Sorry this week’s “free-for-all” post is a little late. I haven’t been all that aware of the date or time this whole week!
Use this post to discuss issues and ask questions about local topics not addressed in this past week’s posts.
Comments will be closed on Monday.
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Now that all the ballyhoo and voting are done and Brazil has been selected for the Olympics, I would like to hear how Atlanta fared with the Olympics, once upon a time, since I didn’t live in Georgia then. Was it “worth it”? Did Atlanta profit at the time, gain favorable international attention (notwithstanding the bombing in Centennial Park), fail to make the best effort possible, etc. etc.? I would just like to read some opinions and after-thoughts about the Atlanta Olympics. I love Centennial Park, for itself now, not because it was built for the Olympics. What other infrastructure or tangibles/intangibles remain to benefit (or harm) Atlanta?
I know that Harvey Newman, a professor of public policy at GSU, has studied the impact of Olympic Games on their host cities. He’s written specifically about Atlanta. Here’s an abstract from one of his articles, “Neighborhood impacts of Atlanta’s Olympic Games.” Community Development Journal (1999). 34:151-159:
“Mega-events such as the Olympic Games offer cities the opportunity to attract economic development and to market themselves on a global scale. Decisions made by business and public leaders as they prepared to host the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games resulted in the relocation of many public housing residents and in frustration among low-income neighborhoods as revitalization efforts failed to meet expectations. Some progress was made in housing development in downtown Atlanta as well as in neighborhoods closest to Olympic venues. However, as other cities compete to host similar events, they can learn from Atlanta’s experience and provide better planning as well as more resources to redevelop their low-income neighborhoods.”
I love Harvey Newman.
After the Olympics ended, the Olympic Stadium was re-shaped and became the new home of the Atlanta Braves.
It was the summer after my freshman year in high school. I was in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies (I danced around Faith Hill and Al Green), so what I remember of Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs was directly tied to my memories of day-long practices.
Along the same lines, a New York Times blog entry titled “Do Olympic Host Cities Ever Win?”
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/do-olympic-host-cities-ever-win/
I was here for the Olympics and saw 9 events. It was a magical time. Even as the news and media were all over the bombing story and everyone was following it closely, the feel on the ground was amazing. I have a brick in Centennial Park and was able to show it off to people from around the world. I think that experience is what led me to move to the Czech Republic a few years later. Overall, it transformed this city in many ways and was a beautiful place and time to be 13 years younger than I am now.
An aside…Congrats to Rio for snagging the 2016 show.
The best Olympics ever (well, in my lifetime in the U.S.) were the 1984 LA Olympics. They were predicted to be a disaster but were magical instead. Every part of Los Angeles had an event from Malibu to South Central L.A. to the barrios of East L.A. Everyone boo hooed when it was over. Atlanta 96 were good too, especially if one volunteered for something, but were more commercial in feel.
From the time of the announcement to the games, the city was a huge construction zone. Road projects, dorm projects, stadium projects, and subdivisions. You name it and it was being built. The university dorms over by GATech along the connector were built so fast the building foundations were settling while the buildings were still under construction. We called it the “sinking ship” as the engineers were trying to figure if the rate of settling was within acceptable limits.
For Decatur, much of what you see downtown came about during the build-up of the Olympics. Decatur hosted the Irish delegation during the event. Ponce was narrowed from Commerce to Church to create a pedestrian zone. And the restaurant boom started during the years leading up to 1996.
Other areas of Atlanta have struggled. The areas around the stadium didn’t take off as they envisioned. “Downtown Living” is just now starting to pick up. The Tennis and Cycling facilities at Stone Mountain didn’t draw the events that were anticipated and were eventually removed.
Personally, I think the big picture for Atlanta ended up being a wash. Not horrible, not great. Each neighborhood handled things differently. Decatur made a long term plan and ran with it. Others took the “if you build it, they will come” mentality and then sat back to wait.
altmod – What is Moey going to be for Halloween? I sent the Candy Voting site to a teacher friend last year in Texas and she used the voting machine to get her 3rd grade students engaged in the election – can’t wait to see his costume this year (no pressure or anything).
