The DNO e-pub reports that Decatur’s Active Living Director, Dan Magee, is leaving his position at the end of March to become Supervisor of Parks for Athens-Clarke County.

Magee tells the DNO that it is “very, very, very difficult to leave the City of Decatur”, but he sees Athens as a “dream job” and believes that Active Living’s Assistant Direct, Greg White, is “more than ready to run the show.”

All the best Dan!

Join Mayor Bill Floyd and City Commissioner Fred Boykin at Decatur’s East Lake MARTA station on Tuesday morning for the 5th annual “Georgia Rides to the Capitol”.  The 2010 event is in support of “House Bill House Bill 988 — a 3 foot safe passing bill.”

Fred provides a few more details on the morning ride…

This is the 5th annual ride and we’re hoping for over 1,000 cyclists to participate. There are two rides – one leaves from Roswell at 9:45 a.m. and the other leaves from Decatur (E. Lake MARTA station) at 10:45 a.m. Both rides are police escorted to the Capitol; riders are on their own for the trip back.

The Decatur route is an easy one and will be led by Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd. We also expect over 40 other metro area mayors and elected officials to ride the event as well!

We’ve had Glennwood students particpate and lots of Decatur folks join in too.

It’s a great way to show support for cycling in Georgia.

Even more event details HERE.

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley reports in…

More than 25 DHS students and Close Up Club members volunteered to help at the Decatur Education Foundation “Tour Decatur”. Former principal Bill Funk was there, still supervising students. DHS grad and CoD police officer Antwain Acker kept the crowd under control. He was assisted by master maintenance supervisor Clarence Strickland, another DHS grad. I saw two more DHS grads running the race, Intown Hardware owner Tony Powers and his beautiful wife. Jason Carter and family were there. So were AJC writers Bo Emerson and Maureen Downey. A great time was had by all.

Decatur’s Active Advisory Board is hoping residents will complete a new online survey to help them determine which activities interest the most residents and what they can do to help you be more active.

You can take the survey HERE.

For the past three years, Decatur’s “official” cheering station for the ING marathon – i.e. the one that could win prize-money – was in front of Fellini’s on Commerce Drive.  But according to this year’s info, the station has been moved up into the heart of the city along Ponce in front of the Old Courthouse.

From 231 Sycamore…

New Cheering Section will be held on the square The ING Georgia Marathon will come through our city on Sunday, March 21, and Decatur invites you to participate as a hydration and/or cheering volunteer. As the marathon organizers say, “Volunteers are the heart and SOLE of the marathon.”

Hydration Station Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to staff two Hydration Stations, one at the East Lake MARTA station and one in downtown Decatur. Your duties will be to hand out water to the runners and to cheer them on. To volunteer for the Hydration Stations go to www.doitsports.com/volunteer/join-protected-group.tcl?event_id=174848.

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Map of the 2010 Tour deCATUR route.

Gail writes in…

The 8th Annual TOUR deCATUR Road Race is just 17 days away! The Early registration deadline has been extended to March 1. All proceeds of this community event support programs of the Decatur Education Foundation which promotes academic achievement and enrichment opportunities for all the children and youth of Decatur. Register today for the 5K, 1 mile or Tot Trot at www.tourdecatur.com. After March 1 registration cost goes up to $25.

Bryan writes in…

Where do folks in Decatur go for group sports? Suppose I were new to town and wanted to play basketball or softball or ultimate frisbee or tag football or tennis or racketball or something along those lines. I am going on 47 years old, not interested in pretending to be an athlete or imagining myself to be 18, but enjoy playing sports with others. Are there good pick-up games to be had anywhere? Clubs or gyms only? I want to stay as close to Decatur as possible.

I’ll point out the obvious, the Rec, and leave the rest open to discussion.

In case you hadn’t heard (from here or here), Decatur now has it’s own professional basketball team playing all their home games at Agnes Scott.  The Decatur Court Kings were the 2008 champions in the WBA league, and have recently relocated to the city.

The league is made up of 9 southeastern teams and according to the Champion newspaper “Six of the teams are located in Georgia. Others are located in Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida. The season consists of a combined 30 games. Decatur will play 10 games from May 23 until June 28.”

The home opener vs. the Buford Majic begins tomorrow night at 7p at the Decatur Rec Center.

Active Living Director Dan McGee writes in to let us know that the city is offering a smorgasbord (my word, not his) of new aquatics programs this summer.  Click here for details on all of this year’s adult and kid classes along with info on pool memberships, fees and rentals.

Dan also notes that in addition to the Glenlake bathhouse opening next Friday, improvements are also coming soon to Ebster pool – the only city pool with a diving board and deep end!

From Bill and Amy at The Seen Gallery…

The Public Art Bicycle Safari is beginning it’s second year. This morning, bike riders began at The Seen Gallery to explore some of the oldest neighborhoods in Decatur and Atlanta and discover wall murals, sculpture and art parks. The Seen Gallery, now located in downtown Decatur, is once again hosting the start and finish of the ride. Beginning at 9:00 am, riders were invited to view the Seen Gallery art exhibit, have some coffee and Danish, and enjoy the new gallery space. Java Monkey, new fence and all, gave the riders an extra boost with $1.00 coffee for the Safariers (is that a word?). The course is 20 miles long with moderate hills and lots of stops to view the public art. The course is never far from a MARTA train station. The Next planned ride is May 31, starting in the morning from the Gallery.