Free-For-All Friday 7/8/10
Decatur Metro | July 9, 2010Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over 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 over the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
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Is it already Friday again? I do like the short work week, but it throws off my groove.
I’ve got something I’d like to know. Why can’t cars turn right on red, heading south, from Sycamore onto Commerce? Vehicles aren’t given the same restrictions 75′ further up Commerce when turning right off Ponce. It always occurs to me when we’re leaving the library, sitting at the traffic light, and Commerce is empty.
It could be left over from MARTA buses used to turn right from Commerce onto Sycamore. The stop line was pushed way back so they could round the corner without hitting eastbound traffic. The bus routes changed years ago when they funneled all bus stops to the west side of the square. The no right on red sign unfortunately did not go away with the change.
there has been some discussion of coyotes spotted on Adair Street this week. look out for your kitties, neighbors!
Whaa? Where on Adair?
two were spotted near Corley Commons last week by a resident of Adair Oaks Apartments.
are those goats still there?!
Nope, the goats are gone. I think I heard tell the coyotes were at the end of Melrose, too. Both of those spots are connected by Peavine Creek. At least one small pet was a victim, I think. The city will not trap a coyote, I understand, unless it poses a threat to humans.
Maybe the coyotes are casing the bicycles
Where’s Paula? Those Wednesday’s signs are driving me nuts. We need to do some guerilla sign work this weekend….
I’ll join the guerilla editing team if we can also fix the signs to the apartments on Adair to make them geographically correct. I may be a little OCD, but it pains me to walk or drive down that street and see the “North Entrance” sign directly south of the “South Entrance” sign. But hey, at least there’s no unnecessary apostrophe’s.
The Clairemont East and Clairemont West voting districts are counterintuitive too. Which brings to mind that I have trouble with all loops/perimeters/bypasses that are clearly circular but will use place names or compass directions as though the highyway is on a grid. Shouldn’t the signage be “Clockwise” and “Counterclockwise”?
karass, you have completely managed to confuse my poor, sad brain.
No one said SIGNs were to be exact.
Here’s my admittedly idiosyncratic thinking on this:
– Signage should indicate to me exactly where I am in relationship to someplace else, especially if I’m not familiar with the area. That’s why I preferred the MARTA signage for East-West line and North-South line instead of Blue, Green, Red, and Gold lines. One must have a prior understanding of the color scheme to follow it.
– In that vein, “I-285 North” or “I-285, North, Greenville” tells me that I will eventually get up to the Dunwoody area and I-85. But since I am on a circle, it doesn’t tell me which part of the circle I am on since anywhere on the circle will eventually connect to anywhere else on the circle.
– If however, a sign were to say “I-285 North, Clockwise”, I would know that I must be on the western half of the loop, heading north. Otherwise, the sign would say “I-285, North, Counterclockwise” and I would be on the east side of the loop heading north.
– Since “Clockwise” and “Counterclockwise” are long words that would take up too much space on signs, one could use little curved arrow symbols like on medicine bottle caps.
Since I have never seen this kind of signage anywhere, and I’ve been a bunch of places, many of which have loops, beltways, perimeters, and/or roundabouts, I suspect that my way of thinking about signage is not widely shared!
I’m here! I was out of town for a family thing over the weekend. Name the time and place. I’ll bring the black ski masks and gloves.
I cannot believe the kids start school in just over 3 weeks. The summer has seemed so short. I wish the kids could be at the pool on those hot August days instead of trudging to school!
Not me. The schools are air conditioned, and my kids are just sitting in front of the TV. I can’t wait to send them back to school.
Yeah, I’m with you, Diane. My kids are going to be tired of the pool by the time August 2 rolls around. There will still be plenty of time on the weekends for the pool. I’m also ready for them to have some quality time apart from each other!
Word. The kids on our street are all ready to go back. Everyone is “pooled” out.
Uh, maybe it’s just me, but the TV does not come on during the summer–well, until the kids are in bed. It ruins them–RUINS them.
My five year old has learned to ride his bike and is damn close to real swimming, and we’ve been screen printing and done a little school work this summer, so, I have to say, it has been a successful break.
