Free-For-All Friday 5/4/12
Decatur Metro | May 4, 2012 | 7:00 amFeel 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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This week’s FFAF is brought to you by Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool…
Announcing Summer Camp at Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool!
Join us for a summer of outdoor play, exploration, and discovery! Our half-day program (9:00 am–12:45 pm) is open to potty-trained children ages 3* to 6. We are offering three classes:
3-day (MWF) 3/4-year-olds- 5-day 3/4-year-olds
- 5-day 5/6-year-olds
Camp weeks are as follows:
- Week 1: June 11–15
- Week 2: June 18–22
- Week 3: July 9–13
- Week 4: July 16–20
- Week 5: July 30–August 3
- Week 6: August 6–10
Families may register by week or for all weeks.
Our summer camp follows our school-year curriculum, with an emphasis on spending time outdoors and exploring nature. Each weekly session is designed around a seasonal theme. Children will be given extended time each day for free, unstructured play outside in our new play garden, will plant and help maintain our onsite garden plots, and will explore nature in the classroom through art projects and various learning centers.
Tuition is $105/week for the 3-day camp and $175/week for the 5-day camp. Enrolled siblings receive a 10 percent discount. A deposit of $50/week/child is due upon application. The balance will be due on June 11, 2012.
To apply, fill out our online application at www.oakhurstcoop.com, and then mail your deposit to Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool, Attn: Camp, P.O. Box 2583, Decatur, GA 30031-2583. Deposits are nonrefundable.
Visit www.oakhurstcoop.com to learn more about our child-led, play-based, nature-based program and to apply for camp. Questions? Email . We hope to see your child this summer!
*As of June 1, 2012.
What to do with used-up Brita pitcher filters, besides toss in the garbage?
Super Trash Day!
How does that not amount to tossing them in the garbage?
It doesn’t – I was going to say flower pots but then I realized that you said filters and not containers. The comment was already out there and I had 4 minutes to say something, couldn’t think of anything clever and so I just decided to be excited about Super Trash Day. I would rather you recycle them, but nothing came to mind at the time.
The pressure to be clever can be intense, esp on Friday!
I’m a fan of Super Trash Day, too, but it’s already past in my ‘hood.
They can be recycled at Whole Foods in the Gimme 5 receptacle.
thank you!
May the 4th.be with you.
Currently listening to some Chet Baker while it’s raining outside. Perfect combo. Any other music/rain recommendations?
Focus by Stan Getz
John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman
The new self-titled album by Simone Felice
Aquarela do Brasil – Elis Regina & Toots Thielemans
The Clearing by Bowerbirds
Bryter Layter by Nick Drake
“Constant Rain (Chove Chuva)” by Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66
http://www.allmusic.com/song/constant-rain-chove-chuva-t5417886
How about a little of that “Southern Rain”?
Cowboy Junkies is perfect warm, rain weather music.
How does one imbed Youtube clips in posts here?
Thre is an “Embed” option on YouTube when you click Share. It gives you a link to post that will embed the video clip.
This was delightful as an afternoon sunshine break, too. Thanks!
On this the 42nd anniversary of Kent State, I would suggest Neil Young’s Ohio.
+1
Does anyone have any experience with DIY digital conversion of slides and negatives. If not, do you have any recommendations for a business?
I have used both scancafe and digmypics and have been satisfied. I always get the professional resolution and occasionally they have specials (maybe as a new customer there would be an initial discount) If you have a bunch of valuable (irreplaceable) photos, I would divide them up and send in separate batches (just in case they are lost in transit, etc.). Hope that helps.
I have an EPSON V300 scanner that does a great job. It does 4 slides or negatives at a time and after you get into the rhythm of it, you can average above an image per minute.
I purchased a refurbished Epson V500 scanner for $99:
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63076139
You will need image editing software to enhance and correct, i.e. Photoshop. I use Paintshop Pro because it is cheap and easy. Get a can of compressed air.
I simply use the software that came with the scanner and it does everything I need, including color correction.
