Free-For-All Friday 7/15/11

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.

Comments close on Monday.

196 thoughts on “Free-For-All Friday 7/15/11”


  2. CSD launched a Facebook Fan page on Tuesday night. If you’re a Facebook user, please “Like” us on our City Schools of Decatur page! We hope our parents, teachers and community will enjoy receiving frequent news updates in that format.

  4. My favorite scene in Decatur this week occurred at Mediterranean Grill on North Decatur Road. A multi-generational family of women was dining there. When one of them went to that very high counter to pick up their food, she was too short to see which order was hers. She jumped up at the counter repeatedly, and called to her family for help. An older member came to photograph the woman jumping like a child. They had a good giggle over it.

      1. Dear Mr. N. Gibbetts–
        so how old is old? and by the way, you don’t have to be old to be cranky.

    1. They were very accommodating when I stopped in on Wednesday evening. I’ll be back this weekend for some meat. Great looking space. Nice folks.

    3. Awesome add to our little part of the world!! Very pleased with our first meal supplied entirely by our neighborhood market. Nice to be able to buy small portions…fire up the grill and enjoy.

    1. See:

      http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trackside-Tavern-in-Decatur-Georgia-is-Coming-Back/142735575745650

      It’s Coming Soon! And I don’t mean in the Decatur Diner time warp sense either…

    2. I met a bartender who is leaving his current position because he was hired at Trackside. I’d say that’s promising! He says it’ll open “end of July.”

      1. You mean Steve from Thinking Man? I’m pretty sure most, if not all, of Trackside’s “hires” will actually be “re-hires”. Stacey Shots could be just a week away…

    3. Don’t know about trackside…, but know I want 5th Earl Market back. 🙁

      2. I think I’ve said this before, but I never understood the 5th Earl love. The 4 or 5 times I tried it I got weird, indifferent service and paid too much for OK food. For the same price, Sun in My Belly was, IMHO, all around better. Granted it’s OCD (Outside City of Decatur), but it always seemed worth the extra mile’s drive. I don’t think 5th Earl is ever coming back so for all you guys that keep bemoaning it’s absence, there’s a great substitute just down the street.

    1. Really liking Google+ especially the layers created by Circles (the friend organizer). Many more plus comments but out of time.

    2. I like the way google handles your “friends” with circles – much easier to customize who sees what you post. It’s much cleaner looking than facebook and no creepy spammy ads or malicious apps.

      1. Just wait a while. The malicious apps will show up in time – Google+ hasn’t been on the air very long.

    3. I’m diggin’ Google+ but it’s bit like shouting into the abyss. Needs more people for it to really shine. Most used app so far is the ability to read my Facebook stream within Google+!!

    4. My sister has been using Spotify since Christmas and has basically abandoned iTunes. She says Spotify allows you to pull all your music from iTunes into it so you aren’t starting over – just building. Only drawback for her is no CD burning, which she liked to do for her young kids.

    5. Anyone willing to share a G+ invite with me? I’ll pay it forward with invites to other DM posters.

      1. It appears that Google is having difficulties processing the invitations. Several people have told me they’ve sent them to me over the past few days but I’ve received nothing. Another friend says he got an email from Spotify that it will be five weeks before he’ll be able to sign up.

    6. From David Pogue’s NY Times review: “In one fell swoop, Google has solved the layers-of-privacy problem that has dogged Facebook for years.”

    1. We went last night and really, really enjoyed it. Very casual, nicely designed space and, at least as far as our two entrees were concerned, terrific food. At first glance, I thought the portions seemed a bit small but they must have packed a punch because they ended up being very filling.

      Which is all to say that, if this is what they’re offering their first few days open, I have high hopes for them. In a few short months, once Cakes & Ale opens, our formerly forlorn little square will likely become both a foodie and beerie draw for folks across Atlanta metro area.

    2. Went for lunch yesterday. Loved the interior, service, vibe. For lunch however, it was just too much food. Half of my sandwich went home with me and I was still stuffed.

    3. We went last night. Really outstanding. One of the best I have been to in Atlanta. These guys know how to do it. The food was sublime and the service and decor were exceptional. Really really great.

    4. Ya think “Scott” and “Ben” really, really liked it? Really?

      I’ve heard the portions were minuscule. Need to check it out for myself, tho. The menu seems rather limited.

    5. Wonderful, solid addition to the Decatur dining scene. Loved the vibe (very “Westside”), decor, presentation, service and food. Enjoyed the inventive “toasts,” an heirloom tomato salad, spaghetti with shrimp, and blackberry ice cream. Welcome no. 246!

    6. Wife and I went opening night. Other than it being incredibly loud, it was excellent. Food was delicious, and not even remotely “minuscule” in portion size.

      We tried a fair bit on the menu, including toasts (ricotta and preserved mushrooms rocked), heirloom tomato salad (grown by the sous chef), padrone peppers, angliotti, and seared escolar. Across the board the food was great.

      A terrific addition to Decatur, and already (in my mind) one of the top 2 or 3 in the city.

      Trying not to use the word “really.” 🙂

        1. Only when its repeated use in multiple posts (within about an hour of each other) reeks of a vested interest….

          1. Was wondering if that was your implication. My only interest in this place is wanting to have another great restaurant I can walk to.

            Give it a shot and see what you think.

            1. Oh, I’ll definitely try it. Looking forward to it, in fact. I never take anybody’s word for it when it comes to restaurant reviews. Although historically, high-end restaurants like that have a hard time making it in Decatur for one reason or another, i.e. Cosi (Cosecha), Atlantic Star, Eurasia, etc.

