Free-For-All Friday 10/7/11
Decatur Metro | October 7, 2011Feel 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.
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.
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Any recommendations for a web site designer for a small local business?
Kevin Rucker at kmrucker.org/blog
Me!
http://www.brozekdesign.com
+1
Rick is great!
I am in the middle of having my web site re-done, for the third time in 6 years. This is the first time that I have been totally satisfied.
I am able to make changes, post video and add pictures right from my desk.
If you are interested, I will give you his contact info. His name is Robert Morrissey. Feel free to view my site. We are still in the process of editing it.
Marcia & Greg with Lampe Farley – http://www.lampefarley.com
Media Kitchen!
Has anyone else noticed a sudden increase in Decatur police traffic tickets? I think I saw four cars pulled over yesterday. Are we short on cash?
Could be that enforcing the traffic laws means safer streets? Just yesterday, I was stopped at the funny Atlanta Ave. intersection at a red light, and a car passed TWO cars (me and another car) and sped through the red light. I wondered if he was fleeing someone.
Can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen roll through stop signs, speed in school zones, etc.
Ticket them, I say.
+1!
Well, of course ticket anyone that’s breaking the law (that wasn’t the point of the question) Just wondering why the recent increase in hidden patrol cars… Has Decatur driving gotten that bad?
Distracted and reckless drivers are a really big problem here in Decatur. You haven’t noticed it?
The Decatur Police Dept. is terrific about responding to citizens’ concerns. If you’re seeing patrol cars where you haven’t seen them before, it may be that nearby residents/businesses are actively trying to fix problem spots.
Speeding car drivers are major problem. I have seen cars speed up, even while groups of children wait to cross Howard Ave at Adair Street, even as the 2 guards come into the street waiving their sign and whistling. Of course the police nab many of these idiots at that location every day. Rather than just issuing tickets, some drivers need to go straight to jail for endangering children.
“some drivers need to go straight to jail for endangering children.”
HELL TO THE YES!
Yes!! I saw a woman blow through the crosswalk near Saba on Oakview Road one afternoon last week….a boy coming from Renfroe was in the crosswalk, and he was far enough across that I guess the driver thought she didn’t even have to freaking slow down!! I couldn’t believe it. Just thinking about it makes furious!
+1000!!!
+1. I almost called the police department this morning to ask them to start writing *more* tickets. I stopped for a person in a crosswalk in front of the high school this morning and the driver behind me pulled out and attempted to pass me on the left. Thankfully, she was able to stop when she saw the human standing there. Yesterday a driver honked at me when I stopped to turn left – from the designated left turn lane with my turn signal on – at McDonough and Trinity. This was after someone blew past me doing something like 40-45 mph in the school zone on Clairemont.
I have a friend whose child was hit by a car while crossing to go to the high school. (From what I understand, she was not seriously injured, but still…)
I don’t know if the fines aren’t high enough or not enough people are getting tickets, but something needs to be done to get people to obey traffic laws and, above all else, slow down in the mornings! The first driver I mentioned ended up waiting at all the same traffic lights I did on our way through town this morning. All you’re doing is getting to that red light faster, people. And if you hit someone on the way, you’re going to be a hell of a lot later to work than you would be if you drove the speed limit.
The fines are definitely high enough, at least they are for me. About a week ago I got a ticket for “failure to obey stop sign” turning off of North Druid Hills onto Clairmont Ave at about 1am. I was thinking the ticket would be about 75-100 bucks, but it’s very close to 200.
I hear that stop sign is kind of a trap and police officers get a lot of people there. Only if I would have know that before hand, haha. I didn’t come to a complete stop, the fault is ALL mine, so I’ll gladly pay the ticket and be more careful next time. But, I slowed down to around 1-2mph, if i would have pushed on the break a little harder I would have completely stopped but the rules are the rules.
My favorite part was the cop approached my window and asks, “Is there a reason you ran that stop sign back there?” The only response I could think of was, “No cars were coming?” lol – He said he appreciated my cooperation and honesty and I complimented him on serving and protecting, took my ticket, and drove home.
