Free-For-All Friday 7/19/13
Decatur Metro | July 19, 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.
My keys and phone were stolen from my bag at Glenlake pool yesterday.
Police were called, locks were changed, phone was remotely wiped. I saw the people who most likely did it, but there ain’t nothing can be done about that.
Keep a better eye on your stuff than I did, kids. Don’t make the mistake i did, of actually playing with your kids when you go to the pool.
Oh, no! I’m so sorry to hear that, Al. That stinks.
Al, would you be mind sharing a description of those you think were involved?
High school kids who have been “causing trouble” (lifeguard’s words) at the pool.
I big THANK YOU to Dr. Dixie Cely and the wonderful folks at Dearborn Animal Hospital. Thanks to them, a stray mother kitty is now spayed. The entire office rejoiced when the kittens were located – it was a very happy day!
We lost our small grey cat about a week ago. We live in Sycamore Ridge and I heard there was a post in the Decatur Heights blog about a found grey cat. If someone could send me the Decatur Heights post, I would be most grateful.
Thank you!
770-853-7041
Reports of burglaries in Decatur seem to have declined sharply this week. Perhaps the recent, much-touted arrests caught the offenders. Or maybe all the computers and phones we use to report crimes to neighborhood groups have been stolen.
I imagine it’s all the electrified barbed wire fences that have been put up.
You do not see a Police officer anywhere around and criminals know that. Police officers need to get out of the air conditioned vehicles and bike, walk, Segway their way around the streets. When a hot spot turns up station officers in the middle of it; I bet things will get better. You can say whatever you want but no police presence = higher crime.
Which neighborhood are you in, Emely? I’m in Oakhurst and see police regularly.
Winnona, we moved here 9 months ago because of the schools and the ability to walk to most places which we love do every day. The only place where we see officers is in the square or the Agnes police inside the campus. I know officers cannot be everywhere at the same time and we can help “If You See Something, Say Something”
@ Steve, I apologize if the comment about the air conditioned cars came across the wrong way. No harm intended.
Under normal conditions, and we’re not under normal conditions right now, the City is divided into 4 quadrants and one officer patrols each, which mean he/she has one square mile, roughly, to patrol. That’s far better coverage than just about anywhere else in the area. You will find many remarks on here and elsewhere about the responsiveness and professionalism of Decatur officers. And, Agnes Scott officers also patrol certain areas of WP, since the college has a few properties there and the AS police also cover Columbia Seminary.
Perhaps you should sign up for the Citizen’s Police Academy this fall to learn what our officers do, how and why they do it, and meet the command staff. You also get to ride with an officer on patrol.
I regularly see DPD in WP. At least one patrol officer cruising the streets in mornings and evenings. Can’t say anything about the middle of the day because I’m at work. Overall, though, there is a much higher police presence around Decatur these days. Keep up the good work, DPD!
Yup. Seeing a lot more police presence in WP.
I’m seeing more police in WP too. Within 24 hours of returning from vacation, I saw 3 police cars patrolling.
I have to disagree with you. Working at home every day, I walk my dog at very random times
twice a day. There has not been one single walk where I have not seen a police car. Some walks I see several different cars driving Winnona Park. I know they are different officers because they roll down the window and wave or talk to me or they are in different models of police car. Although I’ve noticed the police for years, it’s really stepped up in the last few weeks. It feels like a private security force! Get out and walk a couple miles through the neighborhood a couple of times a day and you’ll be shocked. Worth every penny of my tax dollars. Just to note, we lived in City of Atlanta for years previously and the crime was much worse than here!!!! You could call 911 and no one would ever come. Ever.
I see more police presence on the north side too.
I’ll second Andisheh’s statement, I’m seeing DPD every time I turn around these days in Oakhurst. They are very obviously increasing their presence in the area and I’m hoping that is why the incidents seem to be trending down.
I would categorize police presence/visibility as dramatically increased. I’m in Oakhurst and now see police patrolling the neighborhood, the village and the parks regularly. I’ve noticed a sharp increase in visibility downtown too. Although I do agree with the idea that foot and bike patrols could be made a bigger part of the overall patrol picture.
