Feb 11 - Jeff Kinney, author of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book series

Little Shop of Stories and Decatur Active Living present:
Jeff Kinney, author of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book series!

Join us for this free event at 4:30 pm, Wednesday, February 11th
at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St.

Blaze Sports Feb 4 Webinar: Sports for People with Cerebral Palsy and Related Conditions

Blaze Sports is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advances the lives of youth and adults with physical disability through sport and healthy lifestyles. BlazeSports provides sports training, competitions, summer camps and other sports and recreational opportunities for youth and adults with spinal cord injury, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, muscular dystrophy, amputation, visual impairment or blindness as well as other physical disabilities.

Join us for a Webinar on February 4th
"Sports for People with Cerebral Palsy and Related Conditions"

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/514843269

BlazeSports America is please to host a webinar/conference call on developing sports opportunities for individuals with cerebral palsy and the related conditions of traumatic head injuries and stroke survivors. BlazeSports America an the Paralympic Division of the US Olympic Committee has placed a high priority on the recruitment and development of emerging and elite athletes with cerebral palsy and related conditions. Attendees will be introduced to the classification system used in CP Sports and will learn about the Paralympic sports for which athletes with cerebral palsy are eligible. Opportunities or local and regional competitions will also be discussed. Our guest speaker will be: Jerry McCole, Assist Director of Education and Training for BlazeSports America. Mr. McCole has more than 25 years of experience developing and implementing sports for athletes with cerebral palsy, head injuries and stroke survivors from the grassroots level to Paralympic competition. We are looking forward to this webinar/conference call and the chance to share this information with you and your programs.

Jeff Jones

BlazeSports America Director of Education and Training

jjones@blazesports.org

770-850-9095

Title: Sports for People with Cerebral Palsy and Related Conditions
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements:

PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista
Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

Be a Lifeguard or a Front Desk Attendant at a City of Decatur Pool!

Be a Lifeguard or a Front Desk Attendant at a City of Decatur Pool!
Great Pay, Flexible Schedule & an End of Season Bonus!

Hey Seniors and Active Adults over 50: Looking for a part-time job? We are looking for summer pool front desk attendants!

Hey College Students home from school for the summer: Lifeguarding is the job for you!

Decatur has three pools: Ebster, Glenlake and McKoy. We are looking for city residents to be lifeguards and front desk attendants. Lifeguards must first complete a lifeguard certification course.

To apply online to be a lifeguard, please go to: http://www.searspool.com/?page_id=104.
To apply to be a front desk attendant, please contact Desiree Kaman (see contact info. below).

The city's contractor for pool operations is Sears Pool Management. For more information on the application process or any other questions, please contact Desiree Kaman, HR Director, Sears Pool Management, desiree@searspool.com, 770-993-7492.

Feb 3 - Decatur Youth Basketball Night

Decatur Youth Basketball Night, Tuesday, Feb. 3rd

All 2008-09 youth basketball players will be allowed to attend this Tuesday's Decatur High School varsity basketball games for *FREE. *All players must wear their youth basketball jersey.

Boys game begings at 5:30 pm; Girls game at 7:00 pm (Decatur vs. Cross Keys)

Come and support the Decatur High School Bulldogs!

Click here for more information on Decatur Youth Sports.

Feb 2 - Soccer in the Streets Orientation

FYI: Soccer in the Streets is a highly respected non-profit that brings soccer and life skills education to children in urban metro Atlanta.

Please join us at our monthly orientation on Monday, February 2! It will be a chance for you to learn more about

Soccer in the Streets and how you can become involved in teaching kids skills for life... one goal at a time.

Soccer in the Streets Orientation

7 to 8 pm, Monday, February 2

2323 Perimeter Park Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30341

RSVP: Please email Jason Longshore at jason@soccerstreets.org with the number of people attending.

Come hear more about how Soccer in the Streets is making a difference. "It's good for me, helps keep me focused, out of the streets, and helps [to] make good decisions in life," says one young participant. You can be the change in a young person's life. Come and learn how.

Sincerely,
Jill Robbins

Soccer In The Streets

Jan 31 - ABC Members' Night

FYI: The Atlanta Bicycle Campaign does a truly excellent job promoting biking and bike safety.

