EcoNuke asked in FFAF about the current status of permits for the old DeVry site on the northeast side of Decatur to be converted into a VA Clinic.  Decatur Planning Director Amanda Thompson tells DM that “permits have been issued to renovate the existing building and permits are almost issued for a new 30 unit townhouse development on the north portion of the site.”

Back in September 2013, Real Estate BisNow announced that “Greenstone Properties has snagged a 20-year lease with Specialty Care Outpatient Clinic, which will serve VA patients, at 250N Arcadia Ave, a 103k SF building. The building will be fully renovated over 18 months.”

Nancy sends in this announcement…

Mother Nature will reveal the newest colors in her fall collection during the second annual Avondale Tree Walk on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00 am- Noon. Sponsored by the Avondale Estates Garden Club as a conservation project, this year’s walk will include beautiful specimens chosen by the Tree Walk Committee to strut on the catwalk of Avondale Estates.

Local arborists who will lead the walk include Mark Livingston, Arborguard; Gretchen Musser, Elements of Landscape Design; Neil Norton, ISA Certified Arborist; Gary Peiffer, Dekalb Co. Extension Agent; Steve Sanchez, HGOR; and Joan Scales, U.S. Forestry Commission.

Tree Walk Guides will point out the enormous benefits trees add to the urban environment, such as:

• For every ton of new wood that grows, about 1.8 tons of carbon dioxide is removed from the air and 1 .3 tons of oxygen is produced;
• One recent study reported that urban trees could be about 10 times as effective as forest trees for lowering carbon dioxide in cities;
• Trees provide climate control & moderate the “heat island” effect of the urban setting;
• Trees protect soil and water quality.

To take part in this free event, meet in the parking lot of the Avondale Community Club at 59 Lakeshore Drive at 10:00 am.   A new feature of this year’s walk will be the opportunity to ask a panel of experts about any concerns homeowners have with trees in their landscapes. The Avondale Estates Garden Club is a member club of The DeKalb County Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., the Redbud District of GCG, and the National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Clear your calendar for 12-12:30p Monday.

Decatur Beer Fest tickets go out sale at noon and if prior years are any indication, you’re going to have to be very quick on the draw.  Here’s a breakdown by year since 2007 based on DM reports over the years…

• 2013 – 25 minutes
• 2012 – 29 minutes
• 2011 – 1 hour
• 2010 – 7 hours
• 2009 – 12 days
• 2008 – 3 weeks (best guess)
• 2007 – 1 month

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

Comments close on Monday.