            2. Almost forgot – beware of escolar. A strange choice for a standing menu item in a ‘nice’ place, IMO. It can cause extreme intestinal distress and why its sale is banned in Japan. Do a Google on it. Altho this further lays credence to the skimpy portion theory, as it usually takes more than 5-6 ounces to make one sick, and I’m sure (I hope) the chef is aware of the effects of escolar consumption. Anything less than a 6-oz portion is a rip at that price.

              1. Gotta agree on this point. I do love me some JCT Kitchen and am looking forward to trying 246 when we are settled back in Decatur. But including escolar on the menu is just a weird, weird decision. First off, most people don’t even know what it is. If it’s described to them as “tuna-like” or “white-tuna” or some of the other names it goes by and then they get sick as sh!t after eating it, that’s just asking for trouble.

                On the other hand, I AM looking forward to trying the garganelli and the prosciutto pizza!

                1. 10-to-1 it’s off the menu in a very short time, if not from the critical flak from folks like us (and inevitably, the food critics), but from all the calls they’re going to get from unenlightened customers with “food poisoning” from the fish. I mean, you KNOW there’s something wrong with it if the Japanese won’t eat it! Ha! Just read it’s banned in Italy, too. Hello?

  14. Doe, a dear… I can’t wait to go to Sing A Long Sound of Music at the Fox this Sunday afternoon!

  16. Did you know that for A Season of Giving, Decatur Volunteers raise more than $60,000 for gifts for needy children and seniors? That for the MLK Service project, Decaturites contribute almost 7000 hours of their labor and expertise? All this from our tiny town!

    Please vote for Volunteer! Decatur as Best Volunteer Program in Creative Loafing’s Best of Atlanta survey. Here’s the link: http://posting.clatl.com/atlanta/Survey?survey=3283373

    By the way, I’m not affiliated with Volunteer! Decatur, except as a volunteer, of course. This is simply a personal mission for an effort I admire.

    If you want to help me out, tweet and FB the link to your friends. Or just ask them when you see them.

    1. I gladly entered my vote for Volunteer! Decatur. And, folks, even though there are over 300 categories, participants may activate their ballots with as few as five selections. So don’t fret if you can’t decide on your favorite after-hours beach-themed vegan BBQ jazz club.

  18. C’mon it’s nearly ten AM and no one has complained yet? Someone must’ve fixed all the problems.

    1. No complaints. I’m enjoying all the rain we’ve gotten this Summer. Nice driving along McDonough and noting how incredibly lush our surrounds have become. A stark change from drought years past.

  20. I was unable to log on to DM twice earlier this morning, but it was a different error message than the one I ‘m accustomed to seeing (saw it at least 20 times) from a couple of weeks ago. Does this qualify as a problem?

    1. Oh, it’s a problem. And not an easy one to fix it turns out. We’ve done a bunch of little things – and one big thing – that should help improve things. We’re going to try to move the site again today and see how it goes, but we won’t know if we’ve solved things for sure until we try it.

      Keep your fingers crossed for us.

  22. 2 restaurant reviews from the past couple of weeks.
    Burnt Fork BBQ: This was my first meal here and I really liked it. I had the pulled pork sandwich and Brunswick stew. The pork was what I call dry bbq which gave me a chance to try their house made sauces. Three of them were quite tasty ( mustard based sauce is the evil and should be banned outside of SC.) The stew was quite tasty but had peas in it. That was a little off putting. Who wants veggies in an indulgence like bbq and stew? My servers were very personable and friendly. Will definitely be back.
    Bad Dog Tacqueria in Emory Village: Tried the Korean taco. There may have been some pork belly hiding under the shreds of cabbage but who knows? 2 bites and my $4 taco was gone. Same with the samosa taco-a weak attempt at creating Indian flavors. I hate finishing lunch, looking at the bill, and realizing I am still hungry. Plus this restaurant had the most uncomfortable chairs ever. My foot went to sleep. Won’t be back.

    1. Anyone who cooks Brunswick Stew and peas in the same pot is not likely to pass a health inspection. Rim shot.

    2. “The stew was quite tasty but had peas in it. That was a little off putting. Who wants veggies in an indulgence like bbq and stew?”
      Traditional recipes for Brunswick stew vary quite a bit but always include vegetables: tomatoes and onions, corn, butterbeans or peas, sometimes diced potatoes, sometimes okra.

      1. I know Brunswick stew comes in a variety of ways. I like mine as mostly meat with enough tomatoes, onions, and potatoes to hold it together. If I wanted veggie soup, I’d make veggie soup.
        Maybe I could do what my dog used to do when I fed him healthy dog food with peas and carrots-he would carefully line up the peas and carrots around the rim of his bowl and eat the rest.

      3. Y’all are bringing back mouthwatering memories of childhood summer vacations to my grandma’s house in Brunswick! After a day of beach fun at Jekyll or St. Simons, we’d often stop off to get bbq & the most delicious brunswick stew– to be mopped up with white bread, of course! That meal, plus the ones of my grandma’s special boiled shrimp & tangy cocktail sauce & her southern style veggies served with sliced homegrown tomatoes, was the ultimate in good eatin’! Special food, special times!

        “Official” Brunswick stew recipe:
        http://www.sherpaguides.com/georgia/coast/sidebars/brunswick_stew.html

        Anyone have a recipe for a tasty meatless version? Picking out the meat and lining it around the plate won’t work! :0)

    3. I LOVE mustard based sauce! When I went there the first time the owner said ” you must be from SC” because I had slaw on my bbq sandwich, and promised me he would start making a mustard sauce. I’ll have to check it out.

