Free-For-All Friday 5/25/12

Feel free to use this post to ask questions and make comments about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.

Comments close Monday.

113 thoughts on “Free-For-All Friday 5/25/12”


    1. I was told by someone working on it that it would be open *today*. I’m not sure if it is yet or not, but that’s the word! Also the store is on Twitter now @SbuxDecatur with (sparse) info.

      1. I heard that they weren’t able to get permits and won’t be open this w/e. Bad timing!

    2. According to Patch, it’s open as of this morning. They’ve even got a couple of pics of the reno. Haven’t been myself yet, but looks nice.

      http://decatur.patch.com/articles/starbucks-reopens-saturday?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001

  4. The Georgia Master Gardener Compost Demonstration project at the Dekalb Farmer’s Market must relocate immediately. We have two weeks to move everything, signs-plants-compost. If you’d like to help, please meet us at the site on Saturday at 9 a.m. You’re sure to get some exercise and some plants. We are relocating it to the Decatur High School Community Garden.

  6. Time to dust off my Alice Cooper collection, which happens to consist only of … “School’s out for summer, school’s out forever!” Both of which are exaggerations, but I’ll take the two months anyway.

    1. CSD starts Aug 1, Summer ends Sept 21. That’s almost two months of school during the summer. Sadly that means 2/3 rds of summer is spent in school.

    2. I’ll be happy to recommend some worthy additions to your Alice Cooper collection. Start with “Billion Dollar Babies,” then move on to “Welcome to My Nightmare.” After you have experienced those, we can talk further about building upon your education.

  8. Noticed this morning on my run how awesome that stretch of College between Renfroe and the Marta station is becoming – a pizza place (Avellino’s), a beer place (Ale Yeah) and a doughnut place (Revolution). Love it!

    2. Yep. Now somebody needs to buy up that little abandoned strip on the corner of Mead and College and put a few nice little shops.

      More generally, I wonder whether (once the economy picks up a little) there is space near the East Lake Station for some higher-density mixed-used development. I think that right next to MARTA stations should be a natural place for some infill.

      1. Infill? Not much bare acreage near ELMarta. Just west is a new wings diner. And the little building at Mead is already under renovation.

        1. You’re forgetting Marta’s massive asphalt holdings and the holdings of AT&T across East Lake. There’s enough transit-oriented potential there that it’s one of the city’s preferred growth sites. A conceptual rendering of allowable possibilities can be found on page 6 of this file:

          http://decaturnext.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Decatur-2010-Strategic-Plan-Appendix-A.pdf.

          Decatur’s portion of the land is already zoned as a higher intensity neighborhood center and Marta’s land, which is currently Institutional, would likely be rezoned to something comparable once they demonstrated a willingness to redevelop.

          All based on market motivation and economic realities, of course, but land there isn’t a problem.

          1. That’s what I was thinking of. Thanks for the link. The western end of the south East Lake parking lot (which is in Kirkwood), in particular, seems *never* to have a single car in it. It looks like it’s always got chains strung across its entrances to keep cars out, so what good is all that asphalt doing? I see that in the conceptual growth plan they’ve got it changed into a small park, with a bunch of townhouses right next to it.

          2. Thank you for the link. Certainly better than the span of concrete. And the Bellsouth/AT&T property can be used for more than storing poles.

            1. It IS used for more than storing poles. Most of the training for AT&T maintenance, installation and repair employees takes place there. In fact, it is one of the few places in the southeast that provides the high level of training needed to keep your telecommunications services working.

              Employees come from several surrounding states to attend training in that center, and they stay in Decatur-area hotels and eat at Decatur restaurants.

    3. We need a shout out to Wahoo! Since they were the pioneers for that stretch, and are a great place to find shrimp and grips and a nice white wine on patio setting.

  10. I’d like to say a huge Thank You to everyone at Church Street Animal Hospital for being unbelievably kind and compassionate in helping us say goodbye to our dear, sweet 15-year-old lab mix yesterday. He was our furriest family member and they were wonderful to him, and us. If I’m ever able to bring another dog into the family, I’ll definitely take him or her to these great folks.

    1. I’m sorry for your loss. Second the sentiment for Church Street Animal Hospital. They always made me feel as if my sweet baby was just as important to them as he was to me. They guided me through difficult decisions with compassion and patience.

