Free-For-All Friday

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

54 thoughts on “Free-For-All Friday”


  2. Has anyone else been experiencing lower water pressure for the last week or two?

    1. I’ve noticed the water pressure dropping at night the last few weeks, but otherwise it seems ok.

  4. I’ve eaten my last (delivered late) poorly cooked Thai from Mint2. Any recommendations for places that deliver?

    1. Siam Thai on the square delivers within a 3-mile radius. They’ve been our go-to Thai delivery since Thai One On vacated the place where Mint2 is now. A little more expensive than Mint2 but much tastier, IMO.

    2. We ordered them last Friday and they took over an hour an half and 2 of 6 or so potstickers we ordered were empty (just noodles). I emailed them to ask for a comp. appetizer next time and they never responded. I had forgotten about this until I just read your post.

      I also will not order from them anymore.

        1. Another vote for Top Spice. Deliver in a 5 mile radius if I remember correctly.

    4. Zifty.com and grubhub.com. Different restaurants delivered based on where you live.

  6. Does anyone know of a cleaning service that doesn’t mind a couple of small dogs? I want to use someone for a bi-weekly service, but find the task of rounding everyone up including the dogs and finding something to do for a couple hours a day on the weekend to be less than ideal (especially if it’s raining). Weekdays are usually out as we both work full-time and most services need you to crate the dogs (which we don’t/won’t). We do have a fully fenced yard they can let them out into. Thanks!

    1. Are you on a MARTA route? I have a fabulous cleaning lady who takes care of our condo common areas weekly, as well as a few of our individual residences. She likes little dogs, so if yours aren’t threatening or obnoxious, would likely be fine with them. Not sure whether or not she has empty slots in her schedule but if she does, would love to help her fill them. She has no car, though, so needs access to MARTA.

  8. Community Wide Yard Sale Saturday
    5/9/2015 8am-1pm
    140 homes- many particpate
    Map: 913 Regal Path Ln. 30030

    Y’all stop by.

  10. So… Whole Foods might be coming to little old Decatur. Where? Callaway, now that that property will be able to sell alcohol? But there had also been reports of a Sprouts coming to that location. I just hope it doesn’t go too far north, like to Suburban Plaza.

    2. I think it’s safe to say that Whole Foods will not locate in Suburban Plaza. Though I believe the grocery store slated for the Scott baptist church site across the street is Sprouts.

      1. Yes, Walmart probably has a grocery exclusivity clause in its lease with that shopping center.

        1. I just think it is amusing that some folks in Decatur think that Suburban Plaza is “too far North” – for lots of us, that is actually a pretty convenient location.

          1. Nothing to do with location and everything to do with uses in the new site.

      2. I went to a Sprouts once and was so disappointed. It didn’t have the foods we like at all. Bummer. Has anyone else been to one and had that feeling… or not? Would love to see a Whole Foods closer! I love Ponce and actually enjoy driving down Ponce to get there (I’m still pretty new so it’s a novelty still I guess), but the store is always so crowded when we’re able to go, and they have usually run out of at least three things that we want. What’s up with that?!

  12. Why is the main entrance/driveway to Decatur High School chained off and closed?

    I know it has been this way for quite some time, but WHY?

    As I drive by there every morning, it seems silly for buses and parents to have no option but to drop off the kids at the street when that perfectly good and awesome and covered drop off spot is chained off.

    I would like to hear the ACTUAL reason and not guesses.

      1. I believe this is right, sad to say. It’s the same story at many county courthouses — permanent barricades block what used to be the nearest car-accessible points to the main entries.

    3. I think It’s been off limits to cars for at least a decade, maybe more like two.

      1. I always thought it was because that (under the spaceship library) is the only place a large group of kids can stand out of the rain and weather before they are allowed in at 815 or 820. Kids milling around in large groups are accidents waiting If cars and buses were mixed in. Maybe someone from the school knows for sure.

    4. Safety, logistics, and Columbine. When I was in school, that turnaround was 1,000x less convenient than just dropping off at the street because of the challenge of turning back on to a packed N. McDonough and having to wait for every car to unload (It is, after all, just one lane). I believe it was closed in 1999 as a part of making the school more secure. Prior to that, one could go in and out of any of the million entrance and exit doors all over the building and some students were allowed off-campus for lunch.

