Free-For-All Friday 1/28/11
Decatur Metro | January 28, 2011Feel free to use this post to ask questions and make comments about local issues not discussed here in the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
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Latest from Decaturish
RE: Decatur Diner
Don’t know if this have been mentioned yet, but the Decatur Diner has taken down all of the small neon signs that read “BURGERS”, GYROS”, “24 HOURS”, etc. They even remove the Decatur Diner window decals from all their windows. Does anyone know anything about that? Seems very strange.
Didn’t they just have a ad in the paper for staff? I think I saw it on here. Strange.
I thought I heard once that you can only post your store name twice – like on a window and on the awning. if that is true, the Decatur Diner decal in every window was out of compliance – however I may have made that guideline up. That also does not explain the neon signs disappearing.
Chapter 78 of the municipal code lays out the considerable regulations on signage.
http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=12110&stateId=10&stateName=Georgia
It was explained to me by someone with knowledge (but not a city employee, so I’m not totally sure on this) that these regs do not apply to things on the inside of a business. As such, decals adhered to the inside window are not regulated, even if the decals face outside.
That may have been the problem then. The decals were on the outside, because I saw the guy scraping them off yesterday.
I’m guessing they’ve been following all the DM chatter and decided there’s too much negativity in Decatur. Alpharetta Diner plans are in the works as we speak. Or maybe Cumming. But even for Friday, the jokes are way too easy to go there…
EXCITING NEWS!
The February 2011 Decatur Dispatch, Page 25, under “Shades of Decatur” features a photo of the Decatur Diner manager, Harry Orfandoudakis.
“Harry Orfandoudakis, manager of Decatur Diner, says the restaurant serves real home cooking 25 hours a day, seven days a week.. Decatur Diner is located at 205 E. Ponce De Leon Ave. at the corner of Church St. in Decatur.”
I didn’t know they finally opened, I can’t wait to go there after work tonight!
oops. 24 hours not 25 hours. My bad on the typo.
Any news on the Dollar General – Oakhurst situation. Also wasn’t that church supposed to open? Just wondering if anyone knows the latest on both situations.
Scuttlebutt on the street is that the Dollar General is totally on go (I saw a truck doing cleanout today). More unsubstantiated scuttlebutt on the street is that Bruce is amused by the stir that his latest money maker has caused, and it has made him more bound and determined to go forward with Dollar General b/c he thinks Decaturites are mean to him.
Someone should do an GAORA request to the city to see what sorts of applications have been filed (if any) for that location. Then we could at least confirm the first scuttlebutt.
‘Scuttlebutt on the street’ that’s fun to say…
After dining at Napoleon’s in Oak Grove recently, I noticed a Dollar General had opened in the same shopping center. Amazingly, the world continued to exist there.
It looks like Dollar General and Vision Properties have begun readying the site:
http://www.decaturmetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Big-H-vandalized.jpg
The property owner did get that graffiti cleaned up reasonably quickly (within a couple of days) – no?
Does anyone know how to get the Dekalb newspaper to stop throwing their unwanted paper in my yard every week? I did call and was told that they couldn’t stop delivery for one house. I’m lazy and they are piling up. LOL Really it’s just wasteful, I noticed most of my neighbors leave theirs on the curb till trash day.
I noticed that no one responded to your question. I would also like to know how to get that paper to stop. Would they quit delivering if my whole block or street ask them to skip us? Most of my neighbors also seem to leave the papers on their walks for a while. Mine usually goes straight into the recycling bin. I’ve tried to read it over the years every now and again, but it just doesn’t appeal to me for some reason.
I’ve call dibbs on the “decatur diner” memorabilia if it goes up for auction
I think I need a t-shirt that says Decatur Diner on it … whether they eventually open or not.
We could have a Decatur Diner Festival
Is the left lane on westbound W. Howard Avenue at Atlanta Avenue a left turn only lane?
No. Thru traffic also.
Has anyone been following the DUI arrest and story of DeKalb Solicitor that owns Karvanna?
Oh do tell! Were they over the limit for dark roast?
Noooo please don’t go there.
I will. I see no need to treat him with kid gloves just because he owns the local coffee shop. Drunk driving kills many more people every year than murders or crime or anything else we talk about on here, not to mention the allegation that he got favorable treatment from the police due to his position as an assistant solicitor.
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-solicitor-charged-with-814397.html
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/police-alleged-drunk-solicitor-815599.html
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/police-investigating-officer-for-816294.html
I also wonder how someone who has a well known reputation as a “marijuana defender” gets a position like that anyway.
I agree Marshall.
