Newcomers 2009

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CONTENTS

R E A D • R E U S E • R E C YC L E

Welcome

2

County Government

4

Arabia Mountain High School

6

Parks & Recreation

7

Libraries

8

Arts & Entertainment

9

Education

10, 20

Attractions

11

Dunwoody Nature Center

12, 13

Gardens and Art Center

14

Seminole Landfill

15

Shopping

16

Public Health and Safety

18

Transportation

21

Business and International Associations

22

Municipalities

24

Publishers: Dr. Earl and Carolyn Glenn Chief Operating Officer: John Hewitt Editor: Gale Horton Gay Advertising Sales: Louise Dyrenforth Acker John Hewitt Contributors: Jonathan Cribbs Brian Egeston Gale Horton Gay Kathy Mitchell Graphic Designers: Travis Hudgons Kemesha Hunt Photographers: Jonathan Cribbs Brian Egeston Gale Horton Gay John Hewitt Travis Hudgons

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WELCOME

DeKalb to

Growing greener by the minute

Freedom Bell - Stone Mountain Village

One doesn’t have to look far to see how DeKalb County is actively involved in the green movement. Being more Earth-friendly—whether it’s in growing and eating organic food, reducing carbon footprints, recycling materials, switching to more energy efficient fuels, choosing to engage in sustainability practices or finding ways to use and re-use natural resources more responsibly—is taking place in just about every corner of DeKalb. In August 2008, DeKalb County opened Arabia Mountain High School, the state’s first public high school built to LEED certification standards. Through its design, the school targets a 40 percent water savings, 94 percent recycling of job waste and 20 to 25 percent power consumption savings. The school will be the site of environmental, energy, engineering and medical magnet programs. The Gregory A. Adams Juvenile Justice Center on Memorial Drive in Decatur has applied to be the first LEED-certified courthouse in Georgia. (LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, internationally recognized green building certification system by the U.S. Green Building Council.) Over in the city of Decatur, city officials have been instituting green initiatives since the mid-1990s from households to government offices. In recent years they’ve gotten rid of standard cleaning products used to clean city offices and facilities and replaced them with more environmentally friendly ones as well as reduced their use of disposable cups by encouraging employees to use reusable mugs. Fire Station No. 2 in the Oakhurst neighborhood, which opened in June 2008, was designed and built with sustainability in mind. It features water heated via solar panels, low-flow fixtures and energy efficient lighting. In Decatur, city employees are asked to pledge to turn off unnecessary lights and electrical devices and to limit idling as much as possible when driving city vehicles. These efforts and more led to Decatur receiving a bronze certification as a Green Community—the first such recognition in DeKalb—by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) in July 2009.

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon heads DeKalb’s new Green Commission, charged with chronicling the county’s sustainability practices and policies. The commission has submitted its application to the ARC for designation as a Green Community and should find out how it fares in fall 2009. Even DeKalb’s newest city—Dunwoody—has formed a commission to apply for Green Community designation by the ARC.

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And there’s more: • Emory University, which has a goal of diverting 65 percent of its overall waste and 95 percent of its food waste from landfills by 2015, introduced a composting project at one of its dining facilities in June 2008. The school was also the recipient of a first-place building award for sustainability practices for one of its new residence halls. And in the area of transportation, all of Emory’s shuttle bus fleet uses alternative fuel—some powered with recycled cooking oil from the cafeteria and hospital. • Georgia Perimeter College installed technology in 2009 that allows for video conferencing at three of its campuses in DeKalb County— Clarkston, Decatur and Dunwoody. The move is an effort to conserve natural resources by reducing travel on Atlanta roadways. • In December 2008, DeKalb County opened the new Porter Sanford Performing Arts and Community Center, the county’s third building which has applied for LEED certification. • South DeKalb Business Association hosted a Going Green panel discussion in July 2008. These are just a few of the progressive endeavors taking place throughout DeKalb County. The interest in enhancing responsible stewardship of our community is contagious with individuals, businesses, government and institutions joining together in big and small ways. One can expect to see initiatives with green components continuing to sprout countywide. DeKalb County is growing greener by the minute.

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Head for Decatur

for foodies fashionistas & funlovers

Cakes and Ale

254 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

and take your pick from more than 200 irresistible independent boutiques, restaurants, salons and galleries in our walkable downtown, at the intersection of Clairmont and Ponce de Leon Avenues, and nearby Oakhurst village. Here is a sampling of what you’ll find: Be Paparazzi-Ready Boutique Karma • 340 Church St. Fabutique • 335 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Kaleidoscope • 252 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Peggy’s Boutique • 308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Rockit • 145-B Sycamore St. Squash Blossom Boutique • 113 E. Court Sq. Whit’s End • 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. It’s a Bling Thing Alexia Gallery • 335 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur City Jewelers • 117 Clairemont Ave. Vivid Boutique • 133 E. Court Sq. Worthmore Jewelers • 117 E. Court Sq. Cook Up Some Fun Cook’s Warehouse/Sherlock’s Wine Merchants • 180 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Sawicki’s Meat, Seafood and More 250 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Taste • 416 Church St. Read All About It Books Again • 225 N. McDonough St. Little Shop of Stories • 133 E. Court Sq. Arrive in Style Twist ‘n’ Scoot • 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Check out our free Shopping, Dining and Services Guide, available at Decatur shops, restaurants and online.

Big Peach Running Co. 114 E. Trinity Pl.

Greene’s Fine Foods 141 E. Trinity Pl.

Decatur Market & Gallery 153 Ponce De Leon Pl.

us on Twitter www.decaturga.com | thedecaturminute.com | Follow Be our fan on Facebook Advertising funded by the Decatur Tourism Bureau, Inc.

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A Newcomers and Neighbors Guide

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DeKalb County Administrative Offices - Decatur

AROUND THE COUNTY Commission Districts District 1: Elaine Boyer District 2: Jeff Rader District 3: Larry Johnson District 4: Sharon Barnes-Sutton District 5: Lee May

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DeKalb County Government 1300 Commerce Drive Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 371-2886 CEO Burrell Ellis (404) 371-2881 [email protected] Commissioners District 1 - Elaine Boyer (404) 371-2844 [email protected] District 2 – Jeff Rader (404) 371-2863 [email protected]

District 3 – Larry Johnson (404) 371-2425 [email protected] District 4 – Sharon BarnesSutton (404) 371-4907 [email protected] District 5 – Lee May (404) 371-4745 [email protected] District 6 – Kathie Gannon (404) 371-4909 [email protected] District 7 – Connie Stokes (404) 371-3053 [email protected]

DeKalb County is divided into five districts with one commissioner serving each district. It is also split into two super districts, each represented by one commissioner.

