From Kim at Fleet Feet Decatur…

ING Georgia Half Marathon Training Program at Fleet Feet Decatur
WHO: You! Anybody looking for a fun group to train with for the ING Georgia Half Marathon on Mar. 29, 2009. First-timers welcome!
WHAT: 15-week training program with weekly group runs (long runs will take place on Saturday mornings)
WHEN: Training begins Dec. 13, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. In-store sign up has already begun!
WHERE: Three Fleet Feet locations – Decatur, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville
WHY: Because you can do anything!
COST: $75 (includes Saucony jacket and technical tee, coached training program, e-newsletter with training tips, $5 off race registration)
Sign-up is available in the store or prior to the program kick-off from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Dec. 13. Email or visit our website for more information.
Discounted marathon and half marathon race registration will be available in the store through Mar. 13, 2008. Make sure you join the Fleet Feet Sports team when registering!

Cool idea!

Calavino’s Restaurant is in trouble.

Carl forwards this link to a MySpace page set up by Calavino’s to help save the business.  The owner details their story in the sidebar (which begins with a terrible car accident) and explains why the restaurant is asking for funds.

“After a year of struggling to stay above water and with the end getting closer, I was ready to quit but then I was reminded that I never give up. The same person told me my pride would be the only thing to get in the way of saving my business. So, in the spirit of never giving up I am swallowing my pride and asking for help.”

Donations can be made through Paypal at the bottom of the MySpace page.

If enough money is not raised, the restaurant is scheduled to close December 21st.

The AJC reports that Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Phyllis Edwards recommended to the school board on Tuesday to oppose annexation, citing reasons most of us can probably guess.

In the same article Mayor Floyd states that Edwards’ recommendation “carries a lot of weight” with the city commission.

And with that, I’m finding it difficult not to deem this initiative all but dead.

The tide has been turning against annexation for a while now… starting with a general lack of vocal support from those concerned about taxes, a failing and erratic economy, the state cutting school funding, and finally the inaccurate student enrollment figures.

Decatur may indeed need to raise taxes in the near future to retain our current services.  However, the market has yet to prove that the demand isn’t there.  If and when the millage increases, those that can’t afford it will move out and those that can will move in.  And if you don’t have a problem with a more homogeneous, upscale Decatur (and you can afford the increase) this isn’t a problem for you until people begin to balk at the tax rate, even in lieu of great schools and services.  That’s yet to happen.

Hopefully the HOST issue can soon be settled.  That should provide some relief should it ever be resolved.

It’s called gentrification folks. And while you can buffer against dramatic shifts, a trend towards it is almost inevitable when you create a great and unique place to live in a metro area.