    2. Our condolences for your loss. We too have relied on Church Street to guide us through those sad times in our (many) dogs’ lives and they have done with with grace and professionalism.

  12. My take on the controversy over “prairie modern” houses.

    Part of living in a real, vibrant city is that it is not homogenous, nor is it stagnant. Cities are constantly evolving. Small bungalows, multi-family housing, huge historical recreations, and modern houses co-exist in real cities. The fact that these homes don’t fit in or suit the character of the neighborhood is not a downside; in fact, it’s one of the things so wonderful about urban living.

    Personally, I don’t like the prairie modern houses. I don’t see the point of recreating, in swollen form, older architecture. But I don’t get to be the only voice. It’s a mixture of voices that make city living wonderful. If one wants homogeneity and a standard character, planned suburbs and new urbanism communities are available. If one wants a living city, I’ll stick to Oakhurst, prairie moderns and all.

    1. Well said, well said. This is the kind of level-headedness that bespeaks the sort of community that is Decatur.

    3. But I think that we also must think about the environment in which our cities are allowed to evolve. We all believe in some restrictions for construction in our neighborhoods (zoning laws and whatnot), it’s just a difference of opinion on where we draw the line. Since WWII ended, federal policy has leaned in favor of new construction. Just like it has leaned in favor of roads over transit. We thankfully don’t live in an age of federal gov’t-driven urban renewal anymore (i.e. Lets tear down Church Street and build some skyscapers! – a real idea), but Decatur – and Oakhurst especially – has found itself in a tough spot over the last 5-10 years as exterior and interior pressures push to make new construction even more likely.

      Those pressures include – but are not limited to – fed policy, increased demand for housing in Decatur due to a lack of walkable options around the metro, increased demand for family housing around Decatur because the school system is heads and shoulders above the surrounding alternative systems. (See: Atlanta cheating scandal and DeKalb schools financial problems) Not to mention there are folks willing to sell. These all affect how quickly inventory turns over and what ultimately becomes of the property. We can’t really control, nor would we want to, make our city less walkable or our school system less successful. So one of the only available solutions, as determined by the fed in multiple court rulings over the years, is to off-set the overarching fed building incentives with historic preservation incentives and deterrents.

      At this point Oakhurst isn’t even a National Register district, so residents and builders can’t even apply for fed and state tax credits/incentives that would encourage rehabilitation instead of demolition. Anyone who likes the new Cakes & Ale location has preservation tax incentives to thank. If nothing else, that should be a starting point discussion being held among all parties. Others may believe in more or less responsive measures, which should also be on the table. It’s hard to gauge how strong the external forces are at this point and how far they will take us. But there are alternatives to all or nothing, which seems to have been our collective major focus over the past 5 years.

      1. Maybe I am missing something, but what “overarching fed building incentives” are you referring to? The only available tax credits that I am awre of which are available to homeowners or home buyers the last few years have been for improved energy efficiency in existing homes, and thus, this would encourage people to buy older homes and modernize them in terms of energy efficiency. The new homeowner tax credit was not limited to new construction, and thus, didn’t favor new construction over existing homes.

        1. I believe there are/were federal tax incentives available to developers who construct mutifamily projects in close proximity to transit stations.

        2. Sorry I shouldn’t have been so vague.
          While in the past there have been direct incentives for new construction like the GI bill, today’s incentives are more indirect. Basically think of all the government subsidies embedded in any new product you buy, from creation to transport, and that’s basically what I’m referring to. Sure there’s probably an economies of scale aspect to new home construction today, but there are also plenty of tax breaks baked in along the way. A tax credit or deduction on an existing home renovation helps make the playing field a bit more level.

          1. Aren’t these goods with tax breaks just as likely, if not more so, to be installed in an existing home during renovation as into a new home. I don’t have the numbers, but I think I see more renos in Decatur than new construction.

            1. Good question, but wouldn’t – on average – more of the goods with tax breaks be used on new construction than rehab, thereby tilting the scales?

              1. You make a fair point,and historically, on a macro scale, I think you are probably right. But, in the last few years, new home construction has come to a screeching halt and many more people are renovating their houses, constructing additions, etc.

                But, even assuming your assertion is correct on a macro scale, I thought we were discussing policies for Decatur, specifically Oakhurst. And in Decatur, I still think renos/additions exceed the number of new homes being built. So, on a micro scale, I disagree. But, I am basing this all on personal observation. I wonder what percentage of building permits are for renos/additions vs. teardown/new construction here in Decatur.

