Free-For-All Friday 9/17/10
Decatur Metro | September 17, 2010Use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here in the past week.
Comments close Monday.
Use 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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Starting off with some good news about Decatur: Team Decatur received an award last night at the KP Run/Walk: Most Fit City. We were 134 strong and had a great time. Way to go Decatur! Pictures later on http://www.beactivedecatur.com
Team Decatur rocks !
Thanks, Cheryl. It was a blast. And thanks, too to the folks from UJoint and Nectar for the libations. I want to know how Daren managed to sweet talk his way into those barbeque sammiches from the neighbors.
I’m still trying to get the status of the Decatur Diner. And how about the faux blue marble decor on the exterior? Have heard good and bad..one person told me she would never eat there as she thought the design was hideous.
Please, does anyone have good news?
I believe that the correct name for the restaurant is the Coming Soon Diner.
For 100+ comments on the faux marble exterior, please click here.
When I drove past one day this week it looked like it might be open but I couldn’t be sure. They don’t seem to have a web site. DM, can you find out whether or not they’re open? (I think the whole thing is great–the concept, the facade, the decor, and everything I’ve heard about the quality of food at the Marietta Diner–and can’t wait to eat there.)
Decatur Diner & Dollar General – the “we” detectors!
DNO’s “we” op-ed is something to chew on while waiting for the diner to open:
http://www.decaturnewsonline.com/news/article_d800f75c-bf5a-11df-9b7f-001cc4c03286.html
( DM- Thanks for the okay! :0)
I have no problem with residents linking to whatever interests them. What I think people confuse this with is when sites comment and link to themselves in self-promotion.
That’s generally considered bad blog-etiquette.
DM & DNO are guiding us into meaningful community conversations. Love you both for it!
I had missed that, thanks for the link.
Sure thing. Hopefully folks will think about it at the next DHS football game.
Had another wonderful dinner at Cakes and Ale last night.
That place is a treasure.
Decatur’s best dining imo.
Just wanted to pass that along.
It’s the cats ass.
I nominate you to replace Kessler as AJC food critic.
Ditto–we enjoyed a rare kid-free weeknight this week at C & A. Every single bite was scrumptious.
You might already know but Cakes & Ale is doing a fundraiser dinner at Oakhurst Community Garden for the garden on Sunday Oct 3rd from 6:00 – 8:30. Last I heard they had only 10 tickets left.
There is going to be a meeting at the Decatur Rec. Center Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. regarding the purpose/architecture of the Beacon School master plan. (fyi, building with the police department attached to it, for anyone who doesn’t know) Artists, dancers, and anyone interested in what is going to happen with this building should come. The architects are presenting different options for reuse of the building.
Need recommendations for double stroller/jogger. Very unlikely we will be jogging, but will be using to walk the kid and dog, go to the park, and occasional use indoors – shopping, museums etc.
I have also been looking at them. From walking around town, it seems to me the most popular one in Decatur is the Bob double jogging stroller. Everyone I’ve asked says they love them. However, they are pretty expensive, and so it can be difficult to justify the cost if you’re not an avid jogger and are more likely to use it for light strolls around the neighborhood. Maybe a Christmas or Grandparent Baby Shower present?
The City Mini Jogger double stroller seems to be pretty popular too. We saw them all over NY when we were there a few months ago. Have also heard good things about the InSTEP runaround – and it is under $200.
I’m one of the gagillion Moms in Decatur with the Bob double stroller. I am not a jogger, but my spouse is. I like it because it is *very* easy to push, and the brake is great. The down side (aside from price) is that it is very wide. My Mom and Mother-in-Law bought it for us as a gift.
I love, love, love my double BOB and have never once jogged with it. I know it’s very expensive, but we’ve had it for about 3.5 years now and use it just about everyday. It’s so easy to push even when my 6 year old hops in sometimes. It is wide, but can actually fit through most single doors.
Anyone know when the Delta CU will open? No info on their website.
I bank at a DCCU branch near my office. That branch manager (Sandy Springs) told me the Decatur Branch is opening in October.
I know there was a Dentist thread recently, but can anyone recommend a Family Doctor?
I think this was on last week’s FFAF.
You are right, I must have missed that. Thanks!
http://www.decaturmetro.com/2010/09/10/free-for-all-friday-91010/#comments
Hello Decatur!
Axiom Salon for Men is Happy to be Open in Decatur! We love being part of the neighborhood.
Axiom is NOT a chain. Decatur is our 2nd location. Voted Best Barbershop by Creative Loafing Readers (Best of Atlanta.)
Thanks to everyone for the WARM WELCOME.
