Free-For-All Friday 5/14/10
Decatur Metro | May 14, 2010 | 8:12 amFeel free to use this post to make comments or ask questions about local topics not discussed here in the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
Feel free to use this post to make comments or ask questions about local topics not discussed here in the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
Diane Loupe
Diane Loupe
Diane Loupe
Mr. Bad Example
Blake
Steve
Dex
Steve
Jay
Decatur Heights Dad
DecaturCyn
Dex
Jane
Pat
Macarolina
Anyone know what’s up with the accident this morning that closed Second Avenue south of East Lake Drive? I saw an SUV looking roughed up and a school bus may have been involved. Plenty of emergency vehicles.
I saw the same accident. But it seemed to be right on East Lake right past Johnston St., which I turned onto. I did see the school bus.
Apparently the SUV came around the corner and hit a parked Mustang, then ricocheted into the school bus. This is second hand from the MARTA bus driver I talked to. The kids on the bus were OK.
That’s right. It was on East Lake. I hadn’t had my coffee yet. Hope everyone’s OK.
Has anyone had those tiny little Edy’s ice cream cones you can get in the freezer case? I had 3 yesterday.
I am blaming you for my weight gain.
They only have 90 calories each!
Does anyone know if there is an organized group of Decatur parents who have adopted children? I have search Yahoo! and Google groups and can’t seem to find any. If not, I’d love to start one!
have you checked meetup.com? There’s usually a group for everything on there. If not, it’s a great place to start one!
Thanks! I will try that.
I’m checking with some adoptive parent friends…
Did the DM Classifieds section disappear? I’m apartment hunting and most of the Craigslist ads are pricey or not really in Decatur.
I’m not sure of the price, but there is one (& maybe two) apartments posted on Drexel.
I recommend the Pines on Scott apartments, just east of Clairmont Avenue at 927 Scott Boulevard. Clean and safe, and manager lives on property. 404-377-8188… A very convenient location for MARTA, 1 mile north of Decatur square.
I think there are also some vacancies at the Adair apartments, between Emerson and Hibernia. Lots of nice residents there.
It did. It wasn’t getting enough traffic since I took the “Latest Classifieds” off the main page.
Some form of classifieds could ultimately be successful on DM, but it will take more effort to create, promote and maintain than I can give it right now.
Check Emory’s Off Campus Housing web site.
Is it insane to go to FarmBurger for lunch on a Friday? Will we get in the door?
Quick – go right now and you should be ok. Just don’t wait until noon.
It was delicious! They were doing a very brisk business.
Can anyone recommend a reliable/honest/reasonably priced handyman/contractor for a little drywall work (patching a ceiling after a leaking shower problem). I could probably tackle it myself, but supspect I won’t!
Keath Your Handyman. Awesome, awesome, awesome. Shows up early, does exactly what he says he’ll do, and will tell you if its out of his depth. I have used his services for years: 404-274-1689.
Great, thanks Melissa…
Any update on the opening date for Farmhouse 303 (or Farmstead 303). There was some mention of opening for mothers day, but I don’t think that happened.
I believe they are looking forward to opening around the 25th of May. It’s going to be great!
Trailer question:
Are they safe or unsafe? I remember a while back FEMA moving people because the trailers they were in had toxic chemicals. (Based on that a lone I would never want to live in one personally, though I realize millions do everyday.) Are the trailer the kids are in, made of the same kinds of things? If so, how can they be allowed to house children all over the country during school hours?
I guess a couple of hours a day isn’t that bad, but there is a school in Dekalb with 11 of them. So it would seem chances are for several years many students would spend at least a chunk of time in them.
Also, how could children be learning if they are being shuffled in and out of trailer everyday that there could be dangerous weather like the 2 week thunderstorm/flooding last year?
They are completely ugly and take up play space, but if they are unsafe, i just don’t get how this could be legal? It’s a little depressing when you drive by a school and see multiple trailers. This isn’t a third world country or rural Alaska, it seems the trailer solution has gotten a little out of hand.
The FEMA thing was about the small trailers used for housing after Katrina and has nothing to do with the portable classrooms used by the schools.
I guess I wasn’t clear. (usually the case)
I remembered seeing a few news reports a while back about FEMA trailers having issues with chemicals (formaldehyde), and that some were claiming caused illnesses or irritated existing health problems. I was curious to know if the same chemicals used in the FEMA trailers were used in the trailers that schools were using.
