In an effort to show support for Melanie DeToma and her family, but at the same time respect their wishes for privacy, a flower memorial in Harmony Park is being arranged by the community. A linden tree will be planted on-site by Trees Atlanta. Hopefully, by Friday afternoon families can begin to gather bouquets and remembrances as a gesture of goodwill for the family.

If you are able and wish to participate, simply place a suitable arrangement among the flowers in Harmony Park beginning on Friday afternoon. Please do not forget about the Gary DeToma Jr. Memorial Fund at Decatur First Bank, which is another way of showing support to the family as they get through this very difficult time.

Please also be aware that a fund has been established at Decatur First Bank to remember Gary and support the family during this difficult time.

The bank is accepting cash and/or checks-checks should be made out to the Gary DeToma Jr. Fund.

Donations can be made at the bank or mailed–The mailing address is 1120 Commerce Dr. Decatur, Ga. 30030 or 720 Commerce Dr. Decatur, Ga. 30030

Please pass this information on, and do what you can to help support the family of Gary DeToma Jr. and the Decatur community through this tragedy.

My deepest condolences go out to Melanie DeToma, her son, Will, and the rest of the family.

Get there early! Seats fill up fast and you won’t want to miss the show. Here was the scene when we last saw Recess Monkey at the Decatur – Dekalb library.

DeKalb County Public Library
215 Sycamore Street
Decatur, Georgia 30030
404-370-8450

See you there!

Fernbank Museum’s annual Reptile Day will give visitors an opportunity to get up-close with dozens of lizards, snake and turtles on Saturday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A variety of reptiles—both exotic and native to Georgia—will be on display in the Museum’s Great Hall. Members of the Georgia Herpetological Society will be on hand to answer questions and educate visitors about the importance of these exceptional animals. Some reptiles and amphibians will also be out with handlers for closer encounters.

Reptile Day coincides with Fernbank’s current special exhibition, Geckos: Tails to Toepads, where even more live animal encounters await. As visitors explore species from around the world, they can test their ability to spot some of these well-camouflaged lizards in their habitats. Geckos: Tails to Toepads is on view through Labor Day.

During Reptile Day, visitors can also head to the auditorium for “Remarkable Reptile” animal encounter shows, where experts will pack their brains with fascinating facts about reptiles as part of 97 Days (and Ways) to Play, Fernbank’s summer-long celebration of activities and events to keep entertained while school’s out.

Reptile Day and Geckos: Tails to Toepads are included with Museum admission. Museum admission is FREE for members, $15 for adults, $14 for students, $13 for children ages 3-12 and free for children ages 2 and under. Purchase Museum tickets at fernbankmuseum.org or by calling 404.929.6400.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road in Atlanta.

Photo: courtesy of Fernbank Museum of Natural History

What: Beach party with 60 tons of sand.

When: Friday, June 18th, 5pm – 12am

Where: On the Decatur Square

Tickets: $6.50 in advance, order here. $10.00 at the door. Children under 12 free.

When we moved to Decatur we didn’t realize that every June the city would bring a mini beach vacation to our doorsteps. The Decatur Beach Party is so much fun for the whole family that you won’t want miss it.

See you there!

This is a grass roots effort that developed out of needs expressed by concerned parents in our community entering the CSD system with limited options for after school care and child care coverage during planned City of Decatur school vacation days.

After working with city inspectors, we were approved to use the facility at First Christian Church previously rented by the Georgia Center for Children. The facility, with a few modifications, can accommodate between 50 and 60 children between the hours of  3:00 pm to 6:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Transportation will be provided from City of Decatur schools to the facility.

The curriculum is being designed by teachers who are committed to the after school program’s success. Some of the planned program features include; an arts-focused curriculum, tutoring, music and language lessons, extended hours (7am – 6:30pm) during CSD school vacation days and a summer program.

Please take a moment to take our online survey and give us your feedback. We want to make sure that this program is a good fit for the entire community. You can even help us name the school!

