Free-For-All Friday 5/3/13
Decatur Metro | May 3, 2013Feel 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.
- rss
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.
Dinner on the square and 10 th row seats at the Black Keys concert. We didn’t feel like a parental care unit for 6 hours. Now that is a good school night!
Those are precious nights. How were the Black Keys?
Best concert I’ve seen in years. Of course most concerts have been with kids.
Smashing Pumpkins this Friday night! No kids. Who’s with me?
So, anyone experiencing an “Obama bump” in housing prices because of his visit to College Heights?
For all you Star Wars nerds……….Tonight………..
https://www.facebook.com/events/645594478787752/
I have been sulking all week over the lack of Sri Lankan food in the area. We still have some vacant restaurant space around here. I beg of y’all, please get on it and help sate my chili crab and black curry desires.
Hoppers……..
Just as the guy with the post hole digger finished installing the For Sale sign on our neighbor’s house yesterday, I zapped the little QR code thingy. Our kids grew up together and now they were all off into adulthood. had no idea they were planning to move, perhaps retire. Zap… $650,000 for a “1900 Georgia Vernacular Craftsman.”
Georgia Vernacular?
Yup. That is a very real thing. Most cities at that time had a bungalow belt, and they all had regionally distinct characteristics. I once spent an afternoon in the GA DNR historic preservation archives reading all about it. Is the house in question of the period?
If you google around, you see all sorts of real estate references to “Georgia Vernacular Bungalows” or “Decatur Vernacular Craftsman”. I didn’t know that “vernacular” could apply to architecture as well as language but one definition in dictionary.com is “a local style of architecture, in which ordinary houses are built.” Sure makes things sound nice. My home was originally “Decatur Vernacular Asbestos Siding and Natural Earth Basement”. It’s been renovated but still retains a lot of the original vernacular features like windows that unexpectedly fall out of the unrenovated parts of the home.
Yep. All traditional architecture falls on a spectrum somewhere between Classical/High, the most formal and ordered, and vernacular, the most informal or everyman. Those around here are vernacular Craftsman because they’re considerably less stylized than, for example, the Greene and Greene houses in California, and Georgia vernacular because the variations are common throughout this part of the country. In contrast, an Alabama vernacular might be very similar but more likely have a metal roof.
Some of those Greene and Greene homes look gorgeous on the Internet but some are a little too frou-frou. Decatur Vernacular is ok with me. I lust after some of the built in cabinetry….. I couldn’t persuade our renovator to do that outside of the kitchen. I guess it didn’t go with the Asbestos Siding Vernacular.
Here’s how I read Bruce’s post…
“Blah blah blah $650,000 blah blah blah (no insult intended, Bruce, I was just pointing out that your dollar figure is what grabbed me).
It’s hard to believe that, five years after the housing implosion (which CoD was relatively sheltered from due to many reasons), homes that cost over half a million dollars are selling within days.
Does this worry anyone besides me? Can that many people afford these mortgages? I feel like we are in the midst of a Decatur-centric housing bubble, and the next economic hiccup will expose the too-high levels of debt people are carrying.
I worry sometimes. Especially since some of the original community that was living here in Decatur when I arrived in 1991 has moved out because of high rents or taxes that they could no longer afford. If the current housing bubble bursts and there’s an exodus of the newer folks…….not good. However as a friend in Lake Claire said years ago, during a small burst housing bubble, “They aren’t making any more land…” I think intown neighborhoods will hold up over time, even if they have their dingy, deteriorating periods. I attended a seminar for new homebuyers years and years ago at which the presenter said that the average person should only buy a home for purposes of enjoying a residence for the long-term, not as a business investment. There’s too many things that can go wrong in the short-term–job move, death, volatile housing market, school system crash, whatever–that can cause the average person to have to sell their home at an unideal time. But if they were at least enjoying their home, instead of paying rent in a apartment they didn’t love, it was worth it.
I’m curious why it would be an “0bama-bump”? Isn’t this more of a school and gentrified neighborhood bump, as well as the walkability factor? My house is in the market after 16 great years here, and our thoughts are school and marta train options.
Obama was there because of the school, not vice-versa.
So, am I the only one wondering if Bruce and Zephir are neighbors without realizing it? Picturing a “You’ve Got Mail” scene here due to the selective anonymity …
Looking to redo our driveway and a basketball court expansion. Any recommendations on concrete contractors that you’ve used? Thanks.