      I agree with you on Bad Dog, at least the serving sizes… I liked the food, though I felt like I spent a lot for what we got.

      1. I recall my 1st SC bbq sandwich!The slaw being on it absolutely floored me– it was like a law had been broken! It sure was tasty though, and led to experimenting with what else you could put slaw on besides hotdogs. My fave (when I ate meat): a Chick-fil-A sandwich topped with slaw was mighty good!

        1. Ha! I thought I was the only person around these parts who ordered the cole slaw at Chick-fil-A just to put it on the sandwich. Sometimes I even go all Pittsburgh and stack some fries between the chicken and the slaw. It ain’t Primanti Bros. but mmmmmmm, thank god it’s Saturday and not Sunday because I know what I’m having for lunch now. And don’t judge until you try it! (And if my doctor is reading this, shut up you too, I survived the Peachtree Road Race with heart and knees intact, a little sandwich ain’t gonna kill me)

    3. Pure has a reputation for helping on this kind of stuff for nuthin’. May no longer be the case, but always good to help out the locals.

    4. The ITA guys will take care of your tire for little to nothing. They are the best auto place in the state. I truly do <3 them.

  26. I know it won’t happen, but my god, if places in Decatur started doing what that restaurant in PA did w/ the no kids under 6 policy! heaven!

    1. Not likely to happen. There are other ways though – we get a haughty “hrmmph, we don’t have high chairs” when we tried to take our 1 year old to Cafe Lily (6 years ago now).

      1. How about this for an argument – You want fewer kids in restaurants? Give ‘rents an option that provides healthy, tasty food options and allows kids room to run around and play without bothering a soul.

        Yeah, I’m talking about food trucks.

      2. Maybe restaurants that want to restrict kids could say no kids seated after 7pm instead? Sort of like prime time?

        1. My experience around Decatur is that most restaurants are kid-free after about 8:30pm. Anyone who eats out at 6pm and complains of too many children is being unrealistic.

    3. Oh come on. How many of the 13-17 year olds that you know are pleasant to be around? Just make the rule no one between the ages of 1-18.
      (0-1 year olds are fine with me because they’re too young to be obnoxious)
      haha

      1. I agree. Until children can climb out of things and walk, they are controllable, if a little loud at times. Teens, meanwhile, are narcissistic plus mobile.

        On the other hand, teens have money and little impulse control so restaurants may not want to cut off that revenue source.

    4. We don’t need no noisy rest’rant
      We don’t need no meal control
      No scream’n kiddo’s in the main room
      Please diners leave them kids at home
      Hey! Diners! Leave them kids at home!

    5. Joe – I suggest you head to the highlands or buckhead, or better yet a bar. a lt of people live in Decatur becuase it is so family friendly. A lot of business would lose out a lot of they tried such a thing. The issue is when parents don’t expect or demand for their children to act right. My children behave better than sevral adults in restaurants.

      1. Every parent believes their children behave better than others. Kind of like everyone believes they have a good sense of humor.

    6. Well-behaved kids in restaurants aren’t the problem, regardless of age. It wouldn’t be fair to keep the good ones out just because some softheaded parents won’t teach their kids how to use “indoor voices” (or how to sit still) when they’re out.

      1. Amen cubalibre! I find adults having loud cell ohone conversations in restaurants more annoying than most children.

        1. Let’s be honest here: many “adults” these days are children in every way but physical size. When someone comes into Cakes & Ale in a baseball cap, T shirt, cargo shorts and flip-flops and proceeds to have a loud cell phone conversation, why should anyone presume that person to be an actual adult? Standards for civil society have slipped so far that I see no justification for banning kids from restaurants. Often times, the so-called grown-ups are worse.

  28. I don’t want children banned from restaurants. I took my own when they were little. What I do ask for is that folks realize it us a place to eat, not run and scream, and play ball. I usually took a toy for my children, but was always concerned that diners without children have the chance for a nice meal. O did not allow my children to scream and run around the restaurant. Unfortunately, I have seen very inconsiderate behavior from parents who let their children rum wild in an eatery. Do what I did if I needed a nite out with adults and hire a competent baby sitter. Kids are welcome and they don’t have to sit totally silent in their seats . Use a balanced approach. Be considerate. Period.

    1. +1
      As long as we’re on the subject of parenting in public spaces, I’d like to register a plea for controlling one’s offspring in stores and grocery stores. No running. Period. Last week, during a 25-minute visit to a local big box store, the same child–a boy around 10 years old–nearly crashed into me or my cart three different times, in various areas of the store. He was ceaselessly running–fast and with no discernible purpose–up and down aisles, around blind corners, being totally ignored by the woman I presume was his mother as she serenely went about her shopping.
      In clothing stores, no running AND no crawling around under the racks, playing hide-and-seek among the clothes.
      I somewhat understand retailers’ reluctance to say anything to parents of unruly children. But if they really knew how often people like me simply walk out without completing a purchase, to avoid the aggravation, they might rethink their approach. I know, it’s up to me to tell them–but usually, if I reach that point, I don’t have the patience to go find a manager and have the conversation.

      1. So right with the rules smalltown gal, but I think Toocool said it best when adressing stard civility. Wheher you are a child or adult:

        – Don’t run around in stores and restaurants
        – Use an appropriate indoor voice
        – Choose an apprriate time and place to use your cell phone
        – Dress for the situation
        – Take your hat off, inside, while dining anywhere, during the national anthem and pledge of allegiance
        – Say please, thank you, use the occasional sir/mam
        – Put your napkin in your lap

        I could go on and on. If you are an adult and don’t comprehend the above, don’t have children. If you have children, teach them what’s right and act right yourself so they don’t grow up thinking the world should accomodate them and any annoyance should be removed from public places. It takes a village!

