How FitWit’s Socially-Conscious Approach is Shaping Up Decatur

‘The mission of FitWit Club is to build a community that empowers participants to believe in themselves and strive for success every day.’

Most folks already pay to exercise. What if doing so could also benefit a child’s health? Atlanta-based FitWit is betting on it – and with more than 400 members sweating it up every day, the gamble is paying off.

What started as a cool inner-city program for kids has turned into a community of loyal supporters who not only get in great shape but also help pay for kids to do the same. FitWit summarizes its approach through its core message: Live Fit. Give Fit.

Adult campers “Live Fit” by joining one of the four Atlanta-area group fitness programs located in Grant Park, Midtown/Virginia-Highland, North Druid Hills and Decatur. The Decatur location recently relocated to the Boys & Girls Club in Oakhurst, near East Lake.  This is exciting news for Oakhurst residents. Now you only need to take a few steps out of your front door to receive top-notch workouts from excellent, hands-on FitWit trainers at a variety of convenient times (6 a.m., 7 a.m., 9 a.m. or 6:15 p.m.).

Each one-hour workout presents a new daily challenge: from swinging kettlebells, to running hills, participants push, pull, lunge, crawl, jump, run, sweat and laugh themselves into the best shape of their lives.

Continue Reading -> http://decatur.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/how-fitwits-sociallyconscious-approach-is-shaping-up-decatur

Time and time again (often while in the midst of downing some hoppy elixir in a dark corner of Brick Store or tasting the latest from the kegs at Twain’s), we wonder if there might possibly be a better place for a craft beer-lover than Decatur. Over the years, we’ve seen the quiet little hamlet transform into a land where nary a tap runs dry, complete with some of Atlanta’s first growlers, one of Esquire’s favorite bars in the country and local, homegrown suds from brewers like Wild Heaven. And if you’re still thirsting for more ways to soak up the suds, add this to your list: Blue Tarp Brewing Co., and Three Taverns Brewing.

After announcing plans last summer to set up shop in Decatur, Blue Tarp tapped their very first keg just a couple weeks ago. I stopped in to Avondale’s The Beer Growler, and they were already out of their own Blue Tarp BantamWeight keg—not too bad, considering the shop has 40something other brews on tap. They plan on opening their tasting room this spring.

In a recent Q&A with AtlantaCuisine.com, Three Taverns founder Brian Purcell described their approach as having “Belgian inspirations with American creativity.” The brewery has been a long time dream of Purcell, who was an avid homebrewer before taking the brick-and-mortar plunge. They plan to get things a-brewin’ this spring—right alongside future beer neighbors Blue Tarp.

Indeed, the area around 111 New Street is about to become an epicenter of Decatur’s beer scene. Thanks to an ordinance recently passed to allow craft beer to be brewed in Decatur, both Three Taverns and Blue Tarp will be setting up shop in the East Decatur Station complex. And why, once again, Decatur? In Brian Purcell’s own words, Decatur has a certain “beer mojo.” We’ll raise our glass to that.

http://scoutmob.com/atlanta/scoutfinds/4830/

National Homebrew Day

• FOOD AND DRINK

Saturday, May 4, 2013, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Atlanta area home brewers will gather in Decatur, Georgia to celebrate National Homebrew Day on May 4, 2013. The local event will be part of American Homebrew Association’s (AHA) “Big Brew”, an annual observance of the day, now in its 16th year.
AHA Big Brew brings together thousands of home-brewers from around the world. More than 5,000 home brewers from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Australia are expected to participate this year.

Local host of the Decatur event is Wine Workshop and Brew Center (WWBC), the Atlanta area’s newest home brew supply shop. WWBC is happy to invite anyone interested in home brewing to stop by from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday, May 4, 2013 to join the fun! The event is free.

Atlanta’s growing community of avid home brewers have responded enthusiastically to the opportunity to participate in a local Big Brew, according to WWBC President, Marcia Langford Perez. “We’re expecting six area home-brew clubs and several individual home brewers to participate,” said Perez.
Decatur’s Big Brew will be held at East Decatur Station’s west parking lot located at 627 East College Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030. For more information call 404-228-5211 or email info@wineworkshop.net.

On May 4, friends and family gather to brew one of their favorite recipes. At 1:00pm Eastern time, home brewers raise their glasses of homebrewed ales and lagers for a simultaneous toast to home brewing, a hobby that hundreds of thousands of people around the world enjoy.

“AHA Big Brew isn’t just about beer—it’s about companionship, friendship and the shared love of flavorful beer. This is a special day for those home brewers who have been crafting their brews for those whose company they enjoy and cherish,” said Gary Glass, AHA Director.

“Home brewers are a huge part of the craft beer movement. They support local breweries and appreciate our craft on another level, because they actually understand the complexity and hard work that goes into brewing on a bigger scale. Many home brewers are also pushing the envelope with new innovative flavor combinations and style concepts, and some have even inspired professional brewers to think more outside-the-box in their approach to recipe development.,” said Chase Medlin, Head Brewer at Twain’s Billiards and Tap.

http://events.11alive.com/National_Homebrew_Day/205047279.html

• Wine Workshop- NOW Open

Decatur’ s newest concept in home brewing has its Grand Opening scheduled for early May with a Home Brewer Festival.