Free-For-All Friday 12/2/11
Decatur Metro | December 2, 2011Feel free to use this post to ask questions and make comments about local issues not discussed here over the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
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This week’s FFAF is brought to you by Six Star Service…
Happy Friday all. Six Star wants to share the love just as much as the next guy so we wanted to take this opportunity to announce something new for the month of December that will share on the local level. Something near and dear to our hearts are animals, so we’ve picked PAWS Atlanta, a Decatur animal rescue organization that has been providing care and home placement for strays for 45 years now. We will be donating a percentage of December’s sales to PAWS. So if you drive a Subaru check out our website, blog or Facebook page for details. Even if you don’t drive a Subaru then give a thought to donating a few dollars to PAWS or any other local shelter.
Thanks for reading,
Juston
Will all of the parents that use Fayetteville Rd as a short cut for 5th Ave school PLEASE SLOW THE FREAK DOWN!!! I’m getting tired of watching all the mini-vans flying past my front window.
I completely agree but I wouldn’t be too hopeful. FAVE has a particularly large number of children who are driven to school because of its location at the SW corner of Decatur. The neighborhoods around most of elementary schools and Renfroe suffer from school drop-off and pick-up traffic, plus parking issues, especially in cold or inclement weather when walking and rolling are decreased. Police ticketing speeders in the morning help but do not eliminate the problem.
On the other hand, the FAVE neighborhood is benefitting from the impact of having a new, shiny school in its midst instead of the rotting building and deserted grounds that used to be there. That’s got to be good for crime prevention and real estate values.
Ugh. I know that I should bite my tongue here, but this was really an unnecessarily prolix response to a simple and fair request for people to slow down on that street.
Really – What is your point in responding like that? Poor Craig just has to get used to all the N. Decatur people having to rush down here to get their kids to school for the 8:40 start time? Why shouldn’t he be hopeful that people can at least slow down?
“On the other hand, the FAVE neighborhood is benefitting from the impact of having a new, shiny school in its midst instead of the rotting building and deserted grounds that used to be there. That’s got to be good for crime prevention and real estate values.”
Sure it is, but aren’t we just so lucky and thankful now that our run-down neighborhood has something shiny and nice? Contrary to your view, the “FAVE neighborhood” was hardly hurt by that “rotting building and deserted grounds.” It’s true that some crime may have originated at a recently torn down apartment bldg nearby, but I’m quite certain that had little to do with an old school building in the neighborhood. That was a fine-looking brick building and the worst thing about it was the pre-construction fence (oh – and the buses a while back).
Maybe you didn’t mean to come across so condescendingly, but it sure sounded that way.
+1
very well said, chewey…and my new favorite word of the day is “prolix”!
+1
A few competent cyclists could create an effective rolling traffic calming measure.
Heck, a few incompetent ones may be even better…
+1
I actually liked the old brick Fifth Avenue Elementary building too, classic schoolhouse style. But my understanding is that the insides needed updating and renovating badly before it was closed, and then it really deteriorated after it was closed and left alone. Whenever a community or school group would ask to use the building, they were told that the building was no longer safe inside. When I first heard that the 4/5 was going there, I assumed that the old building would be renovated and added onto, like all the other elementary school renovations. I didn’t realize that they would have to raze it and build a completely new building. The old building had classic appeal and the new building is fabulous. Both are true.
Once again, DM adds to my fund of knowledge–I did not know the term “prolix” and now I do!
I heartily agree with a simple and fair request to slow down especially since my children are walking the sidewalks and streets of Decatur but I think the original post was a little more dramatic than that. I hope it works. I suspect that it will take major city, school, and police intervention given my experience with Westchester, Clairemont, Glennwood, and Renfroe. DHS seems to cause less traffic problems, probably because it is not on a residential street, high schoolers hate to be driven to school by their parents, and there’s a huge parking lot.
