Free-For-All Friday 8/28/15
Decatur Metro | August 28, 2015 | 7:15 amFeel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics not yet discussed here over the past week.
Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics not yet discussed here over the past week.
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Dear Runners, Walkers, Dog Walkers and other early morning people: It is now dark again at your chosen time to be out on the streets. Please consider reflective or at least bright clothing. I know we have all been told of the slimming quality of black but save it for dimly lit bars, not streets!
+1
It’d also be ideal if you would stick to the sidewalks whenever possible rather than walking on the streets.
I agree, for the most part. I used to be much more adamant about wanting people to be on the sidewalks instead of the street. But then I started to run and I realized that MANY people don’t keep their trees and shrubbery trimmed and it’s really easy to get whacked in the face with a low branch or really have to contort to get around the overgrowth. Also, a lot of sidewalks in Decatur are in terrible shape and it’d be pretty easy to trip or twist an ankle. So, while I generally agree with the sentiment of staying off the street, neighbors can help with that. I will add though, that if you DO run/walk in the street, stay way over to the side and don’t take up space so you’re tying up traffic (double-wide strollers!).
Your post reminded me of one morning last week when I was stuck behind two women running side-by-side in the street with double strollers. I guess their conversation was more important than traffic. I kept my distance and didn’t speed up and try to pass them on a street lined with parked cars as the strollers may have been occupied, but you wouldn’t believe the looks I received after I honked my horn.
How do you expect them to be able to carry on a conversation with all that horn-blowing??
Yup. If you’ve ever asked runners to run on the sidewalk, it’s very likely you’ve never tried to run on the sidewalk. Even in Decatur, where sidewalks are in better shape than most anywhere else.
I always run on the sidewalk if there is one. But, the majority of my running routes are along major streets with more cars traveling at a high(er) rate of spade, and perhaps those sidewalks are better maintained. Except for a few isolated spots, I find navigating the occasional sidewalk hazard preferable to avoiding cars.
I do run on sidewalks on the busier routes (Scott, College Clairemont, etc). But in the residential neighborhoods, I’m usually on the side of the street. That said, it’s often so early that I don’t encounter any cars in the neighborhoods…and if a car does approach, I’ll often move to the sidewalk if it’s at all questionable whether they will see me.
My exact strategy. I also run early in the morning; I bet we’ve passed each other more than once.
You may have seen me. I’m the guy with the running shoes and Dri-Fit shirt. 🙂
Well, you will be easy to spot. In addition to the shoes and dri-fit shirt, I also wear running shorts (but not the super shorts ones).
Amen! And I’d also like to add that no matter how much you wish for it, stop signs are *not* optional, but are mandatory. That doesn’t mean do a roll through if there’s no police officer nearby. And it definitely means STOP for pedestrians in the crosswalks!
Yes, yes !
This is a big problem. Early morning walkers and runners, especially those in groups, don’t use the sidewalks and often don’t even move to the side of the road to allow cars to get by . Very few of them wear light colored clothes or , better yet, reflector.
and don’t go chasing waterfalls
I’d be willing to bet the people complaining about runners in the streets aren’t runners.
I am a runner, and I stick to sidewalks wherever possible. Yes, I get slapped in the face by overbrush and have almost lost my footing a few times on uneven asphalt and the cobblestone areas of Oakview Road. I still stick to the sidewalks.
I will agree with that. I used to wonder why runners run in the street and was edified a few years back on this very blog. There were several reasons, including the uneven sidewalk issue.
I am not a runner, but I do walk in the mornings. A few months ago, I was walking along the sidewalk and was recalling the running-in-the-street rationale as explained by a runner writing on the Decatur Metro, and my creative mind jumped from that to, “hey, I bet I could run from here to the corner.” And so I did. A dozen feet from the corner, I tripped on the uneven sidewalk, flew through the air and landed smack in the middle of the intersection. In the few seconds between trip to land, I was able to get a couple more steps under myself to slow my hurdling, tuck and roll, and think, “Right, that’s why those people who run, don’t run on the sidewalk.”
So, thank you DM runner, but I guess I had to learn that lesson for myself!
Yeah, the sidewalks are perilous.
So long as they ain’t running in the left side of the road or side by side, all attentive drivers won’t hit them.