            1. One more, that I wish Braves fans would learn: DO NOT walk in front of seated fans while there’s play on the field. Wait patiently until there’s a change in batter, or the inning is over, to return to your seat. You can tell you’re in a real baseball town when you see people observing this rule, and I’m sorry to say, Atlanta’s clearly not a real baseball town, the Braves’ sterling record notwithstanding.
              Also, if you can’t stay in your seat for more than a half-inning at a time, then reconsider why you’re paying admission to go to the ball park.

              1. If being a “baseball town” means a lot of nitpicking fans concerned about how I have good time at the game and when I can stand up and cheer or go get beer etc. Thank goodness we aren’t. Sounds dreadful.

                Go braves.

              2. decaturite16:

                The only problem with Atlanta as a baseball town is that it’s flooded with transplants such as yourself who move here because of our wonderful weather, cost of living, etc. but bring their own teams/experiences with them and refuse to adopt what we’ve got here.

              3. Maybe this scene from The Odd Couple will illustrate decaturite16’s point.
                http://youtu.be/-A2zB-e3mro

                  1. P.S. — Putting down fans just because they don’t root for your team is the ultimate in little league — something, fortunately, I haven’t seen at the Ted, though I sometimes wonder if it’s because the crowd seems to be there for anything but the game.

                    1. Your generalizations are tired and lame. If you wanna dictate how people behave at games, buy their tickets. If you wanna deal in these platitudes why not go post on a phillies board?

                    2. Ps- you are putting down fans for not rooting the right way etc. Thus making you little league by your own account.

                      Go braves!

                    3. It is not too much to ask to wait for a break in play to find your seats at the Ted.

                      16’s point, snarky perhaps, is that the Ted is frequently filled with people who are there for things other than the game, and if that’s the case they shouldn’t crowd the seats and block those of us who are there to watch the game and not a gaggle of Tech hotties slugging Bud Light.

                      (Why do comment threads like this get personal so quickly? May I suggest decaf?)

              4. Everyone should wait patiently in the aisle until the play is complete whether you are at a Braves game or at a Tech football or at a GSU game, etc.

      2. If this woman’s child was normal, she is not doing her job as a parent.
        However, I wonder if this child were disabled in some way.
        My nephew is a high-functioning autistic child, who may appear normal, but often acts strangely in public.

        What I’m saying is this…we don’t always know everything about other people’s situations.

        I do agree that some parents appear to be neglecting their duties with misbehaving kids, though.

        1. This is a good point. We don’t always know the whole story. Some children have neurologic and developmental issues that are not readily apparent to the outsider but result in difficult public behavior. Parents sometimes cannot avoid being in a public place at a time when the children are not controllable. Sometimes the parent may have an issue affecting them that day–loss of a job, a death of a friend or family member, marital problems, sleep deprivation (the hardest part of parenting a young, sick, or disabled child, in my opinion.)

          On the other hand, parents enjoying a meal, relaxing, laughing with friends, but ignoring normal but loud, obtrusive, and distracting behavior by their children is not fair to others around them.

          1. Karass, a death in the family is no excuse for this child bumping into STG’s Target shopping cart. Or was it Wally World? In either case, I wonder if she ever considered speaking directly to the parent instead of store management. Or maybe the child? ‘Hey kid, watch the cart.’

        2. Yes, I tried to get the kid’s attention — “Hey, be careful!”–to no avail.

          Possibly the child has some kind of condition that impels that behavior. If so, then the burden is on the parent to exert whatever additional attention and vigilance will keep him safe. Careening around the store like he was doing is not physically safe–if I had been inattentive or malicious (and so not reacted as best I could to avoid a collision) he could have been hurt. Full disclosure: a few years ago in Publix, a child of 5-6 was doing the same thing, and about the fifth time I saw her barreling down an aisle toward me, I just stopped dead still, froze in my tracks. I was sure, as I did it, that I”d regret it. The kid crashed into my cart and then went wailing off to find her mother, who was so oblivious, she didn’t even know–or seem to care what happened. (No blood was spilled, the kid wasn’t injured, just outraged that I hadn’t jumped out of her way as I, and everybody else in the store, had been doing for the past 15 minutes.)

          No, I didn’t consider speaking with store management. Past experience indicates they are somewhat helpless (see previous post). I just finished my shopping and gave thanks I didn’t have to take anybody younger than 25 home with me.

          1. “I…gave thanks I didn’t have to take anybody younger than 25 home with me”

            Funny, that was also my excuse for getting married and, before that, hitting Johnny’s Hideaway on Saturday night…

          2. Picture the scene: Dancing Goats Coffee.
            Father and Mother feed child delicious Duck’s donut while said child stands tall on the bar stool facing the barista. Large chunks of doughnut litter the walkway behind the bar.
            Father and Mother speak in dramatically chipper loud voices that carry over all music and conversation to child, as if they only understand things in this tone.
            Father thinks the time, post-doughnut, would be a great time to take his child by the arms (in the open space by the cash registers) and swing him (in circles by the arms–you know, like you do while spinning round in a park) around and around while we wait within striking range of the child’s feet for our (now) TO GO coffees.
            Father and Mother seem equally delighted that they are such great fun parents.
            In fact, child is now encouraged to delight the rest of the working/socializing/reading adults by racing to the front door and back.