You may not be able to spot the officer – that’s part of the plan. I think the remark about getting out of their air conditioned cars is very unfair. And, if something occurs all available officers do respond, including the “station officers”, even though some folks on this blog think that’s overreaction. If you have concerns, the DPD command staff is always available.
Maybe you should read this: http://www.decaturmetro.com/2013/07/09/decatur-police-provide-details-on-recent-crime-activity-at-community-meeting/ and this: http://www.decaturmetro.com/2013/07/03/decatur-city-commission-addresses-recent-increase-in-crime-occurring-in-decatur-and-throughout-atlanta/, among other things.
And, you need to be a concerned citizen and call to report anything out of sorts – the police cannot be everywhere. As Deputy Chief Lee said – we’re all the best witnesses.
You’re so right. Everyone knows that sweaty and tired cops catch more criminals.
I can’t speak to Winnona Park specifically but I’ve heard from a couple different sources that, since our current predicament became apparent, officers on the street at any given time has been increased more than three fold. I was out riding around the other night, all through the city, and every time I turned a corner it seemed I was crossing paths with DPD.
We had a false alarm at our house. Checking our alarm company’s log on time of the initial alarm versus time the police triggered another sensor, I got 2 minutes. That’s how much time it took them to take the call, drive to our house, and do enough investigating to trigger the sensor. To me, that’s amazing.
Carpet cleaning recommendations? I recall a previous FFAF a name alone the lines of Dr G???
Recently used Dr.Green’s Carpet Care. Did a very good job, showed up on time, didn’t try to up the price. Also the only carpet cleaner I’ve ever seen working out of a Honda Element.
Better watch his catalytic converter.
Most of the world is carpeted. And, one day, we will do the cleaning.
Does it seem like we don’t have a whole lot of delivery food in the area or is it just us lonesome folk down in Midway Woods that suffer from lack of good delivery eats?
do Zifty and Grub Hub not offer delivery service in your area? I live off of Katie Kerr and both services offer good restaurants for delivery.
I hadn’t even considered Zifty or Grubhub. I guess that’s why no one delivers any more: because there are delivery specialty companies…. My mind has just been blown.
How many options are there in any neighborhood beyond pizza, Chinese, and a Zifty kind of service?
I don’t know how far their delivery area goes, but Mediterranean Grill delivers, too.
Green Ginger has delivery too.
Zifty delivers the Marlay House (among others) to our house. gotta love it! and imo, their fee is very reasonable.
Am I allowed to do this?
Zifty new users coupon code 10% off first order: 8F9F76
Just sayin’.
Siam on Decatur Square delivers to Midway Woods.
Yum!
Anyone have the inside scoop on when the work on College Ave. is going to wrap up? This has to be setting some sort of record.
Here’s how I’ve heard it: The project is replacing the main gas feed all down College, which they’ve completed. Now they’re connecting each individual building along that stretch to the new feed. I believe the scope ends at Candler so they’ve still got a ways to go.
To further complicate matters, GDOT’s shutting down College between Mead and Olympic starting tonight. Supposed to open back up on Monday morning but time will tell…
If you want to see a record-setting disruption, take a look at Maple St across from the high school. That’s been going on since mid-February.
Agree with Steve regarding the extremely long duration of the Maple St project. They must be having some Serious Problems!
I have had it with all these mother *** snakes on this mother *** plane!
Because there’s nothing more foolish than a man chasing his hat.
Would prefer them on an island?
http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/snake-island-ilha-de-queimada-grande
No, in a tornado, of course. A Snakenado, if you will.
Full of blow-a constrictors, no doubt.
+1. Even better, Squidnado! http://now.msn.com/neon-flying-squid-can-fly-far-and-fast-photo-shows
Fast and bulbous!
helping to calm traffic at a corner nearby
Bulbous also tapered.
Watch what you ask for! The actress was on Today this morning and said they have the green light for a sequel to Sharknado. Just what the world needs!
