Free-For-All Friday
Decatur Metro | July 30, 2010 | 7:00 amUse this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here in the past week. Comments close Monday.
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This week’s Free-For-All Friday is brought to you by: Kick in the Fit, offering a free month of boot camp (morning or evening) to one Decatur Metro reader. www.kickinthefit.com
To enter, just send an email with the subject line “Decatur Metro Giveaway” to [email protected] Make sure to include your name and address in the email. Kick in the Fit will pick the winner at random on Monday morning.
Does anybody know if there is a website that has the CSX train schedule posted?
Contrary to what one might think, freight trains do not operate on fixed schedules and have not for many years. They operate on a very rough “on demand” schedules within 3 or 4 hour windows.
Are the Venetian Pools really worth the 5 year waiting list? We have been on for 3 years and don’t feel like we are making much progress….anywhere else to swim (other than the city pools – nothing wrong with them, just looking for something in addition to) in or near the City?
I’m in the same boat – year three on the list. I’m not sure I will still be interested when (and if) we actually get to the top. My kids may be in college by then or we may qualify for the senior discount. I know some folks went to Lake Claire pool (down DeKalb Ave.).
We should have done Lake Claire last year – they now have a 1 year (at least) waiting list.
We joined Lake Claire several years ago and love it. The “salt water” seems much easier on the skin, eyes, and hair. I have heard there’s a waiting list now, but not sure how long it takes – surely, it would be shorter than Venetian.
You also might want to look into the Emory University pool. I’m pretty sure community members (i.e., people unaffiliated with the University) can obtain memberships to use the pool.
They can join Emory.. and there’s no waiting list!
Out of curiosity, approximately what is your waiting list #? We’ve been on the list for a little over 1 year, and we’re in the 210’s.
Also, do you have any idea how many years the most recent folks who actually got a spot were on the list? I’ve been wondering if 4-5 years is actually an out-of-date, low estimate.
I have to say that since we’ve been forced to use the City pools because of the wait lists, I’ve actually been pleased with them. I always had this perception of public pools being a little gross, but Decatur pools are not. Unless our kiddos end up being star swimmers, I may not take our spot when (and if) it ever comes up.
I wish I could remember where we started on the list….we are in the 170s now – and I am doubtful that the 4-5 years is realistic, but we will see. We joined pre-children with hopes we would be in by the time the kids wanted to do swim team….and considering we are still waiting for Baby #1 to be born (just a few more weeks before its arrival) – it should still work out, at least I hope. I just would like to take a nice little dip in the pool to cool off.
I need to let my childhood fear of city pools go – we had bats in the locker rooms at the city pool when I was growing up, it smelled horrid, and was just nasty – though I am sure the Decatur pools are much nicer.
Decatur pools are really great. My kids love Ebster best, but I think that’s because of the diving board. We’re in the 50s on the list at Venetian, and we’ve been on it for three years.
Pangborn Pool past N. Dekalb Mall is also a good deal.
We just got a call this year after being on the list 6 years.
Try the Emory pools–the one on Clairmont. We loved it when we were members, and you don’t have to be an Emory faculty member or staff to join. They also have a gym and tennis courts that you can use once you join. It’s a beautiful facility, and has covered parking.
The Emory pool (SAAC) is a great facility and there are no initiation fees or wait lists. They have a great swim team with a wonderful coach and have swimming lessons for all ages too. The shallow end is 4 ft at its shallowest, so not great if you have little kids. There’s a small shallower pool too, but it seems to only be open for lessons. It’s also open until mid-September.
Otherwise, the Glenlake pool is really great for younger kids, and you can get a summer membership fairly cheap!
SAACJack sez: “Y’all come on!”
It is worth it once you get in. A safe place to sit reading while your kids are running all over the grounds which include a playground, ping pong area, volleyball pit, grills, and snack bar as well as the pools. If your kids can swim, you can totally relax knowing the lifeguards have you covered. If they can’t, you can sit at a table or lounge chair, shaded by an umbrella, and watch right in front of you.
I know of a lot of people leaving Venetian lately, mostly because their kids are older now but also because of the economy. So my guess is that the line will shorten. BUT, the prediction about CSD enrollment declining was 180 degrees wrong so maybe the Venetian line will follow suit.
