Jen's Intown Living Blog

The City of Decatur, GA is proposing an Annexation.  They would like to add parts of unicorporated Dekalb County to their tax base. The problem with that is they are not informing the residents in the proposed areas.  There is a public meeting on Monday December 1st, 2008 at City Hall in downtown Decatur at 7:30 p.m. The new City Hall is on McDonough Street across from Chick-Fil-A and next to Eddie's Attic. 

Are you in the proposed Annexation area? See Annexation map. If you are in the proposed Areas 1 and 2 at the top of the Map near North Decatur Rd and Scott Blvd, make your voice heard on this Survey and at the December 1st meeting.  The State Representative for this area is Mary Margaret Oliver. She needs to know your thoughts on this.

11Alive news came to my subdivision tonight after I contacted them to let them know about the Proposed Annexation plan.  We have delivered flyers in the neighborhood to let people know what was going on.  Most of the people we spoke to had no idea about it. When I asked the City Manager's office what was being done to notify the people in the proposed Annexation areas, I was told it was on the City's website.  People who live in the proposed Annexation areas have very little reason to go to the City's website, they are not even residents of the City of Decatur. Don't get me wrong, I love the City of Decatur.  I shop there and go to the restaurants there. I also volunteer my time for the City of Decatur's events. I just think that the City should be doing something to notify the residents whose taxes could double with Annexation. This will create a hardship for many homeowners.

The news story will run on Monday morning December 1, between 5 and 7 a.m, probably closer to 6:30 a.m., but no guarantees on that. I just want the residents in the proposed Annexation areas informed.

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, contact local expert Jen Bowman, Realtor with Success Realty serving the real estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta, GA. 404-456-5024. View Intown Living Blog.

Decatur is BYOB, bring your own bag! Decatur boutiques offer a local, earth-friendly alternative to plastic and paper shopping bags. Decatur's reusable tote bags are made from recycled plastic bottles and will be available for sale at participating boutiques for $15. Customers receive 10 percent off their orders when they bring in their Decatur bag.  I got mine for free at Decatur First Bank for switching my paper statements to e-statements.  We were at Kaleidoscope the other night and the owner, Camille (who has an amazing skill for fitting you in great jeans) told us that she, along with Calia from Squash Blossom, Penny from Boogaloos and Lampe-Farley Communications all worked on the design and production of the bag. It was all done right here in Decatur, GA. These chocolate brown bags with green logo are roomy and very well made with a zipper to close it all at the top. They would make a great gift. 

Participating Boutiques

· Boogaloos - 246 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-474-3237 

· Dresscodes - 201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Unit 117, 404-343-2894 

· Eviva - 335-C W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-370-7606 

· Heliotrope - 248 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-371-0100 

· Kaleidoscope - 252 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-378-1214 

· Mingei - 427 Church St., 404-371-0101 

· Peggy's Boutique - 308 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-370-9888 

· Rockit - 145-B Sycamore St., 404-373-5099 

· Sawicki's - 250 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-377-0992 

· Squash Blossom - 113 E. Court Sq., 404-373-1864 

· Taste - 416 Church St., 404-370-1863

· Whit's End - 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. #2, 404-377-3310 

· Wiggle - 305 E. College Ave., 404-373-2522

Bring your own bag when you shop Decatur, you'll be green and save some green $$$!

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, contact local expert Jen Bowman, Realtor with Success Realty serving the real estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta, GA. 404-456-5024.  View Intown Living Blog.

There is a Tree Lighting Ceremony on Monday December 1, 2008 at the Concourse at Perimeter in Atlanta, GA. It’s the Inaugural Event of “Love Lights a Tree.” Why is this tree lighting ceremony different than any other? It is a celebration of those who have given and received the gift of life through Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation and Transplantation.

It’s a big deal to me because I am a living donor. I donated a kidney to my brother 4 and a half years ago. The proceeds from Love Lights A Tree help support Donate Life Georgia's mission to save lives through Organ & Tissue Donation. You can purchase a love light for just $5, a strand of 10 lights for $50 and it goes up in increments. This is a great event for business sponsorship.

The Tree Lighting will be at the Concourse at the King & Queens Buildings at Perimeter. Concourse Athletic Club 8 Concourse Parkway Atlanta, GA 30328

Santa and Mrs. Claus along with their Elves will be in attendance. Music and refreshments will be provided.

Help save lives. Register your decision to be an Organ & Tissue Donor. 

Donations can be sent to: Donate Life Georgia, Georgia Coalition on Donation P.O. Box 942322, Atlanta, GA 31141 866-57-SHARE (866-577-4273)

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home or have questions about Organ and Tissue Donation, contact Jen Bowman, Realtor with Success Realty serving the real estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta, GA. 404-456-5024. View Intown Living Blog.

It's official.  I have become a re-run on HGTV. 2 years ago we started filming a show called My First Place.  It's a show about First Time Home Buyers and the drama that can go along with it.  The show filmed me and my business partner Tracy Haskins with a couple that was buying their first home.  Filming took more than 40 long hours condensed into a show that is just 22 minutes without commercials. What you don't see is that we were filming at midnight on a couple of occasions to try to coordinate with everyone's schedules.  The camera also doesn't show that it was so cold out but we didn't wear coats because we knew it would first air in the springtime and wanted it to seem as if it could be any season.  So now the secret is out.  There's a lot that goes into TV shows.  As for me, I'd rather stick to working with home buyers and home sellers and leave the TV stuff to Hollywood.