        3. I agree that parents of unusually difficult, often disabled, children have to exert extra care. But they are not perfect and face more daily stress than most of us can imagine. Read the book of short stories “My Child Rides the Short Bus” — it’s very enlightening about the challenges and joys of parenting disabled children day in and day out.

          I’m not saying the parents of out-of-control children shouldn’t do a better job. Just that us having a little insight into the lives behind that behavior might make us feel a little less stressed out by it.

          And some parents are ignorant, lazy, oblivious, irresponsible, uncaring. There’s no learner’s permit or license for parenthood.

          1. I’m not without sensitivity or the ability to perceive nuances in a situation. I can usually tell if something extra is going on. I’m absolutely confident the people I encountered the other day were an enabling mother and a spoiled brat. We all know that kind of behavior is all too rampant in public spaces. Please let me complain about it without getting a mini-lecture about children with special challenges.

            1. Are you a child psychologist? Many times the nuances you speak of are only detectable by a professional. It’s fully conceivable that this was a spoiled brat with an inattentive parent. But it’s also possible that a portion of society, such as yourself, chooses to lambast an entire generation of parents. And no, just because I choose to come to the defense of other parents doesn’t mean I let my children run rampant through retailers. Choose a better course of debate before you go there. Mine ain’t perfect but they’re not miscreants either.

              1. Oh good grief!!! Nuances be damned!!! THE PARENT knows the kid’s abilities or difficulties, and THE PARENT should be prepared to deal accordingly. No one’s expecting little kids to act like angels all the time! Folks just want to see parents attempting to parent! (And just mindlessly chanting your kid’s name while continuing to shop or dine or whatever doesn’t cut it either!!!)

                (Writerchad- You’re just itchin’ to scrap– on another day, you’d be arguing the other side! Now go to the cabinet, take out a juice glass, and head to the fridge! :0)

          2. My mistake. The book of short stories is called “My Baby Rides the Short Bus”. Completely apart from a discussion of parenting, this is a good book to read, both to get a glimpse into how parents of disabled children, some of whom have quite difficult behavior, cope and don’t cope with the chaos, unremitting burden, injustices, bureaucratic frustrations, and prejudice but still have hope and joy, and to appreciate one’s own life and family, warts and all.

  30. If anyone is interested in ping pong, you should check out the Decatur Rec on Tuesdays from 7-9. I went for the first time last Tuesday, and I had a great time!

      2. Village Vets all the way– we wouldn’t take our furbabies (2 cats & a dog) anywhere else! Dr. Villines ROCKS!

      3. Village Vets is wayyyyyy toooo expensive. Although they do not have a fancy building, I love Dearborn.

    2. Village Vets – have become to commercial — and expensive – for the home town feel Dr Fordyce at Church Street cannot be beat – treats my dog like one of her own –

      1. dr. fordyce misdiagnosed an enlarged thyroid in my cat many years ago (assuming this is the same cynthia fordyce that used to practice in clarkston) and said it was just his voice box. I went to Emory animal Hospital for a second opinion and my cat had hyperthyroidism (duh). even i could have figured that one out. he was treated successfully and lived another few years.

        1. A few weeks ago, we had a discussion on this site about credibility. One poster said this site had little impact. This post is an example. This anonymous poster is making a statement that goes to the competence of this professional. I don’t know her; I have no pets. I don’t know this poster, and I couldn’t email her directly if I wanted to to find out more about this post.

          I merely point this out to say that this sort of post is likely to impact a person’s life and livelihood and it is being posted anonymously. I do understand that people post anonymous stuff all the time.

          I guess I’m urging folks to be cautious about making decisions based on anonymous blog posts.

          1. I agree Diane. There is fun in posting anonymously, but not at the expense of a business. We do not have a large furry animal/person anymore, but when we did, Cynthia Fordyce was a caring, loving vet, and we could not have asked for a better professional. We had our first child/Chesapeake for 13.5 years. I still would recommend this practice, especially for their sensitivity and compassion.

        2. Thanks Diane and COT. I agree with you completely and hope the post from muffin is removed.
          In addition to being a Decatur businessperson, Dr. Fordyce is a homeowner and member of a COD church. Not only is she involved in her church, giving her time and money to support a number of church/community related activities, she participates in several City of Decatur (government and school) causes. Several years ago, she hired a student with disabilities, giving this person valuable work experience that has led to adult employment. When I found an injured bird on Church Street two or three years ago, I called Dr. Fordyce at 5:30 A.M. to ask for advice on helping this beautiful creature. It was Dr. Fordyce that gave me the name and number of an organization that handles non-domesticated wildlife. Without her help, this bird would have been killed by Church Street traffic. During the snow/ice storm this past winter, she drove to her office on Church Street to provide emergency care to Decatur pet owners. She and her staff have provided excellent care to our pet for the past eleven years. Now that our dog is old, my wife and I depend upon her professional advice more than ever. She is an outstanding citizen, excellent vet, and a personal friend. God bless her and her staff.

          1. Just to play a bit of devil’s advocate, I don’t think there’s any reason to remove muffin’s post. His/her comment and your, Diane’s and Cranky’s responses are a great example of this forum working at its best. An anonymous poster makes a disparaging remark about a local service provider. If other people had had a similar experience, they have a chance to weigh in. Instead, we have three regular posters, two of whose identity we know, providing rebuttals and great endorsements for Dr. Fordyce. I see keep all 4 comments and however anymore may appear, then we can draw our own conclusions and assumptions. As for me, an imminent Decatur homeowner who will be looking for a new local vet, these comments make it much more likely that I will consider Dr. Fordyce.