Ah, the stop sign at NDH turning southbound onto Clairmont! That’s my favorite revenue generator/pretextual reason for stop sign around. DKPD will randomly stake out that intersection and make some stops during the day to justify their stated reason for its need but I’ve had drivers behind me blare their horns, flip me off and verbally assault me for having the gall to come to a complete stop there in plain view of a cop who just sat there looking amused. I’ve even had a damn DKPD patrol car almost rear-end me at that stop sign and then immediately pass me while speeding up to about 60 mph on Clairmont.
That stop sign is there solely to give officers a reason to pull over cars late night/ early morning in order to investigate for DUI. Given the time you were pulled over, I can tell you that you’re damn lucky you hadn’t had even 2 beers because the wrong DKPD officer will arrest you if you’ve had ANY alcohol and the solicitor’s office will prosecute any case with a breath test over 0.04 even if it’s under the per se limit of 0.08.
The cruel joke is that it used to be a yield sign there at Clairemont for years, then it was changed to a stop sign. There’s always a cop sitting in the Shepherd Center parking lot waiting for victims… It’s a real money-maker, I imagine.
Wow, that’s outrageous. I guess i consider myself incredibly lucky then and even more so since I had 2 handles of rum in a bag in the front seat.
– unopened though.
I will definitely be stopping there at that stop sign from now on, or just doing my best to avoid it altogether.
Thanks for the info, any other scheming spots I need to watch out for?
Too many to list. That would make a great DM thread in and of itself. Of course, if we limit it to C.O.D., you can just consider the entire 4.2 square miles to be a “scheming spot”
There is another reason to consider about why this ‘ramp’ was re-configured a few years ago from a curving yield sign to a straighter ramp with a stop sign: to decrease the number of crashes occurring there. The approach on N. Druid Hills and the ramp curve encouraged taking the yield sign at speed; combined with having to look back to your left at a extreme angle for traffic on Clairmont resulting in a number of crashes and injuries. The current configuration of a stop sign and have a less extreme angle to look left for traffic on Clairmont makes this a safer intersection. Of all the things that police have to deal with on a daily basis, managing a crash scene with injured people is probably one of their least-liked things.
A simple solution to this inconvenient stop sign would be to proceed to the corner and turn right.
Personal experience?
Professional experience. J_T’s never been taken to jail against his will…yet…
More honesty–when I’m in a stream of cars turning right, southbound, on Clairemont from eastbound N. Druid Hills, I do not even remember the stop sign because the flow of traffic is so compelling. Thanks for the reminder; maybe it will counteract the honks and glares from behind if you actually stop at the stop sign.
I got one of those “rolling stop” tickets several years ago and it was $75. I’d be interested in seeing the increase in traffic ticket fines over the years….
cfn,
It’s 178.00 now…
By all means, if you are breaking the law, then you have the right to get caught. I was one of those cars pulled over for speeding — unintentional and with a screaming 2 month old in the car.
Anyways,I am choosing to pay my ticket online rather than appearing in court. Yes, the fines are high, but the “online processing fee” is completely uncalled for. It’s $28. They are definitely taking advantage of the system.
I saw that too. The kid pulled into the high school parking lot. I wish I knew his parents!
Short on cash? Yep– if you’re one of the folks breaking the law, breaking the law!
Judas Priest reference?
:0)
(Trying to lure Lyrics Only Guy out from wherever he’s hiding!)
Retired. Stupid idea, anyway.
say it isn’t so!!! i heart lyrics only guy. (that may become my new name on dm….)
Please come back . Yours are the first posts I check when I go to DM. Always make me smile.
Oh dear! Beloved characters can’t retire! It simply isn’t done! In the words of one Mr. Barry Manilow:
You came along just like a song
And brightened my day
Who would have believed
That you were part of a dream
Now it all seems light years away
And now you know I can’t smile without you
I can’t smile without you
I can’t laugh and I can’t sing
I’m finding it hard to do anything
I just can’t smile without you :0(
(Lyrics Only Guy, we love ya and we need you! Please say you’ll stay! )
I have also noticed this with Dekalb in the past few weeks as well. If it were the end of the month, I would think they were last minute rushing to meet the ticket quotas. But maybe the quotas have gone up.
