Free-For-All Friday 5/28/10
Decatur Metro | May 28, 2010Use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here in the past week. Comments close Monday.
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This week’s Free-For-All Friday is brought to you by: Kick in the Fit, offering a free month of boot camp (morning or evening) to one Decatur Metro reader. www.kickinthefit.com
To enter, just send an email with the subject line “Decatur Metro Giveaway” to [email protected]. Make sure to include your name and address in the email. Kick in the Fit will pick the winner at random on Monday morning. The lucky reader will be announced in the Free-For-All Friday comment section that same day.
When you see Angie Macon running around at the Arts Festival this weekend, don’t forget to thank her for all her hard work putting it together.
You should have been there. It was a GREAT festival–you would have loved the music line-up and the art was amazing. And the weather was a miracle.
I’d like to give a giant shout out to the teachers and staff at Oakhurst Elementary for another great year! Have a wonderful, safe summer…you deserve it!
Fellow FFAFers– does anyone commute from Decatur to Sandy Springs? I’m trying to estimate a trip time home from 400 and Abernathy. I’ve made the trip up in about 30 minutes during the morning rush but suspect the afternoons are worse. I shudder to think…
You can expect a general average of 55 to 75 minutes on the way home. My record for longest commute clocks in around an hour and 40 minutes. But that was during the floods. Or maybe that other time when the locusts invaded.
KJ –
I commute from south Decatur to Cox Communications at Perimeter (285 & Ptree Dunwoody), less than a mile from 400 & Abernathy and used to live at 400 & Abernathy.
In the mornings it can be done in 30-40 minutes on 285, but in the afternoons allow 45 minutes to an our easy on the highways.
There are a few back ways via Clairmont and some other surface roads that will keep you moving, but still expect a 40 minute trip in the afternoon.
Depends on when you drive. I get to work (Abernathy @ Peachtree Dunwoody) at 9AM. Leave at 6PM. It takes about 30-45 minutes in the morning. At 6PM, it takes 45 minutes to an hour. (I live near Memorial and Columbia in Midway Woods.) My record is 2 hrs to get home. Surface streets will keep you moving, but I’ve never made it home in less than 50 minutes on the surface streets.
The longest part of the evening commute is almost always just getting out of the perimeter area. Every surface street becomes a parking lot starting around 5 o’clock with commuters headed to 285 or 400. Typically, I take Clairmont/Clairemont back into Decatur because the interstates don’t save much time and the road rage is contagious.
I commute from Decatur to the Sandy Springs side of Smyrna. My office is just inside 285 near New Northside Drive. Going up (later morning, usually between 9 and 10), I usually take Dekalb Ave. over to 75N, then get off on Cumberland Blvd. and use surface roads to avoid 285 (although it’s usually not bad). Takes about 35 mins. Route home depends on when I leave and what GA Navigator looks like. Before 6:00 or 6:30 (usually), I’ll head back the way I came, which takes about 45 mins. But after 6:30, 285 is usually clear and I take that all the way around to 78/Clairmont, which is about a 30-minute trip.
I’d advise avoiding 400 OTP if at all possible.
This is the best route I have found that a long time resident once provided me with (I live in White Oak Hills near Memorial/Candler):
From Clairmont…
1st right onto Chamblee Tucker.
R on Buford Highway
Left on LaVenture
Right on Shallowford, take Shallowford all the way until it dead ends into Briarcliff
R on Briarcliff
L on Briarlake
R on Lavista
L on Frazier
Cross Lawrenceville Highway, Frazier turns into Mclendon
L on E. Ponce, then turn right at first light, cross train tracks and take first left onto Church and get on I-285 to Memorial.
You could just as easily get to downtown Decatur. Again, you will be moving, but expect 40-50 minutes. I leave work at 5:30pm.
I used to work up there and would take 400S and hop off Sidney Marcus->Buford->RT on Cheshire-> Left on Lenox at the porn shop (sometimes the illegal left if I didnt see any fuzz)->RT on Highland/Johnson->L on Rock Springs->to N Decatur->Lullwater to Ponce.
The benefit to this route is its lack of congestion.
