Free-For-All Friday 8/21/09
Decatur Metro | August 21, 2009Here’s your open thread for the week, where you can ask questions or bring up any local issues that haven’t been addressed in other posts.
The thread will be closed Monday morning so you can start saving up for next week!
Latest from Decaturish
What’s the latest word on Trackside Tavern?
And a suggestion to the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association and business association – Harmony park and that big parking lot are just begging for a weekend farmer’s market.
Here’s what I learned while griping about the location of Decatur’s Farmer’s Market months back…Georgia only has so many farmer’s doing markets (this ain’t VT) and they all apparently convene on Morningside on the weekend.
I humbly suggest we in Decatur, and more specifically, Oakhurst, are crunchier, Birkenstockier, vegetarianer, and generally more erer than our lovely neighbors in Va-Hi, and therefore more likely to buy more of those organic farmers’ produce were they to move their Saturday morning market to our lovely little village. Maybe we should do a march on/sit-in to share with them the error of their ways.
“…and generally more erer than our lovely neighbors in Va-Hi,”
But we are just as hoidy-toidy…
Count the Audis.
Nah. We may be erer, but the Va-Hi’s are toitier. WAY toitier.
Proves my point: we’re also humbler
Speaking of Harmony Park, I don’t think i am alone in wishing there were something “more” to it. It is the home of 2 great festivals (Oakhurst Arts and Music Festival as well as the BBQ Bluegrass and Blues Fest) and yet there is unrealized potential to the space. The stairs and trees are nice but that crumbling ledge and concrete pad (complete with some kind of accident-waiting-to-happen-metal grate) detract from it becoming more user-friendly and basically attractive. DM–can we find out if there are any plans to improve that space? BTW, you rock!
There will be some improvements to Harmony Park whenever the streetscape project is finally done. The parking island will become part of the park and those spaces will be moved to street parking, effectively enlarging the park without losing any parking.
Not sure what you mean about the concrete pad, but if it’s what I think, that’s part of private property over where One Step at a Time is. The “pad” actually used to be the foundation for a building in that strip long ago torn down.
I think Harmony Park serves as a good little park in the middle of our village, but there could definately be improvements. It could have the feel of a cool little European style square with cafes and restaurants all facing it.
I’m fairly sure the area you’re referring to wasn’t included in the Harmony Park overhaul because it’s actually a privately-owned adjacent parcel that goes with that strip of stores. There are no plans to acquire it, as far as I know.
No ill-will on Charles’ shoe store, but I always thought the ideal solution would be a restaurant or pub (can you really have too many pubs?) in that space that built out the area you’re talking about as a patio overlooking the park. That would be the premium seating come festival time.
Ditto. I walk through that area almost every day to grab visit Kavarna, MoJo’s, Nectar, or the U-Joint. It’d be great if there were more rresatuarants or retail. Hey, whatever happened to the Irish pub (McFadden?) that was going to open in the old Seen Gallery space?
And anyone ever been to NAVO Church? That place seems…interesting. I’m curious about their level of attendance from the community.
NAVO: Not sure how attendance is going (contemporary church isn’t our cup of tea), but those guys did an amazing job reconfiguring the space into a viable church, complete with nice childcare facilities. I know they are really trying to reach out to the community – hosted family movie nights on their big screens every Friday this past June, think they had something for kids during the BBQ fest as well. Hope the Sunday crowd is enough to keep it going – it’s just nice to have something in that space, especially something that is active in our community.
Re: Harmony Park.
The current design is better than what was there before, but as the needs of the community have changed (even in the last few years) I agree it’s already outdated.
I also agree that Charles’ store and other successful businesses who have been there are true assets.
Still, if I could wave a magic wand, that building and the pass-through parking would be gone, and the park re-leveled and expanded to fill the space. Bruce Cohen would develop his parking lot with ground level retail that faced East Lake Rd and the expanded park down to Mead. This would create a proper ‘square’, functional for current needs, and surrounded on 3 sides with retail.
I know it’s only wishful dreaming, but how nice would that be!
I don’t think all of that is too far fetched, George. The expanded park and parking island elimination has already been approved and is just a matter of the City starting construction. No “magic wand” needed.
The other elements will obviously take some time and planning, but could definately see it happen.
We have a TE grant from Georgia DOT to improve the streetscapes in the Oakhurst business district and the plan includes some improvements to the Harmony Park area. We worked with the community back in 2007 to develop the master plan. As everyone knows, DOT has had their hands full over the past few years so their approval of the final plan has been delayed. We certainly thought we’d have it under construction by now! We keep checking and hope to get word soon that the project has finally been released. The project includes an expansion of the park area by removing the existing parking lot and replacing it with angled parking on the street. We’re working to get the plans back up on our website so you can have a look at the planned improvements and look forward to being able to get the project bid out for construction as soon as we get word from Georgia DOT.