There was a guy who used to lurk here under “po po” who would link to a blog with pretty interesting Dekalb department info/gossip on it, and tickets were a hot topic. He hasn’t been around in a while that I recall.
Anyways, if departments are crunched for cash, my guess would be they have been ordered to write lots more tickets. Who knows…
Rebeccab, I am still here, but lurk in the background. I can tell you for a fact there are no quotas at any Department. It’s a misconcieved notion concocted from all of the po-po TV shows….
Thanks for clearing that up about Dekalb. I did a search for that blog+ticket quota to see why I remembered it that way, and there were a couple of different pieces that popped up. There seem to be a differing perspectives on it.
http://dekalbofficersspeak.blogspot.com/2011/07/chief-is-catching-some-heatand-so-will.html
http://dekalbofficersspeak.blogspot.com/2010/08/none-paid-holiday-or-furlough-day.html
http://dekalbofficersspeak.blogspot.com/2011/08/watch-tonigt-at-700-pm.html
And many articles popped up re: other states with quotas as well. There may not be SOP for Dekalb like this (because it sounds like quotas are illegal in Dekalb), but it’s not just on tv either. Google GA or Dekalb speed trap quotas, all kinds of things pop up, many from legit sources.
Gee, if only there were some surefire way to avoid getting a ticket….think, think…..what could it be?
So you’ve never gone even one mph over the speed limit? And you come to a complete stop at every stop sign, no matter how remote and deserted the road? You’ve never looked down for a minute and missed the sign that announced the speed limit had suddenly dropped by 20 mph or the yield sign had been replaced by a stop sign? Maybe you haven’t gotten a ticket yet, but I’m willing to bet you’re a slightly flawed driver just like everyone else…
+1
Not claiming to be a perfect driver, but proud to say I’m a full-fledged adult when it comes to obeying traffic signals and laws. In fact, I do come to a complete stop at every stop sign and red light, regardless of conditions. I do obey the posted speed limit on surface streets. (As I’ve stated before on a different but related thread, IMO expressway driving is a different matter, where it’s sometimes safer to go along with prevailing traffic flow, within limits.) I get honked at a lot and am frequently on the receiving end of obscene gestures and obvious name-calling, by people who are in too much of a hurry to drive safely because they are so important and wherever they are going is so urgent, they can’t be bothered to spend an extra four minutes getting across Decatur. Everybody says they want safer streets and calmer traffic, but what most people really want is for everybody else to get out of their way. I think the huffing and puffing that goes on here every time somebody gets a traffic ticket, is disingenuous and silly.
I agree with you. People need to chill the eff out and slow down.
yes…yes…and yes!!
smalltowngal- I took your driver’s challenge to follow all traffic rules. I didn’t come across anyone else using turn signals during the entire two weeks!
Other than idiots who don’t stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, failure to use a turn signal is one of my all-time pet peeves. It literally makes me want to slap the tar outta the offender. “Hey, listen, you just need to read my mind– using signals is just not important enough for me to bother!” GRRRRRRRRRR.
It’s definitely one of the things that makes me understand road rage a little bit. Sometimes I fantasize about riding around with a paint gun (water-soluble, of course).
Back in my commuting days, I used to entertain myself thinking of giant flash cards to wave at people:
“Like it would kill you to use your turn signal?”
“Stop changing lanes, we’re all trapped in 2nd gear.”
“Hang up and pay attention.” (good for motorists and pedestrians)
“Stop sorting your mail on the steering wheel.”
“Do you really think you’ll look prettier with a mascara wand poking out of your eye socket?”
“Is that a cordless shaver or is it plugged into the cigarette lighter?”
“WAKE UP! IT’S NOT A BAD DREAM, YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY TO WORK!”
Go for it. I think there’s a business there. I would add one. “I might be slow but I’m ahead of you” after they give me the finger, a honk and a few facial contortions.
I used to fantasize about cars being able to talk to one another using some kind of loudspeaker system. But I knew that terrible abuses would follow….