Depends on the number of slides. I’d say if it’s over 200, it may be wise to mail them to an online vendor or even invest in a drum scanner. Otherwise, in my experience, a flatbed scanner with a slide insert (like the Epson V500 mentioned above) will work nicely.
I am a local scanner in the Decatur area. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have concerning digital conversions. I use a top load scanner and take great care and pride in my work. You can contact me at the website or by phone which is listed on the website
George
The website address is http://www.dustyatticdigital.com.
So I won a month at Kick in the Fit when they sponsored a recent FFAF. Some thoughts on the completion of my first week:
1. Ow.
2. The instructors are great (and incredibly patient).
3. Each day is different, and I look forward to the creative ideas they present each morning.
4. 5:45 a.m. is early.
5. I highly recommend it. Sure it’s tough, but you won’t be sorry.
6. Ow.
+1 for kick in the fit and +1 to you for doing it!
it’s an awesome program…totally worth the pain and early wake-up!
AM- Just curious…did you re-up after all that abuse?
Well, it’s a month-long program, and we have completed just the first week. So I’ll be back on Monday.
Several people are returnees, so they obviously enjoy the abuse.
Is KTF only a morning program?
Have we heard from Lump since the twins were born? How are they doing? I need a baby update!
Just wanted to give a “Thumbs Up” to the new PetCo (in the Emory Commons shopping center near Publix) and their self-service dog wash! We have a large-ish dog (lab mix) and it was a breeze & a bargain for only $10. The $10 covers the use of their walk-in, elevated tub (no back strain), water, all the towels you need, a scrubby & shampoo, and a small bag of dog treats. I can’t express how wonderful this was compared to struggling to bathe the dog in our bathroom tub. Plus, their staff was super friendly!
Kirkwood Seed & Feed on Hosea Williams Boulevard runs a Monday special of $7 for the goggie self-wash. Locally owned.
Dood little goggie.
Wag-A-Lot in Decatur also has stand up tubs for dog washes, complete with aprons- very helpful to stay dry when wrestling with our water phobic dog.
Know what’s weird about Petco? They don’t sell pets. I don’t wanna have to go to Rat Supermarket to get my fish.
They don’t sell pets for a good reason. There are plenty out there waiting for adoption and they have somewhat limited space.
Sounds like aeroplane was referring to fish. Don’t know how many of those are in the animal shelters waiting for their “forever homes”!!
I guess I should have limited my remark to mammals.
yeah, fish only. not a fan of pet stores with mammals.
Summer camp question: Does anyone have a recommendation for a computer camp that is fun and not too “techie?” Also, is anyone familiar with Henley’s Haven? Thanks.
The rec puts on a “Totally Awesome Technology” camp run by CSD teachers. Not sure of the age range, but ours loved it in 2nd and 3rd grades. They make movies, podcasts, plus all kinds of other cool stuff. All tech levels are welcome. Check out the Rec’s playbook to see if it’s along the lines of what you were looking for.
CSD question for you all:
Does anyone know how the SLT works at the schools. I looked up the minutes for the 4th/5th meetings and they are very un-enlightening. It also disturbed me a little that there was “no public attendance.” Maybe because the SLT May meeting is not on the school calendar??
Also, is there a list of extra-curricular activities provided by 4th/5th? Just trying to plan for next year’s after school (already.)
Thanks
SLTs are a long, long topic if one covers the entire range of how they were envisioned, how they are portrayed, how they actually function, and why. Meeting minutes are uninformative on purpose–that’s how SLT’s were instructed to do them initially. However, I’ve seen more informative agendas and minutes coming out of some schools lately. No public attendance is common, less so at the schools that are more active about advertising and promoting their meetings and scheduling spotlights or presentations that interest parents. To be fair to the SLTs, the meeting format used in CSD is not conducive to interaction. It’s based on the School Board Meeting format even though it doesn’t have to be and the intent of an SLT is very different from the intent of a School Board. Because the charter is up for renewal, there’s been discussion amongst the SLTs about whether it should be modified and how. One item on the table is changing the SLT meeting format to allow it to be interactive.