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Super Commission Districts District 6: Kathie Gannon District 7: Connie Stokes

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The Cou Com DeK

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Helping to Build a Stronger DeKalb Neighborhood Infrastructure / Planning Initiatives • Affordable Housing/Preservation/Development • Expanded Economic Opportunities • Foreclosure Prevention / Intervention • Community Facilities

DeKalb County Community Development Department

(404) 286-3338 (404) 286-3308 www.co.dekalb.ga.us/commdev

The DeKalb Community Development Department works with Community Partners, County Departments, Municipalities in DeKalb, Faith-Based Community, and the Business Community to help make life better for everyone. We are proud to serve the citizens of DeKalb County. For more information or assistance call (404) 286-3338 or 3308 or write our office at 1807 Cander Road, Decatur, GA 30032 Newcomers_2009.indd 5

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ECOF high R I Eschool N D LY

A rabia Mountain High School

debuts in Stone Mountain by Brian Egeston

Amid the rolling hills of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area is DeKalb County’s newest high school. The 240,000-square-foot facility in Lithonia is in a 2,000-acre preserve that is home to wetlands, granite outcroppings, pine and oak forests, various streams and a lake. Arabia Mountain High School was designed to incorporate a visual and physical connection to the nature preserve with walls of glass that overlook Arabia Mountain and the wooded surroundings. The school will accommodate 1,600 students and will use a number of strategies to use 25 percent less energy than a typical facility of similar size. By design, the school faces north to south to reduce energy use. Windows and skylights provide much of the light inside and some of the athletic fields purposely will not have lights. The outside bleachers are made of recycled materials. The restrooms at Arabia Mountain High School were built with waterless urinals and building materials were used from suppliers less than 500 miles away to reduce the carbon footprint. It is believed to be the first public high school in Georgia that’s applied for LEED, an internationally recognized green building certification system, silver certification.

Students at Arabia Mountain High will take part in the state’s first environment-focused curriculum that will incorporate the school and the mountain preserve to teach sustainability and environmental responsibility.

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P A R and KS

Recreation

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Natural Leader Home of the first Gold Certified LEED* federal facility in the nation. Walking and biking trails. Abundant Greenspaces. Clean Living.

Here are a few of the parks located in the city of Decatur and DeKalb County: Gresham Recreation Center 3113 Gresham Road, Atlanta A 126-acre park with areas for baseball, softball, football as well as a multi-use field, swimming pool, recreation center, playground, picnic area and trails. Blackburn Tennis Center 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta Softball, soccer, multi-use field, tennis courts, picnic area and trails can be found at this 49-acre park. Forty Oaks Nature Preserve 3790 Market St., Clarkston This 10-acre nature preserve also has a multi-use field and trails. Mystery Valley Golf Course 6100 Shadowrock Road, Lithonia Located on 265 acres, this par 72 golf course is nestled among Georgia pines along with a picnic area and lake. Pleasantdale Park 3650 Pleasantdale Road, Doraville Baseball, softball, football, multi-use field, multi-use court, playground, picnic area and trails are located at this 24-acre park.

PARKS AND REC CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Chamblee City Hall 5468 PPeachtree eachtree RRoad, oad, Chamblee, G A 30341-2398 GA PH: 770.986.5010 www .chambleega.com www.chambleega.com

*LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

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D E K Public ALB

Libraries

Throughout DeKalb County, there are 20 libraries offering a range of services, including books, magazines, reference materials, videocassettes, audiobooks, multimedia PCs, Internet access, English as a second language programs, adult literacy programs and special collections. For more detailed information on the library branches listed below and their special services, visit www.dekalblibrary.org.

3500 Covington Highway, Decatur (404) 508-7180 Decatur Library 215 Sycamore St., Decatur (404) 370-3070 Doraville Library 3748 Central Ave., Doraville (770) 936-3852

Briarcliff Library 2775 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta (404) 679-4400

Dunwoody Library 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody (770) 512-4640

Brookhaven Library 1242 N. Druid Hills Road, Atlanta (404) 848-7140

Flat Shoals Library 4022 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur (404) 244-4370

Chamblee Library 4115 Clairmont Road, Chamblee (770) 936-1380

Gresham Library 2418 Gresham Road, Atlanta (404) 244-4374

Clarkston Library 951 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston (404) 508-7175 Covington Library

Lithonia-Davidson Library 6821 Church St., Lithonia (770) 482-3820

LIBRARIES CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Welcome to ashley’s Doraville

To Do ToDay in Doraville!! 8:30 - Breakfast at White Windmill 10:30 - Sign up for aerobics at Fleming Arena 12:15 - Meet neighbor for lunch at Monterrey 1:30 - Book Club meeting at library 3:00 - Take a stroll through Autumn Park 4:30 - Get fresh fruit at Farmer’s Market 7:00 - Community garden meeting 8:00 - Drinks & dinner at Shoya Izakaya!

Make it your own... the city of

Doraville DIVERSITY | VITALITY | COMMUNITY

Doraville city hall 3725 Park avenue | Doraville, Ga 30340 770-451-8745

www.doraville.ga.us

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A R T Sand Entertainment Here is a listing of some the local art and entertainment options: ART Station 5384 Manor Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083 (770) 469-1105 Housed in the old trolley station in the heart of Stone Mountain Village, this non-profit center explores, teaches and shares the arts with people throughout the Atlanta area. Here the visual, literary and performing arts make every day special. Professional theater, September -May. Gallery and gift shop, open year-round. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center 980 Briarcliff Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30306 (404) 872-5338 This is the magnificent 1920 Tudor-style mansion once belonging to the son of Coca-Cola founder Asa G. Candler. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Callanwolde is now one of the most unusual art centers in the country, bringing the visual, literary, and performing arts to the public year-round. Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur (See page 14) Spruill Center for the Arts 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 (770) 394-3447

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Are You On A First Name Basis With Your Bank? Our Customers Are. Decatur First Bank is a full service community bank locally owned and managed. Decatur First Bank was founded in 1997, by local business people to provide the Decatur/ DeKalb community with a bank that is dedicated to the needs of area residents and businesses.

