Free-For-All Friday 6/18/10
Decatur Metro | June 18, 2010Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here in the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here in the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
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Does anyone know if there is a bike safety class in Decatur for kids (non-CSD) interested in riding in traffic? We have the GA guide to safe cycling but it just isn’t the same. . . .
Try the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition
http://www.atlantabike.org/classoptions
thanks!
There are non-CSD kids out there?
dannemann’s super market on college ave by the east lake marta station….has anyone every actually been inside? please share…
Yep. I live nearby, and a few times when I’ve needed to pick up one or two items and didn’t feel like driving to Publix or Kroger I’ve stopped by. In a lot of ways, it’s a throwback–to 1970s-era supermarkets (smaller overall, narrower aisles, less selection) and to, err, pre-gentrification Kirkwood (kind of dingy, produce selection is limited and overall not too fresh, products offered don’t slant toward yuppified tastes, security drilling and bars out front to prevent break-ins). There are usually a few people around getting something or other.
re: Dannemans Have seen a gun in the parking lot a time or two. Won’t go there anymore. I have seen- just driving by- suspected drug deals. Shoppers beware.
I bought an onion there once around 1999.
Has anyone else noticed a rise in graffiti around the Emory area? What is up with all the “chief creep graffiti?” I’ve reported it to the county but not surprisingly, little has been done to clean it up….
When is someone going to do something about all the problems?
When is somebody going to do something about Andisheh?
What do you think I mean by “all the problems”?
If we only had a firing squad. That would fix EVERYTHING.
We can get one in Utah.
Or we could just drag Andisheh and his problems to Screen on the Green. Much closer than Utah.
Does anyone know any goods deals for pre-paid funerals?
I’ll be happy to burn you in my fireplace for $99 plus tax.
Can you melt steel in a fireplace?
Only if it’s BRAD STEEL.
Nelliebelle’s on a roll today!
I’ve seen people fishing in the Decatur cemetery. Anyone know if there’s any fish in there and if you need a license?
Zombie fish!
This made me laugh out loud. There’s no telling, from one week to the next, what one will see on FFAF, and that’s why I love it so!
I find myself laughing out loud at almost anything nelliebelle says. There are lots of witty folks in Decatur.
Could be Bonefish?
Little fish – yes. Fish I’d take home and eat – no. It’s not a private pond, so you’d need a license if you’re over…12?
The first thing is avoid being attacked by the geese.
Just about to submit my video to the beneful dog park contest, featuring my dog Scout at Oakhurst Dog Park. If it makes it to the “voting” round, I’ll let y’all know!
Oooo– good luck, Rez! Keep us posted…
Ahhh!!! I just tried to submit my video and realized that the deadline was 11:59 AM and not PM. I just assumed the deadline was this evening….Grrrr…Sorry to let y’all down, Decatur. I can’t believe we won’t even be considered based on a technicality!
Awww, that sucks, Rez!
Darn it!
Rez – I did the same thing! We had a video for Adair Dog Park. Was kicking myself last night at 10 PM after I got over being angry at Beneful for closing the entries early. Hate it when I screw up like that.
I’ve been thinking of doing something with it anyhow. Maybe we should organize a Facebook group for people who can’t read contest rules and post our videos there.
Boy, was Western Ponce (aka WestPo, aka Lower Ponce, aka LoPo) crowded this morning. No parking anywhere. The Marley seemed open. Anything special up? Or is this area suddenly booming?
Also is the New Orleans SnoBall Cafe open yet? If so, how is it?
World Cup game at 9:30?
Slovenia 2 USA 1
karass, yes–it has soft opened. I was walking by the new SnoBall place and talking to my kid about when it was supposed to open. One of the owners was locking up the chairs and overhead me talking (they were closed). Turns out they had had a soft opening that day (yesterday). They say they still need time to work out the kinks. Even better, they invited my son and me in after closing for free (large) samples! The space seems larger than when it was Cafe Cliche. The owners were SUPER friendly. The woman (Victoria–from New Orleans) was very excited about her products. The menu is more extensive than what I remember seeing online and she said it would be continually changing/expanding. In the winter she will move more toward a focus on the cafe items but for now it’s all about the SnoBalls! There are traditional flavors plus the condensed milk, etc. Some of the ones that sounded best to me were the Big Easy Favorites (Mardi Gras, Tiger Ball, Where Ya AT, etc.) They also have concoctions that are made of shaved ice but flavored like ice cream sundaes, etc. They have a chalk board on the wall where they ask customers to write what they would like more of, etc. They seem very responsive to suggestions (yet not directionless by any means). It also seems like they are offering organics in many areas (such as organic fruit freezes with agave, etc.). Can you tell I’m excited? VERY NICE FOLKS. The weather couldn’t be more perfect for a SnoBall. Between this place and the Allin’s new bakery, I’d better get to the gym!
