Free-For-All Friday 4/25/14

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

74 thoughts on “Free-For-All Friday 4/25/14”


  2. Can anyone recommend a good stone/tile person? We need to replace the floor and shower tiles in our master bath. Many thanks.

    1. We could use a good tile guy too, for relatively small grout job – re-grouting bathrooms.

    2. Along a similar line, we are looking to get bids on a bathroom remodel. Anyone have recs on a good local option?

    3. I was just coming here to ask this too. Our master shower really needs all the tile ripped out and replaced. It’s heinous and the grout is cracked.

    4. Dan Webber 770-714-0534. He redid our bathroom nine years ago and did some kitchen work for us recently. All projects came in on time and under budget. Great guy.

    5. For all the people looking for someone to do tile work (repair or replace), try Scott Tatt. We wanted our shower/tub turned into a walk-in shower and Scott did it all — and it’s great work. His price was fair, he showed up every single day (I think he only takes on one job at a time). Very conscientious, gave us some good advice while respecting our choices. We would definitely use Scott again. His number is 678-923-5979

  4. Not Decatur-related, but does anyone know why Bikeways of Tucker closed? I’m not a cyclist, but while running an errand I noticed with some sadness that this long-running (40+years?) shop had closed for business.
    I drive that stretch of Lawrenceville Hwy about twice a month and it had always been such a Tucker landmark.

    1. The fact is that the landlord raised the rent more than the owner of the bike shop could afford.

      Additionally, the shop was not doing very well financially.

      The speculation is…the landlord wanted something other than a bicycle shop in the space or the landlord might have a buyer waiting in the wings…to purchase the property, and the landlord needed a path to get the property vacated.

      1. The landlord didn’t need a path to remove the tenant. If the tenant had a lease and was paying rent and otherwise wasn’t in default, the shop would still be there. If the tenant’s lease had terminated, the landlord has no obligation to re-let the premises to the same tenant for the same rent, and he is free to seek more rent, sell/lease the property to a purchaser/tenant who has a different use the space, etc. What I often find to be true in these circumstances is that the tenant’s business wasn’t doing well, and it is easier to blame the landlord than reveal (or acknolwedge) the truth. If nothing else, the landlord’s expenses increase over time, and the rent has to be adjusted to cover the higher expenses. Besides, as is obvious from your post, everyone always believes the landlord is the bad guy.

  6. I need my house pressure washed and windows painted. Does anyone have any recommendations?

    1. I had my house pressure washed and painted by R & M Painting. 404-621-5110. They gave me a great price and they were great to work with.

  8. My niece is graduating Druid Hills next month and is looking for a summer job before she heads to UC Santa Barbara for college at the end of September. I’d love to find her something in Decatur – she’d be great helping out at a front desk, or a hostess stand. She’s smart, charming and good at diffusing tense customers! Anyone have any need for some summer help?

  10. Does anyone have experience with “repair & deduct”? I have asked around a bit and have gotten mixed reviews. Is is a legal course of action when all else fails? Our bathtub doesn’t work, going on six months: at first the diverter wasn’t installed, now it is installed but with extremely low water pressure & the shower head leaks a lot when running the tub, in addition the tub faucet steady leaks in the off position. Many attempted fixes but still no use of bathtub. It is not health or life threatening but the home was presented as having a full bath, not a shower-only. I have expressed my frustration to the landlord but he says that the repair will be too extensive / expensive for him, that is why he continues to make these smaller yet ineffective attempts to repair. I had a reasonable expectation that the tub would work; up to now, I have been understanding and patient. With the lease term almost half-over, I fear I will never have something I expected.

    2. Check out the Georgia Legal Aid website- I think they have some info about Landlord/Tenant issues.

  12. Someone mentioned a Pruning Queen a while back- does she indeed exist? If so, can you pass along her contact info? Thanks!

  14. Complete streets operation Dekalb Ave (really Decatur St.) has begun. As of this morning, the suicide lane abruptly ends as you crest the hill towards the King MARTA station , coming from Decatur. No warning at all. Now it’s like a flat median, outlined in yellow. There are painted bike lanes on either side. It appears that Atlanta hasn’t finished the striping and signage yet and people have no idea how to deal with it.

    1. Scared the bejeezus out of me about a half hour ago. Hopefully there will be some arrows and signs soon. Right now it’s a bit of a free-for-all.

