Commerce Drive, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Rod T)

I must say, I quite enjoyed reading Jonathan Lerner’s review of Piedmont Park’s recent expansion on ArtsCriticATL.com, partly because he explained that “the expansion also adds a kind of environment — and a sense of escape into nature — that’s been missing until now.”   However, I also enjoyed it also he used his review to readdress the whole Piedmont Park parking deck debate.  Here’s a quote…

…the parking deck is a fait accompli. If you are still steamed about it, a visit to the new extension — which makes the park big enough, meandering enough and woodsy enough to let you imagine getting safely and therapeutically lost — should go a long way toward calming you down. The expansion is a work in progress and will remain one for some time to come. But it’s already obvious that it’s a wonderful thing. This intown citizen’s opinion? Yes in Our Back Yard.

But I was left wanting more hi-res photos.  Fortunately, great Atlanta photographer Josh D. Weiss took a stroll through the expansion over the weekend and came back with a photo series that made all my fleeting online wishes come true!

Photo above used with permission

The City of Decatur just put info up on its website announcing “DecaturWISE” (Worthwhile Investments Save Energy), which “is designed to help residential customers increase the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes through a comprehensive home energy analysis and rebates for the installation of energy efficient improvements.”  The program is funded by a Department of Energy grant to the City of Decatur under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

As the website notes, Georgia Power already offers up to $2,220 in rebates based on energy savings.  (More info on that program HERE) Decatur’s grant will award up to $1,000 in additional rebates to the homeowner.  According to the city, “the most impactful improvements to reduce energy use in Decatur homes include insulation, duct sealing and air infiltration reduction.”

Here’s the six step process on how to take advantage of this program, according to the city…

1. Contact a Program Contractor from the list below to schedule your home analysis. 2. Complete the home energy analysis. 3. Contractor will install energy saving upgrades. 4. Complete post-installation inspection 5. Contractor applies for rebates. 6. You receive money back!

The website lists three “participating contractors” in the area that can do the work and apply for the city’s rebate.  A quick look at one of the participating contractors’ websites shows that while savings vary by area, it is possible to exceed 50% savings on these projects.  Not a bad deal.

Patch reports this morning that “The Beer Growler” in Athens – the first retailer to sell growlers in the state of Georgia – is trying to find a space in Avondale Estates to open a second location.  Sounds like it’s gonna take a bit of work though.

“We’re working with Avondale right now but they have to make some legislation changes,” Saunders said. “Avondale Estates is a great neighborhood. The city has welcomed us. But we are having a really difficult time finding space.”

If and when these growlers finally do begin to fill with suds in the area, they sure are going to have a lot to live up to after all this hype!