Carl reports via Twitter and Flickr that there are signs of life in the old “By Hand South” space on Ponce.  A sign in the window announces the arrival of “Wild Oats & Billy Goats”.

So what’s the story behind this latest Decatur shop?  From 99designs website…

A newly married husband and wife team are opening a folk art gallery together (with their newly merged family of 3 boys) in Decatur GA. We are both professionals in other industries (event management and software sales), but have a passion for bringing folk art to our community as an additional business.

…We will be selling folk art and funky jewelry, pottery, glass, gifts and some furniture…and even some art by local children.

Nothing says “Bring in the New Year!” like a good dose of oath-giving and contract renewals.

On Monday evening, Decatur’s City Commission will be dealing with both, performing many of the annual housekeeping items that define the structure of our city’s inner circle for the coming year.

Among items on Monday’s agenda (pdf), oaths of office will be given to incoming city commissioner Patti Garrett and reelected commissioner Fred Boykin and the commission will elect its mayor and mayor pro-tem from amongst its own ranks.  And if all goes according to plan, the city will reappoint Bryan Downs of Wilson, Morton and Downs LLC as the city attorney and reappoint all existing municipal court judges.

The first commission meeting of the year also means renewal of the city manager’s contract.

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