Decatur, GA October 2023

THE MASON MILL CHIROPRACTIC TEAM

Welcome Reader

We are delighted to bring you Decatur City Lifestyle, a monthly print and digital magazine dedicated to the people, the businesses and the stories of Decatur, Georgia.

This publication is for you, the reader, but you are not just a reader –you’re a neighbor, business owner, mother, father, teacher, friend, a student of life. You’re an eater of good (James Beard Award-Winning) food, an admirer of our many murals and lush landscape, a founding member of Atlanta United, and a local beer & wine enthusiast. You passionately commit to grassroots music festivities, support our local businesses, and contribute to our creative village.

You are a vital member of this community.

I want to briefly introduce myself before I turn this publication over to the people. My name is Caroline Ficken, I am the Owner and Publisher of Decatur City Lifestyle.

I was born in Atlanta and raised just north of Marietta – another charming square and vibrant community filled with art, trees, culture, good food, and a small-town atmosphere. Despite it being home, I never really thought of Atlanta as my landing place until I found Decatur nearly ten years ago.

At that time, Atlanta was in a different place. The film industry was just taking off, social media was making its way into our lives, mom-and-pop stores were rebuilding after the recession, and a world of creators and innovators were flocking to this beloved city.

Atlanta is a town where ideas come to life but finding one’s borough is essential to establishing community and nourishing intentions. For me, that was Decatur. I obtained my MA in the heart of our town at Agnes Scott College and settled into a quaint, 1950s bungalow in one of our dense, tree-covered neighborhoods. I love it here.

To bring this publication to life, I’ve been diving into the tales of the Decatur community and immersing myself in the land of forward-thinkers. As Decatur celebrates its bicentennial this year, I could not be more honored to bring the stories of our people to life through the pages of this local magazine.

I hope this publication brings you as much joy and inspiration as it does the people who create it.

To the forward-thinkers, welcome to Decatur City Lifestyle.  Yours truly,

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Caroline Ficken | caroline.ficken@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Margarita I. Giraldo | margarita.giraldo@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

John Wachs, James Griswell, Hector Amador

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jayme Emery

CAROLINE FICKEN, PUBLISHER @DECATURCITYLIFESTYLE

Thank you to our Founding Partners.

Decatur City

Publisher Accel Research Sites Network accelresearchsites.com

Atlanta Upper Cervical Chiropractic georgiauppercervical.com

Atlantic Pressure Washing atlanticcleaningse.com

Clarity Fitness clarityfitness.com

HammerSmith hammersmith.net

Kelly’s Market kellysmarketdecatur.com

Kemper Pelvic Physiotherapy kemperpt.com

La Chiquiada lachiquiada.com

Mason Mill Chiropractic masonmillchiro.com

McGhee Studios mcgheestudios.com

Minuteman Press Decatur decatur-ga.minutemanpress.com

Moonrise moonrise.com

MyPandaApp mypandaapp.com

Parker’s on Ponce parkersonponce.com

Pure Barre Decatur purebarre.com (R)Evolution revolutionbymka.com

Riggs Nutrition riggsnutrition.com

Simmons Veterinary Clinic simmons.vet

Studio Wythe studiowythe.com

Timothy Cox & Co. Realtors timothycox.com

Total Home Edit totalhomeedit.com

Wachs Woodcraft wachswoodcraft.com

Whisked Away ATL whiskedawayatl.com

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @decaturcitylifestyle

Think outside the books.

Moonrise is a magical world where kids are free to learn with friends. Whether that’s making a podcast, coding a video game, or starring in a musical, we give them the space, community, guidance, and experience they need to thrive in the real world.

Surrounded by plants and sunlight, our Decatur location includes a studio for music and podcasts, a makerspace for crafts and inventions, a library for bookworms, and a garden for budding green thumbs Oh, and a pet Axolotl (you might need to Google that)

For homeschoolers and homeschool-curious families, this is the freedom you’ ve been dreaming of. Drop off your kids any day you want, weekends and summers included. There’s no commitment, no enrollment fees, and no pressure. We’re here for you, whatever that means.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Meet the Artist of our Cover, Oakhurst's Kristin Thorsen

Thorsen's mixed media artwork "123 Hill Street" draws creative inspiration from the traditional craftsman bungalows that line the streets of Atlanta's historic Oakhurst neighborhood. The collage incorporates names of landmarks around the city, like well-known shops and restaurants, along with other touches paying homage to Decatur's treasures. See more of Thorsen's work at https://thorsenart.com/

Clarity

Clarity Fitness is providing a class sampler on 10/13 at 5 p.m. where people can participate in 20 minutes of their dance fitness class, 20 minutes of strength, and 20 minutes of yoga. They are offering a free November Membership for members who sample every instructor's class that month, and the sampler gets you 3 of 9 immediately! Learn more at https://www.clarityfitness.com/events

