Free-For-All Friday 11/30/12
Decatur Metro | November 30, 2012 | 7:13 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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Anyone know of a good place to get a pair of jeans patched? It doesn’t have to be fancy or anything–any material to keep the breeze out. Thanks!
Hmmm. Since I am not handy, I am amazed to say that I do this myself. But that’s only if we are talking about ordinary jeans, not $200 designer jeans. I put the edges of the hole back together, best I can, take an iron-on patch and iron it on the inside of the hole. Then I spend a little more time cutting out an iron-on patch for the outside, trying to cut in some kind of recognizable shape, e.g. rectangle, circle, or heart. I iron that on the outside. Then I sew around the edges of the outside patch (with a strong, thick needle) trying to catch both patchs for most of the stitches. You can buy iron-on patches or tape in various colors and patterns at places like Hancock’s Fabrics. This doesn’t take me long–meanwhile I have a huge pile of hems, missing buttons, and other sewing projects that never get addressed. Perhaps this is rationalization, but I have convinced myself that a homemade, funky look to patching is a good fit for jeans.
If you are talking about $200 jeans, want a professional job, or don’t have the time, I find that most dry cleaners can do a small job like this. There’s at least one or two alterations shops in Toco Hill that can do it nicely for sure.
I do this myself as well using AHID’s technique. I’ve proudly kept some c.2002 Jcrew jeans alive and wearable even if you can see light thru them in some places.
But, if you want a professional job, you might try M&K at N. Dec & Clairmont.
I’ve had many jeans patched at the Alterations/Watch Repair shop in Suburban Plaza (lower level entrance off Church Street). Cheap and quick.
Did not know about this place. Thanks. I recently mangled a perfectly good Nike watch trying to get the battery out of it. And Nike is no longer making watches so I cannot replace it. Phooey, I hate change. Next time, I’ll try a nearby professional. And maybe it’s time to take that pile of mending somewhere….it’s got to be cheaper than new clothes even though I really can do buttons and hems myself if I only had the time.
An open letter to all restaurant/store owners and purveyors of public bathrooms.
I have a modest request. Please install a hook on the door of the women’s bathroom. In fact, install a couple. My hands are full. I’ve got a purse, a coat, and many packages. (Keep it Indie Decatur!) It’s a drag to put these things on the floor (ew) or to balance them on the back of the toilet (ew) or on the wet sink counter (blech) while I wrangle small children in a small stall to accomplish life’s basic necessities.
Thanks for all you do.
For those who do choose to install these hooks, they should be situated at least 14″ below the top of a stall door. A surprising number of purse snatchings are done by fishing a hand over the stall and running off while the owner of the item is indisposed.
Wow, the things you learn on DM! All in all, I’d say that the convenience of a hook is worth it. I suspect that most stalls come with hooks as a standard item. It’s the single occupancy bathrooms without stalls that are often missing hooks or flat spaces to set things down. I’m remember too well having babies or toddlers and multiple bags in them. It was a chaotic moving jumble and a miracle that all exited intact. Actually, sometimes I wasn’t………….
And blessings to those who install drop down diaper changing stations. When not used for to place diaper mats and squirmy bodies, also useful for setting down items.
Decatur restaurants have surprisingly few changing tables, considering how many small kids are around. We need more, especially in men’s rooms!
Hooks are surprizingly scare in Decatur too. Thus, the open letter.
One of the big lessons I learned about having the jumble of stuff to take care of while doing the Mom/Child potty assist — Do not place your open purse on the counter under a soap dispenser that is motion activated. Just had to share…
This made me laugh! Ditto for motion-activated faucets. Thanks to this thread, I had a dream last night about having to diaper change a toddler in the middle of trying to pack quickly for a group trip when the bus was about to leave. Some experiences never fade, they are imprinted on your subconscious!
I am curious about the bike sharrows being painted around Decatur. Can someone please explain how they help bikers? I thought that bikes always have access to the full lane – why paint the bike signs on the street? Thanks!
I think that the marikings help drivers stay aware that bicyclists use the road. I think they probably are useful on roads that don’t have the width to accommodate both the bike and a car; it’s safer for the cyclist to take over the lane than to hug the right, since the car can’t fit in the lane while passing.
