Over on the Decatur Minute, Cheryl gives us a pictoral report from a morning press event surrounding our new Pay-By-Cell parking meters (pdf).  She tells us to look out for a WABE interview that Lyn did.  (We will!  And post here when we find it!)

Well, it seems like the Associated Press was also present, because an article about Mayor Floyd pulling into a parking spot on the Square is already beginning to pop up on local newspaper websites all over the country.

Here’s a link to the AP article in the Idaho Statesman!

There’s some new info (to me!) about the technology in the article, including…

A handful of other cities around the nation employ similar systems. But Decatur is the first that uses technology that flashes the time bought on a meter instead of, say, a printed ticket, said Eric Groft, a StreetSmart project manager.

About 50 of Decatur’s 385 meters are outfitted with the pay-by-cell equipment, which costs an estimated $200 per meter. Each is outfitted with radios that can transmit data and sensors for detecting cars. It also lets drivers pay the old-fashioned way using change.

Tommy writes in to announce that Heliotrope is celebrating its second birthday this Saturday, November 16th 15th from 6p-???

A few more details from The Decatur Minute:  “There will be a drawing at the door for discounts from 10-50% and a chance to win a $200 shopping spree. Also, they’ll be hosting local pianist and composer George Skaroulis, and Badda Bing is catering.”

Sounds fun!  I gotta stop in and get my snarky holiday greeting cards anyway!

CSD Mom writes in with this blurb, reminding me about CSD’s very important cost-cutting meeting tonight at 6:30p…

The CSD Board of Education will hear proposals from Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards on budget cuts for the 2009-10 school year at their board meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Westchester. Recently, parent members of Decatur’s new School Leadership Teams had the opportunity in October 2008 to tell Dr. Edwards where they would cut $2 million from the 2009-10 district budget. See some of the highlights of that exercise in this video from Decatur EDtv: http://www.elifemagazine.net/csdbudget.htm.

Its a great video.  Check it out if you have time.  (Thanks Andrea!)

It will be interesting to see how the suggestions of the new leadership teams are weighed and taken into consideration by the school board, since that was the major bone of contention with the State Board of Ed when the charter application was tabled in May.

Decatur fryers take note…

Not only is Refuel Biodiesel (250 Arizona Ave, right off DeKalb Ave) the only place to buy biodiesel in the city of Atlanta, but it is now also the place where you can give a little back.  Andisheh over at Fresh Loaf has the details of Refuel Biodiesel’s new residential fryer oil recycling drop off location.

If any Decatur businesses try it out, send me a note afterward and I’ll give you a little free publicity.

Rusty Diamond writes in…

There is a white sheeted body on a bench in front of Corner Tavern in L5P.  Cops and ambulance are on Moreland and copter is flying overhead….