Free-For-All Friday 11/20/09
Decatur Metro | November 20, 2009 | 9:09 amUse this post to comment and ask questions about local issues not addressed in the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
Use this post to comment and ask questions about local issues not addressed in the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
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Pet Peeve of the Day:
Pet owners who do not take responsibility for their pets. Whether it’s moving and leaving your cat behind to move into other people’s houses, or thinking that since you live in a townhouse next to Oakhurst Park that is okay to use the park as your dogs’ personal yard – letting them run free without supervision – it seems our community is rife with people who don’t think they need to respect their pets and the people in their community.
Same goes for children and many adults – especially the ‘running free without supervision’ part.
So children in Oakhurst Park should be leashed? It’ll make pushing a kid in a swing difficult but I’m willing to give it a shot.
I’m all for muzzles too. I have a chatterbox who rambles on and on.
But then it wouldn’t be a pet peeve.
“Running free without supervision” was one of the defining reasons we moved to Decatur. I suggest more adults give it a try.
Should there be some guidelines for “running free without supervision” ?
I guess the real question (to be taken with a shot of jelly belly beans) is whether or not the aforementioned behavior is a Right, a Privilege (that can be taken away briefly just like an xbox or an i-Phone if one misbehaves), or a Luxury. Are all human beings regardless of age, disposition, character deserving of slicing, spinning, or racing through space without a care in the world?
Adults have to be and generally are held accountable for whatever directly results from their own running-free-without-supervision. But, pets and kids could stand some chaperoning…for their own safety. Yes?
Now, dangit, pugs– you’re just bashing children & dogs for succumbing to their god-given natures. Doubtless you don’t have either pups or progeny, because it’s clear you don’t understand what it is to be a parent/dog owner. You DARE suggest they be *gasp* SUPERVISED in public places??? *tsk* The nerve. We can see behind that perfectly reasonable facade of yours, missie, and recognize a kid-and-dog-hater when we see one, thankyouverymuch!
God knows the last thing we want in Decatur is children running amok at a playground like Oakhurst Park. they should walk quietly from jungle gym to slide, preferably in a single-file line. If you parents out there can’t control your children at the park, take them to Saba so they can bump into Cuba’s chair.
I think I should’ve suggested a double shot of jelly belly.
Single file line! Perfect… There should be matching t-shirts ….Team Edward! Team Jacob!
Of course I believe children should be able to prance and run around an open space, designated or not as an area safe for such behaviors (parks vs. storefront sidewalk in random location). Silly rabbits.
I also am genuinely curious about whether or not prancing around unsupervised is necessarily an inherent right? What if it were treated as a privilege… It’s certainly something that can be taken for granted. The moment someone imposes limitations on how far you can move through an open space and for how long a time, you realize maybe you should’ve dont more of it when you could.
*tossing handfuls of jellybeans in rainbow colors up in the air over writerchad* There, there, Chadly, don’t take it to heart so…Most of us understand the difference between the kind of supervision children need in public indoors vs. outdoors. We just wish all parents of small fry understood it as well. Peace!
Two interesting themes keep popping up on this blog–the “supervise your children/pets better” theme and the “free-range children” theme. How do these two relate?
Responsibility for unfavorable outcomes of intersecting trajectories.
“Well, you should’ve been watching them better.”
“Well, you should’ve been watching where you’re walking/running/driving/biking.”
“Your kid/pet came out of nowhere.”
“You came out of nowhere.”
I wonder how many adults have actually had this or a similar conversation before? Or maybe overheard one like it?
Hey, I like my children AND my chickens free-range. They just taste better. :-p
What do you think of duct cleaning? Requirement or scam?
I can’t really answer yea or nay, but I had it done once. I was surprised at the amount of stuff that came out (dust bunnies, toys, pets…). I don’t know if it truly makes a difference in the air quality or not.
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2008/02/duct-cleaning.html
Ducks should only be cleaned in the case of an oil spill.
So then the duck says ‘Just put it on my bill.’
(sound of crickets chirping…)
Done by legitimate professionals, it can be a lifesaver. The spousal unit has asthma, and having our ducts cleaned once a year really helps. That, and HEPA filters on our vacuum cleaners.
I am totally confused about why the Rumandlime family keeps ducks in the house. Yucks.
We like to soak ‘em in rum & limes, then deep-fry ‘em. Tasty little buggers, they are!
Are the ducks gay or straight?
Thank you all for the input on duct cleaning. And duck cleaning, as well. The research I had done left me ambivalent. I guess, all in all, cleaner is better.