                All that being said, I think the current indirect incentives are neutral in this debate as they are available for the products, regardless of what type of project these products are used in.

      2. I’m not buying the comparison with roads vs. transit. I think we probably all agree that some egregious things were done in the cause of urban renewal. But to view new construction as generally worse/less desirable and all rehab of existing structures as generally better/more desirable vastly over-simplifies things and introduces a false dichotomy. Instances abound of renovations/rehabs that do not enhance the aesthetics of the surrounding neighborhood even a little bit; and of homes built from the ground up that blend in beautifully and make the whole block look better. Admittedly, the latter are fewer on the ground, but they are around. Meanwhile, the complaints about infill come from various directions. Some people dislike it because they just don’t find it attractive, while others are unhappy because of the demolition that inevitably precedes it. Some complaints have to do with size and scale, others with the potential for sustainability.

        So let’s back up a step. If we’re starting from the premise that rehab must be incentivized, my question is why? Why is it categorically better than new construction?

        1. Eh, did you see my other reply a bit earlier to Dawgfan? The only comparison to roads/transit I was making was from an incentive cost. I didn’t bring up anything about aesthetics, did I?

          Backing up a step, there are already all kinds of federal tax incentives built into our current economy that encourage buying new vs. rehabbing. That’s not just true of houses in the present day, I think we can agree. And it’s not all about economies of scale either.

          So just like the roads vs. transit argument – which we really haven’t had in a while – I’m just saying that we should level the playing field, or at least admit its not level before we start claiming that “people just like to drive” or “more people just want new houses”.

          I’m not arguing its categorically better. Just that it’s not given a fair shot from an economic comparison.

          1. I’m still not following. For one thing, I don’t know what the federal tax incentives are that tilt things toward new construction, so I’m not understanding how the field is not level in that respect. But for the time being, I’m willing to stipulate that it’s tipped. I still don’t understand why it matters. There seems to be some categorical value placed on avoiding new construction, which I don’t understand.

      3. I agree wholeheartedly that cities have a responsibility to make reasonable regulations to control growth. Obviously, a factory emitting toxins would not be a good idea in a residential neighborhood, and the infrastructure of the city cannot handle highrises.
        That being said, I don’t think that turning a neighborhood into an historic district is the answer. For one thing, these regulations impose aesthetic restrictions. These restrictions don’t address directly the main reasons for zoning – safety, infrastructure, and environment. They do, however, impose aesthetic restrictions that, in my opinion, have no place in a modern city. They inhibit innovation, exciting architecture, and lead to bland, homogenous cities.

    4. And this (from an earlier DM post) is certainly helpful..

      According to a letter from City Manager Peggy Merriss to the Decatur City Commission – included in the meeting materials (page 19) for tonight’s commission gathering – the city’s real property digest increased by 2% over the 2011 digest, with an overall increase of $24,193,180. $24,361,738 is due to “new value” and a $168,558 hit was due to revaluation by the County.

      Obviously, only a small portion is related to Prarie Modens, but every bit helps!

  14. I am looking for a tattoo artist that is good to work with for designing and implementing a tattoo design that is in my head. Any recommendations?

    1. It might depend on what kind of design you have in mind (text, B&W, floral, etc.) as to your choice of artist, but I can say Malia Reynolds at Memorial Tattoo is super nice and a pleasure to work with.

  16. I am looking for a tattoo artist that is good to work with for designing and implementing a tattoo design that is in my head. Any recommendations?

    1. I should have known that the “communication lost” message was a ploy for a double-post!!

      😉

    2. I’d start with either Memorial Tattoo in ATL, or Forever Yours in Douglasville. Both employ some very good conceptual artists.

    3. Check with Ink & Dagger on College Avenue next to Wahoo. The proprietor Russ Abbott has a national reputation and a long waiting list, but he has very good artists working there. I was able to wait for Russ and I have been extremely happy with the result. The place is very nice, too. Last year Russ designed the cover for a reissue of Nick Hornby’s novel High Fidelity.

