Free-For-All Friday 11/12/10
Decatur Metro | November 12, 2010Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics not discussed here in the past week.
Comments close Monday.
Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics not discussed here in the past week.
Comments close Monday.
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When City Commission election time rolls around again the candidate who promises a city-wide ban on the delivery of unsubscribed-to newspapers (I’m looking at you, Dekalb Neighbor) will have my vote. Such a candidate might even score the votes of both Golecitos if I can get around that pesky voting age thing.
But I need firestarter.
So whennnnnnnnnnnnnn is the diner opening?!?
and i’m starving. no time for breakfast before work. someone save me.
I talked to him Thursday evening – he still says a week and a half (this is a recording).
But for the last 3 months, he’s been saying 2 weeks – a week and a half is a distinct improvement!
“2 weeks.”
That always reminds of the scene from “Total Recall” when Arnold is dressed as a (very large) woman and is going through customs on Mars.
Hmmm…lucky I don’t live in Dunwoody. I doubt the smart people there would approve of my movie preferences.
i had a great meal at farmstead 303 last night! i think exec chef Denver Richardson is really doing great things over there!
I may have to check it out again, the wife and I went once, months ago and the service was mediocre, the food was ok, and we both were sick for the next day or so. hopefully things have changed. They currently have a 50% off coupon through scoutmob now too!
I had a great lunch over there yesterday. They also have 50% up to $20.00 ScoutMob coupon offer going till sometime in January 2011
So my sister wants to move to Decatur, I was looking up apartments for her on craigslist and apartment review sites, but I got so annoyed. I hate when someone says an address is “decatur” but for example, it is outside 285 /below i-20/anywhere not in decatur city limits.
I typed in decatur on craigslist and 99% of the results are nowhere near 30030/downtown decatur/oakhurst. That has to be one of my biggest pet peeves, like when the news says MULTIPLE MURDER IN DECATUR! STORY AT 11! I’m thinking what the hell?!?!?!
The broadcast starts and its some random place like near conyers or below 285 or something.
Every time this happens, write to the offending media outlet and complain. They get lazy and use the PO address rather than look to see which PD actually investigated.
Good Idea.
Now only if we could get the public to stop sayin Decatur if it isn’t in the 4.7 sq miles!
Sorry, but unless they specifically reference “City of Decatur”, they are not incorrect. There are Decatur addresses east of 285 and south of Memorial. What do you want them to call it? “Unincorporated DeKalb County with a Decatur Address to the Chagrin of ‘City of’ Resident Snobs”?
Yeah, that has a nice ring to it: UDCDACCRS or UdsCrackers.
That would suit me just fine!
I’m just glad that the Decatur Diner, if it ever opens, will at least be able to keep it’s name.
You are absolutely right.
It is kind of like responding when out of town to someone who asks “where are you from?” and you say “Atlanta” even if you live in Cobb County or Decatur.
We live near some pretty high crime areas. That’s just a fact and it does not bother me. The City of Decatur does as good a job as possible to protect us.
“Independent Nation of DeKalb County” – how about that?
Have you been receiving letters from Kenneth Parcell?[img]http://www.atlantamagazine.com/Pics/Blogs/1000656/tumblr_laoaifBnlL1qz82gvo1_500-001.jpg[/img]
Finally, someone used the new comment photo function!
Whee doggies! Look out for the 2am photos fun! :0)
i saw it and was like holy crap!
There’s a big area referred to as “Decatur” that have Decatur addresses – I don’t live in city of Decatur but still have a Decatur address. *shrug* – It’s not false advertising if it’s a Decatur address, IMO.
