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DBA Member News
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News and Events from the latest issue >Click for events offered by DBA members
Pictured: Mike Gallagher of the Brick Store Pub, Steve Crain of Eagle Rock Distributing, and Bob Elphin of Eddie’s Attic represent the group of pubs responsible for the Great Decatur Beer Tasting Festival. Also instrumental were Twain’s and the Trackside Tavern. They are committed to the community and show it by giving 75 percent of their proceeds back to the community, contributing to downtown improvement projects, and funding an annual advertising campaign for the Retail and Restaurant Committee’s Terrific Thursdays promotion each year.
With the 2006 donations, the Beer Tasting Festival Committee has given more than a half million dollars to the community. Downtown and city improvement projects have included purchasing outdoor furniture for the Old Courthouse lawn; matching funds for downtown signage and parking sign design; downtown tree maintenance; purchasing a Litter Vac that cleans downtown streets and sidewalks; contributing to the purchase of a mini fire truck for parades and children’s festivals; partial funding for a Skate Park at McKoy Park, Ebster Park playground equipment, recycling bins in Oakhurst and downtown, establishing a Girls Youth Lacrosse program at the Recreation Center, and the Dog Park pilot project; re-seeding of the Old Courthouse lawn; and partial funding of the new Wayfinding system. In 2006 the Beer Tasting Festival received the Gold Pinnacle Award from the International Festival & Events Association for Best Event/Program to Benefit a Local Charity. The City Commission honored the entire committee with a special Hometown Hero award in recognition of their continued commitment to the community.
Flexcar Comes to Decatur
Mei Zhong Yang Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Menopause Transition Series Offered Ann Ritter and Charli Vogt offer an eight-week program for women ages 35-60 who are experiencing symptoms of peri-menopause, menopause or post-menopause. The class will start on Jan. 28, and be held on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This eight-week course will provide women with tools to manage the symptoms and changes inherent in this time of transition. Yoga and other alternative healing methods will be explored and participants will receive instructional handouts each week to allow them to continue the work at home. Each class will stand alone, which allows students to skip a class without falling behind. Tuition for the series is $160. Register before Jan. 12 and tuition will be $140. If five or more friends register before Jan. 12, each tuition will be $130. For more information, contact Charli Vogt at 404-377-1257.
Lunchtime Dance Series Moves to Friday Several Dancers Core’s Lunchtime in the Studio series is now scheduled for the first Friday of every other month during the company’s season. The events will still take place at the Several Dancers Core studios, 139 Sycamore St., noon to 1 p.m. The first event this season will be Friday, Jan. 5. It will feature independent local artists who have taken part in a Fieldwork workshop. These workshops are offered by Several Dancers Core to the local community as a forum in which artists receive feedback from other artists as they create new work in any medium. Visitors have a chance to deepen their experience of watching dance by learning about the creative process. For more information, call 404-373-4154 or visit www.severaldancerscore.org. Festivities and Classes at Creative Spirit Gallery Well-known local watercolor artist and instructor Gail Novak begins the Winter Watercolor Class series on Jan. 23. The series is designed for beginners and those with some painting experience. Students will explore the many uses of this medium at their own pace. The eight-week series runs Jan. 23-March 13, 7-9 p.m. Cost is $120. Class size is limited to eight students. Call 404-377-0141 today to reserve your space. Creative Spirit Gallery is at 335-D W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Winter hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dresscodes Opens in the Artisan Dresscodes, the newest lifestyle store in Decatur, offers high-end casual wear, premium denim, and limited edition goods for men and women. The store sells exclusive labels and underground brands from NYC, LA, Japan, Sweden, Korea, and Canada that you will not find anywhere else in the Atlanta area. Dresscodes is at 201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., #117, on the Commerce Street side, across from CVS. For more information, call 404-343-2894. Sévya Offers Handmade Products from India Sévya is a fair trade store dedicated to promoting the traditional crafts of India. The store’s high-quality, eco-friendly products include hand-woven garments, jewelry, accessories, home furnishings, paintings, decorations and toys. Everything at Sévya is hand-made with the finest natural fibers and materials. All of Sévya’s profits above operating costs are used for need-based development programs throughout India, under the auspices of the All India Movement for Seva, www.aimforseva.org. “Fair trade” means that trading partnerships are based on reciprocal benefits and mutual respect; that prices paid to producers reflect the work they do; that workers have the right to organize; that national health, safety and wage laws are enforced; and that products are environmentally sustainable and conserve natural resources. Joan Rasch and Kovida Das started Sévya five years ago by traveling extensively throughout India and developing relationships with various low-income artisan groups. Visit the store at 222 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., or call 404-377-9070.
Heliotrope Features Products with ‘Urban Sensibility’ As a lifestyle retailer, Heliotrope offers home product lines with a casual urban sensibility, and uncommon gift lines. Owners Tommy Barker and Marc Reynolds believe that you should surround yourself and your home with things you love – things that encourage laughter, smiles, or reflection. Current product lines include Kobo and Archipelago soy candles, Table Topics, Pamela Barsky’s new pet toys, UglyDoll, Wry Baby, Pylones France, Area Linens, handmade solid wood furniture from Four Hands, and Snow & Graham paper goods. Heliotrope is at 248 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. For more information call 404-371-0100.
MORE NEWS Confident Babies, the only RIE-based parent/infant class in Atlanta, is enrolling now for the next eight-week winter session beginning Jan. 19. Children ages birth to 24 months and their parents or caregivers can experience this world-renowned philosophy of respect each week at the Solarium in Oakhurst. For more information, call Ashley Parnell, 678-613-5170, or visit www.confidentbabies.com. Congratulations to Little Shop of Stories and Jake’s Ice Cream, who were mentioned in the December issue of Atlanta Magazine as “Best Kids Outing in Decatur.” Welcome to Quantum Mechanics, a new automotive shop in Decatur taking over the legacy and customers from John Bacon and the recently closed Decatur Automotive Center. John built a customer base in the Decatur area for nearly 30 years and Quantum wants to continue that base and expand. Erick Carlson, a technician at DAC, started Quantum Mechanics after DAC closed, and the DAC employees continue to work there. Quantum Mechanics is at 2601 Talley St. For information call 404-484-3995 or visit www.quantummechanics-auto.com.
News: December 2006 |
Special Hometown Hero Award Presented to Beer Tasting Festival Committee
Beer Tasting Festival Grant Recipients Announced 
