May 23 - Kids and Teens Arts Festival

This is one of our the biggest events of the year. New: Activities for teens and pre-teens (Guitar Hero, Nintendo Wii, and more)!

US Dept. of HHS Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines

In the fall of 2008, the US Department of Health and Human Services released its first physical activity guidelines. The new guidelines recommend at least 2 ½ hours every week of moderate-intensity physical activity for adults.

Here are the key guidelines for adults:

• Avoid inactivity. Some physical activity is better than none, and doing anything can provide some health benefits.

• If moderate-intensity activities are preferred, adults should do at least 150 minutes a week. This includes activities like brisk walking, water aerobics, ballroom dancing, and gardening.

• It vigorous-intensity activities are preferred, adults should do at least 75 minutes a week. This can include jogging, running, swimming, and jumping rope.

• Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes and spread throughout the week.

• For additional health benefits, adults should increase their aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity, or 150 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.

• Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities that are moderate or high intensity and involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these activities provide additional health benefits.

For more information about the new physical activity guidelines, please visit: http://www.health.gov/PAGuidelines/

Online Resources:

American College of Sports Medicine http://www.acsm.org/

American Council on Exercise http://www.acefitness.org/

American Heart Association Walk at Work Day http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053115

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthy Weight Resources http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/healthyweight/index.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthy Worksite Initiative http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/hwi/index.htm

America on the Move www.americaonthemove.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention StairWELL to Better Health http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/hwi/toolkits/stairwell/index.htm

Get Outdoors Georgia www.getoutdoorsgeorgia.org/

National Association for Health & Fitness physicalfitness.org/nehf.html

National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity www.ncppa.org/

Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center www.walkinginfo.org/

President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports www.fitness.gov/

US Dept. of Health & Human Services Small Steps www.smallsteps.gov/

Check It Out!

Here it is: The Schematic Design Presentation for the Decatur Recreation Center renovation. Thanks to LP3 Architects of Decatur for their great work!

From the Decatur Recreation Center Project website:

A master plan for comprehensive improvements to the Decatur Recreation Center has been completed. The present building was built in the mid-1950’s. The building presently is used for a variety recreational and athletic activities including crafts, fitness and dance classes, youth activities, meetings, and recreational athletic play, but will no longer be used for high school athletics after mid-2009.

Proposed improvements include a new climbing wall and elevated track in the gym, new multi-purpose exercise and dance studio, institutional kitchen, new meeting rooms and lounge areas, additional staff office space, new plumbing and electrical systems, and new interior finishes. Proposed improvements are planned to be LEED certified. A construction budget of $5 million is anticipated. Master planning and design services were provided by LP3 Architects of Decatur.

Zip Trip to Decatur Live April 30

Better Mornings Atlanta is hitting the road...they are going on a zip trip...looking for some of the most interesting towns in metro Atlanta. On Thursday, April 30 BMA and Corinna Allen will be live in Decatur from 5 - 7 a.m. Yes, I said 5 a.m. - 7 a.m. (that's morning for all you late-night folks).

They are showcasing everything that makes our community a great place to live, work, and play. They are spotlighting our businesses, shops, restaurants, events, and people, throwing in a bit of history and asking people what they love about our community.

How hip is our zip? Let's show Better Mornings Atlanta by turning out from 5 - 7 a.m. at Parker's on Ponce, 116 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., and showing our community spirit. The more the merrier. We'll have free coffee, soft drinks and bagels to help you wake up - plus the Rain Barrel Man, an Asian Cajun fashion show, and more. Please join us in showcasing our fabulous community - we need you.

See you Thursday morning!

Linda Harris

Fun City Events!

City of Decatur Weekly Events April 28 – May 3

Thursday, April 30: Jazz Nights in Oakhurst on the lawn of the Old Scottish Rite, 7 – 9 pm

Saturday, May 2: Green Fest on the Old Courthouse Square, 3 pm – 9:30 pm; will conclude with regular Concert on the Square

Sunday, May 3: World Laughter Day, on the bandstand, 1 – 4 pm

Take a minute and visit our blog: www.thedecaturminute.com

Make attending one of these events a fitness opportunity: Walk or bike to the event!