“I heartily agree with a simple and fair request to slow down… but I think the original post was a little more dramatic than that.” Didn’t seem dramatic to me at all, it seemed desperate yet restrained, especially compared with some of the DIY measures I’ve heard bandied about in various parts of southwest Decatur over the years…. hauling in junk cars and parking them along both sides of the street, building speed bumps out of mannequins, staging fake but gory accidents, paint gun ambushes. One of my personal favorite fantasies is carrying a bag of roofing nails in my pocket and throwing a double handful directly in the path of egregious speeders. (In this dream, after the car passes I use a big magnet to swiftly gather all the nails they didn’t carry away in their tires, then reload and watch for the next offender.)
I’ve got to admit that those approaches are more dramatic than using all caps and the euphemism “freak”!
I think you can say that for any of the school zones in Decatur. Nobody likes being late but all it takes is one accident involving a child and any stress over being late goes out the window. Life is too short. Slow down.
+1. It’s an issue all over the place in the morning. I see people running late, driving too fast and too dangerously, doing all kinds of jerky dangerous things.
That isn’t the only residential street that so many people in Decatur use as a bypass. Unfortunately, this is becoming a larger problem because the City of Decatur Police won’t do anything about it. I too live on a street which way too many people fly down just to avoid sitting at a red light for an extra 30 seconds. Our neighborhood has made numerous requests to the police asking them to enforce “No Thru Traffic” signs, and they always have some BS excuse as to why they won’t do it. Basically, they don’t want to deal with it.
Amen. I have contacted EVERYONE twice over the last 14 years about the traffic on Fayetteville. I asked for considering of speed bumps and traffic plans, especially with the opening of the new school. Excuses, excuses.
Plus folks gotta watch out for Peacocks! (Hope the coyotes don’t find out about them.)
That got me thinking, if we’re all going to urban farm and raise chickens and such (I heard some crazy lady even has Bison!), we’re probably gonna have to learn to live with coyotes.
Fair enough, but shouldn’t they also have to learn to live with us? If we have to accept them preying on our pets, shouldn’t they have to accept us preying on them? Seems fair to me.
Oh don’t get me wrong. Didn’t mean we have to accept ‘em, just might have to deal with it for now.
Strongly in favor of trying to get rid of them. I certainly don’t want them around praying on anyone’s pet (indoor or outdoor). So go ahead and trap and euthanize, definitely. Nasty good-for-nothing scavengers.
Just thinking that given some greenish / decaturish / naturalist ways of ours, they might be an unintended consequence for a while.
Really surprised that they haven’t been spotted around the Oakhurst Garden by now. Have they?
Oh Chewy, it was a joke. She’s a wonderful lady writer with a sense of humor…she ain’t got no baby bison.
I personally dislike no through traffic laws. Why can’t I drive on your street, assuming I drive the speed limit and obey other laws? BTW, I live on a major cut-through street.
I dislike lots of laws. But, that doesn’t give me the right to ignore them.
Knitter has a point. She has a right to not like the no thru traffic law. why should people be able to drive on my street but not yours? we both pay the same tax rate. Don’t I “own” your street as much as you “own” mine? What streets in decatur have these signs? I don’t think I have seen them, or at least not noticed them. But now that you mention it, how does one get one of these signs? (ha, fat chance for me.) Just wondering…I can always dream.
Bet if you called Decatur Police and said you were having a problem, a cop, a speed gun, and some expensive tickets would get the word out quickly.
We have been calling the police, the city and the city council for 10 years or more. Traffic planning and control in Oakhurst has never been taken seriously.
If you really want to get their attention, tell them that you have spotted cyclists rolling through stop signs on your street.
+1
Uhmmmm…… Why don’t you and DEM come over and do it. I have a lovely malbec so you can drink and roll.
“Traffic planning and control in Oakhurst has never been taken seriously.” — Sad but true.
Why do you think this is?
Probably for the same reasons that Nellie and other neighbors think so.
Just wanted to comment on the tree lighting – Little Shop (and others) put on a great event last night. Baby Nubbs really enjoyed seeing the tree and Santa. Thanks to all of the supporters of the event. Must remember to bring peppermint schnapps next year for the hot chocolate.
Agree. This event just gets better and better every year.