Oh, yeah, I’ve longed for a PA system like the cop cars have. But my fantasy doesn’t involve anybody else having one — why would I want the yahoos to be able to talk back?
My high school boyfriend was of like mind, STG. He made a sign on a stick and carried it in his car. One side of the sign said THANK YOU and the other said ASSHOLE.
(laughing…I hadn’t thought of that in 40 years.)
YES! But in my daydream, the messages pop up in flashing lights across the back of my rear windshield. All I have to do is push the corresponding button on the dashboard … Are you listening, Toyota?
++++1
I don’t know about the cash but we don’t seem to be short on scofflaw drivers.
DM-
I miss the “Popular Posts” list on the right side. Would it be a hassle to put it back up?
It was a victim of trying to figure out what was slowing down the site a while back. You’re not the first person who’s asked to have it back, so I’ll return it to its space and see what happens.
YAY!!! It’s back!!! :0)
(While you’re tinkering, can you jiggle Beyond Dm to get it moving again? I’m a big user of that feature too! )
The Morning Metro has taken over most of Beyond DM’s content. And barely anyone clicks on those.
Barely anyone clicks on the Morning Metro? I find myself usually checking out about half of those links each day!
I love Morning Metro too! And the super handy links column… Heck, you got it all scattered, smothered, and covered! :0)
Maybe they don’t click it because they just click the link directly? That’s what I have been doing anyways. I really like it btw. There have been things on it I would have missed otherwise.
And what happened to being able to post pics here? Are you afraid of what we would post if left to our own devices?
The sign in front of the bakery by YDFM is morphing and it’s always good for a little snickering and mockery.
It’s gone from “Jesus saves, Obama spends” to now just read “Obama spends”
Apparently Jesus has gotten out of the savings business. No one is immune from these tough economic times.
Had I a vote, it would go to effect this workaround:
div#recent-comments > div#recentcomment > ul.recentcomment_flat_expandable > li > ul > li { background-image: none; }
That’s to remove a gratuitous arrow pseudo-bullet that underlaps the title text in the Recent Comments widget with several web browsers.
Does anyone still need a ticket to the beer festival? We had someone back out, so I’ve got one ticket for sale at face value (plus whatever the original handling fee was).
scratch that, the ticket has been sold.
My wife and I purchased tickets (2) to the Decatur Beer Festival and unfortunately we cannot attend. If you’re interested please email me.
Thanks!
Mike
All week I wait to submit ideas I come up with for FFAF posts, but then, when FFAF finally comes around, I’ve forgotten them.
mommy brain?
Yes, you recognize it! I lost my memory during my first pregnancy and it’s never come back! Funny thing is that the household still depends on me to organize everything and I try–lists, calendars, notes on door handles, etc. But we have some spectacular Alzheimer moments. My favorite is the time that my brother from out of town showed up on our doorstep one evening for a several day stay and, not only had I completely forgotten that he’d told me a few months before that he was coming for a conference, I still didn’t remember when he showed up. It took several minutes of going on and on about what a nice surprise it was to see him before the truth dawned on me….
Your lists in some of your comments crack me up. I can imagine them in a Jon Lovitz routine or maybe Raymond J. Johnson:
Monday is the last day to buy tickets ONLINE to next Thursday’s shrimp / sausage / beer / vacation home silent auction / wine / live music (Dammages) / desserts / cool evening soiree that is the Low Country Boil.
Proceeds benefit the children and youth of Decatur. The event itself benefits those who attend.
Details and ticket info at http://decatureducationfoundation.org/news-events … hope to see everyone there.
Still loving Oakhurst Market–in addition to meat, there’s always a fresh deli item like cole slaw or potato salad to bring to a potluck, love the baguettes if they are not sold out, and just tried the Toasted Coconut ice cream/gelato–very good. Nostalgic penny candy, although none of that stuff is as good as I once thought it was. And it’s a cute hangout for F.AVE students on their way home.
You forgot to give the icee machine a shout out! A coke/cherry icee can’t be beat!
Did not notice that but I’ll bet my kids have!