I would think the likelihood of that is nil.
And I’m sure the folks that build those trailers love the fact that you are trying to connect them to FEMA. Awesome.
Here is a quote from The CDC…
“The effects of poor indoor air quality in portable classrooms are no different from those in permanent classrooms. All school buildings use similar construction and furnishing materials, so the types of chemicals present in indoor air are not likely to be different for portable versus permanent classrooms. However, pressed-wood products (often with high concentrations of formaldehyde) are used more in the factory-built portable units than in buildings constructed on-site. As result, levels of airborne chemicals may be higher in new portable classrooms, especially if ventilation is reduced.”
There are nine trailers with two classrooms each currently being used be The City Schools of Decatur. CSD currently has plans to rent two more. I am curious to find out if it is actually a lease/purchase. Does anyone know? The assistant superintendent has told parents that to bring in a trailer costs $50k. It costs less if it is placed beside a trailer already installed. I don’t think I could currently prove in a court of law that trailers are unsafe. I would just like to point out that they may have long-term ill-health effects on our children that are yet to be proven. We do know that they tend to have less air circulation and ventilation than traditional classrooms. We do know that they tend to have more mold and mildew than traditional classrooms. We know that at times the children wait in line in cold, rain and snow to get in the trailers. We do know that the are expensive and a sign of poor planning. We do know that they are unsightly. I have some pictures that I will try to have posted.
I just feel that it is unjust to house our school children in trailers when we have a traditional school that is being used for 40 adults in administration. I know that it will take a lot to return Westchester to a full use school again. I only ask that administration share three classrooms with 60 pre-k kids who need a classroom next year. Instead of renting/buying two more trailers for a one year solution.
Where I went school, in another state, we often had classes in trailers (we called them “portables”), from elementary school to high school. I never felt that it was unfair to put us in trailers or that we were getting second-class facilities. It actually felt kind of fun and different. And, twenty years later, there do not seem to have been any lasting health effects.
Ideas for places to put up guests in Decatur? I know of a couple of bed-n-breakfasts, and of course the Holiday Inn downtown. Got anything more clever that isn’t too far away?
University Inn up by Emory.
Added bonus: Guests can take the Cliff Bus into Decatur for free!
-Holiday Inn Select next to Emory Commons
-Emory Conference Center–the front (older) inn is less upscale but may actually be more comfortable than the new main conference building. The latter has tiny rooms for the cost and seems less customer friendly, maybe because the guests often are stuck because that’s where the conference is and the University Inn is the only competition within walking distance.
Are you talking about the Holiday Inn Express on the other side of Publix? That place is really nice. A family member stayed there recently and raved about it. He said it was much nicer than the University Inn, where he has also stayed.
There is also the Emory Conference Center and Emory Inn (smaller & cheaper). Call and see if they have any deals going on.
http://www.emoryconferencecenter.com
Not in Decatur, but generally speaking the hotels in Atlanta are struggling big time, so there have been some great deals to fill weekend rooms at some of the higher end business hotels downtown, midtown, and in Buckhead. Many are near MARTA.
they could stay downtown ATL near the 5 Points station and take MARTA (one line) straight to DEC– The Glenn is really nice, also the new portion of the Omni.
There are two nice, clean motels on Church Street just north of the downtown area — very close to downtown, and reasonably priced.
hmmm, if these are the same two I’m thinking of, not sure how nice or clean– we scouted some hotels for wedding guests last fall, and looked in the windows of the Church hotel (the one that is most north)– the downtown Holiday Inn and the Holiday Inn Express by Publix were about 500x better, for only about $30 more a night. Also, Holiday Inn gives discounts for AAA.
TeeRuss relayed a message from his Strat Plan group yesterday asking me to add all the neighborhood association websites and/or message boards to my “blog roll”. Problem is, I’m not sure I know all of them.
He provided oakhurstga.org, mak-decatur.org, winnonapark.org as a jumping off point. I also know that Dave at InDecatur maintains a Decatur Heights site for the neighborhood.
What other sites for Decatur neighborhood groups are out there?
- Clairemont/Great Lakes Neighborhood Association (CGLNA)
- Westchester Neighborhood Association
Midway Woods has a pretty large message board.