We had a great time too!
We enjoyed it too, although apologies to anyone terrorized by our barking, high-strung mutt. She’s still learning how to behave out in mixed company (namely around other dogs on leashes that are not her brother).
Good luck with that. I’ve been making those same apologies for 4 years every time we take Stanley out in public…
Anyone know why construction hasn’t started yet on the Rec Center? The building’s been closed since May.
Jobs tip: I was at the downtown Wells Fargo a few days ago and the manager remarked that she was eager to hire 5 new tellers / customer service reps. She said they had an immediate need for more people.
Just for the sake of clarity, do you mean Downtown Decatur?
Yes.
Thanks!
If somebody is stopping by the former Decatur First Bank offices it might be nice to mention this to the staff there.
I would imagine they already know.
Six Star Subaru rocks! And so does Little Shop of Stories! Loved the tree lighting last night… Is that sponsored by the city of Decatur or just by the store?
The tree lighting is spearheaded by Krista (Kringle) Glliam and the team at LSOS and the city is one of the many sponsors she recruited for support. Here’s a link to a little piece that i posted about her efforts, if you are interested.
http://visitdecaturga.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/miracle-on-east-court-square/
Also, Krista posted a very entertaining photo essay about the process of erecting the tree on the LSOS blog.
http://www.littleblogofstories.com/2011/11/2011-decatur-christmas-tree.html
Indeed, Little Shop’s Krista (the girl who loves Christmas) does pretty much all the organizing and a good amount of the actual labor. This year, additional muscle was provided by Atlanta Peach Movers, Veritas Planning Group, and King Tree Experts. Lots of local businesses contribute to make it all happen. The Voices of 5th Avenue sang, and sang wonderfully.
At the bottom of Krista’s Christmas Tree blog is a list of everyone who helped out.
http://www.littleblogofstories.com/2011/11/2011-decatur-christmas-tree.html
It was a great night!
One of the many reasons we heart Krista at our house.
When will work on the Emory Village circle resume or be completed? I drive thru there every day and I don’t see progress.
I’m sorry, I know this has been discussed before but I’m looking for a dentist in Decatur (or near area). Any recommendations?
I am a big fan of Dr. Goettl. He is not in Decatur but on Cliff Valley right off briarcliff between clairmont and n. druid.
+1 on Dr. Goettl. A good dentist and an excellent human being
Am always happy to report that Dr. Marvin Winter right in downtown Decatur is wonderful!
Marvin Winter. He has been my dentist since he was on the faculty of the Emory Dental School.
Dr. Ben Jernigan in the former Wachovia building. Convenient to walk to, excellent family dentist for three generations of our family.
Dr. Francis Shaeffer – Blue Creek Dental – 404-636-1200.
He is fantastic!
Alternative Gift Market, Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, 10am – 3pm
Holiday Gift Giving that makes a difference! North Decatur Presbyterian
Church invites you to attend the Alternative Gift Market on Saturday,
December 3, 2011, from 10am – 3pm. Choose from a wide selection of FAIR
TRADE and hand crafted items and buy a Heifer Project animal or support a
local charity in someone’s honor. We are proud to announce that we will
be the exclusive market seller for products from “re:loom” – check out
their beautiful up cycled rugs, mats, and bags at http://www.reloom.org. For our
loyal returning shoppers, we have your favorite non-profits and self help
groups returning with hand crafted goods, as well as many new vendors. Come
check us out and get your Christmas shopping done with a good conscience!
N. Decatur Presbyterian Church is located at 611 Medlock Road, 30033, at the
intersection of Scott Blvd., N. Decatur Rd., and Medlock Rd.
Church web-site: http://www.ndpc.org
Any news on the reopening of Mobeta Wings in the “no-man’s-land” between Decatur & Avondale? There was a car that crashed into the front of the building a few weeks ago & it’s been closed ever since. I drive by there every day & it doesn’t look like any reconstruction has started. That business has been there for such a long time, I’d hate to see it closed permanently after such an unfortunate accident.
