Jetson Green profiles the RainShine House on Wilton Drive and notes that it has received the coveted LEED Platinum certification, “the first modernist residence in the Southeastern U.S. to achieve such a lofty green certification.”

Also according to Green, the house will be on the Modern Atlanta Home Tour (May 16th & 17th) this year, if you’d like to take a first-hand peak inside.  Or just pop over to the Jetson Green article for a few interior pics of Decatur’s newest “green” marvel.

Personally, I like this house by itself (and especially in photos!) but take some issue with its lack of sympathy to its surroundings.  But hey, that’s modernism for you.

Oh modern architecture, why do you hate the gable so?

Spurred by our recent conversation about playground safety, Suzanne follows up with a video and probing questions for readers about the “free-range” chickens children of Decatur.

First up, the video.  It features the prof. who recently made the national news for letting her 9 year-old take the NYC subway alone.

Suzanne ties it all back to our little freedom-loving hamlet…

Probably pretty much everyone who spends a little time in Decatur will see them…. free range kids.  You see them walking in flocks from school in the afternoons… biking through neighborhoods and occasionally hanging out with friends at Dairy Queen, Greene’s or Chik-Fil-A.

It appears that we may be on the edge of a new trend and are relatively unique.   Check out [the] You Tube video on the Free Range Kid movement and also look for Lenore Skenazy’s blog and book on the topic.

…Is Decatur a free range kid utopia?  Why?  Are Decatur parents who let their kids go free range being irresponsible or are they just letting their kids live a normal and fulfilling life?

Or put the overly simplistic way:  Child leashes or MARTA cards?

Marcia sends in the details about the DHS band’s car wash tomorrow.

Sounds like a great cause!  Plus my car is covered in tree sap…

Get Your Car Washed Saturday, May 2 and Help Support the DHS Band!
Upper Parking Lot at Howard Street and McDonough, 10 am-4 pm

Decatur High School Band students are washing cars all day Saturday to raise funds for a very special upcoming event. They spent spring break in Bratislava, Slovakia, arranged with the help of Friendship Force (http://www.thefriendshipforce.org), where they gave performances and had an amazing time touring the area with their generous hosts. Side trips included visits to Vienna and the Czech Republic. Next, a group of Slovak students and chaperones will make a reciprocal visit to Decatur in late May and will be hosted by Decatur families. The DHS students are raising funds to help defray the costs of the visit. They want to show the Slovakian students the best of what Decatur and Atlanta have to offer. So please drop by Saturday and get your car all spiffy while you help make this international cultural exchange possible!

See our DHS students in Bratislava and Vienna and other destinations on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/dhs_bratislava/pool

Click the poster for all the details!

Thanks to Rus for reminding me to remind you.

This time its Southern Voice who profiles Kyle Williams’ District 2 run.

The article focuses mainly on broader LGBT issues, but still gives a couple of specific examples of things he would attempt to implement on the local level if elected.

“Decatur is such a blessed place because it is so progressive,” he said. “We want leaders who will push the envelope. We were one of the first cities in the state to pass a non-discrimination [including sexual orientation and gender identity] statement. It needs to be updated because the language is old and I’m talking to Jeff Graham of Georgia Equality about that.”

If elected, Williams plans to ensure gay issues are at the forefront as well as managing the development of Decatur. He also wants to make sure those under the Gold Dome knows Decatur deserves attention for funding opportunities as well.

…

“Sometimes our leaders are too quiet on issues and you really want them to speak out because their district will support them.

“Decatur can be a regional leader on LGBT issues respectively and without controversy. We’re often called the Berkley of Atlanta. I say let’s take this pony out and ride it and do some good stuff.