Decatur Education Foundation Has New Leader

Paula Collins is chairwoman of the group that raises money for Decatur City Schools.

The Decatur Education Foundation was founded in 2001 to help students of the Decatur City Schools not only in the classroom, but through learning experiences in the community that lead to personal as well as educational growth. The organization is managed by executive director Gail Rothman and a 27-member board of directors. The new board chairwoman is Paula Collins and, after serving on the board several years, she has some definite ideas for moving the foundation forward.   Collins, who grew up near Statesboro, moved to Decatur in 1981 to attend Emory University. Her involvement with the foundation began when real estate agent Emilie Markert asked her to host the Low Country Boil, an annual fundraiser for the organization, at her home. …

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Decatur Keeps Fitness Trophy

Two hundred fifty-six members of Team Decatur ran and walked through the streets of Atlanta.

For the second year in a row, Decatur has been honored for its fitness. On Monday night, Michael Harbin, co-chair of Team Decatur and a member of the Active Living Advisory Board, presented Mayor Bill Floyd the fittest city trophy that Decatur won Sept. 15 in the 5K Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk and Company Picnic.  Harbin said 256 team members wore bright green shirts and ran and walked through downtown Atlanta streets. Last year 140 people participated.     http://patch.com/A-lQNm

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Art Folio

Avondale ArtsParty Heralds AutumnFest

Avondale Arts Alliance to throw inaugural bash for AutumnFest and unveil its first-ever poster.

The winning poster design to promote Avondale Estates’ upcoming AutumnFest will be unveiled Sept. 21 at The Little Wine Shop. The inaugural ArtsParty, held that day from 6 to 8 p.m., will feature wine tasting, food, music and art, all to benefit the Avondale Arts Alliance. The alliance , sponsors AutumnFest, an annual event that will be held Oct. 15-16 this year. Guests at the ArtsParty will meet the winning poster artist and get a free, signed copy. Wine tastings of limited edition, Arts Alliance signature wines with custom-designed labels will be available exclusively at The Little Wine Shop and available for purchase throughout the holiday season. The event is free and optional an wine tasting is $10 per person. “Avondale has always …

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The Happy Hound

Major is a homeless hound with a heart of gold, one misshapen ear and a love for people and other dogs.

The Humane Society of the United States reports that 6-8 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters each year. Meet Major. He's one of those millions of homeless pets but you'd never know it by his attitude. Major is a 5-year-old hound mix who was rescued by LifeLine Animal Project. He's a favorite among their staff and volunteer dog walkers because of his lively and loving personality. "He's a lovable goofball," said Debbie Setzer, LifeLine's community outreach director. "He's great with other dogs and he's a lot of fun." He was rescued a few years ago with a large group of rural dogs and he's been at LifeLine's Dog House in their no-kill shelter ever since. Major sees the world through a hound's nose and rose-colored glasses. He will …

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Whiz Kid of the Week

Meet Whiz Kid: Colleen Suratt

Teen’s passion for baking and ease with customers makes good chemistry for local bakery.

Name: Colleen Suratt, 17 School: Decatur High Accomplishments: This young baker has been an important player in developing two wholesale lines at Sweet N’ Sinful, a business in Avondale Estates that specializes in custom cake designs and confections. Most recently the bakery launched a dark and milk chocolate line of brownies now featured in Whole Foods in three of its stores in the Atlanta area including the Ponce de Leon Avenue location. Getting the brownie product ready for Whole Foods was a long process, said proprietor Layne Lee. Although the recipe had been developed for some time, the production, branding, labeling and packaging had to be worked out and product demos in the stores had to be staffed.  Colleen was there to help with …

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