Free-For-All Friday 8/28/09
Decatur Metro | August 28, 2009 | 10:08 amUse this post to discuss local issues not already covered on DM over the past week.
Free-For-All Friday comments are closed on the following Monday.
Use this post to discuss local issues not already covered on DM over the past week.
Free-For-All Friday comments are closed on the following Monday.
Daydreamer
Bo
Dex
Parker Cross
Scott
Steve
Terry
Decatur Heights Dad
Diane Loupe
Diane Loupe
Diane Loupe
Mr. Bad Example
Blake
Terry
Steve
Despite the leasing traction <reported at Sembler’s Brookwood development, Sembler still seems to believe that they need corporate welfare via tax breaks to make the deal work.
Seems kind of funny that only a few months after claiming that the development was in dire straits without the tax breaks that Sembler seems now to be flush with exceptional tenants (e.g. Costco and Publix).
Do these guys have no shame in asking for public welfare or will our local taxing authorities actually give these guys a handout?
I tweet. (@writerchad)
DecaturMetro tweets. (@DMetro)
Do you tweet?
If you don’t, it’s a pretty savvy way to share Decatur info. Simply use #decaturga in your Decatur-related tweets.
I love this open question/comment time- thank you DecaturMetro!
Two questions:
1. Does anyone in Decatur get the ATT Uverse TV/internet/phone bundle? if so, are services reliable? experience to date? I’m particularly interested in hearing experiences for TV as a non satallite alternative to Comcast.
2. Who do we call to report third lane signage issues for DeKalb Ave? All this week the green arrow going west towards Atlanta has been off or conflicting or changed to read prior to 10:15. It is dangerous under normal conditions, and the malfunctioning lights make it a death trap. (OK, and makes my drive into work behind multiple cars turning much slower)
I would imagine City of Atlanta traffic engineering/public works, since the entire thing lies within the City. I doubt if it would be DeKalb traffic engineering since only part of it is with in county.
Unless it is a state route, then its a GDOT issue.
If its a signal issue, then its the County. The County maintains all signals, even within the city of Decatur, and even if it is on a state route.
We became so frustrated with Comcast and their lack of service we switched to AT&T Bundled service last year. Comcast could never fix the picture breaking down into pixels. They replaced all cable from the street to the house, all the internal cables, new boxes and still no better. Cable TV, land line telephone service, hard wire internet connection and wireless connection all running over the same cable. Very satisfied with the basic cable service, no extras, and the internet service. We had AT&T for phone service previously, so the change over was not difficult. If you have an AT&T or BellSouth e-mail address it does no change. The AT&T service runs on fiber optic cable to a junction box no further than 3500 feet from your house. From box to house is over copper wire. We live on Clarion Ave and over half the homes on our street have switched. I recommend the service.
We’ve had Uverse for a few months and it’s ok, but not amazing. The internet for me has been slower than Comcast was (But then I also switched from direct hookup to wireless at the same time, so it could be that).
The cable thing is kind of a pain, in that you have to turn on the TV, wait for the at&t logo to come up, then push an ok button on the remote for the show to come on. Not a major hassle, but seems like an unnecessary step.
Other than that, no big difference.
Solution for wayward traffic signals and long waits for left-turners: bike it.
(http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Downtown-Decatur-to-CNN-ish)
Apologies . . . somehow got the parens mixed into the link above.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Downtown-Decatur-to-CNN-ish
Why can’t the doggies that use my yard as a toilet, pee on the (public) strip of land/grass instead of halfway up into my front yard. I love my neighbors and their doggies but not the 20 pee circles in the middle of my luscious lawn (that was never watered this summer due to the amount of rain we received–woo hoo!). I never had a problem with this in the past. It has gotten out of control over the past year. That said, neighbors are pretty good about picking up doggie poo (but the poo doesn’t damage the lawn). Free-for-all Fridays–ahhhhh. That felt good.
I feel you, alt. But have you actually spoken to the neighbors whose dogs are using your lawn as an outhouse? It seems you have a good relationship with them, so they ought to be able to respect a request to keep their pooches from pizzling your yard. If they don’t, then they’re not good neighbors, and ergo will deserve that heap of flaming cow manure you place on their front stoops come Halloween.
Seriously– I’ve seen cute little signs along Fairview that are basically cut-outs of dogs in squatting position, inside a circle with a diagonal slash through it. Seems like a light-hearted but very pointed, unequivocal way to let folks know their dogs aren’t welcome to relieve themselves on your property…regardless of whether it’s #1 or #2!
Spoke to one neighbor–we both tried to be friendly about it. Awkward nonetheless. It worked and they were respectful but it made me not want to speak to the others. . . .
I agree. Everyone always says just talk to your neighbors when you have issues like these, and that sounds very reasonable in principle. But, in practice, you often come across as a petty jerk, and future relations with said neighbors can be strained and awkward.
Anyway, seems like that sign may be the way to go. Or, you could invest in one of those cute, little picket fences.