Eco Banking Services – Use any ATM and DFB will pay all fees for the first 10 withdrawals a month

Little Shop of Stor ies Kids Camp vis a recent field trip its DFB on .

– On-Line Banking access 24/7 – E-statement Program allows for a secured paperless banking experience – After business hours & weekend banking at our branch located in Kroger in downtown Decatur Main Office: 1120 Commerce Dr. Decatur, GA 30033 tel: 404.373.1000 Kroger Branch: 720 Commerce Dr. Decatur, GA 30030 tel: 404.373.3125

www.decaturfirstbank.com

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DEKALB

Education DeKalb County School System 3770 North Decatur Road Decatur, GA 30032 (678) 676-1200 www.dekalb.k12.ga.us Crawford Lewis, Ph.D., Superintendent The system serves approximately 98,000 students in 148 schools and centers. City Schools of Decatur 785 Scott Blvd. Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 370-4400 www.decatur-city.k12.ga.us Phyllis A. Edwards, Ed.D, Superintendent Although the City of Decatur is only four square miles, it has its own school system. The system has an enrollment of about 2,500 students in one early childhood learning center, four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

DEKALB EDUCATION CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Face to face...

with the stories of civilization. Come for the art. Join for the benefits. Stay for the experience.

571 South Kilgo Circle Atlanta, GA 30322 carlos.emory.edu

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Advocating Excellence in DeKalb Public Schools Stone Mountain Park

DEKALB Attractions

DeKalb County is home to the kind of attractions that keep visitors completely enthralled and returning to metro Atlanta to soak in history and a top-rated museum, science center, recreational activities and other one-of-a-kind experiences. Residing here means all this is close at hand for residents as well. So don’t wait until company comes to town, get out there and check out the many attractions that are part of the community. For updated information, visit the Web site of DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.dcvb.org. DeKalb History Center Old Courthouse on the Square 101 E. Court Sq., Decatur 30030 (404) 373-1088 • www.dekalbhistory.org

DEKALB ATTRACTIONS CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Organization of DeKalb Educators

Over 4,600 members strong Community Outreach Programs

Community Partnerships

Welcome to our village

Stone Mountain Village is so much like a country village that visitors may forget they’re in metropolitan Atlanta. With quaint shops & restaurants and Stone Mountain Park so close, there are many reasons to spend time in our historic village We have worked diligently to make our village even better. Our downtown beautification project will begin soon, and our tax allocation district will help build the commercial districts into one of the best in the area. Drop in and see what’s going on; we’re located just outside of Stone Mountain Park’s West Gate

Main Street Stone Mountain, Inc. 922 Main Street Stone Mountain, GA 30083 770-498-7334 StoneMountainVillage.com

ODE Administrators of the Year ODE Community Service Awards Recipients 2008-2010 ODE Officers

       

Levi A. Simon III Scholarship Program Read With Me DeKalb Family, School, Community Partnerships Megaskills PeachSeed Storytelling Festival for Young Tellers Through the Arts We Teach Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Towers High School Cluster Back to School Rally

          

DeKalb County Public Libraries DeKalb County School System systemwide partner DeKalb Partners in Education Foundation Family Support Center, Inc. House Districts 90/91 Community Cabinet Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia Leadership DeKalb Pioneering innovative Leaders of Tomorrow Reach Them to Teach Them Foundation Southern Order of Storytellers Towers High School cluster schools

   

2006 2007 2008 2009

Dr. Ralph Simpson Dr. Yvonne Butler Roberta Walker Dr. Bernetta Jordan

     

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Judge Gregory Adams Sandy Purkett Dr. Gary McGiboney Police Chief Tony Scipio Robert James Larry Johnson

President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer Asst. Treasurer Parliamentarian HS Rep. to the Ex. Bd. MS Rep. to the Ex. Bd. ES Rep. to the Ex. Bd.

David Schutten Nicole H. Duff, Lithonia MS Lisa A. Morgan, Midway ES Shirley Weldon, Towers HS Helen Zappia, Retired Trina Knox, Henderson MS Daniel Sobzcak, SWD HS Jeff Bragg, Cross Keys HS Karla Russell-McCreary, Peachtree MS Terry Joseph, Princeton ES

www. odegaenea. org Organization of DeKalb Educators 100 Crescent Centre Pkwy. , Ste. 290 Tucker, GA 30084 678-837-1170 (office) 678-837-1178 (fax)

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TEACHING YOUNG AND OLD the importance of loving the planet by Gale Horton Gay

Claire Waggenspack Hayes

Claire Waggenspack Hayes chuckled when asked if the Dunwoody Nature Center has any green initiatives under way. “Everything we do is to promote care for the Earth,” Hayes, executive director of the center, explained. The Dunwoody Nature Center (DNC) is no Johnnycome-lately to the going green scene. Since 1990, DNC has existed as a 22-acre park that serves as a natural classroom for environmental education. The park features a wetland boardwalk, woodland and streamside trails, display gardens, a picnic meadow, a treehouse classroom pavilion and a shaded playground. In addition to classes, workshops and an annual butterfly festival, it’s a retreat for those seeking a natural green space that’s protected from development. For adults, the nature center offers such classes as how to clean a home using green products, how to build a rain barrel and gardening. It also instructs youth in recycling, identifying plants and how changes in the environment can affect the ecosystem. Some of the center’s programs are directed to second graders. Hayes said 7-year-olds are at an optimum age to learn and embrace principles of good

NATURE CENTER CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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NATURE CENTERCONT. FROM PAGE 12

environmental stewardship. “It’s an opportunity to change behavior now as well as affect decisions made in the future,” she said. During one week of camp at DNC in 2009, the theme was water. Campers were taught about water quality, water conservation and recycling of water. In the fall of 2009, the center plans to launch an art project using recycled screw tops.