Thanks for the update, Lyn. Looking forward to bringing harmony to Harmony Park!
Sadly, it is more likely that world peace will be achieved before development of the Big H. center.
We all know the reason for THAT.
There’s a small but growing East Lake farmers market on the corner of 2nd and Hosea on Saturdays from 9-1. Check it out. There will be peaches tomorrow
The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and, consequently, I will never be ending a work email with the phrase “Regards” again.
Friggin Hilarious…
taken from here:
http://ruminations.com/site/
Busted! But I liked it so much, I just had to post it.
No. Frittin’ hilarious.
Any idea when the sidewalk between Park Dr. and Pharr Rd. on South Candler will begin construction?
It was nice to see Decatur police pulling over motorists this week during the morning rush over there at East Howard near Adair St. and Atlanta Ave. It bothers me to see people speeding through there on their way to downtown Atlanta.
Break-in yesterday reported on CGLNA on 209 Erie–apparently someone coming in from woods behind Clairemont Elementary and stealing laptop and other stuff from rented cottage in back. Owners may have scared off burglar(s). Crime seems up for sure on north side of Ponce.
Happy Friday everyone…
After living here in Decatur for nearly a year, I finally went to Sawicki’s yesterday for lunch. Good quality stuff… now I hope that place thrives!
Sawiki’s has awesome sandwiches… and the owner is super nice. I think they could benefit from a more cozy atmosphere to draw more people in, however. You feel a little exposed or something when you eat there. Hence, we get takeout!
Their shrimp poboy is outstanding. I like being exposed whenever I eat shrimp.
My rant: Horrible cell phone signals in Decatur. I assume it has something to do with line-of-sight issues, but how is it that a metro area like Atlanta can’t have consistent signals at least inside the perimeter? There are so many places in Decatur where I have calls drop I can’t even keep track of them. Including my house. Does anyone have a provider that does not drop calls anywhere in Decatur?
I seem to do ok with Verizon. My son has TracPhone and that drops a bit.
Verizon is the only one that we’ve had luck with. It’s great in Decatur and in lots of places out of town as well. The only place I get dropped calls is the North Druid Hills Target at 85.
Verizon work great for me anywhere I go. The only place I get a drop is on I-85 near the GA-AL line, of all places.
ATT works great for me – great service in and around the house.
I use Credo Mobile, formerly Working Assets Wireless. I get five bars everywhere in Decatur. The only place I have trouble with a signal is the Target on Moreland, where, if I get a signal at all, it shows I’m roaming. Go figure.
AT&T. Only dead spot I’ve found in/around Decatur is Parkwood from the W. Ponce stoplight to the Scott stoplight.
Yeah, AT&T had a dead spot there when I used them also. It seemed to be dead for sveral things – a couple of radio stations faded along there also.
I have T Mobile and the service works just fine. No issues with dropped calls or dead spots in n Decatur for me.
the Oakhurst yahoo group is reporting a shooting in Kirkwood. Here is the text of the email:
A Caucasian man was shot while doing yard work about two hours ago. According to some witnesses, the shooter was a young African American male in a blue shirt. Apparently the man who was shot was being robbed.
The crime scene is at the corner of Branham St and Ridgedale Rd.
Just thought I would spread the news so we can all be on alert. This is scary stuff.
Just took a ride into town via Memorial Dr. and the Atlanta police seemed to be out in force looking for something.
Earlier today a Kirkwood resident was working in his yard when he was approached by 2 young black males, at least one armed with a handgun, demanding money. When the victim stated he did not have any, he was shot multiple times and currently undergoing surgery.
The shooting occured at Ridgedale Road near Branham Park.
One black female and two black males, traveling together in a bright red Kia SUV, partial tag # 4247.
– 1st black male
dreadlocks
multi-colored shirt
appeared to very young.
– 2nd black male
wearing a blue shirt
appeared to very young.
– black female, no description
If you see this vehicle, please contact the police.
Valencia Hudson
Public Safety Liaison for
Councilmember Natalyn Archibong
I saw APD cars on 2nd and Oakview around 6:00 tonight. They’re looking for someone, for sure.
