Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
May 16, 2014 Free-For-All Friday 5/16/14 (121)
June 20, 2014 Free-For-All Friday 6/20/14 (34)
May 23, 2014 Free-For-All Friday 5/23/14 (101)
Macarolina
ww
At Home in Decatur
At Home in Decatur
Steve
Cubalibre
Cubalibre
Sara
Sara
FMFats
Mic
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Ponce @ Church circa 1982
I know this is a common theme, but we are looking for a dog sitter/walker. We haven’t used one in a long time and the lady we used before is no longer dog sitting. Recommendations?
My daughter does this. I’ll refer this post to her.
I’m the aforementioned daughter.
I’m a petsitter living in downtown Decatur with several years experience. I have references available, too. Please contact me at catieleary [at] gmail.com if you’re interested!
Frogs to Dogs, without a doubt. Used them for almost 7 years with nothing but perfect, professional, loving service. Our dogs love them!
+1 on Frogs to Dogs.
Tricia White, Tricia’s Petsitting. 404-284-1883. Absolutey reliable. Was our dogsitter for 10+ years, until our dog passed away at the ripe old age of 16.
A request! Could the pedestrians that are crossing College Ave in front of Agnes Scott and Candler Rd next to Agnes Scott please, please push the button to make the lights flash? Not only is it safer for the pedestrian but it is also safer for the drivers. When drivers see the lights flashing: cars two and three back also know to slow down and come to a stop.
Thank you and have a great week-end!
That’s good advice. I think a lot of people skip the button because they think it’s like other crosswalk buttons around here: seemingly ineffective.
Not sure why they’d think this, because rather than being “idiot buttons,” at most of the crosswalks in CoD you HAVE to press the button or you won’t get a walk signal. I’ve seen people stand there and wait through three light cycles waiting for a walk signal because they failed to press the button.
This might be true of some of them, but it doesn’t seem to be the case at the ones at Sycamore and Church or the ones at Commerce and Ponce. But I will make a point of experimenting next time to see.
I’ve lived adjacent to both Commerce/Ponce intersections and I can assure you, they both feature this functionality.
I have not found one yet that hasn’t worked. If you do, tell Amanda Thompson so she can tell DeKalb traffic engineering. Sometimes you have to wait on the opposing left turn lane, even though the traffic light on your side has turned green.
Just sat with my lunch from Calle Latina and watched the closest walk signal on the Town Square side change twice without the button being pushed.
Wasn’t pushed on the other corner? There are 4 possible buttons.
No, and that’s probably why I only saw it twice, as there aren’t that many lulls at that crossing with no one pushing the button.
Regardless, even if the buttons are working the long cycles at some of these intersections lead to the perception that the buttons are pointless.
And in many cases, there’s a sign right below the walk light itself that tells them they have to press the button.
But there’s no sensor that automatically detects their presence and tweets them to press the button. So how are they supposed to know?
Unless that sign is on their iPhone, most people aren’t going to notice it
+1 to both of you.
I vote for a low-voltage short-range electric charge to get their attention.
Thanks B. I find that if I push the button twenty times, wait a moment and push five more times, the light changes. I’ll text Amanda with the correct numbers.
Also, if you are staring at a phone, please put it down and look at traffic. The drivers have no way of knowing whether you are going to stand there or wander out without looking. You are more important than whatever is on that screen.
A few years ago I almost drove over two pedestrians who were about to cross. They were legit to be upset with me. But — the sightlines are sometimes poor on that stretch, especially when the bushes are not cut back during peak spring/summer growth. A car driver, even traveling the speed limit, cannot always see pedestrians waiting to cross until it is too late. I really like that button for this reason – please press it!
And it would be helpful if the drivers would pay attention as well, lights flashing or not. It’s still a crosswalk (if this is what you are referring to) that gives pedestrians the opportunity to cross without having to jump up and down on one leg to get drivers to notice.
that’s just crazy talk Bulldog. drivers? at fault? never. this is their world. pedestrians/cyclists are lucky enough to have access to it and should exercise that privilege with extreme caution. god didn’t invent smartphones for them to sit in drivers’ pockets unmolested.
