Free-for-All Friday 1/14/10
Decatur Metro | January 14, 2011Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here in the past week.
Comments close Monday.
Feel free to 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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Any ideas how the restaurants in Decatur fared this week? I would imagine they did fairly well as long as fully stocked.
Dancing Goats and Java Monkey were packed!
Monday was drive in the snow day and dinner at a friends house.
Tuesday, Iberian Pig offered a really good tomato soup and grilled cheese one night. We sampled the tapas too and had a great time. They were busy, but not slammed.
Wednesday, Square Pub was closed (no trivia), but Cafe Lily offered a free drink to those who ventured out. We had a group of five, most other tables were couples. Thanks to them for offering such great food and hospitality on a cold night.
Thursday, all the crazy drivers were out so we stayed away from them.
Tonight….back to normal.
The U Joint must have done some of their best business of the year. We were there twice this week. The first time they were the only ones open, and the second they had company. Both times they were PACKED.
Looking to buy a sleeper sofa this weekend (love seat size). Any ideas on where to get a good deal? Must offer delivery.
Ikea and The Dump, neither in Decatur, often offer great deals. Unless you want to try thrift stores, eBay, or the like. Everything is on sale this month.
How is the Dump? Have you been?
We have had really good experiences with Haverty’s. Good furniture, it lasts. A friend who is ‘in the business’ thought The Dump was pricey. I don’t shop for furniture that often, so I don’t know.
Went to The Dump once. it was overwhelming. Inventory changes all the time – everything was really oversized when we went – which would not fit in our house (taste or size-wise). Not sure if I will go back. Have heard you can get good deals on rugs.
Got a fabulous rug at the Dump for a steal.
Love much of the shabby-chic furniture at the Dump but it is very pricey. You can get some unique pieces there if you’re willing to pay.
Haverty’s (I am starting to sound like a broken record). They are having a sale this weekend.
Americana Furniture on Lawrenceville Highway in Tucker.
I’ve had good experiences with JC Penny. They run a lot of sales, and the pieces I’ve purchased (two leather sofas) have held up quite well. I believe they’re generally cheaper than Haverty’s and the delivery service was quite good.
I was on this exact same quest last weekend. I was looking for a comfortable queen-sized sofa bed that wouldn’t break the bank. And when I say comfortable, I’m talking something comfortable enough to put a couple of retirees on for a week, so pretty darned comfy.
I went to the Dump (I’d found a great rug there before): oversized items, not great deals and the sofa beds were NOT comfortable.
I went to Ikea: found a comfy sofa bed, but it was only a double-size and many of the sofa beds there require you to lie in them length-wise, which wouldn’t be good for my 6’4″ dad or my 5’10” step-mom.
I went to Rooms to Go because I had read that they had “upgraded” mattresses on many of their sofa beds. Their prices were good, quality not so good, but since this is going into our carriage house apartment, I’m not too concerned. However, the upgraded mattress didn’t seem to make much of a difference to the comfort level.
So because I’m under a deadline, I’m shifting gears and putting an actual queen-sized bed up there because I can do that a lot cheaper than the $2K that it would take me to buy a nice, comfortable sofa bed.
I hope you have better luck – let us know what you end up with!
Interesting.. I’m actually more concerned about its comfort as a sofa because it will get far more use as such. Will be used as a bed maybe 2-3 times a year for short visits. Can’t do bigger than full sized. Will probably get a mattress pad to help with comfort. I think I will look at Haverty’s, JC Penney, and La-z-Boy. Hopefully I will find something acceptable at one of those for under a thousand. Thanks for all the tips.
We got a nice sleeper sofa for a reasonable price at Ashley Furniture, and I think they deliver.
Am I the only one who has not had any mail delivery all week?
Monday was the only day we did not get mail delivery this week. We live on 2nd Avenue in Oakhurst. Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night … (almost)
Maybe nothing was sent to you.
Wow, Sharron, I didn’t get any mail until yesterday and I only live four houses away from you.
Lisa, that’s odd – maybe the truck turned at Beatty St. and only did the upper end of 2nd.
If the truck turned onto Beatty, that would theoretically be to come up to Madison, and we didn’t get any mail until Thursday.