Swim Lessons

Learning to swim is one of the most important rituals of childhood. A recent National Institues of Health study concludes: Participating in formal swimming lessons was associated with an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning in children between the ages of 1 to 4.
(Arch Pediatric Med. 2009; 163(3):203-210)

Check out the "Swim School Bob" blog for more on this study.

Decatur Active Living offers swim lessons at flexible times. For more information, please e-mail Maggie Hamilton or call 404-377-7231.

Don't forget it's time to sign up for the Decatur Gators Swim Team, for city residents ages 5 through 17. For more information, please e-mail Maggie Hamilton or call 404-377-7231.

Saturday May 2 - 3rd annual Decatur Green Fest on the Square

The third annual Decatur Green Fest, presented by Bonterra Vineyards and hosted by the Dogwood Alliance, will be held on Saturday, May 2 from 3 p.m. until 9:30 p.m on the Decatur Square. The event kicks off the annual Concert on the Square series presented by Wachovia, and features a day of "earth friendly" family fun and music.

In addition to music, the event promises a taste of local and organic food and sampling of Equal Exchange fair-trade items. Terrapin Beer Company, an event partner, and Bonterra Vineyards will be providing their tasty beverages. And for the first time, there will be an exhibition of artists working with recycled materials. Several green building professionals and other green educators will be present. The Decatur Cool City Coalition will lead a "Teaching Tour of Green Buildings" from 1-6 p.m.

This event is a benefit for the Dogwood Alliance and the Decatur Preservation Alliance. The Dogwood Alliance is the Southeast's leader in efforts to bring together the voices of thousands of individuals to pursue "win-win" solutions that ensure the future of natural and native Southern forests, and create financial incentives for positive change by creating market demand for environmentally sound paper products.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Susan Cobleigh, DPA Executive Director, or phone her at 404-371-4444.

Article: Mass. town takes lead in trimming fat

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20090421/chronic21_st.art.htm

Mass. town takes lead in trimming fat

Obesity-related illnesses make health care tabs bulge

By Mimi Hall
USA TODAY

Kelle Shugrue's 7-year-old son eats fresh fruit and vegetables at his public school, rides his bike along neighborhood paths and walked to school last week as part of a community effort to get kids moving.

The Shugrue family lives in Somerville, Mass., a Boston suburb hailed by health advocates for its seven-year investment in programs fighting childhood obesity and encouraging healthful living.

The model program is beginning to be replicated around the country, a small start on a huge task: preventing the onset of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease that now account for 75% of the nation's health care spending.

As the Obama administration and Congress tackle an overhaul of the health care system, chronic disease looms as a major impediment to controlling costs.

According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, 45% of Americans — 133 million people — suffer from at least one chronic disease such as asthma or hypertension. Because many of the conditions are brought on or exacerbated by obesity, which has doubled nationwide since 1987, experts say they can be prevented or at least managed better.

"Improving the management of chronic disease is a critical component of our plan to drive down the skyrocketing cost of health care," says Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office for Health Reform. "Two-thirds of Medicare spending is for beneficiaries with five or more chronic conditions."

A down payment is coming.

In February, as part of the $800 billion economic stimulus package, Congress approved $1 billion for disease prevention and wellness programs. A third of that money is slated for immunizations; two-thirds for new programs to prevent chronic diseases.

The Department of Health and Human Services plans to announce early this summer how it will use that new money. "We want to help prevent disease and illness before Americans end up at the doctor's office or the emergency room," says Nick Papas, a department spokesman.

Experts at the disease partnership and in Congress say controlling chronic disease requires a two-pronged approach: preventing diseases before they begin and doing a better job helping patients manage their chronic conditions once they develop.