If you have ideas or concerns about the system charter and/or SLTs, you should send them to the Superintendent with a copy to the School Board and whichever SLTs apply to your children’s schools.
Re extra-curricular activity list: There may not be an official one because there are many less extra-curricular activities than at RMS or DHS. You might get the best answer by emailing FAVE. Off the top of my head, I would guess that the list is something like: Band, Choir, Chess Club, Track Club (seasonal), Safety Patrol. Some of these have been meeting in the morning but that may change with the earlier school schedule.
R.I.P. Adam Yauch, a/k/a MCA
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBbQyXZvkbA&w=560&h=315
+1
Very sad. He was an incredile artist.
Help Support Winnona Park Third Grader by drinking lemonade!
For the month of May, Winnona Park third grader, Lucas Brotherton has set a goal to raise $600 which he will donate to PKU research and outreach. One way he will be raising money is by hosting his third annual lemonade stand which will be located on the corner of South McDonough and Oakview Road on Saturday, May 5th. He will be selling lemonade, fresh baked cookies and other treats. Please stop by and show your support.
Lucas’s Lemonade Stand
Date: Saturday, May 5th
Located: On the corner of South McDonough and Oakview Road (just across from Oakhurst community garden)
“Shop” Hours: 12:00pm -3:30pm
May is PKU awareness month. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder. Individuals with PKU cannot process an amino acid called phenylalanine which is present in most foods. Without treatment, phenylalanine builds up in the bloodstream and causes severe neurological complications. Standard treatment consists of a strict low-protein diet and daily consumption of a special formula containing life-sustaining nutrition. Continued research is needed to ease the difficulty of the diet and to help improve the quantity of life for all individuals living with PKU.
Pardon me, DM, but I need to post a private message…
Dear Mr. or Mrs. Owl,
I hear you hooty hooing on your branch in the trees behind my house. “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you?” Over and over. Well, I want to know who is cooking for you? Pizza delivery? Drive thru at McDonalds? Cause you for sure aren’t eating the yummy squirrels and other critters in my backyard. Not a morsel of chip or munk.
You can be replaced, you know. There’s a tall tree just perfect for a pair of red tails…Just sayin…
Truly. I’ve decided the owls that live near my yard must be vegetarians.
Ever gone eyeball to eyeball with a chipmunk? They’re quick!
I saw one of the neighborhood cats trying to solicit play from a squirrel in my yard the other day. The squirrel was sufficiently fueled by all of the strawberries that it had just eaten from my garden to avoid its aspiring friend, but it probably was not in much danger anyway. The Decatur food chain is an odd thing.
Not long ago, a giant fat rat waddling across my front yard actually turned around and hissed at me.
Actually, I have. They’re even faster inside the house. Before my cat retired–which she apparently has, as of this year–she had a very successful catch-and-release program. Catch ‘em outside, bring ‘em in and turn ‘em loose. Squirrels are also extremely fast indoors and if sufficiently terrified, they scream weirdly. (Proud to say I’ve captured at least half a dozen chipmunks,two or three squirrels and several voles alive and sent them packing. For some reason, she kills shrews and moles outright — still tries to smuggle them indoors.) I’m no dummy, though,I learned to latch her kitty door so it only swung outward. She learned how to open it with her little paws, even with a live squirrel in her jaws. So I started latching it both ways. Then she figured out if she rattled it loud enough, the dog would come to to the door and shove her big head through it to see whass-happenin’ which, for some reason, didn’t break the latch, just overwhelmed it. Told to back off, the dog would (the cat was ever in charge), and the cat would hustle through the kitchen into the dining room or the hall, drop the prey and meow very loudly (Cat for “Run!”) and away we’d go.
The point being, it’s not really my job to catch chipmunks. It’s the owls’ job. Although I do take forthebirds’s point about nocturnal vs diurnal creatures. And I must say, since we started hearing the owls frequently last year, it seems the roof rats are no longer laying siege to the attic.