Boss Construction – they were timely and perfect doing my courtyard.
Hemma. Not cheap, but you’ll never have to do it again.
Dump Truck business seems to be getting a big boost from Decatur and demolition of Beacon Hill. Hundreds and hundreds of truck loads every day, for several weeks now. Is it all going to the landfill?
Alert to all little boys in the area between the ages of 18 mos. and 4: Free entertainment!
Counted 27 Dump Trucks passing by in 30 minutes from 10:00 to 10:30 am, this morning. That’s 54 dump trucks per hour x 8 hours = 432 trucks passing by in an 8 hour day. This is 2nd week (10 days), so probably minimum of 4,320 dump trucks passing by, so far.
Yee Ha!
Or little girls. Because mine loves construction vehicles as much as the next boy.
Good for her! I would trade the construction phase for the pink phase any day!
Just bumped into the contractor handling this job. I’m happy to report they are recycling as much of it as they possibly can.
Knowing Decatur, that was probably in their contract.
Our lawn is starting to look pretty mangy. Dead patches here and there. General malaise. I am seeking recomendations for a *cost effective* lawn care company that can make it look passable again.
Not looking for fancy schmancy landscape design. Just someone who can patch ‘er up.
We need something budget-friendly. We are, after all, revenue neutral.
Thanks in advance.
C’mon beautiful people. Lend me some sugar. I know all y’all don’t take care of your own lawns!
Share the love …
I was waiting for answers to your question too. Lawn/yard stuff is hard. Everyone wants to design landscapes or maybe plant gorgeous gardens. Or they want to provide workers to mow your lawn the same way on a regular basis. It’s hard to find someone to do intermittent drudge work like pull vines, repair lawns, weed, edge.
Try Shedric on 678-469-7540. He’s been doing loads of work on Coventry, clarion, Woodlawn etc for as long as I have been in town. He’s happy to do occasional work as well.
Wow. I’m assuming this is the same Shedric I played softball with years ago but haven’t seen in long time. If so, tell him the old $2 Pitcher team says hey next time you see him!
Winnona Park Neighborhood Association is joining with Midway Woods Neighborhood Association to Present the 2013 Community Yard Sale!
Please join us from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM, Saturday, May 11th.
START AT: 208 Shadowmoor Drive, 30030. From 208 Shadowmoor, we will have Google maps available of all homes participating in the sale, many listing the items for sale. But hurry! Maps are only available while they last!
Contact: or with any questions
Link to the sale map: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=201791947458345211905.0004db8521db04b7bf884&msa=0
Looking for a little advice. I have a neighbor who recently did a renovation which has netted an increase in runoff onto my yard, particularly from one corner of the house. I contacted them and was cursed at, so not optimistic resolution can be reached through that avenue. I understand that there are no city ordinances that specifically cover this and it is a civil matter. Has my neighbor successfully made his problem mine, and I just need to build a berm or something, or are there other paths to take I have not thought of?
Helpful links from Georgia Gardener, Walter Reeves
http://www.walterreeves.com/landscaping/landscape-drainage-problems/
http://www.walterreeves.com/gardening-q-and-a/water-flow-impediment-law/
Do you know if his renovation work was permitted by the city – did they have a building permit for the work? If not, you have plenty of ammo to go to the city with. If they did have a permit – you can still inquire with the building department as to possible resolutions.
This is an awkward but real and huge problem with the growing concrete footprints and other renovations following from the creation of Decatur Faux and Authentic Vernacular Mega-Dwellings with 4-6 bedrooms and 4-6 baths. (Is my jealousy showing? I lust for 5 new bathrooms. Not so much for them 10 years later when there’s 5 bathrooms worth of mold-in-tile-grout to deal with.) It is hard to bring up with neighbors once concrete is already poured and hundreds of thousands spent even if you love said neighbors–in fact, if you love them, you want them to be ecstatically happy and never move. It would be nice if local renovating companies would consider run-off in the first place and if the permitting authorities would ensure compliance right from the planning phase. Your average renovating homeowner is probably clueless about run-off and doesn’t intend to cause a problem. But they are understandably defensive once they have spent a half million dollars and 14 months renovating.
