Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.

Comments close Monday.

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This week’s Free-For-All Friday is brought to you by: Kick in the Fit, offering a free month of boot camp (morning or evening) to one Decatur Metro reader. www.kickinthefit.com

To enter, just send an email with the subject line “Decatur Metro Giveaway” to [email protected] Make sure to include your name and address in the email. Kick in the Fit will pick the winner at random on Monday morning.

In connection with our recent post about 2010 Census data showing a dramatic increase in Decatur families the last 10 years, this paragraph in Superintendent Edwards’ “Start of School” letter to families gives us the latest data on school enrollment growth…

Our enrollment has increased. Our last counts show an increase of 9%, which includes new tuition students. We have hired approximately 75 staff who are new to Decatur, with a few returning to us after working in other systems in the interim. We are thrilled to have such an accomplished group of new teachers. Every elementary position had upwards of 300 candidates for each job. We know that our teachers are our best asset.

An article in Patch earlier this week reported that the largest enrollment growth is still occurring in Oakhurst.

West College Avenue, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Keith)

“Avellino’s had an overflow crowd last night helping out with the benefit for Atlanta Police Detective Pat Apoian”

Heather at CSD writes in to remind us about this Sunday’s Open House at the new 5th Avenue Academy.

Here’s the invitation from Superintendent Edwards.  (Click to enlarge)

Mystery Street!  Where is this?  (photo courtesy of Andisheh – click to enlarge)

There are only a few days left to vote “Decatur” in Creative Loafing’s annual “Best of Atlanta” awards!

Of particular note this year, there’s a push among Decatur residents to vote “Volunteer! Decatur” the “Best Volunteer Program” in the survey.   Parker Cross sends along some info that notes that Volunteer Decatur!…

…has increased its volunteer involvement from 523 volunteers contributing 1,595 hours (averaging 3 hours per person) in 2001 (first full year of program) to 2,403 volunteers contributing 13,427 hours (averaging 5.6 hours per person) in 2010. This is a 360% increase in volunteers and a 86% increase in volunteer hours per person.

For those who may not know, Volunteer! Decatur organizes volunteer time not only for the annual MLK Service Project, but also most of Decatur’s festivals.

And voting for Volunteer! Decatur couldn’t be easier!  “Volunteer program” is just the fifth item down the Cityscape list after you log in to vote!  (As opposed to “Best Blog” and “Best Blogger” which are down near the bottom of the page.)

Of course, while you’re there you can vote for all of your other favorite Decatur (and non-Decatur, I guess) spots!   Do it, and make sure Decatur isn’t

Just a reminder to all Decatur area residents:

Eat out tonight at Avellino’s, The Nook, Fox Bros. BBQ, and Smith’s Olde Bar and help Atlanta Police Detective Pat Apoian, who was run over last week during a traffic stop just outside of the Decatur City Limits.   The Nook, Fox Bros and Smith’s will be donating 15% of all sales, while Avellino’s will donate 20% and all tips.

The AJC has a nice write up on it today and cites DAVE-FM’s Rich “Sully” Sullivan for helping organize the event.

Photo courtesy of WSB