I’m pretty sure that your cat and my Stanley are related.
Please share your methodology for indoor chipmunk (et. al) capture.
My rodentia resume includes capturing only one teensy (and actually quite adorable) field mouse. Couldn’t bear to use a trap. Waited him out with cheese and a Tupperware bowl. But, Lord, it took forever.
Would love to hear tips from a pro.
First of all, join the chase until whatever it is gets cornered under a piece of furniture, which won’t take long. (Don’t depend on the cat to tip you off about where the chipmunk is hiding, sometimes the cat gets faked out and then you have to search the house.) My most reliable capture technique involves a large paper grocery bag and a yardstick. Use other stuff, e.g. laundry basket, briefcase, whatever, to block all but one direction and put the open paper bag on its side in that direction. Use the yardstick to flush the chipmunk into the bag, tip it up and hold it shut at the top while you take it outside. It’s easier if the cat doesn’t help, so you might want to shut it in another room. With the cat out of the way, it’s not hard to trick a chipmunk.
A chipmunk will cower in the bottom of the paper bag and give you a chance to hold the top closed, if you’re quick. So will a mouse. Do not use this technique with a squirrel. As soon as you tip the bag upright, the squirrel will jump up and out, much faster than you can possibly shut the bag, possibly landing on your arm as it goes. Then you may screech and drop the bag and have to go find the squirrel again. Only you’ll be freaked out thinking about how the squirrel could just as easily have landed on your head instead, and you’ll have to take a few minutes to cuss out the cat.
In all honesty, I can’t remember actually capturing a squirrel, other than the one that jumped back out of the bag. But I have successfully herded several back outdoors. Use whatever is handy to create a chute from where it’s hiding to the nearest outside door. If you happen to have some long boards stacked in the dining room waiting to become bookshelves, as I did once, it will be easier. Don’t be surprised if you have to keep both the front and back doors open for a while. I usually would lock the dog in the bathroom because she insisted on participating but was no help at all. The most annoying thing about a squirrels in the house is they sometimes run up the draperies. If one does that, just chase it with your yardstick so it will go across and down the other side.
This is the one situation in which it is convenient to have ancient windows that have to be propped open, so you have dowel rods lying around in every room.
The last time we had a chipmunk in the house, it never went to ground, just kept running around and around until it found the back door again. (The cat took a wrong turn into the living room and missed this whole next part.) It ran to the kitty door and stood up on its hind legs but wasn’t strong enough to push it open. Saw me coming, ran behind the washing machine, did another lap around the kitchen and headed for the door again. That time, it took a flying leap from about 18 inches away and sailed through the kitty door, landed on the back steps and kept going. I could not stop laughing, and I’ve always wondered if that particular chipmunk had been in the house before. (They aren’t the brightest creatures, I think. And maybe I’m not helping the local gene pool by rescuing the ones that are dumb enough to let a black-and-white cat get away with pretending to be a day lily.)
Good luck!
Very funny, thank you.
I heart STG
Aw, shucks!
Sorry for the dismay you have repeatedly suffered, but I thoroughly enjoyed this story on a Monday morning after fighting crazy traffic to get to work! Thanks for sharing!
Best. FFAF. Post. Ever. I had to get a second tissue cuz I was laughing so hard.
Oh, I forgot. One year, the cat got in the habit of bringing in chipmunks and hiding them in the closet. She did it 3-4 times (the closet door won’t stay latched). She would put the critter in the closet, then stand guard in front of the door. I learned that if I shut her out of the room took shoes out of the closet one at a time, very slowly and quietly, I would eventually find the one the chipmunk was hiding in. (Paper bag time again)
My former cat decimated the chipmunk population in the area @ our house. There were lots of the cute critters when we moved in, now none. Maybe the owls are relying on her ilk to get the chipmunks…
Say what now?
