DBA Member News

From the latest issue of the Decatur Focus Newsletter.

JUNE • 2006

Jewel Couture Boutique
Come and visit Decatur’s newest retail shop, Jewel Couture Boutique. Located in the heart of downtown, Jewel has merged with Gooseberry Creative Events to provide in-stock and custom jewelry at surprisingly affordable prices.
“We want our customers to feel comfortable and welcome, and we offer a quality product with outstanding personal service,” says owner Christina Muir.

Specializing in bridal and boutique-style jewelry and gifts, with prices starting at $8, the shop is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday, noon-6 p.m., at 111 Clairemont Ave. For information call 404-371-5181 or visit www.jewelcoutureboutique.com.

Little Azio Now Open
Little Azio is now open for dine-in or takeout at 340 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., offering salads, panini, pizza, pastas, desserts, wine and beer.

Begin your meal with a crisp green salad. Enjoy your favorite pasta with “made-from-scratch” sauce. Build a pizza with your favorite toppings on a thin and crispy crust (baked in a real brick oven) or try a grilled sandwich on freshly baked focaccia bread. Treat yourself to a delicious dessert. Everything on the menu is made from fresh ingredients.
Little Azio first opened in midtown Atlanta in 2002, providing an alternative to full-service dining. For information call 404-373-4225 or visit www.littleazio.com.

Coldstone Provides Perks
Need a vacation? Coldstone Creamery wants to take your company and taste buds on an ultimate voyage of indulgence. Coldstone can customize a campaign to reward and thank your employees, provide great appreciation gifts for your clients, or create a customized cake for your office party, employee birthday or retirement.

Cold Stone Creamery gift cards, creation certificates, petite cakes and other delicious options are a great way to provide employee incentives and perks – or just to reward yourself.

Cold Stone Creamery is at 133 East Court Square, Suite B. For information, contact Bob Zanego, owner, 404-378-3043, or bobzanengo@hotmail.com.

‘Acts of Being’ at Boswell Gallery
Boswell Gallery presents “Acts of Being,” a solo exhibition by local Atlanta artist Heather Stevens Weese. Her paintings have created a buzz in the last year, with showings at eight different exhibits throughout Atlanta, Key West and New York.

The show runs through July 2 at Boswell Gallery, 153 Ponce de Leon Place. Regular business hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 11-6; Friday and Saturday, 12-9. For more information visit www.boswellgallery.com or call 404-377-4778.

Sycamore Place Gallery Offers Classes
Sycamore Place Gallery is currently taking registration for children’s summer art camps; adult storytelling workshops and art classes; private classes; artist studios; and special events. On Saturday, June 3, new works by Ellen Lewis will be showcased from 7 to 10 p.m. Carmel Anderson returns from Chicago for a one-woman weekend show opening June 9 at 7 p.m. Teen clay, papermaking, painting and quilting workshops begin June 12.

Sycamore Place Gallery is at 120 Sycamore Place. Call 404-352-5938 or 404-377-7747 or email sycsyl@yahoo.com.

Vinson Gallery Presents World Cup Art Posters June 8-July 8
In collaboration with the Atlanta Silverbacks Foundation, Vinson Gallery presents the official FIFA 2006 World Cup art posters. Fourteen internationally known artists from six countries created the images to commemorate the World Cup in Germany

Opening reception is Thursday, June 8, 6 to 9 p.m. Food will be provided by Zocalo Creative Mexican Restaurant. Proceeds from opening-night sales will benefit the Silverbacks Foundation.

Kaleidoscope Boutique Moves and Expands
Kaleidoscope Boutique is moving to 252 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. (next door to Viet Chateau) and expanding. Owner Camille Wright has joined forces with 99x’s Leslie Fram and business partner Carole Davenport, owners of the accessories store 4Bags, to create a fun and unique shopping experience. The space will include a lounge-like area for relaxing, surfing the web, gaming and sipping drinks.

