Category: Community Interest

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Jan 19-21: Martin Luther King Jr Service Project

January 19-21

Martin Luther King Jr Service Project

Don’t miss this opportunity to be in service to our seniors!

Volunteer for the 17th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project held the weekend of January 19-21, 2019.

In 2003, the Decatur Preservation Alliance Board identified a need to alleviate the economic pressures on our community’s elderly and thereby enable at-risk seniors to remain in their homes safely and comfortably, improving their quality of life. To achieve these goals, the MLK, Jr. Service Project was started to provide house maintenance and repair, free of charge, to Decatur senior citizen homeowners during the MLK, Jr. holiday weekend. That first year’s project commenced with 100 volunteers and eight homes.

 

Decatur’s MLK, Jr. Service Project honors the legacy of Dr. King, who worked tirelessly toward a dream of equality, freedom and justice. He encouraged us all to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place in which to live, creating what he called a “Beloved Community.” Transforming these principles into community action, Decatur’s MLK, Jr. Service Project brings people of all ages and backgrounds together, working toward that goal of “Beloved Community.”

 

Volunteers work at senior citizens’ homes in Oakhurst, making greatly needed repairs and doing yard work that elderly homeowners have been unable to afford.

Volunteers may sign up for one or more of the following shifts:

  • Saturday, January 19: 9am to 1pm and 1pm to 5pm
  • Sunday, January 20: 1pm to 5pm
  • Monday, January 21: 9am to 1pm and 1pm to 5pm

All volunteers are invited to attend a celebration cookout on Monday, Jan. 21, at 5 pm at the Solarium.

 

For more information:

 

http://www.mlkserviceproject.com/

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New City Manager for Decatur

As you probably know, we said goodbye to City Manager, Peggy Merriss, at the end of 2018, but Decatur will remain in very capable hands. The Decatur City Commission has selected Assistant City Manager, Andrea Arnold, as our new City Manager. Andrea is a resident of the City of Decatur and has served as an Assistant City Manager since 2004. Following a nationwide search facilitated by an executive search firm, Andrea was our unanimous selection. Read more:

“We believe Andrea has the leadership skills, wealth of experience and professional demeanor we are seeking to lead our municipal organization into the future and to work effectively with our elected body. Andrea has a deep knowledge of Decatur and can hit the ground running as we move forward with our 2020 Strategic Planning process, economic development projects and goals and as we work with our key local partners and County and State representatives. We were impressed with her strong desire to really listen to our residents and work with us as we chart our future,” said Mayor Patti Garrett.

Ms. Arnold began working with the City in November 1997.  She came to Decatur from the Atlanta Regional Commission.  Ms. Arnold is a key member of the management team with responsibilities for leading the City’s internal operations, including the budget process and has oversight responsibilities for Municipal Court and the Fire Department.  She is a critical leader in technology, innovation and in ensuring the City of Decatur residents and businesses receive excellent customer service.

“I am very proud and excited that Andrea will have the opportunity to be the next City Manager. She has strong organizational and community ties as well as connections on a statewide and national level,” said current City Manager Peggy Merriss, “she is the type of leader whose integrity and ethics are unquestionable and she has both the ability to pay attention to details while seeing the big picture.”

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to continue to serve our community and I am humbled by the City Commission’s trust in my ability to lead our organization.  I am also looking forward to strengthening existing community relationships and building new ones in my role as City Manager.  Most importantly, Peggy Merriss leaves behind a legacy rooted in democracy, integrity and ethics that I intend to build upon,” said Andrea Arnold.

Ms. Arnold has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science/Urban Studies from Furman University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia.  She is a Credentialed Manager with the International City and County Management Association and is active in numerous professional associations.  She also served on the Decatur Education Foundation Board, is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb and a 2018 graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute.

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Thursdays Nights in September: Oakhurst Jazz Nights

OAKHURST Neighborhood Association presents the 15th season of Oakhurst Jazz Nights!

Hundreds of jazz lovers will be headed to Oakhurst and picnicking at sunset again in September to enjoy some of the best jazz artists in the southeast. The Oakhurst Neighborhood Association announces another great season of free outdoor jazz concerts this spring, beginning Thursday, September 6, 2018.

Oakhurst Jazz Nights in September! Every Thursday night beginning at 7 pm – rain or shine!

September 6, 13, 20, 27  

http://oakhurstjazznights.com/

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Sept 13: Understanding and Maximizing Your Social Security

Decatur Active Living has partnered with Capstone Financial and Robert Cox, the Retirement Guy to offer free monthly education classes

Thursday, September 13; 6:30pm; Decatur Rec Center

Understanding and Maximizing Your Social Security

A great resource for anyone who plans to retire in the next 15 years and wants to learn when it is best to start benefits.

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Sept 14: Welcoming Week Decatur Reception

Friday, September 14; 5-7pm

Community Bandstand

Welcoming Week Decatur Reception

Welcoming America, the Better Together Advisory Board and the City of Decatur will host a Welcoming Week Kickoff event. Bring family and friends as we celebrate what it means to be a member of the Decatur community. Event is free and open who wish to join.