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GARDENS AND ART CENTER green on the inside and out Many Georgia fields that once were farmland are now covered with the steel, bricks and concrete of houses, stores and office buildings, but in 1995 when a 20-area plot of what had once been Mathis Dairy was donated to DeKalb County plans begin to come together to preserve the south DeKalb land as a natural environment. Sheldon Fleming, who grew up in the area and says he’s “a farmer at heart,” soon became involved with the project, seeing it as an ideal tribute to his younger sister who before her death had dreamed of creating a special green space in her neighborhood. Along with friend and neighbor Michael J. Davis, Fleming founded Wonderland Gardens. Through a collaborative effort that included DeKalb County government and Soapstone Center for the Arts, Wonderland Gardens has become what its mission statement calls “a self-sustaining, hands-on green-space destination and community resource that connects people to nature.” Wonderland Gardens is now chartered as a public garden. Groups and individuals come there to plant vegetables, fruits and flowers or simply to appreciate nature. Throughout its development Fleming and others involved with Wonderland Gardens made certain the site was a model of environmental prudence. Only organic gardening is practiced at Wonderland Gardens, which also uses composting. Some 87,000 pounds of recycled concrete— a material called “recrete”—was used in building the retaining walls. The hiking trail, Wondertrail, was built using 3,000 recycled tires in the one and a quarter-mile phase one alone. A quarter-mile extension was added, also using recycled materials. Echoing the land’s history as a dairy farm, a million recycled plastic milk jugs were made into railings, picnic tables and benches along the trail. In 2007, Fleming, who is now Wonderland Gardens’ executive director, received the TBS Pathfinder’s Award in the environmental category. When the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center was built last year on the site adjacent to the gardens, the environmental theme continued. The building, which includes a 500-seat auditorium, a 104-seat “black box” theater, a community room and display space for visual arts, has been built to meet LEED certification standards. Among its environmentally friendly features are full-daylight windows in the lobby and in most of the offices, low-flow toilets, low-maintenance landscaping that requires no irrigation system and auto light sensors that reduce energy use.

Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center

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PARKS AND REC Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Center 2706 Bouldercrest Road, Atlanta Golf and tennis enthusiasts will be right at home at this 231-acre golf and tennis center, which also includes picnic areas. CITY OF DECATUR Adair Park Adair Street, Decatur

Seminole Landfill

CONVERTING TRASH INTO profitable energy by Jonathan Cribbs In DeKalb County, one man’s trash quite literally can be another man’s treasure. The county’s sanitation division has run a program that has been turning trash vapors into sellable energy at its Seminole Road Landfill in Ellenwood since 2006, said Billy Malone, the division’s assistant director. Essentially, as trash biodegrades, it releases gasses into the air–so much gas that, if left unchecked, it can burn a hole in the ozone, he said. The sanitation division drills pipes into the landfill and sucks the gas into two engines that run generators and create electricity, he said. But the landfill creates so much gas that much of it cannot be used. In any given minute, the landfill processes

about 2,400 standard cubic feet of gas, Malone said. About half that is generated into sellable energy. The other half goes up in flames–literally. It’s burned in a flare, he said. Since the program began, the county has sold about $2.5 million in electricity to Georgia Power or about $100,000 a month, Malone said. Some customers demand renewable energy from the company, he said, which is one of the reasons they buy it. “We sell it at a premium to Georgia Power because it’s renewable,” he said. The conversion process is profitable enough to pay off the cost of the landfill’s plant within the next five years, Malone said. “It’s not going to save the world, but if everybody does something, what they can do is make us less dependent on foreign oil.”

This four-acre park is adjacent to the historic Mary Gay House, Swanton House and log cabin where Decatur’s annual Heritage Festival is held. The park has picnic tables and a playground area. An off-leash area is provided for Decatur residents whose dogs obey voice command. Hidden Cove Park 758 Scott Boulevard, Decatur This is a three-acre park offering a place for a walk or some quiet time. The Westchester community has worked hard to preserve and beautify the park with native plants and a nature trail along the creek. For a complete listing of city of Decatur parks, visit www.decaturga.com/ cgs_citysvcs_rec_parks. aspx. For a complete listing of DeKalb County parks and recreations sites, visit www.co.dekalb. ga.us/parks/

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S H inO P P I N G

DeKalb

Candler Park Just south of Ponce de Leon Avenue at Clifton Road and McClendon Avenue www.candlerpark.org Candler Park is a quaint block of shops and restaurants. Walk through the neighborhood’s namesake park, along the streets lined with renovated early 1900s bungalows, or play nine holes at the Candler Park Golf Course. Chamblee’s Antique Row Broad Street & Peachtree Industrial Blvd. (770) 458-6316 • www.antiquerow.com Antique Row is located just 1.5 miles inside I-285 in historic Chamblee. More than 200 antique dealers operate in this neighborhood where shops are located in homes, churches and stores.

Downtown Decatur (404) 371-8386 • www.decatur-ga.com/main. business.retail.htm Shops and restaurants surround the historic Old DeKalb Courthouse and line the adjacent streets. Browse the art galleries, clothing boutiques, home décor and antiques stores and specialty shops that offer handmade crafts. There are some 50 or so restaurants

in Decatur and the nearby historic Oakhurst district, offering everything from burgers and sandwiches to sushi and tapas.

Plaza Fiesta 4166 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta (404) 982-9138

East Atlanta Village Moreland Avenue and I-20 One of Atlanta’s hippest shopping, dining and entertainment districts is East Atlanta Village. It is in the midst of a renaissance and is home to several eclectic shops, restaurants, bars and nightspots, as well as one of Atlanta’s most popular live music venues, the EARL. Discover vintage clothing, African drums, jewelry, kitschy gift items and more along Flat Shoals Road and Glenwood Avenue.

Search no more for authentic Asian, Mexican and South American cuisine, clothing and home décor. The international corridor in Doraville, Chamblee and Atlanta is the place for businesses that cater to Atlanta’s burgeoning international community.

INTERNATIONAL CORRIDOR Asian Square 5150 Buford Highway, Doraville (770) 458-8955 Atlanta Chinatown 5379 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee (770) 458-4624 Las Americas 3652 Shallowford Road, Doraville (770) 458-7962

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North DeKalb Mall 2050 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur (404) 320-7960 • www.northdekalbmall.com Located in Decatur, this mall features Macy’s, Burlington Coat Factory, Ross Dress for Less, K&L Furniture, 85 specialty stores, AMC-16 theaters with stadium seating, food court and one full-service restaurants. Northlake Mall 1000 Northlake Mall, Atlanta (770) 938-5483 • www.northlakemall.com Easily accessible from I-285 and close to several area hotels, Northlake Mall boasts Macy’s, Sears, JCPenney, Kohl’s and 100 specialty stores, services and eateries.