October at Independent Distilling

Independent releases their Outlier No. 18 Single Barrel Apple Brandy, made with Georgia-grown apples, Tiki Night, and Fall Cocktail Class. Taste their Hellbender Whiskeys, Independent Rums, and Gin while enjoying one of the many Chef Pop-ups, Wednesday to Saturday. They are also releasing the Placita Latina Independent Barrel Aged Rum. $5 from every bottle sold goes to Comunidad Connect to alleviate poverty and create sustainable change in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic: through October 15th.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/DecaturGA

Celebrating 200 years of Decatur

Save the date for December 8-10 as the city celebrates Decatur’s bicentennial with the launch of their 200 stories project, an early morning race, a walking/ driving tour, a community parade and float contest, a community celebration on the square with plenty of music, food, games, activities, face painting, stilt walkers, 200 cupcakes, and a 200th celebration light show and much more.

A DAY OF RADICAL GENEROSITY

Decatur’s Love of Community & Music

There is no doubt that Porchfest is quintessential Decatur. Since 2015, people have come together to host, perform, and organize one of the most crowdsourced festivals in the Metro Atlanta area. There are over 1,000 souls volunteering and mobilizing to make this event come to life. Bands performing their favorite sets, people wandering the streets with friends, and meeting new ones are just a few of the

fascinating things that participants experience at this music lovers’ neighborhood festival.

All the individuals who give their time performing and prepping their homes, porches, and streets are doing so to create a day of radical generosity and goodwill. These folks work for weeks to have one day that fosters an environment where seeds of new friendships are planted or renewed. It's a day when connections bloom and residents are reminded why they live in Decatur. All of this alchemy happens against a backdrop of great music and generates so much positive energy to a supportive community.

DCL spoke to a few festival participants to capture the enthusiasm they have for the beloved grassroots festival.

“It’s a day when connections bloom and residents are reminded why they live in Decatur.”

PORCHFEST LOVE

Without hosts, block captains, performers, and many others, the event would not take place. Someone needs to take the initiative and step up to get the blocks up and running. Once the first email goes out, everyone comes together to make it all happen and create an enjoyable experience; the festival really unites the city.

This collective enthusiasm inspires people to make the most of this day driven by the love of community and music. People are genuinely happy to walk around and support the different bands. Some have played on the same porch since the festival’s inception and other acts are new. For amateur performers, it's a moment to play in front of a relaxed and supportive crowd. Fans are eager to enjoy a good set of tunes in an intimate setting.

REASONS TO COME BACK

It’s a blast to see friends old and new and catch a bunch of live music of differing genres in one place. The shared love of community heightens the tenor of relationships. Friendships deepen and the festival allows for folks to see each other in an informal and fun atmosphere. As the festival grows in performing acts, so do its participants. Seeing certain bands draw big crowds and everyone singing and dancing on front lawns is a wondrous moment. It also seems like there are so many after-parties around the neighborhood so the fun keeps going into the night.

FAVORITE FESTIVAL MEMORY

Although music and community draw crowds, there is also giving and funds raised for good causes, such as animal rescue and other nonprofits. Each year people get better at organizing their efforts and making more money for their charity of choice. Porchfest gives anyone interested in raising money a backdrop for creating generosity. One well-known resident took his talent for smoked wings and has been slinging wings for pet rescue since the second Porchfest.

Another neighbor (and host) recalls his very first Porchfest where he and his spouse had absolutely no idea what was going to happen. Would people show up? Would this just be a bust? He truly wondered if their performer would be playing to an audience of two. When it was performance time, they came out through the front door, and their entire front yard was filled with people - crowds of people on the sidewalk and packed on the street. He shared, “We were just blown away! We met so many new neighbors that day. It was really incredible.”

A special thanks to the following folks who shared their love of Porchfest with us and contributed to this piece: Dan Galenkamp, Craig Combs, Ali & Amy Herriot, Ethan Davidson, Jeremy Rhett, Rick Weissinger, Audrey Lyons, Jeff Lell and Scott Doyon.

Seeds of Home

Tucked off-the-beaten path at Decatur’s Legacy Park lives a garden where thirty-three families from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma) and Afghanistan are growing diverse crops such as squash, sweet chilies, roselle leaves, and other items native to these countries. While the bounty harvested from this luscious green land may supply many local restaurants, this Kitchen Garden offers an allure unique to its farmers.

Individuals who tend the fertile land are beneficiaries of the work done by the

Global Growers Network (GGN). This organization, with offices located at Decatur Legacy Park, has made it their mission to partner with refugees who want to create a sense of home by celebrating their agricultural heritage and working the land to grow food and community.

