Construction Underway at Beacon Hill Municipal Center/Groundbreaking – Tuesday, May 7, at 8:30am

Please join the City Commissioners and the Board of Education for a short groundbreaking ceremony at the new Beacon Municipal Center on Tuesday, May 7, at 8:30am. The ceremony will take place at the Atlanta Avenue entrance to the construction site.  Parking is limited- the best option is probably on West Trinity Place at Adair Park so walk, bike or carpoo if possible.  When the construction is completed in the spring of 2014, the Beacon Municipal Center will house a new Police Department and Municipal Court, new Ebster Recreation Center with a full-size gym operated by Active Living and teh City Schools of Decatur’s Central Office.  A major storm water management facility will be built under Ebster Field.  Cost of the project: $38 million.  

  

New Little Library Located at Glenlake Park

The Clairemont Kindergarten students have become scientists, authors, illustrators, and actors as they have learned about animals found in Glenlake Park.   Additionally, each student has written and illustrated a nonfiction, informational text to be shared with the Decatur community, which will be housed in the CL Little Library at Glenlake Park.  The Little Library project is an initiative by Little Free Library (www.littlefreelibrary.org) whose mission is “To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide.”  Special thanks to the Clairemont Kindergarten staff and parent Vance Shofner who designed and built the Little Library.  Also this Little Library has a solar light so you can see inside the Little Library when it is dark.      

National Walking Day- Wednesday, April 3

Join companies across America in taking steps toward a healthier workplace-wear sneakers to work fo a noon walk, eat a nutrious lunch, keep fruit in the breakroom for snacks.  To learn more about creating a heart-healthy workplace, visit www.atlantaheartwalk.org.

President Obama Visits Decatur Recreation Center

President Barack Obama comes to Decatur to discuss his Pre- K initiative at the College Heights Early Childhood Center and Decatur Recreation Center hosted a afternoon session with the President.  What a historical moment for the City of Decatur and the Decatur Recreation Center.  The Active Living staff and Public Works staff had been busy preparing for the president and the energy at Decatur Recreation Center on Thursday was amazing.  To the White House staff we thank you for the opportunity to host such a historical event and to our wonderful City Manager, Peggy Merriss thank you.  Kecia Cunningham, City Commissioner, Peggy Merriss, City Manager and Gregory White, Active Living Director had the special moment of meeting the President and taking a picture.  Decatur is a special place and Decatur’s light shined on Valentine’s Day.  Pictures from Obama’s visit at Decatur Recreation Center:

Glenda Lee….Children and Youth Services Employee Celebrates 30 Years of Service

Glenda Lee, Program Supervisor for Children and Youth Services was honored at the State of the City Address for 30 years of service.  Glenda grew up in Decatur and attended Trinity High School. Glenda started working with the City of Decatur in 1983.  Glenda has played a key role in shapping the lives of young people and served as a parent to many.  Glenda is committed to providing a fun, safe and quality experience for young people in afterschool or summer camp.  Glenda can be found visiting after school sites, swimming pools and various camps. Congratulations Glenda for a job well done.

Find Peace with a Pen

Situations and events that are distressing for many might not bother you in the least.  Or, you may be sensitive to even minor stressors.  The first step in managing stress is identifying your triggers.  Knowing when , where and why stress occurs, along with your stress symptoms and how you cope, can help you reduce exposure or come up with successful strategies to alleviate the issue.

This week, start a stress journal.  At the end of the week reread your entries to identify common themes to your stress and then brainstorm some solutions.

Start Slow, Go Steady

Physical activity isn’t just a way to lose weight; it’s an essential step toward a long vibrant life!  If you haven’t been active in  a while, now’s the time to revamp your routine.  Start out with smaller amounts  of exercise at lower intensities and gradually progress to moderate-intensity activity to reduce your risk of injury.  This week , work on fitness routine and don’t worry about how fast or hard others are exercising around you.  Remember that you’re never too out-of-shape to get active!

Longevity Masks Unhealthy Lifestyles…..Rankings show too much obesity, smoking, sitting

USA Today (12-11-12)

Americans are living longer, with fewer deaths from heart disease and cancer, but more chronic illnesses, an annual snapshot of the USA’s health shows.  The 2012 American Health Rankings highlight troubling levels of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and sedentary behavior.   Medical advances are allowing more people to live with those conditions. 

For the sixth consecutive year, Vermont tops the list of healthiest states, says the report, which uses data from CDC and Prevention America Medical Association, Census Bureau and even the FBI.  It looks at 24 measures of heatlh, including tobacco and alcohol abuse, exercise, infectious diseases, crime rates, public health funding, access to immunization, premature birth rates, cancer and heart disease rates.

Top Five Rankings

1. Vermont

2. Hawaii

3. NH

4. Massachusetts

5. Minnesota

36. Georgia

Unhealty Conditions

26.2% who are physically inactive   

27.8 % of U.S. adults who are obese

Ball Field Light Construction Underway at McKoy Park

Daveco Electrical has begun construction on taking down the old wood poles at McKoy Baseball/Softball Field.  The 1975 wood poles are going away and will be replaced with steel poles and improved lighting.  The pictures below were captured when I stopped by the field on yesterday.

   

Decatur Local Clarence Scott Inducted into the 2012 Cleveland Browns Legends

 

Decatur native, Clarence Scott was recently inducted into the Cleveland Browns Legends in recognition of his 13-year career with the Browns.   Scott, 63 played fro the Browns from 1971 to 1983, appearing in 186 games (178 straight).  He recorded 39 career interceptions, the third most in club history, and helped the Browns win two division titles.  Scott, part of the last class at Decatur’s all black Trinity High School in 1967, went to Kansas State before the SEC integrated.  Scott became an All- American at Kansas State in 1970. 

The franchise created the Cleveland Browns Legends program in 2001 to honor former players who have made a major impact on the organization.  Clarence Scott was inducted into the Decatur High School Wall of Fame in 2011.