- The Free Westchester Rant
- The Slow Down Blog
- Uhm, that was good Guide
Chelsea Heights Neighborhood Assn
Am I the only one who doesn’t get the big deal about the fried chicken at Watershed on Tuesday nights. I have been twice and the chicken is fine but just not what the hype all leads one to believe. Give me the Colonnade any time!
Watershed fried chicken is waaaaaaaaaaaay over-rated. Publix deli fried chicken is better…just sayin’… AND you can usually get some greens and other fixins to go with it.
Agreed. Haven’t been in years because it was just eh.
Actually, have never been a big fan of Watershed in general.
Tried Watershed’s burger for the 1st time yesterday, and I must say it does worth. Better than FarmBurger, even.
When is Andisheh going to fix all the problems?
When he figures out what they are.
I’ve heard from a parent that the Lakeside High School Jazz Band is doing a free concert today. It’s at the Bandstand in the Square – 6:30 PM.
I’d just like to give a shout-out to Piece of Cake’s strawberry cupcakes– that buttercream alone is song-worthy! *sigh* At least I have two months to enjoy them, before that flavor leaves for the year. I thank heaven every day I don’t live in close walking distance to that place. If I did, I might actually find my way over there every day!
WHERE IS MINE?
What is the verdict on Garlic Thai relative to the other Thai options in Decatur?
Don’t know about the thai, but the sushi was very good.
I have eaten there three times 2x dinner, 1x lunch. — I have only ordered Pad Thai, Masaman, beef salad etc. None of the special dishes.
Food is great, they serve real coconut soup (khun, kai gai) at lunch as opposed to chicken dishwater soup, patio ambiance is great.
Food on par with Siam — pricing is competitive, if not better. Service and ambiance are far superior.
Really enjoyed the soft shell crabs. And the alfresco atmosphere was nice.
DM: I have tried to reply to your post about neighborhood associations three times. I’ve finally realized it’s not that I run off absent-mindedly before submitting but something systematically going on.
My response is:
- Clairemont/Great Lakes Neighborhood Association (CGLNA)
- Westchester Neighborhood Association
‘Twas getting stuck in the spam filter for some reason.
Only in Decatur would “Westchester” be considered spam!
LOL! So true!
Maybe it has been there for days, but I just noticed the CDS webiste has announced that Erin Wheeler has been hired as the new principal at Clairement. Anyone know anything about her?
If it’s who I think it is, she used to be the Expeditionary Learning person at Oakhurst Elementary. We loved her.
Word went out to Clairemont teachers yesterday and started leaking out to everyone else today. Official announcements are probably starting to come out now. I think she’s worked at multiple CSD schools as a teacher and then instructional coach and then in Central Office. All I’ve ever heard from any source is good but have no personal experience. Word on the street is that Clairemont teachers and staff are happy. I know of at least one that was looking at other options who no longer is.
While visiting my favorite (and the only?) Polish restaurant anywhere near Atlanta, the owner Mark said he’d had several people drive up from Decatur to have the AMAZING pierogies made by hand on site and the Polish beer they have on tap. So, I thought I’d give his place a little shout-out, in case there were other people in Decatur who are in search of pierogies. I’ve not been able to find them anywhere else.
His place is called Gimza, and it’s way up near Peachtree Corners somewhere.
3435 Medlock Bridge Road #209
Norcross, GA 30092
I hope this is ok!
Thanks for the reminder about Gizma, Jessica.. I haven’t been yet, but need to! I emailed the folks there at Christmas while looking for oplatek and they pointed me in the right direction.
This is great….I would love to try their pierogis. I try to get them from Patak market in Austell so that I can eat them at home. But, I can rarely get their on the Saturdays that they are open.
OK….. a skateboard ordinance has been passed so that the little munchkins who skateboard downtown are not charged with a felony but a misdemeanor. When is it going to start being enforced? We only see it on Church Street as the elderly from the condos or the small children scramble to get out of the way or when they flip the skateboards into the building. The other day there were so many in a group coming down the sidewalk that Amy could not get past them and had to literally jump into the gutter to avoid the onslaught. Someone older may not have been so spry. My kids were young once.. I was young once.. and don’t want to see anyone thrown in jail for skating..but.. its a matter of time before someone is hurt or property is damaged.. but the downtown corridor has been made a “no skate zone” and there are areas more appropriate (and legal) for this recreation. A few warning tickets may be enough.
