Third Sunday Stroll: Explore Woodlands Garden on September 17

Join members of the Pedestrian Advisory Committee for the Third Sunday Stroll which will be held this Sunday, September 17 at 2 pm. This month’s walk will explore Woodland Gardens. Larn about the plants as you tour and enjoy some time in nature.

Meet at Westchester School and be ready to walk at 2 pm.

For more information on walking in Decatur click here.

“Music in the Garden” Kicks off at Woodlands

Wood Gardens. Just Because-17“Music in the Garden” concert series kicks off on Sunday, April 10 from 2 –  4 p.m. Woodlands invites the public to come explore over seven acres of our native garden while supporting talented local musicians.

The family-friendly performances are free and open to the public. The concerts take place on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m., rain or shine, through Spring, Summer and Fall. Guests will get to enjoy the music in our cozy screened-in pavilion that seats about 40 people.

Featured musicians perform in a variety of styles, including folk, blues, bluegrass, singer-songwriter and more. For a schedule of the 2016 Sunday concert series and more information about the artists, please visit the Woodlands Garden website at www.woodlandsgarden.org.

Woodlands has plans to launch a youth talent showcase this spring called M.A.Y. (Music, Art, & Youth) Fair on Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This family friendly event will feature local artists and musicians ranging in age from grade 2 – 12. Handmade art will be for sale at the arts market and musical performances will occur throughout the day.

For more information about Music in the Garden click here.

Woodlands Garden Presents “Yoga in Nature” on Thursdays

Pavilion_YogaFeel like a mid-week ‘stretch and de-stress’ session? Join Aditi on Thursdays at 5:30pm, beginning April 7th, for Yoga In Nature at the Woodlands’ Garden Pavilion – a wooded sanctuary surrounded by over 7 acres of greenspace. The yoga sessions will be free, but donations are encouraged to support the garden, which is a non-profit organization.

 

Stretches and deep breathing will be the focus of yoga sessions on Thursdays. We will start with a warm-up and move into postures that work on building flexibility and strength. We will work with both classical postures and contemporary modifications. The session will include gentle and active routines that linger on postures or work through a flow sequence, tailored to suit the audience and the mood of the day. While prior yoga experience is not necessary, an active lifestyle and healthy diet will help you get the most out of your practice.

 

 

 

Want to Go to the Circus?

cirque_posterVintage Circus in Decatur this October at Woodlands Garden
Saturday, October 24, 5 – 8 PM

Woodlands Garden is bringing the circus to Decatur! They are gearing up to host “Cirque DeCatur” under the big treetop canopy at Woodlands on Saturday, October 24.

The ticketed fundraiser event will have a turn-of-the century vintage circus feel and feature breathtaking acts by The Imperial OPA Circus—think fire breathers and contortionists—set against a backdrop of lush greenery. Live music, as well as fun interactions with tarot card readers and fortunetellers, is also part of the lineup.

Renowned local chef and owner of Home Grown GA, Kevin Clark, will provide food for the event. Signature cocktails will be served including beer from Three Taverns and Creature Comforts.

The autumn evening event is a benefit for Woodlands Garden’s Keep It Green Indie-Catur capital campaign, which aims to raise $1 million to preserve the one-acre parcel at the corner of Scott Boulevard and Clairemont Avenue adjacent to the Garden. Capital improvements on the property will include safer entry and exits, improved parking, and a school bus drop-off zone. Plans are also in place for a renovated welcome center with public restrooms and a natural play area for children.

Early-bird tickets are on sale now for $60. For further information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Woodlands Reschedules Annual Youth Artist Market for May 2

YAM participant holding pillow with bicycleWoodlands Garden, located at 932 Scott Blvd., has rescheduled its Second Annual Youth Artist Market for Saturday, May 2nd from 11 am-3 pm. Artists in grades 2-12 will be showcasing the following: jewelry ,dream boxes, embroidered pillows, whimsical sculpture, flower crowns, drawings, photography of Decatur, chalk painted wood pieces, and much more. This event offers a great opportunity for Mother’s Day shopping and will include free gift wrapping for Mother’s day purchases. For more information contact Nancy Martin at 404-373-8l65.

Second Annual Youth Artist Market at Woodlands on Saturday


YAM participant holding pillow with bicycleVisit Woodlands Garden this Saturday, April 25 from 11 am until 3 pm for the Second Annual Youth Artist Market. 

Artists in grades 2-12 will be showcasing their art which includes jewelry, dream boxes, embroidered pillows, whimsical sculpture, flower crowns drawing, photography of Decatur, chalk painted wood pieces and much more.

This event offers a great opportunity for Mother’s Day shopping and will include free gift wrap for Mother’s day purchases.   Woodlands Garden is located at 932 Scott Blvd. and features 7.1 acres of natural Piedmont Forest. For more information contact Nancy Martin at 404-373-8l65.