The issue will be up for discussion in the Senate today when Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., holds the first of three roundtable discussions on health care. The subject of the session, which will include insurance company CEOs, doctors and nurses, and policy analysts, is how to make the health care delivery system more effective, including by better managing chronic care.

Somerville's experiment began in 2002, when researchers from Tufts University decided to find out whether efforts to promote exercise and healthful eating could help prevent obesity among schoolchildren.

The program, Shape Up Somerville, was first aimed at elementary school kids, 44% of whom were either overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.

Using grants from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and philanthropic groups, the researchers had schools replace French fries, candy, soda and other unhealthful foods with fresh fruit, skim milk and other nutritious choices. The city added bike lanes and pedestrian crosswalks to encourage people to exercise. Restaurants offered more healthful items on menus; residents planted community gardens.

After just one year, the schoolchildren first targeted showed results: They gained 15% less weight than other kids their age. Twice as many people were riding bikes along the community's bike paths.

"It's powerful to see those numbers change like that," says Nicole Rioles, who runs the ongoing Shape Up program.

Shugrue, 37, says she and her husband always have promoted healthful choices at home and she's happy that the schools and the community reinforce that message for their second-grader, Henry, rather than undermine it.

Dozens more cities from Oakland to Louisville are following Somerville's lead to develop similar programs. "We would love to give our two cents to the White House and anyone else planning for really healthy communities," Rioles says.

Without such efforts, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease and other groups say, the government will never get a handle on health care costs.

According to the chronic disease partnership, the federal government spent $586 billion in 2008 on patients with at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes or heart disease.

Kenneth Thorpe, director of the Partnership, says those people who already have developed chronic conditions must be better managed so that their conditions don't deteriorate and they don't end up with costly hospital stays.

He favors community health teams made up of nurse practitioners and coordinators to monitor patients' progress and make sure they take their medication.

DeParle says the Obama administration is taking steps to improve care, even before the health care debate heats up.

"The administration has already begun reforming Medicare's payment by rewarding doctors for better quality, efficiency and coordination of care," she says.

Jeffrey Levi, director of the Trust for America's Health, a research group, is more focused on solving the problem before it begins. Levi says he's sure changes to the health-care system will include funding and programs to prevent chronic disease. That wasn't the case in 1993-94, during the last overhaul effort, when he said public health advocates were "banging at the door" to get heard.

"I am very confident (legislation) will include a serious commitment to public health and prevention," Levi says.

Saturday - City Recycling Day

City of Decatur Recycling Day

Saturday, April 25 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Decatur High School Parking Lot
(Corner of N. McDonough Street and Howard Avenue)

TV's will be recycled for $10 cash only with exact change.

Don't throw away that old cell phone, camera or PC component! Save it and recycle it on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Decatur's Spring Electronics Recycling event. This semi-annual event has been hugely successful at diverting electronic equipment from landfills, where they may contaminate soil and water. Batteries and Styrofoam will also be accepted.

TV's will be recycled for a minimal fee of $10 cash only per TV set with exact change. There is no charge to recycle other items.

The event takes place Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Decatur High School Parking lot, on the corner of N. McDonough St. and W. Howard Avenue. Electronics dropped off that day will be sorted and disassembled into raw materials or cleaned for re use.

In addition to electronics, any metro area resident can also drop off batteries of any type, Styrofoam peanuts, and clean Styrofoam blocks free of foreign objects.

Almost anything with an electrical cord can be recycled at the event EXCEPT microwave ovens, furniture, light fixtures, household appliances, lamps, vacuum cleaners..
We will recycle for free: Desktop computers , Telephones, Mini-towers, Telephony equipment, Laptop computers, Adding machines,Monitors, Calculators, Servers, Typewriters, Workstations, Label makers,Keyboards, Copiers, Mice, Fax machines, Joystick game controllers, Answering machines, Printers, Printer cartridges, Digital cameras , Zip drives, Batteries, Speakers, PDAs, Pagers, VCRs, Hubs, DVD players, Routers, Cable converter boxes, Scanners, Remote controls, Digital projectors, Stereo equipment ,UPS units, Radios, Main frames, Portable CD players, Component parts, Portable game players, Cables, GPS receivers, 3-in-1 devices, printer/copier/fax machines., Electric lawn mowers and garden equipment, any kind of Battery. Clean Styrofoam free of foreign objects(peanuts, packing blocks, plates, cups, trays.)