The pressure is tremendous–ever since he was 5 and did Gene Simmons of Kiss, we didn’t think we could do any better. The Dalai Lama was a big hit at 7 as well. We can’t think of anything super cool this year and we’re threatening to have him go as a ghost. Any great ideas???? We prefer timely, interactive and funny.
You should dress him as a greedy banker, like the character on the monopoly board…
Actually he wanted to be Keyboard Cat but we think we’re the only ones geeky enough to know Keyboard Cat and to find it funny as well. . .
Keyboard Cat has been all over Facebook and even made an appearance on the CNBC morning program….I like it! I think DM needs to have a post about Moey’s costume and let us decide.
Had the chance to check out the re-opening of the Carter library this week — very worthwhile for anyone interested in either: 1) humanitarian accomplishments of the Carter family or 2) cool applications of projected imagery, including an interactive touch table highlighting certain specific causes the Carter family has undertaken. Great looking renovation from top to bottom.
The zombies are here! Check ‘em out at your local theater. Even better, the tomato meter has the movie at a very fresh 88%.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zombieland/
HUGE YARD SALE!
Come shop and support the fund-raising efforts of the Decatur High School Band.
Saturday, October 3rd (tomorrow!)
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Intown Ace Hardward, Scott Blvd.
Can anybody tell me what the laws or generally accepted behavior is with respect to riding bicycles on the sidewalks in Decatur and Atlanta? In another state (in a time long ago), I would ride long distances out in the country, but pretty much gave it up when I moved to the ATL area. Btw, I am a firm believer in respecting the rights of the cyclist, but I am also aware that often cyclist do things they shouldn’t be doing and they lose a lot of the moral high ground…
Lately, walking as I often do at lunch, I’ve had to jump off the sidewalk for fear of my life with children and adults riding on the sidewalk. Is that legit?
Here in Decatur, bicycling on the sidewalk is illegal for adults, though it is typically overlooked and not cited. Because it’s illegal, though, any bicyclist doing it essentially loses their right to make injury claims. For example, we were exiting our driveway once and collided with someone on a bike barreling down the sidewalk who ended up breaking an arm. The officer that responded basically told him “Take your lumps because you were riding illegally.”
I too have been curious as to if its ok for kids to ride on the sidewalk. My 4 year old is learning to ride his bike and I am a nervous wreck with him on the street and have been allowing him to ride on the sidewalks. Seems safer and he’s only 4. Is this ok?
It may not be legal but I think it is the only way for real little ones to ride their bikes to anywhere beyond a few blocks from home. Notice how many young children riding to CSD schools on Clairemont, Church, College Avenue, McDonough, Candler, or Ponce are on sidewalks–the thoroughfares just aren’t safe enough for immature riders. The average 4 year old is just too wobbly and easily distracted to be on even most residential streets.
The way I would justify this ethically is that a 4 year old on a bike is more like a pedestrian than a vehicle that can navigate a road. A 4 year old on a small frame bike isn’t even as high as the hood of most cars so is hard to see no matter what safety devices are used. For practice, probably empty parking lots and driveways or bike paths are a better place to ride than sidewalks. But if you actually want to go anywhere with your 4-7 year old, e.g. participate in CSD Walk and Roll initiatives, you’re pretty much stuck with some sidewalk travel in most parts of Decatur. It’s hard to avoid Clairemont, Ponce, Church, Scott, College, McDonough, Candler, and Columbia and actually go anywhere.
However, one big hazard of riding on sidewalks is driveways. Children (and adults) must be trained to stop at each and every driveway as though they were at a road intersection. Cars backing out cannot see them and cyclists on sidewalks do not have the right of way. I know someone who was riding with her child and was hit by a vehicle backing out at maniac speed. The driver was cited for unsafe speed but was not liable for the mother’s broken leg because she was not supposed to be cycling on the sidewalk. Can’t remember if the mother was cited too.