Any Decatur neighbors needing their walks, driveways, deck or porch pressure washed?
My enterprising 17-year old son bought a Honda 3000 psi pressure washer with the plan of cleaning up this summer. He’s restoring an old BMW and needs funds.
Yesterday, he de-gunked the grime from my aging SUV to make it showroom clean. Any job that doesn’t require bleach or tall ladders is game on.
Text Jacob at 404 309-9863
Oh, how I wish you would have posted this last Friday……..one weekend too late.
We will be getting in touch with Jacob! My husband is more interested in helping with the BMW, but we will come up with pressure washing jobs as well
I don’t understand the bleach and tall ladder restrictions. The best part of my summer job on the Sesame Place* (yes, Sesame Place, quit yer snickering it was a great job!) grounds maintenance crew was gunking night. Every few weeks, we worked overnight. We were given pressure washers, bleach and, yes, ladders. We were 17. We may have even been stoned out of our minds**. We survived. Let the kid have some fun!
*OK, it was the second best part. The best part were the 17, 18 and 19 year old girls in the Baywatch red lifeguard suits. Yes, it sounds creepy for me to say that now but I was 17 and 18 myself the two summers I worked there. Ah, youth!
**Oh, hell, the statute of limitation is way passed and there are so many other reasons I could never run for public office. We were baked as baked could be those nights.
Used to love that giant rope net thing!
For purely selfish reason, namely that I do not wish to witness the carnage, would people stop trying to make a left turn out of the Emory Commons (Publix) shopping center onto Clairmont? Begging your way through 3 lanes only to be struck on your passenger side seems such a high price to pay to avoid 2 lights that would let you get safely home.
Thank you.
I guess it’s only marginally better to turn left onto N Decatur Rd. The best way is to drive down beside the store and wait for the traffic light at the driveway.
I think I’ll change my screen name to The Other Steve
+1
Yes, like Steve said, leave Emory Commons / Publix via the light on N. Decatur at the side of the store. Turn left on N. Decatur, then left on Clairemont…no problem.
All you have to do is make sure the “turn lane” is open after crossing the first 3 lanes.
+1 – This is only feasible when there are no other cars on the road.
I have seen multiple wrecks over the years with folks taking a left onto Clairemont. Taking a left onto N. Decatur is much safer, in my opinion.
I actually got a ticket from an over eager dekalb police office after making that turn on to Claremont. It was 7 am on the weekend and there was no traffic but it is apparently illegal to drive through a “gore” which is the 2 sets of double yellow lines in the middle if Claremont. Who knew? Couldn’t believe it based on the number if folks who do this everyday. But do agree that it’s probably not the safest turn in the world.
It’s called “crossing the gore. “. And you can get a ticket for crossing it in any direction, including when the left turn lane is full and you cross the gore to wait for the turn lane to clear out because you don’t want to block traffic behind you.
What if you are on a pogo stick? Can one legally make the crossing if they touch boundries on neither side of this aforementioned gore?
I’m picturing a pogo stick followed by a unicycle. Brilliant.
But what if the gore walks over to you while you’re speaking, looks at you condescendingly and then mumbles something about a ‘lockbox’? Then is it OK to cross the gore?
I hate to admit it but it took me a couple of minutes to make the connection of gore to Gore…might sell the idea to Al-Jazeera
What I do is turn right onto N. Decatur, drive down to Superior, turn right, cross Scott and then head to my next destination. It might take longer but it’s less hassle and you avoid the light at Scott Blvd. and Clairmont and any traffic. Sometimes, I turn left onto N. Decatur Road out of the shopping center and then turn left on Clairmont but only when there’s little or no traffic, which isn’t often.
Hooray, dsw (Designer Shoe Warehouse? I’m a fan.) I was taught in phone company driving school that right, right, right, was a better option than a dangerous left.
+1. I actually have timed all the options out and leaving at the light is the fastest on average. And definitely the safest.
What was happening at Commerce and College last night? There were at least 6 police cars and a paramedic fire truck surrounding a van or SUV at that corner by the gas station. They had all lanes in at least two directions completely blocked with a police officer directing traffic to get around it.