Yeah, the TV hasn’t been on here either. They have spent so much time choreographing dances to crazy music, playing dress-up, building things, oh, and did I mention being bored? Boredom is the best way for kids to learn how to be creative!
We’re not ready for school yet. The decompression has been great around our house–they’ve been reading and writing, but on their own terms. It’s been nice to have a break from deadlines and tests.
Yes, CSD–and, my daughter has gotten into Siouxsie and the Banshees, how cool is that? She’s almost nine!
OK, Gibbetties, for this alone, you win the All-Time Coolest Parent award.
Sadly, I have introduced Baby Nellie to his new favorite song, Police State by Agnostic Front. He screams for it in the car _ “I want my car song loud!” He is 3.
Lyrics here for those of you who want to know what a bad parent I am.
http://www.lyricsdownload.com/agnostic-front-police-state-lyrics.html
I taught my kids the lyrics to Tool’s “Prison Sex.”
OK, not really, but it is fun to hear them yell out Rage’s “Killing (in the name of).”
Out of town with no ‘net access all week. So as much as I’d love to stick around and offend some lefties, it will have to wait upon my return.
Cuba, I know, but I’ll do anything to not have to listen to Taylor Swift, again.
Anyone been to Farmstead 303 yet? how was it?
I was there for lunch yesterday, the Cobb Salad was awesome. Service was good, space looks nice. Just a little bit on the pricey side for lunch, but I don’t mind splurging every now and then.
We really liked it. Even in the heat, the patio in the evening (in the shade!) worked well for us. Disclaimer–the menu is very Southern so you don’t go there looking for continental food. But we were surprised by how much we liked certain items. We tried a sampler called something like “southern sampler’ and, for the first time in my life, I LIKED the pimento cheese sandwiches. The Farmstead version was nothing like the stuff from the jar that my mother used. There was an unusual cold “gazpacho” soup that I really liked too. Basically, we were all very happy with our food and plan to return.
My husband and I went when it first opened, and we didn’t have the best experience. My husband’s fried chicken was overcooked (but he said it was juicy inside) and my chicken cordon bleu was burnt to a crisp – completely black! But they took it off the bill, so I guess it could have been worse. I didn’t love the macaroni and cheese, which didn’t seem southern style at all to me, but their squash casserole is worth its weight in gold!
They also had an interesting wine list. But it’s pretty expensive for what you get, so I don’t think we’ll go back.
We also loved the squash casserole I forgot about that!
FFFA conversation starter:
Every community has a location that is its core. It’s not necessarily the most popular spot in a town (ala Times Square is certainly not the center of NYC) and it doesn’t have to be near the physical center of an area (pretty sure downtown ATL isn’t the core of the city). Rather, it is a physical location where the heart (could be commercial, emotional, spiritual, etc.) of the area lives. What is Decatur’s core?
For me it’s the library. The library itself has so much great stuff to offer + the staff is wonderful. Its next door neighbors- the pocket park, the funky community garden, & the Rec Center- make it downright perfect!
Used to be the Brick, but I think Leon’s tore it in two.
This isn’t a criticism of either place. But before Leon’s, you could walk into the Brick and find whoever you were looking for on any given night. Now, it’s a crapshoot. Leon’s, Brick, Mac Magee’s, Twains. As soon as Leon’s opened, the median age at the Brick dropped 10 years, and now we’re segmented more in this town than we once were.
Not doubting that, but can anyone explain why? I’ll go ahead and say it: Leon’s is ok, but that’s it. I’ve been many times, and I want to like it more than I do, but the food especially just keeps letting me down. I don’t know why it is so popular. The Brick Store remains superior in almost every way. To each his own, I suppose.
I have to say, I’ve really enjoyed the food at Leon’s. Brisket sandwich, burger, chickpea side salad, fries and dipping sauces — I have yet to be let down. Surprised to hear others let down by it (maybe we don’t go enough?)
Leon’s has become our go to spot for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon beer on a hot day. Something about their bar and patio just screams “come do nothing for a few hours, and while you’re here get a cheese plate and a beer”.