In 2010, Susan Pavlin, GGN's Co-founder and Executive Director, teamed up with a group of women from the East African countries, known as the Umarima Collective, to find a dedicated space where they could go back to their agricultural roots and have a

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"Saturday" garden. Over the last fourteen years, the network has grown from a single plot of land across from the Avondale Estates MARTA Station to nine different sites with kitchen gardens, orchards, and even a twenty-three-acre farm that is being used for individuals interested in enterprise farming.

GGN manages close to thirty acres of land and stewards 160 families managing their plots throughout the state of Georgia. Through donations and grants, GGN manages training centers and event spaces and also provides administrative support to those who want to grow food. Individuals are given the opportunity to care for their specific plot and dive into horticulture. This allows them to feed their families, create a place for themselves in a new country, and literally plant roots to build bridges between the old and the new.

As immigrants arriving in the United States with refugee status are set on the path to citizenship, gardening at GGN gives these new Americans the opportunity to uphold important food traditions while carving out a place of leadership amongst the local food movement. Whether working as vendors at local farmers markets or meeting volunteers from Churches and local universities among other groups, the connections forged are essential to the experience of creating a new home.

Through the efforts achieved by Decatur's GGN, people are given the means to create a refuge, one that aspires to provide safety and comfort coupled with the magic that happens through the laborious but rewarding work of tending a garden.

If you are interested in donating to GGN, please visit https://globalgrowers.org/donate.

THE FLAVOR OF FALL

Apples are the trademark fruit of fall, and with the many varieties to choose from, there is an apple that is sure to please any palate. They can be included in both sweet and savory dishes and are delicious and incredibly healthful. We all have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While they aren’t a cureall, apples are packed full of polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamin C, B vitamins and fiber. Make the most of autumn’s best produce and the flavors of fall with these simple recipes.

APPLE GALETTE WITH CARAMEL DRIZZLE

Easier than pie but with all the same textures, this gooey warm dessert is sure to please. For simplicity, this can be made with a premade crust.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 1/4 cup iced cold water

Filling:

• 2 apples, peeled and sliced into thin slices

• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Caramel sauce

• Optional: 1/4 chopped walnuts or pecans

Crust:

(Note: If running short on time, store bought crust works great, too.)

Mix flour, salt and sugar together in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Add water and mix until moistened. Lightly knead the dough and then form into a ball. Next, flatten dough into a thick circular form and refrigerate for one hour.

Filling:

Mix the apples, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar together in a bowl.

Assemble and Bake:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into a circle and set on parchment paper. Arrange apples in center of dough, leaving about one inch of space for the edges. Fold crust over the apples and press to seal edges. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with pecans or walnuts. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve with caramel sauce and ice-cream.

ELEVATED GRILLED CHEESE

This take on the classic grilled cheese is sure to satisfy your fall cravings. With the combined flavors of savory and sweet, it packs a punch for your taste buds.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

• 1/4 red onion, sliced

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Sliced sourdough bread

• 1-2 tablespoons butter

• 4 ounces Brie, sliced

• Fig jam, or preferred choice of jam

• 1 Granny smith apple, sliced

• Arugula

• Thinly sliced ham, optional

Heat olive oil in the skillet and add sliced onions. Cook for a few minutes and then add brown sugar. Sauté until soft. Set aside. Butter the outside of the sourdough bread. Next, spread jam on the inside of both slices. Add cheese, apples, onions and arugula. If using meat, add as well. Top with slice of bread and grill on skillet until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

APPLE CHUTNEY

This Indian-inspired dish is the perfect fall topping for pork chops and also pairs nicely with ham. This is so easy to make and will fill your kitchen with the aroma of fall.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 2 cups Granny Smith apple, chopped

• ¼ cup pecans or walnuts

• 1/3 cup apple juice

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 3 tablespoons dried cranberries

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• ¾ teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat butter in saucepan, then add remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has cooked down and the apples are tender. Serve over pork chops. Enjoy!

APPLE CRISP A LA MODE

This fall classic is the perfect treat for a cozy fall dessert.

INGREDIENTS:

Filling:

• 6-8 apples, peeled and sliced

• ½ cup dark brown sugar

• ¼ cup flour

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Topping:

• ¾ cup flour

• ¾ cup dark brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ cup cold butter cubed

• 1 cup oats

• ¼ cup pecans, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease pie plate or baking dish. Mix all filling ingredients together and place in baking dish. Prepare topping by combining the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in butter using a fork or pastry cutter. Stir in oats and pecans and sprinkle over filling until covered. Bake for 45 minutes and serve with caramel drizzle and vanilla ice cream.

Hosting the Perfect Dinner Party

Your next event, served alfresco

Catering experts Chef Kyle and Hannah Williams, owners of Savor & Swirl culinary company, create an outdoor dinner party with chef-driven perennial dishes served in beautiful seasonal settings. For this alfresco dinner party, Chef Kyle draws on his favorite recipes updated for a modern palate and paired with wine selections to complement the bountiful feast.