Sharrows don’t afford any legal rights that don’t already exist. They’re more an effort towards a longer-term culture shift by serving as a prominent visual reminder to both motorists and cyclists that they’re on a stretch of road without dedicated facilities for either. Both have rights to use the street and should practice the art of negotiation in dealing with each other.
In other words, they tell motorists “Don’t be a jerk. This street doesn’t cater exclusively to you” while telling cyclists “Take care. This ain’t no bike lane.”
Unfortunately motorists see sharrows as practice targets and bikers see them as signs to let them be even more of a [____]. (Fill in your expletive of choice)
Hence the need for longer term culture shift.
OK, let me bring out snarks again:
Yesterday morning about 11AM I was driving north on Commerce Dr about to cross W. Ponce. I had a green light with no cars ahead of me and was fixin’ to cruise across the intersection at about 20 mph. Here comes a bicyclist west on Ponce ON THE SIDEWALK on the north side of Ponce straight into the intersection against the light right in front of me. She proceeds to the center of Commerce then holds up waiting for traffic coming in the opposite direction to clear. I could see in my mirror that she finally made it across and then continued to proceed west on Ponce ON THE SIDEWALK on the other (south) side of Ponce.
I am a supporter of alternative transportation, but, unless and until bicyclists start obeying elementary traffic laws, they will continue to get little sympathy from me.
+ infinity.
…..and beyond.
I really don’t have time to write all the negative experiences I’ve had with drivers when cycling, and I WAS obeying the laws, merely riding along the road like the law allows me to do. At least you can only pick out an incident you witness here and there, and it didn’t nearly cost you your life. If you happen to cycle to and from anywhere (work for me), on a regular basis, you get a handful of multiple acts aggression every ride. Don’t believe me? Feel free to try it for yourself.
Funny, I commute nearly everyday into downtown Atlanta, a pretty nice route granted, with Mcclendon, the Path, etc. Not sure if it’s because I’m on a big utility bike or what, but I get hassled maybe twice a year. Getting on a road bike in spandex brings ‘em out of the woodwork, though.
They’re too busy trying to figure out how you can go so damn fast. Come on Big D, Fly!
I don’t have the luxury of taking the Path in, but if it’s nice enough I’ll meander over near it, to head back. Unfortunately there’s parts of it where it dips, where mosquitoes swarm, and having trillions of them beating off your face at any rate of speed is just incredibly unpleasant. I stay on the actual streets over by Paideia if I do follow it. And yes, it’s definitely a more laid back route. Popping on Peachtree for a few miles will always get your heart rate up, and not from any hills.
There have been 2 bike fatalities in the past few months, and there was no indicator in either case that the cyclist was to blame. Having these little “I saw this, I saw that” rants, really just creates more unnecessary hostility towards cyclists. It’s already there, it’s undeniable, some cyclists behave badly, we get it already.
Not to mention, I have a hard time believing that every person annoyed with cyclists (justified or not), is a perfect driver, or perfect pedestrian. Everyone spaces out, everyone effs up from time to time, and shockingly enough, yes, even some drivers only yield at stops where they feel like they can get away with it. Shocking, I know.
“some cyclists behave badly, we get it already.”
No, you don’t get it. The majority of cyclists behave badly, not some. And if you’re getting grief from motorists more than 25% of the time you ride, you’re earning it.
Our self propelled two wheeled vehicles out number our cars by 6:1. I love to bike. I love to ride. I ride all the time. I bet I put 4 times as many miles on a bike in a week than you do. If you don’t think most cyclists are a complete embarrassment , you’re part of the problem.
“if you’re getting grief from motorists more than 25% of the time you ride, you’re earning it.”
Well thanks for throwing in that if, because you’re wrong. My morning and afternoon routes have bits and pieces where getting on roads without shoulders absolutely cannot be avoided to get where I need to go. And shockingly enough, motorists aren’t thrilled to see you when they can’t move over, or have been stopped already and are annoyed with the traffic situation. They make that clear, by getting as close as they can to you. This is a regular experience and has absolutely nothing to do with obeying the law. It’s got to do with the way the roads were designed, and the amount of traffic on them. See now?
