John Kessler reports that The German Bakery, which sits floating in a sea of strip malls on a small side-street off Lawrenceville Highway up by the Home Depot, is closing its doors forever tomorrow after 48 years in business.

And judging by Kessler’s conversation with the owner, it doesn’t sound like a voluntary retirement…

“I hate to be leaving, but there’s really not much I can do,” said owner Gary Welshons, when reached by telephone. “It’s been a rough couple of years.”

For those of you with kids entering the City Schools of Decatur for the first time in the coming 2010-2011 school year, here’s your homework for the month of February…

New Student Registration Information

Do you have students not currently enrolled in City Schools of Decatur but plan to attend in 2010-2011?

Help us plan for your child’s enrollment in City Schools of Decatur for the 2010-2011 school year. We want to hire the very best teachers, so the earlier we know of your plans, the better.

Come to register beginning February 1, 2010, bringing the following to the Central Office at Westchester (758 Scott Boulevard, Decatur 30030):

Read the rest of this entry »

Cheers to the Decatur Police Department for putting out this informative chart, which not only compares the 2009 crime rate to previous years, but also the percentage of cases cleared, and a breakout of “crimes against persons” vs. “crimes against property”.

For all the talk surrounding crimes against property this past year (recap: “It was the economy!” “No it wasn’t!”), it’s interesting to see a decline in that column vs. 2008.  Not so good that crimes against persons increased, but nice to see that DPD increased it’s cleared rate in that category by 14 whole points!

If you can’t be a Senator, might as well be a Representative!

The AJC’s Jim Galloway breaks the news that former DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones will soon be back on the campaign trail, announcing this afternoon at 2pm his intent to run against incumbent Hank Johnson (and other former Jonesians Connie Stokes and Lee May) for Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District House Seat.

Let the games begin!

It looks like the popularity of the Oakhurst Community Garden’s “Chicks in the City” class has given birth to an even bigger event!

Stephanie Van Parys sends along a press release for the new  “Urban Chickens Symposium”, which will take place from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 on February 6 and held at the Decatur Recreation Center.  You can register for the class here.

The release is worth a read, if only to learn about Allison’s joy of chicken poop.

On the wings of Oakhurst Community Garden Project’s wildly popular “Chicks in the City” classes comes a full morning of urban poultry-keeping. On February 6 the Chicks in the City Symposium offers attendees a full plate of essentials on backyard chickens. Taught by local experts, the six sessions highlight how-tos from coop design to breeds and from chicken illnesses to getting started with backyard poultry.

Read the rest of this entry »