    4. My main advice is to look at the work they have done that is specifically similar to what you have in mind. Photo-realism may be a strength of an artist, but that doesn’t mean they are particularly creative or visionary in coming up with designs, and vice-versa. As talented as any artist is, I recommend you stay in their comfort zone and pick an artist who will feel fully invested in giving you a good tattoo because they are into that particular tattoo also.

  18. Hey Guys,
    Just saw a bunch of firetrucks in the new station. Am I behind the curve, or when did they reopen?

    1. Opened for business this week. I’d look for a ribbon cutting and open house next month.

      1. Does the alley between the library and the Rec go all the way through to Trinity like it used to?

      1. +1
        perhaps a decatur police officer handing out tickets for those who have forgotten would be in order?

      2. As I stood in the new living area/kitchen at Fire Station 1 yesterday looking out at Trinity, I was astounded by how many cars stopped right in front of the station. But perhaps people have become accustomed to the station not being in operation? I would hope that more fanfare/notice that the station is up and running again will help remind people to keep the driveway in front of the station clear… I’d prefer that there be communication/dissemination of information prior to ticketing…

        1. Maybe get some graffiti artist to paint flames on the street in front of the station as part of the celebration and as a not-so-subtle reminder for at least a little while. It could be part of the Arts Festival every year to get new street artwork painted.

          2. Great idea! Reminds me of virtual speed bumps (which I wonder if Decatur has explored).

  20. For those of you who travel through or live in Greater Decatur…

    htttp://www.northdruidkills.com

    Local residents fighting for safety along N. Druid Hills Road between Clairmont and L’ville Hwy. Coverage on the early and evening news from CBS 46 and WSB-tv. Nice footage of almost getting hit while demonstrating the danger.

    1. Not trying to be cold or anything, but through an entire website that says North Druid Kills, the only fatality I see referenced is a boy crossing the street in 1976. Am I missing something? I’m not against people trying to make their own street safer, but the overdramatization of an issue in order to make yourself heard does bother me.

      1. A death is overdramatization. Wow. There’s 2 on there. And Mr Moon who has lived there since 1956 remembers 10 others – unfortunately the Internet does not stretch back that far to capture linkworthiness.

        http://northdruidhillsroaddanger.com/obituary-of-rev-elward-ellis-killed-on-north-druid-hills-road-12-may-2012

        1. I did miss the second one, but it’s not mentioned in the Incidents page. And again, I’m trying to be realistic. So, now I understand a bit more what happened. Reverend Ellis was just recently killed, and that, like any life lost in these circumstances, is sudden and tragic. However, to label a road as a Killer and to do so by reaching back 36 years to find the last time someone was killed on a particular stretch of road is indeed dramatizing a point in order to get heard. If there were 10 other deaths, I would find it to be a more compelling argument that this is an incredibly dangerous road, but so far the only data that indicates the deadliness is one grieving man’s memories. The fact that a couple news station’s ran with the story and couldn’t be bothered to look into such a claim, is weak at best, but it satisfied their desire to run with a story that pulls heartstrings.

          1. I think the neighbors would agree it’s perhaps more like North Druid Might Could Maim You or North Druid Will Destroy Your Car And Send Your Insurance Rates Through The Roof Due To Multiple Claims Because You Can’t Avoid That Stretch Of Road If You Live There What With Having To Leave The House To Go To Work And Then Come Back Hopefully With Bumper Intact I’m Telling You Man The Stress Is Killing Me, but that URL was taken.

          2. Yes, these folks are trying desperately to be heard and it isn’t hard to see why, especially after reading the incident descriptions at that website and also recalling what that stretch of road has been like on the very few occasions I’ve driven it during rush hour. So the number of people who have actually been killed may be subject to debate. It could happen again any day, and I’d say the likelihood is increasing as traffic volume increases and drivers’ frenzy keeps growing (which we see all over the metro area).

            1. I’m starting to think we need way more congestion so that crazy drivers simply can’t reach lethal collision speeds. Who’s with me? MORE CARS and NARROWER ROADS!

  22. barred owl: the only thing that wakes me up at 3:47am that I am able to forgive and even enjoy

    1. We were awoken a few weeks ago by 3 bard owls and were able to see them in a tree 30 feet away…it was awesome.

  24. Emory University chopped down a grove of huge mature trees this week to “re-align a road”. WTF?
    That once beautiful campus is becoming concrete and steel central.