Volunteers assist in unloading items.To volunteer, please contact Sandy Johnson at 404-377-5571.

Early drop offs are not possible.

For additional information call Sean Woodson, 404-377-5571.

Saturday, May 9 - New DeKalb County Green Commission

CEO BURRELL ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER KATHIE GANNON TO LAUNCH GREEN COMMISSION

DECATUR – Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis and Commissioner Kathie Gannon, Super

District 6, will launch the DeKalb County Green Commission at a kick-off event on Saturday,

May 9, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. at the county’s new LEED building The Porter Sanford Performing

Arts Center located at 3181 Rainbow Dr. in Decatur. This community event is free and open to

the public.

“We all have a responsibility to become more involved in protecting our future resources,” said

CEO Ellis. “What better way to lead than by example and that is exactly the message this

administration hopes to send the citizens of DeKalb County.”

The administration is committed to the Green Commission to ensure that DeKalb County is

meeting the “green needs” of the future. The Green Commission will chronicle the County’s

sustainable practices and policies which will be submitted to the Atlanta Regional Commission

for DeKalb County to be designated as a “Green Community.”

“The kick-off of the Green Commission is about making changes today that will have a

significant impact on our environment tomorrow,” say Commissioner Gannon. “This is a cause I

am passionate about. I am pleased that CEO Ellis shares my sentiments about this important

issue and our responsibility as a county to meet the needs of the present without compromising

future generations.”

The Green Commission will showcase and display the green practices of DeKalb County

Government, local businesses and non-profits through workshops and forums that will educate

citizens on environmentally friendly lifestyle alternatives.

For more information regarding the Green Commission, please contact Rita Morgan in

Commissioner Gannon’s office at 404-371-6353 or visit www.yourdekalb.com or http://www.kathiegannon.com/.

Get Fit - The President's Challenge

It only takes a small change. Instead of telling yourself you can't, tell yourself you can.

The President's Challenge is a program that encourages all Americans to make being active part of their everyday lives. No matter what your activity and fitness level, the President's Challenge can help motivate you to improve.

If you're active less than 30 minutes a day/5 days a week (or 60 minutes a day for youths under 18), this program is for you.

---

http://www.presidentschallenge.org/the_challenge/active_lifestyle.aspx

The Active Lifestyle program shows you how to make a commitment to staying active and how to stick to it. The program helps you set realistic goals to encourage fitness for a lifetime. The rules are simple. You can choose from all kinds of activities. We'll also give you a personal activity log to guide you every step of the way.

Because your hard work shouldn't go unrecognized, you can also earn awards. You can earn the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) by performing regular activity beyond your daily activity goal of (30 minutes a day for adults/60 minutes a day for youths under 18) at least 5 days per week, for a total of 6 weeks. As an alternative you can count your daily activity steps using a pedometer.

That means if you stick with the program, you can earn an award in a little over a month. So what are you waiting for?

Article: Why Walking? StartWalkingNow.org,

Rec Management Magazine, April 2009

One Route to Community Fitness

Which form of exercise is easily accessible, free and can boast the lowest dropout rate of any form of exercise? Walking, and the American Heart Association has teamed up with the American Council on Exercise to offer a program that will help your organization get more people on their feet and moving.

Studies have shown that Americans are increasingly overweight, and American jobs have become more sedentary. What's more, employees are spending 164 more hours per year at those sedentary jobs than they did 20 years ago.