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DEKALB ATTRACTIONS-CONT. FROM PAGE 11 Housed in the Old Courthouse on the Square, the DeKalb History Center consists of the Society, the McCurdy Family Research Center and the Jim Cherry Museum. Guided tours by appointment. Opens Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Dunwoody Nature Center 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody 30338 (770) 394-3322 www.dunwoodynature.org The 22-acre park features a wetland, boardwalk, woodland and streamside trails, display gardens, a picnic meadow and a shaded playground. The park is open sun-up to sundown, seven days a week, free of charge. Dunwoody Nature Center is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and some Saturdays, to provide programs for children and adults. Fernbank Museum of Natural History 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30307 (404) 929-6300 www.fernbank.edu/museum Visitors can discover the natural beauty of Georgia and the development of the earth in the main theme exhibit, “A Walk Through Time in Georgia.” Other permanent features include: Cultures of the World; the Spectrum of the Senses; and two colorful children’s discovery rooms. Excellent temporary exhibits are always on display. The IMAX Theater features big-format films every hour on the hour. Visitor amenities include a museum store and restaurant that features light meals. Open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, noon - 5 p.m. Fernbank Science Center 156 Heaton Park Drive, NE, Atlanta 30307 (678) 874-7102 http://fsc.fernbank.edu Fernbank Science Center is home to one of the nation’s largest planetariums. There is also an observatory, exhibit hall and the 65-acre Fernbank Forest with 1½ miles (2½ kilometers) of trails. Open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m. Michael C. Carlos Museum 571 South Kilgo Street, Atlanta 30322 (404) 727-4282 www.carlos.emory.edu

In an expanded facility designed by Michael Graves, the Southeast’s largest archaeological museum offers a diverse series of exhibitions, from ancient to modern. The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Opens Tuesday Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sophie Hirsh Srochi Jewish Discovery Museum 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody 30338 (678) 812-4171 www.atlantajcc.org The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’s Sophie Hirsh Srochi Jewish Discovery Museum is designed to engage children under the age of 12. The museum focuses on integrating Judaic values, traditions and education through creatively crafted exhibits that are fun, and encourage meaningful and interactive play. The museum is popular as a destination for a day of play or field trips. Open Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m. 5:30 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Saturday 2-5 p.m.; Sunday 10:30-4:30 p.m. Stone Mountain Park U.S. Highway 78 East, Exit 8, Stone Mountain 30087 (770) 498-5630 www.stonemountainpark.com

CELEBRATING OUR 25th YEAR AS A TREE CITY USA In Avondale Estates, we’ve always been green. From our humble beginnings as a 400 acre dairy farm named Ingleside, to today’s treelined streets; the emphasis has always been on natural beauty, community and neighbors. We were first designated by the National Arbor Foundation as a Tree City in 1984 and proudly continue that designation today.

The world’s largest high-relief sculpture is located in this 3,200acre park. The carving is the backdrop for an exciting laser show presented nightly in the summer and on weekends during the spring and fall. Other attractions include a skylift to the mountaintop, scenic railroad, paddlewheel riverboat, antique car and treasure museum, and the “Discovering Stone Mountain Museum.” Opens June-August, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; SeptemberMay, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Historic Stone Mountain Village 927A Main Street Stone Mountain, 30083 (770) 879-1709 www.stonemountainvillage.com With more than 60 specialty shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and a cultural arts center, a walk down Main Street offers something for everyone. Opens Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon- 5 p.m.

City of Avondale Estates 21 North Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates, GA 30002

PH: 404-294-5400 FAX: 404-299-8137 [email protected]

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PUBLIC

Health &

Safety

Dial 911 for fire, medical and police emergencies Dial 311 for non-emergency information

Battered Women’s Resource Center of DeKalb (404) 688-9436 www.wrcdv.org Georgia Poison Control Center/ Hotline (404) 616-9000 • gpc.dhr.georgia.gov DeKalb Rape Crisis Center (404) 377-1428 Drug/Alcohol Abuse (404) 377-5768

Health Organizations Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (404) 639-3286 www.cdc.gov DeKalb County Board of Health (404) 294-3700 www.dekalbhealth.net

Public Health Centers The DeKalb Board of Health operates five health centers in the county. For more information on their services, visit www.dekalbhealth.net.

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Friendly Neighborhood Banking!

DOWNTOWN DECATUR

SANDY SPRINGS

MT. PARAN / BUCKHEAD

678.553.1480

678.553.3500

404.601.1250

www.cornerstonebankga.com

Newcomers_2009.indd 18

The Parent Resource Centers are designed to assist the school system’s parents in meeting both the academic goals they have set for their children and the goals they have set for themselves. Resources in the form of books, pamphlets, CDs, videos, etc., along with workshops and computers are available at the eleven centers. Items cover grades Pre-K through twelve at all locations. The centers, with its lending library of resources, are open twelve months per year for all levels of student learning: high achievers, regular education, and exceptional education.

For Additional Information Call the District Office The Parent Community Liaison Specialists ▼ 678-676-0312 • 678-676-0250 • 678-676-0376

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Old Mill Antiques Village 3240 East Ponce de Leon Ave. Scottdale (404) 292-0223 Antiques are the specialty in this restored Georgia textile village located minutes from downtown Decatur. Perimeter Mall 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta (770) 394-4270 • www.perimetermall. com Home of the Southeast’s first Nordstrom’s department store, Perimeter Mall also features Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Dillard’s, 200 specialty shops, a large food court, retail kiosks and six restaurants. The Gallery at South DeKalb 2801 Candler Road, Atlanta (404) 241-2431 www.southdekalbmall.com The Gallery at South DeKalb is anchored by Macy’s, Amazing Rooms and features more than 100 stores (many offering Afrocentric merchandise), a food court and a 12-auditorium theater. The Mall at Stonecrest 2929 Turner Hill Road, Lithonia (678) 526-9880 www.mallatstonecrest.com Opened in 2001, The Mall at Stonecrest is a regional shopping mecca featuring Macy’s, Sears, JCPenney, Kohl’s and Dilllard’s, numerous specialty stores, an extensive food court, restaurants and a 16-screen movie theater.