Two lighter questions:
a) Awhile back, Bryan asked about pick up and group sports in Decatur. Responses covered most of his specific queries, but no one touched racquetball. Are there any racquetball facilities around the metro area (besides some members-only LA Fit locations)??
b) The Decatur Focus reported that Eurasia’s Wendy Chang had been invited to participate in Top Chef. She’s not on the current season, so is this for the next season? Was this some reporting error?
re (b): That confused me too. I assume she was just invited to compete in the local cook-off to find who would go to Vegas.
Free for all, huh?
Well, then I’ve got a complaint.
Decatur CD doesn’t sell Sam’s Choice cola either. What’s with that?
Wal-Mart doesn’t give away high gravity microbrews during instore appearances, so there.
Andisheh, clearly you are bored–if you find some work, you want to split it? 50/50?
Why is the school speed limit sign in front of Renfroe say 2:30-3:30 to slow down but school gets out at 3:30?
[edited]
Not sure what I was thinking–facebunk just ain’t doin’ it I guess. Scrabble?
Gibbs, what the hell are these last two comments?
With alacrity, I apologize–apparently I thought it was later than it actually was, and for the posting of comments like those I will go elsewhere.
I’m not necessarily saying they were unacceptable, I just didn’t understand them.
Yes, after trying to figure them out–I came to one thing: It was rather late…for me…and I was clearly not thinking about anything in particular.
Disregard, and, I feel much better now.
I know this has been mentioned before, but it needs repeating: we need a left-turn signal for folks turning from College onto S. Candler! Please? Pretty please? With sugar on top?
Since you’re talking about a state designated route (GA 155), it’s a Georgia DOT issue and the City doesn’t have much control.
Surely the city can do something instead of just saying “we have no control!”
Do they not talk? Is their relationship that bad that someone can’t make a few calls?
I refuse to take that for an answer!
Although I understand that left turn signals along College are addressed in the CTP (Community Transportation Plan). I think the City is working closely with GDOT on this and other issues. CTP is available on the city web site.
Has anyone heard anything more about the plan to dead end Coventry at Scott and move the full intersection light to Lamont? We are concerned about these traffic distribution initiatives bringing more traffic to our street.
I am too, since your neighborhood opposed sidewalks for pedestrians.
Good shot, DM.
Sha-ZAM! DM, layin’ it DOWN, brotha! ‘Nuff said.
This is a terrific idea! (Not the full light at Lamont Dr. part, that is.)
Of all the streets in town I imagine as future bike-ways and becoming more walker-friendly, I have never thought of Coventry, and I bike it all the time.
Why have a “full intersection” at Lamont at all?
The heavy car-traffic at issue is largely Emory cut-through.
I am all for forcing through-cars onto the big roads, regardless of annoyance to those drivers — this extra-clogging of the main roads will (eventually) bring change. These small roads are smack in the middle of quiet neighborhoods.
Also, what I have yet to notice here in discussions of car-traffic is the increase in property value that surely follows, after dead-ending, from the street losing some 90 percent of its afternoon car-traffic.
Next up: dead-ending our street (Winter Ave.) at Wisteria. Our cut-through motor vehicle traffic accounts for at least 80 percent of the total.
Last, I will post this here just to vent my many non-posts to car drivers’ complaints about traffic lights, speeders, etc.: When biking from place to place, I rarely find myself frustrated, vexed, angry, or anxious about being “slowed-down” by other cars, traffic control devices, or people on bikes! That is, the bike is freeing is many, many ways. And it’s much easier than you think.
“I rarely find myself frustrated, vexed, angry, or anxious about being “slowed-down” by …. traffic control devices”
I hope that doesn’t mean you ignore stop signs, traffic signals, etc.
Nope, Steve, I sure don’t ignore traffic control. I heed, I do.
It can be become quickly deadly for cyclists to act otherwise. (Certain intersections can be downright dangerous while riding with caution and fully complying with road rules — a special shout-out to the PATH-Citgo-W. Howard-Atlanta Ave. cluster-&%$@ here.)
It’s relative expectation of speed within the mode of travel that frees. In motor vehicle: folks seem to expect 50 m.p.h. whenever it’s even remotely attainable. I have witnessed MARTA buses regularly scream down small roadways (Midway, East Lake) in search of that elusive 50 m.p.h.
Of course, cyclists are under no such illusion. It takes time, the biking. One travels more slowly, so no vexation at being “slowed down.”
It also re-orients one’s mind to the world . . . in a good way. One notices more.
Oh, and I said I “rarely” feel vexed. This last winter, on that one snow-ish Monday, I was feeling a bit anxious on my commute as I slowed to a crawl (on my bike!) behind what must be the single Decatur road-salt truck.