As for the rest of your assumptions, I ride more than you ride, my bike cost more than your bike, my mommy loves me more than you’re mommy, blah blah blah, you don’t know anything. You don’t know “most” bikers, unless you’re going to tell me you know hundreds of thousands of cyclists from coast to coast, which I doubt you do. Simply by acknowledging that there are some of us who see what’s going on, and acknowledge it, only seemed to get you in more of a self-righteous rage. What can I say? I obey the laws, but feel free to keep making assumptions, and directing your attitude at strangers on the internet if that’s what gets you to your happy place. Or maybe you could just take a deep breath and realize that there are those of us who are part of the solution? Have a nice ride!
Thanks, DD, for articulating what I would like to say to St. BikeBoy. These all-knowing and self-righteous lectures get to be a bit much. As Scott indicates, we’re all just biding our time while the culture shifts.
Let’s all try to keep it about the issues please and not about each other.
Usually I prefer to be referred to as La Madonna del Ghisallo…
Ha! Good one. Now If I only knew the emoticon for rolling my eyes…
Take care!
You are correct, I lumped you in with the 98% of cyclists who behave badly and are the problem.
So what am I doing differently that I can ride all over ATL on shoulder-less roads and not see daily aggression like you do?
Obviously that wasn’t all directed at you Eric.
I try it everyday to the tune of 18 miles, and I can tell you you get the respect that you earn..
The more I try to ride to the right to make drivers comfortable, the more room they give me. The more I stop at stop signs and wait my turn, the more they let me go. I more I wait in line with traffic at a stoplight, the more patience I get from the cars when it turns green.
I love bicycles. Wish I could say the same for most of the people who ride them.
This
is an incomplete thought.
We have just moved into a house with a security system. We are trying to decide if we have it monitored. Any suggestions on companies? I spoke with ADT and was quoted $36 a month with a minimum 24 month committement.
I used Protection Concepts at my old house. Much cheaper than ADT with better service.
Call Loud Security. Locally owned and much better rates
Alarm Monitoring Service of Atlanta is $12.95/month. It’s about $22 if they install wireless monitoring (instead of through your phone line). I’ve used them for 8 years in 4 homes and I like them very much. The service works, the staff is smart and polite, and the installation work they do at the house is also less expensive than better-known competitors. We just moved this month, so we have recent estimates to back that last assertion.
I’ve had their service in City of Decatur and in Atlanta. In my opinion, monitoring services are largely (not completely) interchangeable. It’s a computerized system, after all. Your name pops up on a screen and someone from the call center calls you to see if you’re ok. Whether ADT does it or Ackerman or Alarm Monitoring of Atlanta does isn’t the biggest variable. Police response is a much bigger variable. In Decatur, the police show up faster than in Atlanta. An alarm company can be super attentive and super fast, but if the cops don’t show up, so what.
+1 for Alarm Monitoring Service of Atlanta.
+2 for AMSA
+3 for AMSA
We use Ackerman security. They are also local, very responsive and it’s $75 a quarter. You get a discount on your homeowners insurance if you install the radio frequency thing that calls the security company even if your phone line is cut.
Just get a sign and some decals.
We did that for awhile when a security sign got discarded in our yard. Then it was stolen! Really.
My hats off to those who can make security systems work. I had one that I liked when single. Didn’t work for my husband–he kept tripping it off or turning it off so he wouldn’t have to deal with it. I finally decided that all our elderly neighbors who were home during the day were our security system.
Can anyone recommend a good contractor and home inspector? We’re on the verge of closing and will need the home inspected next week.
Dan Curl for inspecton. 770-457-2787.
I heartily second the recommendation of Dan Curl. He inspected my house and he was head and shoulders better than the inspector I used the first time. Very, very knowledgeable and thorough, gives you a detailed report and action plan. I took his course on houses with the Emory Center for Lifelong Learning (and learned a ton).
Dan’s website is: http://inspectatlantahome.com/
I just took a look at his website and blog. He sounds terrific. What a fountain of good information.
For home inspection we recently used Paul Chicoine with Handy Inspection Services ([email protected] , 678-232-6996) and were happy with our report.