            Anyway, that just my $0.02…

            2. Thanks. You are correct. This blog provides a great service to the citizens of Decatur. But I hope everyone thinks carefully about what is posted, especially if it is done anonymously. Opinions are important but reputations even more so.

            3. If I’m recalling the discussion a couple of weeks ago it involved the blog that publishes Diane’s stuff. Also if I recall correctly, I don’t think that blog removes inaccurate information or material posted anonymously.

          2. Why would you hope it would be removed? The person stated her experience, and anyone that wants to come along and offer a different perspective (as you did) is free to dispute it.

            Everyone makes mistakes. Pretending that someone is without fault ever, is silly. You post under your name, but everyone doesn’t choose to do that. It doesn’t mean their experience is fabricated or false.

            And if you were referring to the organization AWARE re: the bird, they are a wonderful organization. I took an injured bird to them not too long ago actually. And when I brought it up here, DM pointed out that it was this organization that saved Hooty. They are an outstanding group.

    3. Ansley Animal Clinic – they were wonderful when it was time for my almost 18 year cat to go to cat heaven.

      1. We came back to Ansley after a few years getting increasingly bad care somewhere else. I am glad we did! The docs there have been part of the Avondale/Decatur community for decades and they are good people.

    4. I love North Dekalb Vet, which is a little ways past Home Depot on Lawrenceville Highway. Their veterinarians are extremely kind and dedicated, and their front desk staff is very friendly and even calls to see how your pet is doing after appointments.

      If that is too far away for you, though, Dearborn Animal Hospital on E. College Ave. is supposed to be great. Everyone I know who takes their pets to Dearborn rave about them.

      1. Here’s another endorsement for Max Katz and his crew at North DeKalb Veterinary Hospital. They’ve helped us with a diabetic cat who also had acromegaly and was insulin resistant, helped us keep a Siamese with failing kidneys alive and comfortable for years after a previous vet told us she had six months at best (when we brought her in for her final rest at the age of 23, there wasn’t a dry eye among the staff) and now they’re helping us control Pickles’s thyroid condition. All pet health care is expensive these days, but the folks here wil be very realistic about your options.

      2. Front desk staff and vets are incredible. When Dr. Lloyd is doing a checkup you really feel like he’s speaking your dog’s language, and connecting with them. Can’t say enough great things about everyone in the office.

        http://www.northdekalbvet.com/

    5. We just added a third dog to our household, so I had been planning to post the same thing. Although Briarcliff Animal Hospital has provided terrific service and is open seven days per week, I’d love to find something more affordable and closer to downtown Decatur.

    6. Been taking my cats and dogs to Clairmont Animal Hospital (formerly Emory Animal Hospital) for more than 15 years. Love them: 404-633-6163.

    7. The vets at Dearborne are fantastic. Very down to earth and never try the upsell that many places do. It does usually take a while to be seen and the desk staff can seem a little gruff with people but they definitely have a soft spot for animals. The vets are worth the wait.

    8. You will not find a kinder, gentler vet than Dr. Annie Price at Ormewood Animal Hospital. And you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to afford her rates.

    9. Huge fan of Village Vets–they can legitimately claim “Best Care Anywhere.” Maybe on the pricey side, but the docs have always been gracious about discussing realistic options with me–honest with their diagnostic opinions about an ailing older pet and zero pressure to spend a bunch of money (that I didn’t have) on diagnostic tests to confirm. Also no pressure to load up on routine maintenance for animals that are obviously thriving. My pets (canine and feline) hate shots and having their temp taken (who doesn’t ?) but love the vets and the techs at V V, so going there always triggers an approach/avoidance conflict. When my dog passed away (had to be euthanized after suddenly becoming terminally and painfully ill), everybody on duty was incredibly tender and took great care of her and of me. Over the next couple of weeks, I received handwritten sympathy notes from the doc who attended, from my doggie’s regular doc of several years (who was not on duty that day), and a card signed by all the staff. Seemingly little things mean a lot.

  34. Does anyone know of a Decatur restaurant or pub showing the women’s world cup final this weekend?

    3. In addition to the above, Mac McGee’s and the Thinking Man have announced on Facebook that they’ll show it . I watched the USA/Colombia game at Mac’s and was pretty pleased with my experience.

    4. Second (or third?) the Marlay House. Get there a little bit before the game and enjoy the Sunday Roast Lunch!

  36. Mac magees shows soccer games regularly. I had a blast there watching the US men’s team play in the World Cup. I feel cetain they’ll show the women’s final but you may want to check to be sure.

    1. They have been posting on their FB page that they will be showing it.

      http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000835891031

  38. Barbarians at the gate!

    My internet was down this week, so I went to the library and got an hour of free browsing time with my library card. This dude sits down next to me with headphones on; music loud enough for me to hear it. THEN he starts singing along!!! I asked him to please stop. He ignored me. I tapped him on the shoulder, and asked again. He said he didn’t care what I said; he didn’t have to listen to me. I warned him that he might get kicked off the computer if I complained. He seemed unconcerned.

    So I went and complained, and the librarian assured me that a security officer would deal with him. Later, I think I saw the same guy sitting at the computer quietly without headphones.

    Who in this society does NOT know that you’re supposed to be quiet in a library? Don’t you learn that right after your numbers, letters and the Pledge of Allegiance?

    3. Lotsa people obviously are not learning $h!t about how to behave, and it’s apparently been a trend for a generation (assuming the miscreant you describe was not a child). Kudos to you, Diane, for standing up for all of us. And I’m very glad (and a bit surprised, I’m sorry to add) that library personnel dealt with the situation effectively.