    1. oh you mean this: http://news.emory.edu/stories/2012/05/er_woodruff_circle_realignment/campus.html
      “Construction begins in mid-May on a major project that will improve the traffic flow of shuttle buses and cars, enhance pedestrian access and improve safety throughout the area.”

      freakin’ savages!! (link talks about tree canopy replacement)

  26. Moving furniture suggestions needed please!!

    I have two twin sets and a futon which need relocating to Charlotte … Five pieces are available for pick up now. Delivery needed on Tuesday 5/29.
    Any suggestions?
    I cannot rent a one-way cargo van (which would be the perfect fit) …
    I don’t like driving the 10 foot trucks available through Uhaul…
    Was thinking of renting a mini van, but don’t know for sure if it can accommodate all pieces…
    ???

    1. Triangle Rent A Car has huge pickup trucks and other larger vehicles. Might work out.

      1. Triangle Rent a Car is a great suggestion! Thank you!
        They rent ONE-WAY trucks, like 4x4s and such, plus cargo vans in the SE.
        Reaallly appreciate the tip!

    2. May be too late, but I had a good experience with Pods ( though I was moving more)! I think uhaul may have a similar service now. Good luck.

  28. Speaking of East Lake, I wish everyone along the stretch between Ponce and the MARTA station would slow the heck down. This is a(nother) residential neighborhood, after all.

    1. 7 PM according to Patch which has an invitation posted. Doesn’t say RSVP or invitees only and it’s at the stadium so imagine there’s room. Maybe there’s preferred seating for family/guests of graduates.

  32. Congratulations RMS and DHS Class of 2012!!! So proud of you all, from fellow RMS and DHS graduate.

  34. DeKalb Mugshots shows that perennial candidate Joe “Joe From Decatur” Bembry was arrested for Theft By Receiving Stolen Property. Anybody know any details? Guy once ran for County Commission while incarcerated for not cleaning up all the junk on is property.

  36. From an email received five minutes ago from the Oakhurst Garden:

    “The moment you have all waited for is finally here!

    All tomato plants are reduced to $1 each.

    Or $15 for a flat of tomatoes (18 plants).

    Spread the love, spread the word.

    Sale is located at 435 Oakview Road, Decatur, GA 30030.
    Sale is open sun up to sun down.
    Self service. Please drop your exact cash or check made out to OCGP in the drop box in the front door.

    Have a great weekend!”

  40. What’s the deal with this DM? Please look into it… seems disturbing.

    http://decatur.11alive.com/news/news/118038-student-charged-felony-returns-school-victim

    1. I would like to know more too but the Winnona Park incident is an example of how situations are complex and those of us on the outside may never know the full story. I am sure that the school system has to be very careful in terms of legal action and what it says. But perhaps a resource officer or at least a school staffer could monitor the classes of a child who has been threatened or attacked. Children with certain special needs have staff assigned to be with them in inclusion classes. Similarly, children who might be in danger should get the same.

      CSD seems to do a lot in terms of anti-bullying programs but it’s never too much. Children should not fear for their safety in school.

      There are downsides to the free range approach to parenting in Decatur. It’s a wonderful opportunity for kids to walk everywhere in Decatur on their own but it’s also a risk. Things happen, especially at the Square, but also in unlocked school buses, in our parks, in our school playgrounds. Free range with a constant tether of “I have to know where you are at all times” and “always be with a friend” and periodic check-ins is my recommendation. There are times like Halloween and Graduation Night when it may be best for preteens and teens to remain at home.

      1. It’s my understanding that DPD was at Renfroe yesterday taking statements from kids who had witnessed the incident.

        1. I hope their parents were called and were present. Parents should always be present when their children are interviewed by the police, even at school. Doesn’t matter whether children are victims, perpetrators, or bystanders.

          1. Parents were not called. Perhaps one of our regular DM counselors can advise on the legalities?

            1. Re legality: Someone told me it’s legal for children to be interviewed on school grounds without parental permission if, and only if, it’s a crime that happened on school grounds. Don’t know if that’s accurate info. But just because it may be legal doesn’t make it right. Ethically, parents ought to be called if their 11-14 year children are being interviewed by the police. Parents ought to be allowed to be present for something this important.

      2. It isn’t “free range” if there is a constant tether. And if the child had told the parent that he was at the Square, the incident wouldn’t have been prevented. And pre-teens should remain at home on Halloween?????