    2. I reached out to someone involved with traffic policy in the City of Atlanta, and they will be contacting Atlanta Public Works to see if there can be better management of that lane elimination. Here’s hoping for a safer Monday a.m. commute.

    3. Weren’t we just discussing an application for a grant to do this work? I guess that was on Decatur’s behalf but Atlanta has already committed to the work? I don’t understand.

      1. The grant is for DeKalb Ave east of the Jackson St intersection–where the suicide lane section begins. This project I believe it is one of the 26 High-Priority Bicycle Projects funded by City Council in February 2013. http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2013/02/04/city-council-to-vote-today-on-25-million-in-bicycle-projects

        2. Thanks! So, it’s not “complete streets” but it is “A road diet adding bike lanes on Decatur Street, from Jesse Hill to Jackson, connecting GSU to the King Center MARTA station”

  16. Didn’t someone mention a kid with pressure washer? I just need a quick deck wash for spring, east lake close to oakhurst village, Deb 404-944-3881

    1. The kid with the Pressure Washer is Jacob. He is ready to tackle your pressure washing jobs. He’s gotten great reviews from his customers.

      All proceeds go to support a 25-year old BMW he is rebuilding.

      Call or text Jacob at 404-309-9863

      1. Thanks, already gotten a polite text to arrange it. As a former ’65 ford mustang owner, glad to help!

  18. So the retail space (and possibly the residential?) that will face Ponce as part of the 315 W. Ponce development has a name per a banner that just went up: The Place on Ponce.

    Inside word has it that it will feature Stores that will sell Things and Restaurants that serve Stuff to People, but could not confirm.

    1. So is the color of the existing building there going to eventually match the parking deck they just painted, the blue and tan (?) ?

  20. Do any of you lawyers know if it is illegal while waiting with your foot in the crossing at a midblock marked pedestrian crossing, to thunk the cars that refuse to stop for you with your Kroger bag containing canned goods? It would make me feel happier and might help get the point across:)

    1. WP, I have often “thunked” said cars on the hood with my hand as they attempt to mow me down while pulling out of driveways/parking lots while I am running by on the sidewalk. Amazes me that people just don’t look before pulling out. I have enjoyed the look of “Oh, $#it, I almost ran over someone!” on their face. I smile sweetly and then run on. Though I have learned my lesson enough that I now stop and ensure I have made eye contact with the driver before I attempt to pass in front of them. Even if they are in the wrong, 2 tons of car will win each time against a pedestrian.

      1. I do think if you are running, as opposed to walking, that you do share a bit of the responsibility for protecting yourself. What I’m as surprised at are cars who honk at me when I stop for someone in a crosswalk. About a once-a-week occurrence for me when driving through Candler Park. As part of that same commute, I collect more honks each time I actually stop at the red light turning from Freedom Parkway onto Moreland. Conservative estimate says that 95% drive right through it if the left hand arrow is green at the same time. One guy actually pulled up next to me afterwards and yelled at me. I said, “The light was red.” He said, “That doesn’t mean you have to stop!” How can you argue with that kind of logic?

    2. Of course it’s illegal. You cannot damage someone’s property just because the also broke a law and almost killed you. That’s why you have to make it look like an accident…

    3. Of course it’s illegal. But it would be a real shame if they startled you so badly that you threw your bag of cans up in the air and it came down on their windshield.

      1. Entitlements, my tuchis. Decatur folk have this idea that pedestrians have to wait for cars when there’s a stop sign, and that cars and pedestrians alternate when there’s traffic at an intersection. I saw an entitlementmobi–I mean, a Prius almost mow down a family of five last weekend. THINK OF THE CHILDREN!

  22. We are looking for recommendations for a landscape architect who can design/plant our front yard and possibly fix the backyard with some drainage issues.

    1. Whatever you decide, don’t pick Gardens to Love. Terrible planning and execution, and very expensive.

    2. Pope Ozio. Long time Decatur residents who have done pro bono work for the schools. Advertised on this page.

      1. I just saw their sign on the front yard of a house near STM on Ponce. Looks like they are doing very nice job there. Thank you!

  24. Tomorrow from 10 to 2, Fernbank Science Center is hosting Birds and Butterflies Day. There will be folks from Atlanta Audubon and the Chattahoochee Nature Center, workshops on birding, advice on gardening for/with pollinators, and more. Admission is free, the event is geared for all ages, so come check it out!