Scam. I’ve never heard of anybody who said it was something that needed to be done. It’s very expensive, and privately, HVAC guys will admit that it’s just a scam. It’s just gonna get dirty again, and the system has a filter.
I meant, nobody who wasn’t charging and making tons of money from this service who said it was necessary.
Our guys don’t charge a ton of $$– they only charge an additional $75 when they come change our filters (which they do twice a year for one set price). I’m sure there are plenty of scamming HVACers out there, but duct cleaning itself is not, per se, a scam.
How about that blue knitted snuff in the trees at Agnes Scott on the corner of College and N. McDonough. An art project, perhaps?
ha! Whoops. I meant stuff.
Crocheting. http://agnesart.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/mandy-greer-crochet-event-at-agnes-scott/
Thanks Emily!
HA! I wondered the same thing. Everytime I drive by, I think “I can’t believe they’ve let that shredded blue tarp stay snarled in that tree all this time!”
Decatur mom, I knew I couldn’t be the only one who was scratching my head!
I thought it was a cool blue spider web, an artsy hip halloween decoration.
Question of the weekend for everyone to ponder and post about. What 2 Decatur businesses do you most value and would miss the most if they were not here? Choose food places and shops. For me, I love the Brick Store and Leon’s for food, and Heliotrope and Whit’s End for shops….I buy lots of guy-gifts for the men in my life at those places.
There are others I would miss, but without a doubt, I would be heartbroken if we lost Little Shop or Brick Store.
As of today, my husband’s and Yogurt Tap.
I would miss my husband’s business because it allows me to spend $37 in five days at Yogurt Tap. I ate 15.5 oz yesterday!
Nelliebelle, I’m with you. I’m addicted to Yogurt Tap, as is my child. And our family is scraping for pennies…eating a lot of peanut butter, shopping at thrift stores, etc. But Yogurt Tap is wonderful.
Little Shop of Stories without question. And then Taste and Raging Burrito are tied for second place.
Shopping: Little Shop, Heliotrope, Seventeen Steps
Essentials: CVS
Shoes/Clothing: Fleet Feet
Eating: Tesoro, Chick Fil A, Yogurt Tap
Coffee: Cafe Cliche (and Dancing Goat if Cafe Cliche is closed)
If you forced me to reduce further:
Food: Cafe Cliche, Tesoro
Shops: Little Shop, Fleet Feet
Watershed (because, DANG, their fried chicken is the bomb), and Squash Blossom (because it’s one of the few places I can find things for my 16-yr-old niece that she consistently loves). I still miss Eviva!!! *sniff*
Heliotrope, Yogurt Tap, Cafe Lily!
While its not sexy…i use the CVS more than any other shop in town. While not quaint at all, it is my “corner store”…and its on the corner!
I would also miss the Grange.
Boutique Karma. Love that place. And the little shop.
Already missing By Hand South.
Definitely Little Shop and Eddie’s Attic…
I was thinking about selling all my old-never-gonna-wear-it-again gold jewelry since gold prices are so high. Has anyone done this? Any advice?
I think G. Gordon Liddy has has lots of those sell your gold commercials on its radio show.
My wife has started a Pampered Chef consultant buisness. They do shows at your house and sometimes include a consultant from Southeast Gold Buyers that will buy your unwanted gold. You can invite your friends to the show and get a commisson on the gold that is sold and credit for pampered chef items. My wife is a local and a teacher in the school system. Feel free to email her at for more information
A friend recently sold orphan earrings and crimped chains, and maid over $500! sorry, don’t know where she did it, a jewelry store I think.
oops, made. maybe she spent her newfound loot on a maid.
I was walking past Alexia today and there were some fliers on the door about selling gold. Don’t know if it was a service, or a party, or what, but you could check it out.
I love it when stores say “we buy old gold!”…as if old gold is something that would otherwise just be thrown away and they are doing you a favor by buying it.
dlb, if you are responsible pet owner, try http://www.catsforgold.com.
Hah!
crime news: 2 cars were broken into last night around 3:15am (one of them mine) in the WP neighborhood. both cars parked on street. nothing was available to steal out of mine, but yet i’m watching the glass repair person installing a new driver’s window right now and i am out of pocket $200 of my christmas money. the other neighbor got actual things stolen. decatur PD were awesome and showed up quickly and continued to cruise by the rest of the night.
Sorry to hear about your car WPMom, but thanks for the report.