But that doesn’t condone cursing! Sorry! I had neighbors like that once but luckily they built themselves a huge home in the outer, outer suburbs and moved.
I don’t think there is anything understandable about being a jerk. Seriously, call the city, check on the permitting and ask why the city allowed said permitting. The neighbor’s rights ended as soon as he created a problem for you and refused to work with you.
Forget calling the city. Buy Nelliebelle a Jack and Coke slushie. Then sic HER on the neighbor.
I have not read Decatur’s ordinance in detail, but 10+ years ago when I lived in unincorporated Dekalb, it was in the zoning/planning code books that any property improvements could not change the runoff across the property line (i.e. make it worse). In practice, I doubt it was often enforced, but it provides an aggrieved property owner with legal ground for a complaint.
Just did a quick search of Decatur’s code – best I can find is Ch. 42 Sec 113. Most deals with large projects, new homes, and subdivisions, but the text below seems to cover small projects:
“The following activities are exempt from this article:
a. Individual single-family dwellings that are not part of a subdivision or phased development project, nor part of a common or joint development of two or more adjacent and vacant lots, provided the unmitigated increase in the stormwater discharge from the entire property being developed does not exceed 0.55 cubic feet per second (cfs) for the 10-year storm event as calculated in accordance with the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual;
b. Additions or modifications to an existing single-family dwelling, provided the unmitigated increase in the stormwater discharge from the entire property being developed does not exceed 0.55 cubic feet per second (cfs) for the 10-year storm event as calculated in accordance with the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual or the city’s stormwater management policy guidelines;
“
I’m looking for a Mother’s Day brunch of some sort here in the good ol’ City, kid-friendly and not too expensive. Any ideas?
The new Golden Corral at the mall has a mother’s day brunch. Sure to be tasty!
We did Wahoo last year and I (as the mother) enjoyed it, as did our kid.
Is alcohol an important part of the picture? Try Steinbeck’s. If not, how about one of the old Decatur standbys like Sweet Melissa’s? We like brunch at Stone Soup Kitchen in Grant Park and the Carroll Street Cafe in Cabbagetown, too.
Sun in My Belly or Cafe Lily could be good options.
As of this past weekend, Cakes and Ale and Wahoo were booked. (But cancellations can occur.) No. 246, Cafe Alsace, and The Marley House still had reservations.
The Georgia Innocence Project (GIP), based here in Decatur, is dedicated to the mission of securing the release of wrongly incarcerated prisoners, of whom there are an estimated 2250 in Georgia and Alabama alone.
2250 innocent men and women sitting in prisons right now as you read this.
Durng the course of my pro bono work with GIP, I’ve gotten to know their first exoneree, Clarence Harrison, who spent 18 years in prison for crimes he didn’t commit. The stories he has to tell are both heartbreaking and damning of our judicial system’s treatment of people who are accused of crimes, but can’t afford adequate legal representation.
I’m asking you to visit a site, today, that enables you to make a donation to fund an album project whose songs are based on Clarence’s life, and whose proceeds will go to GIP to help further their mission.
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/life-sentence-an-album-to-free-the-wrongfully-incarcerated
Thanks for your support.
p.s. for every donation up to $250, we have a supporter who is willing to make a matching contribution. Donate $250 and the project gets $500!
All donations are tax deductible, The Georgia Innocence Project is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Tree Problem – a very large tree in the neighbors yard is leaning and doesn’t appear as stable as it should be. If it were to fall, it would take out the whole top level of my house where the whole family sleeps. Is there anything I can do to require them to take it down if it is dangerous? Do I need to pay to get it assessed and then go to them or should I go to them first?
Talk to your neighbor first and share your concerns. Maybe even offer to pay an arborist to assess the tree – a single tree assessment costs less than $100.
Yes, I would get a professional evaluation which would help in determining liability in case it comes down. Unless you can show negligence on the part of your neighbors, the repairs are yours. If a professional tells them to do something and they don’t, you have a case.
You could do that, or you could threaten to plant a huge tree in your own yard, angled towards your neighbor’s house. Mutually assured destruction, at least in 30 years or so. Or just hire a massive crane to suspend a 3 ton rock over the neighbor’s roof. These are the kinds of sensible, practical solutions I’d pursue.