My fifth grader rides mostly on the Path or on a not-very-busy street between our house and Glennwood, but there is a short stretch of sidewalk along W. Howard that he has to travel before he reaches the Path. He’s been strictly instructed that if there are any pedestrians on the sidewalk, he is to either get off his bike and walk it, or move to the side and wait for them to pass.
Excellent point. Even if little cyclists are riding on sidewalks because it’s the only safe option for that part of their route, they still need to respect the fact that pedestrians have the right of way and stop for them.
As Scott stated above, it’s illegal for adults to ride bikes on sidewalks, not kids.
Which puts you in a dilemma if your child is too young to ride around town alone. Maybe the adult should ride on the road parallel to the child who is riding on the sidewalk. But then one would have to cycle so slowly that it would completely confound and anger drivers. So I think most of us end up on the sidewalk with our child, feeling awkward, and constantly apologizing to everyone we meet. And stopping and getting off our bike all the time for pedestrians and driveways. Suffice it to say that cyclng with one’s younger child is not as pleasurable or as good exercise as cycling on own’s own! It’s such a relief when they finally develop the size, speed, skills, and maturity to cycle on the street like an adult.
Responding to CSD Snowflake…we put ours on a third wheel until they’re ready to ride on the street with us. The only time mine rides on the sidewalk is when my 5th grader rides by herself to Glennwood. Otherwise, we are always on the street and the youngest gets to ride on the third wheel (and “help” Daddy pedal–but it’s never quite enough!).
The PATHs are useful for riding with your younger ones–if you can get to them safely!
Speaking of city ordinances…when I was growing up in south Florida, our town had a law that stated you could not use loud power tools (mowers etc.) on Sundays until after noon. Does anyone know if Decatur has a similar ordinance?
So where in South Fla are you from, Eric? I grew up in Plantation. My family moved there in 1960 and I lived there, Fort Lauderdale, and Wilton Manors til I moved here in 1988.
Palm Beach Gardens. Great town to grow up in…reminds me a lot of Decatur.
I’d love to see a discussion about noise ordinances in general. When the commercial yard crews come through the neighborhood, they use as many as 4 leaf blowers at once. It feels like we’re living on top of Hartsfield-Jackson airport. I would so love to see a noise ordinance in Decatur. I like the thought of no noise Sunday morning.
As I famously sometimes do, I’ll look up the noise ordinance stuff in the City code and post it here when I get a chance.
I love the city code and men who check it!
Love you back !
There is a noise ordinance in Decatur. Check out the city webpage and click on City Code of Ordinances. Noise is found in Chapter 42, Article III.
You beat me to it !
Thanks for pointing it out, Susan. I read it, but it is too vague to answer my question. The best I could come up with is no earlier than 10:00 a.m. on weekends, but that was in relation to “loudspeakers and sound amplifiers.” Oh well, I’ll just try to make sure, before I cut the lawn, that it’s at a reasonable time where my neighbors won’t be disturbed. Say, 6:30 a.m. Sunday. :-).
By the way, that last line was a joke. Just wanted to point that out, as some on this blog need that clearly stated.
Eric, I trust you noted there is to be no hooting, whistling or singing between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., so when you are out cutting your yard at 6:30 a.m., try to keep the hooting down.
I was also amused that the cemetery is considered a “noise sensitive area.” Guess this gives new meaning to the phrase “waking up the dead.”
I would love to see the discussion opened again regarding railroad quiet zones.
It’s actually pretty simple. As regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration, there can only be a quiet zone if the crossing gates completely preclude any vehicles or pedestrians getting onto the tracks while the gates are down. This means 4-way gates or some other means of preventing cars from driving around to get over the tracks, as well as pedestrian gates. Some places, like Chicago, have implemented such devices and do have quiet zones.
Isn’t this really a safety issue? It’s important that cars and pedestrians are warned about an oncoming train. We all bought our houses in full awareness of the train traffic. Personally, I enjoy the sound of a train whistle at night.
not just Chicago… they’ve been installing them in parts of Vinings… unfortunately, some of the Engineers still blow the whistles out of habit.
One of the main reasons I voted for the city bond issue was quiet zones were discussed as an option. I have heard nothing about them since and wonder if it was all talk. And then there are the people who do not want quiet zones on the tracks….