Perhaps I should sell stickers and t-shirts that say “Mess with me today and you’ll be on Decatur Metro tomorrow.” Kinda like a less-effective ADT sign.
I am looking for a charitable organization that accepts antique furniture donations. I have a 75+ year-old dresser – it has a few chips, but is otherwise functional and attractive.
Cheers!
You could try the Cathedral of St. Philip Thrift House on Piedmont Rd. Near the intersection of Rock Springs.
I might want it at my house. I am very charitable-like.
Hubs and I bought a new house that we are about to start renovating. New house has a 2 yeard old dishwasher and gas range that we would like to donate somewhere as there was no interest after a week on Craigslist. Anyone know of an organization that will come and pick the items up from our house? Anyone know of a family in need that might be able to put these to good use?
Call Clairmont Pres Church on Monday if you still have them. CPC has houses they use for ministry. 404 634 3355
I haven’t tried this org but their website says they pick up unwanted appliances.
http://www.unwanted.com/index_files/atlanta.html
Thanks Trudy – they charge for pickup and a recylcing fee. I have re-posted on Cragislist and if they don’t sell this week, I will have Salvation Army or another non-profit take the appliances.
Atlanta Habitat Restore– they take donations (and pick up), then sell those donated items at their store. Funds from the sale of items go towards home building. The store is a great spot to check for renovation items you might need yourself! Not sure if they have pick up costs. Here’s the link:
http://www.atlantahabitat.org/restore.asp
http://www.atlantafurniturebank.org
I major pet peeve is the cross walks.
Why don’t people stop for pedestrian that are actually crossing in the designated place? I watch daily as people stand and wait forever to cross then when they are half way across the other lane starts whipping by. A recuse vehicle that passed the other day didn’t even stop for a elderly woman. Stop talking and texting and look around while your driving.
Two recent crosswalk observations both at Adair and W Howard.
1. Woman with stroller and walking child are waiting to cross. I am heading home from downtown ATL and I stop to let them go before I turn left onto Adair. The car to the right of me sees what is going on and stops as well. The family cautiously begins to cross. As they get half way it becomes unclear if the traffic in the opposing direction is going to stop in time. The child darts forward. The mom grabs the child. The car finally stops. The mom, freaked out, shouts “this is a crosswalk.” The woman driving the vehicle shoots her the bird, cusses at her and the child continuously, and drives away.
2. A man in a motorized wheelchair waits patiently to cross. I clock 5 minutes and thirty seconds waiting for the rest of the traffic to stop. After nearly six minutes, the man in the chair waves me on, realizing that nobody else is going to stop. I was close to getting out of the car and stopping traffic myself but didn’t want to get into a confrontation. Something needs to be done at that crosswalk. . . .
Crosswalks:my pet peeve too. I’m an acknowledged aggressive pedestrian. If you don’t stop when I’m in a crosswalk I’m likely to chase you down with less-than-kind words. But let me share a situation from the other side of the steering wheel:
Thursday night, at the XW in front of Thumbs Up/ Crescent Moon. I’m driving, somewhat slowly, not drinking/yapping/texting or otherwise distracted. I was not drunk or mentally/visually impaired.
Not 10 yards before the XW, I barely see a man wildly waving his arms and yelling at me. Yes, he was in the XW on the other side of the street and trying to cross.
I COULD NOT SEE HIM UNTIL THE LAST SECOND. Why?
He was dressed in a black jacket and dark jeans. The only thing that barely caught my eye was his silver hair in the xenon’s of the oncoming car. It may have actually been the motion that caught my eye. By then, it was too late to stop.
And he was p***d! He continued to rant after I passed– interestingly again, I could still see little but his hair and waving arms in my mirror.
SO: let’s all think about this: we may have a right to be in that crosswalk, but if the driver can’t see you– you’re obstructed, it’s dark and so are you, other drivers are blinded – your rights wont be much help. Use common sense.
Wear clothes that can be seen or be aware that you can’t be ( there’s another favorite rant of mine).
Be aware of the other person’s POV.
Ask yourself: Are they able to see me?
And to that guy.. I’m really sorry. If I could’ve seen you in time, I’d have happily stopped. I hope I didn’t ruin your evening.
I agree common sense is needed to cross any street. But it’s that exact crossing that I’m talking about that even a rescue vehicle didn’t stop for the elderly person. I have actually come out of work and stopped traffic for the elderly or kids trying to cross. My daughter walks to thumbs up when I’m working late from Renfroe and I have to say it scares me to death. Is it really that big of a deal to let the walkers cross?
