DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in about Close Up’s latest fundraising efforts…

The DHS Close Up Club will have a social hour at Eddies Attic this Friday, from 4:00 until 6:30.  The club is trying to raise funds to participate in “Inauguration 2008″ a week of government classes and seminars in Washington, D.C. during the 09 inauguration.  Eddies Attic will donate a portion of the sales to the club.  In addition, the club will be hosting a silent auction on for several items including golf and hotel packages, original paintings by Coca-Cola artist Pamela Renfroe, and much, much more.  More information is available at: http://www.elifemagazine.net/closeup.htm

You gotta admire the tenacity of these kids for the cause.  This has got to be, at a minimum, the 3rd or 4th fundraiser they’ve hosted that I’ve heard about.

At Parker’s request, here’s a thread where folks can post where they’ve seen available gas recently.

Obviously the closer the station is to Decatur, the higher the possibility of usefulness to readers.  However lots of folks commute elsewhere and many folks read DM but don’t live here, so any and all sightings are helpful.

A great idea.  I’m sure we could all benefit from a little teamwork during this current situation where its every man/woman for themselves.

Thanks in advance!

The AJC reports…

Decatur City Commissioner Fred Boykin suffered a mild stroke Tuesday morning and was hospitalized, but is expected to recover.

Boykin, who owns Bicycle South, was taken for treatment at Emory University Hospital, where he will likely remain for the next several days, said city spokeswoman Linda Harris.

“He is having some slight problems with his vision, but the overall prognosis is good,” said Harris, who along with other city officials visited the commissioner Tuesday afternoon.

Cards can be sent care of Boykin to Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St.

Boykin served on the city’s planning commission and zoning board of appeals before being elected as city commissioner in 2001. His current term expires in 2009.

All my best to Commissioner Boykin and his family. Here’s hoping for a full and speedy recovery!

Spurred by comments in a previous post noting the McCain/Palin signs in Decatur yards, Atlanta Public Affairs provides us with a trend of the percentage of voters that cast their ballots for Democrats during the last three election cycles.

Is gentrification slowly turning Decatur red?  Click here to find out.

Decatur edTV continues to do the in-depth reporting we’ve come to expect, with a series of video interviews with the newly-elected members of the Parent Leadership Teams across the city’s schools.

First up: David Hughes – DHS Senior Parent and Lawyer