include post-natal yoga, meditation, self-defense and CPR. Watch the Leaflet for more details later. Art Camp Summer Art Camp, another Decatur Rec program, attracted 14 children this year from the Decatur area. They ranged in age from 2nd to 6th graders and produced a variety of art projects including record clocks, bulletin boards and tie-dyed t-shirts. Bricks for sale! The second phase of the patio will include the walkway along the front of the Solarium, connecting the two side porches and the main entrance. Commemorative bricks are now on sale. Patio Party Raises Much-Needed Funds The community turned out in force on June 5 to celebrate and support the Solarium. Lots of good food and drink, live music and a swarm of neighbors and friends added up to the perfect party. Even the weather cooperated, giving us a break from the monsoons that were so prevalent a month ago. The Community Center of South Decatur would particularly like to thank the caterers who graciously contributed to create one of the best arrays of buffet fare we've seen (anywhere): You Should Eat!, What a Crock, Taste E Productions, Sun in My Belly, Palate Wine Bar, Low Country BBQ, Jupiter Coffee and Badda Bing!. Let them know you appreciate their support of the community. The final tally is not available at press time-pledge cards are still rolling in, and there's still time to send yours! But the Community Center estimates this campaign raised in the neighborhood of $5,000 after expenses. A big thank-you is in order to all of the businesses and individual sponsors who rallied to support this worthy cause. So what will we do with all of that money? This year's goals include installing acoustic panels to improve the sound levels in the Solarium (estimated cost $1,500-2,000); pruning the trees, especially weak branches that overhang the roof and sidewalks (estimated cost $1,300); refinishing the floors (approximately $2/square foot, $4,000); painting (approximately $1,500); and installing additional storage cabinets in the Art Room, which doubles as the cloak room for parties ($250-300). In addition, we hope to continue implementing the landscape plan. (Watch for volunteer opportunities in the fall!) Again, thank you to everyone who made the 2nd Annual Patio Party a success! Oakhurst At The Starlight Drive-In - posted 07/15/2005 Join your friends and neighbors at the Starlight Drive-In on Friday night July 15 to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, starring Johnny Depp. Plan to arrive around 7 PM and bring your picnic, cooler and/or bucket of wings for an outdoor dinner at dusk. Blankets and lawn chairs are not only permitted but encouraged so make your plans to be comfortable. The movie sound will come through your car stereo or take a boom box to get that surround sound feeling! The cost is $6 per adult and kids under 10 are free. Snack bar and restrooms are easily accessible. Hope to see you there under the stars! Go to www.starlightdrivein.com for directions and information. Sentenced To 15 Years - posted 07/15/2005 Frankie Allen Jones Jr. was arrested in August 2004 by Decatur Police and subsequently indicted for 20 burglaries in the Oakhurst area of Decatur. Now, he is being sentenced to 15 years to serve plus 5 years probation. The arrest was due to a joint effort by everyone at the Decatur Police Department who worked a burglary case last summer. Most of those cases were later linked to Mr. Jones. We wanted to let everyone know the final outcome and thank you for your hard work. The District Attorney's Office as well as the defense attorney expressed that our department did a thorough and outstanding job with these cases. The District Attorney's Office is now working out restitution issues with all of the victims who suffered property damage and/or lost items we could not recover. 4th Annual Junque Emporium - posted 07/15/2005 Gigantic Yard Sale Goes for Tax Relief The fourth annual Junque Emporium will be held on Saturday, July 16, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., in the Big H parking lot on East Lake Drive (near Oakview Rd. in the Oakhurst section Decatur). Proceeds from this gigantic yard sale, started by Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson and Ethel Steverson, will go for tax relief for the elderly. If you have donations to contribute or want to help, call Elizabeth Wilson, 404-373-6837. They will accept all items except clothing and books (Please contact the SL Jones Boys and Girls Club at 404-378-8814 to donate clothing and books.) HERE Please note that all donations are tax deductible. Creative Loafing Survey - posted 07/15/2005 Help out our Oakhurst Businesses by participating in the Creative Loafing "Best of Atlanta" survey. You have to select at least 10 items out of their survey of close to 300....but it will only take a minute or