Life + Culture

Decatur Makes Holiday Magic

Our city ensures your holiday season will be merry, bright, and utterly magical with a slew of family-friendly experiences crafted to form core memories. Article by Natalie Fox | Photography by Rebecca Burns Decatur takes its reputation as a holiday season magic maker seriously. Our city collaborates across departments to deliver events filled with good tidings, holiday cheer, and hot chocolate to savour. I sat down with three City of Decatur powerhouses: Victoria Cohen, Business Development...

Arts + Culture

A Tradition Wrapped in Friendship

Fifteen Years of the Annual Book Swap Article and Photography by Caroline Ficken Fifteen years ago, Jill Joplin gathered a few book-loving friends in her Great Lakes neighborhood for what she thought would be a single evening of trading favorite reads. Instead, she sparked a tradition that’s grown into a neighborhood ritual with an ever-growing circle of readers, and where the joy of unwrapping a new story rivals the laughter that fills the room. “I started it myself with just a handful of  ...

Local Services

Neighbors Spreading Holiday Cheer

A Season of Giving Makes True Community Impact Article by Brandon Malcolm The Decatur community is one in which neighbors take pride in taking care of each other. It’s a true hallmark of our city and something worthy of celebrating. There’s no time better than the holidays to lean into that spirit of generosity, and for over 30 years, A Season of Giving has brought light and joy to the holidays for thousands of those in need around the City of Decatur.  “We think A Season of Giving officially...

Food + Beverage

Cheers To The Holidays

La Chiquiada’s Christmas Cantina is Back Article by Brandon Malcolm | Photography by John Wachs The holiday season is upon us, and that means it’s time for that classic winter tradition: tacos and tequila! The good folks at La Chiquiada Mexi-Cali restaurant on West Trinity are back with their popular Christmas Cantina this season and bringing no shortage of festive vibes to Downtown Decatur.  “We’re making the Christmas Cantina even bigger this year,” says La Chiquiada founder Catherine...

Food + Beverage

Thanksgiving To-Go

Get ready for Turkey Day with our local businesses. Article by Brandon Malcolm That fall feeling is in full swing around Decatur. There’s a nip in the air, the scarecrows are out, and the cider is flowing. All of that means one thing: Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Whether you’re keeping it low-key, hosting the family, or cooking for the whole neighborhood this year, Decatur’s local businesses have you covered with everything from seasonal snacks, to perfect wine pairings and full...

Wellness

Nature Needs Heroes

The Dearborn Area Nature Alliance routinely removes invasive species to restore a healthy ecosystem - and they need your help. Article by Natalie Fox | Photography by Caroline Ficken Nestled between the Midway Woods and Dearborn Heights neighborhoods is one of Decatur’s finest residential amenities: Dearborn Park, a leftover jewel of the Piedmont region. This wholly natural setting is a rare piece of land that contains fragments of other continents from underwater collisions millions of years...

Professional Services

An Enduring Legacy of Care

A.S. Turner & Sons helps families find gratitude in remembrance. Article by Josh Cornwall | Photography by Jonathan Wade For nearly 125 years, the name A.S. Turner & Sons has been woven into the heart of Decatur. Families return to the funeral home not only for its services, but for its place in their lives: a space where snapshots of love, grief and remembrance are etched into the soul of the building.  “People will walk in and tell me, ‘My daddy was here, my grandmother was here, I remember...

Fitness

Capoeira in the Square

Maculelê Capoeira School brings rhythm, tradition, and community to Decatur. Article by Brandon Malcolm | Photography by Jonathan Wade If you’ve ever wandered through Decatur Square and heard the pulse of drums spilling from the Core Dance studio, you weren’t overhearing a band rehearsal or drum circle. That sound belongs to Maculelê Capoeira, Atlanta’s first and longest-running capoeira school. Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art which incorporates music, dance, and acrobatics to...

Food + Beverage

The World Brought Home

Fresh is the point at Your DeKalb Farmers Market. Article by Josh Cornwall | Photography by Zelalem Midekssa Founder and CEO Robert Blazer came to Atlanta nearly 50 years ago with little capital but a clear plan: buy directly from growers and sell directly to customers. He started small—a modest greenhouse open Thursday through Sunday, with no real refrigeration, selling out each night and reloading by week’s end. In 1986, the market relocated to its current home, and its vision expanded...

Food + Beverage

Art on The Plate

Takumi Creates a Vibrant Sushi Experience Article by Brandon Malcolm | Photography by Ben May A noteworthy sushi experience requires a few specific elements coming together just right: the fish has to be fresh and properly sourced, the sushi chef seasoned and in tune with their ingredients and customers, and the environment, welcoming and set up for quality and success.  At Takumi Cuisine, the elements perfectly align to create an ideal sushi destination.  Opening in 2023 on WestPonce de...