If by “left” you mean against traffic, then I would have to disagree (respectfully, of course – this is DM after all 😉
It actually is safer to run against traffic as one can see approaching cars and get out of the way if needed. For bicyclists, who are generally faster than runners, it makes more sense to go with the flow of car traffic. It’s all about approach and reaction times.
This is especially true today when everyone runs with earbuds and can no longer hear traffic approaching from the rear.
You can run on the street if you want, but I will be biking according to law and will not be going around you, risking my life by swerving out into the street when you’re the one breaking the law. So if you see me coming on my bike, better get out of the way!
Ummm… http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/program-tools/when-walking-road-do-you-walk-against-or-traffic
Agree! Please, please, please wear white, have a light and have reflection. Can’t tell you just how many people dressed in black or navy that the front of my car has come close to meeting in the 12 years I’ve lived on the Agnes Scott side of the tracks. Thank heavens I drive slow in the morning.
And while you’re at it, don’t walk, run, or ride down railroad tracks or else you might become one of the 300 or so trespassers who lose their lives doing that every year.
The thing about why people run in the streets that I didn’t see addressed is that asphalt easier on the joints than concrete. That’s why this old lady runs in the street, close to the edge with reflective clothing, of course.
You may be right. But I would think running on a concrete sidewalk would be easier on one’s joints than oh, say, getting hit by a car.
+1
I guess I missed the official fanfare that accompanied the change, but as of this week a quarter buys you eight minutes of parking downtown instead of ten. Be sure to look at the time on the readout, in case you’ve gotten too rote about it.
Maybe Decatur needs to offer unlimited parking plans, so that we don’t have to worry about buying those pesky minutes, and overages…wait, where have I heard that before?
Where are there meters anymore? I thought everything was converted to the machines.
There are meters that accept credit cards around town where there are only a couple of parking spaces. I’ve actually found them easier to use than the “Oh my god, it’s so hot and this is taking forever!” kiosks.
Have you tried the app? I love it! A couple clicks in the car and presto! And you can add time from inside the restaurant!
+1
The app is a winner.
I love it, too. Especially when it’s raining.
I really wonder why Decatur doesn’t enforce metered parking for longer hours. For example, weekend evening parking is free but you can never find a spot. I see metered parking (especially if there was demand pricing) as a way to help ensure some availability. There are times that I’d like to swing by Java Monkey to pick up a pound or two of bean coffee but I have zero confidence that I’ll be able to park anywhere near the place so I just don’t bother. I’d pay .50 for 10 minutes if I could…
I think the deck behind Parker’s gives you the first half hour free. That’s plenty of time to grab a sack of beans.
Yesterday: 1st quarter got me 8 minutes; 2nd quarter got me 7 minutes. Receipt says $2.00/hour.
Yesterday: 1st quarter got me 8 minutes; 2nd quarter got me 7 minutes. Receipt says $2.00/hour.
Why does Dragon Con have to be on the same weekend as the Book Fest. All of my “respectable” lady friends want to go to DBF. I can’t seem to drag anyone out to dress up as Ghostbusters when Erica Jong is in town. Ugh, can I go to her event dressed as Henry Miller?
This is a first-world, grown up person problem…le sigh.
Sometimes there’s some crossover. You occasionally see Dragon Con folks at DBF. They’re pretty obvious, even among the literary nerds.
Interesting thought, DC/DBF crossover cosplay: Henry Miller: empty pockets, grumbling stomach, wine stains, and a marked up copy of Decline of the West.
LOL
I’ll bet you see some cross-over Sunday afternoon for Christopher Moore.
Happy Friday All!
And one thing to say on this lovely fall-like morn . . . Revolution Donuts Fig & Cream . . . AWESOME!!!
10th anniversary of Katrina, or ‘Heck of a Job’ day. Be sure to tell your least competent employee that they are doing a heck of a job.
Here’s to you, Brownie. Funny that he’s MIA in Nola this weekend.
Shrub’s coming out of his hole in Texas to make an appearance. My guess is it won’t be a warm reception.
And so is Ray Nagin…Couldn’t get time off for good behavior I guess.
As a newly annexed household, could someone tell me if this is right? We got our first Decatur tax bill several months ago, with installments due on June 1 and December 21. These seem to be based on our previous assessment. And we recently received a Dekalb County tax bill, based on our new assesment, due September 30 and November 15. The bulk of the tax is paid to Decatur, with a minor percentage due to Dekalb. Is this the way it’s normally done? Guess I just expected one bill from the City, or at least two bills that came due at the same time based on the same tax rate.