two....and allow you to list your favorite Oakhurst haunts and services. Click HERE for the survey. Adopt A Street In Oakhurst - posted 4/3/2004 Are you tired of seeing litter on your street and your favorite walking route? You can either look the other way or you can make a difference. The ONA Beautification Committee is looking for volunteers to adopt streets for monthly litter pick-up. The time commitment is only 1 hour per month, but the benefits to the community are significant. Currently, 31 litter pick-up routes have been adopted. In order to reach our goal of 100 percent adoption of the designated routes by May 1, we need your help with the 14 remaining streets. Here's what it takes: 1. Just sign up! 2. We will bring you some PAYT trash bags and gloves to get you started. 3. Each month, you will receive a friendly e-mail reminder that it's time to pick up litter on your route. Sounds simple? It is. Listed below are the streets up for adoption:
To adopt a street, please contact Stephanie at 404 377 9460 or by e-mail at slroach@bellsouth.net. Thanks for helping to keep Oakhurst clean and beautiful! Community Center of South Decatur - posted 4/3/2005 2005 was another busy and productive year for the Community Center of South Decatur. Private event rentals of the Solarium, which support up-keep of the facility for community use, continued to increase. Highlights of the year included installation of the Pinnacle Patio and steady growth in the number and variety of activities and programs offered to the community. Founded in 1979, the Community Center has continued to fulfill its mission to offer activities and services for the assistance, education and enjoyment of the entire Decatur community. Since renovation of the historic Scottish Rite Hospital complex was completed in 2002, the organization's mission has expanded to include stewardship of The Solarium, to preserve the property and maintain it as a resource for the community. Landscaping The Pinnacle Patio, dedicated at a community
party last June, represents the first phase of the landscape master
plan. The Community Center is now accepting orders for inscribed
bricks to be used in the next phase, the walkway along the front of
the building connecting the patio and the three front entrances. Use by community groups Several organizations now use the Solarium for monthly meetings:
It is also used regularly by a number of ad hoc committees around town:
The Rivers of Living Water Apostolic Church holds Sunday services and Wednesday Bible classes at the Solarium; and members actively participate in maintenance and upkeep of the building. The Church has held two Give-away Extravaganzas of clothing and school supplies, benefiting over 50 families and numerous individuals in the Oakhurst, East Lake and Kirkwood communities. An increasingly popular venue for Decatur Recreation Department activities, the Solarium is a regular site of ballroom and swing dancing, tai chi and yoga classes. The Community Center continues to sponsor various community art shows, sales and art camps for children; and a monthly scrapbooking workshop. A juried art contest was held in May, in conjunction with the Decatur Arts Festival. The winning entry was used to create a poster which is currently for sale (proceeds benefit the Community Center). In addition to monthly meetings, ONA hosts an annual potluck feast the week before Thanksgiving; and a community Christmas party following the tree lighting in Harmony Park each December. Roundtable discussions held at the Solarium last year, sponsored by Green Umbrella and Volunteer! Decatur, were well attended. The Community Center also opened its doors to serve breakfast and lunch to volunteers participating in the MLK Service Day events in January 2004 and 2005; and to provide the venue for the Firefest event in August, organized and presented by individual volunteers to benefit the W. College Avenue businesses that were burned out last summer. "Jazz Nites at Scottish Rite," free outdoor jazz concerts presented on Thursday evenings in April and September by the Community Center and ONA, quickly became a neighborhood institution. And October saw the second annual Halloween party presented by the Community Center for neighborhood children. Who pays the light bill? The cost of maintaining the Solarium for community use is now largely underwritten by the income from private event rentals. The goal is to pass the "break even" point and operate the facility at a modest profit. That will provide a small cash reserve to cover routine maintenance and minor repairs (painting, floor refinishing, other wear and tear); and support completion of furnishings (secure storage cabinets in the Art Room, tables and chairs, etc.). Registered non-profit organizations are eligible
for discounted rental rates; and residents of the 30030 zip code area