And at the very instant we heard a klupp-klupp of feet on the Wall and old VanItch klupped up! The Boys in HIS Back Room had made him one too! In his fist was another Big-Boy Boomeroo! “I’ll blow you,” he yelled, “into pork and wee beans! I’ll butter-side-up you to small smithereens!”
“Grandpa!” I shouted. “Be careful! Oh, gee! Who’s going to drop it? Will you…? Or will he…?
“Be patient,” said Grandpa. “We’ll see. We will see…”
This happened to us (luckily not taking out the top floor!) A branch from the neighbors tree took out our electricity and phone lines, also fried a couple of appliances.Luckily, we have a great neighbor who was mortified that their tree took out our electricity and offered to pay for some of the costs of tree trimming.
You are *allowed* to cut branches that hang over your yard, but I would not do that without expressing your concerns with your neighbor. Do ask if you can do a tree assessment (our neighbor had one done, and the tree is perfectly fine – just old – and they do shed braches as a matter of them being trees.) Then go from there. If you can offer to trim some overhanging branches, really the neighbor cannot say no, but it’s neighborly to ask first.
Just came from the last of the town hall meetings about the new master plans to expand Renfroe and Decatur High. Kudos to Board of Education members Julie Rhame and Garrett Goebel for being there!
I was pleased to speak with Garrett afterwards. The give-and-take of our conversation was top-notch and illustrative of what is missing in the big picture. It was at once informational and also made it clear that none of us (including Garrett) were 100% certain of our understanding of the different facets of fast-track master plans we’ve heard about multiple times (see http://www.csdecatur.net). The confusion about the details underscores the need to slow down and take time to include the public and be clear in our planning and our understanding of our city’s plans before locking in to a vote.
Planning contractor recommended Option 3 is the only option currently presented in two phases which is a device to keep the initial cost down. Option 3 emphasizes new build (124,000 sq. ft.) at Renfroe in phase 1, then in phase 2 to build a new middle school in the backyard of Renfroe, reorient the front from US278 / GA10 / West College Avenue onto little, historic, three-block long Kings Highway. Then the old school (which was recently renovated) would be demolished and the property would be re-graded to build a new field. This is the plan which may be voted on as early as May 14 by the school board.
The smartest feedback I have heard yet, from a citizen speaker, is to take Option 1 which emphasizes renovation of the existing Renfroe classroom building, and turn IT into two phases, build the 124,000 sq. ft. (of Option 3 phase 1) and preserve the open space for future expansion needs, if they ever materialize. The price is certainly right … Option 1 is $153/sq. ft, Option 3 is $160/sq. ft.
But how can we embrace this idea, or any others, such as adding sorely needed school property (consider DeVry or Galloway) with the fast-track calendar currently proposed?
And why are we even hurrying so fast? We have 400 kids in 1st grade (up from 180) but it will be five years before that class hits Renfroe, and eight new Splost classrooms are already in the works to accommodate that first wave.
Last month the school’s master plans burst into the news, we have seen the school board respond to the controversy by postponing the Option 3 vote by a month and set up multiple meetings to explain the plans to the community. Can the Decatur Board of Education continue its responsive trend to more truly accommodate public input? It would be ideal to pause and undertake the patented Decatur roundtable process to better plan for the projected doubling of our student community. A tax referendum in November 2014 would still be timely and would have more solid chance of passing if the community becomes invested in its purpose.
It will also benefit our young ones to grow up and into a school system which well reflects the values and ethics of their parents, neighbors and civic leaders. It is up to all of us to make Decatur City Schools not just the fastest growing school system in Georgia, but truly the greatest.
nice report, Glenn.
thanks.
Thanks, Glenn. This is some seriously good reporting and reasoned editorializing. It makes me shake my head that we can’t have a platform for someone to get paid to do this, or similar, type of journalism in our fair burg. Kudos to DM for providing this platform and to you for taking your time to do this, but this report should not be buried at comment #35 on FFAF on DM’s blog that he provides out of the kindness of his heart. This is big stuff. Yo Patch, are you listening? (Crickets).
This is a tough one, I know, and we are not unique, and we’ve heard it all before, but, yes, our democracy demands that we are well informed when it comes to issues that impact our daily lives and our wallets. Thank goodness we get the information we get around here, but, what happens when Glenn doesn’t have time to write this up? Then we have to rely on the school/city to provide the info – which is great when they do, but we shouldn’t be at their mercy. The Fourth Estate is sooooo important, we need more of it around here. (Again, thanks to you DM – without you, we’d have bupkus – but we need more).
