Free-For-All Friday 8/20/10
Decatur Metro | August 20, 2010 | 8:55 amFeel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics not dicussed here over the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics not dicussed here over the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
Elizabeth
Decatur Metro
Rick Julian
spreak
Marty
Old School
Brianc
Steve
smalltowngal
Decatur Metro
Decatur Metro
toml
toml
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
Seems as if each week I think of one or two good posts for FFAF, then Friday comes and I go blank. Short term memory problems can be a real drag.
Breaking news: Judd tells me that the small bubbles in beer are kinda festive. I agree. Gotta love Fridays.
I thought he was joking that he posted that until I just saw it. The reference was to KOA beer from New Zealand. Good stuff and now an unbelievable $4.99 at Fiesta Package Store next to Maddy’s (a great place to buy beer, by the way).
I’d like to give fair warning to the people continuing straight from the left turn lanes on Clairmont heading into Decatur. If you are in a turn lane, please turn left or signal that you want to move over into the continue straight lane. The right hand lane continues straight.
LOOK AT THE MARKINGS ON THE ROAD!
Next time, when I’m continuing straight and someone next to me is in the left turn lane blows through the intersection…I claim your side mirror as a new decoration for my car. I’ll call it “Bling” and use Mighty Mend to mount it to my car.
I just want to publicly recognize the great City of Decatur staff who cleaned up the Glenlake Park pavilion with us after the Clairemont Elementary school picnic last Thursday. They were great to work with and did a wonderful job!
Is the new sidewalk/fence project along Scott Blvd. a CoD project, or is it a state/county project?
Those fences are ugly as sh*t. It would’ve been nice if they had installed green or brown coated chain link fencing, which would have blended in with the greenery, rather than silver which draws attention to itself in an unappealing way.
Don’t know who’s to blame, but I agree with you 100%.
Agree on the chain link fence. Maybe we should just spray it black, or start some Carolina jasmine on it ..by next summer it will be overgrown . and look and smell pretty to boot …
Will the sidewalk end at Willow Lane or are there plans to run them up to the North Decatur/Medlock/Scott Intersection?
I was wondering as well who is paying for it. It’s a state road, but w/i CoD city limits, so I am assuming the city is paying for a portion or all?
I was just reading in the Atlanta Business Chronicle that the Pita Pit (http://www.pitapit.com/) is opening its first Atlanta-area location on the Decatur Square. I used to eat there all the time in Florida. This is some good news!
Linkage Damanda, linkage!!!
I’m assuming you want the link? I was reading the paper version (gasp!)
http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/08/09/story6.html
We are thinking of shaping up our sorry excuse for a front yard. Potential projects include a new brick walkway, small retaining wall, and landscape design. We don’t mind doing some of the landscape install ourselves (at least in theory). Expertise in knowing what’s not a weed versus what is (this is more complicated than it sounds in our yard) and how to work around some existing plants is a plus. And, we don’t want to plunk down a fortune. Any LOCAL recommendations from the DM community?
Why don’t you just call Curb Appeal: The Block and get them to do it all for you? They seem to be on a crusade to spruce up every front yard in Decatur.
I’ve been seeing some of those Decatur shows too– can people list which streets/blocks have had a Curb Appeal visit?!
Ha ha! We tried that. We did an on-camera audition and everything. Sadly, either we were not interesting enough or our yard was not crappy enough.
I had some sod installed in my front and back yards by Plants LLC and I was very happy with them. In fact, I think Plants did some of the the work for the Decatur HGTV Curb Appeal show.
is there anywhere in decatur that serves brunch and wine on a Friday??
Hey Muffin,
I’m sorry I just closed down my kitchen half an hour ago. That was pretty much my breakfast.
I love me some brunch wine.
I recommend Sancerre: a great breakfast wine. (I actually heard that from a wine guy at a tasting many years ago and never forgot it.)
That’s a tough one, and probably not just in Decatur. The closest place I can think of is Flying Biscuit in Candler Park, though I’m not sure about how early they will serve wine. I assume there is no reason they wouldn’t pour you a glass with your Piedmont Omelet.
What happened to Eye on the Street, DM? I miss them!
Dunno. People just stopped sending them in.