How I wish all the cross walks in CoD had those flashing lights. Would make it easier on the walkers and us car drivers.
I was told by the Crossing Guard at S. Candler and Dougherty that Agnes Scott installed the flashing light crosswalks. I definitely appreciate them!
I know this has been asked before, but looking for a recommendation for a reliable cleaning service for regular basic cleaning and the occasional “deep dive.”
Thanks!
I have a pair of sisters who have changed my life. They are very thorough, responsive if there is an issue and reliable. Call Priscila Sena at 229-515-0585. Let them know that Trish recommended them.
Thanks for the recommendation, though I have to say the first lie of your response was a bit of a shocker! (I know, I need help….)
I second Priscilla and her sister. They are amazing. I have given their number out to a few people and am afraid they will soon become too busy for me – they did an amazing job on our deep clean and now come weekly. Highly recommend them!
I cannot say enough about Jacinta Roberts and her company, Your Free Time. Contact her at 404-579-1920. She is insured and bonded, and has owned her business about 20 years. She and her employees speak English, are knowledgeable and reliable, and do excellent work. You may say that Kelly in Decatur flew her flag!
+1 for Jacinta!
My F.AVEr and I attended last night’s meeting on the robberies and found it very educational. He loved the civics lesson in how a community is supposed to work; open, honest, two-way communication between citizens and government.
We received information about a potential fourth incident. A teenager was approached and asked several questions about his phone, service etc. It made him nervous enough that he sought out and joined a group of people he knew, and the dudes backed off.
I have no doubt in my mind that our city government, CSD administration and police are taking this very seriously, and are doing everything they possibly can to address the problem. As for coordination with other cities, the answer is yes. They are constantly in contact with, among others, APD, Dekalb County Marshal, Dekalb County school police and bordering city forces. They also read DM, Patch and other local blogs, and are fully aware of our concerns.
Oops, sorry. Didn’t see there was already a discussion of the meeting in another thread.
Video:
http://vimeo.com/73946922
I come before you good people today with an idea. Probably the greatest… Aw, it’s not for you. It’s more of a Shelbyville idea.
We already have three monorail stations!
Naw, we need a new monorail, like the one that helped to revitalize downtown Detroit.
Um, 1978 called. It wants its’ mass transit idea back.
The new hawtness is the OCTORAIL, baby. ‘Cause ‘mo rails = ‘MO BETTAH.
Also, we get a 37% cut from the rail vendor.
Or, as a MARTA spokesman recently described the Streetcar Project, transportainment.
The ring came off my pudding can!
+1 – Any quote from Marge vs. the Monorail will ALWAYS put a smile on my face.
Following on the heels of another great Community Circle at Oakhurst this morning whose theme was Reduce/Reuse/Recycle…
Does anyone know where we can recycle the Tetra-Paks that milk and juice come in?
Decatur recycling doesn’t pick them up, and we go through a lot of them.
Also, according to the third graders, pizza boxes are a no-no (news to a lot of the parents there.)
Thanks!
Pizza boxes are OK if they have all of the food related residue cleaned off.
My pizza boxes are always saturated with grease, so no recycling.
Could compost them, though.
Pizza boxes can be cleaned? I’m with Curious. If there’s any food residue, it’s soaked in and permanent.
I’m just quoting. I’m not a professional. You don’t put yours in the dishwasher?
Thanks to my DM friends for turning me on to the Banh Mi at Lee’s bakery. I went there today fir the first time and it was delicious! And cheap! Which makes it taste even better.
Don’t ever pay more than $3, MAYBE $4 (though they better put a fried egg on there for that price) for a banh mi. The cheapness is part of the allure, and part of what separates the real thing from pretenders.