Insider Tips for Hosting:

• Build a menu around the season. Start with what produce is available locally based on the season for the most authentic meal experience. For instance, Chef Kyle says “In November, people crave turkey, sage stuffing and cranberry sauce,” but that meal served in the heat of Summer wouldn’t hit the same. In-season fruits and vegetables will always be of highest quality and best taste.

• Always greet guests with a beverage and appetizers. “Offer champagne for wine-lovers or a sparkling drink or signature cocktail. It’s all about serving guests to the highest caliber,” Kyle says.

• Draw inspiration from the season’s colors and temperatures. For Spring and Summer, think flowers, fresh herbs and linens. For Fall, think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.” For Winter, head indoors to create a cozy environment for guests to connect.

• “You can’t go wrong with fresh flowers,” Hannah says, “but keep bouquets low to not interfere with conversation flowing. For fall, I like richer, jewel-toned florals to mix and match and keep whimsical. I vary glass vases with bur - nished brass for warm fall vibes.”

• An easy but thoughtful detail is to put a simple menu at each place setting, so guests know what to expect. “Add a pen, so guests can jot tasting notes, especially for wine pairings or multiple courses,” Hannah says. “Guests can share comments, then take the menu home as a sweet reminder of the event.”

• Follow the French principle of mise en place or everything in place before your event. “This is actually our company’s name,” Kyle says. “It’s that important to us. Make sure the wines are all open, cocktails are pre-made, place settings are out, candles are lit and music is playing. When guests arrive, it gives that wow-factor and shows you intentionally made them feel special.”

• To build confidence as a host, start small and practice. “Keep the menu and guest list small,” Kyle says. “Choose recipes you already have confidence in. If you make a great Beef Stroganoff, then go with that. People will love it!”

• As fun as it is to dine outside, always have an indoors back-up plan. “We’ve had to bring it indoors before,” Hannah says. “It’s still fun.” Insider Tips for Hosting: “Think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.”

A sample of recently sold properties in Decatur.

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

Wine Tastings at Kelly's Market

KELLY'S MARKET | 6:00 PM

Wine tastings are every Thursday night from 6:00 to 8:00. Third Thursday of each month is reserved for wine club members only. Learn more about tastings, wine club and how to join at kellysmarketdecatur.com

Porchfest

OAKHURST | 12:00 PM

The ultimate grassroots music festival is back! Front porches become stages, yards become venues, friends become lead singers, and teenagers become rock stars. Join your neighbors for a day of radical generosity.  Learn more at oakhurstporchfest.org

The Fourth Annual Women’s Global Leadership Conference

AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE | ALL DAY EVENT

The Women’s Global Leadership Conference, “Visibility, Social Mobility, Success,” will provide a forum for scholars, philanthropists, policymakers, and business leaders to discuss solutions for the historical and present inequities that block the way to social mobility for millions in the US and across the world. Learn more at agnesscott.edu/wglc2023

Weller Bourbon Dinner

PARKER'S ON PONCE | 7:00 PM

Parker’s on Ponce will be hosting a Weller bourbon dinner on October 26th at 7pm. The dinner will feature the entire Weller lineup and six chef-curated pairings. Reservations can be made by calling 404-924-2230.

Decatur Craft Beer Festival

DECATUR LEGACY PARK | 1:00 PM

Come out for an afternoon of curated craft beer tastings, live music, local food options, and more in beautiful Legacy Park. Hosted by S.U.D.S. ---  Simply Us Doing Our Share. Get your tickets at sudsdecatur.org

what we love

about decatur

A few things that make Decatur a little bit... greater.

01 CREATIVITY ON EVERY CORNER. Even our electrical boxes are a work of art thanks to the Decatur Arts Alliance, Larry Holland of Fishbone Art, and the Decatur Tourism Bureau. Featuring a box piece on Howard & Commerce by Cristina Montesinos. IG: @Cristina_C_Montesinos // 02 OUR BEST-KEPT (GREEN) SECRETS: Legacy Park, Dearborn Park, Oakhurst Garden, Mason Mill, The Wylde Center, the list goes on and on… // 03 OUR CURATED AND EVER-GROWING SELECTION OF BEER & WINE. Featuring a fresh pour from Inner Voice Brewing. // 04 THERE IS NEVER A DULL FOOD MOMENT IN DECATUR. Featuring a colorful meal from The Deer & The Dove. Chef Terry Koval was recognized by the James Beard Foundation as 2023’s Best Chef: Southeast. // 05 AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE, THE #1 MOST INNOVATIVE!! Leading with a Global Perspective. // 06 INTOWN ACE HARDWARE on Scott Blvd. Enough said.

SERVING DECATUR’S REAL ESTATE MARKET, EXPERTLY.