I highly recommend Trombetta Construction: 404-583-1700
The Decatur Holiday Marketplace will be to today from 5:30 to 9:30 and tomorrow from 10:00 to 8:00.
Clairemont Elementary School transforms into a lively and festive market where more than 95 local and national artists exhibit their wares. Kick off your holiday season by shopping for unique handmade gifts, paintings, glass art, jewelry, pottery and much more. Be sure to stop by the café for mouthwatering homemade soups and decadent desserts, as well as toe-tapping tunes performed live by local musicians and carolers.
Decatur Holiday Marketplace is more than just an ordinary craft market, but a way for the community to support Clairemont’s students! Proceeds from Holiday Marketplace go directly to support learning for the students of Clairemont Elementary.
Great event, a holiday staple in our family, with a lot of whispering and clutching of bags as we buy gifts for one another. You don’t have to cook lunch or dinner–the cafe soups more than cover it. And the desserts are scrumptious because all the Clairemont families are trying to outdo one another with their elegant dessert donations.
Also this weekend: Holiday Marketplace at Oakhurst Presbyterian
On Sunday, 1-3 PM, at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, corner of 2nd and East Lake, there’s local artists selling affordable unique holiday gifts plus chili lunch available.
This weekend is the Holiday Marketplace at Little Tree Art Studios on Franklin Street in Avondale Estates. Details can be found here: http://littletreeproperties.com/artstudios/events-blog.
The folks at Indie Craft Experience had their big show a couple of weeks ago, but they have been doing pop-up shops at Criminal Records on Euclid in L5P.Those details are at http://www.ice-atlanta.com/pop-up-shop/
Thanks for the info and link to the Little Tree event. Definitely going to check that out tomorrow between YDFM and Pine Street Market shopping. May even come back later for Heather Luttrell and the Rainmen. Do you think it’s actually safe to travel so far outside City of Decatur in that direction at that time of night?
If Decatur is Mayberry I think of AE as Hooterville (or as Lisa Douglas put it, Hootersville) and I think you’d be safe. Just be careful not to run over Arnold.
Yes, it’s safe. The Little Tree owners live in the COD, so you’ll be OK.
“Do you think it’s actually safe to travel so far outside City of Decatur in that direction at that time of night?”
Surely you are joshing…..
Junderscore’s middle name is josh…
I just can’t help myself some, er, most, of the time
Cool! I can figure out who AHID is by looking for the whispering and clutching and scarfing down of desserts!
….also by the whiners trailing behind me, “Can we go home now?’ “None of my friends are here.” “Can I get a bracelet, homemade stuffed animal, and wreath?” “Why can’t I walk and text in the middle of the crowd? Everyone else does.” The retort “No one is stopping you from walking home.” is the clincher that it’s me.
“No one is stopping you from walking home.” — An oldie but a goodie (I had it used on me!) and the exclusive province of parents who live in walkable communities.
At the risk of blowing what remains of my anonymity, mention you saw this post on Decatur Metro at the Risa Soap booth tonight and receive 20% off your entire purchase.
See you tonight!
Highly recommend the Risa soap products! If you didn’t make it out to the Clairemont marketplace, check them out online. If you’re local, Brad might even personally deliver your order right to your door. And if you mention Decatur Metro, he might even give you that 20% off your next order even if you missed the Holiday Marketplace (or, like us, got half way home before the Mrs. said “ya know, we should’ve got some soaps for Christmas gifts!”) OK, so I don’t know about the last part, but they do make some really nice soaps. Pay full price if you have to, it’s worth it and you’re supporting a great local business!
On a related note about the Marketplace, if you go today and you like tea, check out the Just Add Honey tea company display. Even if you don’t think you are a “tea person”, try the samples. They are amazing. And no, I don’t have a stake in that company either. The Mrs and I were just really impressed and will also be gifting tea for the holidays.
Yes to Risa soaps! Yes to Just Add Honey teas. (Try the chocolate. ZOMG!)
Also check out Emily G’s jellies. They are really good!
Thanks to all the volunteers who make the event possible. It’s a terrific sale.
Hope this post is not viewed as too commercial but I wanted to respond to J_T and RNH, if so let me know and I will remove it.
