Playborhood.com

Another Hat Tip to Decatur Metro. Here is a link to the Playborhood website, and their interesting mission:

"Free, unstructured play (or what we refer to as simply “play”) has virtually vanished from the lives of most children in America. We are committed to doing whatever we can to bring it back for our children and yours."

Here's an accompanying newspaper article:

“From landscape to playscape”

American children spend an average of less than half an hour a week in unstructured outdoor play, according to a 1999 study by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. A 2005 Kaiser Family Foundation study found that children between 8 and 18 years old spend an average of nearly six hours a day with electronic media, be it TV, video games or computers.

Decatur Metro Thread on City Parks

Great conservation about City of Decatur parks on the very fine Decatur Metro Blog:

http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/07/02/decaturs-most-popular-park/

July 18 - "Herbilicious! - Cooking with Herbs for Kids"

Workshop for Kids
July 18, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Sarah Smith, Youth Program Director, and Karen Maddox, Master Gardener
"Herbilicious! - Cooking with Herbs for Kids"
$5.00 per child

DeKalb County Extension Service
Environmental Education Center (EEC)
2390 Wildcat Road
Decatur, Georgia 30032-3735
(404) 244-4881 phone

Ride your bike, skate or walk in the Annual Parade!

http://www.decaturga.com/events_july4.aspx

Celebrate July 4th with Parade, Concert and Fireworks

Join Decatur's July 4th Pied Piper Parade as it winds through downtown Decatur. Decorate your wagon, ride your bike, skate, or walk in this event.

The City Commissioners will lead the parade in the mini-firetruck. Neighborhoods and organizations are encouraged to make floats and join the fun.

Parade line-up is at the First Baptist Church of Decatur at 5:30 p.m. The parade begins at 6 p.m. It ends at the Community Bandstand on the square with a presentation of colors and the Star Spangled Banner.

Anyone may participate in the parade but those with vehicles must register by completing the July 4th Pied Piper Parade Guidelines form.

The concert, featuring the Callanwolde Concert Band, begins at 7 p.m. in the Community Bandstand. Fireworks begin at dark (approximately 9 p.m.) and are shot from the top of the DeKalb County parking deck.

For information call 404-371-8386 or email cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com. For 24-hour information call the Decatur Events Hotline, 404-371-8262, or check this website.

Awesome at Ebster!

We are very, very pleased to announce that two "Funbrellas" have been installed today at Ebster Pool. You may have seen the "Funbrellas" at McKoy Pool. They provide a great deal of shade to the pool deck, and they look pretty cool too! Ebster is the only city pool with a diving board, and is a nice place to bring older children and teens.

Click here for a map of parking options at Ebster.

DeKalb County Board of Health - Seeking Community Volunteers

The DeKalb County Board of Health, Division of Health Assessment and Promotion is currently seeking community volunteers to participate in a focus group on our Status of Health in DeKalb report. We are seeking community opinions and insight on how to make our report clear and understandable for all audiences.

I am recruiting for a focus group to be held at the Board of Health on July 14, 2009 from 11am-1pm. In compensation for your time, a light lunch will be provided.

Please contact me if you are interested or have any questions.

Thanks!

Eryn Marchiolo, MPH, CHES

Health Promotion Coordinator

DeKalb County Board of Health

(404) 294-3775

emmarchiolo@dhr.state.ga.us

Volunteer Group Helps at Oakhurst Dog Park

A BIG thanks to Pastor Bryan Fowler of the NAVO Church in Oakhurst who helped organize two clean up days at the Oakhurst Dog Park. Approximately 20 volunteers from the church and a youth group out of Richmond, Virginia helped city staff clean out dead branches, fill in holes, limb up trees and remove ivy and brush from the dog park. They worked hard out in the tough heat and battled some ornery yellow jackets!

See more photo's HERE.