If I get more, I’ll certainly put ‘em up!
To the graffiti artists that are painting the building walls along Dekalb Avenue — amazing job! If you haven’t seen the massive murals, make a point to check them out.
They are terrific!
Best tabletop mini shuffleboard EVER during the Tuesday night jazz jam session at Twain’s. You know who you are, and yes, the winner-takes all cutthroat capitalist rule set significantly improves the game. Let the Maoist give points to one another for mediocrity.
I believe you are referring to respectability in your reference to differing preferences in shuffleboard rules; as it is, there is no hope for your side in regards to respectability.
[sigh]
However, if we played with clam shells on a tile floor I would still knock Slappy silly.
Oh wait, Boondoggle was on my side…Jamie and Guinny, I love you.
There’s nothing better than winner take all, loser takes the tunnel under the train tracks back to the MAK
On the way home, you probably needed some of those mysterious concrete “benches” we’ve heard so much about.
Warning: The number 3 gas pump at the little gas station at 600 W. Howard Street, didn’t automatically shut off this morning and spewed gas all over me. On top of being covered in gas, I ended up paying for more gas than my car ‘s tank even holds.
The man behind the desk was not at all sympathetic — he was actually extremely rude when I told him. He said it was my fault, not his; that it never happened before; that I don’t know how to pump gas; etc.
I always supported the station since it was a local business, and the gas prices were reasonable, but I’ll never go there again.
To the person who posted about the Marathon station last week, the people at the Marathon station at the intersection of Scott, N Decatur and Medlock are super-friendly. And they are giving away kid’s maps of the USA, which provided hours of entertainment for my 4 year old nephew!
love the name!
Of course, some may H8 the name.
that gas station uses napa oil for its standard oil changes, (napa is actually rebranded Valvoline)
so oil changes there are a great deal!
You’re 100% right – the folks at the Medlock Marathon are great. We’ve had our car fixed numerous times there – always on time, always friendly.
I had the exact same experience at the little (Citgo?) gas station on Howard about four months ago. Gasoline spewed, ruining my favorite pair of black pants, never mind the third arm I’m probably growing due to the coating of petroleum. The attendant was equally rude and almost combative when I notified him of the malfunction. Sorry that we shared that experience- I hope they fix it before anyone else gets attacked by the rogue pump. I will definitely not return.
I believe this is an issue for the insurance commissioner in ga, but also these may help-
•The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) assists local, state and federal governments by setting forth uniform standards for measurements, laws and practices. The NIST shuts down any pumps that measure a difference greater than 3.3 ounces per every 5 gallons of gasoline. Contact the NIST relay office at (800) 877-8339.
Department of Agriculture
•Any fraudulent activity should be reported to the Department of Agriculture office in each state. Every pump and gas station should have the phone number posted for the Department of Agriculture in that state.
Local Agencies
•You can also report gas pump fraud to your local attorney general. There should be a consumer fraud hotline where you can request a form. Once you fill it out, the state will send someone from the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Weights and Measures to check the pump. For good measure, you may also contact your state Better Business Bureau.
Read more: Who Do You Report Gas Pump Fraud To? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5684842_do-gas-pump-fraud-to_.html#ixzz0xBHf8vym
Wow — thanks, Joe
In Georgia, such things fall under the Agriculture Department – they are the ones whose stickers are on the pumps.
nelliebelle,
I never understood why people go there, the gas is most of the time 10 cents higher then the gas station on the conner of College and Columbia.
It’s on the way to work. And much less expensive than the two other stations I pass on the way to work.
There’s a guy at that station with female directed customer issues too.
Not to belittle the concerns, but what is up with all the gas station complaints? Seems to me like there would be little if any customer service going on, other than taking your money. Don’t most people pay at the pump these days?
Silly me tried to politely add my two cents on a customer service issue. Dude about came over the counter about it! I’m guessing it was the same guy who leered at Bulldog’s wife last week.
Method of gas paying??? …I usually pay at the pump, but sometimes I go inside. ( I also pretty much interact in some small way with everybody that I encounter.)
Wouldn’t you report that the pump malfunctioned? It’s a nice thing to do so the person after you isn’t sprayed with gas, and so that the station can fix the problem.