I recommend PINES ON SCOTT APARTMENTS, 927 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA 30030 — “really in Decatur”. The manager lives on-site and is super professional and responsive to all residents’ needs. This location is just one block east of the Clairmont-Scott intersection, so nice access to MARTA and Cliff buses, and only 1 mile walking distance to downtown Decatur. These apartments are clean and safe. The apartments are spread behind the new pricey condos just east of them, and back up to the Great Lakes neighborhood — very beautiful neighborhood and easy/safe walking. The apartments are presently being upgraded to make them even more attractive. Check them out, you won’t be sorry!!!! A great place to live, I guarantee! There are both 1 and 2-bedroom units, and both gas-electric and all-electric, so plenty of options to choose from, if they have any vacancies at this time.
There’s a nice looking house with an apt for rent right on the north side of ponce between glenn academy and Glendale avenue. Small signs in the window show it for rent.
Thanks! I’ll let her know. I think she’s looking for a small 1br / studio place
Get over it. It’s one thing if it’s in Conyers or something, but if it has a Decatur mailing address then the advertisers have every right to call it Decatur. It is up to consumers to be aware of their own parameters for where they want to live.
Anyone been to Isabella’s cafe? We went and used the 50% off scoutmob coupon. Service was GREAT and food was great too! A+!
Finally got a chance to go to Farmburger, the wife has been a few times but I still hadn’t had a chance. Went thursday and got the burger of the day, beef w/ gouda and pulled pork and housemade pickles. OMG. best burger i’ve had. the fries are really good too, as is the Abita rootbeer on DRAFT! made my night.
Yeah, Isabella’s is quite good and Farm Burger is fantastic. I hope people check out Isabella’s because it is certainly worthy.
Farm Burger is awesome but I notice the health score of 84 last week! I’ll steer clear until the score comes up a bit.
Oh, come on, an 84! There are people in the world that eat out of filthy dirt holes. An 84 is fine; you are not going to die.
I don’t know… That is up from a 72 previously… http://atlanta.digitalhealthdepartment.com/dekalb/history.cfm?id=885018
Love the food but how about not touching the improperly stored food with the dirty bare hands?
Solid “B”, yo!
What is an acceptable score? Do you take into consideration the specific criteria, or just the overall score?
The reason I ask is that I rarely look at the health scores of an establishment. Just out of curiosity, I checked out 29 Decatur restaurant scores online and noticed 12 restaurants that have similar scores to Farm Burger. (There are some big names on that list, too.) In fairness, the other 17 restaurants have scores of 90 or higher. Looking at the places I visit regularly, I frequent 6 of the 12 that scored 89 or lower, and 6 of the 17 restaurants that scored above 90.
Now that I’ve wasted 30 minutes of my life, I don’t think it changed my perception of any of those places.
I go by the pattern. There’s a restaurant across N. Decatur from Emory Commons which never scores over 90, not in years. I won’t go there. Occasional dips below 90 worry me less. As a point of reference, our elementary schools usually score 95-100. I’ve occasionally seen a DeKalb County school score as low as 80 but that’s real rare.
Hopefully you are not talking about a restaurant that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine? I’ve just (re)discovered that place and would be disappointed to learn this.
Nope.
If it’s the big restaurant in that block that has scored 86 and 84 most recently on their health score…. 6 of the marked points are from not writing a date on opened containers of food and physically lacking another sink/additional plumbing in the kitchen. Those are the only recurring marks between the two reports, which would bring them to a 90 and 92. But I see your point, the trend can be important too.
So, a sharpie and $2,000 worth of plumbing would immediately make them acceptable.
The other thing to think about is that these “grades” aren’t equivalent to academic grades for which you can only expect a few folks to score perfect mastery. A 90-92 in school is an A. But if one looks at the list of criteria by which restaurants are judged, they are concete, accomplishable tasks, not sophisticated intellectual concepts. Some food establishments consistently get 98-100%. I worry not so much about the missed task itself, e.g. posting a license in the open, but about what a consistently low score says about the establishment’s ability to adhere to a finite number of achievable health requirements. If the regulations say not to use the same cutting board for raw meat as for vegetables, then just don’t do it. An establishment that can’t is either ignorant of the regulations, not training its staff, not supervising them, or just doesn’t care.