The icee machine lured me over during the soft opening! It was also my first trip to Hop ‘N Shop– which I loved! Great country convenience store type snacks! Can’t go wrong with Andy Capp Hot Fries! And my goodness! The assortment of candy! Lemonheads, Cherryheads, Orangeheads, Appleheads, Fireballs, Boston Baked Beans… It’s a good thing it’s not in quick walking distance of my house! I’d be making up all kinds of store run excuses! :0)
I want karassssss back
Me too!!!
We should plant sticky notes signed “karass” on her door handles. If she thinks she wrote ‘em, she might forget all about this AHiD phase…
I have 2 tickets to the Decatur Beer Festival that can’t be used. I’m selling them at face value. Let me know if you’re interested.
Parents of Decatur- someone left a stroller at 335 W Ponce de Leon yesterday around 12-1ish. Around 5 no one came back to claim it, and some kids were playing with it so I brought it inside Fabu Face Spa. If it’s yours please stop by.
has anyone else seen the “straight outta dunwoody” video?
hilarious.
also, those from DC or familiar with the area will get a kick out of this one:
“The Arlington Rap”
Happy Friday fellow DMers! What a beautiful day! Few things to discuss…#1: I had a friend whose mom recently moved to Decatur ask if we were “moving” Halloween this year to the weekend before since it falls on a Monday. I didn’t know what to tell her. Anybody have an answer? #2: A huge shout out to our Chik-fil-A for my visit this morning. My chicken mini’s were hot and delicious, the drive-thru line moved like a well-oiled machine and the young lady who waited on me was so sweet and polite. Every time I approach a counter or check-out line and have some pissy person bark “What do you want?” at me from now on I am going to pretend I am at the Decatur Chik-fil-A to keep myself in a happy place. I worked retail all through high school and college and I can without a doubt say that if I had ever treated customers the way I see retail customers often treated this day and age, my father (and boss) would have knocked my teeth down my throat. #3: To the DB in the white Mercedes coupe who blew through the crosswalk on Trinity as the stooped, elderly man was carefully crossing, I hope a piano being lifted to a high-rise breaks free from the ropes and falls onto your precious car…just like in my favorite old school cartoons.
Not a chance on #1. People around here don’t look too kindly on efforts to move trick-or-treating. Bonus: CSD schools have a teacher workday on Tuesday, November 1! How convenient!
I think the only time that moving Halloween is even discussed is if it falls on a Sunday because having devil/evil themes coincide with the Lord’s Day is considered sacriligeous by some. Nonetheless it still is celebrated on the 31st by most in Decatur even if the 31st falls on a Sunday. The issue of it being a school night doesn’t seem to stop anyone and this year it won’t matter for CSD students because of the teacher work day on November 1.
Trick or treating takes place on the 31st, no matter which day. I remember growing up we completed it during the week, weekend just to have the free candy.
Never understood why people want to move Halloween?
It is and always will be Oct. 31st!
Just like the 4th of July is on July 4th & Christmas is always on December 25th
As to #3, why do you say he was a defensive back? Given that primadonna attitude, I would’ve went with QB
And while the piano crushing car scenario would be satisfying, it would be even better if Officer Lindsey then gave him a $212 ticket for failure to yield to the musical instrument…
Thank you tiptoe! I’ll let her know.
Unless July 4 is celebrated on September 24!
This was supposed to be posted up under Rob’s post about holidays occurring on the actual holiday. Don’t know what happened,
@Joe…This video is awesome! We need one for Decatur. Someone at the high school needs to plant the seed in the heads of some of our creative and talented kids. This video makes up for the “My EBT” video a co-worker sent me a few weeks back. Has anyone else seen this crap? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IGfe2tAUbM
haha half of the City of Decatur one would involve people saying UNICORPORATED DEKALB IS NOT DECATUR! haha
Crap? I was thinking “sadly accurate”. So much much so that maybe Mark Bittman is behind it?
I have to add a small rant to FFAF this week about the Decatur Super 8. I had some family travel down for a funeral, and unfortunately the Holiday Inn Express on N. Decatur was all booked up. But often people rave about the Super 8 on DM, so I sent them there. Well, they are doing some construction and although it’s noisy, we all agreed that sometimes construction must be done and maybe we shouldn’t complain. However, they started construction at 7:00 a.m. When a complaint call was placed to the desk, my uncle was told that local ordinances allow work to begin at 7:00 a.m.