Thanks Ms. Carroll. Very interesting.
Here are some other problems:
1. The option with the lowest cost is $58 million. I am one voter who believes that this amount will rise substantially if approved by the voters.
2. The city government recently approved a $38 million spending proposal that does not require approval by the voters. I am one voter who believes that this amount will increase substantially once all the “we weren’t aware of this possibility” come to light.
3. It wasn’t long ago that our governments asked us to approve a huge bond referendum.
4. It was long ago (OK, almost ten years ago, ancient history for many current residents) that our school board told us that student population was decreasing.
5. The last election, between a big big name and no name candidates (no disrespect to the losing candidate) was decided by 14 votes.
6. Most voters in Decatur do not have children in the school system. Will they, and business owners (they can’t send their out of district children to our schools without paying tuition), support this referendum?
The problem to me is not the process but the amount. Will the voters approve another huge tax increase? Based on the last election, anything could happen.
Hmmm. This here is another voter. And this other voter was all set to roll his eyes and start typing something like “Come on Mr. B, stop it already with your right wing, crazy conservative, outlier thinking.” But gosh darnit if I don’t instead find myself saying, ‘Hear, hear!”
Glenn, thanks for putting all of that together, and it was good talking with you and Garrett after the meeting. However you’ve got one thing incorrect and I think it is the core of all of the controversy, so I wanted to make sure I provided the input.
You wrote:
“Option 3 emphasizes new build (124,000 sq. ft.) at Renfroe in phase 1, then in phase 2 to build a new middle school in the backyard of Renfroe, reorient the front from US278 / GA10 / West College Avenue onto little, historic, three-block long Kings Highway. Then the old school (which was recently renovated) would be demolished and the property would be re-graded to build a new field. This is the plan which may be voted on as early as May 14 by the school board.
The smartest feedback I have heard yet, from a citizen speaker, is to take Option 1 which emphasizes renovation of the existing Renfroe classroom building, and turn IT into two phases, build the 124,000 sq. ft. (of Option 3 phase 1) and preserve the open space for future expansion needs, if they ever materialize. The price is certainly right … Option 1 is $153/sq. ft, Option 3 is $160/sq. ft.”
Option 3 does NOT include a phase 2 plan. There is no phase 2 to approve. It is entirely a Phase 1 plan that is on the table. After doing phase 1, if/when it is determined that we need additional capacity at Renfroe, phase 2 planning and community input and funding would be required.
As Garrett noted, the materials in the Master Plan are confusing people because they show a couple of different options for phase 2. Both phase 2 options are basically finishing out either option 1 (build around existing footprint and renovate) or option 2 (build down Kings Highway and tear down). But they are only there for the purposes of providing examples of what phase 2 could look like. There could be hundreds of options for phase 2. Phase 2 might not even need to happen. Either way, it’s not in this funding plan and does not need to be approved at this time.
The suggestion you cited is in fact also in the Master Plan materials. Garrett pointed out that this suggestion would cost $10 million less than the King’s Highway option and wouldn’t rile up the whole neighborhood, so politically it would be FAR more likely to be adopted.
This will likely get buried by the school construction conversation, but does anyone know what a school bus driver is supposed to do with items left on the bus at the end of the day? I’m guessing the driver seen pulling over into a local park, surveying her bus and then dropping many hoodies, lunch bags, etc. into the trash bin wasn’t doing it right!
I can see throwing out food or sack lunches but NOT reusable lunch bags/boxes and certainly not hoodies. My children are as attached to their hoodies as to a security blanket. Non-perishable lost items should be brought to some central bus facility lost and found where folks who care badly enough can go to look for their stuff.
I can’t say enough good stuff about Jeremiah Zeis and On Call Electric. They just upgraded our electric service and rewired about 3/4 of our house (get thee behind me knob and tube!). Prompt, curteous, professional and thoughtful about how they snaked new wires through our 90-year old, 2-story home so as to minimize the need to cut into the walls. Their cost estimate would have been spot on had I not asked them to do a bunch of extra stuff. Three cheers for good local contractors!