Alternatives to Venetian also include Lindmoor, Sagamore, and Leafmore, but I don’t know if there’s lines there. Some of those have tennis courts too which is one thing that Venetian doesn’t have.
Why do people join pools when we have pools? I have never understood that but would like to know. Decatur has swim teams, too.
good question, why indeed? (i have a theory and i’m hoping to hear convincing evidence to the contrary)
Venetian has grills and allows adult beverages. It’s open later than Decatur pools and there are special social events.
Beer.
Oh, please.
It’s all about comfort. Until we got off the Venetian wait list, I used Glenlake or Medlock pools and found them ok but a little crowded and sterile. Glenlake’s pool doesn’t have enough shade or grass to really relax. Towels on concrete are just not that blissful. And there’s no umbrellas. Ditto for Ebster. You can’t swim laps in McKoy. For parents, a benefit of Venetian is that it’s a safely enclosed property with tons of lifeguard support. You can let your swimming kids roam free without worrying about them while you swim laps or read. Six to 12 year olds really appreciate that freedom. And the bathrooms/showers are way nicer than city or county pools. The indoor “dance hall” is a nice feature if there’s a short rainshower or the kids want to play ping pong. The snack bar is basic but offers hot dogs or pizza which can be parenting lifesavers at times. And it’s full of Decaturites. Probably the best feature–you can count on your kids finding a playmate there–no need to entertain or organize a playdate. Originally, Venetian was mostly Druid Hills, CDC, and Emory folks but the Emory Clairmont Pool has siphoned off that crowd. Now it’s basically the same folks you see at school or at Decatur Rec sports. There’s also a great summer camp there. And their swim team is a county champion. Not that I care about winning–I refused to do swim team as a kid–but kids who aren’t champs themselves do. Even if they don’t win at their events, they often get to go to county finals and have that experience.
Venetian Pools is a membership coop of sorts and I know the Board well. It does not discriminate. If it ever did, it was way in the past. However, there’s a hefty joining fee. That’s the main downside. But you get it back if you relinquish your membership. The annual fee seems darn reasonable to me given that we use the pool daily, sometimes all day if one counts camp.
On the other hand, the City of Decatur pools have been getting more and more pleasant and I would use them more if we weren’t Venetian members. They are way above the norm for public pools.
I have heard Venetian is loads of fun for the over 6 set….
I still don’t get it. City of Decatur pool passes are $125 for a family of five and $10 for each additional family member. That’s for the whole summer and includes three pools. All the amenities in the world at Venetian still couldn’t persuade me that going there to swim beats the water in the Glenlake pool, to the tune of a thousand dollars or more. Glenlake is loads nicer than it used to be, and sure, there are camps and such that come in and out during the day over the summer, but that just means more people for my kids to play with. I can’t get over my impression that going to Venetian is all about snobbery!
Not at all so. My snob detector is set real low. That’s why I avoid private schools. It truly is an incredibly pleasant experience–for families. I had no desire to join when I was single. I’d say that the biggest benefits are for parents of kids aged 1 (toddler pool) to 10 years, although some teens love to hang out there. The cost of Venetian is now $500/year per entire family. (Admittedly, the membership fee is hefty and is much higher than when we joined. But it is refundable if and when you leave). That fee isn’t bad when you consider that Venetian is open a lot more hours than the city pools in terms of when it opens in May, closes in September, and evening hours until 9-10 PM) every day. Working parents can’t use pools during the week if they close at 6 PM. The ability to go to camp at a reasonable price and do birthday parties cheaply factors in for us too. The “priceless” features are things like shade, grass, plenty of tables and lawn chairs, grills, always kids around for playing, parents for us to talk to, staff we’ve known for years, long lap lanes, snack bar, ping pong, playground, volleyball.
Not sure why I’m trying to justify Venetian–it will just make the waiting list longer for those who want it! I just don’t want anyone to think that most families join Venetian to be cool or avoid the uncool. The families at Venetian are folks you already know and like at school, sports, and church. BTW, the true snobs join the Druid Hills Country Club. I think that’s by invitation only, not waiting list. We wouldn’t know!
FWIW, I don’t think Venetian refunds initiation dues anymore. I just re-checked the website, and it says they changed the policy in 2007. To be honest, I’m a little annoyed to find this out. I’m absolutely positive their website did not mention this change when I sent in my waiting list dues (after 2007), because one of the main reasons I got on the Venetian wait list instead of just joining Lake Claire was because of the refund. It made Lake Claire seem ridiculously more expensive. Now Lake Claire seems a little more reasonable in terms of cost, but it has a wait list too.