Some of the initial news reports didn’t sound hopeful for a reopening if the damage was little more than cosmetic. Obviously with that amount of damage it was structural as well. The owners originally said they could not afford to be closed for a structural repair.
Drs. Sheri Katz and Elise Ashpole on McConnell Drive near the Golden Buddha on Clairemont. They are the BEST dentists ever. Low key, make you feel like they know you, very nice during painful procedures.
+1 — and they are great with kids and snoring issues, too.
Your children snore in the dentist’s chair?
Don’t yours?
+! many times over! And they do really well with us older folks who would prefer birthing a child to dental work!
++1
Does anyone know of a landscape company that will do leaf removal without an annual contract? I’ve contacted three companies off of Kudzu (with decent to good reviews) who responded almost immediately that they would be out to survey and provide a quote within 5 days and after two weeks- no response. I’m hoping it is the company and not the sheer fear of the amount of leaves that we have that is causing no response.
Try Shedric at 678-469-7540. He works around Decatur regularly and I have been very happy with his service for 3 years now…
What you need to do is call Chris Billingsly and tell him you support turning the annual Rake-N-Run into Mr. B’s Weekly Yard Service
And props to you for keeping your moniker despite the recent news out of Happy Valley. And for those of you who might expect it of me, I don’t mean that in a snarky or sarcastic way. I’m typing this in my office surrounded by my Penn State diploma and pictures of Old Main and Beaver Stadium…
What a dark and gloomy place that office must be!
Damn. I don’t know how to respond to a Pitt fan here without being [edited] or put on DM moderation!
i saw a flyer on our mailbox about students who work out of the oakhurst community garden to bag leaves…give the ocgp (404.371.1920) a call to get the details.
I know some kids who will charge you by the bag of leaves. If interested – send a way to contact
Morton’s Lawn Service is a great local company. I got a quote the same day I called and my leaves cleared the following day. They did a great job. call Ryan at 770-842-4119.
Can anyone recommend a local business that installs gas logs in a new fireplace, or that could even come and confirm that’s what we need? Our previous home had only non-working coal fireplaces so a working fireplace with the actual possibility to generate heat is a new concept for us. Also, anyone know if you can install vent-free logs in a regular fireplace (as opposed to one without a flue)?
Hearth and Patio Shop in Tucker.
Jim Tutsock
Chimney Mischief
404 377 1254
Jim is awesome!
Where in Decatur can we take our kids to see Santa? wanting to go do that this weekend
it must be said that the santa at north dekalb mall is the best….he is so sweet and nice…there is hardly ever a line…he looks like the real deal…he’s the only santa my kids know
+1 for the N.DeKalb Mall Santa!
Santa will be at The Marlay House’s tree lighting tonight. (According to scheduled events on this site.) I’ve always enjoyed activities there…I expect you and your kids would, too.
I went tonight! It was perfect! thanks for the suggestion
+2
From Saba:
Happy Hour with Santa!! Santa Claus will be at Saba in Oakhurst from 5:30pm – 6:30pm Mon thru Fri from Dec 5th until Dec 23rd. 1/2 priced kids meals and daily drink specials!
Don’t forget the Decatur Business Association’s Breakfast with Santa, December 17, usually at the Holiday Inn, but this year at the DHS cafeteria. Santa arrives promptly at 8 AM!
If I can convince you to wait – Little Shop of Stories has a direct line to the big man and he comes for some events and some great one on one time with your kids. If you go to the Night Before Christmas event, he even reads the story.
Check out their website for more info http://littleshopofstories.com/
He is the very best! We stopped by yesterday and even I was enchanted.
Why is the fire department painting the tops of some hydrants orange and other hydrants green?
I think it has to do with the amount of water that hydrant can produce.
It has to do with the water pressure.
So which is the ‘good’ color. They just repainted the one across the street orange and the one in front of our house is blue (I think). Should I be worried?
hmmmmmmm. the one in front of my house received a coat of red…… hopefully that doesn’t mean a bad thing.