Did the skateboarders look local or imported? Are they teens?
Did the skateboarders look local or imported?
May I ask how someone can tell whether a kid looks local or imported?
Don’t you have to be an Arizona state trooper to be able to tell that?
Well, my definition of local is that I either recognize them as kids I’ve known since they were itty bitty, or my kids do, or they look amazingly like their sibling(s), or they are wearing a Glennwood, Renfroe, DHS, Decatur Rec, or Decatur/DeKalb YMCA logo. The reason the distinction is important is that it takes both prevention and corrective action to eliminate teen law-breaking. Most Decatur parents don’t want to see their kids in legal trouble but may be unaware that they are risking it. It’s not hard to use the schools, websites, churches, city communications to warn parents and teens that there’s a problem and it’s about to get addressed with law enforcement. It won’t completely stop the problem but it’s faster than waiting for the effect of enforcing the rules case by case. I’ve already seen less or no skateboarding (hard to tell since I’m only passing now and then) at one of the schools and I wonder if publicity about the ordinance is already having effect.
But if it’s adults or teens from outside of Decatur, social pressure and fear-of-God messages to the community aren’t going to have any effect.
Call 404-373-6551. There’s usually a foot patrol or bicycle officer near the square.
I’m not sure what a local versus an imported teen looks like. Unfortunately, my kids are beyond the age of most of them and I wasn’t aware that school t-shirts are that common of an attire. They do not have a “D” tattooed on their forehead or anything. However, if I had to make a guess, without profiling, I would say the majority are local. Yes, the police are very responsive when we have had to call for other reasons. But, just as I would not call them if I saw someone running a stop sign, I would not call them for skateboard transgressions. But, if they see it, we do expect that the law is enforced. We expect the public to know that running a stop sign is against the law; that they should not do it because of possible injury or property damage. We expect that the law will be respected. We think its largely a matter of educating, not punishing. But, if a few serious transgressors were punished, I would not object. One only has to look at the low walls surrounding some of the buildings downtown to see the property damage that has already been done.
Doesn’t seem like anyone thinks this is a bunch of outsiders muscling in on Decatur’s skatescape. So I’d suggest some variant on a multi-prong approach to get our skateboarding teen residents compliant with the law:
- Since school is about to let out and a bunch of stuff will be emailed and sent home re MAP and CRCT scores, graduation, and then orientation materials for next year, add some info about new ordinance, risk of citation, and that parents should be monitoring their kids’ skate activities. City/police might have to give CSD some $ towards mailings since those can be expensive; the more pages, the more expensive.
- Do some cheap outreach about ordinance via city website, Decatur Focus,city and neighborhood listservs.
- Add something to the school/city safe routes to school and walk/ride/scooter program to provide materials about safe and legal skateboarding
- Then start some active law enforcement early this summer before skateboarding by kids out of school gets out of hand.
Just wanted to give a thumb’s up to Andryanni’s, the Greek cafe in the building behind Parker’s. It’s sort of tucked away, but the food is good, and the family that runs it is very friendly.
Second that.
Haven’t been that impressed, myself. I’ve eaten lunch there twice, and ended up just missing Sandwich Sandwich Shop.
Can someone PLEASE open an awesome drive thru coffee shop???? Have you ever been to Oregon?? These moms w/kids need a drive thru!!!
if only Dancing Goats would.
What a mess that would be.
I say “no” to any drive throughs in Decatur. Actually, I do think that is the law. The McDonalds is grandfathered, I believe.
Drive throughs are awesome… if you’re trying to build a suburb. Walkability takes trade-offs. You gotta choose one or the other.
No drive-thrus. The Mcds is adequate to serve that sort of thing. If you want drive-thrus move to the burbs.
Al Fresco Dining in Decatur — Am I the only one who finds Decatur’s outdoor dining scene a bit unclean? In Europe, cafe sidewalks are washed down every day. I was in Seaside Fl, same thing.
Walking the dog past Starbucks the other night — trash, cups, bottles, sticky stuff, garbage overflowing.
I may bring this up to the City Commission. A restaurant assessment district could pay for regular cleaning if it’s too much for the restaurants themselves.
I did notice the server at MacMagee’s the other night sweeping around the tables. Bravo!