      1. I vaguely remember when DHS students could be seen around town for lunch. I imagine that only a certain proportion made it back for their afternoon classes and that doomed the practice.

  14. 2015 Musical Lineup Set for 15th Decatur BBQ Blues and Bluegrass Festival

    A dynamic 7+ hours of nationally acclaimed blues and bluegrass music will make up the 15th annual Decatur BBQ Blues & Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, August 15th. This year’s event (12pm – 8pm) once again will bring a diverse and powerful line up of blues and bluegrass artists for all to enjoy.

    Kicking off this year’s festival is local blues legend Beverly Guitar Watkins. Known for her scorching behind-the-head guitar solos, the 75-year old blues guitar legend will leave you slack-jawed. She is critically acclaimed and professionally respected. She’ll set the tone, and the bar, for our day of musical talent.

    Returning to our stage from an 8 yr. hiatus, The Dappled Grays are Atlanta’s prized Bluegrass band.
    A 5-piece ensemble, the DG’s bring together pure Bluegrass harmonies and a progressive Bluegrass sound. You’ll probably want to kick your shoes off and grab a partner!

    Making their debut at the Decatur BBQ Blues & Bluegrass Festival are two nationally acclaimed acts. First is Sailing to Denver, a regular performer at dozens of regional Festivals, they bring a festive sound with rich harmonies and exciting string arrangements. They are followed by the guitar-driven blues of the Lockdown Blues Band from Raleigh, North Carolina. Lead singer Taneka Clemons brings power and intensity to this mighty 5-piece ensemble.

    Returning for another explosive Blues-Rock performance is Michelle Malone, who will be fresh off-the- road from a string of dates supporting the Indigo Girls. Michelle’s guitar chops, trademark voice, and songwriting craft have won her critical acclaim and numerous awards over the years including 5 time female Vocalist of the Year (Creative Loafing), and Best Blues Guitarist (IAC.com). Come hear why Rolling Stone magazine describes her as “raucous and jubilant!”

    Finally, we are extremely proud to announce our 2015 headliner, the guys from Seven Handle Circus who return to the festival after an epic performance in 2013. This 6-piece band will present their own unique twist on Bluegrass and Folk. You’ll dance, you’ll smile, and you’ll hear some surprising covers thrown in among their brilliant originals off their new record, Shadows on the Wall. The perfect way to cap-off a full day of Blues and Bluegrass glory.

    Look for tickets to go on sale in just over 30 days from now. Mark your calendars for this is once again can’t miss Decatur summer tradition.

  16. Holy prediction J_T! Accident at College and Commerce just now. I have tried to avoid that intersection since reading your comment, but it is the only way to get to Doggie Daycare. I hope everyone is okay.

    1. Even worse, a plane crashed at 285 and Peachtree Industrial. Four fatalities.

      http://www.ajc.com/news/news/plane-crash-at-i-285-at-peachtree-industrial/nmCCn/

      1. Just came from 400 n of perimeter and 400 s is already backed up. Should be a lovely afternoon commute. Cops have all 285 eb traffic exiting to 400 n or s

    2. Strangely enough, I just travelled on Lavista, Cheshire Bridge, I-85 north from Cheshire Bridge to Clairmont, and then Clairmont Rd. with no problems at all. It was the traffic coming south on I-85 that was all backed up. My guess is that it was from folks trying to get to 400 north in roundabout fashion via Sidney Marcus Blvd.

  18. Lead footers. Bats out of hell. Whatever you want to call ’em, speedy drivers need to STFD. (Slow the frick down.) I chuckled at a recent thread on a neighborhood listserv. The general discourse was ‘people need to slow down on _______ street. There’s a school with children there.’ Another poster remarked, ‘and people need to slow down on _______ street too. It’s a residential street.’ Truth be told, nearly all of Decatur’s hybrid/subaru/minivan/sportwagon/vintage populace needs to take it down a notch. Whether you’re on Avery, Hill, Oakview, Candler, Church, Sycamore or Superior, you’re on a residential street. And you know those Decatur car tags we emblazon on the front of our cars? Well, it shows you’re a citizen of this community. And as such, you should be neighborly. Drive like a grandma. Every drive should be a slow, Sunday-drive of a jaunt. We are never going to get Junderscore’s moat. But we can act as a pace cars for visitors to our community. I suddenly feel like TS Garp.