I agree with Lisa that this is weird since we are 4 (?) Houses in the opposite direction and didn’t get mail until yesterday either. And yesterday did not seem like 4 days worth of mail. Maybe the USPS likes you better
So maybe our first day was Wednesday instead of Tuesday but I know we’ve had mail at least since Wednesday. Watched the truck come by. Not sure why my house and not the others on my street. Maybe you didn’t have any until Thursday.
You are not alone. No mail and no AJC delivery this week. I blame the the hills in the condo complex where I live-I don’t think deliverers even tried….
We got mail and AJC yesterday for the first time this week. I also saw the UPS and Fed Ex guys delivering on our street. I live in the neighborhood bounded by Adair St., West Howard and Commerce.
We got delivery on Tuesday and Thursday.
And today.
recvd mail yesterday for the first time all week.
We got mail on Wed and Thurs, and I was shocked to see our AJC on our walk this morning. We live off of Adair.
In Oakhurst, and we got mail starting on Wednesday.
So, for those of you with Thursday trash pick-up, did they actually come? I’m Friday, and I put my trash and recycling out last night. Our street looks pretty safe to drive on, so I don’t think they could boycott us based on that. However, I’m a little nervous because it seems the majority of my neighbors didn’t even bother putting their trash out this week.
We’re on the regular Monday schedule but they came yesterday and picked up.
We are on Monday pick up, too, and they came yesterday (Thursday). Mine had been stuck on the curb since Sunday night- I could not move some of the bags that were not in the can because they started ripping, and the large bin wouldn’t budge. So appreciative of the Sanitation Dept.’s efforts to come get it.
Our trash was picked up yesterday, but I never saw the recycling truck come. I didn’t get our bins to the curb so I can’t confirm that it did or didn’t.
I haven’t seen the recyclers on any routes this week. Their facility may be close so they have no place to dump the truck.
We had both trash and recycling come today (for Friday service). Thank goodness!
Same here, most people did not put trash out. I too was skeptical yesterday as my street was (and is) still a mess, but I put it out just in case, and it was actually picked up.
I got a recycling pick up along with a road report on Thursday, from a great young man who was riding the back, stopped the truck for me when he saw me, and helped me bring out the bins.
Kudos!
Is the city really picking up trash on Monday the 17th even though it’s a holiday?
No, Monday trash will be Tuesday per the previous schedule and their notice this week.
no mail this week yet in Lenox place.
i’m on adair and i’ve had mail delivery since wednesday.
maybe its just us suckers on melrose then, it hasnt been that bad on this street either!
Does anyone have a recommendation for an allergist or ENT to do a full allergy panel?
i had great success with ENT of Georgia…they have offices by dekalb medical center
Piedmont ENT and Related Allergy – we go to Dr. Chin. They only test for environmental related allergies, not food.
Other than pizza places, what restaurants deliver to Decatur? Also, looking for good Chinese food delivery other than Golden Buddha.
Las Brasas and Tava are a couple of my go-tos.
I have a friend who loooooves Pyng Ho for Chinese delivery. I think that Siam Thai is super delicious and they deliver. I ordered once from Mint2 and like their food but had to wait around 90 minutes for it to get here. You can always check out zifty.com if you are desperate, they are very expensive and some of the menus are limited. Anyone else want to chime in on good delivery?
I have done Zifty a few times when I was uber desperate. Not impressed.
We have been using Mint2 for a while now and they usually deliver within the 40 to 50 timeframe they quote when we order. We used to use Siam Thai but had a very bad experience once with a delivery that took 2.5h coupled with a bad attitude and lies during repeated phone calls – after almost 2h we gave up and ordered pizza which arrived before Siam. So we stopped using them but friends still swear by them.
IMO Golden Buddha is a step up from Pyng Ho.
We like http://www.campusfood.com
Mediterranean Grill has delivered to us in the past, not sure if they’ll deliver today. You said you didn’t want pizza, but Avelino’s delivers, and they have salads and calzones, and are much better than most pizza offerings in the area.
Thanks! Always looking for new pizza delivery – just found out at Johnny’s delivers. Nice to be able to get something other than Dominoes.
