From Decatur Police Lt. Jennifer Ross…

The City of Decatur Police Department is pleased to announce the ability to send a text message to 9-1-1 as an integrated service to our 9-1-1 network and 9-1-1 equipment. Thorough testing has been conducted and Text to 9-1-1 is live, for the public inside the City limits of Decatur.

Texting to 9-1-1 provides accessibility to the hearing and speech impaired population and provides an alternative to reach help in a dangerous situation when a voice call is not possible or where a voice call fails due to a high volume of phone activity but texting is successful.

How to text to 9-1-1 in an emergency:

• –          Enter the numbers “911” in the “To” field.  The first text message to 9-1-1 should be brief and contain the location of the emergency and type of help needed.
• –          Push the “Send” button.
• –          Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.
• –          Text in simple words- do not use abbreviations.
• –          Keep the text message brief and concise.

When to text to 9-1-1:

• –          If you are hearing impaired.
• –          When a voice call could increase a threat.
• –           If you are injured and cannot speak.
• –          If you are in a remote location and can only send a text message.

Currently, the four major carriers; AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless have agreed to offer the text to 9-1-1 service. However, this does not mean that the service is available in all areas. Should you be out of the area, for that carrier, you will receive a message stating that the text service is not available and to call 9-1-1. Photos, videos and other attachments cannot currently be sent to 911 via text, although these capabilities will be available in the future.

CALL IF YOU CAN, TEXT IF YOU MUST

West Ponce de Leon Ave @ Commerce Dr. Decatur GA (pic courtesy of Gwyneth)

In celebration of it’s new location in the 315 West Ponce building, Resurgens Bank is hosting a “Best Decatur Business” contest.  The winning businesses will get to choose which Decatur non-profit gets a $1,000 donation.

Here are all the details…

Resurgens Bank announced today that voting for its inaugural Best Decatur Businesses promotion is officially open. Through September 30, voters can visit resurgensbank.com/vote to nominate their favorite local businesses in a variety of categories from dining and professional services to local retailers and designers.

“Decatur is a great place to live and work, and we want to recognize the businesses that help make this community so wonderful and unique,” says Pat Walsh, Decatur Market President for Resurgens Bank. “At Resurgens, we’ve been helping these businesses grow and prosper for many years – so much so that we’ve just opened a Resurgens Bank branch at 315 W. Ponce. We think showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of Decatur is a great way celebrate this community.”

The Best Decatur Businesses promotion will highlight the best local entrepreneurs, retailers and professionals. All Decatur-area businesses are eligible for nomination in one of four categories:

Foodies & Brews:  The full array of dining and beverage options including casual and fine dining restaurants, coffee shops, taverns, bars, breweries, and dessert, ice cream and yogurt shops.

Goods & Gear:  All things retail from local clothing boutiques and specialty shops to jewelers, galleries, bookstores, candy sellers, wine merchants, furniture showrooms and more.

Wisdom & Advice:  When you need expert advice, these are the professionals you consult including accountants, auditors, attorneys, financial planners, engineers, IT consultants, management consultants, real estate agents and more.

Builders & Creators:  From homebuilders and renovators, to architects, interior designers and landscapers, these visionaries help you turn your dreams into reality.  

Winners of Resurgens Bank’s inaugural Best Decatur Businesses promotion will be announced on Oct. 15.  . Winners in each category will receive a $1,000 prize to be donated on the company’s behalf to the Decatur-based non-profit organization, 501(c)(3), of their choice.