Oh….and the commute sucked. Just throwing that out there
Anyone know if the pool at GlenLake is open? Seems to be a good deal of construction still going on.
mostly a note to self, but… Decatur City Taxes due June 1!
I’ve heard that some of the entry barriers at Glenlake have come down, allowing access to the park.
Does anyone know if the park is officially (or unofficially, for that matter) open?
Much to the chagrin of pre-2000 Decatur residents, it seems to only be open right now to motorcyclists with small children on the back. Hopefully they’ll open it to the general public soon.
Glenlake Park looks open to me. No gates, no fences, and it looks great.
I was just tooling around on my motorcycle and checked it out. They mostly did a really great job!
They even installed one bike rack for the whole park. It holds two whole bicycles! And they took the effort to use it to directly block the ADA required ramp going to the only bathroom facilities in the park. I wanted to be positive but for cryin’ out loud, Why?
Hooray! Arts Festival weekend. Hope I see you all there. (How would I know? We need a secret insignia–like a ring or a fez.)
I haven’t seen any out the past couple of weeks (thankfully) but those yellow “myhouseinatl.com” signs are a real eyesore around Decatur.
There was something I was going to mention in FFAF this week, but can’t for the life of me remember what it was.
Oh, take a look to the right…under 3-Neighborhood Associations, do I have all the existing neighborhood websites?
You left of the Bloods, Crips, Sharks and Jets, but otherwise it looks complete to me.
I don’t hear any snapping so I assume the sharks and jets are either still asleep or moved to atlanta
Decatur Heights?
Good FREE event tonight at Little Shop of Stories: At 7:30, upstairs, munchies and beer/wine for a silent art auction benefiting Decatur Education Foundation. The edibles come from Cakes and Ale and Sun in My Belly; the beer (donated) from the good folks at Victory. Drop by, even if you don’t end up bidding on something.
All of the pools will be open this weekend. Glenlake Pool will be open at 10:00am on Saturday. Here is a link to the City’s website: http://www.decaturga.com/cgs_citysvcs_rec_aquatics.aspx
We’re trying to get some parts of Glenlake Park open this weekend but the whole park will probably not be ready. If someone can just keep it from raining for just a few more days, we’ll be ready to go.
Ah, I’m glad they changed it to “regular season begins May 29th”. This morning the website said the pools would be open May 28th (which was quite an exciting surprise to me because I was expecting the pools to opening on Monday). However, on arrival to McKoy this morning I saw a long line of distraught pre-schoolers wondering why they couldn’t go in to swim!! Not cool!!
Anyone have a good fence company that they would recommend? We are interested in getting just a basic good fence for the backyard for our dogs. Thanks
We’ve used Atlanta Decking & Fence Co. and had good experiences. They may not be the absolutely cheapest, but the prices are competitive.
They did a great job on my deck, but my back fence was put up in a hurried, sloppy manner. The crew was unsupervised and I had to call the manager out to inspect. They fixed things up (okay), but I would be wary of using them for a wood fence again.
We used Allied and they were great. Slightly more $$ than other quotes, but they finished the job quickly and came back out to make a repair just as quickly.
Thanks Paula & Robbie!
Way back when we were discussing the skateboarding ordinance, I was feeling mostly sympathetic towards the skaters, figuring that a couple of rotten apples were ruining it for everyone. But after a visit to the McKoy Skate Park, I am beginning to think that perhaps skating culture is just inherently anti-social. Despite trash cans all over the park, there are empty soda cans, cups, water bottles, etc. everywhere. Even though they recently put a big ashtray thing outside the entrance, there are cigarette butts everywhere. There is graffiti on the ramps and the stone wall facing the park, some of which is totally X-rated, plus logo decals stuck to everything (some of which are absolutely disgusting). The new benches for spectators already have chips and gouges in them. I hate to come off sounding like the cranky old neighbor lady here, but if this is how the skaters treat their own space, then it’s hard to have sympathy for them about not getting to use communal space. /endrant
I hear ya, Paula. Constant trash, cigarette butts, glass alcohol bottles at the skatepark…very discouraging to staff. Especially since a major upgrade was made to the skatepark last year with new great pieces from SpohnRanch. I do have to say that much of the trash and issues with smoking and alcohol were from non-city residents. The City of Atlanta (500,000 residents) does not have a single public skatepark. DeKalb County (740,000 residents) has just one, a fee pay park way up in Dunwoody. Staff noted that actual city resident teens and pre-teens were usually very respectful of the park, and appreciative to have one on the first place. A city high school student built one of the pieces at the park, and did a great job with it.