So does Mojo
Avellino’s has to be the best pizza for delivery in Decatur.
Siam, Thai restaurant on the Square, delivers. Mmm…that’s got me thinking about their Panang Snapper…
Pyng Ho. Love them.
Know you said no pizza but I just got delivery from Savage – Avondale, their veggie lasagne is wonderful!
You can also check campusfood.com. I’ve used them a few times for non-pizza delivery.
Here has been my thinking:
4th of July – wow stopping by a diner would have been awesome after the fireworks
Labor Day – A diner should would clean up with the book festival happening
Thanksgiving Weekend – wouldn’t it be great to meet up with old friends after family time at a diner
Christmas Weekend – to have a place, like a diner, to settle in after shopping would be great and after all that family time
New Years Eve/Day – Boy going to a diner after celebrating New Years would be great or waking up to 2011 by rolling into a diner would be a great way to start the new year
Snow Week – wouldn’t getting out of the house and into a 24/7 diner the exact prescription for being stuck at home.
Is there a diner around here that could fulfill that?????
I have had almost the exact same thoughts, plus add in all the times when I’ve thought “Man, I sure would like an omelet and pancakes for dinner tonight, wish that Diner was open.”
Coming up on the Arts Fest, will it be open by then????
Waffle House?
Don’t have pancakes, and not walking distance for me.
People, we all need to focus our energy on the Falcons WIN tomorrow!
RISE UP!!! GOOOOOOO FALCONS!!!
Well…. Falcons didn’t rise up. What a shame. Love ‘em & loved this season!
Warm weather topic– are full size Bocce courts around here? Is there any potential for the City to build into one of the park rehabs? Fun game for all ages, I’d love to play w/out being at the mercy of a restaurant (though if that is the only option, I’d gladly support the restaurant & play!).
The court at Leon’s is there for play, in my opinion. We have stopped and rolled a game when passing by. It usually provides entertainment for outside guests, at least, and sometimes inspires questions/participation from those guests. Good all around…
They installed new bocce courts in Piedmont Park recently over by Magnolia Hall
ormsbys has a few over off Howell mill is west midtown.
Ya know, I have to say, this has been THE perfect storm. I loved every minute of it. Kids had fun, we had power and food…all so beautiful. I’m thinking it was a once in a decade or more event, but who knows. Just so glad most everyone seemed to have power during this event.
I’m with you, Sarah…I LOVED being icebound…! I still have no real interest in driving around looking for icy hills to slide up or down…
I agree this has been a perfect storm. Was very prepared. Neighbors bought my child 2 sleds, had plenty of milk and cocoa. All utilities stayed on. Got to meet some neighbors. Lots of laughs and snow fun. Sold some Girl Scout cookies. Caught up on everything and almost have my decorations put away!
Kudos to our trash being picked up and our mail being delivered.
Girl Scout cookies?? Perchance delicious coconutty chocolate confections? Where are you? I am coming over.
Hey Nellie – not to steal any sales from the Girl Scouts (I have purchased more cookies this year than before), but if you get a craving for their cookies during non-cookie time, head over to Family Dollar in Suburban Plaza. They sell Heavenly Reward brand cookies – made in the same place as the Girl Scout cookies and cheaper! Their fudge covered caramel coconut is equivalent to the samoa.
I really wish I hadn’t read that post. Cheap Samoas= dangerous.
Nubbs got me last time around! Cheap thin mints? SOOOOO GOOOOD!!!
(I’ve also placed my Girl Scouts cookies order. :0)
Thanks to the last three posts for not joining all the whiners!
Are there any groups in Decatur that get together to make cards and other paper crafts? I’m not looking for a class, just something informal.
If you hear of anything post it here. I try to get some done in my itty bitty craft nook, but I’d like to be more social and crafty at the same time!
Thanks to all the dog owners who didn’t clean up the giant piles of poop in front of Sycamore Square during the Snowpocalypse.
If you were conducting a scientific experiment that animal excrement magically vaporizes into a parallel dimension when the ambient temperature falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, consider this hypothesis conclusively unproved.