Thanks for the props everybody and appreciate your attendance at the show this weekend. Use coupon code DecaturMetro for 25% off all products between now and Dec 23. And as J_T says, I will deliver or arrange to meet you somewhere if you are in or close to Decatur.
If you are not comfortable ordering on-line or have issues with the shopping cart, our phone number is on the site… Risasoap.com
Chicken chili was delicious! This our first visit; the hardest part was remembering to shop for others and not just ourselves!
We left with our share of shopping completed. Some soap, jewelry, and baby stuff. We also volunteered at the Decatur Tour of Homes, so If you paired this with the marketplace you had an eventful weekend. If you visited the home at the corner of Pinetree and Ponce anytime after 7:30, I welcomed you in and my wife was somewhere to be found in the family room. We enjoyed all of the homes immensely.
This is a week late, but I wanted to say Thank You to my fellow Decaturites. My family all came here for Thanksgiving this year, including my aunt and uncle from the Great White North, who wanted to check out the place I had re-located my dad to. Not only were they very impressed at how I cleverly arranged the weather to be just perfect for eating “Pilgrim style,” (ie, outside on the deck), but they spent some time on the square in Decatur and commented on how super nice everyone was. They really enjoyed the shopping – my aunt had to drag my uncle out of Little Shop of Stories – had a great lunch with awesome service at Sweet Melissa’s and just had a good time in general. They were greatly impressed with Decatur and my uncle went home satisfied that his big brother is in a really good place with wonderful people.
I need to respond to the issue about cyclists riding against traffic on the sidewalk. I come at this issue from both sides – as a cyclist and a driver. I don’t begrudge anyone from either group. But, I have nearly hit two cyclists who were rapidly cycling against traffic on the sidewalk. One was cycling past the downtown parking deck I was exiting with a left turn on a one way street. He never slowed down or looked to see if a car was in the clearly marked exit. I didn’t see him until he was directly in front of me and it was a barely missed tragedy. The second experience was last week around 8:00PM on Dekalb Avenue. Yes, it was dark! As I began to make a right turn off of Dekalb, the cyclist (no lights or reflectors) zoomed into the road in front of me from the sidewalk -again moving against traffic. I had to slam on my brakes and the driver behind me barely missed rear ending me. The cyclist zoomed down the sidewalk spewing four letter words as me.
I am very concerned that I may accidently harm a cyclist who thumbs their nose at safety. We all need to safely coexist on our busy roads, and I am quite concerned about the trends I am observing.
It’s is actually illegal for adult cyclists to ride on sidewalks because it is so dangerous for pedestrians. It’s also dangerous for cyclists, because cars backing out of driveways or turning are simply not looking for a cyclist zipping along a sidewalk.
Yep. Some cyclists do dumb, dangerous, illegal things. But so do drivers. Please don’t assume all bikers are the same because we ride bikes.
I saw somebody in a car running the stopsign in Oakhurst (E Lake & Oakview) yesterday. In fact, I see this frequently (one car follows the car in front instead of waiting their turn). I often see all kinds of other traffic violations too, from drivers and cyclists and pedestrians. And yet, whenever someone mentions bike riding, we always get this kind of discussion criticizing cyclists… but not when someone mentions driving a car, usually.
Why is it less acceptable for bike riders to break laws? It actually seems to me that a cyclist breaking the law is primarily putting himself or herself at risk, whereas a driver breaking the law is more likely to harm others. I’m mainly a driver who sometimes rides a bike, just curious why this is such a frequent and touchy subject.
I’ll tell you why with a simple game you won’t play with me.
Lets both show up at Kavarna with a big stack of bills and I’ll give you one of mine for each car that doesn’t slow down and blows through a stop sign if you give me one of yours each time a bike blows through.
oh gosh, I’ve never seen a cyclist blow through the stop sign in oakhurst, but I drive through that intersection nearly every day and see a car blow through more days than not. They are so blatant too, not just doing a sneaky right out of turn, but literally just not stopping/slowing while going straight!