CHECK THIS OUT! Come by and get a Great Haircut this Saturday 9/18/2010. Mention this post at Decatur Metro and your Haircut is FREE.
*This Saturday only. One free haircut per household please.
Awesome. Hubbs and his “wolf neck” are excited and will be in soon.
Boys haircuts too?? We have tried most of the quick ‘n’ easy haircut places around here (Great Clips, Supercuts, Haircut Zoo) and have found that they either give terrible haircuts and or are unbelievably rude. Salon Red Kids is great, but a little too expensive to justify very often.
We’ve had good luck with Little Scissors at the corner of Clairmont and Briarcliff (a bit out of the way, but not so far, especially if you are headed to Sam’s Club). They are no-frills, no cutesy chairs or tv’s with kid shows, but they are FAST with kids and friendly. In fact, we have tried many of the usual kid cut places with our son, and this is the only place he will go. They don’t take plastic, though. A boy’s haircut will run somewhere around $13-$15.
Miss LIsa’s Cuts for Kids on Church St. She’s amazing, you won’t be disappointed. I wish she could cut my hair, but does kids cuts only.
STRONGLY second this mention of Miss Lisa. She has been cutting the hair of our autistic 8 year old for years, and he loves her. She does a great job, and is a terrific person to boot.
Where are you?
I was just looking for a new place! where is the new location at? Maybe I can stop by before work!
I usually don’t allow free promotion like this in comments, but will allow it this time since I didn’t put up a post about your opening.
Passing this onto my husband right now! Thanks!
My husband looks adorable and plans to return again. Thanks for the deal and the cute haircut!
Went and checked them out today. great haircut and great guys! I’ve found my new barbershop!
Anyone bought into this Vibram Five Finger trend? Tinkering with getting a pair. I have seen plenty of people wearing them but don’t know anyone personally who actually has a pair. They look a bit ridiculous but if the benefits are true, they sound great.
That name sounds beyond perverted.
Oh dear. I hadn’t even thought of that until you said it. And it will be stuck in my head from this point forward. Thanks! I suddenly feel the need to clarify…
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/
Saw a couple who both had the “five finger” running the other day while in Savannah. Very weird looking. My track teenagers consider this a fad, (but wanted a pair! ) it is supposed to mimic barefoot running, with more traction obviously, and you’re not stepping in germs …. No support though, so be forewarned.
I am nearly crying with laughter reading this branch of the thread– when, oh, when will I outgrow my love of/penchant for puerile humor? When, O Lord?
Who is/was Katie Kerr anyway?
Funny you should ask…. I’d like to unravel the mystery behind Sam’s Crossing. Every time my husband and I drive over it, one of us says, “I wonder who Sam is.”
Actually, it isn’t “Sam’s” Crossing, but “Sams” Crossing. Hansford Sams (jr. & sr.) were noted Decatur businessmen in the late 19th and early 20th century. Hansford Sr.’s wife was a member of the Scott family (of Agnes Scott, Scott Park, etc.), whose mother was a Winn (of Winn Way). There are still members of the family around.
Thanks, MB. I was hoping to read that there was once a famously eccentric Decaturite named “Sam,” but I appreciate the local history info nonetheless.
Whenever I drive over it, I wonder when they’re going to repave the dang thing already
So, nothing on Katie Kerr? I couldn’t find it on Google, either. Someday I’m going to buy my street and rename it Parker Crossing.
Anyone else notice AT&T signal strength take a nose dive lately? I’m just north of Ponce, west of Arcadia, and east of Sycamore – the last few weeks, signal strength has definitely decreased. Both the wife’s phone and, to a lesser extent, mine have dropped a lot more calls, displayed “searching” far more often, etc. It’s not just a case of AT&T or Apple modifying the algorithm for calculating the number of bars on the iPhone – we’re both getting much worse service than we used to. As phones, they are borderline unusable in the house and they used to work just fine.
I thought it was just me…. wowza! Perfect time for ATT to F-up since they are about to lose the iPhone exclusive!
I work just north of you and I can say it has in this area for sure over the past month or so. However, over in the lenox place neighborhood I never have a problem. go figure.
Does anyone know when Decatur’s fall electronics recycling day will be? It’s usually mid- to late-October, I believe. Thanks!
October 30.
Speaking of, they are no longer taking stryofoam. Are there any alternatives for recycling the styrofoam I have been collecting in my basement?
Leave it there and use it for your fall out shelter. God knows it will protect you from radiation and never dissolve
I have the same problem…!
I thought the City of Decatur was picking up styrofoam now? That’s what I heard anyway and they have been picking it up. Has this changed?