Just want to point out my enjoyment of dealing with most govt. employees of COD. However, City of Atlanta, not so much. So I was traveling west on Hosea Williams and stopped at the intersection of Hosea and East Lake. As I proceeded from the stop sign, I see a COA police car about 40 yards away driving south on East Lake. He pulled me over and stated that I did not make a complete stop at the stop sign. Now, he had ZERO line of sight to see whether or not I made a complete stop (and i did). He was rude right from the start and after I stated my case to no avail, I asked whether or not he was using his time most effectively with all the burglaries and robberies in the area recently. He said he was. As he walked away and in a very smart ass tone, said “watch out for those burglars!”. Unbelievable professionalism there….
His name should be on the ticket. File a complaint!
Ya know, if only I respected the Constitution, I could probably tell you how to get out of that ticket pretty easily
[In all seriousness, if it was Ofc. K.T. Parker, get in touch with me]
Once again, JT, you display your ignorance of our founding document. Speed limits have no rational basis and are violations of due process, so anyone who has read the Federalsit Papers would know that Walrus is innocent.
Please tell me that smiley face emoticon means I don’t have to launch into a seminar on what “due process” actually means.
Jeez. Thanks, but no need for the “seminar,” Professor.
I always said you did when it came to your work!
No, I believe you said he did when it benefits his client
Ah yes. That is certainly a more accurate quote!
Just looked – Thompson was the name.
Too bad. You probably would’ve had a much better story if it was Parker. You probably would’ve gone to jail for your comments about his time management skills but, still, it would’ve been a great story.
Dump Trucks still running strong and steady on South Candler. Must be two or three months worth of steady dump truck traffic from Beacon Hill.
Anyone know if the kids soccer fields behind Beacon Hill are being eliminated? The rendering of the project does not show the area behind Beacon Hill, where they have been excavating for the past several months.
Heard they were putting in storm water collection system. Will fields be put back in place when they are finished? Kids are sort of soccer fields.
The fields will be replaced when the project is complete. The storm water collection basin will be underneath them.
Great to hear. Kids do not have enough practice fields. I decided they must be building a parking deck back there, due to increased parking requirements for the new Municipal Center. Guess Dump Truck business will remain strong as they haul all that dirt back into Decatur, now that it has been removed.
I think the idea is there will be a void beneath the field where storm water can be held and released slowly. Thus no need to return that dirt.
Exactly. It will be like a big tank underground.
Lifeline Animal Project is in dire need of a short term lease on a small warehouse space to try and save 40+ kittens that were exposed to a very contagious virus at Dekalb Animal Control. If one is not found very soon the kittens will have to be out down.
Please contact
Thanks!
Any advice on a yard service for our house in Midway Woods? Not looking for anything too fancy since our yard is basically a densely woven blanket of crabgrass and other weeds. Just don’t have time or inclination for mowing duties anymore.
+1 Would also like a rec and in Midway Woods.
Try Shedric on 678-469-7540 – He works all over Decatur
11 Alive was in Decatur this morning and reported on a haunting in the old cemetery. Maybe a good topic for the DM blog would be Decatur ghost stories. What have you seen at your house or place of business that made you go hmmm?
During a recent thunderstorms ceiling lights in our den went out. Circuit was not affected. Somehow the wall switch controlling the lights toggled to the Off position.
I once had a cat who would jump up and turn off a wall switch.
Can someone please tell CSD that we can enter data into an online form these days? My hand is getting cramped already and there are still so many forms to go! As a bonus, they could save about 50 reams of paper. A small cut, but a great one!
Are you registering a new student? I have current students and have not received any forms to fill out. Getting worried that I’ve missed something! Meanwhile, I’m anxious for DHS and RMS schedules to get here already!
No new students, just my first packet from FAVE. It is just ridiculous that I fill out the exact same information year after year for both of my boys. Why can’t I just confirm it’s all the same online? Imagine the data entry time that could be put to better use! Not to mention the paper. I’m going to be drowning in paper in a few weeks. If you don’t hear from me, please come exhume me from my paper grave.