ABC Members' Night: Part annual meeting and all fun!
Members get in free. Food, voting on ABC business, and 1st annual Blinkie Awards.
Saturday, Jan 31, 2009 (6:00 PM to 8:00 PM) at Sidebar
79 Poplar St NW # A, Atlanta, GA Google Yahoo Mapquest
404-881-1112
info@atlantabike.org
www.atlantabike.org
Socializr URL: www.socializr.com/event/72301220

Posted by Rebecca Serna

The Atlanta Bicycle Campaign is all about its members. You founded us, you're why we exist, and you continue to sustain us even today. Join ABC staff and board members for the 2009 annual meeting - mix business and pleasure with great free food courtesy of our sponsors at Sidebar!
Entertainment - a bicycle standup routine by one of our own
Blinkie Awards - given to the exemplars of volunteerism, business, media, and government to recognize their role in making Atlanta bike-friendly
Vote on ABC business - a proposed name change and the '09 board slate
Enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones!

Playbook Reminder

FYI: Click here for the new quarterly issue of the Playbook.

The Playbook provides a wealth of information on events, camps, programs, etc. from
Decatur Active Living (404-377-0494) and Decatur Children & Youth Services (404-378-1082).

Back Playbook issues are online at:
http://www.decaturga.com/cgs_citysvcs_rec_playbook.aspx

If you have any suggestions for future Playbook articles and/or content,
please contact Dan Magee, 678-553-6541.

Atlanta Bicycle Campaign at Decatur

Atlanta Bicycle Campaign at Decatur

Confident City Cycling Class

10 am, Saturday, April 18th, Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St.

Google Maps

Host: Decatur Active Living
Instructors: Jamie Adams and Josh Woiderski
Fee: $25.00

Join other cyclists to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to ride safely and with confidence on the streets and trails in your community. Joe Slade will be your instructor in this practical, hands-on class. You will receive classroom instruction, watch a video on interacting with traffic, learn bike handling skills, and take a practice ride with your instructor.

Content:
Laws affecting bicycles, the importance of visibility and predictability, lane positioning, intersection safety, interacting withpedestrians, trail etiquette, bicycle safety checks, fixing a flat, on-bike skills, crash avoidance techniques, basic bicycling gear, and much more!

Audience:
People interested in bicycle commuting, recreational cycling, or occasional riding on city or suburban streets or trails.

Bring:
*bicycle in working condition (check to ensure you have brakes, etc)

*helmet

*comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes

*water bottle

*light lunch

Schedule:
* 10 am until about 3 pm.

* Class lasts 4.5-5 hours. Arrive 15 minutes early. Please bring a snack or light lunch.

1. Classroom instruction on bike safety, laws, gear, lane positioning, etc.

2. Short video

3. Parking lot skills instruction

4. Practice Ride

Instructors are certified by the League of American Bicyclists. Recommended for adults and children above age fourteen, this compact and comprehensive class will make you a safer and more confident cyclist.

Please call ABC for more information at 404-881-1112.

Feb 28 - 7th Annual Oakhurst Wine Crawl

If you walk the wine crawl, you'll get a little exercise while supporting a good cause!


7th Annual Oakhurst Wine Crawl
4 to 7 pm, Saturday, February 28th

This year's event will feature wines from around the world while exploring all the businesses in the neighborhood. We will once again have over 20 participating businesses and expect to sell out quickly. Advance tickets are now available in Oakhurst at one of these locations: Steinbecks, Kavarna Coffee, and Universal Joint for $20 The day of the event the remaining glasses will be available for $25. Please bring Photo ID to pick up glasses. If you would like to volunteer for this event please contact Sherina Clough at: ona@oakhurstga.org.

Sherina Clough
Oakhurst Neighborhood Association
email: ona@oakhurstga.org
web: http://www.OakhurstGA.org

Jan 27 - PEDS Pizza Party

PEDS Pizza Party
Join other PEDS members for a great time. You'll find out about PEDS' priorities for 2009, give us your ideas, meet PEDS' staff, elect board members, network and enjoy delicious pizza! Slice, a terrific pizza restaurant and bar in downtown Atlanta, is hosting the event. When: Tuesday Jan 27, 6 - 8 pmWhere: Slice, 85 Poplar Street (MAP)Free for PEDS members. Cash bar.It's an easy walk from both the Peachtree Center and Five Points MARTA stations. Friends are welcome and will be asked to join PEDS at the door. We're offering a special $20 rate for first-time members who join on January 27.

