The Decatur Education Foundation is “changing up” their annual boil this year, hosting “Boil & Brew” in the old Leapin’ Lizards space at 185-B Sams Street next Thursday, October 8th. Here are all the details…

Decatur’s hottest fall party …
Boil & Brew 2015

presented by Keller Knapp Realty and Lockman Homebuilding
benefiting the Decatur Education Foundation

Thursday, October 8 • 6:30-10 p.m. • 185-B Sams Street
Decatur, GA 30030   MAP

TICKETS at www.DefBoil.com

Join old friends (and make some new ones) at the party that’s become a rite of autumn in Decatur!

WHAT DOES YOUR BOIL TICKET GET YOU?

• Boil tastes from three Decatur favorites: Makan, Steinbeck’s and Leon’s (including a vegetarian option)

• Beer pairings from Victory and Three Taverns

Wine pairings from Oakhurst Market

Bread from Proof Bakeshop (latest offering from Cakes & Ale favorites)

Dessert by local favorite Butter & Cream

• Time shared with neighbors and friends

• The good feeling that your good time benefits Decatur’s children and youth!

WHAT ELSE?

• A Heads or Tails raffle that gives you chances to win a week in St. Simon’s, passes to Disney World and more

• A Live Auction for vacations, one-of-a-kind dinners, a bourbon tasting and more

• A fun and frenetic Fund-a-Need Challenge to support Decatur teachers and students!

Just pre-register for the auction when you purchase your tickets, and you’ll be all set!

WHY DO WE DO ALL OF THIS? 
The Boil & Brew is one of the most important fundraisers for the Decatur Education Foundation.  Proceeds from the event support teacher innovation in our schools; purchase much-needed tools, technologies and instruments for learning; and help Decatur students experience the world in entirely new ways.  Together we make a difference!
Buy your tickets now!

Like a teacher? Buy a ticket or two for him or her – for a discounted price. You can do it here.

Oh and pre-registration ends on February 28th, as well.  More details below!

Register now for the 13th Annual Tour deCatur 5k, 1 mile or Tot Trot – this year’s race is extra special since it falls on Pi Day – 3.14.15!

The Tour deCatur, now in its 13th year, gives participants the opportunity to run a 5k road race and/or a 1-mile fun run through neighborhoods of Decatur. This event started as a grassroots fundraiser for the Decatur Education Foundation and has grown into a community wide tradition with over 2700 participants. One registration fee allows participation in any of the events –  5k, 1 mile or Tot Trot. Funds raised by this event support the children and youth of Decatur by providing educational and enrichment opportunities.

• 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk: 8:30am
• 5K Road Race/Walk: 9:00am
• Tot Trot (age 4 and under): 10am

This sounds like a fun event for a good cause.  More info on the Decatur Stirs website…

Decatur Stirs: A Local Craft Cocktail Experience

New Cocktail Event in Decatur
Offers Tips and Tastings

• Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 am-4 pm and Sunday, March 1, 11:30 am-2:30 pm
• Marriott Courtyard Hotel and Decatur Conference Center, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, Georgia 30030

Tickets on sale now at Freshtix.com

Attendees shake and sip with local spirits experts in hands-on classes and exclusive tastings during the inaugural Decatur Stirs – a weekend event showcasing specialty spirits and handcrafted cocktails. This event offers the latest trends and tips for mixing drinks, digging deeper into distilled beverages, bitters, and more.

“Decatur Stirs features intriguing small-batch spirits in the hands of some of the South’s best bartenders – all in a unique seminar format designed for Atlanta-area cocktail enthusiasts,” says Herb Chereck, event organizer and owner of Decatur Package Store. “Decatur is the obvious location to host a craft cocktail event like this. Attendees will learn a lot and will also get to taste a variety of craft spirits and signature creations.”

Five workshops, led by some of the South’s cocktail superstars, and an exclusive tasting event are offered:

Read the rest of this entry »

Gail Rothman of the Decatur Education Foundation sends along this announcement…

Tickets are now available for DEF’s Boil – 2014 on October 9th presented by our friends at Keller Knapp Realty and Winter Construction.

Party with 400+ friends and neighbors while enjoying GREAT food from Badda Bing, GREAT beer from Victory Brewing and GREAT wine from Universal Joint. New this year – Live Auction packages you won’t find anywhere else and a Fund-a-Need Challenge to raise $10,000 in 10 minutes. The best part? This festive event raises funds to support Decatur kids, providing opportunities to help them reach their full potential. Purchase a half price ticket for your favorite City Schools of Decatur employee or the lottery pool. Purchase your tickets at www.defboil.com

From the Decatur Education Foundation…

DEF needs your gently-used children’s books!

It is sometimes hard to give up well-loved books – even when your book shelves are overcrowded.  At DEF we understand that difficulty all to well for we, too, are lovers of books and their well-told stories.  However,  the DEF Reader-to-Reader Children’s Book Sale @ the Decatur Book Fair is great way to make sure those books find new loving owners.  The books are sold at a reasonable price and all proceeds support DEF literacy programs such as Book Fair Bucks, Project Bookshelf, On The Same Page, and author visits to every CSD school.  All of which allows the entire school community to benefit from your donations!

If you would like your books to reach new eager readers, please contact Nia Schooler at Nia@DecaturEducationFoundation.org to arrange for drop-off or pick-up of your donations.

Decatur Makers sent out this announcement…

Founding memberships, private donations and local grants have propelled Decatur Makers’ inaugural fundraising effort past the 80 percent mark.

A grassroots effort to create a makerspace in the city, Decatur Makers has raised more than $40,000 toward its start-up goal of $50,000. The funds will be used to convert an unused gymnasium at First Christian Church into a makerspace, which provides tools, technology and space for people to build, create and invent.

Groups and individuals purchasing founding memberships – which combine a charitable gift with multi-year access to the makerspace – will have their names on a Founders Wall inside the space.

The Decatur Education Foundation, currently serving as Decatur Makers’ fiscal sponsor, is joining with the City of Decatur and the Decatur Downtown Development Authority to provide grants to help get the makerspace started. Local businesses such as Big Nerd Ranch are also offering support.

“Founding members and generous individuals across Decatur have led the way in supporting this novel concept for our city,” said Lew Lefton, acting executive director of Decatur Makers. “The added support of our city and community organizations has also been crucial to our fundraising momentum.”

Earlier in the spring, First Christian Church of Decatur provided a major boost to the enterprise by agreeing to donate its gym for use as a makerspace. The organization – organized and run entirely by volunteers – will use funds to repair, rewire and renovate the space to prepare for its late-summer opening.

• Those interested in becoming a Founding Member or supporting Decatur Makers with a tax-deductible charitable gift can learn more at DecaturMakers.org.

The Decatur Arts Alliance’s Angie Macon writes in…

Just in time for summer vacation!

Young Emerging Artists will be returning in 2014 on September 27, 2014 on the square. YEA! is open to students K-12 and is not limited to kids who live in Decatur.

Application deadline is August 25, 2014.

Applications are available at:  decaturartsalliance.org/blog/events/yea/

Need some funds to get started?  The Decatur Education Foundation has a grant opportunity for COD kids.  Here is the link:

decatureducationfoundation.org/our-work/diy-microloan-program/

Please contact the Decatur Arts Alliance for more details–[email protected]  or at