Important Dates Regarding Decatur Annexation Meetings
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009
7:30 pm
City Commission Room
Consideration of annexation options will be an action item on the City Commission agenda.
For more information visit the city of Decatur website. |
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MARTA Customer Appreciation Event
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Five Points Station
For more information visit their website.
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| Decatur Green Fest Call for Festival Poster Design Entries
Artwork will only be accepted in jpeg or pdf. The final size is 18" h x 11"w with a box at the bottom to be left blank of 3" h x 11" w. Artwork should be in CMYK format. Please do not send it in RGB. Decatur Green Fest will reserve all rights on how the artwork will be used. Artist will be credited.
The following information must be included: name of event Decatur Green Fest, the date May 2, 2009, Time 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Location Decatur Square, benefits Dogwood Alliance.
For information on entering the Poster Design Contest please contact Beth Bond or Cheryl Burnette (678) 553-6573. |
POLICE APPRECIATION
LUNCH Wednesday, Dec. 17,
2008
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
South DeKalb Police Precinct Headquarters
1816 Candler Road
Decatur, Georgia 30032
Please help us show our sincere appreciation
for our South DeKalb Police Officers.
To make this event a success, we need volunteers to help serve food and provide food donations.
The following items are needed:
Hams or Turkeys Casseroles
Side Vegetable Dishes
Breads and Desserts
Please contact State Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield at (404) 377-7014 or
Stuckey@mindspring.com to volunteer or donate food. |
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Chick-Fil-A Family Night Every Monday, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Chick-fil-A in Downtown Decatur is Family Night. When you purchase a Kid's Meal you get one FREE. |
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Georgia Chamber of Commerce
2009 Annual Meeting Dinner
Monday, January 12, 2009
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Georgia World Congress Center
Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom
285 Andrew Young International
Atlanta, Georgia 30313
Keynote speakers will be Donna Brazile and Karl Rove.
For more information please visit the Chamber website. |
| Please Help Send Decatur High School Students to Washington, DC
DHS is trying to raise funds to send 33 students to Washington, DC to participate in "Inauguration 09," a week long student program on government policy during the inauguration.
Please contact Chris Billingsley for any addtional information or to give a donation.
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Decatur High School Selling Christmas Decorations for Band
DHS has 25 wreaths and a mixture of garlands for sale.
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No funds for mental health advocate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, December 08, 2008
Two nights after Joel Young was assaulted by another patient at the state mental hospital in Atlanta, his father says, Young got a new roommate: his attacker.
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Jekyll Island Oversight Committee Meeting
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
10:00 am
State Capitol Building, Room 341
Please confirm your attendance by calling (404) 656-5052. |
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Digital TV Converter Box Coupon Program
Please click here for information regarding the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. | |
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Previewing the 2009 Legislative Session
By Jason Pye
On Monday, January 15th, the 150th session of the Georgia General Assembly will meet in Atlanta. From that time to Sine Die, as Mark Twain once said, "No man's life, liberty or property are safe."
For the last several months three issues have been given top priority: the budget shortfall, transportation and taxes.
Georgia is faced with a budget shortfall of nearly $2 billion. Gov. Sonny Perdue has ordered spending cuts, as much as 8 percent, from all executive branch departments. Appropriators are looking for nearly every way to cut spending, including putting themselves on a pork diet by eliminating Local Assistance Grants. Though not a significant portion of the budget, this shows legislators are serious about the economic crisis facing the state. Legislative leaders are even foregoing a 2.5 percent cost-of-living salary increase.
Legislators seem determined to pass a major transportation funding scheme to fund a perceived $100 billion transportation funding shortfall. If you recall, a regional transportation sales tax proposal failed earlier this year in the final minutes of the legislative session The "Get Georgia Moving" Coalition, which is comprised of business leaders, special interest groups and lobbyists, immediately began pushing Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and other leaders to pass some sort of referendum for either a statewide or regional transportation tax.
Less than a year ago, Gov. Perdue said, "I am not yet comfortable with our ability to effectively spend the funds we currently have for transportation improvements. I cannot yet guarantee that we are maximizing taxpayers' contributions or getting the best return on investment."
Not much has changed in a year, but it appears elected officials will move forward without enough time for real reform or prioritization inside the Georgia Department of Transportation, nor really taking into consideration any other methods of funding such as tolls, or conducting a cost-benefit analysis of proposed projects in the current short term and long term transportation plans.
There is a chance that this could be put off for another year, but legislative leaders promise that Georgians will have something to vote on in 2010.
Gov. Perdue also wants to borrow money to fund a "stimulus" package focusing on infrastructure, such as improving and building roads, bridges and schools. This is very similar to plans being pieced together by President-elect Obama and Democrats in Congress. Though the effectiveness of this tactic is up for debate, the theory is that these government projects will put people back to work and help bring down unemployment, which now stands at 7 percent in Georgia.
