Free-For-All Friday
Decatur Metro | June 24, 2011Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.
Comments close Monday.
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Latest from Decaturish
Ethiopian Art Exhibition in Oakhurst this Saturday
The Hanatzeb Ethiopian traveling art exhibition will be on display at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 25th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Works featured are by Eskinder Seyoum, Tesfaye Negusse, Yosef Berta, Muluken Asfaw, Teklemariam Zewde, Seyoum Ayalew, Aklilu Tadesse and Ayele Assefa. For more information, contact Oakhurst Presbyterian Church at 404-378-6284.
To whom it may concern: I hope your yard sale went well. Now, please be courteous and take down your signs.
+1
I’m curious about the whole Decatur 4th of July routine – can those who have been give me a run down (i.e. should I even bother going to the square? If so, at what time do people go? Bring chairs, food, drink? So many questions!)??
West Ponce is where it’s at for the fireworks. The church on the corner of Nelson Ferry and W. Ponce has baked goodies, perfect viewing for fireworks, etc. It seems like about 2000 people gather there…
my opinion of course – absolutely go. my kids love it. get there early (around dinnertime) with full picnic needs or buy takeout from a place on the square. get a spot closer to the mist fountain and away from the trees behind the courthouse to have a goods view (fireworks shot from behind the MARTA station on the parking deck i think). cant here the music from the bandstand very well but you can always walk closer to listen. you’ll be there for awhile as it doesn’t get dark til 9ish (i.e. bring plenty of wine).
if you don’t want to do the whole thing and only want to see the fireworks, i think a good place is from the deck of the old train depot (now RAIL restaurant). thats a high ground with a good view and less traffic to deal with getting out.
Luckily I live very near to the square and neighbors say we can see quite well from the end of the street but part of me wants to walk over to the square and set up camp – – I’d hate to miss out on the sounds, people watching and sense of community.
There’s also a homegrown, cute, friendly, inclusive Fourth of July parade around 6 PM that leaves from First Baptist’s Clairemont entrance and then does a huge circle on Commerce (west) to Ponce to Commerce (south) to the back of the Square. It’s fun to watch and wave or fun to be in. Lots of walkers and cyclists bedecked in red, white, and blue, plus some police and fire vehicles, and some homegrown floats (not many), and a smattering of politicians in cars–mostly local obscure ones for offices you never heard of!
The lush grass field at the corner of McDonough and College, next to Agnes Scott, is a perfect spot for the fireworks. Hundreds of people go there to picnic and hang out, so get there somewhat early, pack a cooler and food/snacks, and bring chairs and blankets.
If you want a better show of fireworks, go downtown to Centennial Park or go out to Lenox
Mall. Both locations are easily accessible via MARTA. If you get a table or place to stand in the Sun Dial restaurant/lounge area (on top of the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel), you can see ALL the fireworks in every direction as the top of the hotel slowly rotates. I went to “the Decatur fireworks show” one time, and one time only. Expensive (no doubt), but dull and boring. I was with a Chinese family at that one, and I noticed they kept looking at each other but politely not commenting on the “fireworks”…
How is our fireworks show “expensive”?
The City has to pay for the fireworks and for somebody licensed to fire them off. There are probably also extra insurance expenses, traffic management, and such. I’m sure it’s not cheap, but believe it’s one of the whoop-di-dos Decatur puts on that is mainly for us (as opposed to attracting folks from elsewhere to come visit and spend money — which has its place, don’t get me wrong). I don’t always go, but I love that we have it.
Aren’t most of those expenses paid by the Decatur Business Association with funds from the beer festival, etc. rather than by the City?
Yep.
This post makes it sound like the Decatur fireworks are an embarrassing and pitiful display. This could not be farther from the truth. I’m sure Lenox puts on a bigger show, but Decatur does a great job with the fireworks and the accompanying concert. Small-town Americana at its finest.
I drove to Lenox a few years ago, and hated the experience, I guess because of the very rude crowds, the heat, the cars, hours without being able to sit, etc. The actual fireworks here may be smaller than Lenox, but the overall experience is way, way better!!
Your problem is taking the car. TAKE MARTA TO LENOX FIREWORKS! Nothing could be simpler! I sat on a concrete curb and had a great time there, lots of fun visiting with other fireworks guests and plenty to eat. Lots of activities for the kids in the parking lot too…
I’m not sure using “plenty to eat” to set off the Lenox experience from that in Decatur is your strongest argument . . .
(Assuming, of course, that it was intended as an argument in the first place . . .)