The show is coming up again next week on HGTV. It will be aired on November 26 at 9:30 p.m. and November 27 at 1:30 a.m.  EST.  This is the link to HGTV: Couple Wages Bidding War

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, contact local expert Jen Bowman, Realtor with Success Realty serving the real estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta GA. 404-456-5024. View Intown Living Blog.

The General Election Runoff is Tuesday December 2, 2008.  Voters will go to their assigned Polling Places on that day.

If you want to vote early you can, no reason necessary for early or advance voting.  Voters in Dekalb County, GA can vote early Monday, November 17th through Wednesday, November 26th, 2008. 

Hours: 8:00 AM until 7:00 PM (Monday through Friday)

There is only 1 location to vote early for the Runoff election.  It's at the Memorial Drive Complex, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300 Decatur, GA 30032.

The poll will be closed on Thursday (Thanksgiving) and Friday, November 27th and 28th and Monday, December 1st.

Here is a Dekalb County Sample Ballot. 

This election is important too.  Please get out and Vote.

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, contact local expert and Realtor, Jen Bowman with Success Realty serving the real estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta GA.  404-456-5024. View Intown Living Blog.

Dr Pepper is apparently making good on a promise that they would give a free soda to everyone in America if Guns N' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" was released in 2008.  It began recording 14 years ago in 1994. The band is no longer together but the album goes on sale on Sunday, just in time for Holiday shopping.  That's a good marketing strategy. 

Beginning Sunday November 23 at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until Feb. 28, 2009 . www.DrPepper.com. 

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, contact Jen Bowman, Realtor with Success Realty serving the real estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta, GA. 404-456-5024 View Intown Living Blog.

Everyone wants a SCOOTER and we've got a great way for you to win one!!

Winnona Park and Oakhurst Elementary schools are now selling $5 raffle tickets for your chance to win a Cool Prize - a Scooter from Decatur's own Twist 'n' Scoot!   Tickets are available at each school and can be purchased at local events around Decatur, GA.  And this is just the beginning.... more fantastic prizes are in store at the annual 'Spring into Summer' event scheduled April 2009 at the Solarium in Oakhurst.

So don't miss this chance.... you could have a Scooter to ride next summer while supporting your local schools! Contact Tracy Holbrook at 404-200-5847 or tracy_fowler@hotmail.com.

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, contact local expert Jen Bowman, Realtor with Success Realty serving the real estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta GA. 404-456-5024. View Intown Living Blog.

The Decatur High School band is having a special evening of music and fun this Friday night November 21 at the Solarium in the Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur, GA. It will be from 7 to 11 p.m.

The Solarium is the white building located at 321 W. Hill Street, Decatur, GA.  It's right near the center of Oakhurst Village.

Reserve tickets in advance from Vickie Wingard at vwingard@csdecatur.org or from any Decatur High School Band member.

Tickets are $10 in advance or 2 for $15.  At the door tickets will be $15 each or 2 for $25.

It will be an evening of coffee, beverages and desserts along with a Silent and Live auction.

Proceeds Benefit the Decatur High School band.

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, contact local expert and Realtor, Jen Bowman with Success Realty.  Jen serves the real estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta GA.  404-456-5024

Decatur's Annual Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes is coming up.  This year's tour features homes with the theme of "Living Green." Take the free Cliff shuttle from home to home, and to several points of interest. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Decatur Youth Fund and the Decatur Preservation Alliance.  It will be Friday December 5th and Saturday December 6th, 2008 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at:

• The Seventeen Steps 235 Ponce De Leon Pl. #L Decatur, GA 30030

•  Intown Ace Hardware 1404 Scott Blvd. Decatur, GA 30030

• Bicycle South 2098 N Decatur Rd. Decatur, GA‎ 30030

• The Seen Gallery 321 W Hill St., Decatur, GA‎ 30030

For more information call 678-553-6573.

The homes on Tour are:

• 506 Clairemont Ave.

• 215 Huron St.

• 512 Drexel Ave. 

• 301 Drexel Ave

• 601 Third Ave.

• 212 Fayetteville Rd.
  

• 142 Poplar Circle

• 412 E. Ponce De Leon Ave.

This is a great place to get wonderful holiday decorating ideas. I'll be volunteering at one of the homes.  Stop by and say hello!

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, contact local expert and Realtor, Jen Bowman, serving the real estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta at 404-456-5024. www.JenBowman.com - View Intown Living Blog.

Heliotrope is one of the many great shops in downtown Decatur, GA.  We were in there Thursday night for Terrific Thursdays in Decatur.  We sipped on wine while we browsed throughout the store.  If you are looking for a unique gift, this is the place. There are baby gifts, items for your pets and your household. Retro things like Sock Monkeys are here. For the upcoming holidays you can get your "Elf on a Shelf". For housewarming gifts or a hostess gift, this place is great. You can't help smiling when you walk into this store.

Heliotrope is having their 2nd Anniversary party on Saturday November 15th from 6 to 10 p.m. When you come into the shop there will be drawings from 10 to 50% off and a chance to win a $200 shopping spree! George Skaroulis, pianist and composer will be performing and signing his CDs throughout the night.  Catering will be done by Baddabing.

Heliotrope is located at 248 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur, GA.  It is next to Boogaloos and Kaleidoscope. They can be reached at 404.371.0100.

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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, contact Jen Bowman, Realtor and local expert serving the real estate needs of Decatur and Atlanta, GA at 404-456-5024. 

View more of the Georgia Real Estate Voice.  Search for Decatur Real Estate.