  26. Does anyone know if the city owns the Harmony Park land if any thought has ever been giving to dressing it up a little? It anchors Oakhurst Village and is a wonderful greenspace/common space, but it looks a little shabby and poorly maintained.

    1. Have thought the same thing. For all the “booming” development it would be nice to see that space look spiffier and be more pleasant.

      1. You should have seen it before it got renovated 12-14 years ago. That was a pretty major remodel. I hope when they overhaul again, they preserve or reuse the bricks that were created by community residents that are in the wall.

    2. The city does own the land, except for the scruffy little portion adjacent to the shoe store. And there are pending improvements that will coincide with the streetscape work that has been planned for years but didn’t get its DOT funding until just recently.

  28. Heads up Decatur. Next Saturday May 3rd is the Winnona Park Neighborhood Yard Sale. 8:30am – 3pm. We’ll have over 25 yards representing over 45 families. We’ll also have lemonade stands, bake sales and maybe even a few corner musicians. Come out for some fun bargain hunting and a cool glass of lemonade. I’ll remind you next Friday too.

  30. Looking for something simple, fun and local to do with the kids tomorrow? Come hang out at Mason Mill Park from 10:00 – 1:00 at a Spring Fling hosted by Smart Toddlers Preschool. Activities include a magician, music, face painting, bouncy houses, field day games, family yoga, and more. Unlimited activity wristbands are $5.

    King of Pops as well as other food and drink will be available. There will also be a silent auction with prizes from your favorite Decatur businesses.

  32. For those of you who follow Wild Heaven Brewery on Twitter, there’s a picture of their sign posted. Looking forward to their tasting room and hopefully continuous availability of their Eschaton.

    1. I would love to be able to stop hunting around for which bar or growler store has Eschaton on tap!

  34. Can anyone recommend a good yard maintenance service? Had to fire mine, as they created more work than they saved me.

  36. Can anyone recommend a carpenter/ handy man who can replace deck stairs for us? Thanks!

  38. I’m looking for a reliable roofer who can re-shingle AND do some woodwork repairs on deck/eaves. Rec’s? Thanks!

    1. I won’t give a rec for the company we used but I can offer some advice!
      1.) Don’t be afraid to point out something that looks wrong. I had to stay on top of our roofers because they weren’t fixing some of the decking and it was causing the shingle to buckle.
      2.) Take photos of the ‘before’! They were replacing some of our trim and when it came time to put it back up they didn’t add it in a certain spot. When I pointed it out they said we didn’t have trim there before. I showed them a picture of it prior to them taking it down. They then replaced it.
      3.) Put plastic EVERYWHERE in your attic. It is incredible messy.
      4.) I’ll reiterate: Stay on top of them!!

      Good luck and hopefully you won’t have to do this again for another 30 years!

    2. It’d be worth checking to see if the Memorial Dr Walmart has what you need in stock. Can’t vouch for this year, but they had 3-5 different sized wheels for yard equipment last year (back in the main store Garden section right before the doors to the other sections). You should definitely be able to order it and have it shipped to store for free.

    3. Once upon a time when I had a yard, I purchased a solid rubber replacement wheelbarrow tire. No more flats! I am pretty sure it was from HD, but it could also have been Lowes.

      1. damn skippy.
        just bought mah ribs there.

        guess i was surprised by the scale of the clearing—i had no idea how much larger their footprint would be. looking forward to its completion.

  44. Just had a chance to look up at 315 W. Ponce this morning. Didn’t think the colors were awful, especially given how dated it previously looked. But then I was never a hater on the Decatur Metro aquamarine. The new front construction with enormous concrete columns did loom out ominously at my car. I assume that it will look less threatening when cute boutiques and fro-yo shops inhabit it.

  46. Chris Billingsley is out of bounds.
    High school teachers win. Done and done, thanks for all the fish, DM.
    NG

    1. Interesting. I was a bit surprised myself DM let it go on as long as it did. It was fun while it lasted, though.

      Back to greenspace, hotels and annexations.

  48. A big tree fell across College Ave. in front of Renfroe Middle School around 8:15 pm. College is completely blocked. Hopefully they will have it cleared before the morning rush hour. Kids are hoping CRCT is delayed, but they will probably be disappointed.

    2. The kids can walk if the tree is still blocking. Northside buses can let kids off at high school and kids can walk over to Renfroe. Or they can do the CRCT in the high school gym and theater. No more snow/cold/tree days!

      1. so heartless, AHID
        Monday should be declared a day of mourning for our fallen comrade

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