The AsianCajuns’ Lauren Lee points out that Fox5 was bubbling it up around Decatur Square this morning as part of their week-long “Be Square” series, showcasing town squares around metro Atlanta.  One of the three segments is featured above.  If you can handle the correspondents’ intense level of interest in all things Decatur, there are two other segments – with one featuring the AsianCajuns! – HERE.

Decatur Square, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Caitie)

Early on Friday, MrFixIt wrote this comment in FFAF…

I very much appreciate our Decatur police. However, for the next few months, I’d like to see them spending more time on the square dealing with the criminals who are selling drugs to our high school and middle school kids and less time handing out traffic tickets. Also, isn’t the square within 1000 feet of a school?

I followed up with Decatur’s Deputy Police Chief Keith Lee, who responded…

We have recently expanded our downtown business district patrol from 1 officer to 3. The officers work overlapping schedules to allow us to cover the area throughout the day and evening. We have made several arrests for violations of drug laws in the area over the past year. It is standard operating procedure to charge anyone who is arrested within 1000 feet of a school for drug violations with the additional charge.

Crimereports.com shows three drug-related arrests around Decatur Square since last October.

I received a report about an hour ago from Ramon reporting that after 36 years of business in Decatur, B&L Medical Laboratory at 149 Sycamore Street was moving to Norcross.

The receptionist at the lab confirmed the move to me minutes ago, though she was not able to provide details as to why they were leaving.

From The Square Pub’s Facebook page…

The Bar is open!!!! We would like to officially invite everyone to come down and check us out. We will be open at noon and ready for the fun to begin. Did I mention we have the college & pro game packages? So for the football fans we can get all the games, and better yet we have alcohol. Hope to see you soon.

A follow up post notes that the college & pro game package won’t be up and running until next week.

Amber writes in with info for the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence’s 19th Annual Candlelight Vigil this Thursday, October 21st from 7-8p at the gazebo on Decatur Square.  A bit more info on the event…

The Vigil will confront many widely held beliefs about domestic violence through a program that includes ample audience participation. The program will also include speakers and musical performance and will end with a candlelighting ceremony remembering every Georgian whose life was taken from them by domestic violence in the last twelve months.

You can find out more about Women’s Resource Center and services for survivors of domestic violence at www.wrcdv.org or by calling our 24-hour hotline at 404-688-9436.

The misses and I saw this guy pull into the East Courthouse Square turnaround last night around 7:30p and simultaneously muttered, “Oh this isn’t going to be good.”

We looped the Square via Church Street and came back through about 15 minutes later and found the bus stuck at the top of the turnaround, a line of impatient cars behind him and gawkers snapping pics from out in front of the Brick Store.

He did eventually somehow make it out – as we saw him fleeing down West Ponce a few minutes later – though I’m not sure he managed it.  I’m guessing some sort of minor act of God.

So I’m sorry to report Beer Festers, there will be no impromptu party bus for you this afternoon!

Pic coutesy of my wife, who has the better cameraphone

September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 • Noon-1 p.m.

Blue Sky Concerts are held every Wednesday in September from noon until 1 pm at the bandstand on the square and sponsored by SunTrust. Bring your lunch or pick up a sandwich from one of our many terrific restaurants.

Co-Sponsored by: Lotus of Life, Kaiser Permanente, Little Shop of Stories

• September 1 The Dammages – Rock
• September 8 The Jim Pearce Band – Jazz
• September 15 Angela Easterling – Americana/Roots
• September 22 Wendy Jans – Pop/Soul/Jazz
• September 29 The Conundrums – All women’s African drumming group

Looks like Decatur’s newest Irish pub – with a VERY red exterior – up on the Square, Mac McGee’s, is now open for business!

RSMcGregor posted the above pic of the bar area on Twitter. It is republished here with permission.   After the jump, see his pic of the menu.

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Brent sends in this surveillance cam video of a suspect who stole a laptop from a neighboring office on Decatur Square this morning around 10:20am.

If you see or recognize the guy at the beginning of this video, please contact Decatur Police immediately.