Quiet zones were discussed as an option, but, like all things Decatur, there will be adequate opportunity for citizen input. Very little has been done regarding anything in the transportation part of the bond issue, so be patient. And you’re right, there are folks on both sides of the issue. One thing to be considered is the expense of re-engineering three crossings.
Scott, here’s the answer to your question last week regarding the DHS high school project. Sorry I’m just now getting the answer posted for you.
Question: Does anyone know what the siding material is they’re using on the new high school additions (and was also used on the press box of the new stadium)? It looks like vinyl but I thought those additions were going after some level of LEED certification. Anyone?
Answer: (from Fiona J Grandowski, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP
Senior Associate)
Although the decision was made for the project not to pursue LEED because of the extra costs for certification, the building was still designed to be as sustainable as possible within the constraints of budget and time. In this effort, the design team made recommendations with sustainability as a major component of the selection/decision-making process.
One of these decisions was the wall panels that are actually metal, and were selected for the following reasons:
Life span – metal is viewed as a lifetime material for the building, not something to be thrown away/replaced in 5 or 10 years.
Durability – it is expected that all of the metal panels will withstand much abuse (weather and otherwise) without failing.
Recyclability – Since all the panels are steel, they are fully recyclable at the end of their useful life.
I hope this helps.
This is only tangentially related to Decatur, but does anyone know when the By Way will re-open to through traffic? I’m about to lose my mind traveling home on Ponce every day. Every other route I try seems equally bad.
I feel your pain on that. Someone has apparently made the decision to turn Druid Hills into a never-ending construction site. Whoever is in charge of all that should be fired — it’s been going on far too long.
Does anyone know if cigarette butts have some sort of littering exemption? I see people throwing them out of their car windows all of the time or dropping them on the sidewalk. (Ironically they often have Save the Wildlife plates next to their City of Decatur bumper stickers). This really bothers me because even if they eventually break down, they are an eyesore and I’m assuming just head to the waterways during rainstorms (or flash floods as of late). Steve? Code?
I think that butts are covered by the State law regarding littering, not City code. They are as illegal as any other kind of littering.
Doesn’t it strike you as strange that smokers a) always keep a window open so the smoke blows out of a car and b) throw the butts out instead of keeping them in the car. It’s like they don’t like their own habit, which they strongly defend when challenged.
TOTALLY agree about the cig butt issue. Amazes me that smokers do not think this is polluting. It is, and is against the law and subject to being fined as if you were doing any other sort of pollution.
I attended the DHS volleyball game against GAC and Paideia last Thursday. Although the Lady Dogs were unable to defeat highly ranked GAC, they beat cross-town rival Paideia in the second match. After the first match, the Decatur players met with the GAC team at mid-court in what appeared to be a prayer circle. Its good to see that our students feel free to exercise their religious freedoms while at a school sponsored event. I would encourage anyone interested in protecting the religious freedoms of students to research what is happening at Fort Oglethorpe High School. Apparently the religious beliefs of FOHS students are now restricted to a “free speech zone”. I’d like to see the positions of our candidates for school board concerning religious freedom at CDS. Do they support that right of student athletes to meet in prayer circles both before and after events? Do they support the right of coaches and teachers to participate in these activities? I certainly do.
Chris Billingsley
Interesting post, Chris. I suggest that schools can neither prohibit nor appear to sanction such activities. In prohibiting, they limit both students’ free speech and their free exercise of religion; in sanctioning (when the sanctioned activity is perceived as a formal part of a school-sponsored program, as it appears to be in Fort Oglethorpe) , they imply endorsement.
Both limit personal freedom on the larger scale. It may very well be true, especially in small town, that every cheerleader and every football player on the field share the same beliefs and support bible verse banners, they have to accept the fact that, while on that field, they’re representatives of a public institution. Public institutions don’t take positions on religion.
Of course, students–and anyone else–have every opportunity to express their religion at church and at home. I have to question why they feel the need to bring it to school.