We need a new driveway. Does anyone have a good referral for a good company? Thanks,
A-1 driveway in Tucker. No personal experience, but I have heard good things. I used to be in the driveway business (sort of) and they were a competitor (sort of).
Three driveways of houses owned by Columbia Seminary on Inman at Shadowmoor (Winnona Park) have just been redone. You can view the work and see the company’s signs all at the same time.
They used Hemma Concrete. We’ve used them before as well and they do good work.
Some kids came by my house yesterday selling cookies and or wrapping paper for Glenwood Academy. I asked what they were raising funds for and the young man said “books and field trips and stuff.”
Any adults know what the fundraising is about?
I had some kids come by my house on Tuesday selling cookies and candy. When I asked what it was for they said Winnona Park Elementary (I’m in Oakhurst territory). When I asked what it was for specifically they said “fund raising”. I do not support unknown activities and I prefer a pamphlet showing what specifically I am supporting. Either the schools need to prep the students better or kids are making up things to sell.
there is an episode of “the boondocks” on adult swim (cartoon network) about this very same thing, schools fundraising. it was hilarious. however due to some of the language i would not watch it at work
Are you really upset at unprepared elementary school kids? If you asked me that same question when I was in elementary school, I would have said “fundraising.” Similar to the “How was school?” question and the “Fine” answer most kids give their parents. I wouldn’t expect them to whip out talking points.
I thought it was just my kid. I ask her what she did in kindergarten today. Her response, ‘stuff.’
At least your kid does “stuff”; mine usually does “nothing.”
I didn’t expect talking points but I did expect a pamphlet of some sort making it official and not just kids trying to make money for themselves or their parents. Since the kids visiting my house did not offer either cookie dough or wrapping paper I expect they were not part of this official sanctioned fundraiser. By the way the kids looked like a 2nd grader with a 5th or 6th grader following and no parents. I’m perfectly happy to buy from fundraising kids in my neighborhood but I like to know where my money is going and how it is going to help the kids out walking in the heat.
Just wait ’til the Tutoring Services “college student” comes around! He’s a talker!
I was ready to call the cops on a pushy ‘tutor services’ girl. Learn to take no for an answer already.
Ack!!! The freaky avatar is boxing me in!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE with the real writerchad?!?
Oh, don’t worry, he’s still the same; he has a child in kindergarten now.
Guess it’s time bad chad became dad.
The new avatar IS slowly growing on me. Anybody wanna play Clue?
Before the 2000 presidential elections, I’d never heard of a hanging chad. I wish that were still the case.
Dang DM! What’s on YOUR mind? :0)
( Clue- the family fun board game!)
It happens to be Sally Foster gift wrap and cookie dough selling season. Could that have been it? If so, the kids should have been 5th grade or younger and carrying Sally Foster catalogs that should explain. The money raised is for the PTA/PTOs of the schools which basically fund a million trillion things at the schools from buying active whiteboards to books to supplies to mini-grants for special projects to athletic equipment to field trips to everything but the bare bones. With state funding drying up and CSD trying not to raise the millage rate or firing teachers, the bare bones are getting barer and barer.
Kids that age should only be going to homes they know unless they are with a parent. In fact, we don’t go to homes we don’t know because I think that’s technically soliciting. (My own personal interpretation of the law is that going to homes of people we know is “visiting”, not soliciting, a fine line during Sally Foster or Girl Scout Cookie seasons).
Hey, Nancy (from your neighbor) I don’t have kids at Glennwood any more, but this is probably a fund-raiser for the PTA. The PTA’s around here support field trips, teacher supplies, improving the grounds, art activities, and a lot of extras. Yeah, I hear y’all grumbling about how high our taxes are for education. But the PTA does supplement what the school system doesn’t pay for. And I find that’s true for every school, even affluent ones.
Guess the saying is true. Think education is expensive? Try ignorance.
Thanks for the responses. I don’t have kids, so I wasn’t sure whether they’ve just missed our house in the past or this was something new. I just was curious what they were raising funds for. There were some parents traveling with this bunch – they were walking down the street in a group. I did buy from them – I’m an easy mark for kids selling anything except magazine subscriptions. And I don’t mind paying school taxes at all, I strongly believe in public education. You’re right, Diane, ignorance is very expensive.