(I’m talking to myself). Okay, just looked up the rules. The styrofoam products have to have a recycling logo on it, otherwise they won’t pick it up.
We take our styrofoam to Publix to recycle.
I had a bunch of styrofoam packing from a piece of furniture I ordered online recently. I suspected it wouldn’t qualify for recycling, but wasn’t sure, so left it out in a separate recycling bin, and they took it.
This is TERRIBLE news! What are we supposed to do with all this styrofoam? I try not to acquire it, but sometimes you can’t help it.
Yeah, I wish CFA would stop using styrofoam cups. We bring ours home and rinse them out.
This is a shout out about the PaperBackSwap Book Swap/used book sale being held this Saturday September 18th from 10a.m. to 5p.m at the North Dekalb Mall. The format is bring 5 books, take 5 books, bring 10 books, and take 10 books. Or bring 276 books and take 276 books (well, you get the idea)! Bring as many books as you want to part with and share with other members and visitors to the booth.
The used books sale will be held near Ross Dress For Less.
not at Shroder?
I think you mean Dres Ho.
Do they have to be paperback books or can you bring hardback books also?
Well I dunno. The e-mail I got did not say and I was hunting all over their website and didn’t find out there either.
Any books. I do the online swap.
Question about Oakhurst Village last night, 8-10 PM: It was hopping. Lots of music floating out of bars/eateries, lots of people walking about, lots of folks eating outside, parking lots all full. Was anything special going on or is that area always so lively on a weeknight? I’m usually only there during the day so I was taken by surprise when I went with a friend for some coffee at Kavanna’s and a serious discussion. It was packed inside Kavanna’s in preparation for some live music and outside the street was noisy and funky. We had fun but didn’t get much work done \.
Maybe the 134 walker/runners retired to Oakhurst after the KP Challenge.
They have kept our street busy in training. Congratulations to all!
Free live jazz concerts in front of the solarium, Thursdays in September 7-9pm.
That explains it! I knew that Oakhurst was younger and hipper than the Northside in general but this felt like the NYU/Washington Square area.
Thanks for the jazz reminder!
Steinbecks has a great live 12 piece (give or take) jazz band on Thursdays year-round called “Wasted Potential.” Also, I think Saba has Bo Emerson’s jazz trio on Thursday nights. Add this to the outdoor Solarium Thursday night Sept/April jazz nights, and the village is hoppin.
Wasted Potential is great; they headlined at the BBQ and Blues. Several Decaturites play in it and there is a lot of cross over between that band and other great local bands.
There are some video clips here:
http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/in_decatur/2010/07/wasted-potential-at-steinbecks-7222010.html
You can friend them and get updates on when/where they are playing:
http://www.facebook.com/wastedpotentialbrassband
I want to know who Willie V was, as in Willivee.
And why did folks decide to name the Great Lakes streets after the Great Lakes and NY Finger Lakes? Was the developer from the Midwest or upstate New York (really part of the MidWest)? (By the way, a lot of non-Great Lake, non-Finger Lake streets have been added to the “Great Lakes Neighborhood” area but I don’t think it’s kosher. There’s no Lake Wilton, Lake Vidal, Lake Garden among the real Great Lakes or N.Y. Finger Lakes. It’s sort of like calling your store a “Dollar Something” if things don’t all cost a dollar.)
I’ve always wondered why driving down lavista from N Druid going to briarcliff the streets go –
Merry Ln
Christmas Ln
Jody Ln
I guess someone in the planning dept was feeling frisky or something
The streets were probably named by the person who developed the subdivision.
It’s always amused me that they neighborhood has a very large observant Jewish population.
That’s because it’s within walking distance of the synagogue for the Conservative congregants.
Here is a shout out to an innovative local Decatur architecture firm for any new construction or renovation needs:
Evolve Architecture
Fernbank Science Center’s plant sale is tomorrow, Saturday! 8-4
Native plants, shrubs and perennials. It’s awesome…and I’m not saying that just because I work there!
Inman Park Restaurant Week starts Monday. $15, $25 and $35 menu options are available. Not only can you enjoy the wonderful restaurants in our neighboring community bu you can support the Atlanta Community Food Bank, too.
Each participating restaurant is selling raffle tickets for a $1 to benefit the Food Bank. What’s the prize you ask? A party of 30 hosted at Shaun’s with hors d’oeuvres prepared by each of the chefs from the participating restaurants. How cool is that? Make your reservations now!
May all of my fellow Jews have a peaceful and easy fast tomorrow.