"With over 66 percent of Americans considered overweight or obese, and nearly 70 percent of the population not engaging in regular light to moderate physical activity five times a week or vigorous activity three or more times per week, we realized there was a dire need to incorporate more walking into people's daily routines," said Timothy Gardner, M.D., AHA president. "Just a few extra steps each day is a simple and easy way to take an active role in maintaining a significantly healthier life."

So on April 8, the AHA celebrated National Start! Walking Day, getting people from all walks of life to head out for a 30-minute trek on walker-friendly paths in cities across the country. But the fun doesn't stop there.

The AHA has collaborated with the American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's leading fitness authority, to develop walking plans for people of various ability levels. The free, downloadable plans and a list of walking paths in various cities are available at StartWalkingNow.org.

Why walking?

In addition to its easy accessibility and low dropout rates, walking provides many health benefits.

"As you know, walking is beneficial to health," said ACE's Julia Valentour, a programs coordinator who helped develop the walking programs. She added that it reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, as well as combating high blood pressure and lowering the risk for breast cancer and premature death. "The benefits go on and on," Valentour said. "It's low-risk and easy to do. It's great to get people out, and now that it's spring, it's the perfect time to get people started on a walking program."

Valentour said there are seven programs altogether, each designed for varying levels of fitness and different goals, such as weight loss or health. "There are also two made for people who are really busy who can't seem to fit it in, the time-crunched," she added.

The workouts are "great for improving aerobic fitness, even for beginners," Valentour said. "When people are encouraged to get out and walk, they'll often stick to their usual route and pace. To improve fitness, the concept of overload needs to be incorporated." The Start! programs, by incorporating the overload principle through increased time, frequency and effort, encourage walkers to build their fitness levels over time.

"We also encourage alternate activity days, where they can rake leaves, do yoga, go for a bike ride or do other activities."

Find materials and articles that support the program online at StartWalkingNow.org, and get your community involved.

Sunday - Cemetery Clean-Up Day

Cemetery Clean-Up Day This Sunday, April 26 - 1 to 4 p.m.

Decatur Cemetery 229 Bell Street (off of Church Street). Parking on site. Enjoy the beauty of Decatur's historic cemetery while doing light landscape gardening. Bring your water bottle, sunscreen and gloves. If you have tools (rakes, shovels, etc.), bring those as well. For more information, please email David Crenshaw or call him at (404) 378-8118.

About DPA

DPA is a nonprofit citizens' group incorporated in 2000 to preserve Decatur's historic structures and green spaces. Our first project was the preservation of Decatur's historic train depot. Our vision has grown to include local historic district education and advocacy and service to the community through our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project. Our office is in Woodlands Garden on Scott Boulevard, the seven-acre green space gift from the Morse family to Decatur through DPA. Other preservation projects include Decatur Cemetery and the circa 1870 Fraser building located at the Church Street entrance to the cemetery.

Decatur Preservation Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Your membership dues and/or donations to any of our projects are tax-deductible. For information on membership or to make a contribution visit our website, http://www.decaturpreservationalliance.org/, and click on "Join or Donate."

This Saturday - Volunteer for the Hidden Cove Park Clean-up Day!

The Friends of Hidden Cove Park Invite You to Join Us on Saturday, April 25th for the THIRD ANNUAL HIDDEN COVE PARK & EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AND PARK CLEANUP!

Ivy Pull and Trash Removal begins at 9 am, at the end of Westchester Drive (off Scott Blvd. near Westchester Elementary). Please bring you gardening gloves and a trash bag. It is suggested that volunteers wear long sleeve shirts and pants. Hidden Cove is a beautiful new city park. Please come on out and help us pull ivy and remove trash and debris from the park. Afterwards, please join us for a fun celebration behind Westchester Elementary School:

11:45 am - Beacon Dance Performance

12:30 pm - Pot Luck Lunch and Music

1:30 pm - Park Plan Presentation at the Westchester School Auditorium; Come see the master plan and be a part of the park's future.

The Rain Date is Saturday, May 2nd.