Lots going on this weekend – I’ll add one more. Copied/pasted from the email I got:
Alternative Craft Fair & Bazaar – over 30 crafters!
In addition to supporting local artists and getting all your holiday shopping done in 1 day…you can get a massage, walk the winter labyrinth, get a henna tattoo, a tarot card reading, munch on some wood fired pizza, drink a cold beer or homemade hot chocolate, let the kids explore the light room, the studio with kids crafts or jump in the bounce house, roast marshmallows in our fire pit or simply play on our playground with friends…See you on Saturday! http://atlantaprogressivepreschool.org/craft-fair/
/disclaimer – I’m going to be selling my wares at this fair.
Where is a christmas tree farm that is close where I can pick out the tree we want and cut it down or have them cut it down?
Here is the website of the Georgia Christmas Tree Association. (Mine is fake, bought at a thrift store. )
Okay.
This won’t let me add a link.
http://www.gacta.com/index
Try the Georgia Farm Bureau website:
http://www.gfb.org/commodities/cfm/directory/CertifiedFarmMarketSearch.asp
For speed hump call the City Manager’s Office 404 370 4102 to get guidelines and map for the area you’re interested in. Ultimately you will need to get support of 75% of the residents in the effected area to sign a petition. There will be a speed study, comments from public safety, a staff recommendation and then it goes before the City Commission.
[butthead voice] uhhh…hehehehheehe…you thsaid…speed hump [/buttheadvoice]
Heh. Heh. Fire!
Shuh. Boys are SO nasty!
this girly admits to snickering when spotting signs in London saying “Humps Ahead”…
Has anyone seen the proposed Atlanta Public Schools redistricting maps? They are available at http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/Page/413
Some pretty interesting scenarios that are going to make some of our nearby neighbors pretty unhappy. I’m so glad we live in Decatur!
I know this has come up before because but I am looking for recommendations for somebody to fix a collapsing concrete driveway and also a person to fix gutters. Thanks in advance
me too.
We had a good experience with Hemma Concrete.
http://www.hemmaconcrete.com/residential.html
Thieves stole almost all the copper pipes from our Oakhurst house’s crawlspace. This was done after we closed on the house but before we moved in. The damage so far is at $5,100, all for around $50 worth of metal.
Lock your crawlspaces and keep an eye out for these f#$%ers. Call the police if you see someone removing pipes from someone’s home.
… unless they’re one of M. Cary’s daughters.
That stinks! Today at lunch I saw some workmen installing piping and HVAC units. There were a couple of guys (not standing together) who had stopped to watch them and I wondered if they were just guys who like to watch construction or guys who were wondering how fast they could steal it.
Assuming you are a new resident, I’m sorry that you get such a lousy welcome — here’s a friendly one! Welcome to the ‘hood!
Sorry for such a bad welcome to Oakhurst. We moved here somewhat recently and it is a great neighborhood.
Has anyone seen Decatur Christmas ornaments around town? I’d like to buy one for one of our out of town relatives that loves it here.
Actually, I am going to be dropping off some of my mirror-backed ornaments at HomeGrown early next week and some of them are Decatur themed, so check there! (HG also carries my Decatur-themed bottle openers which you could technically hang on a tree too – as well as a bunch of other Decatur-themed things not made by me.
)
thank you!
My daughters and I have made Decatur Windchimes (with the permission of the Commish) out of recycled aluminum cans. We made some mini-ones that work great as ornaments. 1/2 of proceeds benefit Decatur Youth Fund. Check ‘em out on Facebook at Decatur Craft Geeks.
We just saw a black dog, about 50-60 pounds, in the Forrest Hill neighborhood off Columbia. He was in the road and when we approached him he ran down Russell Dr. Just wanted to post it in case anyone’s missing him.
Is there a shortcut button somewhere at the bottom of the DM page that will shoot me to the top? All this scrolling is annoying on my touch pad. I know, cry you a river…
Decatur’s so progressive it’s already Monday.