The larger location will have the same great clothing for women and men. There will also be a “Blues Bar” with more than 20 brands of denim. Followers of the 4Bags trunk shows will find the same premium handbags, and jewelry lovers will find pieces from Mark Edge, Chris Vigliotti, Michelle Rhodes and Patooties.

Kaleidoscope featuring 4Bags will be open Monday, 12-6 p.m.; Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday, 12-5 p.m. For more information call 404-378-1214 or visit www.kscopeboutique.com.

Mulligan’s Welcomes All-American Jam
Chandler Goeff, owner/operator of Mulligan’s, has hired new help, changed the decor, and designated Thursdays as All American Open Jam (AAOJ) night. AAOJ, a new concept for both musicians and music fans, is hosted by Oakhurst resident and long-time singer/songwriter Garrett Freireich.

What makes this night different and original is that music is created on stage and in front of the audience by people who have never played together before. Each minute of music is recorded by Atlanta record label Friendly Records (www.friendlyrecordsatlanta.com). Friendly Records producer Jamie Roop mixes and masters the recordings and offers a condensed 60-minute version of the show the following week for $5.

The AAOJ is for those who seek something outside the norm. All musicians and fans are welcome. There’s no need to book an act – just show up and sign up. Host Garrett Freireich has information posted at www.myspace.com/aaoj, or email aaoj_@hotmail.com.

Mulligan’s, 630-E East Lake Dr. in Oakhurst, also hosts local/regional bands on the weekends. Call 404-377-0108 for information.

The Champion Honored by Georgia Press Association
The Champion newspaper, the DeKalb County legal organ published by Ace III Communications, has received 10 first-place and two second-place awards in the annual Georgia Press Association advertising competition. General Manager John Hewitt was also recognized for outstanding service as 2005-06 chairman of the Georgia Press Association Sales and Marketing Committee, and senior account executive Louise Dyrenforth Acker was honored as Georgia Press Association’s Salesperson of the Year.

First place awards were:
Advertising Campaigns: The Champion, “We want to be your newspaper”
Classified Section: The Champion
Food: Bruster’s Ice Cream
Health Care: PMI Health Group
Newspaper Promotion: The Champion, “Born on the 4th of July”
Newspaper Promotion Out of Print: ACE III Communications, Inc., media kit
Real Estate Color: Home – the Real Estate Choice for DeKalb
Real Estate Black and White: Home – the Real Estate Choice for DeKalb
Service/Institutional: Chamblee City Hall, “Chamblee? Yes, Chamblee!”
Special Sections – Discovering DeKalb, 2005-06 Newcomer’s Guide

Second place awards were:
Small Page Ad: DeKalb Musicians Supply Co., Inc.
Health Care: Stonecrest Family Dentistry

Painter Offers Summer Watercolor Classes at Creative Spirit
Always wanted to learn to paint? Now’s the time! Well-known local watercolor artist Gail Novak returns to Creative Spirit to teach watercolor classes. Gail welcomes all skill levels. Several students have continued to paint with Gail because they enjoy her ability to take the stress out of learning something new.

The eight-week summer series begins Tuesday, July 11, 7-9 p.m. Call the gallery now to register, 404-377-0141. Cost is $120 for the eight-week session but register before June 30 and save $10!

Creative Spirit is at 335 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Free parking behind the 335 West Ponce building is accessed at the west end near Nease’s Needlework. Summer hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. We stay open until 8 p.m. or later on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Congratulations to DBA member Arthur Ratliff, State Farm Insurance, who was named the 2006 Junior Achievement Volunteer of the Year. Arthur has volunteered with JA for more than 10 years. Through his tireless efforts, hundreds of students have reaped the benefits of JA programs. Last year, Arthur taught seven JA classes at local schools, including Winnona Park in Decatur. He also advocates and recruits additional volunteers from State Farm. He stands out as an exceptional volunteer!

News: May 2006