Baaaaad flashback to working in a cafe when a “Day of” expiration date jug of milk didn’t get pulled. (Thought it was “legal” until NEXT day.) 10 point ding right there!
What would your kitchen score?
Talk, talk, talk talk talk–type, type, type type type–opine opine ooooop.
I was going to ask the same question.
Man, someone recommended a place last week on FFAF and I tried it. It was tasty and I ate there twice this week. Just checked their score. What a bummer
It’s depressing, isn’t it? I used to like the good food and good service at the six places I visit in Decatur. But now that I’ve seen their scores….well, I may have to start driving to the Highlands.
My eyes are now opened. Thanks everyone for showing me truth in these scores.
What!? Really? Stop eating, I guess.
I think PMcG was being sarcastic.
I believe it’s been brought up before, but I am looking for suggestions for an optometrist. I need to get an eye exam and a pair of glasses, and my prescription so I can order some cheap backup glasses online. I’ve gone to one in the past year, however they wouldn’t give me my complete prescription, saying it was “proprietary”, and the glasses I did order with them are not my correct prescription. They lost my business quickly.
Decatur Eye Care in Oakhurst. First-rate optometrist in Tom Brillante, plus a cool environment. They’re in the Old Scottish Rite building between McGowan’s and Solarium.
They’re out until Tuesday morning, but the number is 371-8777
Dr. Reagin on Church street is really good too.
I second Dr. Reagin on Church St. (I see Richard Reagin, one of the sons). Excellent eye care, kind, friendly and competent. Their office is a throwback to the 70s and it always makes me feel oddly nostalgic…what Decatur must have felt like a long time ago.
I have moved around a bit due to insurance issues but typically use Reagin, too. I think the prices stay low because of the extremely low overhead that must be in that shabby old house they’ve been in forever, but I believe they keep their equipment and knowledge up to date. My grandparents used Tom’s Dad, was his name Wallace? They are at the end of Church street between Ballet and Colorwheel. You can park behind the house.
I second Decatur Eye Care in Oakhurst. Was very impressed with the through eye exam I received. He and his wife are super nice.
His wife has actually DELIVERED my contacts to me. DELIVERED. FOR FREE.
Decatur Eye Care is really great. Tom and Renee are friendly and so helpful.
Question: who’s in charge of traffic lights around this joint?
The light at Sycamore Street and Commerce Drive (the one in front of the 1st United Methodist stone chapel) takes a painfully long time to change. When traveling East on Sycamore, I’ve sometimes had to shift into park, get out of my car, race over to the street corner, and hit the street crossing button to trigger the light to change. And I’ve seen others do the same.
That light has been that way for as long as I have held a driver’s license (1994).
DeKalb County traffic engineering maintains Decatur’s signals. I’m not sure they can even install a stop sign correctly.
I’ve never understood why that light’s not synced with the E.Ponce/Commerce one. It is looooong!
Dekalb Traffic Ops: (404)297-3947
They’ve always been very nice & quick to respond when I’ve called. They just have to know it’s not working. (It’d be terrific if the City Folks would encourage City workers who come across issues to call them in.)
Wow, thanks for this phone number, Deanne. I just called and talked to a friendly gentleman who’s going to investigate. Fingers crossed.
FYI–The more I go to the Blue Elephant Bookstore, the more I like it. It’s open every night but Sunday until 9 PM. From the outside, it sometimes looks like it’s closed when it’s open. But if the big OPEN sign says open, it truly is. As I get to know the staff, the wise and “more mature” crew and the earnest and younger crew, I like them more and more. They also have a book club–check out their website.
Heliotrope, near Sawicki’s, seems to be open many evenings too.And Homegrown Decatur Arts, next to Yogurt Tap, is open Monday nights to 9 PM. So Decatur has some alternatives to beer, wine, and food if one wants to go out in the evening now!
HomeGrown (across the street from Yogurt Tap), is open EVERY night until at least 9 (except Sunday). Great shop, owners are very friendly.