About PEDS
PEDS is a member-based advocacy organization dedicated to making metro Atlanta safe and accessible for all pedestrians. When PEDS was founded in 1996, pedestrians were not yet on metro Atlanta’s radar screen. Government agencies identified transportation safety exclusively with occupant safety, engineers lacked information about the needs of pedestrians, police officers ticketed crosswalk law violators only after someone had been hit, and media attention to pedestrians was limited to one-inch blurbs following fatal crashes. Worst of all, people rarely thought of themselves as pedestrians. Because of PEDS’ efforts, all that is changing.

PEDS' goals:
-Change community attitudes to favor pedestrians
-Increase walking and other pedestrian activity
-Ensure the design of pedestrian-oriented communities
-Advance the equitable use of transportation funds
-Reduce the risk to pedestrians of injury and death

Major accomplishments include:
-Transforming pedestrian safety from a non-issue in metro Atlanta to one that attracts front-page headlines, lead editorials, and lead stories on local news broadcasts.
-Prompting the Georgia Department of Transportation to adopt high visibility crosswalk markings as the state standard and to develop a Pedestrian Design Guidebook.
-Presenting workshops on pedestrian facilities design to more than 300 transportation engineers, planners, landscape architects, and community activists.
-Facilitating Police Sting Operations targeting motorists who failed to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
-Assisting with the passage of legislation authorizing the use of cameras to ticket red-light runners.
-Prompting installation of in-street crosswalk signs.

Feb 21 - Winter Wonderland benefiting DeKalb Boys & Girls Clubs

Winter Wonderland benefiting DeKalb Boys & Girls Clubs
February 21, 2009
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The Solarium at the Community Center of South Decatur

Join us for Winter Wonderland - a cocktail party with wine tastings and a stock the cellar wine raffle to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta - DeKalb County

The Solarium at the Community Center of South Decatur
321 West Hill Street Decatur, Georgia 30030

Ticket Cost: $75 per attendee in advance; $10 wine raffle at the event
Purchase tickets and RSVP online or by contacting Zenoboia Seals at zseals@bgcma.org or 770-417-5051.

Get Well PB!

If you've played tennis in the city, or swam at one of the three city pools, you likely know longtime City of Decatur Tennis/Aquatics Coordinator Peggy Brodsky. She is home after knee surgery and some winter sickness. The Tennis Center staff is holding down the fort, and feel free to call them at 404-377-7231 with any tennis or aquatics questions. And get well soon, PB/Margaret!!!

Atlanta Audubon Society's Learning About Birds

Parks—Great places to get to know Atlanta’s birds!

Children in many parts of the metro area are learning to identify their avian neighbors through an Atlanta Audubon Society education program called LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS. The program is a wonderful opportunity to use your local park as an outdoor classroom, studying our fine feathered friends in their natural habitat. The LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS team can train a team of local park staff members and volunteers to lead the activities; no birding expertise is necessary – just an interest in birds.

Volunteers from the Audubon Society prepare kits of materials with instructions for a dozen lively activities enabling kids to learn: Parts of a bird, Atlanta’s ten most common birds and how to identify them, What birds need to survive, Migration routes of birds who fly through Atlanta in the Fall and Spring, Dissecting an owl pellet, and The food web – who eats whom.

For more information about working with the Audubon Society, contact Marcia Klenbort, LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS volunteer, at marcia.klenbort@comcast.net or visit www.atlanta.audubon.org.

2009 Park Pride Inspiration Awards Sponsored by Turner & Peachtree TV

2009 Park Pride Inspiration Awards
Sponsored by Turner & Peachtree TV
Recognizing Outstanding Achievements in Parks & Greenspace

Park Pride is seeking nominations for consideration for its 2009 Inspiration Awards. Recognized work must take place within Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton or Gwinnett Counties (and municipalities therein).