        1. IMHO, kids over the age of 12 do not need to be out trick or treating. I guess that’s preteen+ or subteen. The Winnona Park incident is an excellent example of free range gone bad. Some of the kids there were 12-14 years old. Safe indoor parties with plenty of parents around seem like a better choice at Halloween. Children between 12 and 16 years of age seem to lose the common sense they had in the latency period at the same time that they are now more on their own and able to do riskier things. Then they seem to regain their ability to reason in late adolescence, boys later than girls.

          I cannot imagine not being on top of where my kids are. They can roam but a two way connection to home base must remain open. That will be house rules even when they finally graduate from CSD and come back summers from college. It’s for their safety, our peace of mind, and their peace of mind, even if they think it’s dorky. In fact, even spouses like to know where their spouse is, so why not know where our children are?

          I don’t know enough about this particular incident to know what would have helped. But I’m sure that it couldn’t have hurt for the parents of all the parties to be on top of their children’s whereabouts. It’s harder to be a bully, or tease a bully, or binge drink, or hook up, or whatever, when you know that your parent is aware of exactly where you are and could show up at any moment. The cell phone as electronic superego.

      1. I always want to know exactly what the schools are doing to protect children and are they being fair and consistent. Ultimately, I suppose, I want to believe that my children will be safe at school and also treated fairly if they are accused of something. But I understand the need for careful and legal release of information from schools. On the other hand, the more info that can be appropriately shared, the better. Otherwise the bits and pieces one picks up from the news, from friends, from your children can worry you, either about the event in question, or the school’s response, or the police response, or the parents’ response, etc.

  42. Does anyone know whats going on with the decatur diner transition into a mexican restaurant? doesnt seem like much activity going on there.

  44. Glenlake pool is closed today and they advise to call to check before you come tomorrow. Its a lovely shade of green.

  46. I took a stroll around the lively Decatur Arts Festival. Things seem to be rocking in downtown Decatur. One thing, though I found upsetting. I don’t understand why people insist on taking their dogs to the festival. It’s incredibly hot, crowded and confusing and can only be miserable for a dog lead around the steamy pavement in the hot sun. Please, those of you considering bringing your dog with you, do you sweet pet a favor and leave him/her at home.

    1. Amen! If it’s hot for humans, it’s even more so for dogs. Glad you posted this, Mainer…

      1. Maybe people should have to walk around in all that heat in a fur coat after having sweat glands removed 🙂

    2. I didn’t take either of ours, however I petted a whole bunch of pups at the fest and they all seemed very happy to me.

      2. And doggie earplugs, depending on where they were situated relative to music stages or other amplified sound. (I have a whole riff on the cruelty of taking dogs to concerts and other events where there is amplified sound — but you can probably guess the content.)

  50. Visited Mac McGee’s tonight, and found that their side of the square, all the way down to Cakes and Ale, was suffering from a power outage. Luckily the whiskey flights are served at room temperature, and they appeared to have an emergency soccer generator, so that people were still able to enjoy the match. Everything seemed to be running as smoothly as possible – which is why this is one of my favorite places in Decatur. Cheers to Mac!

  54. We tried Pinewood. Had a couple signature cocktails and sliders.
    The cocktails ($10-14 each) were served with a large ice cube which helps take up a lot of space in the glass. They serve a limited light fare food. The sliders ($10 choice of three) were good but would of been great if I had endulged in more alcohol.
    A place to meet for a cocktail or nightcap.

  56. If anyone would like to help place flags and flowers on the graves of those who gave their lives in defense of our country for Memorial Day remembrance, please meet at the Veteran’s Memorial (Church Street entrance) in the Decatur Cemetery TODAY at 7:00 P.M. This is a private activity (with the permission of the Friends of the Decatur Cemetery) but anyone is welcome to help. I will provide the flags and flowers. The flags and flowers will be removed on Monday at 7:00 P.M., again by anyone who would like to volunteer. Assemble at the Veterans Memorial (rock) in the cemetery at 6:00P.M. MONDAY.
    I have a pretty good idea of the location of the graves but if you know of someone who is buried in the Decatur Cemetery who was killed while serving in our military and you want to make sure a flag and flower is placed on the grave for Memorial Day, please respond to [email protected] . Thanks.
    I do not pretend to be an expert on this subject. Nor do I claim that the list I have is 100% accurate. Feel free to reply sender if you have more information. Here is the list so far: Allan B. Callaway- Vietnam, Charles Sharman- Vietnam, Marion Footman- W.W.I, Christopher Daniel Kuzela (Navy, Buried At Sea, 1988), Goodrich Cook White- W.W.II, Benjamin F. Duke- W.W.II, Colton Reynolds Clark Jr.- W.W.II, William Swift Smith- W.W.II, William A Rehm (Rhiems ?)- W.W.II, Joseph G. Woodruff-W.W.II, W. Miller Wallace Jr.-W.W.II, Marion Farrar Jr.-W.W.II, Guy Bryd Sommerour- W.W.II, _roughton Lee Peacock- Korea, Edward Rutledge Ravenel III- Korea, Woolford B. Baker Jr.- W.W.II, Matt Edward Rose- W.W.II