Is there a local good place for a car wash? It’s been a long time, *ahem*, and it needs something besides my hose and some soap. Extra points if it’s a place where you can sit inside while the car is getting washed since Relics & Rarities is no longer around to entertain my kid.
I hear Cactus Car Wash on Ponce near Boulevard is worth the drive. They have a website. When my husband’s car got so disgusting that I was worried about other parents letting their kids ride in it, I sent him there. The car looked and smelled better and he seemed to enjoy himself.
I second this. The Cactus on Ponce is the best with friendly employees and a nice inside area to wait. Even with the basic wash, they clean in all the crevices and leave my car looking excellent.
Love Cactus!
The $4 place out on Lawrenceville Highway, right past Brewsters, is a great deal. You stay in your car for the wash and then get free access to vacuums that really suck.
Sadly, it’s now $5.
There’s another Swifty Car Wash on Memorial by the Zaxby’s. Such good deals.
I second Chadly in recommending Swifty’s on Lawrenceville Hwy. Its gone up a dollar, but its still a deal even at $5.
Not what you asked about, but if you want a do-it-yourself carwash, there’s “Honor Thy Auto” in downtown Kirkwood, across from the Smoothie place. But you have to wash the car with the wands, etc. etc. They also have vacuums, $1 for about 3-4 minutes.
Also a huge fan of the $4/$5 carwash. Business was slow when it was just $4 – they raised the price to $5, and have more customers now. No need for all the extras either – the basic wash is great. I love the free vacuums and riding in the carwash is fun for all ages. Self and Hubs included. I’ll be there post-Waffle House stop tomorrow.
Riding in the carwash is a favorite pastime of the Crankies. In fact, one young Crankette asked for it for her birthday. Wow. I can’t believe I am blessed with such cheap (and apparently, thrilled by the small things) kids!
Kirkwood Car Wash is great. It’s a do-it-yourself kind of thing, but always clean and in order.
From the coach of the DHS Cheerleaders:
“The Decatur High School Varsity Cheerleaders would like to invite you to come to our DONATIONS ONLY Carwash. The carwash will be held:
When: Saturday, August 21, 2010
Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Location: Smith “Ace” Hardware at 601 East College Avenue (approx. 5 minutes from Decatur High School).
Thank you for your support-Go Dogs!!”
Just received this…
The Carwash scheduled today from 11:00am-3:00pm hosted by the Decatur High School Cheerleaders will be postponed due to inclement weather. Thank you for your support.
Best car wash is at the corner of North Druid Hills and Buford Highway. Their basic wash is better than most. Windows are cleaned inside and out and the whole car looks great.
Agreed, AMB. If you look on their website, http://www.hispeedcarwash.com, you can find discount coupons. Also, if you get the AJC, they have coupons in there at the beginning of each month.
Anyone been to TDS this week? Are the once-a-year chili rellenos on the menu?
Not yet. They are doing some special chile tasing something ot other around 9/16 at the Howell Mill location – a 5-8 all you can eat thing and sample different chiles. I’ll keep you posted…season should be starting soon. I would recommend you do not get on their weekly emails, unless you want to be sucked in each week to eating the special, which I think it totally worth it, but pretty sure they are getting sick of seeing me there each week.
Too late, Nubbs, I’m already on there weekly email list. Email marketing at it’s most effective. Prolly sampling suizas tonight as a result.
Had the suizas Wed night. I would recommend you get them.
you are definitely not the only one there every week!
DON’T TASE THE CHILIS DUDE!
Y’all might want to go for a chili dog instead. Sadly, the Varsity Jr’s planning to close up shop.
The old bank on the corner of Clairemont and Ponce. Primo location. Great tall windows. Wide patio space. And I’m pretty sure it’s been vacant the whole ten years I’ve lived here. It is begging, PLEADING, to be restaurantified.
Ditto, that’s my favorite building in Decatur, and I’ve thought of the restaurant idea, too. But where would you put the kitchen? And do we need any more restaurants?
How cool would an art gallery be in that space? (another thing we don’t need)
Maybe an apple store?
Level it and make it into a toddler park.
