The First Christian Church of Decatur is selling trees on the church lawn:

Monday to Friday – 3pm-9pm
Saturday – 9am-9pm
Sunday – 1pm-9pm

And for added convenience there is FREE home delivery within a five-mile radius! Click here for tree pricing.

The church is also selling hand-made wreaths, garland and mailbox covers so stop on by!

Good luck!

It’s nearly time for the annual Leapin’ Lizards Halloween Bash and Dance Party, which is perfect for young children. You can register your child for $10 up until October 22nd. After October 22nd the price goes up to $12. See below for more information from the Leapin’ Lizards crew. Also, checkout some of the action from last year’s party:

Want a fun and safe alternative to the normal trick or treating for your little ghouls?  Leapin’ Lizards is hosting its 4th Annual Halloween Dance Party with Avondale Estates’ very own Dean Donut!

On Saturday October 29th from 10am – 3pm the entire family can join us as Dean Donut hosts the fang-tastic dance party for the little ghouls, face painting, pizza, hot dogs, goodie bags, trick or treating in a safe environment, photo sessions on a “not so scary” set and lots inflatable fun.  Why wouldn’t you join us?  Be there so you can talk about it the next day on Facebook and Twitter.  Still not convinced?  Click the above video sample of our last party or check out some pictures on Facebook Fan Page!

See you there!

Businesses To Turn DecatuRED on October 22nd

To Promote Health and Education for Girls Worldwide

On Saturday, October 22, nearly 40 Decatur restaurants and retail shops will come together in support of 50 Cents. Period, a Decatur-based organization providing support for girls in developing countries and for refugee women in the Atlanta area.

50 Cents. Period’s mission is to help further the education of girls in or from developing countries by providing sanitary products, facilities and health education to young women who would otherwise miss a week of school a month during menstruation for lack of funds. The cost of these sanitary supplies at two pilot schools in Hyderabad, India, is just 50 cents a month per girl.

“50 cents can literally change the future for these girls,” said Ann VanSlyke of Mingei World Arts and a founder of 50 Cents. Period. “Typically, once the girls in poor communities begin their periods, they fall further and further behind in their studies, drop out and start having children. Something so simple as support for issues around menstruation can mean greater access to education, creating pathways out of poverty for whole families.”

Following the theme of the day, Turn DecatuRED, participating  businesses on October 22 will devote proceeds from the sale of certain items for the day or donate a percentage of the day’s profits, among other creative ideas. The businesses will be flagged with red balloons and red sidewalk chalk. Volunteers for 50 Cents. Period will roam the streets as “reducators,” handing out information, answering questions and directing visitors to participating DecatuRED businesses. The gazebo on the Decatur Square will also be staffed with volunteers answering questions and the girls 50 Cents. Period. assists in India, Nepal, Uganda and the refugee community of Atlanta.  “We will also be collecting packages of sanitary napkins to be distributed to local refugee women through our sister project Period at Home, “says VanSlyke.  “If you bring a full package of sanitary napkins, you will be entered into a raffle for a gift card to Cakes and Ale!”

See below for a complete list of participating Decatur businesses. For more information about Turn DecatuRED or 50 Cents. Period, visit www.50centsperiod.org.

Participating Businesses

Decatur First Bank

Food / Restaurants

No. 246

Brick Store Pub

Café Alsace

Cakes and Ale

Cookie Studio

JavaMonkey

King of Pops

Leon’s Full Service

MacMcGee’s

Parker’s on Ponce

Raging Burrito

Sawicki’s

Siam Thai Restaurant

The Square Pub

Twains

Yogurt Tap

Retail

Alexia Gallery

Blue Elephant

Boogaloo’s

Boutique Karma

Decatur CD

Green Mosaics

Heiliotrope

HomeGrown

Kismet

Little Shop of Stories

Mama Bath and Body

Mingei World Arts

Seen Gallery

Squash Blossom

Taste

The 17 Steps

Wild Oats and Billy Goats

Worthmore Jewelers

Salons

I hope to see you out on October 22nd!

You can get more info on her Facebook page.

Get into the groove!

Hi there,

I’m a parent of a wee student (Jack, 3) of the Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool.

I really *really* really think our school is something unusual and special.  My very shy son even adores it there. The teachers are caring and smart and the location is quaint and looks like something straight out of Hansel and Gretel

So I’m hoping you can help me spread the word about our upcoming year. Back last year, I only heard about our school via word of mouth and basically – I wish someone in the media had talked about OCP back when I was looking for schools.

We have some fun information sessions coming up, where other parents can find out more about OCP. I love this blog and would be honored if you could help us get the word out.

Thanks and Happy New Year!!