      1. ‘Guy’ is common vernacular for an adult male. Typically not a small child.

      2. Yes, this was an adult male, probably in his late teens or 20’s.
        Another odd thing happened. My shy teenage son was sitting at a table with his laptop, surfing the net with the library wireless. A stranger, an adult male seemingly from another country, told my son to look something up for him on the internet. My son didn’t refuse and this guy just kept asking my son to look up stuff for him. Finally, my son was relieved when we left.

        The digital divide, I suppose. No excuse for bad behavior, though.

    4. Yes! Hats off to ya Diane for speaking directly to the offender. But Karass is right, that can get ya stabbed.

  40. I just want to thank DM for steering me to the article about Heather Christle’s telephone poetry project (it was in the Beyond DM sidebar). The poem she read to me was awesome and she was incredibly nice. She isn’t reading poems over the phone anymore, but her work is still worth checking out.

    Did anyone else get to experience this?

  42. Google+ may seem private now but they have started to let users know that there will be no private accounts once the site goes completely live. Therefore your posts may start showing up in Google searches

    1. I already get hits for Facebook content/posts using Bing and Google searches so how is what you’re describing different?

      1. Do you see FB contents/posts by people who think they have restricted their FB content? Many don’t bother with the annoyingly cumbersome FB controls.
        What I’ve been reading about Google+ is that due to the way the Circles work, you may not be able to completely restrict access to what you post. Obviously, as with any new app, there are self-appointed critics eager to jump on the nay-sayer bandwagon. OTOH, there’s a reason they’re rolling out slowly, giving themselves a chance to stomp the biggest/worst bugs early.

        1. Good points Rob and stg. When I get a search hit that looks like a FB comment it’s probably from someone with less restrictive settings than I have.

          I’ve been exploring Google+ for about 2 weeks now. What I know about posting a comment is I can select 1 person or multiple persons to read using specific names or selecting Circles of people that I’ve grouped together. This creates layers in your Stream (wall).

          I can edit the post indefinitely (it appears) and delete but also I can disable comments and disable reshare. I think these options located plain as day next to my posting box give me much more security control than what’s often buried and frequently changed without my knowledge in Facebook. My knowledge of behind the scene workings is limited so missing some things I’m sure but so far so good.

          Found a nice extension fro Google’s Chrome browser from “Start Google Plus” (http://startgoogleplus.com/) that will link G+ to FB and Twitter so those feeds appear in G+ and I can transfer photos from FB to G+ (actually moving to Picasa).

    1. I heard it too – sounded more like a firework, but then again, I am not sure I know what a gun shot sounds like.

  46. Still posting from OCD/OTP but TWO WEEKS away from closing on our new home in the COD! Finger, toes and all other crossable appendages crossed…

    So this week I have a question about gyms. Specifically, I’m wondering if anyone here is a member of the Decatur Y and whether you feel strongly one way or the other about it. When we lived in Oakhurst, we first had a membership at Core. Loved the small gym atmosphere and clean locker rooms which came in handy when pressed for time after an early morning workout before work. The woman liked the aerobics (or whatever they call it nowadays) classes. However, the increasing membership fees got to be kinda ridiculous and now we’d be looking at over $90/month under the cheapest “paid in full” membership or $140 on a month-to-month. Ouch!

    We tried Snap when it opened. It was walking distance so the lack of locker room/showers was no big deal but now we’d be over 2 miles away, meaning it would be much harder to do the run/workout/run, especially in bad weather or when pressed for time. Plus, the woman wants group classes. So, the price is right, but it’s just impractical and not what we need.

    Looks like the Y would be a good compromise between Core and Snap, priced between the two with group classes. I pretty much just need an exercise bike and a decent free weight or Cybex-type machine set-up. It’s also just two blocks or so from the new house.

    So the question is, are there any compelling reasons not to join the Y? Horror stories or bad experiences? Is there a better option that I’m not aware of? Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome and appreciated….

    1. I don’t get over there as often as I need to but I like the Y. When I travelled a lot for my work it was nice that most Y’s would honor my Decatur membership.
      And they have the great Morgan Rowe running the aquatics program.

      1. Well I plan to be there EVERY DAY (swear to god, no lie, although there may be some slight disconnect between planning and execution of said plans), so I’ll see you when you do make it!

    2. I had an individual membership here for years then added the family, then subtracted them when they didn’t use the Y much, then added them back. All this is to say that I find the Decatur-DeKalb YMCA to be good, comfortable place for the pool, exercise equipment, classes if they have what you want, and young children’s programs. They have towels which is a huge advantage (for me) over the East Lake Y which I also use. I have not been enamored of their after school or summer camp programs.

      It’s not as fancy as something like the Athletic Club but I really don’t use all those free cotton balls, cotton swabs, deodorant, and other amenities, nor do I need to be hanging around a juice bar with people so much younger and fitter than me that it’s humiliating.

      1. I’ve got to admit, the cotton swabs are a nice touch, but I’m with you on the juice bar! And I don’t mind so much being humiliated by the much better physiqued younger guys but what really bothers me is that I can’t even look at the young hotties working out in their skimpy outfits without feeling (and looking, I’m sure) like the creepy old guy who could be their daddy.

    3. east lake YMCA rocks….started out at ddymca and switched over once east lake y was built…never looked back. check it out if you can…and good luck with all things moving related! here’s to a smooth re-entry into COD…

      1. Thanks! Things have gone so smoothly so far that I’m just steeling myself for the worst. I have a feeling we are in the classic calm before the storm!

      2. With a Metro membership, you have access to any of the YMCAs in the Atlanta area. (If I recall, though, the Fitlinxx computerized workout system may still be facility-specific.) Although I’m no longer a member, it really is a great deal.