Love the atmosphere, patio, drinks and idea of Leon’s. Unfortunately there are only a couple of things on the menu that I think are done well (including that Brisket Sandwich), so I kept going back and just ordering that Sandwich every time
Now I prefer Farmstead 303.
I WANT to love Leon’s. I like it but I just don’t find it more than decent. The menu when it first opened rocked, but the last few times I’ve been there I was left kinda sad.
Now I just had a foot long chili cheese dog with mustard and onions from Sonic that kicked giant fat ass. Literally.
We enjoy Leon’s, but more for its beer selection than its food (which is either really good, or really off– just not consistent); the pub frites are the grande exception. Love BSP, but it just gets SO crowded, and most people don’t want to wait an hour to get in, especially when it’s hot out and when there are now so many other choices close by.
Anyone tried the little hidden gem.. Andryannis Greek Bistro Cafe.. its behind Parkers on Ponce if you have never been.. http://www.andryannis.com There food is so delicious and fresh, and its clean..Mario the owner sure does make the best cappucinos and fresh fruit smoothies in town in my opinion.. I eat there all the time..and there prices are very good.
Second that.
I wish they would open evenings or on the weekends, I wonder if the locals would find it cause its such a hidden little gem.. I would love to get some great Greek food on the weekends..
It’s weird for me. I don’t think the food is great and the menu is somewhat limited, but for some reason, I just love hanging out there. It has just become that neighborhood spot for me. The staff is great, as are the cocktails.
For us, it really is the Square, not so much because it’s the place we frequent the most, although we do hit a lot of events there, but because it’s in the CENTER of where we frequent. We’ll bike or walk and cover in one trip everything from Dancing Goats or Farmburger on the west end of Ponce to Decatur Rec on the east side. In between, we might hit New Orleans Snow Cones, Garlic Thai, Sawicki’s, Heliotrope, CVS, Little Shop of Stories, occasionally Starbuck’s, Squash Blossom,Yogurt Tap, the Library. Sometimes we walk to MARTA but I have to confess that we drive to the East Lake or Avondale stations and park too.
Our second center of life is whatever schools we’re at. It says a lot about our age and tiredness as parents that our social life is pretty defined by school events. Wahoo!
Our runner-up center of town is Oakhurst because of Kavanna, Palette, Solarium events, Oakhurst Park, church, bike rides, and eventually the new Fifth Avenue school.
I WANT it to be the Square! Hopefully some of the great ideas that came up in the City Round Tables will lead to to it becoming Decatur’s true heart & soul.
Did that men’s haircut joint open? Where is it?
Never mind. I found the old post. Axiom. I’ll find out when they opening here.
So, how does someone get their groovy customized picture next to their comments like “Writerchad”?
Easy. Visit gravatar.com
Has anyone been using the dog park at Glenlake? We went once and my pup wasn’t too
impressed. Sort of small and slanted, all wood chips, (hard on paws….) I know they need them for drainage….What do you think?
We have–it’s adequate, and we appreciate the water fountain.
I think a dog park needs plenty of dogs to make it interesting. Otherwise the dogs are just doing alot of sniffing and little real tire-em-out playing.
A pool or a pond would make it better. Actually a pond would be good for them.
“Or maybe they could stock it with squirrels”, says my rodent-obsessed retriever.
I have some squirrels in my back yard that I would be happy to contribute to the cause. You can find them gathered around our poor hibiscus, comparing notes on which branch produces the tastiest leaves.
The rest of the Glenlake Park re-do is pretty spiffy… but the dog park area?… hm.
It’s almost a good thing that it’s smallish. Being located almost entirely on that sloped area, a full on chasing of a tennis ball could result in a dog coming up lame. ( Fair warning: torn ligament surgery for a dog is very stressful for pet & person. And it sure ain’t cheap!)
*The water fountain is a very thoughtful addition!
Ok, I’ll say it here. I was underwhelmed by this year’s fourth fireworks. They were less than spectacular, and the ending pooped out. I have been sneaking over to Avondale for years because our fireworks have been always so-so. This has proved it again. .This year Avondale chose to celebrate the fourth on the third, so we stayed in Decatur and joined the festivities on the lawn at First Christian. At least that was fun. City of Decatur events, and Cheryl, PLEASE get another guy to do our fireworks.