Can anyone recommend a good tailor/alterations person locally?
Stitch and Sew on College Avenue between Decatur and Avondale.
Second that. We’ve used her for years.
I use Mrs. Kim, who is in the watch repair/alterations shop next to Suburban Lanes (I also recommend Mr. Kim for watch battery replacement and repairs).
I also use Kim’s Alterations & Watch Repair. Mrs. Kim does a great job. She’s helped me with everything from hemming pants to altering a formal gown.
i use Stitch & Sew, 2762 East College, Avondale. Mostly just for cuffs and hemming, but it looks like they do more elaborate stuff as well.
So, who’s hiring entry level workers with no experience? The individuals in question have university degrees, if that helps!
Avondale Alterations, next to Sinfully Sweet. Everything from stiching on Girl Scout badges to major jobs ….
I mean stitching ….
After reading how long it takes some folks to get to work I am even more happy with my 2.5 mile commute to work!
I need a carpenter in Decatur. Someone who can fix stcky, won’t close, little kids are creeping out of their rooms at night doors. Thanks!
That’s a very easy fix, which can be done with a reasonably competent handperson.
It might just be tightening the screws or putting a cut-up card in one of the screws. or just sanding a corner of the door,.
First thing’s first. Have you tried tightening the screws, or putting WD on the part that is sticking?
Wish I had your phone number. I bet me and my tool kit and my book on household repairs could fix this. Oh, another thought. Call the guys at Intown Ace Hardware on Scott. Get Tony or Gerry, or somebody else and ask them for advice.
This is something that can be fixed fairly simply.
For those of you that work downtown: try the Italian ice kiosk right outside the GP building. She is running a special on lemon today. I had strawberry lemonade with a scoop of lemon for kicks. Very nice and refreshing and all of your co-workers will be jealous of your icy treat.
I got a notice from my mortgage company, Wells Fargo, that my mortgage payment was going up due to my paying too little into my escrow account for taxes. Have City and/or County taxes gone up? Where can I find info on this?
If you look on your tax bill, I think you’ll see that some of the exemptions were changed. Two that had been $28,000 each dropped to $20,000, and one that was 8K disappeared. I don’t remember reading anything about changing exemptions–does anybody else? So, saying the tax rates remain the same is disingenuous–at best!
As the winner of last month’s contest for *KICK in the FIT*, I would like to offer a huge public “thank you” to those folks!
As a generally happy layabout slug whose only exercise consisted of walking the dog, chasing around a two year old & trying to button my jeans, I was completely amazed at what I was able to do. The instructors are all incredibly supportive & they really motivate you to keep going. Plus, the Agnes Scott campus is a gorgeous backdrop.
Seriously, none of my friends, family, husband, mail lady, etc. believed that I would get up so early & do it. But I did. And I loved it!
I would highly recommend to anyone considering boot camp that they try out KITF! I plan on going back in the fall!
Thanks again!!!
I was a lucky winner in the previous Kick in the Fit/Decatur Metro drawing for a month of boot camp, and this morning was the last session of that month.
I wanted to say a big thank you to all the Kick in the Fit team, not just for the great prize, but also for all the support and encouragement. Whilst the boot camp was tough, it was also a lot of fun – made all the more enjoyable by a great group of boot campers (is that a new term?).
The instructors are all great motivators, which is something I need when it comes to any form of exercise that aren’t windsurfing or mountain biking. For some homework on one of our non-boot camp days I was even persuaded into participating in my first official 5K (Kirkwood Spring Fling), which I also really enjoyed.
I attended the morning boot camp sessions at Agnes Scott, and truthfully, being anywhere other than asleep in bed at 5:45 a.m. was a huge shock to the system, but I’ve adapted, and even started to quite enjoy the early hour.