    1. As I remember it, Garp builds up speed, shuts down his engine, turns off his lights, and coasts quickly into his driveway killing one child, blinding the other, and contributes to an instant sex-change operation. I’m not sure he’s the best example for driving safely.

      1. There’s that. There’s also the scene where he chases down the speeding utility truck.

    2. I am shocked at how irrelevant stop signs have become in our City. More often than not, I see most drivers roll through stops. Some have stopped stopping at all.

      I am surprised to see this especially by local drivers (I know this bc they sport the City’s plate on the front) given how pedestrian friendly of a City we are supposed to be. Perhaps it is all the recent newbies?

      1. And red lights apparently have a 3 second rule–people continue through them seemingly that long after they turn red.

        1. In that, Atlanta follows West Coast driving culture. In NYC, everyone jumps the green. Bad news when New Yorkers move to LA or vice versa.

    4. I think we need some “City of Decatur Pace Car” bumper stickers. I’d happily slap one on the minivan and continue my pacing of the streets around Oakhurst.

      1. Yes we had pace car bumper stickers a few years ago courtesy of PEDS, the pedestrian advocacy organization but I don’t see any mention of them in PEDS website now. It might have been a pilot program. Other cities are doing it (for example, Google “pace car program Northampton MA”). Would be great if we could get the program back.

        1. You can get the program back. Start it yourself. Decals for cars are incredibly inexpensive. Order 1,000 and start handing them out, at the same time you distribute a press release about your program: friends and neighbors banding together to act locally and make the community safer, EVERYONE DISPLAYING THIS DECAL HAS COMMITTED TO: not exceed posted speed limits, comply with all signs and signals, not use their phone while driving, pay attention to other traffic (vehicles of all kinds and pedestrians), not drive aggressively…whatever else you come up with. Make a credo with 5-8 commitments and publicize the hell out of it, so that everyone sporting a decal follows through. Peer pressure is a powerful, powerful thing.

  20. When, oh when will we get that second lane on Commerce back? So tired of that long line of cars trying to get to or past Clairmont. And before you say it, no – I’m still too lazy to bike or walk 🙂

  22. If you’re a runner – or walker – you might be interested in registering for the Race for Empowerment! Race begins at 8 am this Saturday, May 9 at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. Participants will be chip timed. The proceeds benefit the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a statewide non-profit located here in City of Decatur that works to end domestic violence through public policy advocacy and training and technical assistance to domestic violence shelters and community-based programs throughout the state.

    Registration at http://raceroster.com/events/2015/4991/gcadv-5k-race

  24. Can someone recommend an attorney to help with a tax matter. Sold a Oakhurst house and IRS seems to think the sales price was income! my turbotax skills are suspect. Deadline to respond is Friggin June 3rd! Thanks in advance, Deb

    1. Unless it’s rental property, the difference between your sales price and your basis in it is capital gains unless you bought another house. If you didn’t, the first $250K per person is exempt. The sale was reported to the IRS on a form something or another. Was it reported on the wrong form? Why do they think it is income? You probably filed a Schedule D when you shouldn’t have.

      1. Steve is right, it is income. But there is a special exclusion that, in most cases, exempts the proceeds from taxation.

        Could be wrong but I believe they did away with the “buy another house” requirement in about 1997. The IRS has this handy primer on the matter, which is only 20 or so pages long. Good thing our tax code is simple enough for ordinary people to understand and administer!

        http://www.irs.gov/publications/p523/ar02.html

    2. I know it sounds crazy, but I called the IRS recently because of a mistake I had made, and they had also given me notice to respond by a certain date. The representative was very cordial and helpful and I resolved the issue fairly quickly. Maybe start there? If not, then I have a great accountant to recommend but don’t know any tax attorneys.

  26. What is the movie filming in Decatur? We saw the BB3 directional arrow signs on Ponce, leading to movie trucks parked at Church St and Commerce Dr in the lot on the corner, near the little Kroger.

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