Nominations should be for one of three categories:
-Community – an individual or group (without paid staff) that volunteers time (last year’s winner in this category was Friends of Collier Heights Park)
-Corporate – both for-profit organizations and not-for-profit organizations that do not have a parks-related mission. This is a change from 2008.
-Government – elected official(s), employee(s), department(s), or county or municipality as a whole (last year’s winner in this category was The City of Suwannee)

Nominees will be judged against the following four criteria: (1) leadership, (2) long-term commitment, (3) tangible results and (4) innovation.

Park Pride Inspiration Award honorees will be announced during lunch at Park Pride’s 2009 Parks and Greenspace Conference on March 16, 2009 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Applications must be received by 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, February 13, 2009. Separate forms should be submitted for each nominee. If you send the application form by fax or email (parkpride@parkpride.org), please contact us to ensure that we receive the forms and for additional instructions.

For assistance with the application or more information, contact George Dusenbury, Executive Director, at (404) 817-7970 or george@parkpride.org.

CoD Lax!

Register now at the Decatur Rec. Center, 231 Sycamore St.

Boys Lacrosse: Ages 7-14

Girls Lacrosse: Ages 9-14

Practices and games are held at local fields.
Volunteer coaches needed!
For more info., please contact Stacy Green, 678-553-6549.

3rd Annual Bulldog Volleyball Camp

3rd Annual Bulldog Volleyball Camp
THE CAMP IS COMING! THE CAMP IS COMING!

The Decatur volleyball team had a great season this year. Some stats about varsity team from the last two years:
-Placed 7th in the State Tournament in 2007
-Placed 3rd in the Area Tournament in 2007
-Ranked 9th in the State coaches' poll in 2007
-We have 2 players that made the All-Area team, 3 players that ranked in the top 24 players in the State and 1 player that made the All-Area Senior team in 2007.
-Placed 14th in the State Tournament in 2008
-Placed 2nd in the Area Tournament in 2008
-We have 2 players that made the All-Area team, 5 players that ranked in the top 24 players in the State in 2008

The 3nd annual Bulldog volleyball camp is coming this summer. All girls that want to play for Decatur Volleyball need to plan to come to this camp to learn how to pass, set, hit and play defense like a Decatur Bulldog Volleyball player. The camp dates are:

High School Player:
July 20th thru July 24th 2009

Middle School Player:
July 27th thru July 31st 2009

Please plan on attending the camps if you plan on playing in the DECATUR VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM. The camp will be held at the Decatur Recreational Center. We will have coach from many different Division I, Division II Universities and colleges coming to run and coach at our camp. The cost of the camp will be $150 for Decatur residents and $150 for non-residents. You will receive 5 days of college coach instruction, camp T-shirts and other surprises.

The camp times will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch break. Please e-mail Coach Fred Earley for more information at: DECATURVOLLEYBALL@YAHOO.COM.

Don't Hold Back!

Let Us Know What You Think!
What are your thoughts on the City of Decatur website (www.decaturga.com)?

We are currently in the process of a website audit and are eager to hear from our citizens and local business owners. It's our goal to make the website as user friendly and informative as possible. So let us know your like's and dislike's about the website. Email your comments and suggestions to Catherine.Lee@decaturga.com.

Feb 5th - ING Marathon Community Info. Mtg.

ING Marathon Community Information Meeting

The community is invited to attend an ING Marathon Community Information Meeting on Thursday, February 5th from 6 - 7pm in the City Commission Room at Decatur City Hall. Organizers from ING will be there to answer questions as well as give information about volunteering, the Community Challenge, the race route and more. The City of Decatur will be staffing two water stations again this year, as well as have a cheering section. And of course, we will be competing to win once again! For more information, please contact Cheryl Burnette, Special Events Coordinator at 678-553-6573 or cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com.

Rent a Rec Center for the Perfect Party Space with Plenty of Parking

Here’s a common quandary: You’d like to host a birthday party, family reunion, big meeting, or other event, and just don’t have the space, or tables and chair and/or enough parking.

Well, look no further than to the Decatur Recreation Center and/or Ebster Recreation Center. Both
rec. centers are available for facility rentals and are conveniently located in the heart of the city.

The DRC (Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St.) hosts a wide variety of events, from large dance festival with hundreds of people, to small birthday parties. The DRC’s Social Room is just the right size for a family reunion or birthday party, and is adjacent to a kitchen and an outside patio, with a playground out back. The DRC gymnsium is also available for rental. During basketball season, availability is limited, but come springtime, the gym is often available. We have tables and chairs, and there is plenty of available parking with a parking deck behind the recreation center and plentiful on-street parking.