That might well be true, but you’d think they’d care more about keeping guests happy than what local ordinances allow. With two small children in tow and a funeral to attend, it made for a rougher trip than necessary. Perhaps they were wearied by travel, stress, and grief – but I think they could have waited until at least 8 a.m. to start construction at a hotel… where people tend to, oh I don’t know, SLEEP.
I have to add that my 6 year-old cousin absolutely loved all the construction vehicles, and would have a very different review of the Super 8, if he were asked
Does anyone know if you need a permit to paint your house exterior in the city limits? I am thinking that is city of atlanta only, not csd. Anyone know for sure?
I don’t but If you live in an historic district you might.
I say go for it. it’s your house, paint it however you like
Are you sure it’s your house, or did you move into a foreclosure since the doors were unlocked?
good one! that one wins the
prize today!
+1. Probably not a big DM priority, but it would be awesome if we could vote for a ‘Comment of the Day’ a la Gawker.com. We get a lot of good ones.
There is no restriction on color in a historic district. That is specifically stated in the Code. And, it all you’re doing is painting, you don’t need a permit of any kind.
what about misc. rotten trim replacement, nothing new, just replace what rotted?
maybe I just shouldn’t ask. My painter was worried about lead paint fines. Think there is a major one for city of atlanta exterior painting w/o a permit.
Paint more, worry less.
the city may not have regulations regarding lead paint, but the Feds do: Google EPA and Lead Paint regulations and you’ll find the relevant restrictions and requirements.
Not being picky but it is FFAF …
I don’t think “csd” (City Schools of Decatur) cares what color your paint the exterior of your house.
Probably meant COD, not CSD.
Digitizing audio cassettes (I have hundreds, they’re the soundtrack of my late adolescence and early adulthood) … Found a $30 device that connects the stereo cassette deck to the PC via a USB port, ordered it through amazon.com and resolved to spend a few weekends moving the music over. Installed drivers but couldn’t get the app to launch. A few phone calls and many email exchanges with tech support, finally was told to send the device back for replacement. BUT they wanted me to pay shipping. Without raising my voice, I made it plain I wasn’t going to do that and also wasn’t going to go away, so they provided a prepaid shipping label. It was delivered to them a week ago, I inquired today as to the status and was told turnaround time at the warehouse is 4-6 weeks and during that time they do not provide status information. so this whole thing has been going on for over a month already and they’re saying it could be another month or longer before they ship the new one. So if you think the ION Record 2 PC looks like a charming solution, think again.
It could be worse: you could have paid a consultant thousands of dollars to record oral histories on DAT only to learn 10 years later that you don’t have the equipment to replay the investment.
You do have some options for digitizing your audio without expensive hardware and software investments. Depending on your source content, music or speech, and what quality you want, your basic option is to download a free app like Audacity , plug a line from the headphone jack on your cassette player to the line-in or mic plug on your PC and record away. You can clean up the audio using another free app called the Levelator . A great source for additional information is the Vermont Folklife Center’s digital audio resources page: http://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/archive/res_digitalediting.htm.
Good luck with your project.
Thank you. I did try one of those free apps one time, can’t remember which one, and couldn’t get it to work. Maybe I’ll give Audacity a try. The collection includes a lot of albums that aren’t available on CD or as downloads, and a number of mix tapes collected over the years. Quality on many of them isn’t great, but I want to preserve what there is….plus, I’m kind of old-school and actually like hearing the imperfections that go along with music recorded at home off of LPs (in some cases). The tape player ate one of my favorite Taj Majal tapes, so I’m newly motivated to get this project done.
Wanted to send out thanks to the Decatur police department this week. On Friday there was quite a scuffle among a large group of high schoolers behind the Decatur Rec Center. I don’t know the full story, but it looked like a big old Sharks vs. Jets scenario. Decatur Police got on the scene quickly and broke up the mess. Same thing almost happened again on Monday *and* on Tuesday afternoons. A police car parked on the sidewalk right outside the Rec Center kept the rumble from getting off the ground. I think the cross-town rivalry has either diminished or relocated since then. Thanks, officers!