        If you choose the Y, tell your wife about the fantastic Nia classes at DDY taught by Sandy Bramlet.

      3. Big fan of both the Decatur and East Lake Y. I’ve only had one bad experience at the East Lake Y and it wasn’t the staff’s fault just a result of the neighborhood. I went to the East Lake Y during the day on a weekday probably before lunch. As I walked down the hall to the locker room, I passed a man. I smiled and thought nothing of it until two seconds later when a woman popped her head of the women’s locker room wrapped in her towel. She said to me something like tell the front desk to stop that guy he was just in the women’s locker room. The front desk staff chased him to the parking lot and out onto the street. They didn’t catch him. But they knew he was because he’d been there before. I don’t think the guy was there to commit some sexual assault just to steal stuff out of lockers but I still cannot allow myself to shower and change at the ELY.

    4. Just an FYI, I pay $49 a month at Core (started last year). Not sure why your rates were so high.

      1. The rates were for a couple! $45/month each is not all that bad but they said that’s only if you pay up front for the year and the higher rate applies to month-to-month memberships. I’m just not a fan of being forced into “discounts” by paying up front for an extended time.

        I did like Core when I used it a few years ago and may still end up there if the Y ends up not being a good fit but I think we will try that first, especially since it will only be about a half mile away.

  48. Hey all. Mckoy pool open and no one there. Just walked by about 1:30 Saturday. Havent seen it like that all year. Just passing.the word for those who think it gets a bit crowded….

    1. Venetian Pool empty all day too. I think with school starting early, August 2, families are taking their last out-of-town trips of the summer.

  50. Maybe you missed it this morning but I think CSD was mentioned in today’s Wall Street Journal. In an editorial column by Kyle Wingfield (“When Teachers Cheat- And Then Blame The Test”), he suggested that a “value-added” testing program might be a better way to evaluate and reward teachers. “One possibility that has already been tried in a number of systems, including one in nearby Decatur, GA., so-called value-added tests, which gauge a student’s progress over the course of a school year, rather than merely determining whether a student is performing at grade level.” (May not be word for word)
    I can only guess that he is referring to the testing program CSD uses (called MAPP).
    CDS being mentioned by a conservative AJC writer in a conservative business newspaper owned by Rupert Murdoch! Who would have thunk it?!

    1. I was skeptical of MAP testing at first, and I’m still not sure it belongs at the first grade level when a lot of kids cannot even read yet, but I have found it very useful with my children for two reasons:
      1) It shows personal growth, e.g is a high performer plateauing or continuing to grow, plus is broken down into very specific dimensions so teachers and families can truly understand weaknesses and strengths.
      2) As the students mature, they become more involved with their own scores and making progress. They get their scores as they test, not months later when they’ve forgotten about the testing.

  52. Congratulations to Andisheh Nouraee! Good write up in the Times.

    http://nyti.ms/nnnuG6

      1. Buy a copy for yourself, too. I’ve guffawed loudly several times while reading Americapedia. It’s clever and funny, but I think the Y-A label is misleading. It’s certainly appropriate for that age group, but should have a much broader appeal.

  56. Does anyone else read DM on an iPad2 with Safari? If so, are you having the same problem as me?

    Here’s what’s happening; it inconsistently activates the mobile theme. Sometimes it is on mobile theme, sometimes not. And when I try to turn off mobile theme, it often doesn’t take. I occasionally see a www2 in the URL, but that is also inconsistent. It seems to act OK on my iPhone, but not the iPad2.

  58. Looking for competent dog walker.
    Please, any recommendations?
    What is fair payment for this service?
    Thank you.

  60. Hey guys!
    I’ll be moving into Downtown Decatur in 1 1/2 weeks and I’m just looking for any and all recommendations for a new-resident. I’ll be moving into Ice House Lofts with my 3 1/2 yr old Shepherd mix and I couldn’t be more excited!

    I guess I’m going to have to bookmark this website, haha.

    Thanks in advance!

    1. First level of suggestions:
      – Bookmark the City of Decatur’s website and get on their listservs
      – While on the City website, locate the course “Decatur 101” and get on the waiting list
      – If you bought a condo vs. are renting, apply for homestead tax exemption
      – Get on the Library’s listserv for events
      – Plan to be in town, if possible, for the Book Festival on Labor Day weekend since you can walk!
      – See if there’s a neighborhood listserv for Ice House Lofts
      – Remember that you are just a block or so from Las Brasas if you want to bring home some great take-out Peruvian chicken, beans and rice, corn, sweet potato fries, and flan

      Welcome!

    2. As a former Decaturite who is moving back in a week and a half as well, Welcome!

      You and your dog will both love it. My only advice is to watch out where you let him/her do its thing. I’m sure you know to pick up the poop but apparently many of your new neighbors are now up in arms about dogs peeing on their property as well. And no, I’m not making that up. They are going to be in for a rude awakening when my Stanley gets back to town!

    3. Volunteer for Decatur events through Volunteer! Decatur. You’ll get to know everyone in town that way.
      Specifically, volunteer for the book festival, please.

  62. Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it!

    If people have a problem with a dog peeing on their grass near the road then they probably have a lot more problems that we don’t see. However, I won’t allow my dog to relieve himself on their flowers or valuables. 🙂

    @Parker: Thanks, I’ll look into that once I’m settled!

    1. Get up and moving now to volunteer for the Book Fest. It’s only 6 weeks away and that puts you on the priority list to volunteer for the Beer Fest in October. [email protected]

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