The ERC (Ebster Recreation Center, 404 W. Trinity) is an older building, but has a small gym perfect for a birthday party or a business hosting an employee basketball game.

All rentals require a two-hour minimum. The rental time must include setup and cleanup.
A refundable deposit is required. There are separate fees for city residents and non-city residents.

For more information on facility rentals, please contact Lee Williams, 678-553-6551, or Chris Lewis, 678-553-6547.

Friday - DeKalb Health & Nutrition Forum

Health, nutrition forum Friday in Lithonia
By APRIL HUNT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, January 13, 2009

A community health forum, focused on improving health through better nutrition and physical activity, will be held in south DeKalb County on Friday.
The New Year, New You forum includes two meals, healthy giveaways and screenings for blood pressure, body mass index and more. In addition to talks about how to reduce the risks of cancer, heart attack and obesity, special programs will be held on HIV prevention and men’s health issues.

County commissioner Connie Stokes, the county board of health and Lou Walker Senior Center are sponsoring the free event.
The forum runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road in Lithonia. For more information or to register, call the board of health at 404-294-3700.

Updated CYS Offerings

Art Classes Offered by Decatur Children and Youth Services
Register at Decatur Rec. Center, 231 Sycamore St.
Please contact Mary Miller at 404-378-1082 for more information.

Kid's Playhouse:
Mini-Masters
Dates: Beginning 2/5 and ongoing monthly NO CLASS 4/9
3-5 years and the adult of their choice.
10-11:30am, Thursday DRC
$85 Decatur resident, $100 non-resident
A developmentally appropriate art experience for pre-schoolers including color magic, cut ups, clay creations, printing, and lots more colorful and fun-filled projects. Great art for the refrigerator.

Kids Classes:
Sculpture from Another Planet
Dates: 2/5-2/26
5-7 years
3:30-5:30pm, Thursday DRC
$85 Decatur residents, $100 non-resident
Use paper, wire, wood and paper mache' to create creatures and beings from other worlds. Masks, puppets and robots are some of the projects you'll take home. Does your mom allow aliens in the house?

Sculpture from Another Planet
Dates: 3/5-3/26 8-10 years
3:30-5:30pm Thursday DRC
$85 Decatur residents, $100 non-resident
Use paper, wire, wood and paper mache' to create creatures and beings from other worlds. Masks, puppets and robots are some of the projects you'll take home. Does your mom allow aliens in the house?

For Girls Only
Dates: 4/2-4/30 NO CLASS 4/9
8-10 years
3:30-5:30pm Thursday DRC
$85 Decatur Residents, $100 non-residents
FUN……..strictly for girls. With Ms. Gussy you'll create wearable art including painted t-shirts, decorated shoes, jewelry and lots of cool stuff that will make your friends jealous! Students will supply shirts and shoes for decorating.

For Boys Only
Dates: 5/7-5/28
6-8 years
3:30-5:30pm Thursday DRC
$85 Decatur Residents, $100 non-residents
This is real GUY STUFF. You'll be making toys that fly, building castles and designing games to play with your friends.

Saturday Workshops with Ms. Gussy
5-7 years 10am-12pm DRC
8-10 years 1-3pm DRC
$15 per workshop Decatur resident, $20 non-resident
$30 for May 2 & 9 Gift Making Workshop, $40 non resident

January 24 - Paper Sculpture Playground - Design your dream playground.
January 31 - Monoprint- One of a kind printmaking
February 7 - Valentine Card Making- Pop up surprises to give to family
February 21 - Wood Scrap Sculpture – Build a sculpture from wood
February 28 - Foil Tooling – Make something cool that you can wear
March 7 - Pot of Gold – Made of clay for your own leprechaun
March 21 - Styrofoam printing – Create your own designs
March 28 - Masks – Scary or funny……It's your choice
April 18 - Bug Building – Not necessarily of this world
April 25 - Heat Shrink – The magic of Shrinky Dink and your imagination
May 2 & 9 - Something for Mom– Sculpt a paper mache' Mother's Day gift
May 9 - Surprise - Decorate your gift and make Mom a cool card
May 16 - Summer Sketchbooks – Make a special book for your summer drawings

Please contact Mary Miller at 404-378-1082 for more information.