may rent the Solarium at discounted rates within 21 days of their
event date. The property managed by the Community Center includes the Elizabeth Wilson Building, situated behind the Solarium. In dire need of repair, that building was leased in 2004 to Watershed Development LLC who made significant improvements in exchange for a discounted rental rate. The current lease expires in November 2005 and will be renewed at an increased rent. Through active marketing of the Solarium as an event facility and careful stewardship of resources, the organization finished 2004 "in the black." We began the year with $14,000; revenues and support from all sources totaled approximately $65,000; and expenses, including contributions to community events and programming, were approximately $75,000. (More details about the 2004 financials will be offered next month.) Annual Fund Kick-off The board of directors decided late last year to initiate an annual fundraising campaign for the Community Center of South Decatur. The objective is to establish reliable financial support for an expanded program of activities and events to benefit the community; and provide stable financial footing to secure operation of the facility and ensure its availability as a community resource in perpetuity. A kick-off event is planned for June of this year. Watch for details in upcoming issues of the Leaflet. Spring 2005 Cleanup Days - posted 4/3/2005 The Public Works Department of Decatur will support the 2005 Neighborhood Association Spring Cleanup Days with up to eight (8) employees and four (4) trucks on the Saturdays indicated below in April and May, from 8 AM until 3:30 PM, or until finished, whichever is sooner. All items to be collected should be placed at the curb no later than 7:30 AM so that we will not have to double back for late setouts. The City will collect yard trimmings, building materials (that are not from the work of private contractors), tires, appliances (not containing Freon) and trash that would not normally be placed in pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) bags. The CIty will not collect liquids, dirt, bricks, blocks, stone, rocks, concrete or motor vehicle batteries or parts. Saturday, April 9
Saturday, April 16
Saturday, April 23
Saturday, April 30
Saturday, May 7
Saturday, May 14
The Corner Pub Finds New Home - posted 03/19/2005 After a devastating fire in early June consumed five businesses sharing space in the Earhart Square on West College Avenue in Oakhurst, several business owners have mourned their former homes and moved on. Two of those businesses, Grow and The Corner Pub, have taken up new digs nearby on East College Avenue in East Decatur Station. With its metal, glass and colorful decor, the newly renovated space is a modern rebirth of the former Bio-Lab building located next door to Smith-Ace Hardware. The Corner Pub keeps the name, the sign, and the spirit of its former location. Currently in the construction phase of its new home, the Pub will open within a few weeks. The menu has been tweaked a bit but still offers the specialties already known in the neighborhood. Owners Joshua and Bethy Elrod are working to create a comfortable place to eat, drink and be amongst friends. Solarium Receives SAFECO Grant - posted 3/19/2005 The Solarium (Community Center of South Decatur) announced today that is has received a $5000 grant from SAFECO to be put toward landscaping of the grounds surrounding the facility. The Solarium has been identified by SAFECO as an Oakhurst Treasure. Beth Thompson, board member and co-committee chair for the Beautification: Buildings and Grounds Committee, said in the announcement: "We approached SAFECO to ask if CCSD would be eligible to receive a grant to beautify the grounds surrounding The Solarium. After much work on the part of Phyllis Gilbert, Pearl Trimble and Lynn Russell we prepared a grant proposal. SAFECO representatives Fil Verizon and another SAFECO associate visited The Solarium and learned some of the history of the restoration and the amount of time and resources donated by the CCSD board as well as the community in creating the community treasure we have today. We are all very thankful to SAFECO as well as DIG for the resources to enable us to further beautiful this landmark. We are currently discussing the logistics with local landscaping contractors and will begin installation shortly." The Community Center of South Decatur is a non-profit organization whose mission is to offer activities and services for the assistance, education and enjoyment of the entire Decatur community, as well as act as stewards of The Solarium at Historic Scottish Rite, preserving the property and maintaining it as a community resource. Update On Our Parks - posted 3/19/2005 Our fundraising efforts are finally paying off with