Actually, there have been some fairly protracted and heated discussions on this board in which scofflaw motorists came in for their fair share of criticism. (A particular one that comes to mind was prompted by someone complaining that they’d gotten a ticket for running the stop sign at N. Druid Hills/Clairmont.) But it is also true that the argument over who’s more entitled to misbehave (bikes or cars) based on the other group’s consistent misbehavior, never seems to get old for some people.
I was walking on the sidewalk near Emory on N Decatur last week. I was listening to tunes via my headset. I heard a faint “heads up” or something and an adult male cyclist blew past me on my left ( on the sidewalk, not the street). About 10 seconds later, I was clipped by a 2nd biker, a child who was also riding on the sidewalk. I assume the preceding male was her father. The child was knocked off balance by the collision, but recovered and kept going. The adult male was so far ahead of her, he didn’t even know she had hit me.
Hopefully the father willl this post. I want him to know that he is a huge JERK and a lousy parent.
My daughter and I were riding on the road where LAs Brasas is , and that intersection is really difficult to negotiate on a bike. The Path ends, then jags to the cross walk, then picks up behind DQ.
The problem this time, is the stop sign on “the road that leads to Kroger” (can’t remember what it’s called.) This lady almost took out my daughter, AFTER she saw me ride past. There is no stop sign for “the road Las Brasas is on” but that didn’t stop her.
I love showing my daughter how she can ride safely on the road as opposed to sidewalk/PATH only, but instances like this make me question my theory on that.
We’ll be riding side-by-side when she has to be on the road, and I apologize in advance to those put-off by our slow progress. But a trip to the emergency room is not what I want from a Sunday bike ride.
You were riding on E Howard Ave. You’re right, there is no stop sign for you on E Howard at N Candler St where the motorist was; it a little further down at E Trinity. The traffic coming across the railroad and bearing right on N Candler (as opposed to swinging left down E Trinity) does have a stop sign for E Howard.
Anybody know where I can get a live Christmas tree–as in not a fresh cut one–but one in a pot or burlap that I can plant after the presents have all been opened?
TreesAtlanta also offers locally grown Eastern red cedars in a pot. And, you can return them after the holidays! (or plant them
http://treesatlanta.org/news/programs/live-christmas-trees/
http://www.treeelves.net/
This is a new business created by the King of Pops guys
I LOVE this idea. Especially the fact that they deliver and pick up. What’s not to like? Anyone know if you are allowed to decorate them, on top of the lights that they provide? I’m thinking that decorations might not be healthy for a live tree.
According to their website, they are sold out already. Maybe next year….
Try Pike’s Nursery at Toco Hill.
Here is Walter Reeves article on live trees.
http://www.walterreeves.com/landscaping/living-christmas-trees/
Alberta spruce will not live in Atlanta. Don’t buy them.
More on floss picks:
http://gothamist.com/2012/11/30/video_is_it_gross_to_floss_on_the_s.php
Can anyone recommend a General Contractor for a kitchen remodel. Complete gut job and may need design help as well. Could lead to additional jobs (basement remodel, deck). Thanks!
We used Doerr and Sons for a fairly large remodel of our bungalow in Kirkwood that we sold last year. Pretty much did everything but the kitchen, but they did a fantastic job and David Doerr is great to work with.
Try these:
Struby Construction
http://www.strubyconstruction.com/
Bob Crochet & Associates
404.320.9878
Mike Shivers
4M Construction
[email protected]
Renewal Design Build
http://renewaldesignbuild.com
Good luck!
Can someone recommend a mechanic for a Dodge van?
We like Quantum Mechanics.
What’ s up with the restaurant that’s supposed to go in the old Feast space? I thought they were supposed to open in October, but I’ve been by there a few times lately and see no signs of life.
How about the one in the old Diner space? I haven’t seen anything happening there in at least a month.
They’re on track for January. Got a sampling of their food at a Decatur Tour of Homes dinner earlier this week and all I can say is…wow.
Which elicted the “wow?” Mar or the cantina.