Power out, east side of town
It suuuucked, but it’s back on now.
How ’bout those Falcons?!
How ’bout those Thrashers?
How about Atlanta’s CURRENT championship team? The WNBA ATLANTA DREAM: 2010 EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!
Who?
The team that has been able to do more in just 3 short years in Philips Arena (2 playoff berths, coach of the year, rookie of the year, 4 All Star players, conference championship…need I go on?) than the Hawks and Thrashers combined….that’s who.
Hahaha!
Nice. Walrus got owned here, I would say.
(I like the expression but can’t quite bring myself to write ‘pwnd’)
Why do I have a feeling that if it’s not a sport that involves pushing, shoving, swearing, or girls in tiny volleyball shorts, The Walrus isn’t watching it?
What sport involves swearing?
Wally don’t get basketball–girls play it? really?
Dream on, ladies–it’s pure bball.
Golf!
Don’t forget about the Lingerie Football League! I like that one as well.
http://www.lflus.com/
¿Heh, Cuba? who’s packing the cula aquí?
Eh? You talkin’ to me? Estas cholo ahora, eh? Ya veremos, vato!
Decatur eye care is great. My prescription is in my wallet.
My husband and I went to the Square Pub on Wednesday night and it was really good. He had the fried chicken sandwich and I had the green chile burger. Delicious. (Our 1 year old son had the grilled cheese and he liked that too!) The building is really cool – it has 3 floors. We sat in the 2nd floor and looked out over the bar. The owner stopped by to say hi and ask how our meal was. He was very nice. They have a good beer list as well – I love Allagash on tap! We will for sure go there again very soon.
The Bike Decatur group met on the 2nd floor Wednesday night. Very comfortable couch and club chair seating with a coffee table, perfect for our small group to lay out and review the proposed bike suitability map (coming from Decatur Active Living early next year).
The manager and wait staff were quite cordial to us, as well.
The fried bologna sandwich is THE BOMB!
Sooo, if I’m in search for food I should avoid this place?
Now, whatcha got against a fried bologna sandwich? Man, if I could still eat one, I totally would! Perfect food to sop up a bellyful of alcohol…
Yum! I miss a good fried balogna sandwich too! Anyone know if the soy products fry up well?
You know, I’ve never tried– but that might just be my next food experiment…
Has anyone driven on Trinity between the police station and Ponce since they repaved it? The contractor did a wonderful drive, I can barely tell where the old asphalt ends and the new stuff begins. The lines are nice and crisp too. I think that’s one of my new favorite roads in the city.
Shhh, it’s one my favorite routes through town as well, when I’m not using MARTA.
BTW, how terrific has Thursday been for Decatur shops?
A few more folks out every week. Church St was almost crowded about 7:30 last night and it wasn’t bar-hoppers. It was familys carrying shopping bags. Things will really pick up after Thanksgiving.
Ok, for reals? Where are the gas stations in the City of Decatur?? I take DeKalb Avenue all the way to Atlanta every morning and there is one gas station along the way — the little Citgo on Howard across from Thinking Man. That’s a tough place to get in and out of because it’s small and the street coming in on an angle (Atlanta Ave?) always has cars zooming through. Plus the gas there always seems higher than other places around town. Are there better options near the city? Is my only other option to schlep up Scott Blvd to North Decatur?
It seems Decatur has converted all of its convenient gas stations into delicious restaurants – Leon’s Full Service, Taqueria del sol, Watershed!
QT down on Lawrenceville Hwy or the Shell on Dekalb Industrial/N. Decatur. Not in the city, but they seem to have the cheapest gas in the area.
Kroger on DeKalb Industrial. I’ve gotten in the habit of filling up when I do my weekly grocery shopping. With your Kroger card it’s ten cents cheaper per gallon, which puts it about the same price as QT. I’ve had to coast on fumes into the Citgo parking lot before; I’m glad it’s there, but I don’t get gas there unless I absolutely have to, because it is a lot more expensive.