Just above this post we have someone speculating and speaking unkindly about another local business owner, Bruce, yet nobody has a problem with that. But you bring facts and a news story about Mr. Getz to the discussion and, due to him being a likeable guy, people “don’t want to go there”.
can’t have it both ways.
One could be considered a mistake: a terrible, wrong and potentially tragic mistake perhaps. But the other, a long track record of animosity toward the community, is intentional.
Help me understand the animosity.
Regardless of how he got the position, if he’s convicted, it’s very doubtful he’ll be allowed to keep it. You cannot represent the Solicitor’s office if you have a DUI conviction, since that’s the agency that prosecutes those offenses. (At least, that’s how it was 14 years ago when I clerked there– I’d be surprised if that’s changed.)
He’ll most likely keep his license, though, so he’ll have a chance to redeem himself elsewhere in the profession. A stupid thing to have done, but humans do stupid things, so I hope he can get his head straight and start over once he’s completed his sentence. I’m just glad that he didn’t hurt himself or someone else while he was DDing.
So if you believe pot should be legal, you shouldn’t be allowed to become a solicitor?
Let’s not pile on Wystan right now. However, if anyone would like to pile on former DeKalb Solicitor Robert James, I’ll be happy to join in. After dealing with that office over the past few years, I’m not surprised in the least to see the problems they are now having. I feel bad for Sherry Boston who now has to clean up the mess. And I’d feel bad for all of DeKalb County, who now has Mr. James as its District Attorney but, hey, it’s DeKalb, we are used to incompetence and corruption.
Sorry, the other problem I meant to reference can be read about here:
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/gbi-looks-at-dekalb-818167.html
The investigator involved worked for the Solicitor’s office. Much ridiculousness has been going on over there. I deal with Solicitors offices all over the Metro area and actually stopped taking DeKalb cases last year because I couldn’t deal with them anymore. Hopefully there will be a good spring cleaning there with a new boss coming in.
Come on— somebody update us on Burnt Fork!!!
I’m imagining a perfect day sometime soon with lunch at BFB, then burning off with a group ride from Tri Your Best.
My own update– my hubby just called and learned that the soft opening is 11AM TOMORROW (Saturday) with limited menu!!
Woo Hoo!
Can anyone recommend a basic First Aid course? Local is better.
like CPR? I think I saw an upcoming class advertised at the Decatur-DeKalb YMCA.
The Decatur Fire Department does this sometimes – check with them.
Not CPR, thanks. I have all that stuff but the folks who teach me CPR, and the bigger stuff, do not also teach basic first aid – like stings, minor injuries, etc. Trying to improve the skills I’m actually more likely to use!
Oh, and speaking of CPR, are there any AEDs around town? We get great, quick, fire/rescue response but every minute counts in heart emergencies.
Red Cross teaches several levels of First Aid, although I think all of them include Adult CPR. I just finished a three-day Wilderness First Aid/CPR course offered through the Scouts but taught by a Red Cross staffer. Very well done, and I’m pretty sure they offer it to the general public. Contact the Red Cross over on Monroe Drive.
Can anyone recommend a good tailor? I was kinda wondering how the one by suburban lanes is. Need to have a pair of pants altered.
That’s Mr. & Mrs. Kim. She does good alterations work. I also take my watches there for battery replacement.
Thanks for mentioning this — I’ve been needing to replace the battery on my watch.
Worthmore also changes watch batteries.
I’ve been happy with M & N Alterations–the one near Willy’s on N. Decatur and Clairemont.
Me too. If you use them just keep in mind they’re cash only.
Anyone else notice a significant uptick in traffic along both Dekalb Ave and North Ave going towards downtown in the AM? The past two weeks have seemed brutal, but then again that might just be a side-effect of switching from regular to half-caf.
I noticed a general increase in traffic everywhere after the ice storm. My theory, which is probably wrong, is that some traffic lights went out during the storm, and the timing is now out of whack in the entire area, resulting in backups.
Spring semester started at Tech & GSU.
I’d welcome thoughts on local summer day camps for the 5 year old set. Any recommendations? Some camps are already enrolling kids; others don’t have their information out yet. But I feel like I need some sort of camp game plan!
A week or two at Circus Camp at Friends School of Atlanta on Columbia is always a blast. Google “Circus Camp Decatur” to get information. Friends School also has short term art and science camp. Find out also if the Carlos Museum still does a camp. My sone loved it, but he was about 9 then.
If you child attends CSD schools, the Decatur Rec camps are always full of CSD kids so you can count on your child knowing other kids there. Plus they are warm, friendly camps, especially good for young ones. Zoo Camp is a fun “specialty” camp although a bit inconvenient.
