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The Empire Gives Back

Empire turns up the heat on giving this holiday season. Article by Josh Cornwall | Photography by John Wachs Empire Gives Back: Spreading Holiday Cheer and Community Support Each of the last two holiday seasons, Empire Heating and Air’s Empire Gives Back campaign has brought a touch of magic to local charities in Decatur. Empire's commitment to uplifting small, impactful organizations in their service area has made a significant difference in our community. Here’s how the growing tradition...

Education

Cool Girls Ignite

Meet the organization creating opportunities for every girl in Atlanta through education and empowerment Article by Brooke Felder | Photography by Cool Girls Inc. Founded in 1989 in the East Lake Meadows housing complex, Cool Girls, Inc. is dedicated to empowering young girls through life skills education. The organization started with a handful of girls who dubbed themselves "The Cool Girls of East Lake" and their legacy continues today. Ebony Brown, the Director of Volunteer Service and...

Wellness

Power, Purpose, and the Importance of Belonging

Developing Minds equips and empowers children with autism through reconnection, regulation, and a radiant sense of self. Article by Natalie Fox | Photography by Jonathan Wade “I’m someone who doesn’t give up,” Aubrey-Anna says confidently as she draws a portrait of what makes her, “her”: crafts, singing, her parents, her dog, and Developing Minds Therapy Co-Founder, Jennifer McCaskill. Earlier, Jennifer provided art supplies and the prompt to draw the things she loves, the things she’s good...

Food + Beverage

Decatur’s Original Distillery Continues to Grow

10 Years Later, Independent Distilling Is Still Evolving Article by Brandon Malcolm | Photography by Matt Boggs Nestled in a converted warehouse on College Ave, Independent Distilling Company has been crafting award-winning spirits in Decatur since 2014.  “We were the first legal distillery to open inside the Perimeter since prohibition,” says founder Michael Anderson. “We started with whiskey because that’s what we like to drink, went down the rabbit hole of rum, and now we’re putting out...

Arts + Culture

Yuletide Gift Guide

A locally-sourced wish list curated to provide comfort and joy. Article by Natalie Fox The perfect present is an elusive entity. There are so many facets to finding a gift that will resonate with someone, whether you’ve been shopping for them for years, or are new in each other’s lives. From office secret Santa to wowing your special someone, this curated list of gifts was handpicked to calm the overwhelm from the seemingly endless number of options available. Each item listed benefits a local...

Home + Design

Furnishing Futures

Every home deserves to be a place of warmth, safety, and dignity. Article by Josh Cornwall | Photography by Jonathan Wade These are the ideals that propel Furnish with Love, a Decatur-based nonprofit founded by Kathleen Kelly. The organization offers families coming out of homelessness a new lease on life by providing them with furniture and professionally designed spaces that work for their lifestyles. With each thoughtfully designed room, Furnish with Love is restoring hope and helping...

Food + Beverage

A Family Affair

Celebrating 16 years of Downtown Decatur’s coziest winter spot. Article by Natalie Fox | Photography by Matt Boggs Holidays present the perfect time for feasting with family. The simple act of sitting around a dinner table while enjoying good food and illuminating conversation is vastly underrated in our often siloed society. This primal delight is readily available at Parker’s on Ponce, where two brothers have been serving up classic steak dinners for over 16 years. Decatur’s first...

Education

Breaking Down Barriers for Decatur Students

Article by Brandon Malcolm | Photography by John Wachs If you ask someone who knows and loves Decatur what makes our city great, it likely won’t be long before you hear mention of the schools. City of Decatur schools are regarded for their excellence in academic performance, quality of teachers, and student engagement. And it doesn’t happen without the support of the entire Decatur community.  Formed in 2000, The Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) began as a traditional education resource...

Arts + Culture

Soul-Stirring Artistic Movement

At Core Dance, the experience of art enacts empathy for all. Article by Natalie Fox If you’ve ever spent an evening walking through the Decatur Square (and I’m betting you have) there’s a good chance you’ve stumbled across the epic video displays at Core Dance. Their front windows have large screens set up, wherein gorgeously directed dance videos play on a loop, magnetizing bystanders to the magic that must take place in this fairly nondescript building.  Entering their 45th season with a...

Food + Beverage

Time to Smile

Smileys Burger Club has emerged in Decatur at just the right time, offering award-winning burgers and vibes. Article by Josh Cornwall | Photography by John Wachs A bite into a well-crafted cheeseburger can turn a day around, and for burger lovers in Decatur, there is a new place slinging out smiles in a wrapper. Smileys Burger Club has been offering good vibes and taste-bud-pleasing beef in its new brick-and-mortar spot on E. Howard Ave this summer. The burgers really are that good...