Anyway, if any of you are looking for a great way to get in shape I’d recommend giving Kick in the Fit some thought. I’m going to sign up for another month (with my own money), so I guess that’s the ultimate endorsement.
Andrew
Ps. they didn’t let me off any push-up to say something nice.
The $8,000 exemption was the State of Georgia’s Homeowner Tax Relief Grant (HTRG). In 2009, the State discontinued funding for the program and required that the grant and any reference to it be removed from the tax bill.
Thanks for the info. Do you know what happened to the other two exemptions that dropped $8000 each?
Drive thru coffee??? Anywhere close??
Just go to Dancing Goats. It’s worth it.
….no drive thru.
Hey, I think idling in a drivethru makes unneeded pollution. BUT, I have two kids and I remember the days when I needed that drivethrough.
Idea for a compromise. CALL Dancing Goats ahead of time, explain you need coffee but need to get it without getting in and out of car. Call them when you get there, sit in the parking lot and I’m gonna bet a dollar to a doughnut that they’ll bring you the coffee in the parking lot. You’ll probably need to pay with cash, though.
I’m also thinking this workaround might actually work for any small business that doesn’t have a drivethrough. Try it at the Ace Hardware! Say, I need some duct tape, a phillips head screwdriver and a pound to tenpenny nails, and I bet they’d bring it to the car for you.
Starbucks up by Lavista and NDH, or CFA/McDs in town. But I agree w Left Wing.
Caribou Coffee
Toco Hill
Great coffee, nice people
Confirm this one. When I had little ones strapped into carseats that were hard to negotiate in and out of, I’d drive all the way up there just to get a good latte without having to do the Chinese Fire Drill thingy.
Time to take care of some defered maintenance – looking for:
plumber
electrician
fascia board fix
chimney guy
Any help would be much appreciated.
I recently used M Carey and Daughters based on a recommendation on this website. They were expensive, but did a good job.
I would also be interested in someone who could come advise me on my chimney / fireplace issues…
I used LM Richardson to install a flue in my chimney. I thought they did a good job and they were certainly priced more fairly than others. They had 5 stars on Kudzu with 75 reviews. http://anhonestchimneysweep.com/
Phillip Raines is highly recommended. My neighbors used him to rebuild a chimney that had been taken out by a fallen tree & he did a wonderful job. He also contributes his skills to the Decatur MLK Jr. Service Project, so it seems he’s a darn good person too.
His info ( from the 2010 Decatur Old House Fair site):
Phillip Raines
125 Barry St., Decatur, GA 30030
404-786-4904
Had a great time at the Arts Festival but we sure did miss the usual smoothie booth. Those guys made the best smoothies – just fruit and ice. Not much selection – only 3 flavors available but all were delicious.
The booth selling smoothies this year is charging $7 for a not very big drink full of artificial flavoring.
Bring back the old smoothie makers !
Congratulations to the Decatur Arts Alliance and to the city’s special events team and to the army of volunteers at this year’s Decatur Arts Festival. Great event! Did you get to hear the Jacob Jeffries Band on Saturday? They were outstanding.
To my observation, the Arts Fest was a big success. More people buying more things than the past few years. Angie said that even the Fine Arts exhibition at ASC was selling items. Great weather. Great music. Congrats to all ! There’s a Festival for that !
Has anyone else seen the Monotracer around Decatur? I saw it riding along Ponce last week and then parked outside Dancing Goats on Sunday afternoon. The counterman at Dancing Goats denied all knowledge. I would love to take a ride in it. Or even drive it.
If you haven’t seen it, here’s what it looks like.
http://www.theposhreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/poshreviewmonotracer3.jpg
Wow, that thing looks insane! Being that it has no opening to put your feet down when you stop I was curious as to what prevents it toppling over. Anyway, youtube to the rescue – click to about 5 minutes 30 seconds to see the stabilizers operate, or watch the whole thing if you want to practice your German:
Does anyone have any info on the First Baptist youth yard sale?
So, who were the Kick in the Fit winners this month?
Good question. Looking into it.