Health + Wellness

Seven Is the New Smile Standard

Why Dr. Meagan Sturm of Rêve Ortho says age 7 is the Magic Number for Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit Article by Brooke Felder | Photography by Jonathan Wade When most parents think about orthodontics, they often picture preteens in braces—usually somewhere around middle school. But according to Dr. Meagan Sturm of Rêve Orthodontics, the ideal time for a child’s first orthodontic checkup is actually age seven . “By age seven, most children have a mix of baby and adult teeth, which gives...

Education

Looking Out for All

These three Decatur school crossing guards uplift and protect our students. Article by Natalie Fox | Photography by John Wachs The importance of an extended circle of trusted adults in kids' lives has proven benefits, and our Decatur Crossing Guards are no exception. Safety is their priority, but they do so much more than help students cross safely; they provide warmth, reassurance, and attentive care. By starting each day with a smile (and often, hugs and dancing), our City of Decatur...

Food + Beverage

Made with Love

From easing Weekday Chaos to Grief Support, one local kitchen is redefining mealtime. Article by Josh Cornwall | Photography by John Wachs For Nancy Campbell, founder of Radiant Health Kitchen in Decatur, the food her team prepares goes beyond nourishment; it often provides care and connection for busy families in the community. “I was brought up by a mother who insisted the phone wasn’t answered and the TV was off at dinnertime,” Campbell said. “She created a nurturing space around the...

Arts + Culture

Happy Twirling

Tutu School Decatur Creates Joy Through Dance Article by Brandon Malcolm | Photography by Connelly Crowe At the Tutu School, it’s always time to dance. “Every kid deserves to twirl and dance, right?” says Tutu School owner Tenéa Albright. Founded on the principles of creativity, joy, and the belief that every child should know what it feels like to dance, the Tutu School is a pre-ballet program built for children starting at 6 months. “We start with the very basics of ballet and movement...

Health + Wellness

Get Outside and Find Yourself

Mindful Trails cultivates space for genuine connection: with nature, each other, and ourselves. Article by Natalie Fox Imagine walking across a peaceful forest. You feel twigs crunch beneath your feet, hear birds calling and branches rustling, while your eyes take in the golden splendor of the setting sun. The full body connection we achieve in nature is no accident; it’s by design. We are meant to commune with the outdoors, where anxieties are soothed and our nervous systems can truly reset. ...

Life + Culture

A Meaningful Feast

Honoring the Hands That Grow Our Future Article by Caroline Ficken | Photography by John Wachs On an April evening beneath a canopy of trees at Decatur’s Legacy Park, our city’s largest greenspace, neighbors, chefs, and community members came together for A Meaningful Feast – a fundraising event celebrating the roots and reach of Global Growers Network. Held in honor of the nonprofit’s Founding Farmers, the evening paid tribute to a group of New Americans, immigrants, and refugees, who...

Wellness

Wellness with a Passport

A local yoga studio brings wellness and wanderlust together, offering restorative retreats abroad that go far beyond the mat. Article by Josh Cornwall | Photography by Connelly Crowe If you’ve ever wanted to do downward dog on the Amalfi Coast and then toast it with a glass of wine overlooking Capri, Sati Yoga & Wellness might be the studio for you. Tucked next to Dolce Vegan Bakery in historic downtown Kirkwood, Sati is the place where yoga doesn’t feel like a performance and where community...

Food + Beverage

Roasted with Respect

More than a cafe – Opo is coffee with a vision. Article by Brandon Malcolm | Photography by Matt Boggs In 2006, Opo Coffee owner Jonathan Pascual worked at Starbucks in Downtown Decatur- his first coffee job. Like all great baristas, Jonathan enjoyed a steady group of regulars whose orders he knew by heart, one of whom was former Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd. “He always got a mocha,” Pascual remembers. “I loved knowing regulars, being a part of people’s lives, and the community. That’s when I...

Home + Design

Smart Landscapes, Stronger Community

How a New Permeable Hardscape Product Can Empower Decatur Homeowners to Create Better Landscapes Article by Scott Reinblatt As a professional deeply invested in the beauty, resilience, and sustainability of our neighborhoods, I’ve had the privilege of helping many Decatur homeowners transform their outdoor spaces into vibrant sanctuaries over the last 20 years. One of the most rewarding parts of this work is watching homeowners realize that smart landscaping isn’t just about curb appeal — it’s...

Travel

The Secret Sweet Spot

Why Shoulder Season Travel Is the New Luxury Article by Erin Camin When it comes to luxury travel, many of us envision visiting iconic destinations during peak season: soaking in the views of Santorini at sunset, wandering the Louvre on a warm summer day, or indulging in fresh sushi on a crowded Tokyo street. While there’s no doubt that these experiences are memorable, there’s a less crowded, more serene way to travel that offers a deeper connection to a place—and it comes with fewer tourists...