Neighbor, Neighbor, Neighbor. Bless your heart. Haven’t you realized we don’t actually need gas stations here? Mainly because we a) walk, b)bike or c) take MARTA everywhere…
Yep. I fill up every other week at the Big Kroger.
What about the one on Columbia and Commerce? They are very nice there and there are lots of pumps.
Nice to other gas stations maybe… (Unless the easily irritated dude’s no longer there.)
Anyone have recommendations for alterations? Need to get some pants hemmed and to lazy to attempt.
Stitch and Sew in Avondale is great and affordable. I believe she charges me $8 to hem pants.
Sunny’s on Mistletoe Rd., which is that street with little houses converted into biz around the Mall. I’ve had great results on many things.
Little place in Church St. end of Suburban Plaza, the lower level. Fast, inexpensive and well done.
The Atlanta Dream are our professional womens basketball team in WNBA. They play in Phillips Arena just like the Hawks and Thrashers. If you go to Phillips, there are giant sized posters of Angel McCoughtry and Erika De Souza amidst the same rafters as Joe Johnson and Al Horford of the Hawks.
The Atlanta Dream only won 4 games as an expansion team three years ago. They got the first pick in the WNBA, Angel McCoughtry whose #35 is being retired today actually at the University of Louisville during the opening game for the Lady Cardinals vs the Tennessee Lady Vols. The WNBA Finals game was played at Phillips Arena to a sold out crowd. They lost to Seattle in the Finals. Attending that game were players from the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers, including former Falcon Coach Dan Reeves and Bobby Cox, know him? Also, for your John Smoltz fans, he’s on the Atlanta Dream male scrimmage team.
Honestly, and no sexism here, I have a list of guys that would love to be on the scrimmage team.
Dream games are a blast and are especially fun for kids. It’s a much different atmosphere than Hawks games. Tickets are fairly cheap too. If you haven’t been to a game, check one out next summer. You’ll be surprised by how fun the games are (amd how physical the players are).
If you enjoy Atlanta Dream games, you need to check out a Georgia Tech women’s basketball game. The team gives total effort from the opening tip to the final buzzer, tickets are cheap and Tech creates a fun, family-friendly game experience. The 2-time defending national champion UConn Huskies come to town on Sunday, 11/21 at 2 p.m. If you are a fan of women’s basketball, this is a game you don’t want to miss.
RE: Kroger Gas… may be old news to some, but none of my co-workers were aware that Shell stations will also give you the same gas discount with your Kroger card… Just filled up yesterday and got my 10 cent-a-gallon discount at Toco Hills Shell Station.
Thought I’d pass that along in case anyone didn’t know (like me, and for quite a long time apparently).
http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa/aboutshell/media_center/news_and_press_releases/2010/09012010_grocery.html
that’s news to me…thanks!!
I second Sunny’s Alterations on Mistletoe just next to North Dekalb Mall. I have been a customer since the mid 90’s and they do a fantastic job at reasonable prices. Sunny will also fit you in when you have something urgent and she knew me by name after I went in about twice. Now she asks about my mom and friends I have sent her way every time I go in.
Optometrist: Dr. Peter Goron with Eye Physicians & Surgeons, 1457 Scott Boulevard Decatur, GA 30030, Phone: (404) 292-2500. He is great.
Does anyone know of someone I can contact to trim branches from trees, with the winter coming I wanted to make sure the tree was ready to go, hopefully no snow?
Check out icehouse lofts if you want something funky and within walking distance of the square.
Anyone see the AJC article this week about how Progressive Redevelopment (who owns the Scottish Rite Property in Oakhurst and who is based there) is in serious financial trouble and may be about to shut down>
I wonder how this impacts the Scottish Rite property’s future? Despite the tone of the AJC story, PRI has been a good neighbor and landlord and has allowed things such as Jazz Nights, the Solarium for public use, that a new owner may not be so willing to do.
http://www.ajc.com/news/low-income-housing-developer-731247.html
I don’t believe they own the Scottish Rite property. I know they did the renovation, but I thought they were just a tenant now. So, the max downside of them collapsing would be the need to source a new tenant.