+1 (x 100)
We had to call Jeremiah yesterday with a somewhat emergency. His guy showed up today and did a great job for a great price!
Tree just fell between Woodlawn and Clarion, apparently taking off a neighbor’s brand new screened-in porch. Hearing lots of emergency vehicles and hoping nobody is hurt. It’s going to be a windy night!
Me too. Fingers crossed. Keep us updated. And even if no one’s hurt, feel sorry for the owner of the new screened-in porch. No fun.
Can someone update the utility work situation at Church & Lawrenceville Hwy? I was headed that way earlier to kill some time at Marshall’s, but then saw the sign that said “expect long delays” and turned around at Suburban Plaza. Is it awful, the way it was a few weeks ago at North Decatur and DeKalb Industrial? If so, I’m staying far, far away.
It’s not awful, just mildly irritating in the grand scheme of things. A week or so ago the gas main break gummed up the works, but since then traffic has been moving relatively nicely. Just stay in the far left lane (headed to North Dekalb Mall) and the far right lane (headed back) so that you avoid most of the merging madness and you should be fine.
What I needed to know – thank you!
Any recommendations for a local dentist that’s not going to be Judgey McJudgerson at me for not going to the dentist in way too long?
And who will be GENTLE? My last experience at the dentist’s office was so awful that it’s the reason I haven’t been in years. But now I have a toothache.
James Allen Goettl, DDS
1955 Cliff Valley Way, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 634-4224
He is a lovely man. I owe him a visit — and he won’t make me feel bad about it!
Ok, please don’t be mad that I am ignoring that you said “local” and am just sending you a recommendation for a great dentist. We go to Dr. Wayne Suway. He’s been extremely gentle, and didn’t harass the Dude about his, ah less-than-stellar dental choices in his 20s (aka he didn’t go to the dentist for 10 years lol). I love, love, love him, and his staff, which is why I am willing to drive to *gasp* Windy Hill in Cobb County. It’s maybe 30 minutes from here but so worth it!
Marvin Winter in Decatur has a very gentle manner
This may be too late for you to see, but I was in the same situation and loved my experience with Dr. Tiffany Bolen. She’s here in Decatur in the Commerce Building. Gentle, non-judgy, top notch. Both she and her hygienist.
I second Dr Winter!
Anyone have recommendations for a fabulous caterer who is also reasonably priced?
Community Q.
Badda Bing! Michael and his food are definitely fabulous, though you’ll have to talk to him to see if he can do what you want for what you consider to be reasonable price-wise. If so, do it. I’ve been to large weddings and also smaller dinner parties that he’s catered and it’s all been awesome.
I don’t know how fancy you want to be, but we were at a party where this was, and then we hired them for our own party and they were great.
http://sjwoodfiredpizza.com/
Just to clarify, they actually bring a wood-fired oven to your house and cook the pizzas outside at your house.
Can anyone recommend someone to sew curtains?
Maybe try an alterations place?
There’s businesses that do “window treatments” but that may be more than you need if you already have the rods and other hardware installed. Years ago, I had wood blinds installed in different rooms. The folks who did the first room were great; but the second time I hired them, they ran off with my deposit, disconnected their phone, and I never got my blinds or my money back. The business I hired to replace them was great.
“There ARE businesses that do…” not “There IS businesses that do…” Sorry, just can’t contain myself.
Yes, you are right. I hate subject-verb disagreement too. Sometimes I start out with a singular subject but then the sentence evolves into a plural subject or vice versa. It pays to proofread to catch those slips.
On a related note, now I am so self-conscious about adding a non-existent ‘s to restaurant names that I can’t remember which ones are truly possessive and which are only possessive in the context of a sentence. Is it Trader Joe’s? Or I love Trader Joe’s frozen rice but I rarely pass by the Trader Joe location? Aaargh.
I’m glad to know there are other grammarians out there. My pet peeve is when people use “over” instead of “more than.” As in, “Over 500 people attended the Decatur Book Festival.” That drives me bonkers. I only know this because my News Writing and Reporter professor told me multiple times, often using a very loud and exasperated tone, “Over is a spatial relationship.”
That one drives me nuts, too!
Kudos to Kauffman tire. I sent my mom there with a weird car issue because I knew they would give her good advice. I was not disappointed. Thanks Kauffman!!