Now, on behalf of pals who live on this street:
It’d be really nice if there could be an official public walk-path at the end of Greenwood Avenue through to Oakview Road. Sure would be a quicker walk to the Village (instead of having to go all the way up to Ansley, then down it to Oakview). I’m sure the chances of the City considering that are slim to none, but just throwing it out there…
Is it city owned right-of-way? If it is, you should look at the recently improved walkway between the end of Landsdown and Adair Street for a model.
Count me in. And let’s add West Davis, which dead ends there to the east and McCoy, which dead ends just to the south (up the hill across Oakview). That would be some major ped/recreational connections with challenging grade changes to boot.
Other than the city not wanting to take on responsibility for upkeep, the only thing I can see getting in the way is the folks who’ve lived near those dead ends for a long time. Got to assume they’ve got some level of cul-de-sac mentality and see connections as a threat (in terms of crime or whatnot). They’d probably oppose.
Notice:
Started building an arc in N. Decatur area.
Need 2 of everything please.
Doors close when boat floats.
I’m on Twitter. A friend has ATT Uverse and loves it! (I haven’t seen it though) And if I recall, astroturf is a good solution to eliminate pee rings in the yard.
Happy Friday everyone.
Since it’s free for all Friday, I want to give a shout out to the Yogurt Tap, which I’ve already been to three times. It’s delicious, refreshing, and based on the constant crowds it clearly fills an unserved niche in our downtown retail. Plus, the couple that run the joint seem like extremely good people, and it’s a pleasure to support their entrepreneurial spirit with local dollars. Midtown would go crazy for something like this.
Last night I told a group of friends about the greatness that is known as “Yogurt Tap”. I convinced them it was worth a visit, so we walked from Cafe Lily to Yogurt Tap only to discover they closed 30 minutes prior. DOH!
What really delayed us was Heliotrope. That place is amazing.
Heliotrope is amazing. Somehow it knows exactly what unnecessary but fascinating items it can coax me into buying. It’s also clever in always being open when I walk by for some other reason. That’s something that I think other small retail businesses in Decatur are ignoring to their peril. I understand that if they are barely making it, it’s hard to hire help. But if your store offers discretionary vs essential items, you need to be open when customers tend to have discretionary time to get those items. I’ll figure out a way to miss work or assign dinner to my husband if I have to get something imperative like medicine or milk. But I don’t feel right taking leave just to buy some really cool items in a Decatur boutique.
I’ve been twice already–it was packed last Sunday! Great place and great owners. I hope they do well.
I haven’t made it to Yogurt Tap — yet. The kids and I will probably hit it this weekend. Glad to hear good reviews.
I must say that Greene’s serves excellent yogurt too. My current favorite is the peanut butter, but the peach is also amazing. Since I’ve been trying to resist my DQ urges, I’m thrilled to have more yogurt options in town.
Not related to anythinge else on here, but last night went to Avellino’s. The pizza was great and they have good beers on tap, and well priced wine. Space is small, but didi I mention that the pizza was really great. We also had a good salad. Pasta, Paninis and Heros were also on the menu. BTW, the pizza was great.
How was the pizza?
New thread -
I’d like to see renewed effort on the part of CSD elementary schools that bullying will not be tolerated.
For a while, Glennwood was part of a special anti-bullying project–maybe related to one of the local university’s research? Not sure of status now.
Also, if this is about your child’s experience vs. a more general concern, jump all over it. Talk to the teacher(s), principal, school counselor, instructional coach and anyone else at CSD who interacts consistently with your child. Don’t necessarily share all the details with your child but let them know you will help them figure out a way to address it. And remember that bullied kids often learn bad bullying habits themselves so if your child is either a bully or bullied, address both sides of the equation–how to avoid being a bully and how to avoid being bullied. And don’t blame bullies alone–they often learn their behavior from parents who don’t even realize what lessons they are teaching their children. Studies have shown that many female bullies have mothers who were socially competitive or outright bullies themselves when they were the same age. That’s why schools need to do more than just deal with specific bullies and victims. They need to create a culture that discourages bullying, identifies it quickly, and deals with it quickly.
My guess is that CSD has as good an anti-bullying culture as any school system, including hoity-toity wealthy suburban systems and private schools with uniforms, but bullying is insidious and hard for grown-ups to detect. You may have to stay on top of the issue for awhile. As long as you’re polite, I find CSD staff willing to listen about concerns even if you have to meet repeatedly over time and even if in the end your concerns don’t turn out to be big issues or resolve on their own.
Pepper spray. We make sure our kids don’t leave the home without it. It keeps away the bullies, muggers, panhandlers, etc. Simple and effective safety. We also make sure that our kids watch a lot of martial arts and other fighting films, which I think is important.
New in town and wondering why there is a helicopter circling around my block right now. I live in Oakhurst. It looks like a Fox News helicopter but not sure.
Just heard a helicopter over Winnona Park Elem too, hovering for a really long time.
Spiritfest? Doubt it.
