Clairmont Heights Civic Association

(photo courtesy of RodT)

Decatur High School teacher Jennifer Gonzalez writes in… Last week we celebrated Revolutionary PIES day. Here’s what that entailed Students created projects in World History (aka 10th grade social studies)- Based on our studies, we know that revolutions follow a pattern and that in order for a revolution to occur as opposed to an election [...]

And now a little good book news.  From Ryan Klee at Lenz… February 3, 2012 (Decatur) — The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has signed on for a three-year contract as title sponsor of the AJC Decatur Book Festival Presented by DeKalb Medical. AJC DBF Executive Director Daren Wang said the AJC has been a vital part of [...]

Just received this announcement from the folks at Blue Elephant… Blue Elephant Book Shop trumpets its last It is with enormous sadness that I write to you today to tell you that the book shop will be closing, probably in mid-March. Whether it is because of the economy, e-readers, on-line sales, my own misjudgments, or, [...]

Decatur High School Principal Lauri McKain writes in to let us know that DHS’ Senior Class has officially asked Mr. Chris Billingsley to be their graduation speaker this year.  His response?  “Alrighty!”, according to Principal McKain. After 36 years of teaching at DHS, Mr. B will retire at the end of this year. Above is [...]

Gas tax for toll lanes!! [AJC] Anti-Walmart group says it’s raised $4,000 for legal action [Patch] “Abraham Lincoln vs. the Zombies” filming in lucky Savannah [SMN] A close look at an $155 polo shirt designed by Atlanta couple [WSJ] Gender neutral housing option to continue to be offered [Emory Wheel] House approps committee approves school [...]

Feel free to use this post to ask questions and make comments about local issues not discussed here over the past week. Comments close on Monday.

Church Street, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Steve)

From the City of Decatur website… 2012 Neighborhood Cleanup Days Announced When: Saturdays in April, May and June, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. All items to be collected should be placed on the curb no later than 7:30 a.m. What: yard trimmings, building materials (that are not from the work of private contractors), tires, appliances [...]

UPDATE:  Another update from Rails to Trails indicates that the amendment, which would have restored funding to Safe Routes, Rails to Trails, etc, failed to pass by a vote of 27 to 29. Julie sent in this alert that she received from Rails to Trails yesterday… We aren’t exaggerating when we say this ask has [...]

State charter school creation power amendment set for vote today [AJC] …CSD has been vocally opposed to such an amendment [CSD] Mobeta Wings to reopen for Super Bowl [Patch] Decatur Lacrosse continues to grow [Be Active Decatur] DeKalb scrambles to redraw commish/school board districts [AJC] Total costs of Atlanta streetcar increase $12 million [AJC] “Atlanta…one [...]

And by “look”, I mean it in the singular. You may or may not recall that Decatur’s old-is-new-again Courtyard By Marriott reopened to the public today.   Scott snapped this photo for you armchair hotel interior enthusiasts.

Assistant Superintendent Thomas van Soelen forwards this soft-copy of a postcard that went out to Decatur households a couple weeks back, reminding soon-to-be CSD parents that they can begin registering their children – who plan to attend Decatur schools next year, but currently do not attend – today at the Central Office at Westchester.

From Wild Heaven Craft Beers website… Who says lighter beers have to be boring? Wild Heaven Craft Beers has taken on that challenge with their brand new brew Let There Be Light. As the brewery’s first “sessionable” beer, Let There Be Light comes in at only 4.7% ABV yet is full of flavor. Starting with [...]

Atlanta streetcar construction begins today [Patch] American Roadhouse to open second location at Pencil Factory lofts [TNT] Siren test postponed until tomorrow [Decatur Minute] Decatur Citizen Survey could be coming your way [Decatur Minute] March Beltline tours registrations opens Feb 15th [AJC] Neil Young: The biggest problem with music today is sound quality [AllThingsD] Photo [...]

West Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Joe)

There’s been a lot of commentary about Decatur’s wayfinding signs around the city since they were installed a couple years ago. A lot of it has been about the “look” and placement of the signs themselves, but not much has been said about the overall effectiveness of the program itself. As a recent post on [...]

Have kids?  Need to find something to do with them when you’re indisposed? You may want to take note of these registration dates posted on the CSD website and published in the Winter 2012 Playbook included in your most recent Decatur Focus.

Rutland Building (aka the purple, art deco building on Church St.) burglarized [Patch] Adair Park proposal: “Canine Renaissance Festival- dog jousting” [Curbed] Transit governance proposal unfair to MARTA [SaportaReport] Great Speckled Bird classifieds [Pecanne Log] DeKalb superintendent releases improvement plan [AJC] Interview with Billy Collins from his recent visit to Atlanta [AJC] Lebron James bikes [...]

Clairemont Ave, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Marcia)