Free-For-All Friday 7/2/10
Decatur Metro | July 2, 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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Happy Friday all! I need some minor tile repair done-cracked ceramic kitchen tile and grout repair. Any recommendations for a local handyman?
I’ve used Dog-Gone Handy for some quick and easy jobs. I have always had an excellent experience with them. I think they’ve got a special now where they’ll give you one hour of free labor on any job. They have a two hour minimum (at 75/hour).
Six weeks, three emails with the library tech support, three comments on a decaturmetro blog post, four emails with the service vendor tech support, and four non-working downloads later, I finally understand how to use Dekalb County Library’s new digital audiobook service.
Do you want to give remedial classes? Cause you are way ahead of me.
A friend of mine offered to buy me dinner if I showed her how to use it, and she’s got a deal. I am open to a good barter!
This is probably old news for you, but I just watched Ellen Dunham-Jones’s TED talk today, and she’s got some interesting things to say about Atlanta around 16:10: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/898
Interesting in the sense that she’s pushing the same “solution” I keep hearing everywhere: spending gobs of money we don’t have to build trains. Speaking of wasting money on such a project, see http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2010/07/01_high_speed_rail.shtml.
Basically, the federal government has pledged 2.25 billion we don’t have into a high speed rail to connect LA and SF, and — guess what — the existing studies are so flawed that we have no idea if enough people will ride it to make it financially viable. In other words, we may be spending a few billion on this even though it could be a financial black hole. California itself — on the brink of insolvency — has already put in a quarter billion, and for that, they’ve laid not an inch of track, and have a study not worth the paper it’s printed on.
I’m beginning to think that these systems have nothing to do with moving people from point A to B. They are, however, quite an ideal vessel for political paybacks and graft, on a massive scale.
Broken record is broken.
Did you watch Avatar and walk out complaining about the money it would cost to get to Pandora?
Simply because there is no money available to fix a problem is no reason to not discuss what the problem is or what the solution might look like.
I need to get new tires for my car and would like a recommendation for the best place within 5 miles of downtown Decatur. I would like a place that offers lifetime repair/rotation for the life of the tires. Thanks!
I went to Kauffman Tire off of Church Stret a couple years ago and was satisfied with the price. I also think they offer lifetime repair/rotation, which reminds me that I should really get my tires rotated.
I also like Kauffman
I like the Kauffman Tire on Church St.
Kaufman, hands down. I’d drive to Buckhead if there wasn’t one here. (I despise driving to Buckhead, so that’s a ringing endorsement!)
I liked Kaufman, too, but a few years ago I got an alignment job there that was so bad that I had to take it somewhere else and have it re-done. My understanding is that employee turnover in those places is pretty high, so maybe this is no longer an issue.
Another satisfied Kaufman customer here. (DM, you ought to have a section somewhere on here for this sort of thing, local recommendations.)
I agree, Diane. I am visiting DM now to look for a hair salon that someone recommended a few months back.
Another satisfied Kaufman Tire customer. They just honored the warranty on two tires I bought last year that got potholed.
Thanks everyone! Getting some tires tomorrow @ Kaufmann.
KC…I know you said 5 miles…but if you want to save hundreds go to Smyrna Tire. It’s in Smyrna.
Picking up on a thread a few days ago with regards to the new day care coming to Decatur, does anyone have any other feedback about daycares in the area? Also how soon does one need to get on these crazy-long waiting lists?
As nellie said the other day, just go ahead and get your name on the list right after you pee on the stick.
I would recommend you get on the list about 6 months before you pee on the stick…
I know people who have done that.
I have never peed on a stick.
Ever pee on a tree?
You’ll never get into daycare
Although I don’t disagree about getting on waiting lists early, I can tell you from experience on both sides of the table that the waiting lists are something of a game. I put my daughter on the waiting list at Georgia State, paid a deposit, and she’s now 17 and they’ve never called me to tell me they have a spot, or refunded my deposit.
I also worked at a Buckhead child-care center, very competitive, and I know sometimes those waiting lists are ephemeral. You get in if you are agreeable, if you call them and renew your interest in the spot at appropriate intervals…not annoying them, but reminding them of your need. And some of it is luck.