Village of Stone Mountain Main Street, Stone Mountain (770) 879-4971 www.stonemountainvillage.com Just beyond the west entrance to Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park lies quaint Stone Mountain Village with shops specializing in antiques, collectibles, jewelry, baked goods, teas and coffees, crafts, etc. Catch a play at ART Station or spend the night in one of the village’s bed & breakfast inns. For information when in the village, visit the Village of Stone Mountain Visitors Center in the red caboose near the railroad tracks. Your DeKalb Farmers Market 3000 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur (404) 377-6400 www.dekalbfarmersmarket.com Discover aisles of fruits and vegetables, an international array of cheeses, spices, meats, seafood and poultry, baked goods, extensive selections of wine and beer, a deli, fresh flowers, fresh ground international coffees and grocery items. The market is staffed by people from all over the world who wear tags with their name, country of origin and the languages they speak. Buford Highway Farmers Market 5600 Buford Highway NE, Doraville (770) 455-0770 www.aofwc.com Ingredients from around the world can be found at this farmers market, including vegetables, fruits, seafood, herbs and seasonings, beer, baked goods and freshly prepared hot foods. Market is staffed by an international staff.

DEKALB LIBRARIES-CONT. FROM PAGE 8 Northlake Barbara Loar 3772 LaVista Road Tucker, GA 30084 (404) 679-4408

Stone MountainSue Kellogg Library 952 Leon St., Stone Mountain (770) 413-2020

Redan-Trotti Library 1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia (770) 482-3821

Toco Hill Avis G. Williams 1282 McConnell Drive Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 679-4404

Scott Candler Library 2644 McAfee Road, Decatur (404) 286-6986

Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library 4316 Church St., Tucker (404) 270-8234

Scottdale Tobie Grant Library (Homework Center) 644 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale (404) 508-7174

Wesley ChapelWilliam C. Brown Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur (404) 286-6980

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SHOPPING-CONT. FROM PAGE 16

SNIFF OUT SAVINGS Dogs can be trained to do lots of things. So why not teach them to find energy savings? Tara has learned that adding proper insulation to attics and crawl spaces can reduce your home’s heat gain and heat loss by up to 28%. Find more ways to sniff out savings at GeorgiaPower.com.

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY-CONT. FROM PAGE 18 East DeKalb Health Center 2277 S. Stn. Mn.-Lithonia Road Lithonia, GA 30058 • (770) 484-2600 Central DeKalb Health Center T.O. Vinson Health Center 440 Winn Way Decatur, GA 30030 • (404) 294-3762 Kirkwood Health Center 30 Warren St. Atlanta, GA 30317 • (770) 370-7360

Hospitals

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston 1405 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30322 • (404) 785-6000 www.choa.org South DeKalb Health Center 3110 Clifton Spring Road Decatur, GA 30034 • (404) 244-2200

DeKalb Medical Center – Downtown Decatur Campus 450 N. Candler St. Decatur, GA 30033 • (404) 501-6260 www.dekalbmedicalcenter.org DeKalb Medical Center – North Decatur Campus 2701 N. Decatur Road Decatur, GA 30033 • (404) 501-1000 www.dekalbmedicalcenter.org DeKalb Medical Center – Hillandale Campus 2801 DeKalb Medical Parkway Lithonia, GA 30058 • (404) 501-8000 www.dekalbmedicalcenter.org

EarthCents programs from Georgia Power benefit the environment.

North DeKalb Health Center 3807 Clairmont Road, NE Chamblee, GA 30341 • (770) 454-1144

Emory University Hospital 1364 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30322 • (404) 712-2000 www.emoryhealthcare.org Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 321-6111 www.va.gov

©2009 Georgia Power.

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Page 2 - DEKALB goes Green Page 20

DEKALB EDUCATIONCONT. FROM PAGE 10 Private Schools Here are a few of the many private schools in DeKalb County: Academe of the Oaks 146 New St. Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 405-2173 www.academeatlanta.org Ben Franklin Academy 1585 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30329 (404) 633-7404 www.benfranklinacademy.org The Friends School of Atlanta 862 Columbia Drive Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 373-8746 www.friendsschoolatlanta.org Greenforest-McCalep Christian Academic Center 3250 Rainbow Dr. Decatur, GA 30034 (404) 486-6737 www.greenforestacademy.org Horizons School 1900 DeKalb Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307 (404) 378-2219 www.horizonsschool.com Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School 2855 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 (404) 636-4488 www.ihmschool.org Marist School 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road NE Atlanta, GA 30319 (770) 457-7201 www.marist.com New Birth Christian Academy 6400 Woodrow Road Lithonia, GA 30038 (770) 696-9678 www.newbirth.org Paideia 1509 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307 (404) 377-3491 www.paideiaschool.org St. Martin’s Episcopal School 3110A Ashford Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30319 (404) 237-4260 www.stmartinschool.org Temima: The Richard and Jean Katz High School for Girls 1985-B LaVista Road Atlanta, GA 30329 (404) 315-0507 www.temima.org

Marist School

Colleges and Universities Agnes Scott College 141 E. College Avenue Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 471-6000 www.agnesscott.edu

Emory University 201 Dowman Drive Atlanta, GA 30322 (404) 727-6123 www.emory.edu

American InterContinental University 6600 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road 500 Embassy Row Atlanta, GA 30328 (404) 965-6500 www.aiuniv.edu

Georgia Perimeter College 555 N. Indian Creek Drive Clarkston, GA 30321 (678) 891-3200 www.gpc.edu

The Art Institute of Atlanta – Decatur One West Court Square, Suite 110 Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 942-1800 www.artinstitutes.edu/decatur Columbia Theological Seminary 701 S. Columbia Drive Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 378-8821 www.ctsnet.edu DeKalb Technical College 495 North Indian Creek Drive Clarkston, GA 30021 (404) 297-9522 www.dekalbtech.edu DeVry University One West Court Square, Suite 100 Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 270-2700 www.atl.devry.edu

Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service 5141 Snapfinger Woods Drive Decatur, GA 30035 (770) 593-2257 www.gupton-jones.edu Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts 1927 Lakeside Parkway Tucker , GA 30084 (770) 938-4711 www.lecordonbleuschoolusa.com Mercer University 3001 Mercer University Drive Atlanta, GA 30341 (770) 986-3400 www.mercer.edu Oglethorpe University 4484 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, GA 30319 (404) 261-1441 www.oglethorpe.edu

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e

s

M A RTA

DEKALB

You can afford college.