I’m sure the Venetian Board had a good reason to change the policy, but the policy does seem inherently unfair to new members. If they needed the $ to improve/maintain facilities, it would have been more fair to assess all members rather than just sticking it to the new members. However, with the wait list as long as it is, I guess they figured the change wouldn’t deter a significant # of new memberships, so why not?
Unless you plan to remain a member well past your kids leaving the house, the non-refundable initiation fee adds a whole lot to the average yearly cost of your membership. Enough to tip the balance towards being a waste of money IMO, especially with decent (albeit not perfect) city pools available at a fraction of the cost. Although I do LOVE to sip a cocktail or beer poolside in the summer, I don’t know if I can justify that much additional $ for the privilege.
I guess one good thing about the change is that it may help speed up the long wait list! Even still, I’m sure I still have a very long time to contemplate my decision on whether to join. 🙂
Big whoops re refund of initiation fee. Did not know that. Really sorry for the misinformation. That would affect my decision too. And it makes Venetian feel less like a coop. I wonder if our initiation fee is still refundable? Luckily it was lower when we joined and we’ve clearly gotten our money’s worth.
Re Karass: Yeah, I was really disappointed to find that out. I really liked the coop vibe, and I agree there is value in all the positives you mentioned. I don’t think it affects you – only new members. I guess they changed it to raise capital without assessing current members or raising annual dues, but I can’t get over the fact of how unfair it is to new members. Assuming the average family is only a member for 10 years, then they’re essentially paying $175 (or 35%) more per year than grandfathered members for the exact same experience.
Lake Claire has a similar policy, but at least you get to attach your membership to your house, which means whoever buys your house has the option to join immediately. I’m not sure how much that’s really worth, but it could make the difference in a sale if you’re dealing with pool people.
Same thing at country clubs (not that I would ever join one!), but at least most of them allow you to reactivate your membership at a later date without waiting or re-paying the initiation dues. I doubt that’s the case at Venetian.
The more I think about it, the more it bothers me!
Also pangborn pool is great… behind shamrock plaza.
If you have some free time and like a bargain, the Methodist Children’s Home on South Columbia is having their auxillary sale today and tomorrow starting at 9 am.
Just wanted to give a shout out to the three teachers at College Heights that have been working tirelessly on getting their portable rooms ready in this stifling heat!! They finally got electricity late last night – just in time for open house today! You sweaty hard working teachers are the BEST!!!! Thanks for your diligence. (and City Schools of Decatur – imagine – poor planning on your part!)
Is there a guy proposing in the Flickr side bar of DM? How cute!
Ha! That’s great!
So did she say yes?
He hasn’t posted the ME? pic yet. So she can’t say yes…YET.
Besides, the final photo could be a trick, like: SOMEONE ELSE….PLEASE!
My error…last pic does say “marry me?”
The Renfroe renovation is awesome. We went yesterday and the place looks (and smells) delightful. The new gym is really something to see. What are the plans for the old gym?
The Decatur-Dekalb YMCA Soccer Club (DDYSC) Golf Tournament will be held Friday,
September 24, 2010 at Heritage Links in Tucker, Georgia. The tournament proceeds
will go towards a wide variety of needs for the program, including new goals,
scholarships, field equipment, etc.
Located just ten miles from downtown Atlanta in Tucker Georgia, Heritage Golf
Links is 27 holes of terrific golf. It is not your typical Atlanta golf course
weaving through a home development. Heritage is a “core” golf course, thereby
only having homes along its outside borders, making for a very traditional golf
experience.
Player fees: $125.00 per player, which includes Greens Fees, an Electric Cart,
Practice Range Balls, and Lunch.
Lunch Reception Only : $30.00 per person
Schedule of Events
Thursday, September 24, 2010
Registration…………………………..7:30 AM
(Driving range available)
Shotgun Start ………………………9:00 AM
(Scramble format)
Lunch Reception …………..Following Golf
Come out and support the DDYSC as we continue to make a difference in the lives
of children in our community.