Phoenix School in tihs area is good. You also ought to consider a good nanny, or sharing a nanny. State ratio is 6-1 for infants (I think), and I can assure you that at that ratio, your baby will not always be picked up when the child cries. Even at 3 or 4 to one, it’s difficult to give full attention to an infant who is crying inconsolably.
DM – “Eye on the Street” is a beautiful thing. Once there are a bunch, it would be neat to view them all in one place / on the same page. Keep up the great work!
Yes…I love Eye On The Street !
All the photos are wonderful – especially the traffic cone with the city logo – very cool.
Ditto! Love the series of photos.
Of course todays Eye on the Street photo leads me to think that the subject of Trackside hasn’t come up in many months!
Thanks Eddie et all! I’m quite enjoying it too. Thanks to everyone who’s submitted thus far.
Keep those pics coming!
Does anyone know of a furniture salvage/surplus store in the Atlanta area? I’m looking for furniture at cheap prices for the purposes of refinishing and cleaning up.
When I was in college I used to get all my furniture at the Salvation Army on Marietta St, they used to have an auction every saturday morning at 8am, but I think they do it M-F 8am now.
there is something called “craigs list” [no apostrophe] that you might want to look into for that sort of thing.
Just drive around on trash day, or at the end of the month around apartment buildings, and I bet you’ll find some furniture. Freecycle is another option, too.
Maybe the Habitat for Humanity ReStore?
So where have you guys been watching the World Cup? I’ve heard the Marlay House is a good place to catch some action here locally, and I know Brickstore plays matches upstairs. Any other recommendations? I’m thinking places with enough large screens to catch the action, and enthusiastic (but not totally wasted) fans.
Steinbeck’s in Oakhurst, and Blind Willies.
That is, Blind Willie’s Man Cave–and, no, it’s not in Midtown, but near College Heights.
I’m still not convinced that the recent skateboarding ordinance was necessary, and I was interested in dusting off my old in-line skates to protest other specifically outlawed means of conveyance in the parade this weekend.
I posted a similar note on my neighborhood listserve yesterday, but it received a less than tepid response; three notes against rebellion in the streets (in support of the safety provided by the new ordinance) and one ironic smile from my friend later in the day.
If you see me fall, please know that it’s in the name of sardonic immaturity, and feel free to help me up . . . of course as the parade gets nearer, the likelihood of my accidentally taking out “Nana” as she pulls a wagon with her grandchild lends a lot of credibility to the ordinance.
Wholly unnecessary, indeed. Skate free or die.
There’s not much to worry about; the skaters will one day discover chicks and put away their sticks for good–like I did, twenty-something years ago…
What’s up with the portable buildings in the Decatur High School parking lot? Anybody know where they’re going to be placed for the school year?
I was walking through the square last night past Sammiches N’ Stuff and noticed they had a completely different hanging sign with a completely different name. What’s up with that?
Maybe they finally realized that the name makes the food not taste good.
I was walking the dogs last night near ice house lofts and noticed a body on the tracks. Anyone missing a large white chicken? If so, I’ve got bad news…
I kinda wonder if it didn’t fall off one of the rail cars . . .
Why, oh why can it rain so close to Decatur every day, yet not actually cross into the city limits? I hear the thunder, see the lightning and I even smell the water. I would like some rain but am a novice at creating my own precipitation. Do I need a prayer group or a drum circle?
Glad I’m not the only one thinking that. I keep seeing all the forecasts, and even getting stuck in rain outside Decatur, and thinking great, this’ll save me having to water the yard….. but no, Decatur seems to remain whatever the opposite of an oasis in the desert is!
If you have kids, just wait until mid afternoon. Get them ready for the pool – changed, towels, sunscreen etc. then load up. That will bring the thunder and rain. Never fails mid – July thru August.
Speaking of recommendations, I need a personal and small business accountant. Any recommendations? All the names I’ve received so far from friends are in Alpharetta and other far off lands.
Sharon McKelvey – (404) 378-9077
She is great!
Beth Mahany in Winnona Park–404-290-7949
I love Jennifer Luce!!!
Luce + Associates | 3734 Market Street | Clarkston, GA 30021
phone 404.298.6687 | fax 404.298.7604 | http://www.luceaccounting.com
H.L. Watkins & Co. in the Fairview Building…talk to Lee or Judy. 404-377-7737. Truly the nicest and most capable people I’ve ever worked with.