Transportation Roadways Get around in DeKalb County by cruising on some of the 57 miles of interstate highways and 750 miles of U.S. and state highways as well as local streets and roads. Five major transportation routes cut through the county and provide access to interstate highways stretching in every direction: I-85 on the north, I-20 and US 78 on the east, I-285 that circles Atlanta, and I-675, which leads to I-75 on the south. MARTA The metro Atlanta rapid transit system is MARTA, which provides bus and train service throughout DeKalb and Fulton counties with links to other transportation systems in Clayton, Cobb and Gwinnett counties. Nine MARTA rail stations and more than 50 bus routes are located in DeKalb, connecting residents and visitors to work, shopping, attractions, educational institutions and neighborhoods. For more information, go to www.itsmarta.com or call (404) 848-5000. DeKalb Peachtree Airport The second-busiest airport in Georgia for operations is located in northeast DeKalb County. DeKalb Peachtree Airport averages 230,000 flights annually. This is no small operation—nearly 600 aircraft are based there, including corporate jets and more than 100 aviation-related tenants as well as several flight schools. Situated on 765 acres, DeKalb Peachtree Airport has four runways and more than 100 hangars. For more information, visit www. pdk.airport.org. Zipcars One of the trendiest ways of getting around is renting a car by the hour or by the day. Zipcars, which operate on this system, have more than 10 reserved parking locations in downtown Decatur and the Emory University area. A Zipcar is a vehicle that motorists reserve for a flat hourly or daily rate, which includes gas, insurance, mileage and reserved parking. For more information, visit www.zipcar.com. The Cliff shuttles With three of the state’s largest employers—Emory University, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Veterans Administration–all in close proximity in west-central DeKalb County, the number of vehicles in the area could create environmental and other problems. To help address the situation, the Clifton Community Partnership, a community initiative between Emory and its surrounding neighborhoods, established the Cliff shuttle buses. Cliff shuttles run throughout Emory’s campus, and connect the campus with other transit sites, including the MARTA rail station in Decatur. The Cliff system includes two Park-n-Ride lots, located at North DeKalb and South DeKalb malls, allow commuters to come in and out of the area without driving. The Cliff fleet is 100 percent alternatively fueled, and includes shuttles powered by electricity, compressed natural gas and biodiesel (a blend of Emory’s cooking grease and diesel fuel).

Page 21

Reach.

Dr. Shawn Williams, GPC instructor and author of I’m a Bad Man: African American Vernacular Culture and the Making of Muhammad Ali.

FYI: You can earn a GPC associate degree for just a little over $4,000.

Times are tough, but your choice for a quality education? Easy. Start with small classes taught by terrific faculty. Add multiple locations, online courses, transfer guarantees to more than 30 four-year colleges and universities in Georgia and nationwide, plus affordable tuition, and you’ve got Atlanta’s best value: GPC. Take your future in hand. Apply at gpc.edu/reach

Two Years That Will Change Your Life

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Associations

Page 22

B U S I N E S S & I N T E R N AT I O N A L

International Associations Latin American Association 2750 Buford Highway Atlanta (404) 638-1800 www.latinamericanassoc.org The Latin American Association is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive transitional services for Latinos as they strive for self-sufficiency and an enhanced quality of life. The Center for Pan Asian Community Services 3760 Park Ave., Doraville, GA 30340 (770) 936-0969

Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta 4151 Memorial Drive Suite 205-D Decatur, GA 30032 (404) 622-2235 www.rrisa.org Provides services to refugees who have been resettled in metro Atlanta as well as people who have immigrated to the area. Refugee Family Services 5561-H Memorial Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083 (404) 299-6217 www.refugeefamilyservices.org Provides services to refugees who have been resettled in metro Atlanta.

The Center for Pan Asian Community Services Inc. is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to create and deliver culturally competent and comprehensive social and health services to counteract problems faced by immigrants, refugees and racial-ethnic minorities. International Rescue Committee 4151 Memorial Drive Suite 201-C Decatur, GA 30032 (404) 292-7731 www.theIRC.org/atlanta The IRC provides a wide range of services to refugees in all stages of resettlement and seeks to promote each refugee family’s search for selfsufficiency. World Relief 655 Village Square Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083 (404) 294-4352 www.atlanta.wr.org Provides services to refugees who have been resettled in metro Atlanta.

Business Associations Decatur Business Association P.O. Box 2208 Decatur, GA 30031 (404) 371-8386 www.decaturdba.com DeKalb Chamber of Commerce 100 Crescent Centre Pkwy, Suite 680 Tucker, GA 30084 (404) 378-8000 www.dekalbchamberofcommerce.org Doraville Business Association P.O. Box 48683 Doraville, GA 30362 www.doravillebusiness.org [email protected] Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce 4780 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Suite A-276 Atlanta, GA 30338 (678) 230-3283 www.giacc.org

Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce 1599-A Memorial Drive SE, Suite 120 Atlanta, GA 30317 (404) 329-4504 www.gablackchamberofcommerce.org Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce P. O. Box 57 Lithonia, GA 30058 (770) 482-1808 Hispanic American Center for Economic Development (HACED) 3097 Presidential Dr., Suite A Atlanta, GA 30340 (770) 457-6770 www.haced.org E-mail: [email protected] Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce 235 Andrew Young International Boulevard NW Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 880-9000 www.metroatlantachamber.com South DeKalb Business Association 925 Main Street, Suite 50-27 Stone Mountain, GA 30083 (678) 476-3727 www.SDBA-inc.org Stone Mountain Industrial Park Association P.O. Box 2463 Tucker, GA 30085 www.smipa.org Tucker Business Association P.O. Box 1338 Tucker, GA 30085 www.tuckerbiz.org

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Established in 1975, The Spruill Center for the Arts is a private, non-profit organization, whose mission is to foster understanding and appreciation of the visual and performing arts, by offering an extensive and diverse program of classes, a professional artist exhibition series and outreach programs for seniors, youth and audiences with special needs.throughout the year.