Biking is the way to go!

THANK YOU TO THOSE PLAYERS AND PARENTS THAT BIKE TO OUR YOUTH GAMES & PRACTICES! IT'S A SMART, HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE TO ALWAYS DRIVING TO GAMES & PRACTICES!

Valentine's Day Events for City Kids!

Valentine Luncheon for Grades 1-3
Saturday, Feb. 14 • 11:30 a.m.
Decatur Recreation Center

Celebrate Valentines Day with good food and fun. Participants will receive a free 4 x 6 photo taken with their parent(s). Photo will be taken promptly at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m. Entertainment will include audience participation; poems, readings, songs, and scheduled events. Please RSVP at DRC by Feb. 7.

Fee: $10 per participant, parents free.
For more info., please contact Lee Williams, 678-553-6551.

Valentine Dance for Grades 4-5
Saturday, Feb. 14 • 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Decatur Recreation Center

Let’s dance! Join us for an evening of music, food, fun and friends. Celebrate Valentines Day among friends and familiar surroundings. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Each participant will receive a free 4 x 6 photo. All photos will be printed on the spot. Please RSVP at DRC by Feb. 7. This event will be supervised by Decatur Active Living staff.

Fee: $5 per participant, chaperons free.
For more info., please contact Lee Williams, 678-553-6551.

New Playbook

FYI: The new quarterly issue of the Playbook is here:
http://www.decaturga.com/client_resources/cgs/citysvcs/rec/playbook2009/playbook_jan09_sm.pdf

Here is the link to back issues:
http://www.decaturga.com/cgs_citysvcs_rec_playbook.aspx

Fore!! Beginning and Intermediate Golf Class

Beginning and Intermediate Golf Class

Playing golf offers great health benefits, for all ages, that

can span a lifetime. An increasing number of older Americans are enjoying those benefits more than ever. According to the U.S. National Golf Foundation, senior golfers (over 50 years old) account for about 25 percent of the total golfer population.

This course is for those who have not held or swung a golf club, but who wish to learn golf or golfers who have played or now play and want to improve their swing.

Instructor: Phil Williams
Fee: $12 per month (plus bucket of balls)
Date: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 10am - 12pm
Place: Decatur Recreation Center

Contact Person: Chris Lewis, Chris.Lewis@decaturga.com or 678-553-6547.

Mason Mill Park Master Plan Public Meeting

Mason Mill Park is a county park very, very close to Decatur, just down Clairmont Ave., and of course Decatur residents can use it at their leisure. There is a small dog park, a seniors center, a community garden, and tennis courts. The county would like to hear feedback on the park's new Master Plan.

DEKALB PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THIRD PUBLIC MEETING FOR MASON MILL PARK
Development of Master Plan for Park to be Discussed

WHAT: The DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department will hold its third
public meeting to discuss development of a master plan for Mason Mill Park.

WHO: DeKalb Parks and Recreation Representatives

WHEN: Thursday, January 22, 2009, at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Mason Mill Recreation Center
1340-B McConnell Drive, Lower Level
Decatur, GA 30032

For more updated information, please go to our website at www.co.dekalb.ga.us/parks, click on park planning and development, then "Mason Mill Park". Any comments or questions may be directed to John Anderson, Project Manager at 404-687-3497 or e-mail at: janderson@co.dekalb.ga.us.

City Residents, We Want to Hear From You!

For City of Decatur Residents:

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

Decatur Recreation Center Master Plan

The City of Decatur is developing a master plan to direct future improvements to the city’s 50 year old recreation center. We invite you to think creatively and submit your ideas to the questions listed below. Forward your answers to Lyn.menne@decaturga.com or hugh.saxon@decaturga.com or mail to Lyn Menne, City of Decatur, P.O. Box 220, Decatur, GA 30031.

Please feel free to spread the word to other city residents. Also, we want to hear from city residents of all ages, so feel free to ask your teen or pre-teen to complete a survey.


What Should Our Community/Recreation Center Provide?