For more info. on the Clean-up Day, please contact Scott at: scott@ncr-inc.com.

We Are Special Events

Children’s Arts Festival - Teens & Kids!!!

Saturday, May 23 • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. Parking is extremely limited!!!

Activities will include arts and crafts, storytellers, clowns, food, music and teen activities. The Children & Youth Services staff will lead several arts-and-craft activities. New this year: Nintendo Wii, Guitar Hero and more for teens!

Decatur Beach Party

Friday, June 19 • 5 p.m. - midnight

Decatur brings in 60 tons of sand and turns the square into a beach for this annual event. Activities include children’s boardwalk games, face painting, wading pools in the sand and more. Adults $6.50 in advance, $10 at the gate; children 12 and under, free (limit two children per paying adult). Sponsored by the Decatur Business Association.

July 4th Pool Celebrations

Saturday, July 4 • 3-4:30 p.m., Ebster, Glenlake & McKoy Pools

Celebrate July 4th with games, fun and much more. Show your colors by dressing up in red, white and blue. Decatur pools will be decorated. The best-dressed patron will receive a surprise. Refreshments will be served.

BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival

Saturday, Aug. 15 • 4 - 10 p.m., Harmony Park, Oakhurst

Enjoy delicious barbecue from OB’s, musical entertainment by new bands, and a great festival atmosphere. This event benefits the Community Center of South Decatur, Oakhurst Neighborhood Association and the Decatur Youth Fund.

www.FriendsofGaStateParks.org - 5 Ways Georgia's State Parks Saves You Money

Just in time for a post-tax day relief, Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites offer every family affordable adventures at each of its 63 parks and historic sites. From free days to overnights under the stars, Georgia’s state parks offer five easy ways to protect your pocketbook:

1. Go for Free I – A Georgia library card is all you need to check out a ParkPass or Historic Site Pass at Georgia’s public libraries. The passes are good for free parking or admission at any of the 63 state parks and historic sites statewide. For a listing of Georgia’s public libraries, go to www.georgialibraries.org.

2. Go for Free II –Wednesdays are free days in Georgia’s state parks, allowing visitors to skip paying the parking fee. You won’t find a better excuse for a mid-week getaway for families with young children, retirees and people with flexible schedules.

3. Go For a Day – Georgia’s state parks offer a wide variety of entertaining and informative events nearly every weekend. From wildflower hikes to fishing rodeos, and reptile programs to bluegrass concerts, you are sure to find a program for all tastes. Most events are free with historic site admission or parking fee. It’s a day of outdoor fun that costs less than a kid’s meal at your favorite restaurant.

4. Go For an Overnight Stay – Skip the high-priced hotel with “Anywhere USA” atmosphere. Wake up under the stars in a cozy campground or rental yurt (like a canvas and wood tent). Want more comforts? Fully equipped cottages with kitchens and hotel-lodges with restaurants allow park visitors to sleep surrounded by acres of forests and lakes. Rates begin at $16 for camping and can be found online at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

5. Go Throughout the Year – For less than the cost of a gym membership, you can purchase an Annual ParkPass that provides entry to unlimited outdoor recreation. For an even better deal, join Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites and get a free Annual ParkPass. Memberships begin at $45. Learn more at www.FriendsofGaStateParks.org.

Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites is one of the top-rated state park systems in the country. With a diverse geographic topography, Georgia’s 63 state parks and historic sites offer adventures in northern mountains, midland swamplands, piedmont plains and along the beautiful Georgia coast. For more information, including a full list of parks and accommodations, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

More DeKalb Senior Olympics Info.

DeKalb County Senior Olympics

If you would like to compete for the City of Decatur, please contact Chris Lewis, 678-553-6547.