Here’s the press release about OCP:

***********

Come explore what Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool can offer your family!

Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool will be hosting enrollment information sessions for the 2011 – 2012 school year in January and February.  Located at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany at the corner of Ponce de Leon Avenue and East Lake Drive, OCP provides a secular education to children in the Decatur and Atlanta areas.  OCP uses a unique nature-based curriculum that has its roots in Waldorf and Reggio Emilia.  Our curriculum embraces nature walks, simple all-natural toys when possible, and the celebration of the seasons.  Children receive a hands-on environmental education every day.

OCP accepts children aged 2 – 4 years for morning classes grouped by age.  Children must be 2 by September 1, 2011 to attend.  Classes are taught by well-qualified teachers with expertise in early childhood education who are supervised by our experienced director.  Parents serve as assistant teachers in the classroom on a rotating basis.

As a cooperative preschool, OCP is entirely parent-run.   Parents make up the Board of Directors and serve on committees that operate the school.  When a member family joins OCP, it becomes part of a community, not just part of a preschool.

OCP will be holding enrollment information sessions at the following times:
•    Saturday, January 8 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
•    Tuesday, January 25 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
•    Saturday, February 5 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Attendance at one of the enrollment information sessions is a required component of the admissions process.  For additional information, please visit www.oakhurstcoop.com or e-mail admissions@oakhurstcoop.com with any questions.

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings!  I do hope this note finds you well.

First Christian Church of Decatur, the congregation my family and I have been blessed to serve for 12 years and counting, has an annual fun-and-fund-raiser at which we sell Christmas trees and handmade wreaths on our church lawn.  The trees are Grade A Frasier Firs and fresh cut in Boone County, NC.  For the past two years we’ve sold 360 and 500 trees, and have ordered 500 trees for 2010.  Wow.  We’ll unload the truckload on Sunday, November 28, and away we go!  In my opinion, the best part (even more so than the funds we raise for local missions and church ministries) are the relationships we foster with our neighbors.  I estimate that at least half of the sales go to local families who use the park and playground we built on our property for the city.  These good folks are, in effect, saying thank you; and we respond that all are welcome. Our church is open and accepting of all of God’s children.

There are many families in our community who would love to have a tree yet cannot afford to do so, especially in today’s economic climate.  We’ve decided to keep prices at the same level as 2008 and 2009, and on top of that we are offering a 15% discount on pre-sale orders received by Sunday, November 28.

Here is where you come in.

Consider going to our church website –
http://www.decaturdisciples.org/?page_id=790
– and ordering a tree as a gift for a family in need in Decatur, Georgia.  You may also order one for your own home!

After placing your order, send me an email or call the church and let me know the size of the tree so I and our church team can make the arrangements.

We offer free delivery within five miles, and playing Santa on your behalf would be a joy.

Feel free to pass this message on.  The more the merrier!

May the blessings and peace of this joyous season of hope be with you and yours. If you are in town, we would love to see you on the lot or in worship.  Merry Christmas!

Shalom,

James
–
The Rev. Dr. James L. Brewer-Calvert
Senior Pastor
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
601 West Ponce de Leon Avenue
Decatur, Georgia 30030
404-378-3621
citykid4evr@gmail.com

The second annual Junktique will be Sunday, Nov. 7, noon-6 p.m., at the Solarium in Oakhurst. The event will feature a local artists’ market, a collectibles yard sale, live music, and tasty food and beverages. New this year is a “By Kids for Kids” yard sale in which Oakhurst Elementary kids can experience the thrills of commerce.

Junktique is an annual community marketplace that benefits
Oakhurst Elementary School. Last year’s inaugural event raised
$6,000, enough to meet the goal of buying the three remaining
ActivBoards the school needed to outfit every classroom. This
year, event organizers hope to raise $10,000 to equip the school’s outdoor classroom with the necessary supplies and teacher training materials.

This year’s theme, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” will be integrated
into every aspect of the event. The artists who incorporate recycled materials into their art will receive special designation. Refillable beverage cups and shopping bags will be available for purchase. Food vendors will be asked to use only recyclable serving ware, and recycling bins will be provided. The artists’ market inside the Solarium will feature up to 30 local artists. Yard sales will be on the Solarium lawn. Yard sale spaces for adults and children can be reserved for $25 and $10, respectively. The Solarium is located in the heart of the Oakhurst Business District. Attendees are encouraged to walk or roll to the event, but street parking will be available.

For more information visit www.junktiquedecatur.com.

See you there!

Animal Husbandry
Worm Compost: The Basics of Vermiculture Learn the benefits of composting with worms. According to the EPA, approximately 10% of waste is food and over 38% of is paper. These materials can be used as food and bedding for a worm bin.  It’s easy, fun, odorless and produces a great soil additive! Class participants will learn how to house, feed, harvest and care for their own worms.