Does anyone know why there is a “we’re moving” sign outside NAVO (which is really confusing me because I just read a book about Joseph Smith)
Interesting tidbit in today’s AJC: Cost of fireworks for Centennial Olympic Park – over $100K for 30 minutes. Cost of fireworks for Decatur: $10K for around 20 minutes.
I’ll see you there, MC.
I tweeted this to Mr. DM too, but there are big goings on – finally – where the new Cakes & Ale/bakery is going to be. All three businesses (the sub shop, the Metro PCS, and the Panda restaurant place) are closed (the latter has a “Sorry. We closed.” sign on the door). There’s scaffolding and yellow tape around everything too. Exciting! AND the door was open at the old PharmHouse spot and people were in there doing work. Hope something’s going in there soon.
I should change my name on here to “the nosy lady” eh?
Where is the best place to watch the fireworks?
Can you see them from the front lawn of Agnes Scott?
You can see them from the open greenspace at mcdonough and college, but the past two years ASC has “forgotten” to turn off the sprinkler system.
That sounds like an accusation.
We actually thought it was pretty darn hilarious, even though we got soaked… If I were the prank-pullin’ type, I must admit I’d find it a pretty tempting and fun opportunity. After all, it is usually really hot out there.
i’m imagining that the sprinklers coincided with the grand finale.
as fun as that sounds & as much as i’m sure my 2.5 year old would love getting soaked, i’m not sure the agnes scott lawn is for us after all. is there another easy spot that doesn’t involve me driving into & parking downtown or needing an umbrella?
A lot of people watch the fireworks from the large lawn in front of the First Christian Church (across from the post office–where the toddler/round and round park is). They sell hot dogs and lemonade. We did it once and there was a NASTY thunderstorm. The church opened its doors and provided shelter for everyone. The view is good except one tree that blocks some of the lower fireworks.
Maybe they wanted to see you in your wet t-shirt
LOL Nelliebelle!!!! If only…
for anyone right in downtown…
have a clue why there are people filling the parking lot on Commerce across the street from Decatur First Bank (inside of the Commerce curve) in the middle of the night? The past 3 nights I’ve been awaken between 4-6 AM because of people screaming obscenities in English and arguing in foreign languages, and the lot is 2/3 full, empty by 6:30-7 AM… I have a theory but no evidence, so wonder if anyone has any info? If it keeps happening every weekend, I’m going to need to call the people who own the lot to complain.
Listening to people waking me up screaming at 4 AM is not my favorite hobby…
I am dying to know what’s going on…..
I’m dying to know mcmillend’s theory!!!
P.S. I agree that being awakened by screaming at 4:00 am would suck wind. Maybe you should call the police before you call the owner of the lot…more incentive to do something about it if the owner knows the police are getting calls.
yeah, I was debating about police, but I figured they’d ask me if I contacted the owner…
My theory… so (a little obscure, just to warn you)… I was eating at an Ethiopian restaurant last week, and saw a flier for the Selam Lounge (replaced/renamed Moya). It said it was having a large party each night this weekend, until 6 AM. Since much of it was not in English (or Spanish), some English was with accent–perhaps an African type of accent–I was wondering if it was a location for off-site parking that the lounge had made a deal to use the parking lot. I know there’s closer parking than that, so there are holes in the argument, but I can’t figure out why there are 30+ cars in the lot until 6-6:30 AM the last 3 nights. Selam is the official host of the national Eritrean Soccer Tournament that just started yesterday, so maybe a lot of people are in town across the county for that?
Or maybe there’s another late night party each night nearby that I don’t know about…
Are you sure they’re not zombies? Because if so, calling the police probably won’t help.
then the police won’t help; I’ll need to find Tallahassee
You should call the police regardless of whose property it is. It’s not your responsibility to contact the property owner.
believe me, if I wake up again tonight at 4 AM because of someone yelling that he’s going to “f*ing kill you” (like last night), I definitely will be calling…
I’m glad to report no crowds yelling in the parking lot last night! I guess it’s only a weekend thing; hopefully not the coming weekend.
Me ‘n’ Cubababy could take ‘em down for you!
Dang skippy– especially after we quaffed a few rum-and-lime concoctions!