Does anyone know what is up with the person who has set up some sort of a business/ lodging on the sidewalk across from the Dekalb Industrial Kroger? He or she seems to have several shopping carts, bags, and buckets but I can’t really tell what he/she is doing with them.
pretty sure that’s the homeless person (think it’s a woman) that’s been living at that intersection for years. she just has so much stuff now that she needs multiple carts.
Is anyone in the Lenox Park/Swanton Hills/Greenwood Circle area missing a parakeet? A blue one has been spending hours at our bird feeder every day this week and when he’s not eating all the seed, hanging out in a nearby tree. He’s quite flashy, dining among the sparrows, chickadees, and squirrels that we usually see.
I don’t know how far a parakeet might travel when he/she escapes, or even how you’d go about catching it..? It lets me get quite close to it, so surely it must be used to people.
I’ve got a friend in LA who had some video work done by a local editor and is looking to reward him with a bottle of booze. He’s wondering if there’s an Atlanta liquor store that delivers. I got nuthin. Anyone?
Are liquor stores even allowed to deliver? I’m trying to remember my brief experience with Webvan and whether they delivered beer and wine even.
Not allowed in Georgia. Though there still are some drive-thru liquor stores around.
this website ships spirits to GA–i’m sure others do as well
http://www.qualityliquorstore.com/categories/Liquor/?sort=newest
Is anyone else experiencing any difficuly logging on to the Decatur Free Wi-fi recently? For the past several days, it tells me access is limited and I can’t log on. I’ve tried restarting my laptop, reconfiguring settings, etc., but to no avail. I haven’t had any trouble with any of my other regular wi-fi spots, so was wondering if it’s a known problem with the Decatur wi-fi?
Got a growler of 3 Taverns’ “A Night in Brussels” Belgian IPA from Ale Yeah! and had some with dinner tonight. Very nice! If you’re expecting a big hop monster b/c it’s called an IPA you’ll be disappointed, but I thought the hops were nicely balanced with the Belgian yeast flavors. (A hop monster wouldn’t have worked as a “Belgian IPA.”) Looking forward to their future offerings–I used to live in Austin and loved Celis, and some local Dubbels and Trippels would be awesome.
It’s FFAF so I can type whatever I want, right?
Are you a fan of the Decatur Book Festival? Are you proud that our little town hosts this nation’s largest independent book festival?
Consider volunteering. We have jobs ranging from managerial to “tote that barge.” All of the work keeps this event free and open to all.
I’m posting this here because I know y’all are a lot of smart people. I think you would enjoy supporting the book festival.
Contact to volunteer. Please let her know if you particularly want a managerial assignment.
Did you just make a Show Boat reference??
Indeed I did.
Was out tonight at the Suntrust ATM and noticed a Chipotle sign in the back corner of the bank. Anyone know more details.
Also tried Hola tonight. Wanted to love it, but it will not be in our rotation again anytime soon.
http://www.decaturmetro.com/2013/05/01/chipotle-coming-to-downtown-decatur/
Thanks for pointing me there. I had literally gone fishin’ on May 1 and was device free on a Kentucky lake for five days. See the important stuff I miss when I don’t stay connected!!
I had a pretty uninspired meal at HOLA! last night. Will not be going back. Nothing was terrible, just very average tex-mex.
I would probably have to go with below average, and I really was hoping for so much more. The service was good, chips and salsa within seconds of sitting down, and I have no complaints with our server…just what she served! Margarita could have come out of a juice box and the nachos had no hint of originality at all.
If it hasn’t been coined already, I propose a new term for places that are so lacking…Tex-Mehx.
I hate to agree, but this was pretty much my experience as well. Of course, the mother-in-law loved it. You’d be surprised how many people love “Tex-Mehx”. If they can avoid killing anyone with their food, they will probably do well there. Hell, even if they do kill someone they might survive. Just ask El Azteca on Ponce…
And didn’t they kinda kill that guy twice?