Saturday, November 6, 10 -11am

$10 for Garden members, $15 for non-members

Chicks and the City: Keeping Chickens for Eggs, Compost, and Endless Amusement Join Jonathan Watts Hull for our popular chicken crash course. An intro to coop design, relevant ordinances, breed selection, care and feeding, and resources with a local keeper of an “urban flock.”  You must preregister for this class. Participants will receive an email the week of the class with the class location. This class is held at a private residence in Decatur.  Max 10

Saturday, November 13 , 2-4pm
$25 Garden member, $30 non-member

Gardening, Nature, and Urban Farming

Growing Fruit: A discussion of unique and overlooked varieties for you to grow The yard has always been a unique place to grow flowers and food.  Many only consider ornamentals and vegetables to explore, but fruit (a traditional and delicious part of any landowner’s property) is often forgotten in our modern landscapes. Join Robert Hamilton as he presents often-overlooked fruits and how to grow them easily.  Resources, problems and plant care will be discussed. 15 max

Saturday, November 6, 1-3pm

$15 Garden members, $20 non-members

Introduction to the Night Sky & the Biodynamic Planting Calendar
Join Suzanne Welander as she guides you through the stars and how to use them to grow happy plants.  Sure, starry country skies are dazzling, but light-polluted city skies are perfect for learning the basics of star gazing.  This class will introduce you to the movement of the stars, planets, sun and moon, as well as provide guidance on how to read the Stella Natural, the Biodynamic planting calendar–a tool for improving the healthy growth of the plants under your care by working with the rhythms of the cosmos. This class is suitable for ages 13 and up.  This class will be held at our new site, Sugar Creek Garden in the Oakhurst Neighborhood of Decatur. Sugar Creek Garden is located in the floodplain behind Oakhurst Presbyterian Church at East Lake Drive and Second Avenue (across the street from the dog park).

Tuesday, November 9, 6:30 – 8:30pm

$15 Garden members, $20 non-members

Sowing a Winter Perennial Garden

An innovative way to successfully start plants from seed without the expense of an extensive lightstand or even a greenhouse!  Using plastic containers and the freeze/thaw cycles of winter….find out more by joining in this fun and educational class.  Native and non-native perennial seeds, soil and supplies are provided, you bring as many clear and opaque recyclable containers as you would like: milk jugs, soda, water or juice bottles, plastic food tubs with lids, clear take-out “hamburger” boxes.

Wednesday, November 24, 7 – 9 p.m.

$20 Garden members, $25 non-members

Click here for more information on how to become a member of the Oakhurst Community Garden Project.

See you there!

Georgia Aquarium is transforming into Georgia A-Scary-Um from Oct. 29-31. Kids 12 and under in costume receive free admission when accompanied by a paid adult or annual pass member. Not only will the Aquarium be decked out with Halloween-themed decorations, but there will be music, candy stations throughout the Aquarium, Halloween craft tables and costume contests throughout each day. So join us, wear your costumes and get ready to have a screaming good time with bat fish, spider crabs, ghost jellies and more! Radio Disney will even be stopping by on Oct. 30 from 12-2 p.m. What fun! Learn more about getting free admission and plan your Halloween adventure.

See you there!

Grab your mummy and dance if you dare at Leapin’ Lizards Third Annual Halloween Bash, featuring Dean Donut and his Monster Mash Dance Party.

Hosted by the delectable Dean Donut, this party promises to thrill pint-sized boys and ghouls along with their adult companions. The event will be held on October 30, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Leapin’ Lizards.  Tickets prices are $10 in advance and $12 at the door for walkers through age 10. Adults are always free. The party admission includes:

• Unlimited fun on inflatables
• Dance party hosted by Dean Donut
• Halloween costume parade
• Raffle prizes for the whole family
• NEW! Trick or Treat bags
• Treats for the little ones
• Age-appropriate activities

As a special event boooo-nus, patrons may enter children in Leapin’ Lizards online Halloween costume contest. Just bring a small bag of canned goods or $5 to donate to the Atlanta Food Bank. For each donation, James Adam Hill Photography will photograph the child on Leapin’ Lizards spooky set. Children will be entered into an online costume contest and the winner will receive a free portrait session with James Adam Hill Photography and a gift from Leapin’ Lizards. One free 4×6 print per donation; additional photos may be purchased in packages.

We are excited to have you and your little ghouls at our 3rd Annual Halloween Bash.  We’re sure you’ll have a howling good time!

Register now for the 3rd Annual Leapin’ Lizards Halloween Bash.