The AJC is reporting that both Montclair Elementary School up between Buford Highway and Clairmont Road and the Maloof Auditorium in downtown Decatur have been closed due to flooding.

Montclair students were moved to Cross Keys High School after a creek near the school flooded.  The Maloof Auditorium had no such excuse.  It’s just a mess.

County commissioners said the Commerce Drive auditorium’s roof is leaking and damaged several ceiling tiles.

The commission announced Monday morning that it is moving its Tuesday meeting to the Decatur library auditorium on Sycamore Drive.

“The roof has leaked to the point it was raining in the auditorium,” Commissioner Larry Johnson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Although the fallen ceiling tile debris is being removed, the carpet is wet. Getting it ready for tomorrow won’t happen with continued rain in the forecast.”

An estimated repair cost was not immediately available.

This doesn’t look so great…

Also true along the creek at Johnston Road and over at Northside Drive.

Click here read the latest Decatur Focus (PDF).

Highlights (from my own narrow-minded perspective)…

• The city has received a FEMA grant to purchase four properties on Westchester Drive that are below the base flood elevation and have “flooded several times”. Houses on the properties will be demolished and the land will be preserved as green space.
• Starting in 2008, residents will have to start paying for Dog Park tags for their dogs. The price is $20 for the first dog and $5 for each additional dog. Non residents now can also use the park if they are willing to pay a heck of a lot more: $60 for first dog, $15 for each additional dog. Maybe I’ll just drive up to Mason Mill Dog Park instead. Click here for a full list of Georgia dog parks. (page 4)
• The renovation of Boyce/Frost residence at 601 Third Ave in Oakhurst will be featured on Discovery Channel’s Green Homes TV, which will debut in 2008. Ah, how ironic…can you say “Oakhurst Historic District”? (page 5)
• Dancing Goats Coffee offers public “cuppings” ever Friday at 10a. According to the all-knowing Focus “Cupping is the evaluation technique used by coffee professionals and is similar to that of wine tasting.” (page 8)
• Steinbeck’s Oyster Bar will host The Great Oakhurst Chili Cook Off in its parking lot from Nov 17th from 12p-6p. Also check out Steinbeck’s new Brunch menu, which features pumpkin pancakes! (page 10)

All right…five bullets classifies as “highlights”. Anymore and I’m rewriting the whole darn thing!