Oh dear, a soft opening of a snow cone shop! Hope they get their freezer fixed soon….
I just had a pink lemonade snoball after lunch – it was delicious. I second everything altmod said about the owners.
We just tried the lemon-lime and coconut flavors with whipped cream and enjoyed our SnoBalls. The concept was new to us. They look and act like cheap sno cones but the flavor is MUCH better.
Stopped in last night with my sister-in-law-in-law who grew up in New Orleans but lives in Atlanta. She was raving about having the real thing here and was thrilled as could be. I wouldn’t count Snow Balls as high on my list, though.
It seems to be booming lately…
What are the chances my resident Pre-K kid will get into CHELC before the school year starts with a waiting list of 15 resident kids ahead of me… Probably not very good…
Is your child a resident kid also? I think city of Decatur staff, both CSD and otherwise, go before nonresidents.
Yes, my kid is a Decatur resident as of 3 weeks ago.
Honestly, 15 is a pretty intimidating number. That’s nearly a whole classroom’s worth. My daughter only had one classmate move away last year which created an opening if that gives you an idea of the chances. Good luck in any case. As mentioned many times on the blog there are alternatives albeit not without their associated costs. Best of luck to you. And welcome to Decatur.
We moved in here at the end of the August last year and were able to snag a PreK spot because of roster shifting and dropouts. I know it is not a guarantee but I hope it gives you some hope. We only knew we were moving here late last summer and called sooooo many PreK programs all over. So I feel your pain.
OK, I can’t hold it in any longer. Call me elitist, a nit-picker, a grumpy grammarian, but I just have to say it: the inappropriate apostrophe on those Decatur Farmers Market banners is making me crazy! I drive by there about 10 times a day, and it makes me cringe every time. I love that the market is there and I love that they got nice fluttery banners. But I hate that apostrophe! I don’t know how much those banners cost, but I’d be willing to chip in something to get them fixed. Or maybe just some judicious use of white duct tape would do the trick.
Phew. I feel better now.
What do they say exactly? Evidently I no longer even see them, I’m so on autopilot going there.
“Saturday’s 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.”
Hmm. Yes, pretty bad. One could argue that the apostrophe denotes a contraction but “Saturday is 9:00 a.m – p.m.” is nonsensical.
It’s not the 9-12 time span belonging to any other day of the week. It is Saturday’s.
Maybe it’s implying that Saturday’s (market) is 9 – 12, in contrast to Wednesday’s market, which is 4 – 7. In that (strained) context, it’s kind of, sort of correct.
Feel better?
I think that would have to make it Saturday’s’s.
I have a white paint pen here on my desk. Go have a spicy chicken sandwich tonight at CFA and sneak across, right about sundown and remove the offending “‘”.
this is one of my friend’s blogs for apostrophe abuse: http://www.apostropheabuse.com/
take a picture & send it in.
HIlarious! Those quote marks drive me crazy every time I go in there too!
I have nothing to complain about today. I love Decatur. But I can’t get no Phish love on July 4th in Alpharetta! Now the idea of seeing Phish in Alpharetta is confusing enough, but the fact that I can’t find someone who wants to sell me their extra ticket so I can relive my high school hippie memories is just too much to handle! Come on Decaturite hippies, somebody sell me their extra!
Sorry, but this late in the game, you’ll just have to suck it up and pay above face. And it will be worth it. Or you could go to the lot and hope for a miracle, I guess. The venue only holds 12k, and there are at least 30K or more southeast phans wanting tickets. It took a ton of trades (including giving up our Greek tixs!), but my husband and I will be in the pit Saturday night and the 100s on the 4th.
Have you been listening to the shows this summer? They’re really bringing it. Definitely check out the Chicago and Portsmouth shows. Haven’t heard Hartford night 1 yet, but the setlist looked solid. Counting down the days till Alpharetta! (And I’m soooooooooooo glad they are playing there instead of Lakewood, despite the commute and harder to get tickets!!!)
[violent shudder]
ditto
Posting from the snow ball place’s patio. Peaches and cream: talk about good!
I had lemon-lime, and it was ridiculously delicious and refreshing. Going back for pink lemonade tomorrow! Love the new interior. And the owners are so pleasant and welcoming.
two thumbs up to the new snowball place from us, too! Owners are very nice and snowballs were yummy. Chocolate+coconut= to die for!!
Who’s going to the Beach Party tonight? We can’t go but hope y’all have fun! (Hope no one will be dropping babies off at high speeds. :-D)
The sand will make their landings soft!
Hey Cupcakes!It’s too hot to go!
Emergency dinner advice needed for an hour and a half from now: Is Avellini’s Pizza still open? Is it likely to have seating about 6:30 PM on a Friday night? Does it have outdoor seating? I loved the pizza when it first opened but the service and seating was challenging then.