Anyone know for sure?
According to the Dekalb County property records website , Progressive Decatur LLC owns 321 W. Hill St – which is the address for the Old Scottish Rite building.
At Oakhurst Jazz Nights they always make a point of thanking PRI for letting them use the grounds.
I’m also pretty sure that I’ve heard that PRI is the Solarium’s (Community Ctr of South Decatur) landlord – for which they pay rent of like $1 per year.
I’m almost certain they still own the whole complex, with the exception of the building that Snap Fitness Center is in.
Hi Decatur Heights Neighbors!
Petitions Signing on Saturday (Nov 13)
9am-noon @ The Church at Decatur Heights
The traffic calming & safety petitions and Neighborhood Watch enrollment will be available for neighbors to sign. The petitions apply to the entire Decatur Heights map area. The Watch enrollment covers all blocks not currently participating in one. Both efforts require a high rate of participation from neighbors to meet City requirements. Walk, run, skip, skate, bike, or drive- please come on by!
Anyone know how to get someone to safely (for the tree and the user) install a rope swing on a not-very accommodating (limb-wise) tree? Names and advice would be divine. . . .
I’ll be over to swing as soon as you get that up.
I have a wonderful tree swing that an arborist installed for me using repelling rope which is strong and comfortable to the hands. The swing was a birthday present, and now my grandsons have the joy of using it. It has been up for twenty years. I’ve heard that it is less stressful to the tree to install heavy duty eye hooks which the tree heals around. My rope that touches the tree branch was encased with an old garden hose which is less desirable. Why don’t you call Arborguard or here are some from our neighborhood list serve:
Don’s tree service ( a woman) 770-413-8733
Mark Collins of Appleseed Tree Service 404-378-2774 Cell: 404-557-8699
Russell Drafton 770-3258
Andy Nix at R&R Tree and Landscaping cell: 678-618-8232 Office 678-482-9994
Good Luck and let us know when you swing ever high just like a bird in the sky.
Arbor Diva
770-298-7173
Kay Evanovich
http://www.arbordiva.com
Thanks for the suggestions!!!!
*you can always try asking David*
I’ve calmed down some so there will be no profanity in this rant…However, I am so tired of aggressive, incompetent speeding SUV drivers cutting me off in my little car. And yes, I mean YOU, the driver of the silver Jeep with the City of Decatur tag frame. Weaving through traffic on 78, cutting me off, tailgating, speeding! And all so you could hurry to your destination? The Golden Corral? Is all you can eat swill worth endangering my life and the drivers around you??
AMB,
Maybe if you would get the hell out of my way, I wouldn’t have to cut you off!
Just kidding. I drive a little Mazda and know exactly how you feel. Few things scare me as much as a Chevy Suburban’s grill dominating my rear-view mirror.
I have always found a gentle but sudden tap to the breaks, is an effective way to get someone off your tail
my best friend wired up his reverse lights to a switch, so…sometimes if someone happened to be tailgating us, he’d tap the brakes and hit the switch. ah, the priceless faces we saw as they’d come skidding to a stop. —this was always done when they didn’t have anyone behind them, we may be mean but not jerks
I once knew a guy who replaced his backup lights with high intensity bulbs and wired them to a switch. One flick of the switch caused a tailgater to back off real fast.
Just a reminder … I will stop for you when you are walking in the designated crosswalks, or with a “walk” sign, but PLEASE don’t give me the evil eye when you’re jaywalking and expect me to stop in the middle of the road for your sorry butt. I won’t hit you, but boy am I tempted ….
And shouldnt’ the law-breaking jaywalkers walk QUICKLY across the street?
I usually let cars into traffic…but not if they aren’t using their turn signals. TURN SIGNALS–use them people!!!