Wasn’t here this year but usually am and I’ve always been pretty satisfied with our fireworks. Maybe I have low expectations. Was in Brevard, NC, this year, population only 7,000, and the fireworks seemed just like ours in length and sophistication. Of course, Brevard IS the county seat (county population 30,000), but so are we.
Would better fireworks mean louder? My kids don’t like things too loud and we find that the Decatur fireworks from the vantage point of First Christian Church are just about right.
Out of curiosity, does anyone know how much these fireworks cost?
20 K.
Don’t remember where I read that. It was either 10 K or 20 K…actually I might have gotten that figure from the DM…
I heard on the news 10K.
The AJC said $10K, roughly comparable to other similar cities.
Avondale’s fireworks this year were uh-mazing. One of the best show I’ve ever seen. Of course, I was sitting directly beneath the light show overhead and got pelted in the face with firework shrapnel a few times. But it was fun!
At least we know that the Decatur fireworks were farm raised and locally sourced.
I would like to log a complaint about the lack of things to complain about. Can I get some help here?
I will complain about myself.
I always intend to comment on topic but start reading the comments and get lost in them. Then when my comment is posted I’m like, oh, that had not a darn thing to do with whatever the original subject was. My bad
Gibbs, with your creativity, I have no doubt you will never be short of complaints.
Mr. DeBakey’s free, but he’s a little bit conciliatory. Ah yes, try Mr. Barnard, room 12.
I don’t have to put up with this, I came here for an argument…
Check in with John Clees.
Are you really complaining about fireworks? Come on, they’re fireworks!
Give it a rest. Relax. It’s Friday.
My dog wants to complain about the fireworks, she wouldn’t come out of the closet until the next morning!
Yes, because I’m cranky, and for 20K, I want more more more! More spectacle. More drama. And it’s the fourth of July!! it should be showy, loud and crazy beautiful. We’re having a big birthday!! let’s celebrate … and let’s be better than Avondale’s for crying out loud.
My three year old thought it was the most magical, beautiful thing he had even seen> Had you been sitting with him, you would have loved it.
If we annex Avondale, they WILL be ours!
Who is the architect office on S. McDonough across from the high school with an Eric Johnson for Governor sign?
Don’t they know this is an 80% Democratic town.
Really, though, if I owned a business I don’t think I’d put a political sign in the yard one way or the other. It is just bound to piss some people off. Same with cars/trucks that identify a business.
Okay, I am waiting for people not to notice your jokey voice in the second sentence.
I do agree 100% about the business thing. I don’t understand why you’d want to risk alienating customers for a yard sign or bumper sticker on your clearly labeled work vehicle.
Maybe what you’ll get out that politician is worth the risk of alienating customers….:)
I’ve always been a little put off by businesses that put up the Christian fish symbol. What is it supposed to mean? Non-Christians aren’t welcome? Or we won’t cheat you because we’re Christian? I won’t put a political bumper sticker on my car for fear of alienating a client, current or potential. Politics and religion shouldn’t mix with business.
Good point regarding the possibility of putting off potential customers. I intentionally try to stick to my list of “Blue” merchants.
Seriously, Trudy? You really make it a point to find out a merchant’s political leanings? So much for that vaunted open-minded inclusiveness liberals always pride themselves on. Might I recommend you remove the “coexist” sticker from your car? Hypocrisy doesn’t suit you.
I am annoyed by it both ways- I don’t want to know who my doctor voted for- it makes things too complicated and weird.
Of course I pay attention to who gets my money. I don’t buy a certain brand of takeaway pizza because of the owner’s extreme religious views. I avoid Walmart whenever possible because of their owners’ extreme political views. BP? Exxon? Forgetaboutit. I also have a list of actors and celebrities I am boycotting for their behavior.
Tolerance of another person’s views doesn’t mean I have to enable their behavior with my monetary support.