the purchase of a two-bay swing set for Oakhurst Park. The swings are eight feet tall and have two toddler seats and two strap seats so children of all ages can play. The City will remove the mats (and cement) that separate the playground from the picnic tables and we will install the swings in that area. This will leave room for more playground equipment as funds become available. The spring animal that was removed last fall has been repaired and will be reinstalled along with the swings sometime this spring. The Decatur Recreation Department is giving us $700 toward the wood chips we need for under the swings, reducing our cost to roughly $2,400. That cost is for swings, installation and up to $500 for additional wood chips. With the installation of new equipment in all the parks last spring and summer, the City has purchased all the play equipment it intends to. So, like the swings, anything else we want installed to complete our playgrounds is up to the residents. The cost of the swings (including their installation) has been paid for through our fundraising efforts. One of those efforts is the "Helping Hands" tile wall project. We are collecting hand and dog print impressions in clay tile that will eventually go onto a wall at Oakhurst Park. Did I mention that tiles cost $20 for an adult size; $15 for a child size; and $10 for a dog print size? We'll have a booth at upcoming Oakhurst events if you'd like to stop by and make one. The Oakhurst Neighborhood Association (ONA) also helped us by donating proceeds from the Oakhurst Wine Crawl last year. Additionally, we just received a $500 grant from United Way to be used for "tile scholarships" in the Helping Hands tile wall. We will use the tile scholarships in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club, which will allow us to use money we've already raised and put it toward the purchase of more playground equipment. We are continuing to explore other options to raise money for our parks which you will hear about in the coming months. We're still about $2,000 away from completing Oakhurst Park's main play area. At McKoy Park, we are pursuing a grant for a handicap accessible water fountain. We are also committed to placing a dog park in Oakhurst, although the location has not been decided. One of our long range plans is to put a bouldering field in McKoy Park. Our bouldering field would be one of the only outdoor climbing options in the metro area and would be another attraction to our great parks. Our parks are a wonderful asset. We are committed to improving them and making them unique, like our community. If you have ideas about how to improve our parks, where we might find additional funding or other ways you'd like to get involved, please contact Scott Poe at 404 371 8824, or me, Drew Stauss at 404 373 8305. Local Documentary Filmmaker Focuses On Decatur Schools - posted 3/19/2005 Catherine Williams, a Decatur resident and long-time television producer, is documenting the Decatur school system as it goes through a major transition. She began the project last spring and she plans to continue her research and taping until at least the end of this school year. According to Williams, the documentary will capture a critical point in the life of a small public school system as it grapples with change. Although it is small, the Decatur system faces some of the same problems that affect big city schools, such as the achievement gap and accountability. Williams says Decatur's long history and close ties to the community it serves offer a unique perspective on the promise and viability of public education today. The desire to make this documentary grew out of Williams's personal experiences. She says she started bringing her camera to school board meetings last spring as a way to take a step back and try to understand the conflicts and differing viewpoints. Lately, she has been distributing a community letter inviting people from throughout Decatur to contact her and share their thoughts about the changes that are taking place. Williams is encouraging people to contact her either through e-mail at cathwill@mac.com or by phone at 404 377 8772. 2004 Crime Comparison - posted 3/19/2005 2004 Cumulative Crime Statistics
*Oakhurst located primarily in the Southwest Zone Analysis The City of Decatur Police Department has
released the 2004 year-end crime statistics, and the number of
reported crimes was down slightly for the entire city. "It is what was
expected to happen, especially when comparing it to other
jurisdictions. Most neighboring jurisdictions had an increase in auto
theft and identity theft, while other crime categories remained about