DANCE

Tazz School of Dance 5895 Memorial Drive, Ste. K Stone Mountain, GA 30083 • (404) 292-4406

THEATER

Regal Cinemas Hollywood 24 3265 Northeast Expressway NE Chamblee, GA 30341 • (770) 936-5737

Georgia Shakespeare Festival 4484 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, GA 30319 • (404) 264-0020 Center Theatre at the MJCCA 5342 Tilly Mill Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 • (678) 812-4008

Beacon Dance 410 West Trinity Place Decatur, GA 30330 • (404) 377-2929

Neighborhood Playhouse 430 West Trinity Place Decatur, GA 30030 • (404) 373-3904

Conservatory of Dance & Fine Arts 2575 Snapfinger Road Decatur, GA 30332 • (770) 593-4600

Stage Door Players 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 • (770) 396-1726

Several Dancers Core 133 Sycamore Street Decatur, GA 30030 • (404) 373-4154

MOVIE THEATERS

Susan’s Dance Studio of Performing Arts 4189 Rockbridge Road Stone Mountain, GA 30088 • (404) 294-9403

AMC Stonecrest 16 2929 Turner Hill Road Lithonia, GA • (404) 816-4262

VISUAL ARTS Redwall Art Studio Gallery 1428 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta • (404) 371-9383

Push Push Theatre 121 New Street, # 4 Decatur, GA 30030 • (404) 377-6332

Decatur School of Ballet 102 Church Street Decatur, GA 30030 • (404) 378-3388

AMC North DeKalb Mall 16 North Druid Hills & Lawrenceville Decatur, GA • (404) 816-4AMC

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT-CONT. FROM PAGE 9

Spruill Center Gallery 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody • (770) 394-4019 Decatur Market & Gallery 153 Ponce de Leon Place, Decatur • (404) 377-0755

Galaxy South DeKalb Funplex 12 2801 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30034 • (404) 243-3605 Fernbank Museum IMAX 767 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30307 • (404) 929-6400

Enjoy this newspaper. Read, reuse & recycle

Printed with soy based inks on 100% post-consumer recycled newsprint. www.championnewspaper.com 2009-2010 Newcomers and Neighbors Guide Newcomers_2009.indd 23

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DMunicipalities EKALB

Atlanta City Hall: 55 Trinity Ave. (404) 330-6000 www.atlantaga.gov Shirley Franklin, mayor

Although most of the city of Atlanta is in Fulton County, some of its most intriguing communities are in DeKalb. For example, the rapidly growing mixed-use communities around Perimeter Mall bring a mix of upscale restaurants and retail stores in close proximity to sleek, modern condominiums. A similar wave of development is taking place along Moreland Avenue near Little Five Points. The older, elegant communities in the Druid Hills area near Emory University also represent Atlanta at its finest. Avondale Estates City Hall: 21 N. Avondale Plaza (404) 294-5400 www.avondaleestates.org Ed Rieker, mayor Avondale Estates, one of the earliest planned communities in the South, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Construction began in 1927, creating a commercial area resembling an English Tudor village. The city is named for the Avon River, near which William Shakespeare lived and wrote. Avondale Estates sits on a picturesque body of water, and the tree-lined town has won awards for its well-cared-for trees. Today, about 2,800 people call Avondale Estates home. Chamblee City Hall: 5468 Peachtree Road (770) 986-5010 www.chambleega.com Eric Clarkson, mayor Chamblee is a truly international city with the most ethnically diverse population of any municipality in the Southeast.

Incorporated in 1908, Chamblee has a population of roughly 9,500 people within its 3.5 square miles. Chamblee also is home to Antiques Row, a collection of shops that antiques fans love. The city is known for its international shopping and dining as well as its small-town hospitality. From DeKalb Peachtree Airport to the neighborhoods of loft-style condominiums springing up around the city, it’s easy to see why Chamblee has adopted the slogan “a city on the right track.”

home to Agnes Scott College as well as a number of other venerable institutions. Decatur has its own police and fire departments and is especially proud of its small and well-respected school system. Decatur was incorporated in 1823 and named after Stephen Decatur, a U.S. naval hero.

Clarkston City Hall: 3921 Church St. (404) 296-6489 www.cityofclarkston.com Lee Swaney, mayor

Doraville was founded in 1871. Today, it has a population of nearly 10,000 and is located aside several major transportation routes. It has attracted a large segment of DeKalb’s international community and is home to a number of large manufacturing and retail facilities.

Clarkston was developed on land owned by the Georgia Railroad. In 1882, the city was named for W.W. Clark, a director of the railroad. Clarkston is home to a wide range of businesses, including software developers, wire and cable manufacturers and biotech companies. It is also the home of DeKalb Technical College and one of Georgia Perimeter College’s campuses. The city’s more than 5,500 residents are just a short distance from numerous antiques shops, textile shops and a charming blend of one-of-a-kind retail shops. Decatur City Hall: 509 N. McDonough St. (404) 370-4100 www.decaturga.com Bill Floyd, mayor Fast-growing Decatur is the second oldest municipality in the Atlanta metropolitan area. It is the county seat with county and city government offices as neighbors in the Decatur downtown area. Decatur’s population of more than 18,000 people swells to more than 24,000 during the day. It is

Doraville City Hall: 3725 Park Ave. (770) 451-8745 www.doravillega.us Ray Jenkins, mayor

Dunwoody City Hall: 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 250 (678) 382-6700 www.dunwoodyga.gov Ken Wright, mayor Dunwoody has only been incorporated as a city since Dec. 1, 2008, though its residents have historically considered themselves separate from other county residents. While it might be the county’s newest city, Dunwoody abounds in tradition, history and nature with the Spruill Center for the Arts, the Donaldson Chesnut 1886 farmhouse, the Dunwoody Nature Center and Brook Run Park, home to metro Atlanta’s newest and most cutting-edge skate park. Lithonia City Hall: 2614 Max Cleland Blvd. (770) 482-8136 Tonya Peterson, mayor

Founded in 1856, Lithonia derives its name from the Greek word “lithos,” meaning stone. Located near an outcropping of granite, the city has three quarries that still produce thousands of tons of granite daily. Lithonia today, with a population of about 1,200, is home to scores of growing businesses and is a popular community for commuters. The opening of The Mall at Stonecrest in 2001 prompted a revitalization that has attracted dozens of restaurants and retail shops. Pine Lake City Hall: 459 Pine Drive (404) 292-4250 www.pinelakega.com Greg Zarus, mayor Picturesque Pine Lake at twotenths of a square mile is the smallest of DeKalb’s municipalities and is known for its scenic neighborhoods. Pine Lake was founded in 1937 and named for the lake in the center of town. It began as a cluster of cottages used as summer homes by Atlanta residents seeking to escape the heat of the city. Today, its population is around 600. Stone Mountain City Hall: 922 Main St. (770) 498-8984 www.stonemountaincity.org Gary Peet, mayor The city of Stone Mountain sits in the shadow of the geological phenomenon whose name it bears. The giant granite rock attracts visitors from all over and features the largest relief sculpture in the world, the Confederate Memorial Carving. The city, incorporated in 1839, covers 1.6 square miles and has a population of more than 7,000. The village of Stone Mountain is the site of quaint retail shops, restaurants and even an esteemed theater.

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