Dec Rec usually has camps for ages all the way down to 4. Last year we had a little trouble with those camps being undersubscribed and then being cancelled. But my son, who was 4 last year, really enjoyed zoo camp at Zoo Atlanta.
Oh and Atlanta Gymnastics Center has real popular, competively priced, working parent-friendly camps too, even if your child doesn’t do gymnastics during the school year. However, once the kids get over age 5 or 6, there’s not too many boys (but I think they still like it).
I swear we’ve done every camp in the area (except maybe Emory computer camp…) and my boys’ favorite by far is Paideia. Everyone I tell about it is surprised at the price. (Cheaper than others in Decatur.) Great staff and a variety of activities.
We had an excellent experience last year in the McKoy Park camp run by Dec Rec – great staff & good activities. They do go to the pool everyday which concerned me. But several friends reported to me on how well the supervision was for camp kids. My kid had a blast.
Plug: The Phoenix School Summer Camp…. full day schedule from 7 am – 6:30 pm, ages 4-7, swimming lessons twice a week, weekly field trips, home-style meals, focus on state history and geography, great teachers, $850 for 4 wk session (june), $1600 for 8 wk session (june/july), add’l weeks are available. 404-687-9010 or http://www.thephoenixschool.com.
Holy Trinity on East Ponce also has great summer camps.
http://holytrinitypreschool.org/
Hmm. I just looked at the Active Living site for summer programs at the rec center and the information appears out of date…they’re referencing changes from 2008!
Any ideas on where to look for more current information?
Too early. Decatur Rec camp sign-up starts in March usually. Luckily, there’s usually room in most sessions except perhaps a couple of the CSD-taught half-day camps, e.g. Technology and Spanish.
The Decatur Playbook (Winter edition) is online:
http://www.decaturga.com/client_resources/playbook-2011-no1sm.pdf
The next issue of Playbook (Mar/Apr) will have the 2011 camp schedule.
The 2010 Summer Camp version is here and should give an idea of the programs/camps offered and cost parameters:
http://www.decaturga.com/client_resources/cgs/citysvcs/rec/playbook2010/playbook_summer_2010_3sm.pdf
My kids attended many camps over many years and had a blast.
Where can I find locally produced honey? And by local, I mean very local, as in within miles.
I would try these nice people http://www.metroatlantabeekeepers.org/
How many miles? There’s a guy from Hidden Springs Farm in Williamson (I think) that brings honey to the Decatur Farmers Market on Wednesdays. I’m not sure if that’s local enough for you, but it’s really really good stuff. He always has tasting samples out so it’s worth swinging by.
Sounds good. BTW, according to Google, Williamson is about 50 miles away. I’d still like to find something more local.
Brianc-
Are you doing the “build up resistance to allergies” thing? I’ve always meant to try it.
Oakhurst Community Garden has an Intro to Beekeeping class tomorrow. Worth checking with the instructor. http://oakhurstga.org/?p=393#more-393
I’m tired. A better link: http://oakhurstgarden.org/
I’m glad you posted this – I’d been looking for a class and this is perfect!
Send up a smoke signal when the honey’s ready to buy!
Thinking about it. Plus, I’d just like to support a local beekeeper.
There is a billboard I have seen (or used to see) on Dekalb Ave near the mural, advertising a bee rescue (!) group in Kirkwood. I bet they know.
Any recommendations on a gutter replacement company? The old homestead is due for another repair. Sigh.
Had a very good experience a few months ago with Atlanta Gutter Experts. Christian, the owner/operator, was a pleasure to deal with. Did an excellent job
I was thinking about trying out Farmstead 303 this weekend – any reviews?
FYI if you go to Farmstead 303 on Monday, part of your check goes to supporting the “Farm to School” project In Decatur schools. Farm Burger, Iberian Pig, Watershed, Cakes & Ale, Brick Store Pub, Leon’s Full Service, Universal Joint, and Steinbeck’s Ale House are also participating.
“The 2010 Farm to School Dine Out was a huge success and raised over $3,000 to help put healthy foods in the City Schools of Decatur. The funds were used to purchase kitchen equipment for the employees to make some food items from scratch and helped to fund teacher training and school gardens”
I went to farmstead in the summer and absolutely loved it, I decided it was the best restaurant with Decatur (completely flawless in every way). I saw on here that the service could be a bit slow, but we didn’t experience that at all…. Then I went again recently on a Sunday lunch time, and it was a bit of a disaster. The service was extremely slow, and they messed up my friend’s order, and my other friend said the fried chicken was too salty to eat. We tried to get the kids cupcakes for dessert to cheer them up after all the delays etc, but they were completely out
Hope it was a one-off bad day, or a one-off bad server or something…..