the same," said Decatur Police Chief Robinson. The greatest increase for Oakhurst, which is primarily the Southwest Zone, was in robberies and burglaries, both of which can be deterred by remaining aware of your surroundings enough to avoid uncomfortable situations, using the buddy system when out, especially at night and keeping your house or business windows and doors locked. By far, the most crimes reported throughout Oakhurst and the entire city were thefts, which occurs when a thief takes items either from public places such as a gym locker, an automobile, or directly off private property. (Burglary occurs when a thief enters a building illegally to take items). The police department recommends that you remain aware of your surroundings, make yourself a hard target by securing your personal items both on your property and when you're out in public and being watchful of your neighbors, to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of theft. They also encourage residents to call the police when you believe illegal or suspicious activity is occurring or about to occur. The non-emergency phone number is 404 373 6551, but simply dial 911 if you have an emergency. The department will focus in 2005 on advanced police training for the officers, crime reduction and improving the officer recruitment process. "We want to make every effort in our hiring and recruiting practices to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all candidates, and by doing so our hopes are to hire a more diverse group of officers who will mirror the diversity of the Decatur community," says Chief Robinson.
Decatur Eye Care Celebrates One-Year Anniversary - posted 1/31/2005 Decatur Eye Care opened its doors in January 2004 to a warm and receptive Oakhurst community. Located in the Old Scottish Rite Hospital in historic Oakhurst Village, this family owned and operated practice offers eye exams, glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses in a unique atmosphere.
"We are very excited to be a part of such a vibrant community of
people who believe in supporting their local businesses," says Dr.
Thomas Brillante. "Thank you for making our first year fun and
successful. With your support, we hope to be your neighborhood
optometrist for many years to come." “Runaway Runway” At The Seen Gallery - posted 1/31/2005 The Seen Gallery in Oakhurst presents the exhibition “Runaway Runway,” opening February 26, 2005 and continuing through April 10. The unique exhibition will mark the first fashion show by The Seen Gallery, and these collections will put the fun back into getting all dolled up! The exhibition will highlight an array of the nation’s most innovative fashion designers who add elements of individuality and personalization to their handmade clothing and bags, creating one-of-a-kind, vibrant garments that are a joy to wear. Featured designers include:
During the opening reception, the Seen Gallery will host the funkiest fashion show to ever hit the Historic Oakhurst Village! The runway will rock at 10 PM, with styling provided by Nini Souriyavong, hairstyles by Brenton Anderson of Studio Oliver, and make-up by Davee Troublefield. Music provided by Brian Parris. After the opening reception, the fashions modeled on the runway will be displayed throughout the duration of the exhibition. An assortment of fashion-inspired two-dimensional artworks will also be on display, including photography and painting, featuring works by internationally renowned fashion photographer, Ohm. Other artists include:
Oakhurst Schoolyard Habitat: Volunteers Needed - posted 1/31/2005 Attention all green space and gardening enthusiasts: Oakhurst Elementary School needs your help. The school has formed a collaboration with The Oakhurst Community Garden and the Decatur Education Foundation to create a natural Schoolyard Habitat on the school property that will serve as an outdoor learning lab. The habitat will consist of carefully selected plants, trees and flowers that will attract indigenous wildlife. Parents, students, teachers and community members will all be involved in planning, designing and installing the garden. The school is currently in the planning and design phase of the project and is in need of volunteers with specific skills and expertise in this area. If you are interested in volunteering with this project, please contact Margaret Hatch at margaret_hatch@decatur-city.k12.ga.us or call 404 370 4470. The Oakhurst Leaflet Wants To Hear From You - posted 1/31/2005 Those of us at the Oakhurst Leaflet know that this is a newsletter designed, written and published by our neighbors about our neighborhood. The only way we can continue to bring you more in-depth coverage about our neighborhood is with your involvement. With that in mind, we have listed a few ways that you can contribute to the Oakhurst Leaflet: Speak Out Send a letter to the editor. Make a Suggestion Write the editors with story ideas or your opinions on what you would like to see in the Leaflet. Send us e-mail at LeafletEditor@OakhurstGA.org. Ask a Question Have a burning desire to know about something pertaining to Oakhurst? Ask us and we'll see if we can find out. Plug Yourself Send us a press release for a special event or project you are involved in. Send your comments, questions, press releases and suggestions to LeafletEditor@OakhurstGA.org. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project - posted 01/02/2004 The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project has brought hundreds of Decatur residents together to help seniors in Decatur repair and maintain their historic homes. In past years volunteers and sponsors have restored electricity, installed furnaces and water heaters, scraped paint, replaced gutters, installed ramps, put up fencing, raked leaves and completed many other tasks that have helped seniors be safer and more comfortable in their homes. This year the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project has expanded from one day to three days - Jan. 15, 16 and 17 - and will be assisting 19 senior citizen homeowners with home repairs. Of these 19 homes several are in Oakhurst. The ONA has sponsored a house and invites you to participate. If you can help with this special project, contact Lee Ann Harvey of Volunteer! Decatur at laharvey@decaturga.com or 687 - 553 - 6548. Although the homes have already been selected for repair work for this year, if you are a senior citizen or live close to a senior who needs some yard work done as a part of the project, you may also contact Lee Ann. There will be roving bands of yard working groups; we will try to accommodate as many seniors as possible. We need additional sponsors! Your sponsorship will help us and our partners complete the substantial repairs that are needed in this year's seniors' homes and we ask for your support. You or your organization can "adopt" a home, contributing toward the building supplies and/or professional services these homes need to be safer and more livable. In addition, if you are a skilled contractor, carpenter, electrician, plumber, roofer or heating/air expert, this project is a wonderful way to give back to your community by donating your services. Your business, organization or family may also wish to contribute a group of volunteers to work together on a home. Decatur's Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project is a collaboration among the Decatur Preservation Alliance, the City of Decatur, the Decatur Housing Authority, the Decatur Business Association, the Community Center of South Decatur, the South Decatur Community Development Corp. and Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson. Update: A Season of Giving / Christmas Decatur - posted 01/02/2004 Many Thanks to A Generous Community Thanks to everyone who contributed to A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur. We were able to provide holiday gifts to 473 needy children and senior citizens in Decatur. Oakhurst residents provided 34 of those gifts, coming in a close second to Glenwood Estates in the neighborhood challenge. As always, we are impressed by the generosity of our neighbors. You are wonderful people and we hope you were blessed during this beautiful season as you blessed others with your thoughtful giving. A special thank you goes out to those who volunteered their time to make the holidays memorable for those less fortunate. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated not only by the committee, but by those who directly benefited from your efforts. We wish you all many blessings now and in the year to come. Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hannakah, and HappyNew Year to Oakhurst and our larger Decatur Community. Sincere Thanks, A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur Committee Oakhurst Winter Wine Crawl February 26th - posted 01/02/2004 The business districts of Oakhurst will host their Winter Wine Crawl on Saturday February 26th from 4 - 6 PM. Purchase your commemorative tasting glass at 4 PM the day of the Crawl for $15 in the Village at Intown Autocare, Short and Sweet Studios or the Solarium and sample wines from regions around the World. The event will be limited to the first 500 participants. Last year the wine crawl sold out in the first half hour. This year 18 of our local Oakhurst businesses will be participating in the event. You will be able to visit each business, taste the wine and enjoy light appetizers. The "Fur Bus" will be available for quick transportation between Oakhurst on College and the Oakhurst Village. Proceeds from the event will go to the Oakhurst Business and Oakhurst Neighborhood Associations, two local nonprofit groups dedicated to the long term success of the Oakhurst business districts. More details to come!
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