  58. Killed on duty and buried in Decatur Cemetery update:
    1. Allan B. Callaway- Vietnam, Charles Sharman- Vietnam. Located on the northeast side near Glen Lake Park, closer to Glendale but still in the large section. Charles Sharman’s grave ALWAYS has a U.S. and Marine flag present. Callaway is almost due west of Sharman.

    2. Marion Footman- W.W.I. Past the Veterans rock and the sexton’s house, up the hill on the right. His grave is a slab next to his parents (three slabs together next to the road).

    3. Christopher Daniel Kuzela (Navy, Buried At Sea, 1988), Goodrich Cook White- W.W.II, Benjamin F. Duke- W.W.II. All three located directly across from the Veteran’s rock. White’s monument is the largest (really huge and very beautiful) of the three. Kuzela’s is just east of Whites, a small black stone. Duke’s is slightly north of White, towards GlenLake Park.

    4. Colton Reynolds Clark Jr.- W.W.II, William Swift Smith- W.W.II, William A Rehm (Rhiems ?)- W.W.II, Joseph G. Woodruff-W.W.II, W. Miller Wallace Jr.-W.W.II, Marion Farrar Jr.-W.W.II, Guy Bryd Sommerour- W.W.II, _roughton Lee Peacock- Korea, Edward Rutledge Ravenel III- Korea, Woolford B. Baker Jr.- W.W.II, Matt Edward Rose- W.W.II. All are located in a long line in the largest section of the new cemetery. From the Veteran’s rock, cross the road and walk towards Glen Lake Park. Cross the loop road and you are in the largest section. Walk about thirty yards in and slightly east, towards Glendale. Clark should be the most southern grave, Ravenel the most northern grave (closest to Glen Lake Park), and Rose’s large monument is on the bisecting road (can’t miss, right on road).

    Old Cemetery: The CSA soldier I mentioned, Absolom Blevins, is the only one for sure since his stone mentions where and when. Maj. Blevins is buried just on the south side of the Gazebo toward the Commerce Gate.
    Forrest Hill – Maj. WWII – 1943 (I believe he is at the base of the Kroger hill, diagonally north from Thomas Holley Chivers and behind the Medlocks on the ring road)–a large more modern stone with some cursive script maybe with Dogwoods?)
    David McCalla – Sgt WWII – 1942 – I think it’s in the lot immediately east of Mary Gay.
    Andrew Marshall – Prvt. CSA – 1862 (buried, I recall, on the same lot as Capt.. Cox..of the Alston/Cox fame unpleasantness) on the Kroger side of the main road near the first cross road north of the Gazebo. (Thanks Ms. Vogel, Friends of Decatur Cemetery)

    1. Mr B.,

      Please forgive the transparent transplant cluelessness, but would you mind posting a summary or link for the “Alston/Cox Fame Unpleasantness”? This seems from your tone to be something that well-read Decaturites should know about.

      1. Google Alston Cox Decatur for the story. Several versions of the story. I have no idea which is correct.

  60. How much better can it get around here?!? Saw the Sugar Moon Bake Shop was opened and packed with people yesterday evening, and this morning we went to a Kickstarter tasting event at Revolution Doughnuts. Sounds like Revolution will be opening on June 1…National Donut Day!

    2. If you were smart enough to volunteer for the arts fest during the Saturday six in the morning shift, you were rewarded with delicious doughnuts and excellent coffee from Revolution. Totally worth getting up early. And those doughnuts; I will be a customer for sure!

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