Feeling a bit let down by our garbage service today. Last week’s adjusted schedule, due to Thanksgiving, had garbage pickup on Wednesday. That means all garbage from T-Day sat more than a week. That stinky problem aside, I was finally happy to put it all out on the curb late last night. Well, a nocturnal visitor of some sort decided they wanted their turn at the turkey carcass and ripped the bag open. The carcass and a few other things fell out of the bag, and I know this because they were waiting for me on my curb when I got home from work , right where the bags used to be. Now, I get the stinky stuff for another week. Actually, I won’t, since it will find it’s way into a city trash can before the night is over. It’s my new throw-as-I-walk disposal system.
That is why I use a big rolling can with a lid (even though that has its drawbacks, mainly associated with passersby throwing their bags of dog poop in it, but that’s a rant for another day). When I first moved here nearly 15 years ago, there was a resident dog pack in the area. At least some of them had homes but were allowed to roam and they naturally liked to run around together. In addition to committing cat murder and other mayhem, they were incorrigible garbage-scatterers. Only took one trash day for me to buy a big can with a varmint-proof lid. The days of free-roaming delinquent dogs are past, but a possum will make a hell of a mess.
Yes…I think I’ll get a can tomorrow.
That pack of dogs belong to the Bumpasses. I’ve never seen them at Thanksgiving but I see them every year at Christmas.
This may have been posted before, but I think it’s worth reiterating. Our soccer-playing neighbors the Fugee Family are competing for a major grant that we can help them win by going to the Chase Community Giving page and clicking our vote. They’re among 25 charities in 5 categories competing for $2 million in grants. If they win, the money will help get the Fugee Academy built. The awards will be announced on NBC on December 8th at 8pm, Voting ends on Dec. 4th. Let’s all vote and help them get that school built!
https://www.facebook.com/ChaseCommunityGiving/app_349872001764046?cv=3&app_data=location|/charity/view/id/7
http://www.fugeesfamily.org/
I voted! Tip if you go through the Facebook link, you have to hit the “Educators & Mentors” tab to find the Fugees.
According to the Fugees Family, the academy would be the nation’s first school built for refugees. Please vote and share the link with FB friends.
+1 to Bikeboy.
Now I have a question.
When there is a perfectly great bike path (like PATH), is it good form for the bikers to still ride out in the road? I also notice this with the paths in other areas (like the ones in Cobb).
I think the law allows bikers to use the road even if there’s a nearby PATH. I generally use the PATH when it’s there, but there are sections of the PATH that are perfectly dreadful, unsafe and unbikeable. If there are a lot of pedestrians on a section, I tend to ride in the street. Bike paths tend to accumulate broken glass and debris that is not swept away by car tires, also. Some cyclists believe separate paths are less safe than riding visibly in traffic. But again, riding on a sidewalk is technically not legal for adults in Georgia. I’ve never heard of anybody who was ever cited for this, but it’s less safe to ride on sidewalks because of the uneven terrain on sidewalks, the fact that motorists are not going to see you dart across an intersection or driveway. I know I won’t convince some people who think it is safer because they’re not right there in the road. I’ve been riding a bike for 30 years, I ride defensively, and while I have hit cars twice (long story, a man was involved), a car has never hit me. Including riding on Buford Highway.
I’ve never understood why anyone chooses the road over the PATH just from an exposure to traffic standpoint. The PATHs I’ve been on are usually in the same or better condition than the roads. Fairly often you do have to slow down for pedestrians who think they walk alone on the planet, but if you do need to swerve suddenly at least you’re never putting yourself in the path of a 3 ton SUV with a distracted driver.
But what’s even more bizarre to me are the riders who choose to ride on DeKalb Ave/Decatur St when Edgewood one block over gets you to the same place with 10% of the traffic and a 6ft wide bike lane.
One of the many reasons I have so little sympathy for fellow cyclists who create their own grief.
Edgewood has many more hills, and the bike path there has bulb outs and narrower lanes. Since the bike lane there is not separately, you could still get hit by a distracted driver. I don’t think Edgewood is significantly safer than DeKalb Avenue, and personally don’t think folks who ride there are asking for it, as you seem to.
I have found that when cycling, when you are riding in a legal and predictable way, signalling your turns and stops, staying visible and being polite to cars, you’re good. A lot of bike-auto collisions ARE caused by biker error. The most dangerous things I see are — bikes riding the wrong way, bikes weaving in and out of cars at busy intersections, bikers with headphones who can’t hear traffic, bikers riding with no lights at night.