 

Bird Walk This Saturday at Woodlands Garden

Please join us this Saturday morning, January 31 at 8am for another Audubon sponsored bird walk here at Woodlands.  Ralph Smith, our devoted Bird Committee captain, will be here to lead the walk, find the birds, and show off the progress in the bird meadow.  You can find the official announcement from Audubon on their website at atlantaaudubon.org.  Click on Field Trips and choose January 31 on the calendar to get all the details. New birders are always welcome.

Enjoy this  delightful video created by active Woodlands volunteers Marko and Christina:

 

What To Do Over the Holidays While School Is Out……

The children are out of school and you may be wondering what to do. SO, here are some suggestions for free or  inexpensive things to do around Decatur over the holiday break.

 

thCAFTMK23Visit Woodlands Garden located at 932 Scott Boulevard. Woodlands is open during daylight hours seven days a week for quiet exploration. Free. Please, no dogs and no smoking anywhere on the property. Limited parking available, carpooling encouraged or consider walking or biking over.

 

 

 

chickensBring the children over to visit the Wylde Center located at 435 Oakview Road. Check out the chickens and the bee hives then  play for a while in the Cobb Adobe House.

 

 

glenlakeTake a bike ride or walk to one of the many City of Decatur neighborhood parks and playgrounds. If the sun is shining, bring a picnic and arrange to meet some friends there.

 

 

glenn creekTake a walk on the trail at Glenn Creek Nature Preserve.

 

 

 

etma-history1Visit the Old Courthouse on the Square and check out one of the exhibits in the DeKalb History Center Museum. They  are currently offering three exhibits on the main floor of the historic DeKalb County Courthouse.

All exhibits are open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Galleries and offices will be closed December 24, 25, 26, and 31 and January 1.

 

cemeteryVisit the Decatur Cemetery, the largest greenspace in Decatur! Pick up a self-guided walking tour guide at the cemetery office, or find one here. The old section of the cemetery dates back to the early 1800’s.

 

 

 

The Decatur Branch of the DeKalb County Library offers a plethora of movies, books and music. Spend some time in the Children’s section lounging on the couches and reading some stories together. Or check out some family movies to take home and watch.

 

garden go seek beeStop by the Decatur Visitor’s Center and pick up a copy of Garden Go Seek, a fun way to explore gardens and greenspaces throughout Decatur.

 

 

 

decatur-ghost-tourBundle up for a fun night with Decatur Ghost Tours. Discover Decatur’s spirit community as you walk through the Old Courthouse Square, the Decatur Cemetery and other places where ghosts are known to hang out!

 

 

 

deco decaturDrive or bike around the city and see all the great holiday decorations. A list of the Decatur Decatur winners can be found here.

 

 

 

Let’s hear your ideas of fun things to do in Decatur over the holidays!

 

What Are YOU Doing to Stay Active This Weekend?

As always there is plenty to do in Decatur on a nice Fall weekend. Here are some ideas to keep you active:

Friday, October 17:
Decatur Third Friday Fun Bike Ride, 6:30 pm meet at Church Street MARTA ready to ride. More info is here.

Saturday, October 18:
Bike Registration and Safety Event at the Decatur Housing Authority, 10 am until Noon. Register your bicycle witih the Decatur Police, ride the children’s safety course and learn signals, lane changing and more. For more information contact jennifer.ross@decaturga.com or cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com.

Fairies in the Garden, Woodlands Garden, 2 until 5 pm. Information is here. We went to this in the past and it was awesome!! Not only do you feel like you have left the city while wandering the garden, but the little Fairie Homes are so creative and stoke the imagination. Consider walking or biking over as parking is limited. Or park at Westchester School and walk over.

Decatur Craft Beer Festival, Information is here. I believe there are still some VIP tickets available.

Sunday, October 19:
RideWell Bike Festival at Holy Trinity Parish, 1 pm until 6 pm. Information is here.

What else do you know of that is happening in Decatur this weekend? Feel free to comment…..

Lichen Fairie House

                  Lichen Fairie House

Stay Active This Weekend in Decatur!

Photo from Ekhartyoga.com

Photo from Ekhartyoga.com

Lots to do this weekend in Decatur to stay active!

Saturday, October 11:

Take a ride out to Stone Mountain with the folks from Decatur Bikes. They leave the CVS parking lot at 8 am. This is a no-drop ride and you won’t be left behind! Please wear a helmet and bring water.

I Bike With Mike: Group Bike Skills Class at Decatur Recreation Center, 9 am until 1 pm. For information  click here.

Oakhurst Arts Run begins at 9 am and is part of the Oakhurst Arts and Music Festival. For information and to register click here. NEW this year: tie dye your shirt after the race! This year’s race benefits the Decatur Education Foundation and art education programs in the schools.

Sunday, October 12:

Music in the Garden at Woodlands Garden. featuring Ashley Filip from 2-3 pm and the Fabulous Pinkie Sisters from 3 – 4 pm.  The plant sale at the gardens is also going on so stock upu on some fall plantings.

 

Take a Walk.

Visit a Park.

Ride your Bike.