Never mind. Just got an email that Spiritfest is cancelled. Whoopee, I mean my children will be so disappointed and I’ll just have to find something else to do with myself this evening, I’m just so bored with having nothing but work, home, kids’ activities, CSD schools, the economy, the environment, and world peace to worry about.
Probably looking at the tree down at ASC.
If that’s the case, hopefully CSD Mom will write in soon with details…
Sorry, but the building I work in at ASC had no power so I have not been on the internet all day (ouch–withdrawal!). Yes, a tree went down this morning, maybe 8:30?, and blocked E. Dougherty and pulled the power lines down. By sheer luck no cars were smashed–it went down right between the two sections of street parking where there is a fire lane. And no one was hurt–luckily no students walking in the area (not that many were walking in the downpour this morning). Street was still blocked off at 3:30. Huge tree.
I don’t know anything about the helicopter.
I’m surprised my comment isn’t published. Where did the general statement about bullying go too far?
It didn’t go too far aconcernedmom. It’s just that the first time anyone posts, they have to have their comment approved. It’s just a safety, to guard against “trolls”, which I’ve had issues with in the past.
Once you’re approved once you should be good to go.
Someone asked last week and got no response, so just wondering if it’s because nobody knew anything or it just got lost at the top of the free-for-all, but does anyone know if or when TRACKSIDE will ever OPEN again?
I have heard that YES, they will re-open…are rebuilding now…but not sure when the opening will take place.
Dancing Goats. I love it. Delicious coffee, great vibe.
BUT – why does it take 15 minutes to get a cup of joe in the morning? I used to be a barista so I get that a good cup of coffee takes a little bit o’ time, but Dancing Goats seems to be consistently slow. There will be 3 people working, 7 people in line and 1 register open. I don’t get it.
And by the way, if you’re standing behind me in line, you don’t get your coffee any quicker by literally breathing down my neck.
Thoughts?
Clairemont wrote:
And by the way, if you’re standing behind me in line, you don’t get your coffee any quicker by literally breathing down my neck
I reply:
You may want to smell my breath when I forget to brush my teeth after having a jalapeno-laced burrito following beers and jagers the previous night before making such a statement.
And what if I let my kid run amok so that he keeps slapping the back of your leg and saying “you’re it” like the last time I tried to get coffee at Dancing Goats the morning after a night as referenced above?
Yeah! Obnoxious adults get a pass because obnoxious kids are worse!
Hmmm. I’ll bring a pack of tic tacs with me to pass around next time. Don’t be offended if you are approached and encouraged to partake.
Yeah, and if you (the general you, not you, Clairemont!) want a skim latte with a shot of sugar-free syrup and extra foam, PLEASE know that when you step up to the counter or else go to the back of the line while you make up your mind!
Dancing Goats also has at least one server who is incredibly rude. And nothing about that place is kid friendly so I’m surprised there’s any in there at all.
All of you frustrated folks: If it’s 8 AM or later, just walk up the street to Cafe Cliche, in the old Indie Coffee and Books spot, to get your coffee and pastries. They have the same good coffee that Indie used to. I highly recommend the homemade poppyseed bread; there’s other good pastries including a few items from Alon’s. Plus Button Cakes
Bakery cupcakes!
I like Cafe Cliche too (mostly for the cupcakes!) but Dancing Goats has been wonderful to us (even on the rare occasions where I am not child-free). I have a kid but I appreciate that there are some spaces still in Decatur where I can escape from mommy-land and feel like I am in an adult space. I just wish Dancing Goats was open for a cup of coffee after dinner as we walk by it on the way home each night. But I have Java Monkey up the street if I need it. . . . We have a friend visiting from out of town. I’m finding it’s hard not to be braggy about my town!
Does anyone use the pay by cell parking meters? I tried to sign up for the service online and the website didn’t work, then I called the number and wound up in some lady’s voicemail. What gives?
They’ve worked for me but I haven’t tried often.
It’s 8:29 p.m. and helicopters just stared flying over our neighborhood. Hope it’s not another collapsed house!
This place is beginning to sound like L.A. (as in Los Angeles, not Lower Alabama!) when I lived there. Helicopters overhead were a constant even in nice West L.A. neighborhoods. The only time you’d pay any attention would be when they’d beam a spotlight down on you. Then you figured that something hot was happening very nearby and you’d better move inside.
One flew over the high school football game around that time, but it looked military to me.
So where are we going to put the John Oxendine Highway I’ve just been reading about?
I would propose improving and extending the already existent rail network in the area.
Report of a break-in at the Scott Blvd end of Nelson Ferry last night. Resident was out of town at the time.
Remember to put your lights on timers and consider asking a neighbor to park in your driveway if you don’t have a garage.
And, go online and fill out a vacation check request for the Decatur PD. Obviously, they won’t be there 24/7, but it does alert a patrolling officer that there’s not supposed to be anyone there.
And also, arrange for your mail and newspapers to be held or picked up. I went past a large place in Druid Hills a few weeks back that had 3 or 4 newspapers in blue bags, NY Times style, in the driveway. That’s an engraved invitation.