This is quite disturbing.  Especially as someone who’s had quite a bit of work done at this shop.

Billy points out a recent CBSAtlanta story where a reporter went undercover at different auto repair shops across the metro area and Decatur’s own Goodyear dealership on Clairemont came out looking worst of the bunch.

After asking for a simple oil change, the other recommended “unnecessary” services at Goodyear came to over $1,100.  I can’t embed CBS video, so here’s the link.  CBS promises a response from the offending shops during tonight’s telecast.

Jiffy Lube up at North Decatur and Clairmont was also among the culprits.

Among the items on tonight’s Zoning Board agenda is a parking variance request from WPD Center LLC, which hopes to open up a burger joint called “Farm Burger” in the old Voila space.

According to the city’s summary, the site (which includes Watershed, Your Best Cleaners and the vacant space), currently has 54 parking spaces, but the parking code requires 65.   Viola got around this obstacle by entering into a shared parking agreement with 402 West Ponce (Ponce Preventative Care), however that agreement has since been terminated.

54 spaces for that modestly sized restaurant?  Am I the only one that finds that a bit ridiculous?

But a heated parking debate is only one half of this multi-layered story.  The other is this intriguing new restaurant called “Farm Burger”.  Luckily there’s a “Farm Burger” concept statement is among the enclosed documents for the Zoning Board to consider.  Here’s a taste…

“Farm Burger will take product sourcing  as serious as it takes crafting one of the world’s finest burgers.  Our belief is that a great burger starts with exceptional beef from exceptional cows raised on sweet Georgia grass alone.  With that guiding principle, Farm Burger’s ingredients will be: 100% grass-fed, 100% locally grazed Georgia beef, 100% organic (or beyond).

It starts with a $6 burger…From there we will offer a wide-range of seasonal accouterments, many grown on our 100-acre organic farm in Athens, Georgia, as well as diverse artisanal cheeses, housemade pickles, local eggs, and culinary delicacies, such as roasted bone marrow, house-cured bacon, and charcuterie.”

For more, see pages 11 and 12 of the ZBA’s packet for tonight’s meeting.

h/t: InDecatur

Creative Loafing’s Besha Rodell hopes the Iberian Pig will serve as a “stepping stone” for Spanish food in Atlanta, but also labels the popular Decatur spot’s offerings as “bastardized Spanish food” in her recent review.

A 90 minute BSP-style wait at the Pig on Saturday (“Do you have a reservation?” “Um…maybe?”) sent me and the wife down to Feast for a satisfying, walkable alternative.

I confirmed late last week that Rob Pope had requested a recount in his bid for the At-Large School Board seat, but was asked to keep it quiet until after the recount was completed since there wasn’t much hope that the results would change.

In the meantime, InDecatur reported an unconfirmed rumor and then confirmed it with the city.

I recontacted Rob this morning.  Here’s his official response to the recount rumors…

I have officially requested a recount and the Board of elections has agreed that pursuant to Georgia Code (election results being within 1%) a recount will be completed. Many people have asked about a recount and I want to bring closure on the issue and move on with helping out in the schools.

Thanks,

Rob Pope

The recount will take place tomorrow at 10am.

Why does it sometimes seem like Pulitzer Prize-winning authors can slip in and out of Decatur without notice?

For instance, tonight one of the modern era’s greatest historians, Gordon Wood, will be at the Decatur Library discussing his new book “Empire of Liberty” and without the note from InDecatur I would have never known about it!

I guess that can be one of the unsolved problems with “niche media”.  Without a single source, it can be hard to stay on top of stuff you have a casual interest in…especially when you think you’re already on top of it!

But worry not.  I’ve learned my lesson and joined the Georgia Center for the Book’s email list.