1. What community programs are needed?


2. What kind of visual and/or performing arts programs would you like to see?


3. What exercise or athletic programs do we want?


4. What new active adult/senior oriented activities should be provided?


5. What activities or facilities for young professionals are of interest?


6. What activities or facilities for children and youth should be provided?


7. What should the Center provide in 15 years?


8. What other ideas or suggestions would you like to add?

Decatur Youth Lacrosse Time!

Register now at the Decatur Rec Center, 231 Sycamore St.
Boys Lacrosse: Ages 7-14
Girls Lacrosse: Ages 9-14
Practices and games are held at local fields.

Volunteer coaches needed!

For more info., please contact Stacy Green, Stacy.Green@decaturga.com or 678-553-6549.

A Great Summer Job for Any Age (17 or over): City of Decatur Lifeguards & Front Desk Attendants

Be a Lifeguard or a Front Desk Attendant at a City of Decatur Pool!

Great Pay, Flexible Schedule & an End of Season Bonus!

Seniors and Adults over 50: Looking for a part-time job? We are looking for summer pool front desk attendants! College students home from school for the summer? Lifeguarding is the job for you!

Decatur has three pools: Ebster, Glenlake and McKoy. We are looking for city residents to be lifeguards and front desk attendants. Lifeguards must first complete a lifeguard certification course.

To apply online to be a lifeguard, please go to: http://www.searspool.com/?page_id=104.

To apply to be a front desk attendant, please contact Desiree Kaman (see contact info. below).

The city's contractor for pool operations is Sears Pool Management. For more information on the application process or any other questions, please contact Desiree Kaman, HR Director, Sears Pool Management, desiree@searspool.com, 770-993-7492.

Get Outside with the Oakhurst Community Garden Project

Celebrate the New Year at the Oakhurst Community Garden Project with fun classes!
www.oakhurstgarden.org
678-642-4977
435 Oakview Road, Decatur

The Oakhurst Community Garden Project welcomes the New Year with a new slate of fun, crafty, cooking, and gardening classes. Save money by making your own healthy soups. Or perhaps you have always wanted to try your hand at tending a honey bee hive? Well this is all possible at the Garden, located in your community and within walking distance.

Classes for families and singles, celebrate with us and learn a fun-filled skill at the same time!Thank you DeKalb Medical for sponsoring our January-March 2009 series.


-Winter Sowing a Perennial Garden -Save money by using recycled containers.
Sow the seeds of this year's garden by Winter Sowing, an innovative wayto easily grow plants from seed with Glynis Ward! We will sow perennial garden seeds which need a period of cool weather (stratification) for successful germination using your recyclables! Native and non-native perennial seeds, soil and supplies are provided, you bring as many clear and opaque recyclable containers as you would like: milk jugs, soda, water or juice bottles, plastic food tubs with lids, clear take-out "hamburger" boxes.
Tuesday, January 6th, 7 – 9 p.m.
$22 Garden members, $27 non-members (fee includes a $2 materials charge)

-Serious Sketchers in the Shadows!
Come join Ms. Sylvia on Wednesday evenings to draw with traditional and natural materials as Rembrandt would, with an eye on the lightness and varying degrees of darkness to create a garden variety of renderings. This is a monthly class geared towards middle and high school ages, but adults are welcome,too!
Monthly Class: Start dates January 7th, February 4th, March 4th
7:30-9 p.m.$95-/4 days per month (includes materials)

-Crane Origami
In Japan, the Crane is the symbol of peace. Start your year with a peaceful afternoon folding beautiful sheets of origami paper intocranes. Each student will also have the option of creating a mobile to hang the cranes from. Children ages 7 and up are welcome to attend, but must be accompanied by an adult. Class fee includes one mobile.
Sunday, January 11th, 1-3 p.m.$15 for Garden Members, $20 for non-members (fee includes $5 materials charge)

-Table Cloth Tea, Plein Air in the Garden!
Come join Ms. Sylvia the second Wednesday of each month in the garden to paint and draw on paper, placemats and a tablecloth. We will work with traditional paints and the natural pigments that we find in the gardenand in our teacups! Bring a mug for tea! This is an adult class, but childcare is available for an additional fee.
January 14th, February 11th, and March 11th, 11 a.m.-1p.m.$35/per workshop (includes materials)Soup: Good for your body, warms your soul, and saves money!