Regarding DPD:
I regard them about the same as I do Cobb County PD. DO NOT GET CAUGHT sleeping on traffic laws in either of these locales. Sure, it’s a good thing they’re enforcing the laws to an extent. My route from home to work is Candler over the tracks > W. Trinity > Commerce > W. Ponce and I regard that stretch as nothing short of a demilitarized zone. Many sotorists, cyclists and pedestrians frequently disregard all traffic laws while traveling that stretch.
Having said that, for reasons I can’t substantiate to anything more than a “gut feeling,” there’s an overzealous element to a number of officers on those forces that makes me nervous (even when I’m following the letter of the law).
Perhaps Decatur PD has stepped up traffic enforcement around town because citizen groups asked for it.
For years Decatur citizens have been asking for better enforcement of traffic laws. Traffic calming has been a common topic during City Commission public comment sessions and at various neighborhood and school meetings . Concerns about traffic in residential neighborhoods and pedestrian safety especially on routes to our schools ranked high in many groups during the recent strategic planning meetings.
Personally I am surprised so many here are upset about this. I am happy to have motorists know they must be especially careful to follow the traffic rules when in City of Decatur. I am definitely a “slightly flawed driver” (to quote cfn above) . When I do get a ticket , I take responsibility and pay the fine . I get annoyed at myself not at the officer who is enforcing the law.
Sometimes I wish DPD would ticket each other. They tear down Drexel all the time endangering pets and children. I am all for ticketing traffic law violators, but it makes me furious when I see DPD blatantly driving dangerously.
Call the non-emergency number and lodge a complaint. Or send an email to the chief. Or both.
A FFAF topic that I have been wondering about…
8 months after opening, what is everyone’s opinion about the Decatur Diner? I ate there twice early on and was twice underwhelmed. I would sum it up as “a large portion of mediocre food”. When I pass by nowadays at different times of day, it seems to be mostly empty. Anyone out there that is a regular? Just curious.
I went about three times before they got that horrific health inspection score, and I have not been back.
Never tried it, but won’t after that health score.
We’ve eaten there a few times (partner, 4-year-old and me) and each time we’ve been greeted by REALLY friendly folks. The waitresses go out of their way to come and talk to my son and get him whatever he wants. You can easily go off-menu – I think they might actually encourage it. I’m not saying it’s the greatest food ever but if you’re looking for very child-friendly, good food and a casual atmosphere, then I say it could be your place. I really like the “Greek potatoes.”
Now, about this health code score. I didn’t know anything about it but now I’m rethinking my recommendation.
DECATUR DINER
205 EAST PONCE DE LEON AVENUE – DECATUR, GA 30030
Food Service Inspection Report
Date: 09/29/2011 Score: 77
Food Service Inspection Report
Date: 09/28/2011 Score: 42
Food Service Inspection Report
Date: 05/09/2011 Score: 94
Food Service Inspection Report
Date: 04/26/2011 Score: 50
Food Service Inspection Report
Date: 02/10/2011 Score: 100
Wow. Two consec scores below 80. Not gone do it!
Looks like they “cleaned up their act” each time after a low score, except this latest time, when cleaning up only got them a 77.
SCARY. The Sept. ones happened just after their cheapo seafood feast promo ended…
Am I wrong to wish candidates for public office would not violate the City Ordinance when placing signs? You can have 2 signs per lot, none in public right of way: Section 178-19 (n)
Political signs. Political signs are permitted in all zoning districts, but they shall be limited only to developed properties. These signs are permitted for a period of not more than six weeks before a duly authorized election date. Political signs shall be removed within one week following the authorized general election date or within one week of the candidate’s or issue’s election or defeat, whichever comes first. Primary and general election dates shall be established by applicable federal, state or local law. Political signs shall not exceed eight square feet in area and shall not exceed two signs per lot. Political signs shall not be located closer than 17 feet to the edge of a public road surface. However, no political sign shall be permitted in a public right-of-way. Political signs displayed in nonresidential or multiple-family zoning districts may only be placed in the window area of the primary structure.