The first CoD tax bill comes out prior to the annual assessment performed by the county. Then the county tax bills come out. The second CoD tax bill will reflect any changes due to a re-assessment.
Correct. And the first bill includes the stormwater and sanitation taxes, which are flat amounts, whereas the second one will only have property and school tax based upon the final assessment.
Yep, that is all normal. Well, as normal as DeKalb County can be.
Actually, in this case, I think CoD is abnormal. Most municipalities tax in the latter part of the year after annual assessment.
It’s all about cash flow.
I know, but that doesn’t make it the norm.
I don’t disagree with that. But we are in DeKalb County, and it is abnormal. Even though COD may be the cause of it this time, it still does characterize our predicament (i.e., living in DeKalb County).
When I lived in Pine Lake, the County collected the city taxes for us. City tax lines were just added to the county bill. That made sense in Pine Lake, where City Hall had a staff or 1 or 2 people.
I am sure (and I think I recall a discussion here) that there is some historical reason why Decatur chooses to handle its own tax billing.
I wonder if Las Brasas is getting ready to open. The website is updated now — it doesn’t have a menu posted (yet) but it only shows the restaurant is open for dinner (maybe just in the beginning) seven days a week.
http://lasbrasasdecatur.com/
Hey folks,
Just a reminder that Oakhurst Community Choir is still recruiting for its fall season!
OCC is an independent, friendly, non-audition choir welcoming all adults and teens. We would love to see more local residents join our ranks. Like all choirs, we find it harder to recruit low voices than high ones, so guys are especially encouraged to come out and give it a go – no experience necessary & we promise we’ll be gentle!
The first rehearsal of our fall 2015 session will be on Wednesday September 23rd at The Solarium, 321 West Hill St from 7pm-8.30pm. Rehearsals will be held at the same time each Wednesday, and we will be learning a selection of Christmas carols and other holiday songs to be performed at local events in December.
The membership fee is $35 for the 10-week session. You will also need to purchase three pieces of sheet music (we can give you instructions for doing this online). For full details, please email [email protected] .
Holly Scarborough & Alice Reeves
Directors, Oakhurst Community Choir
Decatur High Football opens its season tonight at home. Game time is 7:30pm. It will be a tough game against Woodward Academy featuring Evander Holyfield’s son Elijah (a heavily recruited senior RB). Come support the hometown team! Wear WHITE for a White-Out at the stadium. Parking at the school will be scarce due to construction, but it’s still free after 6pm at the courthouse lot. Go Dogs!
Go Dogs! Do newspapers still have Prep Sports coverage? I used to love that when I was a kid, seeing my friends’ names in the paper. I think that was how I became a newspaper reader.
An illustration: Sometime in the 60s the Fort Lauderdale News referred to my (now) brother-in-law as The Cuban Comet. We still call him that once in a while. To be in the paper! That was immortality.
Go Woodward! (Exclaimed as a City of Decatur tax-paying resident who paid Woodward tuition because COD schools provided deficient educational instruction.)
That reminds me of my favorite Dan Akroyd quote…
AND you could afford both! Wow!
In light of the recent events in Virginia & New Orleans when is the ‘ALL LIVES MATTER’ rally?
http://www.decaturga.com/city-government/city-departments/police/block-party-permit
Thanks David. I hate to tell you this but there will not be an “All Lives Matter” rally on the square. I can only guess that the organizers of the previous event were motivated in part by the political agenda of the Democratic Party (Better Known In Decatur As “Progressives”). The brutal murder of two white reporters by a gay black man doesn’t quite fit their narrative that America is a racist country dominated by bigoted white people. It is more likely that there will be a rally in memory of _____, “________________________________ white oppression, the Tea Party and Confederate Memorials”. Or maybe not. (FYI- I moderated part of the last statement not because I’m afraid of DM censure but because I’ve changed. Decatur progressives have been so understanding towards my views on this site over the years that I need to show more kindness in return)
That is not to say that Decatur progressives will remain quiet for long. They are well organized and supported by powerful people and special interest groups. Take for example, the diversity summit held yesterday at the Ebster/Trinity High School gym. This event was dominated by those who want to fundamentally change the social fabric of Decatur, which is in part our relationship with the police, traditional neighborhoods, and religious freedom (more about religious freedom later). Let me explain.