DeKalb County Contact Person: Jackie Swain, 404-371-2990 or jdswain@co.dekalb.ga.us

May 4

10:00 am, Opening Ceremony, Panthersville Stadium 2817 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur 30034

May 4

12 noon, Track and Field, Panthersville Stadium 2817 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur 30034

May 5

10:00 am, Health Fair, Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340-B McConnell Drive, Decatur 30030

May 6

11:00 am, Swimming, Beulah Baptist Family Life Center, 2340 Clifton Spring Road, Decatur 30034

May 6

11:00 am, 3 on 3 Basketball Free Throw, Beulah Baptist Family Life Center, 2340 Clifton Spring Road Decatur 30034

May 7

10:00 am, Dominoes & Checkers, Bruce Street Senior Center 2484 Bruce Street Lithonia 30058

May 7

11:00 am, Horseshoes, Bruce Street Senior Center 2484 Bruce Street Lithonia 30058

May 7

11:00 am, Billiards Jay’s Place, 4808 Redan Road, Stone Mountain 30088

May 8

1:00 pm, Mah Jong Life Enrichment Center, 1340-A McConnell Drive, Decatur 30030

May 9

10:00 am, Tennis Singles, Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis Center, 2706 Bouldercrest Road Atlanta 30316

May 9

10:00 am, Golf (Shot Gun Format), Mystery Valley Golf Course, 6904 Shadow Rock Drive Lithonia 30058

May 9

10:00 am, Clock Golf, Mystery Valley Golf Course 6904 Shadow Rock Drive, Lithonia 30058

May 11

6:30 pm, Table Tennis Tournament (Singles), Tucker Recreation Center 4898 LaVista Road, Tucker 30084

May 11

9:30 am, Talent Show, Porter Stanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur 30034

May 12

10:00 am, Water Volleyball, Lou Walker Senior Center 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia 30038

May 12

10:00 am, Bridge Tournament, Tucker Recreation Center 4898 LaVista Road, Tucker 30084

May 12

1:00 pm, Bowling, Suburban Lanes 2619 N Decatur Road, Decatur 30030

May 13

10:00 am, Canasta, Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340-B McConnell Drive, Decatur 30030

May 13

1:00 pm, Wheelchair Bowling, Atlanta Fun Center 1741 Mountain Ind. Blvd., Stone Mountain 30083

May 14

6:30 pm, Table Tennis (Doubles), Tucker Recreation Center 4898 LaVista Road, Tucker 30084

May 14

10:00 am, Line Dancing Workshop & Team Competition, Decatur Recreation Center 231 Sycamore Street, Decatur 30030

May 15

10:00 am, Closing Ceremony TBA

C'mon Every Decatur Resident 50 or over: SIGN-UP FOR THE DEKALB COUNTY SENIOR OLYMPICS!

http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/parks/pdf/Registration_pack_09final.pdf

DEKALB COUNTY SENIOR OLYMPICS

Contact Person: Jackie Swain, 404-371-2990 or jdswain@co.dekalb.ga.us.

Purpose: To provide adults 50 and older an opportunity to participate in program that:

- Encourages more physical activities

- Promotes healthier lifestyles

- Promotes health and wellness

- Provides a unique opportunity for socialization through competitive activities.

AGE

Participants must turn 50 years old by September 26, 2009. Events are divided into men and women divisions and age groups where appropriate. Birth date must be included for this reason.

AWARDS

First Place (1st) –Gold Medal; Second Place (2nd) - Silver Medal; Third Place (3rd) -Bronze medal

DeKalb County Senior Olympic committee reserves the right to combine age groups or to cancel any event due to insufficient registration, inclement weather and unusual or extenuating circumstances.

REGISTRATION AND FEES

• A $10.00 registration fee must accompany the completed application form.

• Registration for participants outside of DeKalb County will be an additional $10.00. Registration will

close April 20^th.

• Registration includes a Souvenir shirt and goody bag.

Mail registration form with payment to:

DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department

Attn: Jackie Swain, Senior Olympics

1300 Commerce Drive Suite 200

Decatur, Georgia 30030

Checks should be made payable to: DeKalb County Parks and Recreation

For additional information call Jackie Swain, Senior Olympics at 404-371-2990 or jdswain@co.dekalb.ga.us.