Just wanted to give a plug to No. 246. We went there last night for my birthday, and it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had, bar none. I had a half-order of the Trofie pasta (bolognese), and my wife had the Agnolotti (butternut squash). We split the arugula salad and a side order of beets. Our friends had the spaghetti and the fish special, which were also great. If you like Italian food and haven’t been there yet, what are you waiting for?
The main criticism of the place has been the noise. What was your experience?
I don’t think AJ heard you. (Heh …)
Big news for Twains and Decatur’s growing beer love.
http://clatl.com/omnivore/archives/2011/11/30/new-head-brewer-david-stein-to-revamp-twains-beer-program#more
We got our tree at the Winona Park PTA sale this morning- great wonderful smelling tree, fun community event. Thanks cute kiddos for the free donuts, and thanks to last week’s FFAF’ers for the event reminder!
*** Found Engraved Pen***
Looking for the person who lost their lovely engraved pen about 2.5 weeks ago in the Library’s main parking lot. I took it home to look up its owner, but the telephone number was disconnected. It took me awhile to get it back over to the Library (should’ve used it to write myself a reminder!), and the librarian tried to find the person’s name in their system. No luck, but the pen is in their Lost & Found.
Can anyone recommend a good breakfast place for kids? wanted to take the family tomorrow morning
Thumbs Up. Hopefully not too long of a wait.
Agree re Thumbs Up; also Pastries a Go Go. But if you want to avoid lines, then consider J. Christopher’s on the east side of Ponce which is good but not trendy or crowded. Haven’t tried Sweet Melissa’s or Sammiches for brunch yet.
Actually, my kids favorite brunch place is Rise and Dine in Emory Village. The chocolate chip pancakes and bananas with whip cream are favorites. But that place has gotten pretty popular too so not sure about lines on a Sunday morning.
Rise ‘n Dine is fantastic, but expect to wait about 45 min after 11:00 on the weekends. They’ll serve you coffee as you wait though!
I realize that it’s too late for this suggestion today and it’s also outside of our little Decatur burg heading towards that big, scary city to the west, but Java Jive on Ponce is tre-men-dous! You’ll have to wait a whole ‘nother year for the pumpkin pancakes again but it’s worth the drive any time of year. Beats the heck out of, IMHO, the much trendier and popular Radial or Flying Biscuit!
How about Waffle House? Good food, great value, lively atmosphere.
Does anyone know if you can check an eBook from the decatur public library on your kindle?
I don’t think so . . . I’ve been checking periodically, but it seems their only “e-books” are audiobooks.
I didn’t see a quick/easy way to contact them on their website, but I would find some way to get in touch and encourage them to explore this possibility!
I will go to the library today and ask…
anyone else get their mail days late every time?
I hear that the Post Office in this region is having big problems with some new way of distributing mail around the region, perhaps due to reduced funds and staffing. I’ve had problems with packages and been told by the shippers that this is the new normal. On the local level, I hear that the Decatur PO is particular is suffering from big service problems.
hmm. todays mail was “postmaster please deliver by nov 27″ lol
From the Glennwood Estates listserv:
Would anyone be interested in meeting before or after the movie screening, “Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price,” on Tuesday (Dec 6 @ 7:30 at PushPush Theatre)?
Or a meeting on Thursday since this is short notice? If so, we’ll find a good spot to gather.
We’d like a community question and answer forum during which the community can express concerns (and things about the project they like or would like to be changed while still endorsing the center) with the rest of the community hearing them, commenting on them and troubleshooting. We envision the result to be a task force that compiles a list of commitments that Selig, Walmart and the community agree upon before the development moves forward.
OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE:
Film screening is Tuesday, December 6
7:30 at PushPush located at 121 New Street
For more info, contact
Public hearing on the parking variance for Walmart
Wednesday, December 14 @ 1 PM
Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur
You can also contact your elected representatives:
To check who your DeKalb County commissioners are, visit http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/voter/locator.asp
Each resident is represented by a commissioner and a super commissioner. Here are the two whose districts include Suburban Plaza:
District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader: or call 404-371-2863
Super District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon: or call 404-371-4909
DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis: or call 404.371.2881 or 404.371.2885