There was a capacity crowd at the event and this will be used by the Decatur Next organization to convince the city commission that it represented Decatur but not so. The vast majority, maybe as high as 80%, were 60 or older. The most under-represented group was the 24 to 44 group. There was also a strong church contingent but not all churches were represented. It was mainly three churches, one from the north side and two from Oakhurst, all well known for supporting progressive ideas. And at least three people at my table did not live in the city. The “Resources” listed in the program were extreme progressive viewpoints such as “Gender Spectrum, National Low Income Hosing Coalition, Teaching Tolerance” (web sites), “I,Racist, Micro-Aggressions In Everyday Life, Why Is It So Hard To Talk To White People About Racism” (articles and blogs), and “American Denial, The Danger Of A Single Story, I’m Not A Racist, Am I?” (movies). Only one resource appeared to be fair and that was “Cops See It Differently” (movie) and even this might might slander the police.
But it was the so called “Data Surveys” that Decatur should be concerned with. Throughout the event, participants answered questions using electronic devises. We were told to only vote once. Here are some of the questions and results:
“On my street, I would support the development of five to six smaller houses on one lot instead of one large house if they are priced for young families and empty nesters. 68% Support
I believe the city should invest public funds to create pilot projects that support work force housing options. 81% Favor.
I support a balance of housing options to appeal to a broad range of ages and incomes in my neighborhood. 82% favor.”
Even a young woman, who was the host for my table, was concerned. She didn’t live in the city limits but said she understood why many Decatur homeowners would oppose the first question.
Surprisingly there were no survey questions concerning the police but one power point statement, discussed in detail by two members of the Leadership Circle, stood out:
“Police Trend: “Suspicious persons”, mostly black men reported by community members or stopped by the police.” The Decatur Next coalition is not just going after the police but every Decatur citizen will be targeted for “suspicious thinking”.
Now I don’t want to leave you with the impression that this was a total waste of time. I saw two candidates for the city commission at the meeting and one of them came to me and we discussed our first meeting at a Close Up “Rake&Run” fundraiser. The lunch was great and I enjoyed the people at my table, especially a Vietnam veteran and a captain in the Decatur police Department (my kind of men). There was also a member of the “Better Community Four Decatur” group at my table who I can honestly say was an interesting guy. And much to my surprise, there were no attacks against traditional Decatur churches, at least not at my table. For this, I am thankful.
So David, I’m sorry that my response took a slight detour away from your original concern. If you are new to Decatur Metro and “FFAF” and you want to get more of a response from the veterans, I will be glad to meet you at Trackside Tavern and provide a few pointers.
Much Love,
Chris
I was at City of Decatur’s Community Action Plan as well yesterday. I’m glad folks with multiple perspectives were there. The best part of the event were the conversations that went on at individual tables and getting to know new community members. I hope that the group figures out a way to keep conversations going forward for those who want to continue them. A lot of people are a whole lot nicer and more reasonable in person than online!
Thanks At Home. Were you concerned at all about the way the discussion was manipulated? For example, we were shown a TED video about a Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie concerning the “dangers” of a single story. Did anyone at your table question this emotionally charged presentation? I made the remark at my table that I immediately respected the single story narrative of the Vietnam veteran and police officer who were sitting to my right and left. And wasn’t the entire presentation an illustration of the “danger of the single story”? Most of what we heard, from the leaders of the Leadership Circle, the main presenters, even the representative from the old Beacon Hill community favored a progressive outcome.
And that’s the real problem. Almost everything was rigged to produce the exact results that I believe, were agreed upon back in late December at the first secret meeting. You may be happy with the results but this “single story” will destroy neighborhoods as surely as the old Beacon Hill area was destroyed more than fifty years ago. By progressives by the way.
What single story will destroy what neighborhoods and how? Truly puzzled by the allusion.
Chris, I’m so glad you brought this up. I was there as well. I know from years of reading DM that we hold opposing views on many things but I was also concerned at the pre-determined nature of the poll questions. Some of them were in the vein of “How strongly do you agree that small children should be parboiled before deep frying?” I wanted a different answer or at least some discussion about the intent of the questions before polling. As to the churches, I wondered which ones were there. The room could have been entirely evangelical or entirely Methodist as far as I could tell but the fact that organizers felt an invocation was necessary to begin a civic meeting indicated that the city assumes “Christian” as the default in Decatur. Interesting to hear from you that there were three progressive churches so heavily represented. I wish they had asked political and religious demographics poll questions, would have been interesting to know how much diversity we had in those ver important factors. I was disappointed by how little we actually dug into the community policing issues since I thought that was what started this whole thing. From the presentations it seemed that the police department only started making an effort to be equitable after they were criticized and that doesn’t seem quite right. The housing problems need a whole separate session with more actual data.