Any food delivery options other than pizza? Nothing against pizza, but we had it for lunch at a party. I really don’t want to leave the house in this weather.
Green Ginger delivers, I believe, but I haven’t tried it. So does Las Brasas Chicken if they have enough staff on board. Top Spice in Toco Hill delivers, at least it does to NW City of Decatur, not sure if they go to the south side. Good idea if we hadn’t already done takeout from Figo last night.
After I posted this, I remembered Las Brasas and Top Spice – but not sure that is what I am in the mood for….I wish Figo delivered, even though I already ate there once this week (have the prices gone up? My dinner was over $10 – which seemed high for Figo). Just bring lazy and not sure what I want for dinner tonight…..I do have a fridge and pantry with possibilities as well….will look into Green Ginger. I wish La Parilla delivered.
Re: “I wish La Parilla delivered.” That just made me realize that pretty much anywhere you are you can get Chinese or pizza delivered but not Mexican. Why the hell is that?
I don’t know, but I will buy your dinner if you want to go pick up mine for me….I imagine they might be busy tonight as well since it is the Corona Holiday…..
Oh wait, I have my days mixed up! That is tomorrow…..maybe we WILL venture out tonight for some Mexican food.
Corona Holiday, Ha! Good luck tonight. I would totally take you up on your offer if we weren’t headed OTP soon to some chain restaurant for Mrs. J_T’s mom’s birthday. But for future reference, do you know how much Mexican food I can eat? And does this include cervezas or margaritas???
That’s why you were going to get it to go – they won’t give you the booze then. Plenty of free beer at our house. Enjoy your travels OTP. I was out there this morning.
Ahhh, sneaky Nubbs! Of course, last time I was at your house, I believe I had Bell’s on tap, so I have no doubt the beer would be quality in addition to being free. We did survive our venture to Snellville so you just let me know when you need to get rid of some suds and I can scare Baby Nubbs with my Homer Simpson impressions
Is Chico and Chang’s still around?
Yes, Figo’s prices have gone up. And I haven’t been quite as happy as I used to be with either the quality or service. Nothing drastic, but the equation has gradually gone against the drive over there. But our family sure does love their 6-cheese ravioli, bolognese sauce, and spinach salad.
Golden Buddha! I don’t care what people say, it’s decent “New York Chinese”, and they deliver it freaky fast (apologies to Jimmy John’s).
Golden Buddha, Pyng Ho, and Green Ginger deliver. We ordered online from Green Ginger for the first time a week or so ago and were pleased with the service and free roll we got.
Decided I can’t stay inside any longer….convinced some friends to meet for dinner. Thanks for the suggestions. Will save them for next time (like tomorrow).
Did you know that Shawn Mullins is in the line-up for the Decatur Arts Festival?
http://visitdecaturga.wordpress.com/2013/05/04/may-is-music-month-in-decatur/
Any thoughts/feedback re: the one ipod/child to use at FAVE? We were told to remind our kids not to “jail-break” them or to go to places where they’re not supposed to go etc. I’m sure there’s some security system in place – but I have a hard enough time monitoring the electronics at home and my kids don’t have one/kid (yes our security system is probably not up-to-date as the school’s is). Still I think it’s very brave of the school to even introduce one per kid.
Could it have been introduced prematurely? Is this what schools need to tackle to keep up with information age and education in this modern world? Or should we step back?
Just curious to hear what other thoughts might be out there.
I’m curious too. On the one hand, reading on an I-pad or e-reader is much more appealing to many kids than reading a hard copy book (which floors me because I feel just the opposite.) So that’s a plus–anything to get them reading. And, similarly, there’s study programs like Quizlet that are more appealing if the kids are doing them curled up in a cozy chair rather than sitting at the desk using as desktop. And the calculator, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation functions. But what child only reads and studies on an iPad? There’s all that photo taking, You Tubing, game apps, Instagram, inappropriate apps like Kik, movie watching, junky activities going on.
I kind of trust the teachers on this one. They tend to be late, not early adopters of new technology and are usually not on the trendy bandwagon. I never saw the appeal of the electronic whiteboards but I know the teachers think they are incredibly helpful. CSD just needs to help the parents with practical ways to keep the inappropriate use under control. It’s not as easy as the Parenting articles suggest. Every time I try fancy electronic parental controls, I goof up everything and then can’t use our computers for work purposes.