Arts + Culture

Decatur Watchfest26 June Lineup

Big Boi sets the stage. Article by Caroline Ficken June in Decatur Square is shaping up to be less of a concert series and more of a full-on cultural moment for Atlanta, as Decatur WatchFest26 syncs live music with the global energy of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Leading the charge is none other than Big Boi, Atlanta royalty and one-half of Outkast, whose kickoff performance on June 11 sets the tone for a month that blends hometown pride with international flair. There’s something poetic about...

Entertainment

Decatur WatchFest ’26 is Here

The 34 Day Decatur Festival Kicks Off June 11th. Article by Caroline Ficken As the world looks ahead to the  FIFA World Cup 2026™, Decatur is getting ready to do what it does best: pull people together. Just six miles from downtown Atlanta, Decatur has launched its own celebration, known as Decatur WatchFest '26. From June 11 through July 19, Decatur WatchFest will turn the newly renovated Decatur Square into a gathering place for soccer fans, music lovers, and people who just want to be part...

Life + Culture

Purpose in Practice

How David Junger’s decades in Decatur reshaped his view of leadership, impact, and community. Article by Caroline Ficken David Junger   Deputy City Manager Can you share a defining moment or early experience that sparked your commitment to leadership? How has that sense of purpose shifted or deepened as you’ve grown, both personally and in your career? As of May 2026, I will have had the pleasure of working for the City of Decatur for 36 years. My career began as an intern at...

Life + Culture

Beecatur

Celebrating ten years as a Bee City USA® and a community committed to pollinators Article by Caroline Ficken Beecatur Celebrating ten years as a Bee City USA® and a community committed to pollinators. In a city known for its strong sense of community and environmental awareness, one small insect has made a remarkably big impact. As the City of Decatur celebrates a decade as Georgia’s first affiliate of Bee City USA, Beecatur continues to lead the charge in pollinator education, advocacy...

Education

LIVE THRIVE Kids Day Sparks Green Curiosity

Families gathered at CHaRM DeKalb for interactive eco learning fun Article by Decatur City Lifestyle | Photography by Caroline Ficken LIVE THRIVE Kids Day 2026 brought families together for a vibrant morning of sustainability education and hands-on fun at CHaRM DeKalb in Decatur. Held during Earth Week, the event invited children to explore recycling, composting, and environmental stewardship through interactive exhibits hosted by local organizations, schools, and businesses. From meeting...

Entertainment

The Man Behind the Moments

Good Day Atlanta’s Paul Milliken shares his journey, his curiosity, why he’s never stopped exploring Article by Tran Bui If you’ve ever watched morning television in Atlanta, chances are you’ve spent time with Paul Milliken. He’s the familiar face bringing energy, curiosity, and a sense of fun to Fox 5’s Good Day Atlanta. Whether he’s out on location or stepping in to deliver the weather, he has a way of making viewers feel like they’re right there with him. But his story starts long before...

Style + Beauty

She Designs with Purpose

From life-changing moments to Smithsonian collections, Brenda Smith creates jewelry that reflects beauty, meaning, and legacy Article by Decatur City Lifestyle There is a distinct power in women who create with purpose. Exclusive jewelry designer Brenda Smith embodies that spirit in every piece she creates. Each design reflects strength, personal history, individuality and are crafted to mirror not just style, but identity and lived experience. Brenda’s journey began at a pivotal moment when...

Sports + Recreation

More than Gold

Dominique Dawes on Impact, Balance, and Building Something Bigger Article by Tran Bui Smith | Photography by Luis Contreras, Getty Images, Dominique Dawes For many,  images of Dominique Dawes is forever tied to the Magnificent Seven, the first U.S. women’s gymnastics team to win Olympic gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics. A defining moment not just for the sport, but for a generation watching history unfold in Atlanta. She made history as the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic medal...

Local Services

Chief Toni Washington

Leading with Courage and Community Article by Caroline Ficken For Fire Chief Toni Washington , public service was a calling deeply rooted in family and purpose. Raised in a household dedicated to serving others, Washington grew up surrounded by law enforcement and public safety professionals. Her mother was a police officer, her bonus father worked in pardons and parole, and both dad and grandfather served as police officers. That legacy instilled in her an early understanding of the...

Health + Wellness

Mother's Day in Decatur

Church Street Edition Article by Caroline Ficken Just off Church Street in Decatur, a cluster of thoughtfully run, women-owned businesses creates the perfect setting for a different kind of Mother’s Day, one that feels calm, restorative, and delicious. Each space reflects the care and vision of the women behind it, offering not just services or products, but an atmosphere that invites you to slow down and stay awhile. Here, the day moves at an easy pace, with just a light touch of planning...