Questions contact Toby Ozias at Ozias04@…
http://www.ddysoccer.org/golftournament/
They are also looking for sponsorship.
are there any dog friendly patios in downtown decatur that are covered? other than twain’s “cover” of greenery/vines i mean. somewhere you can sit when it’s raining and not get yourself and your dog soaked.
I’m pretty sure health ordinances don’t allow dogs on covered patios connected to restaurants.
Health ordinances do not allow dogs on restaurants patios covered or non-covered.
Someone turned UJoint in a couple of years ago and they prohibited dogs for a time. Things have sort of slipped back.
I think it is kind of a stupid rule and restaurants ought to be able to allow it or not allow it within reason.
Try the Marley Pub. Covered patio and dog friendly with water bowls for the pups.
Today is my birthday and I’m fixin’ to fix all the problems.
:::HUGS::::
Happy Birthday!
I believe you share a birthday with Arnold Schwarzenegger, so when you’re done fixin our problems you you could maybe lend some assistance to your birthday buddy!
I noticed that there appears to be a new Subaru dealer opening just behind the Quicktrip on Lawrenceville Hwy near the end of Church Street. Place didn’t look to be really open yet, but I know Decatur has a big Subaru following, so I figured I’d pass it on – it’s called Stivers Subaru.
Nice to see something opening, as that whole area looks like a car dealer’s graveyard!
It’s in the old Saturn place.
Also noticed a Subaru repair shop opened on College Ave near Sams Crossing….
I believe it’s Six Star Service.
I talked with the guys opening it, turns out the owner used to work for bmw for a long time and then went to work for subaru. Seems to really know his stuff, I think they are one of or the only places that have the subaru factory scanners/diagnostic machines (like the one in dealer shops). He told me when i met him a while ago that there was a subaru dealership opening in decatur. which is GREAT! don’t have to go to subaru of gwinnett now.
Does anybody know if there is anything we can do regarding a neighbor that just does not get it that the garbage collectors will not pick up yard waste in black plastic bags? The bags have been on the street for weeks. Have tried advising neighbor that he should use brown paper bags but they are not doing anything about it. Thanks!
Have you tried calling the city and complaining?
(Actually, they will SOMETIMES pick up garbage in plastic bags, if you don’t make a habit of it. Guess this guy has made a habit of it.)
I hate to say anything about one of my favorites, Wahoo! A Decatur Grill, but I had a terrible dish there last night. My salmon was thin, overcooked and, oddly for them, a square cut instead of the lengthy, beautiful piece they usually serve. And, I was terribly ill all night.
Anyway, I spoke to a fellow Wahoo lover and she said she had a bad experience recently, too. She was wise enough to speak to the manager, though, only to learn they have a new executive chef. Say it isn’t so! Anyone know what’s happening over there?
I quit going to Wahoo last year after having two not-so-good meals. I don’t know what happened, because I used to love it. Too many good alternatives are available to try again.
I’ve thought Wahoo has been mediocre from the get go and have never understood its popularity.. At least at first the prices were cheap. Now, it is no less expensive than other similar restaurants.
But they still pack them in.
I tried wahoo twice. both bad experiences. Unfortunate since I can walk across howard and the train tracks to them. First time, a few months back on a sunday evening, my fiance and I went, were seated in about 5-10 minutes, ordered and……then it went downhill. The waitress didn’t seem to know her stuff, so to speak. The food was mediocre at best, and overpriced for what it was in my opinion. I wrote a letter to them letting them know how the dining went, after a few weeks I got a letter back, the manager also included a 30$ gift card(about half of what the meal cost). This led me to convince my fiance that we should walk over and give it another shot. Bad Idea. She called a girlfriend and we met there on a weekend night. We arrived at 7, around 710 finally got someone at the front to take our names down…they informed us it would be about 30 minutes..it seemed long but we decided to go grab a drink from the bar and wait. I also noticed they had what seemed to me to be an odd system of seating guests. Most if not all places I’ve been to seat guests in the first available table in a servers section once it’s open. Wahoo puts each party down on a specific table on their clipboard. If that table hasn’t left in 30 minutes, or an hour, you just have to keep waiting. Even if you see a table open up and no one sit down, as we found out, you can’t switch to that one. Very strange. But, back to the story, after 30 minutes I walk back to the host stand, about 10 minutes later there is someone there and he informs me it may be another 30 minutes. We decided to wait about 15 to see if anything opens up, It took the entire 15 minutes to get a 2nd drink, so we opted to stay until the 30 minutes expired to see what happened. We noticed from the time we got there till the 30 minutes expired, more people came in and got on the list, walk-ins and reservations. The people with reservations ended up waiting about 30minutes or so, and some walk-ins with the same number in their party were seated before us, as the people at the table they had been assigned by the host had already paid and left. At the end of the 2nd 30 minutes, (it was now a little after 8pm) I went back to the host and asked when we could be seated (while not being happy at the situation, I was cheerful hoping my good attitude would spread and he could find another table for us anyway, no dice) He informed me that he could seat us soon, but we wouldn’t be able to order food, I was confused and asked why. I was told the kitchen was swamped and said they weren’t taking anymore food orders.Very very odd. esp at 8pm on a weekend night. we decided to leave, as did 2 partys waiting behind us. All i wanted to do was give wahoo a 2nd chance, and hell use that 30$ giftcard for some hopefully not mediocre food!