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Church Street, Decatur GA (pic courtesy of Phoenix Biking)

Truman Tavern & Bar – next to the Brick Store Pub downtown – has announced its opening…

Truman Tavern & Bar will open on August 31^st on Decatur Square, adjacent to the landmark City of Decatur Courthouse. Truman has reinvented classic, center-of-plate dishes, like the certified Angus Beef Prime Rib and Berkshire Double-Cut Pork Chops, with simple, local ingredients. The fish (Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes, Chardonnay Pouched Flounder) and vegetable (Naked Vegetable Lasagna, House Made California Veggie Burger) dishes add diversity to the menu without sacrificing cohesiveness. The result is an accessible neighborhood eatery hedging the line between steakhouse and tavern. Truman’s bar menu will appeal to those with vintage tastes, featuring classic cocktails such as the Long Island Ice Tea and Singapore Sling. Truman will offer dinner only on the August 31^st and September 1^st, adding lunch on the 2^nd, just in time for the annual Decatur Book Festival. Saturday and Sunday brunch will also be added in the coming weeks.

Executive Chef, Michael Condon, of Badda Bing Catering and Calle Latina, says he was inspired by his early days as a chef in Manhattan. “I want Truman to reflect the old time values that New York City neighborhood restaurants had 30 years ago. The food was superior without being overly complex, and the service was impeccable without being pretentious. Staff remembered the names and preferences of their guests and the atmosphere was deeply rooted in the community,” explains Condon, a native of Long Island, NY and City of Decatur resident since 2003.

Along with Condon, Brian Buchanan and Paul Vinces, also owners of Truman, boast more than 70 years of combined restaurant industry experience. Buchanan spent some 15 years in front-of-house roles and 10 years in the wine and spirit business. Vinces is the current owner of Calle Latina and once owned Sweet Devil Moon in Oakhurst. All of them have deep roots in City of Decatur. Buchanan believes Truman will be filling a niche that currently doesn’t exist in in the area: “All members of the community will feel at home at Truman, from kids and families to the trendy nightlife crowd. We specialize in great food, good service, and honest drinks” he says.

The 125-seat restaurant space offers a full bar and lounge area in the front and intimate, wood-topped seating in the rear. In addition, Truman has partnered with Vincent Art Gallery to procure artwork for the restaurant. Original pieces by well-known local artists, such as Ruth Franklin and Ruby Franklin, will add sophistication to the dining room. According to Vinces, “Vincent Art Gallery has strong ties to us and to Decatur. The art is a true representation of who we are and our connection to this community.”

Truman Bar & Tavern is located at 123 East Court Square, Decatur, GA. Reservations are available through Open Table or by  calling 404-907-4116; walk-ins are always welcome. Lunch will be served from 11:30 am—3:00 pm Monday through Friday, and brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am—3:00 pm. A happy hour menu will be available from 3:00 pm—5:00 pm daily. Dinner is served from 5:00 pm—10:00 pm on weekdays and until 11:00 pm on the weekends.

Photo courtesy of Helvetia

I’m titling this photo “Decatur Loves Pedestrians”.

West Trinity Place, Decatur GA  (pic courtesy of DM)

Pokemon Go has swept the globe, including here in Decatur.  And why wouldn’t it?

At it’s core, Pokemon Go is an urban game.  One that encourages walking (to hatch eggs and catch pokemon) and density (the more people, the more Pokemon).

And if you don’t play (here’s a tutorial to get you going), you might be surprised that it also subtlety raises the profile of public art in communities.  How?  Because, more often than not, “Pokestops” are painted murals, statues and monuments around town.  So while the Old Courthouse isn’t a Pokestop (a place to collect Pokeballs and Potions), many of the Living Wall murals around town are.  Kinda cool, I’d say.

As such, Decatur is a pretty good place to play the game.  We may not have the density of downtown Atlanta or Midtown to catch a Dragonite or a Snorlax (I know, non-players are now wondering what the heck I’m babbling on about), but we have great sidewalks, public art galore and plenty of places to put up your feet and battle with your friends.  (Not to mention a certain park that’s currently a “nest” for the most popular Pokemon of all.)

That’s a big reason why you see people playing the game all over the city right now.

So, let’s get right down to it.  Fellow Pokemon Go trainers, where are the best places to catch Pokemon in and around Decatur?  Where are your favorite gyms?

This should be an interesting thread.  🙂