Anybody go to the MARTA meeting last night, about the I-20 corridor options? (I lazed out of going, after reading here yesterday that the Roundtable tabled it ’til their next meeting.) Anything interesting to share?
Harbour Bar is opening on Monday!!!
It’s where El Tesoro/Jake’s was–that cool old house next to Twains.
They have done a beautiful job renovating inside and out. Amazing front and back yard with an outdoor bar in back. The inside has been opened up and it feels great. Full bar, special “mermaid” drink (in a really rockin’ mug), delicious seafood menu.
Had a sneak behind the scenes tour today and I can’t wait to try it out!!!
Great news! No more schlepping all the way to 6 Feet Under for oysters! (Although, while I think the shuck-your-own option is a nice idea, I hope they have a plan for making sure customers possess the very simple but very particular skill to open an oyster without slashing their own wrists, before letting them loose in the dining area with oyster knives.)
+1
Today is the last day to join the wonderful DeKalb History Center for a less than half the regular rate! With this offer, you’ll get exclusive tickets (not available to regular members) to a guided tour of The Great Speckled Bird exhibit, a tote bag, access to members-only events, and the privilege of visiting the beautiful Old Courthouse on the Square whenever you’d like. Please join us! (And if you’re already a member, THANK YOU, and you’re welcome to renew with this deal!) http://goo.gl/E99Ef
Any tips on furniture refinishers? Thought there was a string on this recently, but can’t find it.
I would like to give a shout out to Tally Deshaune and the Deadfields for awesome music at the F. AVE picnic Tuesday night. It was a beautiful night with great friends and music. Thanks for entertaining us. thanks PTO for the volunteers who helped.
Lost my wedding band while walking somewhere between the Howard/Atlantic intersection, through the dangerous Howard crosswalk, down Adair, down Ponce, through the First Christian Church parking lot, and eventually down Woodlawn Ave. It isn’t expensive–just has sentimental value. It looks like this, if you find a metal ring: http://konzukshop.com/shop/kmr137
Thanks!
Sorry sorry to all those Philly fans out there (a little less so to a particular school administration official round here that keeps, uh kept, announcing it at school). Ain’t so easy to win the WS more than once in a stretch is it?
Hey, the Phillies sealed their own fate. They swept the Braves in the fall three games, thus allowing the Cards to win the wild card and go on to beat the Phillies in the NLDS. Oh, the irony. Although, I do feel sorry for Ryan Howard, tearing his Achilles tendon on the final out. That hurt.
Got my first jury summons for DeKalb since we moved over here. One of the questions, on what looks like a standard form: Do you have State Farm insurance? Do you have Allstate insurance?
What’s that about? It looks like a standard form that they send to everybody, not something specific to a case….
Yeah, and they ask you that a billion times once you are in the courthouse. It must have something to do with their being lots of cases involving those two companies, don’t you think?
I know State Farm is a mutual company, which means its insureds own the company and get dividends. This indicates to me (as you implied that you suspected) that the questions are relevant to jury selection — a person insured by State Farm, who has a vested interest in seeing it make a profit, couldn’t sit on a jury in a personal injury case in which State Farm was an insurer. Maybe Allstate is similar, and maybe becuase they’re such large companies, insuring so many people, it’s worthwhile for the county to ask the questions on its standard form.
The idea is that if you get dividends (no matter how small) from an insurance company, you may be less likely to reach a verdict against that company. Makes sense, right? If you have a financial stake in a company, you might be opposed to a large verdict in favor of a plaintiff.
IPA day at Brickstore is like Xmas in October..
any recommendations on lawn aeration and overseeding?
For those of you not attending the beer festival, and perhaps with young scientists at home, the Fernbank Fossil Festival is October 15th. A 7-year old girl from Georgia who discovered a sabertooth fossil while on vacation with her family will be at the festival.
can you give more info about the festival? sounds fun!
http://fsc.fernbank.edu/fossilday.htm
Highly recommended.
FREE.