We drove straight down college and ended up at Figo, ordered, seated instantly, great service and food, at half of what I was expecting to pay at Wahoo.
so far wahoo- 0 for 2
Just wanted to post that I had lunch at Yeah! Burger today. Farm Burger is much much better in my opinion. I got a bison burger that I requested cooked Medium Well and it was barely medium. The fries were fresh but soggy (I like mine crispy).
Yeah! offers more meat options, but the food just isn’t as good as FB.
This place is where?
Yeah! is on the west side – over by Howell Mill/14th, and sort of by that amazing pizza place by Ga Tech – Antico. Our friends that live over there and frequent “upscale burger joints” prefer Farm Burger too.
Oh, and don’t forget – the yummy NOLA snoball place has their grand opening tomorrow! Drop in and sample all sorts of flavors. I highly recommend their snoballs.
Yeah, here’s a link to more information on that snoball place.
http://www.helloatlanta.com/Articles/Restaurant/3697/New_Orleans_SnoBall_Cafe_An_icy_taste_of_the_Big_Easy.Cfm
Is this the place that has been open for a while or do we have two places?
Same place – they just have not had their official “Grand Opening”
Good. I was afraid we were about to have a snoball fight.
The snowballs ROCK! This is not your average ice cream man snowball either folks. I particularly liked the lemonade and the Dreamsicle flavors when we went on July 4th. Great way to beat the heat….
Any new news on the Cakes and Ale move? I noticed the renovation of that corner going on and it seemed the lab is staying. I thought that was one of the businesses that was leaving. I must say I have some doubts about how C&A will do in that spot, but I will definitely continue to dine there when the budget allows.
The lab was always staying, but I understand that it will be getting an exterior facelift as well.
I have no doubt that they will continue to thrive there. I see no reason why not.
After two months of downtime, GRAPHIC. Magazine’s website is back online!
GRAPHIC. Magazine, an independent, student run art and comics publication, has produced 5 issues for the students of Decatur High School and the Decatur community over the past year and a half.
All content is uploaded online for free viewing. Check out the latest issue at http://www.graphicmag.net!
Great! I’ve been wondering what happened to you guys.
My family & I eat at Wahoo a lot. We find the wait staff pleasant and the food good. Recently, we have been getting their fish & chips with apple slaw. Delish! Also love their their their interesting floral arrangments in their entryway.
I noticed the Cliff Ride shuttle traveling along Clairemont Avenue to and from downtown Decatur. Have they begun a Saturday route to/from the Decatur Marta station? I certainly hope so!
Clarification: I saw the shuttle today (Saturday).
The online schedule still shows M-F. Are you sure it was the Decatur shuttle? They run several others.
It was definitely the Cliff Ride shuttle with the unmistakable cute little green cliff guy logo.
Where can I buy City of Decatur license plates and other Decatur swag ?
Second floor of City Hall all the way in the back.
Is the new Barnes & Noble @ Emory open to the public? I’m wondering if it’s a re-branded college bookstore or if it’s similar to a regular B&N…
What is it with the phrases “real quick” and “quick question. Wouldn’t it be QUICKER if the speaker eliminated these intros and just said what they wanted to say. It’s almost as if they have to get their brains into gear before they talk.
Quick question: why’d you post this same query in two different threads?
Truly puzzled?
Has anyone else seen the horrid commercial for the “Liquidation Outlet” on East College just past Sams Crossing? Wow!