Hi, Decatur neighbors –
Just a quick note to let everybody know that discount ticket sales end tonight for Saturday’s fund raising party at The Solarium!
The party starts at 7 p.m. and will include whiskey tasting, gourmet small bites, beer, wine, music, great raffles prizes and fun!
Get discounted tickets ($35 per person, $25 for seniors) at the Solarium website through Friday night: http://t.co/84dZZuGOo2
Or come on Saturday and buy at the door for $40 per person!
Anyone know the story behind the little granite tree identifiers found around Oakhurst? How long have they been there and who started it?
The plaques were put in by Trees Atlanta. I don’t remember what year. I’ve been in Oakhurst since 2001 and it was a few years after that.
Is the restaurant on the corner of West Ponce de Leon and Commerce called “Taco Mac” or are they officially “T. Mac”?
It brings to mind the recently-launched campaign by Domino’s Pizza to announce that they will henceforth be known as simply Domino’s—a big non-issue. I don’t recall ever calling the chain “Domino’s Pizza.” Were people so shocked that “Domino’s Pizza” also sells breadsticks and drinks that they cancelled their pizza orders?
Of course, this Not Important Crusade reminded me of yet another corporation with a brand name change that I’ve never heard a normal person use. Years ago Comcast must have decided that people can’t distinguish between Comcast the cable provider and Comcast the owner of NBC, so they renamed some of their services by adding “x” to a form of the word that means “a number greater than any assignable quantity or countable number (symbol ∞).” Or maybe it’s really “ex” plus “finite.” If that’s the case, this fake word means “without limits,” as in, “the rudeness and incompetence of many Comcast employees is without limits.”
Paddy O’Furniture: I tell that joke every March 17th. (That’s usually when my husband decides to bring me home.)
They are rebranding as T.Mac. All over town.
http://tmacrestaurants.com/about/
I think the most accurate name is “TV Mac”
Recently switched to Uverse. So far, so good! And less expensive to boot.
DM, what is the purpose of adding the LIKE rating system? Is it here to stay?
Just trying it out.
I like the likes. (I also like downvotes, but that wouldn’t be very DMish.)
I wish people actually used the Decatur reddit. The Atlanta one is quite informative.
The Decatur sub is very sad.
DM, not knowing what you’re after, I can’t wish you luck in achieving it. Personally, I’m disappointed to see it happen. I believe it’ll discourage folks who are nervous about weighing in to bravely make that leap. I also think it’s likely to discourage meaningful discussions where there’s the potential to gain better understanding of others’ perspectives. Yes, LIKING is a common feature on sites, but Decatur Metro has never struck me as a common blog. In fairness to you, you probably never anticipated discussions getting as complicated as they do at times. Maybe this feature is meant to keep things moving briskly along.
(Since I can’t bring myself to click approvals even for my favorite commenters, I’ll sit this out. Y’all please know how much you warm my heart and how much I always appreciate learning from you.)
On the other hand, a contribution to the discussion may not get any replies, but it may get likes, letting the comment contributor know that their comment was quietly enjoyed!
Thanks Deanne. I wanted to let you know that the second “like” to your post was from me.
Who’s says everything I post is hateful?!
Can’t say I’m really after anything. But we’ll never know how new options affect dialogue and interaction we don’t ever try them out.
I see your point, but I think it’s negligible given the fact that so many of us use a nom de guerre. So I don’t think it will discourage people from weighing in. It will most likely just decrease the number of “+1” replies.
Just in case anyone wants an electric sampler of the Oakhurst Porchfest, friendly, neighborhood Decatur band The Skylarks will rocking the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival today at the crack of noon… Our competition on the other stage is yoga, so if’n you haven’t perfected your downward dog, come on over to the “Indie Stage” near the Farmers Market and enjoy some tunes…
Shoutout to Smalltowngal: Perhaps this will mitigate your disappointing peach experiences. O’Henry peaches are ripe at Jaemor Farms in Alto. Indescribably deelish, worth the drive. Their roster of peach varieties and ripening times is here: jaemorfarms dot com/georgia-peaches.