Dear AMB,
Please be advised that once my crooning secures the attentions of a female barred owl, the sounds you will be hearing in the night will be a WHOLE lot louder and a WHOLE lot more jarring: It’s akin to the cackling of crazed chimps.
Your pal,
Mr. Owl
Barred owls are nocturnal – wouldn’t they be more likely to eat mice , voles, flying squirrels and rats that are moving around at night ? Chipmunks especially seem less likely prey since they are underground at night when the owls are hunting.
Barred owls and a pair of red tails are not mutually exclusive. We have both in our neighborhood.
I’ve been told by a wildlife biologist that populations of flying squirrels and roof rats are often similar in size to the populations of grey squirrels and chipmunks in the same area. Give those barred owls a break. They are probably gobbling down nocturnal varmints around your house you don’t even see.
—”’I’ve been told by a wildlife biologist that populations of flying squirrels and roof rats are often similar in size to the populations of grey squirrels and chipmunks in the same area. “—
Oh lord, now I have to try to unsee what I have just seen…I don’t think I wanted to know that, actually.
Sorry – just wanted to stick up for those barred owls. Probably doing plenty of important pest control even if they aren’t eating many chipmunks.
That’s OK. It’s good to know. This city girl prefers to live in denial but it’s usually not a good idea.
ETA: I read roof rats and flying squirrels as ‘large rats and airborne-capable rats.’ Eek.
I choose to think of roof rats/tree rats as giant mice. They actually do have large ears and long, tapering tails, and are proportioned more like mice than like rats. (My dog and cat trapped on in the gardenia bush a few years ago, and it just clung to a limb and let us examine it in the flashlight.) They spend their lives off the ground as much as possible — in shrubbery and trees and, of course, attics. To me, they are not creepy and horrid in the same way that Norway rats are. But I completely realize this is a matter of choosing one’s reality.
No experience with flying squirrels.
The special this season seems to be crickets. I keep finding single, disembodied cricket legs around the house.
Thanks all who supported and/ or came out to Decatur Adult Prom- great crowd and very fun time, with some good money raised for Decatur Education Foundation.
Happy Cinco de Mayo to all!
Anyone know the protocol regarding cloudy tap water? I saw a fire truck drive down our street and I heard they are testing fire hydrants and that the water can become cloudy. What I don’t know is how long I should expect it to last. Should I just run water until my lines clear? Wait until it settles in the pipes outside? I have to cook for a dinner party tonight!
I’m having a problem with my water also except mine is a dark mud brown and has been since about 9 this morning. Dekalb told me to run water outside for 15 minutes and then inside on cold for 5 minutes. Currently running the outside water and hoping this will resolve.
I didn’t get to see much at the Decatur Garden Tour but I had a good time volunteering. I made a new friend and I spent a pleasant couple of hours sitting under a shade tree and talking to visitors. And then I went to the volunteer thank you party. What a great event! To anyone who is new to the community or who simply wishes to broaden his circle, volunteer!
This might help.
You can start here:
Volunteer! Decatur
http://www.decaturga.com/index.aspx?page=417
Thank you for the kind words regarding Kick in the Fit, Aging Metal Head & AnnieFannie! It’s a labor of love for all of us instructors and we really try to make the workouts fun as well as challenging. I recognize your alias AMH and you’re doing great… keep it up!
To answer Revenue Neutral Household, we currently have one morning class, meeting at Agnes Scott tennis courts Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri. I invite you and other readers to come join us. If DM doesn’t mind, here’s a link to the Kick in the Fit website: http://www.kickinthefit.com/ or you can email us directly at for additional information.
Was driving up Clairmont Rd. towards N. Druid Hills this morning and was surprised to see a bunch of Canadian geese (I think) marching along the sidewalk, north of the pond at the retirement home but just south of the state laboratory. Isn’t that more of a duck thing to do? Some of the geese seemed a bit small–maybe they are goslings? Maybe they were in pre-flight training?
Saw the same thing last week – a pair and 8 little ones actually crossing Clairmont. Everyone stopped while they crossed the road.