The phrase “plenty to eat” is not the crux of my comparison of Decatur’s fireworks event with the fireworks event at Lenox Mall. I know there is “plenty to eat” in Decatur too, OK? Now, why are you being so touchy and defensive about the whole thing? Go anywhere you choose to watch or not watch fireworks this year, I really was just trying to offer some alternatives to the original request for information from Lady Di. Sorry if I’ve stepped on any local toes…
Understood – we can get a bit defensive at times. No offense intended. I think Old Man Potter above summed it up best.
We took MARTA downtown to the fireworks many years ago and almost got crushed on the escalator going back down into Omni station.
I agree. The thought of sitting to watch fireworks in that parking lot that’s been baking in the hot sun all day – then wrangling my overtired kids back to MARTA in the crowds – no, thank you.
+1 I think the fireworks are great — and great for our community. Thanks to everyone who puts together the event every year!
相反，烟花优。
“Instead, prostitutes excellent.” What?
(This is a joke. [Little annoying yellow smiley face thing])
I really hope the City of Decatur revamps the fireworks this year to better appeal to unnamed, silent Chinese visitors.
The Chinese family I was with at the Decatur fireworks event are residents of Decatur, not visitors. I thought their silence was respectful, indeed. I just wanted to point out some of the more grandiose fireworks events that are scheduled near Decatur, and easily accessible. I think there is a big fireworks exhibit at Stone Mountain park too, by the way. When I was a little girl, I thought having a few sparklers was a big deal :-))
Re quality of fireworks: I guess we are easy to please. We’ve always been more than satisfied by the Decatur fireworks but then again we haven’t been to any others for so long that the technology and expectations may have increased without our knowing it. Decatur’s are definitely good for those kids who are unsure about the loud noise. One can go farther away from the Square, e.g. to First Christian on West Ponce or the tire place on Clairemont or whatever more distant location and get the lights without the eardrum-splitting noise.
Here’s a vote for the Avondale Estates 4th of July bash around the lake. We’ve gone the last several years.
If the Decatur fireworks didn’t satisfy the silent and respectful Decatur residents, I would imagine the Avondale fireworks don’t stand a chance either
But Avondale has a lake. With the reflection, you can see twice as many fireworks!
+1
If you’re taking kids, don’t miss the Pied Piper parade before the fireworks. Anyone and everyone can participate, so put some streamers on their bikes/trikes or pull your toddler(s) in a wagon with a flag. Starts at 6, usually at the big Baptist church at the corner of Clairemont and Commerce. Ends at the bandstand.
Beverly Brett (upper left) still looks like she is in pain from her hip replacement at Dekalb Medical. How long’s it been since she had her procedure? months? poor baby
For anyone that uses Derrydown Way as a cut through between College and Columbia, please drive responsibly, which includes putting your D*MN phone down. Too many blind curves and hills and cars parked, many families with kids playing, and oh yeah, it’s just plain stupid. Thanks (from a concerned father of two).
I’m with you there. Even 25mph seems to fast for that street. Lots of pets around as well.
I hate when I type something incorrectly.
Edit: “Even 25 mph seems TOO fast”
I wish 2nd Avenue had a 25 mph speed limit instead of 30. Some drive so fast they propel off the speed bump to take down a good sized tree.
And in case you don’t know … state law says ticketing doesn’t begin until 11 miles over the posted limited (this from the Assistant Chief of DPD).
Only if radar/laser is being used. If an officer is pacing (like following), then anything over the limit can be ticketed. And, the 11mph doesn’t apply in school zones. And, if you think lowering the limit 5mph will really slow things down, I don’t think so.
Thanks Steve for clarifying. I knew it was electronic surveillance but neglected to specify. And yes school zones as well as designated neighborhood zones do not have the grace mph.
One additional problem we have is being passed on the left while trying to make a left turn into our own driveways, blinker on! Crazy gotta-hurry-up-and-get-there drivers! Anyone else have that problem?
Uh, tell that to the good officers over at Avondale Estates. I know I must have gotten a ticket for less!
The 11mph thing is a state law, the result of some enterprising speed traps many years ago. Only GSP is excepted from the that law. If you were ticketed less than 11mph over and they were using radar/laser, then they have no case, unless you were in a school zone. On the other hand, if they were following you and it was less than 11mph over the limit, you can be ticketed, since the speed is by actual observation.
Ah. That was a long, long time ago. I’m wise to Avondale now!
I have been selected for grand jury duty, beginning the week of our beach house rental. Has anyone been through this experience? Calling the number provided in my summons just gives me various recorded messages, and a letter I sent two weeks ago, with my rental contract, has gone unanswered. I’m trying to see the bright side….