On the tax front, legislators will likely move to constitutionally cap property tax assessments at 3 percent annually. This was a part of the GREAT Plan that legislative leaders from both chambers agreed on in principle, but were never able to get passed. However, the budget crunch may be the end of the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant, a program enacted in 1998 by then Gov. Roy Barnes. Gov. Perdue delayed release of the funds last month and may ask the legislature to amend the budget to remove the grant entirely.
Several other issues will be given priority during the session, such as funding for trauma care and recommendations from Gov. Perdue's Education Finance Task Force, however, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
No matter what happens during this legislative session, Georgians must get involved in the process by calling, e-mailing and faxing their elected representatives to voice their opinion on issues that matter to them. Start a blog or a mailing list to keep friends and your community up to date on important issues coming before the legislature.
Whatever you do, please just get involved. |
Breaking up the traffic jam
In the midst of an economic crisis that forecasters say could be especially harsh and prolonged in Georgia, transportation officials were in Athens this week trying to make the case to state lawmakers that they need to spend more.
Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, pointed out Tuesday that even a repressive regime like China has a nationwide rapid transit system; Georgia, by contrast, has no commuter trains in the whole state other than metro Atlanta's MARTA. With an annual per capita expenditure of $380 on transportation, Georgia ranks next to last among the states.
Mullis, his House counterpart Rep. Vance Smith, R-Pine Mountain, and state Transportation Commissioner Gena Evans were making their pitch Tuesday to the University of Georgia's Biennial Institute, a three-day training session for lawmakers. They were no doubt playing to a tough room, given a fiscal picture that makes deep across-the-board budget cuts look infinitely more likely for the foreseeable future than new spending.
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House Meeting Schedule
Monday, December 15th
Joint Commission on the Sexual Exploitation of Minors
Chair: Representative Calvin Hill
Time: 1:00 pm -2:30 pm
Location: 450 CAP
Tuesday, December 16th
MARTOC
Chair: Representative Jill Chambers
Time: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: 606 CLOB
Appropriations Public Safety Subcommittee
Chair: Representative Chuck Martin
Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: 341 CAP
Wednesday, December 17th
Georgia Public Defenders Oversight Committee
Time: 9:00 am -11:00 am
Location: 132 CAP (This committee will also meet on Monday, January 5, 2009, at 9:00 am, in CAP 132).
Thursday, December 18th
Study Committee on Judicial Election Reform
Chair: Representative Edward Lindsey
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: 132 CAP
Friday, December 19th
House Study Committee on Accessibility
Chair: Representative Mark Butler
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: 606 CLOB
Dry-Cleaning Solvent Study Committee
Chair: Representative Karla Drenner
Time: 10:00 am -12:00 pm
Location: 506 CLOB
Study Committee on Teacher Training & Certification
Chair: Representative Brooks Coleman
Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: 450 CAP |
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Unsung Heroine Award Nominations
The "Unsung Heroine" award is designed to recognize a woman who makes a difference in the lives of children, but has not been recognized for her contributions. This recognition will be awarded during the 1st Annual Saving Our Children And Families (SOCAF) Breaking the Cycle Luncheon to Benefit Child Sexual Abuse Survivors and Advocates on February 28, 2009.
Nominations will be accepted through February 2nd. Please contact our Award Committee Chairman Sharvon Green with questions at info@savingourchildrenandfamilies.org or (404) 449-4427. |
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THEATRE DECATUR TO MARK THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD AIDS DAY WITH A DISPLAY OF THE AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT November 28 - December 20, 2008
Sections of the internationally celebrated AIDS Memorial Quilt - the 54-ton, handmade tapestry that stands as a memorial to more than 91,000 individuals lost to AIDS - will be on view from November 28 - December 20 at Theatre Decatur in Decatur, Georgia.
This free Quilt display is being presented as part of the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day - December 1, 2008 and will be hosted by THEATRE DECATUR. Visitors may attend the free display M-F from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm and during the run of the Holiday Show, A Queer Carol by Joseph Godfrey. Showing Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15, a special discount to help in these economically strained times.
For more information on the upcoming display in THEATRE DECATUR, please call (404) 373-3904. For more information on The NAMES Project and The AIDS Memorial Quilt, please visit www.aidsquilt.org or call the national headquarters at (404) 688-5500. |
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SCOOP YOUR POOP!
I've heard from residents in the Druid Hills Neighborhood who are tired of picking up baggies of dog poop out of their driveways. DeKalb Sanitation does not take these bags with recycling or trash and throws them back in the homeowners' driveway. Oakdale Road has been littered with these bags of poop lately on trash/recycling pickup days. So, if you bag your dog's poop, please take it home and dispose of it properly at your own home instead of sticking it on top of your neighbor's trash or recycling bins.
Thank You! |
Community Calendar
Druid Hills High School Premiere Benefit
Saturday, January 31, 2009
6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Emory University
For more information contact Donna Toulme at (404) 373-6662.
Homeless Memorial Vigil
Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness, Inc.