I think the restaurant is mediocre. I’ve been twice — once for breakfast and once for dinner. The dishes are frequently over-salted. The veggies are often over-cooked. The mac-and-cheese is good. I am a vegetarian, and most of the veggies are meat- and broth-free! My meat-eating companions have enjoyed the pork chop and fried chicken. Overall, the food and service seem to be hit or miss. Wear a heavy sweater if it’s a cold day — it’s chilly in the main dining room.
If you have Scoutmob, or a friend with it, be sure to use your 50% off coupon.
I tried my first pint of Wild Heaven beer there. It was very tasty — but I don’t like paying $6 a pint.
” I’ve been twice — once for breakfast and once for dinner. The dishes are frequently over-salted. The veggies are often over-cooked.”
This doesn’t make sense to me. How can two meals’ worth of food = saying the dishes are frequently oversalted & the veggies are often overcooked?
Any recommendations for an orthopedic practice in the Decatur-Emory area to address a back pain issue? It may be a disc, or arthritis, or both, but whatever it is my toddler is making it worse!
Try Drs. Branch and Karsch at University Orthopaedic – office on Sycamore right across the street from the Decatur Medical Complex. I’ve been there for several issues (not back, so can’t speak directly to that). They have an associated physical therapy practice in the same location. Website at http://www.universityortho.4udr.com. They are team doctors/consultants for a number of the local school or league teams.
Tom Branch is a knee/ leg specialist. Did my acl in ’93. I suspect his partner is a sports specialist as well.
Rusty Rodts worksout of Emory Midtown. He is the back specalist that almost all the doctors in the emory system go to after asking around. He is a neurosurgeon that specializes in low back issues. He is a straight shooter and a gentleman.
Consider acupuncture & yoga too. An ex of mine who’d had lower back surgery ( that didn’t clear up the pain) found tremendous relief using both.
(Draping over one of those big exercise balls is GREAT for stretching out the muscles you don’t realize you’re tightening up in your neck, back, etc.)
Thanks for the recommendations and info! I’ve been doing Pilates and stretching for a while and it really does help. Unfortunately, I think I am getting to the limits of the self-help options and it may be time to see what’s really going on in there.
Lost Sled Recovered
I’ve been in and out of town over the last couple of weeks and haven’t properly thanked the Decatur Metro community and Meg Rosselot specifically for helping to find our wayward sled. I’m very proud to live among such wonderful neighbors.
Thank y’all. You rock.
good news, dude.
Fantastic news! Now we need a photo & a recap of the sled’s exciting adventure!
Yay….just received an email from the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association about one of my favorite events:
“Please come join your neighbors and bring lots of friends to the 10th Annual
Oakhurst Wine Crawl on Feb. 26th from 4-7pm. The Furbus will be back in service
again for the exciting trip to our businesses on College Ave. Tickets will go
on sale Tuesday Feb. 2, 2011 at the Universal Joint, Karvarna, and Steinbeck’s.
Tickets in advance will be $25 and day of sales will be $30. Limited number of
tickets available. Remember all proceeds go to the Oakhurst Neighborhood
Association and our community!”
Any recommendations for a reasonable painter? We need someone who can do interior walls and kitchen cabinets without costing a fortune. Thanks!
Jeff Wilcox at 404-822-7884. I’ve used him several times for interior painting work and have been extremely pleased every time. Great work and reasonably priced.
I don’t know a painter, but if you need a good, reliable pet-friendly house cleaner, try Pat Felty 404-822-8043
Thanks! We visited the Kims for the pants but also got watch batteries done.
Two more Dekalb sewage spills to go along with the “more than 800 in past five years” reported by AJC.
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-reports-two-more-818935.html
Eeeww.
What ever happened to the Jimmy Johns Sandwich place where Tastings used to be?
The daughter of someone in our office is currently training to be a JJ Decatur driver. Supposed to open in 2 months. But I haven’t seen any activity at Tastings. Hmmm?
I followed up on it a few weeks back and was told that it was still a “go”, though there had been a few hurdles. However, I still haven’t seen any progress with the space, so who knows.
Do you have a recommendation for someone who can do a quick and substantial ceiling repair? By substantial I mean the whole ceiling in the guest room collapsed. It is quite the mess.
In case some CSD families don’t know, a school board member announced that Dr. Edwards’ daughter was in a serious automobile accident a little while ago and will have a long recovery. Just mentioning in case anyone wants to send a word of sympathy and encouragement. Despite our occasional differences over school issues, we’re all human beings here in Decatur with joys and concerns and needs for support. Everyone needs the respect, empathy, support, and encouragement of the community sometimes.
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