Liz, as you may already know, grand jury service is usually once or twice a week for a period of months, unlike regular jury service, which is usually one day or one trial. They may be okay with you missing that week, since they only need a quorum to vote on indictments. If you aren’t getting a response on the number on your summons, the main number for juror services is 404-371-4901. If that is the number that already hasn’t worked, I would try calling the chambers of the Chief Judge, Judge Becker, to ask for guidance. 404-371-2691. As a last resort, try calling the main number for the DeKalb District Attorney’s office. 404-371-2561. Good luck.
The hubby was selected roughly 6 months ago and the judge didn’t let anyone get out of it.
Single mom? “Take your child to school earlier and get here on time.”
You have your own business and will have to close? “Put your ‘closed’ sign up.”
No one was excused.
Good luck!
If you call as soon as you get the summons, your odds are good of getting a deferral. If you show up in court the day of your service and try to give the judge an excuse, you are SOL.
I received a jury duty summons for the Monday after Easter this year when I was planning to be out of town. It was not a grand jury summons. I called the number listed on the summons (I think it’s only staffed by a live person between 10-4 or something), explained my situation, and was asked what future time would work for me. I was shocked. I didn’t have to beg or make up a crazy excuse–anybody remember Tine Fey’s Princess Leia attempts to circumvent jury duty from 30 Rock?–but was met with a surprising level of customer service and understanding. Super nice folks over there in the Dekalb jury division.
Any bird experts on DM? I would like to know what kind of bird is calling from a nest (?) across the street from Intown Ace. It sounds like a hawk!
Obviously I haven’t heard the call you’re referring to, but there are hawks in the area. Not too many, since their territories are pretty large. We have seen them from time to time, particularly around dusk.
I live on willow between Scott and N. Decatur, and we have had many families of hawks fledge in the area. I think they are red shouldered, although I haven’t gotten book and binoculars on them, I get too excited when I see them up close. Here is a web page with a recording of their sound: http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/40/_/Red-shouldered_Hawk.aspx
I have had them land on the fence 15 feet from my kitchen several times, and have heard the babies in the nest, but never figured out exactly where it is. We also have a breeding pair of barred owls. My creative neighbor once videotaped the dark so she could then play the tape into the phone and get the ornithologist to identify what was making the noise of “insane monkeys”.
Sounds like a red shouldered hawk. The sound is stationary so I am thinking it is a nest in the old growth oaks across from the hardware store.
BTW, my cat totally freaked out and dove for cover when I played the sound clip.
“Insane monkeys” … funny. I also use the “What Bird Is It” site, although it doesn’t yield consistently good results. This Fernbank web page is helpful in a pinch: http://www.fernbank.edu/Birding/common_birds.htm
The best printed guide for casual use is _Common Birds of Atlanta_, which we bought at the Blue Elephant. It’s helpful not to have to sift through a whole N. American field guide.
The Atlanta Audubon Society’s website also has a lot of good links. Intown Ace has some nice resources (feeders, etc), and there’s a new store called The Garden Enthusiast (on Main St in Tucker) that’s just wonderful.
What is the deal with the proliferation of junky looking signs at the corner of Oakview and West Hill Street at the entrance to the Old Scottish Rite property (across from UJoint).
The new blue and orange Origins Real Estate sign that appeared this week is just awful and just focused me on all of the other awful looking signs for businesses in the Scottish Rite complex.
Doesn’t the local historic district regulations over the Scottish Rite complex govern signage or just modifications of the building?
The Historic Preservation Ordinance doesn’t deal with signage. The is a separate, general, sign ordinance for that. If you think they violate that, call the City codes enforcement folks to come and have a look. If they’re open house signs or something like that, they can only be displayed on weekends.
AGREED. The new real estate sign is ugly and visual clutter. I’m thankful for businesses like McGowan’s that chose signage to fit the village aesthetics rather than look like a high school prank stolen from midtown and replanted.
I sent a message of displeasure to the broker. I’m betting he won’t care because it’s serving his purpose – getting peoples’ attention. But the ugly sign won’t get my business or referral.
Been traveling the past two weeks, during which time I discovered just how unnerving it is to receive severe weather alerts on your cellphone when you’re two thousand miles away. When it comes to my house and its looming old oaks, fingers crossed is not a very reassuring damage mitigation strategy. D’oh!
Any ideas for a local place to sell homegrown craft items? These are decorated straw hats, very pretty and feminine. Also some patriotic themed hats for the 4th of July. He was planning to sell at a local farmer’s market but they aren’t taking applications.