Friday, December 19, 2008
5:30 pm
424 Decatur Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30312
DeKalb County Unity Swearing-In Ceremony
Monday, January 5, 2009
11:00 am
Saint Philip AME Church
240 Candler Road, SE
Atlanta, Georgia 30317
The Inaugural Celebration Honoring Burrell Ellis
Monday, January 5, 2009
6:00 pm
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
767 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
Business Attire
2009 Policy Conference
Georgia Budget and Policy Institute
Thursday, January 8, 2009
8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Loudermilk Conference Center
40 Courtland Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Kids Only! Holiday Dance Fund Raiser
Saturday, December 20, 2008
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Victory Baptist Church
1170 N. Hairston Road
Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
For more information call (404) 288-8980.
Grand Opening
Porter Sanford, III Arts Center
Friday, December 19, 2008
10:00 am
3181 Rainbow Drive
Decatur, Georgia 30032
The DeKalb County School System State of the System Address
Thursday, February 5, 2009
7:30 am - 9:00 am
Mercer University
Cecil B. Day Hall
3001 Mercer University Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
For more information contact the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce at (404) 378-8000.
Community Christmas Eve Service
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
NAVO Church
630 East Lake Drive
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Kudzu Antique Market
Holiday Shopping Party
Sunday, December 21, 2008
11:00 am - 7:00 pm
2928 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Academy Theatre
A Christmas Carol
December 15 - 21, 2008
119 Center Street
Avondale Estates, Georgia 30002
(404)474-8332
Make Your Own Gingerbread Houses, Part II
Greene's Fine Foods
Thursday, December 18, 2008
2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
141 E. Trinity Place
Decatur, Georgia 30030
To RSVP your time slot please call (404) 378-2001.
Holiday Hoops
Friday, December 19, 2008
5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Decatur Recreation Center
231 Sycamore Street
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Kids ages 9-12
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Teens ages 13-17
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
For more information contact Stacy Green at (678) 553-6549.
First Annual Holiday Tea Meeting
DeKalb Healthy Business Council
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
9:00 am - 10:30 am
DeKalb County Board of Health
Bohan Auditorium
445 Winn Way
Decatur, Georgia 30030
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Job Announcements
Lead Community Organizer
Please send resume, cover letter and three references by mail, fax or email to:
SCHR c/o Renee Myers (Operations & Staff Development Director) 83 Poplar Street, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Fax: (404) 688-9440 rmyers@schr.org.
Program Assistant
The following link will take you to the job announcement with instructions for how to apply.
Field Organizer
Amnesty International
Applications to--
Regional Director
Amnesty International
Southern Regional Office
730 Peachtree Avenue
Suite 1060
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
(404) 876-5661 x 14
(404) 876-2276 (Fax)
Behavior Specialist
Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases
The following link will you take you to the job announcement with instructions for how to apply.
Program Coordinator of Community Events
Please use this link for a detailed job description and for application instructions. 1. Marketing/Communications Coordinator
Finance/Gifts in Kind
2. Donor Relations Manager
Major Gifts
3. Manager, Prospect Research & Analysis
Major Gifts
Send cover letter and resume to:
(Job Title)
United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta
100 Edgewood Avenue NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Internships
Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
The Democratic Party of Georgia is currently accepting Intern applications for the spring semester.
For more information visit the party website.
Volunteer Opportunities
DeKalb Rape Crisis Center
To learn about ways to volunteer please visit their website.
Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur
A Season of Giving/Christmas Decatur is now in the 14th year of this community volunteer effort that pairs low-income children and senior citizens with generous contributors to provide holiday gifts to those in need.
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DeKalb County Board of Health Offers Flu Vaccine for the General Public
The early vaccination effort is part of a flu prevention campaign by the Board of Health aimed at ensuring that everyone who needs a flu shot receives it before the flu season begins. The cost of the vaccine is $25. Checks (no out of state), cash, credit card, Medicaid and Medicare (part B) will be accepted.
Persons must present a Medicaid or Medicare card at the time of the service. If you have Medicare that is part of an HMO; the flu shot is not covered by the Board of Health. Walk-ins are welcomed. You can get a flu shot Monday through Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. |
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The President's Commission on White House Fellowships
Accepting applications for the 2009-2010 class.
Applications are available online and must be submitted by February 1, 2009.
For more information please visit their website. |
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DeKalb Habitat for Humanity Fundraising Opportunity
Do your holiday shopping online and benefit DeKalb Habitat too. Shop using www.GoodShop.com. The first time you use the site, type "DeKalb Habitat" in the blank box and click "Verify." Then, click on the logo for your retailer of choice (there are over 700!) and it will take you directly to the retailer's regular webpage. You can then shop as you normally would and a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to DeKalb Habitat. After the first time, you will not have to enter the name of the organization. Try it out for your online shopping this holiday season and watch the results add up - the more you shop, the more money we raise! |
Give the Georgia Sea Turtle License Plate as a Christmas Present!
Visit the online store to purchase a special Visa gift card that will allow you to pay the additional $50 in specialty license plate fees for them.
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Join the Movement
We would like to invite you to join Citizens for Progressive Transit. Thanks to member contributions, CfPT has been able to positively influence the public conversation about our region's relationship to transportation.
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