Oh man, there are a LOT of people that want to get that building leased. Put patio dining in that dead space between the two buildings.
Not sure why it can be leased. Too much money to renovate I guess.
City Schools of Decatur Central Office? They’d probably use the patio more than the hoops, blacktop, and playground.
Please support the local youth soccer program at the Decatur-DeKalb YMCA in their First annual Golf Tournament. Go to http://www.ddysoccer.org/golftournament/ for more information.
So… hadn’t been to Garlic Thai Cuisine & Sushi Bar for a month or two. We sat out on the patio, and the hostess / owner’s wife walked up to us and *remembered our names* somehow! Then I had this super-excellent Thai BBQ chicken, basil rolls, cold unfiltered sake, and then green tea ice cream. Very reasonably priced. Mad props to them.
But what about the cranky, screaming kids? Did you have to glare nastily at anyone? Enquiring minds want to know!
http://www.decaturmetro.com/2010/07/23/free-for-all-friday-72310/
Dundee the dog writing in to report her severe disappointment over not finding her Big Daddy dog biscuits at the Farmer’s Market this morning.
I’m interested to know if anyone else has had an experience with the Emergency Vet Clinic across from the high school. My dog had to have surgery on Friday to remove part of a tennis ball from his gut. The surgery was done at the Village Vets in the same building during normal business hours. The surgery was $1400.00 which seems reasonable. What seems completely UNreasonable is this: Late yesterday afternoon the Village Vets call us and say the dog has to spend the night at the Emergency Clinic in order to get IV and oral meds for, get this, $500/night!! We did it. Just got another call that they want another $500 for an additional night for the same thing!! He had the same surgery several years ago at Briarcliff and they seemed to have no problem keeping him at their facility and not charging $500/night. I’m wondering just what kind of relationship exists between the Village Vets and the Emergency Clinic other than sharing a building.
I took my kitty there in the middle of the night. They saved her, but the bill was $1700. I was / am outraged. They charge $2 a pill for a prescription I get for 20 cents a pill at 1-800-Pet-Meds. I will never go there again – future emergencies go to the L’ville Hwy clinic.
The other emergency place isn’t much different on cost, and the real downside is that, if your pet is there overnight, you have to come in the morning to get them – they are unattended during the day and do not do boarding.
It gets more interesting. After telling them that we would not pay them for 2 more nights @$500/night and that we are coming to get our dog now, they call us back. Now they are going to charge $400 for all 3 nights! Lesson learned here is that if you ever have to use the Emergency Vet Clinic, make sure to negotiate the outlandish fees. I’m sure the care is good but the business model they use is to milk the customer for all they’ve got.
Any recommendations for LCD TV mounting? I’m looking to hang our TV over the fireplace (and hoping the break-ins related to TVs have declined).
I’m always shocks when I walk my dogs and see people with big screens on in their house and lots of curtains/blinds showing it to the world. Maybe I’m just paranoid but I wouldn’t want to advertise things like that.
I saw a house yesterday with a huge flat screen box sitting right on the curb, clearly visible from a main road, 24 hours before garbage pickup.
People are asking for it.
Turn the box inside out, and don’t let it sit on the curb any longer than necessary.
Why advertise?
shocked rather. I can’t seem to spell today.
McGowan’s Pub is now open for business next to Palate. The space looks great. The staff was very friendly, twenty beers on tap. Full menu will be available in another week.
To the “lady” (and I use that term very loosely) in the silver BMW who was stopped at the red light, northbound on Clairemont at Scott on Friday at about 11:15 am. Your tantrum (screaming and cursing) and horn blowing at the funeral procession travelling on Scott Boulevard was ridiculous! We had the red light the whole time anyway. The procession and police motorcycles had cleared the intersection before we even got the green light. The only cars affected were the ones in the southbound lanes anyway and they were only held up for the last few cars in the procession. Even if we had been affected, funeral processions have the right of way. If you were running that late, maybe you should have left earlier. Either way, you didn;t need to show your “you know what” like that. Classy.
This makes me sad. Someone can’t wait an extra 5 or 6 minutes to get where they’re going, out of respect for the dead? *sigh*
Nor out of kindness for the bereaved. Well, they’ll get their turn.