Decatur Youth Basketball Night at Decatur High School- Friday, January 20

Decatur High School vs South Atlanta

All 2011-2012 Decatur Active Living Youth Basketball Players will be allowed to attend Decatur High School’s Varsity basketball game free with one paying adult.  All players must wear their youth basketball shirt.  Participants please sit behind the goal located near the home team bench.

Girls game begins at 5:30pm

Boys game begins at 7pm

Come out and support Decatur High School Basketball.  Go Decatur!

Bike Training Begins at the 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue

Decatur Active Living transported 27 bikes to the 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue on Wednesday in preparation for the bike training that begin on yesterday.  Cheryl Burnette, Lee Williams, Virginia Atchison, Kyle Morton and City of Decatur Police staff started the training with 4 grade students.   The session will involve rules of the road, turns, scanning, changing lanes along with other bike related topics. The bike training will run from Monday, October 24- Thursday, October 27.  If you are interested in volunteering to assist Decatur fourth graders contact Cheryl Burnette at: cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com

 

International Walk to School Day Impacts Walkers and Rollers in Decatur

Decatur celebrated International Walk to School Day this morning with the City Schools of Decatur and St. Thomas More. Decatur Active Living staff arrived as early as 5am to set up seven schools as parents, walkers and riders participated in the fun filled morning.  Thanks to our school crossing guards, champions, volunteers, staff and GA Safe Routes to School for making the International Walk to School Day a success.  A few highlights:

• SRTS expanded to Renfroe Middle School which had over 50% of there students walking or riding this morning.
• St. Thomas More made history this morning by participating in there first Safe Routes to School event.
• Principal Derrick Thomas lead a bike train from Harmony Park.
• Crossing Guard Elizabeth Lindley was honored at the Pep Rally for 28 years of service by the Decatur Police Department.  
• 4/5 Academey at Fifth Avenue made history this morning by participating with many walkers and riders at the new school.

Healthy Monday- Squash your Produce Slump

Add some healthy variety to your diet this week by enjoying fall’s bounty! Stop by your local farmer’s market and add fresh beets, squash, okra or pumpkin to your plate.  These hearty vegetables are full of fiber and make a great Meatless Monday entree.

Walk for Lunch and Be Healthy Starts Tuesday, October 4

Walk to School Pep Rally – Tuesday, October 4

The City of Decatur Active Living Department invites the community to the annual International Walk to School Pep Rally on the old courthouse  square Tuesday, October 4 from 5:30pm to 7pm.  Children will have the opportunity to win prizes and make a poster to carry on Wednesday for the Walk and Roll to School Day.  Decatur Police Department will be on hand to register your bike at the Pep Rally.

The event is a kickoff for Walk and Roll to School Day Oct. 5.  The five City of Decatur elementary schools and Renfroe Middle School participate in the Safet Routes to School program, which encourages children to walk or ride their bikes to school.  If you are interested in volunteering at the Pep Rally or want to roll with us Wednesday morning contact Gregory White at 404-377-0494 or greg.white@decaturga.com. 

Ashram Wellness Class- Reduced Price Yoga Class

 

Wednesdays          6-7pm          Location: Ashram Wellness, 707-C East Lake Drive

The class is designed to help students reduce stress and relax while gaining strength and flexibility.  Yoga techniques will be used to detox body and mind.  The cost for the class is $10.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit City of Decatur Active Living.  Please visit www.ashramwellness.com   

 

 

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Childhood Obesity Fact

The financial implications of childhood obesity are sobering, at $14 billion per year in direct health care costs alone. Increased awareness and prevention of childhood obesity will save billions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs and promote healthier lifestyles to improve and prolong the lives of the next generation of Americans.  Five steps parents can implement for their kids:

1. Be a Healthy Role Model

2. Make Healthy Schools the Norm

3. Ask the Family Doctor Key Questions

4. Instill Healty Values in Kids

5. Make a Commitment to Health

Visit www.HealthierGeneration.org

Get Active Tip of the Week

Let’s Move Tip of the Week:

Next time you are buying a toy, consider purchasing an item that encourages physical activity like a ball, kite, or jump rope. Children will be excited to receive the gift while at the same time encouraged to use it in their daily life.

For more information on staying healthy, visit the Let’s Move website.

Michelle Obama’s Visit

The First Lady Shaking Hands After Her Talk

On Tuesday, Greg White and I had the opportunity to be in the audience for Michelle Obama’s visit to Atlanta to talk about the Let’s Move program.  The program’s focus is the prevention of childhood obesity.

From the Let’s Move website:

Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping kids become more physically active.

The City of Decatur has signed on to be a Let’s Move city. We are dedicated to keeping not only our youth healthy and active through a wide  variety of programming, but also dedicated to keeping all ages healthy and active. Decatur Active Living enocurages you to become a part of Team Decatur, join us in May for Walk For Lunch, drop by the Decatur Rec gym to shoot some hoops, or simply take a walk around the block or to the store.

Now back to Michelle. She knows how to speak form the heart, and she is beautiful as well as gracious. We feel honored to have been in her presence!

Active Living Director Greg White Waits in Line

Yours Truly Holding the Coveted Ticket

 

Michelle Addresses the Audience