Missing: black and brown medium hair cat with red collar. Approximately 1 year old. Doesn’t have a name yet, we just got him yesterday. Ran from our house this am. We are near winnona park elementary school. Please call if you find him.
Jen 678-362-0049
Drove an hour and a half south on 19/41/3 and then back again today and passed at least two Dollar Generals. After the extensive discussion on DM, I was primed to look at them carefully. Not to beat a dead horse, but I’ve got to admit that neither was attractive at all nor were their parking lots. Maybe there is a way that DG could keep their glaring orange/yellow iconic signage but the rest of the building could have some kind of funky murals or other decor to soften the stark boxlike ambience.
I visited the Dollar General on Hilton Head Island last week, actually very nice. If HHI isn’t too good for DG, why is Oakhurst?
Everything probably looks better on Hilton Head! And I have to admit that much of the Highway 19/41/3 ambience is so depressing until you get south beyond the endless strip malls that DG might not have stood a chance. Perhaps the Oakhurst ambience will rub off on DG. And I still haven’t been in an acutal DG. I’m disappointed to hear that the merchandise doesn’t cost a dollar like I expected but maybe I’ll enjoy other aspects.
“Oakhurst ambience” is lost on me after many observations and shopping/dining experiences there – can you explain that concept in more detail? Also, 5 & 10 cent stores didn’t price every item for 5 or 10 cents, it’s just a store name. You will find lots of good bargains in a DG store, however — give it a chance, OK?
Sure, I’ll try anything. And I’ve had good luck at the Hop and Stop or whatever it’s called across from Kavanna’s even though it definitely looks more strip mall than Oakhurst villagish. I’d rather have a Dollar General than cars parked on the lawn at Westchester. (Just kidding, Westchester Neighborhood Association!)
Actually, five and ten stores really did start out with items at 5 and 10 cents. My Mom remembers that. When I grew up, we called them “Ten Cent Stores” although I think they had some higher priced stuff too. See Wikipedia article below:
“The concept of the variety store originated with the five and ten, nickel and dime, five and dime or dimestore, a store where everything cost either five cents (a nickel) or ten cents (a dime). The originator of the concept may be Woolworth’s, which began in 1878 in Watertown, New York. Other five and tens that existed in the USA included W.T. Grant, J.J. Newberry’s, McCrory’s, Kresge, McLellan’s, and Ben Franklin Stores. These stores originally featured merchandise priced at only five cents or ten cents, although later in the twentieth century the price range of merchandise expanded. Inflation eventually dictated that the stores were no longer able to sell any items for five or ten cents, and were then referred to as “variety stores” or more commonly dollar stores. $0.05 in 1913 when adjusted for inflation is $1.15 in 2009 dollars.”
If anybody is looking for Elliot Boswell, I just saw him: on tv. He sppears to made it past the first round of All-American Handyman, on HGTV
Go Logan’s Dad! By the way, does he actually provide handyman services commercially or is he just All-American and handy? I know he’s an artist and fomer gallery owner. Some intelligent handman services are needed around this house.
Friday nights at Eurasia Bistro, the alter ego of Dr Lawhead, DeKalb Medical oncologist, comes out in black tie with mai tai in hand, as he channels Sinatra. He can accompany himself on piano or guitar, but he also has a tight backup combo. It’s a very good time.
Hi! Does anyone have a recommendation for a tree removal company?
I’ve looked at a few…just wanted opinions if anyone is willing to share.
Thanks!
We had Boutte Tree do some work for us – great work at a reasonable price.
I wonder if the fellow who darted through the Wachovia drive-through and almost T-boned me in the Publix parking lot (about 4:45 this afternoon) is a DM reader? I’m considering your snarled and angry riposte to my raised eyebrows, “I didn’t see you; get a bigger car.” Sure the Miata is small, but it’s not as small as a darting, heedless child, not as small as an unfortunate using a Rascal for transportation, not as small as a bike or scooter. Instead of yelling at me, you should have been on your knees thanking God you didn’t kill someone and are not cursed to bear the weight of that for the rest of your angry life.
Oops. Sorry for the rant, yall. Let’s just drive carefully.
Anyone have any scoop on Our Way Cafe? We miss it!
yes–they are still clearing out the interior and will begin renovations soon. They are hoping to be open by the end of the year. It appears as though the former employees are doing much of the work so it is going along quite slowly, but will eventually reopen in the same spot.
Hoping some kind neighbors are still tuning in … I was in a car accident over the weekend. Hit from behind – welcome to the neighborhood! Anyhow, I need a good chiropractor. Mucho appreciado for your recs. Thanks.