April 26 - Suit Fitting for the Decatur Gators

Suit Fitting for all swimmers is Sunday, April 26th at the Decatur Recreation Center. For more information, please e-mail decaturgators@gmail.com or call 404-377-7231.

Whole Lotta 'Goin On

City of Decatur Active Living Update

May is here and that means opening day for the city pools and the start of youth baseball! The big news is the new Glenlake Park Pool House. The old pool house has been demolished, and in its place is a new, more accessible pool house. The Opening Day festivities will be held on Friday, May 22^nd, from 5 to 7:30 pm, with music and free food. As you may have noticed, Glenlake Park is being completely renovated. Only the pool and tennis courts will be open in 2009 as part of the renovation. Because the park’s parking lots are unavailable, there is now on street parking on Church Street. For more information on Glenlake Park, please visit: http://www.decaturga.com/cgs_citysvcs_ced_bondprojects_glenlake.aspx.

The city’s two other public pools, McKoy and Ebster, will open on Saturday, May 23^rd. The McKoy Pool re-opened last year, and had high attendance from day one. Don’t forget Ebster Pool, which is the only city pool with a deep end and diving board, which is the city’s best pool for pre-teens and teens. The Ebster Pool is located behind the Decatur Police Dept. on Atlanta Ave.

Also, the city’s youth swim team, the Decatur Gators, will be practicing and competing in May and June. It is open to swimmers ages 5 through 17 years old. For more info. on city pools and/or the Decatur Gators, please call 404-377-7231. And ask about our new water aerobics classes! For swim team info. only, please e-mail: decaturgators@gmail.com. Need a neat place for a special occasion? Our city pools are available for rental for birthday parties, gatherings, etc. Please call 404-377-7231 for more info.

May means youth baseball practices begin in Decatur. Sign-up now at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. There is tee ball for 5-6 yr. olds, and then league play for 7-8 yr. olds, 9-10 yr. olds, and 11-12 yr. olds. Volunteer coaches are always needed. The coaches meeting is 6:30 pm, Thursday, May 7^th, at the rec. center. The parents meeting is 1 pm, Saturday, May 16^th at the rec. center. The very fun annual Opening Day parade will be held Saturday, June 6^th from McKoy Park to Oakhurst Park. Volunteer drivers, organizers and convertible vehicles are needed for the parade. If you would like more info. on the baseball program, the annual parade, youth athletics, and adult athletics, etc., please contact Stacy Green, Stacy.Green@decaturga.com, 678-553-6549, or Lindsey Struck, Lindsey.Struck@decaturga.com, 678-553-6550.

Magical Mornings is a fun monthly program for city resident parents and toddlers/pre-school age children. Join us for the May event, featuring a magician/juggler, at 11 am, Tuesday, May 12^th, at the Decatur Recreation Center. Parking is limited, so please arrive early. Please consider walking to the event, or parking at one of the many downtown parking locations. For more info. on Magical Mornings, please contact Lee Williams, Lee.Williams@decaturga.com, 678-553-6551.

For all city residents 50 yrs. old and older (who we call our “Keenagers”), please join us for our annual Keenagers Picnic at McKoy Park, from 11 am to 2 pm, on Thursday, May 21^st. There will be great food, games, music and more. For more information, please contact Chris Lewis, Chris.Lewis@decaturga.com, 678-553-6547. This event is only for city residents. Parking is limited, so please consider carpooling or walking to the event if you live nearby McKoy Park. If you are a city resident 55 yrs. old or older, and would like to compete in the Golden Olympics, a statewide athletic competition for older adults, please contact Chris Lewis.

Finally, city residents can join us at the Decatur Recreation Center for Table Tennis Tuesdays from 7 to 10 pm, and Wednesday Night Badminton, from 7 to 9 pm. All skill levels are welcome. For more info., please contact Lee Williams, Lee.Williams@decaturga.com, 678-553-6551.