I must confess I don’t make it a point to find out, but if I fnd out that a business engages in or countenances policies I don’t agree with, then I’ll avoid it if I feel strongly enough about it (just depends on what the company is, and what the particular philosphy/policy is). I look at it like this: a merchant that wants to rub my nose in its leanings, political or otherwise, assumes the risk that it might lose my business. Let free speech, along with its consequences, reign!
Is there ever a time when someone tells you their religious or political affiliation without prompting (either on a bumper sticker, a sign, or in conversation) that it shouldn’t be interpreted as “I am a _______! And you should be too!”?
I’m wanting to reply to DM, here. I don’t know if people still do this but back in the day some Catholics used to carry around a little wallet card inscribed, “I am a Catholic. In case of emergency, please call a priest.” So that would be an example of a declaration of position without proselytizing.
No joke, Nellie. The City of Decatur consistently votes 75-80% for Democratic candidates whether it be for President, Governor, US Senate, State Legislature, etc.
Oh, I know. It always has. It’s always a relief for see to the maps that drive Token nuts. I just figured someone might jump all over you for that comment….
At least it’s not a John Oxendine sign! Points for that!
For the self-appointed Font Police among us – and those who just love fonts – I hope you’ve registered for the Font Conference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3k5oY9AHHM
Personally, I like the fish with feet.
My wife has the “& Chips” fish symbol on her car.
Wasn’t Julie Andrews at Little Shop today? How was it?
It starts at 6pm
RAIN! Thank you Lord. My crispy grass and sad hostas are smiling now.
Suno: Just went there with daughter. I’m just not into the shaved ice trend whether it be Korean or New Orleans in style. I have a hard time believeing these places are going to make it. And Suno doesn’t even have tables and chairs–they said they are not allowed to because they are a drink stand, not a restaurant. (Huh?) But my daughter thought the opposite (she’s caught on to how the grown-ups like to judge whether a place will make it or not). And three separate parties walked in right after us so she said “See!”
The much-mentioned bubble tea was the most interesting item to me. I enjoyed it well enough but I wouldn’t drive anywhere to get it.
I guess gelato and frozen yogurt are about as daring I get in the ice cream department.
I think I’ll single-handedly keep them open then. I will drive miles and miles for bubble tea – and theirs is really good bubble tea.
Here’s why I like Suno– I get a chocolate fix without the calories and guilt. Plain chocolate. It’s that simple.
question…
when you call in an order from a restaurant and pick it up yourself..do you tip? Whats the protocol on that?
I was a waitress, bartender and restaurant manager for 100 years. I always tip about 10% CASH for takeout, especially if the bartender or a waitress is ringing it up. Some service person is still most likely paying taxes on your to go order (since a waiter’s taxes are calculated by his sales), unless they have a very nice boss who has set up a separate register key for to go and you should be getting at least some service from the to go person.
We seem to have forgotten tipping is an exchange for good service in and creating the experince. Even though I was in the industry for a decade, I won’t tip on crappy service of any kind unless I see some compelling reason around a restaurant (packed place and no one else on duty, for example, is the fault of the owner and managers not the waitstaff). I also really don’t tip at coffee shops and pizza places and other places where employees aren’t actually offering service, but simply standing at a register and/or doing a cook’s or clerk’s job. I don’t tip the saleswoman at Anthropologie who insists on hanging up my 50 pieces and rings up my sale, so why would I tip the coffee shop people who pour a coffee and ring up a sale? Sorry, but the owners of those businesses should pay the employees properly rather than relying on customers who are already paying $4.00 for a coffee to supplement.
I have so typos in there I should be shot.
Yes, always, and for the reason Nellie mentioned. Many restaurants will track sales by server and then estimate their tip earnings as a percentage of the sales. 10-15% is fine for a takeout order, but I will tip more if they have to go out of their way or otherwise earn it. And even if there’s not an issue of the server being taxed on the theoretical tip from a takeout order, I know they are going to be screwed by at least one eat-in customer that night, so my 5 or 10 bucks might at least soften that blow. Plus, good karma should never be underestimated.
On the other hand, if by “call in” you mean speaking into that box by the McDonalds drive-thru, then no, you do not need to tip.
Unless you really want to! I got a 1/2 price route 44 sparkling lemonade at Sonic for $1.11 the other day and Mr. Nellie told the dude to keep the change on a $5. I think Mr. Nellie made the kid’s day!