-Trying to put your New Year's resolutions into action? Warm, healthy soup is the perfect place to start and keeps dinner on a low cost budget.
Join Charli Vogt for a delicious course on the basics of soupmakings. Broths, ethnic twists, using local and seasonal produce as well as using the odds and ends from your fridge. Charli is a nurse and herbalist that loves to cook and always has new ideas how to combine food. Bring your apron, your favorite knife and jars to carry home the leftovers. Dinner is included as well as fresh cornbread.
Thursday, January 15th, 6:30-8:30 p.m.$30 Garden members, $35 non-members (fee includes $5 materials charge)
www.BeyondTheMeasuringCup.com

-Get the Buzz: An Introduction to Beekeeping
An overview of the beekeeper's year. Learn the basics: Where is the best place to set up a hive? When do you order bees? Where do you find your materials? When is the best time to harvest honey? All these questions and more will be answered by Curtis Gentry, a beekeeper with over 30 years experience.
Tuesday, January 20th, 6-9 p.m.$25 Garden members, $30 non-members

-Sustainability in the Garden
Drought and watering bans have forced Atlanta gardeners to think differently about how they manage their gardens. Obtaining water, lessening our human impact, fostering nature in an urban environment, reducing and re-using, composting, co-existing with garden creatures andinsects – are all things we have begun to think about more. Glynis Ward will help the gardener ease into a more sustainable style of urban gardening with plenty of ideas to foster your imagination and have a more carefree, environmentally friendly garden.
Thursday, January 22nd, 7-9 p.m.$20 Garden members, $25 non-members

-Make a Nuno Felted Scarf
In this class, Eiko Taylor will show you how to take chiffon cloth, sheep fleece, and yarn and create a one of a kind, lightweight scarf. Using soap and water and a physical molding, the students will adhere the sheeps wool to the chiffon. Sheep wool comes in so many beautiful colors that whatever you do will turn out fabulous and just in time for winter. Class is for both beginner and advanced.
Friday, January 23rd, 6:30-8:30 p.m$29 for Garden members, $34 for non-members (includes $4 for materials)

-Growing Fruit: A discussion of unique and overlooked varities for you to grow
The yard has always been a unique place to grow flowers and food. Many only consider ornamentals and vegetables to explore, but fruit (a traditional and delicious part of any landowner's property) is often forgotten in our modern landscapes. Join Robert Hamilton as he presents often-overlooked fruits and how to grow them easily. Resources, problems and plant care will be discussed. Learn today so that you can plant before Spring arrives.
Wednesday, January 28th, 7-9 p.m. $20 Garden members, $25 non-members

-Felted Purse: Traditional Method
Using soap and water to bind sheep fleece in the traditional method offelting, students will create a stylish purse under the creative and experienced guidance from Eiko Taylor. This method, once learned can be used for a variety of unlimited projects fueled by your imagination. Great class for first time felters or experienced ones who want to create a purse.
Friday, January 30th , 6:30-8:30 p.m$33 for Garden members, $38 for non members (inludes $8 for materials)

The mission of the Oakhurst Community Garden Project is to cultivate vibrant greenspace and inspire a community of environmental stewards. The Garden is located at 435 Oakview Road in Decatur. It is free and open to the public from sun up to sun down. For more information, please visit www.oakhurstgarden.org.

Soccer Mini-Camp Jan 5th & 6th

AVOID YOUR KIDS CATCHING CABIN FEVER !!!

Keep your Decatur kids active over the holidays!
Play Soccer with Decatur Active Living & FC Atlanta!

We are hosting a second mini-camp for boys and girls ages 8 through 13:
Camp II: Monday, Jan. 5th & Tuesday, Jan. 6th
Location: Ebster Rec. Center & Field, 404 West Trinity Place

$40 per child per session; Please pay at the Mini-Camp site

Schedule: 8:30 - 9:00am: Drop off
9 - 9:45am: Warm up and Speed & Agility Training
9:45 - 10:30am: Technical Skill Work
10:30 - 11am: Topic of the Day/Snack
11am - 12:15pm: World Cup Tournament
12:30 pm: Pick up

For more information and questions, please contact Dan Magee,
Dan.Magee@decaturga.com or 678-553-6541.