Just wanted to give a big thank you to the Decatur policewoman who gave me a ride 1AM Monday Morning from the Avondale Marta Station!. It was fun to be in the back of a police cruiser.
I had another friend who was given a ride to MARTA by the Agnes Scott Police after being seen walking. Just make sure that when you get in the back of the cruiser they’ll let you out LOL.
BTW, if you attend the Citizen’s Public Safety Academy, you get to ride in the front.
DeKalb County sanitation is making trash pick ups today.
I saw them coming down the street and had to hurry and take my trash out for them.
Wow, the mail was running yesterday and the trash today…things are getting back to normal!
Anyone else go to the Walkmen show at Variety Playhouse last night? There was kind of an odd Decatur shout-out at one point.
We were there! What did they say…. that they heard people from Decatur were condescending? Not so! But they did say they liked it. Fantastic show last night. We’ve seen them 3 times so far. Your thoughts?
Also… I’m really curious as to where they went in Decatur!
Anyone know what’s happening at the East Dougherty/South Candler intersection next to Agnes Scott? For the last couple hours, there have been five DPD cars with lights flashing parked there, and what looks like a maroon Chrysler with its trunk open.
If you hang on the edges of the scene long enough, you can probably eavesdrop enough to find out then report back here to me! PLEASE!
Sure sounds like a drug stop to me. Any K9 units around? Are all the cars DPD and not DeKalb or other? Are they all white or are there block ones also?
White cars, so I’m pretty sure all five were DPD.
Nellie, I’m afraid I’ll slip on the ice if I stand there and rubberneck.
No snow shoes? Drat!
There were there just before 11.30am – made me think that now the snow is melting crime is possibly starting up again. i think they were all City of Decatur cars but not sure.
Lost sled – sentimental value
My kids and about a dozen of their closest friends took my Dad’s sled out to the cemetery on Monday and managed to come home without it.
If anyone has adopted this well loved, but seemingly abandoned beauty, we’d really love to have her back. Please email me at .
I’m watching a team of workers clear the melting ice at Oakhurst Elementary. They have been working on shoveling the melting ice for a few hours. Last time I checked, school was not set to open til next Tuesday and temps are above freezing. Of the workers, most are standing around watching one man drive snow plow.
Is it me or is this just a complete waste of money?
Maybe I’m missing something, but it feels like we are getting ripped off a bit.
Actually, someone in the neighborhood responded that they believe this is a group of volunteers (parents) rather than government hired contractors….makes me feel a lot better!!
I talked to the owner of Ale Yeah last night. He is working with the city to get approval to sell growlers.
Because of our little discussion or separately?
Separately. He didn’t seem to know anything about the topic being discussed here.
Oh, there was an article in the Times yesterday mentioning growlers at Duane Reade (of all places): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/business/14beer.html
Whee! Growlers! But I’m bummed – there was a DM discussion??? Rats, missed it.
I did post a while back on a Friday about getting growlers at Thanksgiving in the little supermarket on Folly Beach. They did shrink wrap on the cap so it was “sealed” and said that was how they were meeting SC law. Seems like there was an NPR mention this week (today?) of growlers at drug stores – duane reade perhaps?
i have to say this is the first afternoon of many that i haven’t feverishly checked dm and csd website for the question “will we have school tomorrow?”….it feels pretty darn good!
Urban Pie in Kirkwood delivers to Oakhurst and Avondale Pizza Cafe has a 3 mile delivery radius.
Have to add my voice to those that thought this was a perfect storm. We had food, wine, and a fireplace. And, thankfully, power. What more do you need?
Not a thing!
Want to give a shout out to Decatur Docs– hubby and I went last Saturday and it was great. Very interesting film (tagged in lots of national press), fabulous discussion opportunity at the end with the director and doc subject, high school auditorium was very nice. I was surprised at the thin crowd- movie night in Decatur, people! The next show is a week from today, and the doc is about To Kill A Mockingbird. I’m hoping for a much bigger crowd, so we can continue to support events like this.
Thanks for the info, I plan on attending next Saturday.
I too loved the suspended animation of the storm. Reconnecting, relaxing and rejoicing in the beauty.
Why was Farmburger so crowded last night around 7:30 PM on a Monday night?