If you have more questions feel free to reply to this post or contact Kiersten Pierce, Co-Chair of the Steering Committee Team at pierce0914@bellsouth.net.

We look forward to hearing from you.

The Art of Books: A Literary Auction and Social

Friday, May 28 • 7:30 pm-10:30 pm
Little Shop of Stories • 133 E. Court Square

This event, sponsored by the Little Shop of Stories and the Decatur Education Foundation, takes place upstairs at Little Shop of Stories and features food from Cakes & Ale and Sun in My Belly, beer, wine, music, art auctions and the opportunity to celebrate the art of your favorite children’s authors and illustrators. Tickets are $20 you can pick them up at Little Shop of Stories or by visiting the Decatur Education Foundation web site.

Kids and Teens Parade

Saturday, May 29 • 9:45

Always a hit with the younger crowd, the parade is a great way for kids to express themselves artistically by dressing up in costume and/or decorating banners, bikes or wagons. Line up at 9:30 am at the corner of Church Street and Commerce Drive. The parade is escorted by the Dectaur Fire Department and will lead you to the festival.

Kids and Teens Arts Festival

Saturday, May 29 • 10 am-2 pm
Scott Park • 231 Sycamore St.

From the Decatur Arts Festival web site: Enjoy a day of artful fun: juggling by “Quite a Catch,” music by Eric Litwin, crazy amazing balloon artists, giant inflatables for the younger set and a rock climbing wall for the older kids. Eric Litwin and James Dean will sign their New York Times best seller Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes.
Choose from a variety of art activities provided by Decatur Montessori, the Waldorf School of Atlanta, Color Wheel, Animal Crackers, and other festival partners who contribute time and resources to make this the ultimate play date.

See you there!

During a tour of the Pre-K program at CHELC just two weeks ago, I (along with the other parents on the tour) were told that if our children were not placed at CHELC then we would be at Clairemont. In fact, we were told to expect to receive our letters with our location assignments the next day…and they came!

However, it seems that all is not set with the location assignments. According to Decatur Metro’s article, the Superintendent is still considering other locations, including re-opening Westchester Elementary, due to a letter from a number of concerned parents in the Clairemont community. Click here to read the full article and comment stream on Decatur Metro.

Though I appreciate the careful consideration of concerned parents by CSD and the parents who spoke up about their concerns, it seems unlikely that a more widely acceptable and economically sound solution could be derived in a shorter amount of time than it took for them to develop the first solution. Add to that the confusion involved with not knowing where your child will land in just a few short months…I sure hope that any other ideas that CSD is considering are communicated quickly and clearly.

Saturday, May 15, 2010
10am – 3pm

The First Christian Church of Decatur will host its annual Spring Carnival on the church playground.  There will be great food, fun, and fellowship for the entire family!  Bring your kids for a fun-filled day of games and other activities!  Proceeds from the Spring Carnival are used to support the church, local community ministries, and the park.

Volunteers are needed to help with the carnival and to bake cakes for the cake walk.  The volunteer shifts are:

8am to 10am Set up

10am to 12:30pm Carnival help

12:30pm to 3pm Carnival help

3pm to 5pm Clean up

Contact the Laura Andrew, lwandrew@att.net or 404-378-2310,  or Valerie Alexander, valexander2@bellsouth.net or 770-469-1443.

Happy Mother’s Day to Decatur Moms and to moms all around the world!

Have a terrific day!

On Tuesday, April 20th from 5-9pm, Leon’s Full Service, Steinbecks, The Iberian Pig, Cakes & Ale, Brick Store Pub, and Universal Joint will host the Dine Out For Farm to School event by donating a percentage of the night’s proceeds to Decatur Farm to School.

Make plans now to go out to eat on Tuesday! Each restaurant will serve up Farm-to-School menu items using local ingredients, and Cakes & Ale will also have a kids menu item from 5-7pm.