Weeks ago there was no way we could have known that as this issue went to print, our community would be under its first ever tropical storm watch for Irma. I’m now aware of how grateful I am for electricity and for the crews who worked tirelessly to help. We’re pretty lucky we didn’t have it worse.

It reminds me that there are storms in each of our lives that disrupt even our best laid plans. While Back to School is usually a time of excitement and smiling snapshots, it can also bring unknown setbacks. For some families, just finding a school can be a hurdle all its own. I am excited to share some of the community resources here to help, including the great work of The Language Group and The Cloverleaf School (page 9) as well as Mathnasium (page 15).

One good thing Irma did bring was a respite from the summer. When the air begins to crisp, it’s time for college football and Halloween! No matter how you like to celebrate, we’ve found a few local tricks and treats that are sure to please. One of my favorites is Open Streets at Emory Village, where traffic stops for an afternoon filled with street performers, good eats and dogs in costume (page 27). The festival is just one of the ways Emory Village Alliance brings neighbors and businesses together to better them both. Their groundwork can be seen in successful ventures like Wagaya, a traditional Japanese restaurant winning the hearts of local Sushi lovers (page 22).

This is also the one year mark for some local endeavors. Found Co., a lifestyle retailer in downtown Decatur, creates that rare experience where shopping brings just as much joy as the treasures you take home (page 18). And Decatur Education Foundation is celebrating the results of their Opportunity Partnership Mentoring Program, where low-income students and local adult mentors benefit from each other (page 17).

There’s a lot to fall in to this season.