When “prayer circles” like this are allowed at PUBLIC school events, not only is an endorsement implied, children may also experience peer pressure to take part in a religious activity, especially with teachers and coaches involved. I certainly don’t support this type of activity.
Why is there a no right turn on red in Avondale Estates at the one big intersection there, turning from that North-South street onto whatever College Ave is called over there?!
I went to the Iberian Pig to eat on Friday night and as I walked across the square I saw that the Brick Store and Zuccas had overflow crowds, Leonsand Cafe Alsace were full, there were people flowing out on to the sidewalk of Raging Burrito, Sushi Avenue, Siam and the Pharm House. It was a great site to see. The other day, Michelle at Pharm House said that on a few days they have been so busy that they ran out of menu items. It made me, and others I was dining with, comment that it seems if you have a good concept, good food & service, and deliver on your promise…you can get the customers. So it is making me rethink restaurant failure in Decatur…could it be Darwinsim??? If you cant survive perhaps you shouldnt survive?
How was the Pig?
“…could it be Darwinsim??? If you cant survive perhaps you shouldnt survive?” It’s always been “Darwinism”, Billy– here in Decatur & elsewhere. Delivering what a large number of people want to pay for, consistently and with good service, generally ensure a business’s survival, regardless of what the product is. Tough economic times certainly have a bearing on this, but if enough people want what you’re selling, and you market your product in such a way that they’ll come to you to buy it vs. someone else selling the same thing, then you’re less likely to go out of business. Exceptions would be economic downturns so severe that no one can actually afford to buy your product, even if they want it and you’re great at putting it out there (e.g., a depression), & there are always exceptions to the rule (one could ask why so many Piccadilly cafeterias hang on, given their mediocre food, but obviously they’ve found a niche), but otherwise, the “fittest” usually do survive. I think some folks tend to forget this when they lament a perceived lack of “local support for local businesses”.
The Darwinian demise you speak of comes to bear on restaurants that have a price-to-value ratio that is untenable: restaurants who serve $15-a-plate entrees in terms of quality but charge $35/person in terms of price. Places that charge the price of /prime/ beef but serve /choice/ cuts, for example. Or places that repeatedly disappoint you or, worse, tell you that something else just isn’t up to their standards. Again.
I’d point out that this is not the same as an occasional hiccup or just a bumpy grand opening: many of us are excited when a new restaurant opens up that fills a void in the spectrum. And because you’re a local business and we often know you, residents are usually pretty tolerant if you burn tonight’s cookies.
I think a lot of the success behind places like Piccadilly is that they provide a good value-for-the-money. Piccadilly fills the low-end, low-cost food space nicely. Evans Fine Foods is another great place to eat for the money. These businesses are a godsend for many of our “aging in place” population who live on a fixed income or folks like me who start jonesin’ for some basic “down home” cookin’.
The reality is we only need so much Crabtree and Evelyn, greeting cards, humorous doormats, nifty furniture, running shoes, books, dog toys, and magnetic poetry. These are all cool things and I certainly hope the support of locals have made a difference to our local businesses. On the other hand there are only so many high end, high price boutiques the locals will be able to keep afloat. When I hear how much per sq. ft. some of our retail space is going for, it’s no wonder to me that many of the retail sites sit empty!
Decatur definitely needs more diversity in its retail/commercial offerings if the City is to thrive.
I tried the Iberian Pig Friday night and sampled several of the tapas. I highy recommend the meatballs, asparagus, eggplant fries and crunchy potatoes. I however do not recommend taking kids, vegetarians or the friends/family that we all have that only eat the burger or chicken fingers whereever they go. I loved it because I’m adventurous with food. I did not love the two couples who brought their four children, who appeared to be in the 10-12 age range, and set them at the table behind my party and ignored the children as they unwrapped the silverware and proceeded to play with and eventually “sword fight” with their knives. Other patrons and the staff stared at the table of unsupervised, armed children but the parents continued to ignore them. So, the food was great, the staff was very attentive but the atmosphere was not so great but I don’t blame the restaurant.
