Clairmont Heights Civic Association

The Freedom from Religion Foundation plans to put messages on 50 billboards in metro Atlanta this week as part of a blitz through the Bible Belt shunning religion and advocating separation of church and state.

DeKalb County police have identified a suspect in Tuesday's fatal shooting of the co-owner of a strip club.

Starting Oct. 25, the owners of DeKalb County’s 14,000 foreclosed properties will have to register online or risk being fined.

Reluctant to trust CEO Burrell Ellis’ hiring skills, DeKalb County commissioners want more input in the selection of county executives.

We recently attended the National Community Garden Association Conference at which this year’s theme was Childhood Obesity. It was alarming to hear the statistics on this growing epidemic.

From the Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures Website:

In the past four decades, obesity rates in the United States have soared among all age groups. This rise in obesity rates has affected our youth in alarming fashion. Childhood obesity has increased more than fourfold among those ages 6 to 11. Over 23 million children and teenagers in the United States ages 2 to 19 are obese or overweight, a statistic that health and medical experts consider an epidemic. On March 26, 2010, a resolution was unanimously passed in the Senate to designate September 2010 as “National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month”, bringing national attention to a growing epidemic among youth in the United States.

.One of things we are doing in Decatur is the Safe Routes to School Program which encourages children to walk or ride their bikes to school. A little bit of physical exercise daily can help to combat obesity and protect the health of our children. What can you do? Be aware of our children on their way to and from school and slow down. Watch for them in the crosswalks and be patient with them as they learn to ride their bikes and obey the rules of the road.

For information on things you can do as an individual, click here. Let’s all work together to keep our children healthy and happy!

The city of 40,000 put a police force on the street in just four months, earning praise from residents, but the price tag for the department was twice as much as estimated.

From a just released Decatur Book Festival press release… While total crowds figures aren’t yet available, [DBF Executive Director Daren] Wang estimated a 15 percent increase in guests over last year. Pic above: Terra McVoy, left, AJC DBF Assistant Program Director, helps lead the Lady Bug Girl children’s parade Sunday morning. A few more sassy, official pics after [...]

Blowing on Dandelions, Stepping Over Cracks from dehanza rogers on Vimeo. Sanithna Phansavanh writes in… I wanted to pass along some info for an art show that I’m opening on September 11th. It will be at Young Blood Gallery and will investigate superstitions, talismans, and beliefs. I realize that the show doesn’t necessarily count as Decatur news, [...]

East Lake & Oakview Road Decatur, GA (pic submitted by Tim)

Last night, the Decatur City Commission unanimously approved City Manager Peggy Merriss’ suggestion of repurposing the remaining $3.7 million in Public Works bond funds to help build the Decatur Recreation Center and authorized her to explore other financing options to fund renovations to the unfinished projects from the 2006 bond referendum (Rec Center, Fire Station [...]

Heather wrote in with this report just before 9am this morning… There’s something going on on McDonough in front of DHS right now, 8:45 a.m. Five, maybe six police cars with lights, officers out of their cars. Looked like they had their guns drawn. Anne also wrote in with a few more details… …was walking by [the [...]

Katie writes in… I thought you’d like to know about a new boutique wine shop opening in September in Avondale Estates. The Little Wine Shop will specialize in international, eclectic and affordable wines in a cozy, neighborhood environment. Artisan foods such as H &F breads, specialty meats and cheeses, olives, pates as well as [...]

And by “plays” I actually mean “played”. In usual fashion for these sorta things, around 10pm last night John Mayer tweeted… Atlanta people! Lets jam out at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur. 11:30pm. Heading over now. Richard Eldridge of Atlanta Magazine reported from the scene… Hundreds of people immediately packed into the club. And out the door. And down the [...]

Emory writer and associate creative writing professor Joseph Skibell wrote and performed a song to sum up and sell "A Curable Romantic" - a 608-page book - in about two minutes. While the ditty didn't land him the gig he was wanting, others are taking notice.

In the nine years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the United States has seen a great deal of change, but many challenges ignited that day still face the nation. Emory faculty experts in Islam, human rights, Muslims in America, law and terrorism are providing their perspective on issues the country currently faces such as the so-called Ground Zero mosque, Islamophobia, Guantanamo Bay and the safety of our country.

Former Emory swimming All-American Ruth Westby is one of 30 finalists for the 2010 NCAA Woman of the Year Award that will be presented in October.

The DeKalb County school board voted Tuesday on a tentative response to questions from its accrediting agency, but refused to release it to the public.

Police believe robbery was the motive behind the fatal shooting Tuesday afternoon of the co-owner of a DeKalb strip club.

DeKalb County Police are hosting a blood drive Wednesday in honor of a fallen officer. Residents and officers are invited to donate blood between 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

President Barack Obama’s environmental chief will visit DeKalb County this weekend to assess the contamination in the South River.