Homegrown Decatur?
http://www.homegrowndecatur.com
I’m looking for a 3-4 drawer small dresser, no more than 40″ or so. New or used. I want to use it as dresser/nightstand in our guest room. Any suggestions on where to go looking?
macarolina,
You might try Finders Keepers in Avondale Estates. They have a furniture shop, I believe. It’s in a different location from their clothing consignment shop. Also, Kudzu, which is out toward the farmer’s market on Ponce.
I’m looking for a restaurant in Decatur to have our rehearsal dinner, any suggestions? It will be on a Friday night for around 20 people, so somewhere that has reservations/private rooms/etc. would be best I think.
Iberian Pig?
Wahoo is a great spot for rehearsals.
+1 for Wahoo. We had our rehearsal dinner there and it was just lovely!
Winnona Park Stud can envision Wahoo being a great place for a rehearsal dinner – what a fantastic suggestion. To make it work though, one would need to hire the right caterer to handle all the food, and an event coordinator who could completely transform the space without having to do a tear-down and rebuild.
feast restaurant is a perfect spot!
I love Cafe Lily. They have a nice, private room off to the side and the food is really good.
Cheers to Cafe Lily, a well established Decatur restaurant with excellent food and service. Great location and atmosphere for a private wedding party.
+1 for Cafe Lily – it’s where we had our rehearsal dinner and they were a pleasure to deal with!
We had a great experience at Wahoo.
I think Cafe Alsace is perfect for this kind of event. I know you can book the whole place if you need to, but that might end up being too big.
+1
We had our rehearsal dinner at Sun in My Belly. It isn’t open at night, so we had the whole place. The service, the food and the decor were great!
Parker’s has a small party room too, I think.
Which of the REIs in atlanta is the biggest one? anyone on here know?
I think the Atlanta store (on the I-85 access road) is still the largest/best stocked.
I did “something” to my foot a few weeks ago. I thought it was temporary and I have been avoiding running, but it isn’t getting any better. Feels like the bones in my foot are “not right”
Anybody know if I should seek out a podiatrist or an orthopedist? Any recommendations for a good Dr.?
Dr. Perry Julien is the best. Not close, but worth the drive. He’s a podiatrist and he specializes in runners with foot problems. Take a look: http://www.atlantafootandankle.com/
Another vote for Dr Julien. As Jilyco says, if you are a runner it will be worth the trouble to see him.
After a couple of disappointments, I have been very pleased with Ingie El-Khashab. She’s near Intown Ace: 1434 Scott Boulevard, Suite 3 404-373-7004. She was recommended by my physical therapist.
Dr. Julien’s partner, Dr. Charles Peebles, is also very good.
Another recommendation for Dr. Peebles. While training for our last marathon I also “did something” to my foot and was referred to their practice. Dr. Peebles, also a runner, was really cool and worked with me. Two months later I ran the marathon pain free! Hope your injury is not too bad and you can get back on the road soon.
Dagnabit! Yet another dog/dog owner left a surprise for us in the yard today! Please, dog owners, I beg of you, clean up after your pooches! Do you have any idea how hard it is to convince a toddler that dog poop is not for picking up and putting in the mouth?
I feel your pain. Someone in Lenox Place keeps letting their dog poop on the sidewalk in front of my gate, in front of my car doors, and in my neighbors yard.
SO BLOODY ANNOYING!
Last night after 9:30 pm there was a crew STILL working at the Public Works building across from Talley Street condos. My son goes to bed at 8 pm and we were afraid the loud noises that the trucks were making would wake him up. We have never heard them work that late before. They were extremely noisy. Not to mention the beep beep beep beep every time they reversed. Our house backs up to the area. We have lived here for almost 5 years and have never had an issue. Also this morning at 6:30 am while we were all getting ready, they were already back again and working. Does anyone know who we can contact?? Thanks!
You could call the Public Works department 404-377-5571. David Junger is the Director
David would indeed be the man to contact. If you do, please remember to thank him for his department’s hard work rather than just bit**ing at him for your inconvenience. Those downed trees and the assorted damage and mayhem they’ve cause aren’t going to remove themselves!
Uh oh, is there a layering problem again? My last comment was meant to be a reply to sjvrs’s post.
Thank you for the contact information. Since this hasn’t happened before, I am surely not going to send an angry email, but I would like to bring it to someone’s attention and ask if it will be happening more often. Even if it is downed trees, after 9:30 pm is a bit late to be making the amount of noise that they did last night and this morning.