Sheep Dog, thanks for the info. I’ve been wanting to try the Pig… Maybe I’ll wait until the feeding frenzy is over, though.
I’m sorry to hear that your dining experience was tarnished by a duel. What is it with some people and their inability to either require their children to behave, hire a sitter, or stay home and reap the benefits of what they’ve sewn….
And, quite honestly, I’m really starting to turn my gaze upon the restaurants that allow this behavior to continue. The truth is, when we pay for dinner at some of these finer establishments, it is definitely a reasonable expectation that we have a great overall experience, not just the entrée…These places spend /a lot/ of money to create a unique and comfortable dining room — they choose their silverware, their napkin types, their plate styles, their chairs, the colors, their servers, the bathroom soap, everything. It astounds me that after going to all that effort and expense that they allow one family’s disrespectful ways ruin everyone else’s night.
You deserved better than that, IMHO. I hope the next time you go back that it’s everything you wanted it to be and more. I’m looking forward to it, myself. Thanks for the report!
The 10-12 age range is more than old enough to have learned, and be capable of complying with, rules on how to behave in public. Curious: what time were you there when this happened? I ask b/c generally, PWKs tend to clear out by 7:45 – 8:00 pm, but there are always exceptions. I understand your frustration, b/c it’s one thing for toddlers & pre-schoolers to be acting up, but quite another altogether for kids who are old enough to know better (as well as old enough to remain in their seats quietly) to be loud & boisterous. Funny– every time this topic comes up, there are folks who’re very quick to assert that this kind of thing is the exception, rather than the rule (whether it’s in Decatur or elsewhere); lately, however, someone seems to experience & post about this phenomenon at least once a week on this blog. I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s really as much of an exception as the “exceptionists” believe. At any rate, maybe we’d best leave this subject be, since it’s been discussed to practically death over in the Saba/fire thread…
Oh no! The dreaded “children in restaurants” theme again. Please, god, noooooooooooo!!! Let’s go back to politics; that’s MUCH more fun.
Disclaimer for the humorless: that was a joke. Note the smiley.
LMAO – just doin’ my part for the secret left wing plot to get the opposition to BEG for the public option!
admit we’re right and we’ll be quiet. (a joke for the joker)
My laptop died. Will not boot. Is there a computer repair shop in Decatur/close to Decatur that you have used and would recommend?
Devin Johnson is an unfailing computer technician whom I have used several times. He will come to your home and guarantees his work. I have never had a problem that he didn’t solve: Devin Johnson, COMPUFIX,
7020 Magnolia Lane, Fairburn, GA 30213 (404-786-3011); ; http://www.compufixatlanta.com
A2Z Computers, located in Kroger shopping center on Dekalb Industrial Way; may also still have a shop in Avondale. No house calls that I know of, but reliable and reasonably priced, friendly and knowledgeable.
I have used they guys at Onyx, and they were great to me. They were fair and reasonably priced for my needs. They are on the dead end road that runs next to the Goodyear and behind the McDonalds. They are Mac specialists, but my computer was a p.c. They did not speak down to me or treat me like I was a total idiot. I liked them and the service they provided.
Can anyone recommend a good psychotherapist? (not joking here)
For what? Adults? Kids? Couples?
Care & Counseling Center of Georgia has wonderful therapists. They are religiously affiliated but do not hit you over the head with it if that’s not your cup of tea. And if it’s not, they are a good resource to find other therapists in town. They’re located on Clairmont near at the intersection of Mason Mill.
http://www.cccgeorgia.org/
Also not joking: Recommendations for good pediatric opthamologist?
Dr. Weeks is wonderful and close by. Unfortunately she is only in the Decatur office two days a week but we are able to get an appointment pretty quickly. 404.292.2500
Wow…after a couple of slow weeks, I was beginning to think that Free-For-All Fridays was losing stream. Now it looks like those slow weeks were nothing more than that. Interesting.
I’ll leave the thread open through today, so people can get answers on their recommendations.
Oh and thanks to everyone for keeping things relatively clean while I was gallivanting around Europe last week!
Lots of good and interesting stuff in the works over the next few weeks, so stick around!