I completely agree with your second paragraph.
But as for number 1, you’re way more brave than I. To me DeKalb is like Ponce, in the mornings I don’t even like to drive a car on them.
This is for you if you appealed your 2012 Dekalb property appraisal. I received a letter yesterday offering a new value, the one that I submitted with supporting documents. No BoE as next step. Just sign the letter in agreement and return to get a 14.5% decrease in appraised value and thus a tax reduction. One interesting observation – once again my house will be worth more than my lot. So glad I appealed.
Congrats. Didn’t have to do that because we got that weird reassessment back to the previous year’s value that some homes got without even trying. But glad to know that the appeals process worked. Especially since there’s some kind of “fiscal cliff” or doomsday or whatever looming and you’d hate to pay a whole bunch of taxes before driving off it!
at Avellino’s this evening, observed two young humans give up the table they’d been waiting 30 minutes for to two elderly humans who just arrived at the restaurant
#lovely
love it!
Any places with chocolate advent calendars in Decatur?
Don’t know but I’d try Seventeen Steps. Have been in Greene’s lately and I don’t think I saw any there but I wasn’t looking.
I think we got ours from Dekalb Farmer’s Market last year, you’ve just reminded me that I haven’t got ours yet!!!
I was at 17 Steps yesterday looking for one. They said they weren’t getting any because the factory that made them was wiped out by Hurricane Sandy. Sad.
Online: Vermont Christmas Store. Some other sites mention the lack of supply due to Hurricane Sandy.
We’re doing the regular kind of Advent calendar. December 1 was a toy train. Can’t wait to see today’s window. Got to wait since it’s not kosher to open the windows ahead of your kids. ):
Got three of them at Aldi’s a couple of wks ago.
Anyone got a recommendation for a good reasonably priced piano tuner/doctor? We’ve had my wife’s grandmother’s piano in our house for a few years now and I need to see if it can be restored/fixed/ or just needs a good tuning.
Thanks in advance and happy Saturday!
http://www.rickspianos.com/
Ross Marshall on Oak Lane in Decatur. 404-378-1949
Richard Allen, http://www.musicalservicesinc.com, 770-985-0476
I am helping my my child’s art teacher, Ms. Sylvia, get the word out about her December (and beyond) art classes for children at Sycamore gallery (by Fellini’s). Her classes are great, kids really learn a lot about how to draw, paint, etc. and info is here:
decatur art classes dot blogspot dot com [click on my name to get to the link!]
(I’ve repeatedly tried to post this with no luck )
nice electronic advent calendars at http://www.jacquielawson.com
Just a reminder that Emory is making available tickets for the Paul Simon lecture series Monday morning at 10:00.
Well, it’s in my calendar but I have been counting on other people forgetting. Thanks a lot!
Hey, at least I didn’t include a link!
The server is busy and I’ve been on hold on the phone. I imagine that they are swamped at Schwartz and that some Emory students will make some decent money for weed by scalping tickets.
I haven’t even been able to get through by phone to the hold queue — just the impenetrable busy signal.
I’m still in the phone queue after an hour. Afraid to hang up! I have a feeling the only way to score these tickets was to go to Schwartz. Which is cool with me. It’s like the good old days.
Someone will be making $$$ on the concert tickets for sure. I got to the box office at 9:35 and waited behind about 50 people. I was literally (yes, an acceptable and appropriate use of “literally”!) the next person in line when they announced “musical event sold out.”
Thankfully, I was able to get 2 tickets to everything else, including the Billy Collins event, so I’m happy. But I’d still like to know who got the concert tickets. If anyone here ended up with extras, I’d be happy to take them off your hands!
I tried to get through online at 10 and via phone and was unable to. So I hopped in the car and drove to the Emory box office. I wish I had just gone at 9:15.
I was able to get 2 tickets to the Sunday lecture. There were only 4 tickets left to this last event when I left at 10:30
If anyone has tickets to the Monday lecture and would like to swap, please let me know. Would also love tickets to the concert.
Any recommendations out there for a dry cleaner who can clean:
1) suede
2) a white beaded evening bag (smeared with pink frosting)
Please & thanks!