Speaking of which, yesterday I tried Publix’s “Asian BBQ” sub, which is clearly a riff on the banh mi marketed to xenophobes. It’s basically a crapload of carnitas with a little bit of carrot, cucumber and cilantro and a BBQ sauce that is largely indistinguishable from what you’d get at Fox Bros. Good on its own merits, but cannot compete with the real deal. Also, for the love of God, do NOT try to eat a whole in one sitting.
Don’t forget that the Wednesday Decatur Farmer’s Market has a neat Korean vendor with spicy pork or nonspicy beef sticky buns and two varieties of kim chee.
Thanks! I am glad to know that. I wish something like Lee’s Bakery was at this end of town …
+1!!!!!!!!!
Good dry cleaner in City of Decatur? Can anyone recommend from personal experience? I use (and like) World Cleaners in the giant Kroger plaza at DeKalb Industrial and N Decatur, but I’d love to find a good one closer to downtown Decatur. This is for actual dry cleaning, not laundering of men’s shirts, in case that makes any difference. Thanks.
The cleaners next to Willy’s, at the corner of Clairmont and North Decatur are great. They do all dry cleaning on site, and put allot of care into their work.
On the other hand… trying to get in and out of that parking lot during rush hour can be a nightmare.
We have used Marguerite Smith Cleaners across from CVS for over 15 years. They have a pick up and deliver service as well. We have never tried it out though. The cleaning is done off site, so it is not quick but the quality has been fine.
I’ve been using the dry cleaners in between Chai Pani and Farm Burger for 7 or 8 years and have never had a complaint. They changed ownership/staff a year or two ago, but the quality has been consistent. The previous owner owned that whole building (i had an interesting conversation with her the day Watershed announced it was leaving, which was news to her — apparently they still had like 3 years on their lease and just bailed). Not sure if the new folks took over the whole building or just the laundry.
The more I think about it, the more I’m amazed that a dry cleaner sandwiched between an Indian restaurant and an burger grill can keep clothes smelling fresh..
I really like the one across from Dairy Queen. I went to 2 other local dry cleaners and when I went to pick up my stuff the employees were smoking in the same room where my clothes were hanging. I thought that kinda defeated the whole purpose, but maybe that’s just me.
you’d love sig(erette) samuels on monroe.
I miss Sig Samuels. Isn’t as convenient to use since I moved from Va Highland but I used to love listening to the political discussions going on in that place when I went to pick up my dry cleaning.
My wife seconds your choice about dry cleaners across from DQ (which may be the oldest restaurant in Decatur). Drive cleaners has a drive through. How Decatur cool is that?!
For the grocery bargain hunters I know are lurking here : Just heard on the radio that Kroger is no longer going to double coupons. I pretty much only use the ones they mail and the ecoupons, which they don’t double anyway, but I imagine this will hurt Sunday AJC sales.
Kroger regions have slowly been taking away double coupons for a while now – the Southeast region was one of the last to have them. I’ll miss it, but Publix is, for now, continuing to double so there’s that.
They only ever doubled up to 50 cents face value. Many manufacturers deliberately made theirs at least 55 cents.
New Visit Decatur Blog post up.
http://visitdecaturga.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/visit-atlanta-stay-in-decatur-the-best-of-both-worlds/
Is there someone in Decatur who does good alterations?
Stich ‘n Sew on College Ave in Avondale.
+100
Stitch n Sew is the best.. I work for RL (I’ll let you guess that one) and the only place I’ll let touch my collection pieces is my friend at stitch n sew
Did Native on Ponce close?? Seemed like it’s been shut down at least the last two nights. Sad if it did. Would like to see a restaurant succeed in that location.
I figured they’d have some sort of update on their Facebook page…and the Facebook page has disappeared (at least as far as I can tell from trying to access it in a few ways). That doesn’t look good.