I wouldn’t complain unless it was happening all the time. Most likely they are repairing something that is a bigger issue to someone else- or possibly an entire system – than a small noise disruption may be. They wouldn’t be paying a crew overtime to be there until 9:30 if there wasn’t a reason.
Has anyone had any work done or services provided by this company Well Home? They do house energy efficiency work and the like. Any reviews, esp. by local people?
http://www.wellhome.com/blog/2011/06/decaturwise-%E2%80%93-helping-homeowners-improve-their-home%E2%80%99s-efficiency/
You may already know this, but they are one of three participating contractors in the DecaturWISE program (http://www.decaturga.com/index.aspx?page=595). I hope that means they’ve displayed some higher level of performance or quality of work in the past. Maybe you could contact the City to see how these contractors were chosen.
We had an auto stolen last night on Adams Street in MAK. Twenty-year old SUV, locked and parked on the street. Decatur PD responded promptly, and Atlanta PD called at 1:00pm to notify us it had been recovered in Summerhill. Watch your cars, neighbors.
Many thanks to Decatur’s Finest for their timely response!
crap! what kind of shape was the car in?
Door lock was jimmied open with a screwdriver (some damage around the lock) and the steering column was busted up in order to hot-wire it. And an empty pack of cigs was left on the seat.
Well, cigarettes do cost a fortune these days … gotta pay for them some how!
Oh, and sorry about your car — what a pain!
Friends just outside of the Decatur towards Emory on Princeton Way had attempted break in around 5 AM today, fairly blatant. Unusual for that street.
I found a sweet dog near Midway Rd and Candler. She had no tags. Many of the rescue places and humane societies are full and have a long waiting list. I am REALLY wanting to find her a loving home. i am willing to foster her for a couple of weeks but I already have 3 rescue animals. If you know anyone who wants a dog, please reply. She is super affectionate and would be GREAT with kids or a family! She is fine with other dogs and cats too! I think she is a basset hound/lab/terrier mix. She is approx. 40 lbs. and blond. She is a low-rider and has big pointy ears (one up and one down)! Email me if you are
She is a super cute dog – I’ve seen her. Looks like a low rider Lab. I’d take her in a minute, but three kids and two dogs is all I can handle. If you are at all interested, email the link above and ask for her pictures.
“Sweet summa rain”
One of her ears stands up, and the other flops over.
Anyone else notice the lawn service employee spraying weed killer along the perimeter of the Decatur Farmer’s Market? It filled the air, as he was just a couple feet away. Thanks for frosting my organic blackberries, dude.
Finally went to Big Tex today for the first time today. Loved it, and I want to go more often. For that to happen, I would need to see something on the menu my less-carnivorous wife could eat. Maybe a grilled chicken sandwich in the $8 range or a healthy salad of some kind. As for me, bring on the Texas Poutine!
+1
Finally visited Big Tex this past Monday and will definitely be going back. A lot. The fried green tomato + avocado sandwich was one of the specials and it was amazing. Everything from the peppered endless tortilla chips to the horseshoes and the longhorns all over the walls made me enjoy it more and more.
We went yesterday afternoon for the first time and loved it. Fried avocado taco and the Big Tex taco (with the brisket and fixings) were the best. Margaritas were awesome, particularly the watermelon variety.
Went today and we did not like that much
I liked the chips, cheese and salsa and found my brisket and big Tex tacos fine but no one else liked theirs. I was so excited about the place, so I was sad
Can anyone recommend someone to do fairly simple tax returns?
Try Turbo Tax. It’s worked for me.
Power outages? If you live on the east side of Oakhurst village what’s your record?
My daughter lives near McCoy Park – electric out 3 times this week, 4 times this month. And it’s been an ongoing problem for years. I live on the west side and rarely lose power. Takes something like a car fire to knock out a transformer.
What’s the deal on the east side and what’s the path to a solution?
Isn’t it transformer specific? The power on our end of our street used to go out all the time. Our power would be out and we’d see lights on other parallel streets through the yards or way down the street. Then something was changed around 5 years ago–I heard it was a new transformer. Now our power flickers frequently but rarely goes out.
Facebook seems to have gone down in the last 1/2 hour. Looks like DM is the chat room of choice this morning. Thank for being here (Until comments are closed).
My message @ 8:20 am:
“Account Unavailable
Your account is temporarily unavailable due to site maintenance. It should be available again within a few hours. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
I was able to get on at 8:30 AM. Maybe it became functional in the few minutes between your post and mine?
Well, the few hours became 15 minutes. Wonder what caused the interruption? Can’t be the power outages in east Oakhurst.