Mr. Nellie must have some awesome service industry karma!
Does anyone know what’s going on with the “Decatur Diner?” Me thinks it’s sturrgling to open….
Wondering the same thing. It seems it’s been very close to opening for a month now.
“struggling”
C’mon, Lowcatur is the heart of Decatur! Isn’t it obvious!
Whoever came up with the phrase “lowcatur” is a genius…props to the originator!
this may be filed under “obvious” but does anyone know if there is a city code for keeping up one’s front yard/lawn? we have a neighbor who has done little to nothing with theirs and i am wondering how there hasn’t been a citation of sorts for the blatant neglect.
Uh, oh. What does little to nothing mean? Does untalented and unhandy fall in that category? If so, please report us and maybe some nice official from somewhere will come and tell us what to do.
i meant to speak of the massive overgrowth of weeds, grass, etc….i, too, would fall under the untalented and unhandy category…sorry for the confusion
Phew!
Lordy! I sure hope you’re just talking high weeds & overgrown bushes! Otherwise, it’s like you’re actually hoping that Decatur has landscaping police! Which would be the opposite of Decatur’s whole vibe! (And more like suburban subdivisions where those folks put the coven in covenants!)
Phew! For me too!
Annie- Scott would probably know the page and the verse, but I have seen violation notices on overgrown lots in the past. On the other hand, an out of state owner owns two adjacent vacant lots on Mead that are kudzu factories and need to be burned.
that is exactly who (whom?) i thought would chime in for me….there’s still hope he may! fingers crossed…
Try Decatur Code Enforcement: 404-370-4119
FYI, Emily Saliers’ Decatur home was covered in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal. The article can be read currently under the real estate section of online WSJ.
Saliers is quoted as saying, “I love Decatur. It is diverse, politically progressive, family oriented and I can walk everywhere.”
Looking over the sites for the candidates for Attorney General, I noticed that on Sam Olens’ site, Bill Floyd, Mayor of Decatur, is listed under Olens’ “Endorsements” by city officials. Really? The mayor of Decatur supports a candidate for AG who’s already indicated that he’s going to join the AGs who are filing suit against the federal gov’t over the healthcare that passed? I’m very curious about this.
http://olensforag.com/2009/11/mayors-for-olens/ (Sorry, DM– I know how you feel about links, but people need to see this for themselves– don’t take my word for it.)
Heh? I have no problem with links. Maybe you’re thinking of the spam filter, which doesn’t “like” more than one link?
Yeah, but I thought you’d rather we didn’t post them, for that very reason (I was under the impression that it created problems for you in dealing with the filter, hence the apology)…if it doesn’t, I won’t feel guilty!
This is very disturbing, Cupcake. Thank you for posting. Mr. Floyd should offer his 80% blue city some reasons for this endorsement, since he is using the name of our city and his position to lend weight to his endorsement…..
Or, indeed, if said endorsement was actually given. I’m definitely curious.
DM, you should really jump on this. For reals, dude. Isn’t it legitimate that we ask Mayor Floyd why he would – if he did- endorse this man as mayor of our little city?
On it.
Here’s a random question for Mr. DM.
What is the record for the number of posts on free for all friday?
Looks like we’ve hit 116 comments on FFAF twice before.
Now you have made it three times.
And one more for the record?
Who am I voting for tomorrow? It’s rare that I have no knowledge at all about who will be on the ballot. Is Jason Carter running again? Are we voting for State School Superintendent yet? I have a rule that I never cast a ballot for a position if I know nothing, have heard nothing, and care nothing about any of the candiates. But, even if can’t vote for anyone, I suppose I should still show up and indicate electronically that I couldn’t in good conscience indicate a preference.
Most of those questions are unanswered because you’re not voting tomorrow, you’re voting a week from tomorrow.
Aha! That explains it! Thank you for preventing me from the embarrassment of wandering around a church looking for the polling place tomorrow morning.
If anyone has an answer before next week about who I’m voting for, feel free to enlighten me. Maybe the AJC is going to lay this out for me before the 20th….