Hate to see any place go under, but I’m also thinking this would be a great place for that new Chinese restaurant (that has been in the rumour mill for so long) to open. It might just be the ticket this space needs to have a successful restaurant tenant!! Plus, that patio’s so nice, it’d be a shame to let it go to waste…
You talking about the new Dim Sum restaurant?. Based on the teaser put out by the owner, he had a spot selected that had a patio on the first block of clairemont.
In my mind, that means they will either sublet a corner if the Marriott, or they will take over that bank building in the corner of Clairemont and Ponce. The latter would’ve an awesome spot for a cool restaurant, but I expect it would be very expensive to convert it for a food service business.
The recent Decatur Focus said the Marriott was lose to signing a restaurant for their space, and will be using the patio…
If this is where Guy Wong’s new place is destined to go, it feels like a good fit. Hope this is true.
Emory Health has a long term lease on the former bank building.
Their website’s url redirects to facebook’s home page….. Guess they’re gone?
Anyone want a grey, black and decker modular shed. Footprint is 3×5 ft, but it is the pieces. it will fit in a van or big trunk. It take about 45 minutes to put together. Its a little dirty, but fully functional.
Again last night, Sapori di Napoli seemed underpopulated. Which I don’t understand, unless it’s because they don’t really do the standard American pizza offerings. But the pizza is terrific, with a killer crust. The Rucola is a work of art. Free parking on the side, nice patio.
Not that my personal opinion explains anything, but Sapori di Napoli is one of the few places in the downtown Decatur area I haven’t tried, and the reason is that others have described the pizza as somewhat “soggy” in the middle. That’s a huge turn off for me, so I’ve hesitated to give it a try. Of course, maybe others around here are pizza philistines like me, who are fine with Mellow Mushroom (or preferred Johnnys ). Another explanation might be that pizza is more of a kids thing around here and kids don’t go for the fancy stuff.
Nearby, Victor Sandwich Bar was quite populated last night. It seems their concept has been a huge hit here.
Try it once and see if you don’t change your tune immediately. Go with a friend and split a salad, a pasta and a pizza (the Diavalo is out of this world if you like spicy salame). It’s all fresh, quality, ingredients and the pizza from the Acunto oven is amazing. Also, the bread they make from the pizza dough may be the best kept secret in Decatur.
[Disclaimer: I have no stake in Sapori other than the fact that I’ll be pissed if Decatur doesn’t support them enough to keep them in business!]
+1. Their pizza cannot be compared to Mellow Mushroom/Fellinis/Johnnys fare. Neopolitan style in a brick oven – quite different. We like their pasta dishes too. It is one of my kids’ favorite restaurants (but not cheap to take a kid to!)
A local restaurant/bar owner did point out to me the business brilliance of neopolitan pizza – less raw ingredient cost and yet often a higher price
(apparently cheese is the key materials cost in making pizza)
I wish S d N delivered! Sometimes we get Avellinos delivery and I would prefer S d N….
Where is a good place in Decatur (or nearby) for a man to get a manicure? Hubbs had one out of town recently and actually liked the result (small victory – if only he had a pedicure as well) – and would like to know where he can get one closer to home. Does Maxim offer these services? I am afraid he would get freaked out if I sent him to my nail place.
I second the place AMB said. I actually got a manicure there (Tony’s Nails) this afternoon, and while I was there a man walked in. There were several women getting primped and I guess I just expected him to wait on one of them. But nope, he sat at one of the pedi-stations and got a manicure too. I would recommend that place btw, it was my first visit there and I was very pleased with the chick who did my gel polish.
Manicure/Pedicure for men = Swiss Army Knife
-WhatWouldRonSwansonDo?
I have seen men in the nail shop at Toco Hills. They were getting pedicures.
Is it Tony’s Nails, or something like that? Facing N Druid Hills?
Miss Nails on Church Street. I see men in there regularly. I especially love the senior men who are brought in by their caretakers and Tina and her staff pamper take extra special care of them.