Later, I was amused but at the time all I could think was, “. . . southerners need a lesson from my hometown (Michigan) trucks.” Said salters would travel in a three-truck echelon at, like, 40 m.p.h., clearing a two-lane road in a single pass while casting an impressive wave of flying, slushy debris some 15 feet beyond the sidewalks.
If Coventry is dead-ended I suspect the traffic will switch to Woodlawn. That’s the way the post office trucks go (at high speed) to avoid the Coventry speed bumps anyway. . . .
Please! Let this conversation go no further. I live on North Parkwood. There are only two ways out of my street to go to Decatur. The first is a hair-raising turn from North Parkwood onto Scott–even the right turn is awful. The other is to go up the street to Coventry and make a civilized, safe turn (or go straight) at the light. Please don’t take that away!
Hi Tiffany . . .I’m not sure what you mean by “only two ways” from N. Parkwood to Decatur. (And, I cross Ponce — biking — southbound at N. Parkwood regularly by waiting for the traffic signal to change.)
What you mean is “I am very used to driving my car the most direct route from my house to where I am going.” There would be many possible routes to circumvent a Coventry dead-ending at Scott:
— First, there is traveling in a manner besides a motor vehicle.
— Second, one could drive north on N. Parkwood to Coventry and turn *left* (west) toward Heaton Park and take it left to Artwood, then to Ponce and a traffic signal.
— Another route: N. Parkwood north to Coventry. Turn right to Kathryn, then left. Take to Scott. Right at Scott then take to Coventry and resume travel to downtown.
— Another: N. Parkwood north to Coventry and turn right to Merrill. Take Merrill to Scott. Turn right. Take a left at the Scott Blvd. bypass thingy, then another left at W. Ponce toward downtown.
I can think up more.
I don’t intend to sound like a smart aleck here.
What I notice when speaking with folks about my limited-car life is that they are somewhat unpracticed at thinking differently about getting themselves around. They do what they do (that is, drive everywhere on the roadways they are quite used to), and little thought accompanies that choice . . . except when they are confronted by hordes of others “in the way” of their choice (viz. other people in their cars).
Also, I am not trying to be one of those “in the way” here by any means. I simply wanted to point out alternatives . . . in terms of both roads and means of using them.
It will serve Lamont/Vidal so right if they get increased traffic after a certain vocal, pushy minority whined about losing some yard (that didn’t belong to them anyway) and run-off (that didn’t stop them from building 3-car garages) so much that the city backed off on providing sidewalks for the reasonable majority on the street that wanted them. I know of at least one family there that is planning to move to another part of Decatur that has sidewalks they are so astounded by the stupidity of their neighbors.
Is it bad for me to use the coupons from savvyshopper or restaurant.com? Do I end up ultimately hurting the restaurants I like (Feast, Wahoo, Depeaux, Las Brasas etc.)?
Never feel shame or guilt for using coupons. If the restaurants didn’t want you to use them, they would never have published them. They would rather have your business with decreased revenues than not have your business at all. Coupons drive traffic, and traffic helps a business stay vital.
Some good news: it sounds like the Smoakhurst Hemp Festival is a go. That’s all I’ve heard thus far and was hoping someone else here who knows more could fill us in on the schedule and details.
DM readers, THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the AWESOME advice you gave me about purchasing a guitar!! I went to all the places you suggested and tried out A LOT of guitars. The more I tried the more I kept coming back to one kind – Taylor – cause I liked the way it felt and sounded. The model I wanted was out of my budget so my dad found me one on Craigslist – so I got it for half the price of buying it new!!
I’ve named it Phillip and I LOVE playing it and I got it just in time to play Eddie’s Attic tomorrow night for Open Mic Night. I also got to record with it yesterday in one of those COOL recording sound booths (Justine at DeKalb Muscians in dowtown Decatur is AWESOME!!).
I bought it from a student at UGA who’s a really good singer and songwriter – Allison Weiss. You should check her out on Youtube!
Here’s a link to the Taylor 414 if you want to check it out:
http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Acoustic-Electric/400/414ce/
Thanks again everyone!!
Phillip is a fine name for a guitar. My car is named George.
What an odd coincidence – My car is named MoonCat, and my harpsichord is named Sydney
I’ve named every car I’ve ever had (and yes, they’ve all been “girls”)! One man’s oddity is another’s endearment. Chillax, mon frere! *Sending Gibbets a mojito in the spirit of endearing oddity*
And I named my pen…uh, never mind. This is a family site.
I know, I know…totally inappropriate. It’s getting late.
Oh, come on- it’s BRAD STEELE, right?
No problem Sydney! Good luck at Open Mic tonight!