I’m guilty as well of just not seeing the person in time and always feel bad, but sometimes it just so blatant.
Stepping off box now.
I wish there were some kind of button pedestrians could push with a light that would flash and let people know someone was going to cross. I’ve seen people step right out only to be nearly clipped by a car that never even slowed down. Maybe a lot of drivers aren’t really aware of these crossings? I can’t imagine that many people are that selfish.
It’s become a gauntlet to drive down Ponce now though. Is some unseen person going to step out from behind a parked car as I’m coming through?
Have a different pet peeve, not really a pet peeve but a plea to well-meaning folks in heavy four-lane traffic on Clairemont and similar four-lane roads. When making a left off of Clairemont onto one of the side streets, and the traffic is stopped in the left lane going in the opposite direction, generous folks will sometimes stop to let me make that left turn. However, I can’t see into the opposite right lane to see if anyone is coming. If I don’t take up that offer to turn, we get into a confusing “After you, no after you, no after you” Three Stooges type of communication. But the few times that I took up the offer, I’ve almost been smashed by cars in the right lane who were travelling fast and not feeling so generous. I’d rather that we all just wait and be civil rather than get into this situation.
Does anyone know why the four prop planes were flying in formation this afternoon? I am no plane expert but my nephew thought they were World War II vintage.
AMB, we saw them too! I’m no plane expert either but I definitely spied what looked like a WWII bomber amongst them.
The suggestion at my house was that maybe they had something to do with a movie?
pet peeve..
I HATE how you MUST press the cross walk button to get the walk signal downtown…it should just be assumed there will be a pedistrian there. why not?
You HATE it? Try to relax.
In the world of liking or hating something….yes I hate it.
relax…try not to get cought up in the linguistics…
Because PUSHING a button is SO DIFFICULT.
Linguistics?
what’s with the attitude folks…I thought this was supposed to just be a section to have fun with…I was noting something that I do not like. In New York…Chicago and other urban areas you dont have to push the button. To me its just an example how the car trumps all in Atlanta.
Seriously whats with the attitude though. Try and settle down and just have FUN with it. jeeze.
The lights are set to let vehicles move through the intersection as quickly as possible. The ped signal is set to activate only when pushed – on the assumption that if it is *not* pushed then there isn’t a pedestrian there and it is *safe* for the vehicles to go & thus keep the vehicular “level of service” at a higher level (A is the best, F is the worst). Of course that means the pedestrian “level of service” is down around a D, because you have to push the crosswalk button and wait for the light to cycle through.
And, no, the City can’t re-set the lights because that is a county function and, even though we try, they still set them for the vehicles. The only light in town (that I know of) where there might possibly install an “on demand” ped button is at Church & Sycamore at the MARTA station.
The only active “on demand” ped button is at the retirement bldg. on Clairemont near the First Baptist Church.
The type of signal that someone mentioned for Ponce (at Thumb’s Up, etc) is called a HAWK:
“(High-intensity Activated crossWalk). The HAWK uses traditional traffic and pedestrian signal heads but in a different configuration. It includes a sign instructing motorists to “stop on red” and a “pedestrians” overhead sign. There is also a sign informing pedestrians on how to cross the street safely.
When not activated, the signal is blanked out. The HAWK signal is activated by a pedestrian push button. The overhead signal begins flashing yellow and then solid yellow, advising drivers to prepare to stop. The signal then displays a solid red and shows the pedestrian a “Walk” indication. Finally, an alternating flashing red signal indicates that motorists may proceed when safe, after coming to a full stop. The pedestrian is shown a flashing “Don’t Walk” with a countdown indicating the time left to cross.”
I believe Suwanee just installed one of them – I think the first one in the state. They are really, really expensive!
I happened to drive down S. Candler on Friday AM. The County is installing a lot of pedestrian crossings with mid-crossing pedestrian refuges, overhead flashers, etc. Major pedestrian crossing improvements! So maybe DeKalb will do some of those changes at some point in the city.
Props to DM for scoring sponsors.
Cheers Golazo! More on this tomorrow.
Anybody have a reasonably priced firewood delivery guy/gal they would recommend? In the past, I’ve just gone with some random off Craig’s list, but I was wondering if there’s a local, friendly purveyor of well-seasoned firewood. Today would’ve been a perfect day to curl up in front of the fire and read Decatur Metro.
thanks to those who recommended Quantum Mechanics in the recent Decatur Goodyear thread – we used them recently. Two thumbs up. We’ll definitely use them again.