Ha! We just ordered from there so it’s definitely open today. They do have outdoor seating. Inside seating on a Friday night can be tight. I have always had great service and have always chatted with the owners. They mentioned starting delivery soon but not sure if it started yet. We’re close enough to pick up.
Thanks! We got there at 6:30 and there was a table. Yes, in 3 weeks, they will be delivering and life will be good!
I just have to give a HUGE shout out to Brian Clough at Intown Autocare in Oakhurst. He is an honest businessman who is always friendly. He makes sure the work is done quickly and for a decent price. I think he truly enjoys making sure our aging cars continue to keep us zipping around town. Thanks, Brian!
Agreed. Brian is great!
Oh Dear
I have had 3 bad experiences in a row at Intown in Oakhurst. Brian seems v. nice and friendly, and I love how convenient it is, so I keep giving him another chance. I think three chances is enough, though! First they messed up fixing something simple and I had to point out the obvious issue when I collected the car – they then had to redo it (and it took a very long time). Since then I have taken my car to them twice, and both times he said that something quite complicated and expensive was probably going on with my car and that I’d have to bring it back the next day to get it diagnosed. Both times I took my car to “My favorite mechanic is a woman” and she diagnosed something far more simple and cheap immediately!
Twice I’ve dropped my car off at 7:00am for an oil change and returned to pick it up at 5:00 to find that no work was done. Both times I called midafternoon and was told that it would be ready. They are very nice, but I just can’t go back.
Brian has already done great for us and the prices have never been out of line. He’s also done lots of little things for I think it is just like with any other service- some paces charge different prices for different services- my cousin priced out two different repairs at Intown and another shop- Intown was the priciest for one and the other shop was the priciest for the other.
That’s “little things for free” (like fixing my windshield wipers and things like that)
Are you plying him with muffins?
Intown Auto care estimate for a repair…. $900
Ed’s garage estimate for the exact same repair…. $525
Knowing that you have nearly $400 more in your pocket.. priceless.
New Century Buffet on Scott closed. I’m guessing that won’t upset too many people around here but my kids liked it and the people there were very nice. Drove by the other night and the sign says the last day was May 28. I’m not the only one who didn’t realize they’d closed – 3 cars pulled in after us.
Too bad. When my parents were visiting from out of town and we needed a big dinner for us all, we’d usually get takeout from them. Nothing awesome, but reasonable, convenient, and perfectly decent, standard-issue Chinese food.
Any better-than-standard-issue Chinese food recommendations? The only place I’ve found since living here was in the current Udipi spot, about three restaurants ago, and it closed right after I tried it.
Golden Buddha on Clairmont. THE best pork fried rice.
Jin Jin is good, not too greasy, and they deliver.
Jin Jin is pretty good. Our only criticism is that they are light on the salt, which is better than the other way. You can always add, but not take AWAY.
Where is Jin Jin?
By McDonald’s on Commerce but on the Church side
What is that vegetable garden/playground area next to the API and Leaping Lizard in Sams St.? I have googled it and it comes as the Friends School but no info about the garden, etc. Is it open to the community?
It was the Friends School up until about a year ago. The school moved to Columbia Dr.
The property was sold . I think the same developer owns all the land from College Ave to (and including ) the Leaping Lizards Building. Maybe the people at Leaping Lizards coild put you in touch with the property owner.
There’s an abandoned gas station on Columbia Dr. just south of the Friends School that’s a pretty big eyesore, esp. for being just outside Decatur city limits. Seems like it’s been empty for awhile. Anyone know who owns the property?
Back in the early nineties, we lived on Carter Road (which runs between Columbia in the area of the Forrest Hills neighborhood, and Memorial ). That gas station was abandoned when we lived there. Everytime I drive by, I wonder the same thing. Who owns it, and why haven’t they done anything with it all these years?
Dear DM,
Happy Father’s Day! Yes, your life will never be the same. But 90% of the time it’s much for the better. Pray for patience during the other 10%.
Thanks Dave! Same to you!
I’m already see glimpses of what you describe.
Oh, yeah. It’s your first!
This might be too late for FFAF, but….
Do any DM readers fit in the Decatur Subaru driver category? If so, can you recommend a mechanic. I’m looking to buy a particular used 2004 vehicle , and want to take it to someone familiar with Subarus to give it the once over before I commit.
BTW, I did see the Favorite Mechanic / Intown faceoff above.Thanks for any advice anyone can offer.
I think the repair shop (now called SAS Automotive) is still there in the now empty Subaru dealership on Church (just down from the corner of N.Decatur and Church) They’ve worked on mine a couple of times and I’ve had no problems, but I can’t compare them to anyone else.
The number is 404-296-9100. It’s been a while since I’ve had any repairs done though (you know how those Subarus are)
Thanks CFN, much appreciated…