Free-For-All Friday 5/16/14
Decatur Metro | May 16, 2014 | 7:15 amFeel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
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.
Margaret
Teacher30030
At Home in Decatur
Smith
Scott
At Home in Decatur
Warren Buffett
At Home in Decatur
BDT
DawgFan
TinMan
Rach
Looking Back: The 2011 Atlanta Snowpocalypse
Pack 175 End of Year Picnic
Please join us from 3:00 – 6:00 pm on Sunday, May 18th at Winnona Park Field for an afternoon of fun activities with Pack 175. We’ll be shooting model rockets, playing lots of games, and sharing good food and drink. It’s a great time for you and your son to experience the fun Scouting offers and to learn more about joining us next year.
Is it legal to make a u-turn on East Ponce? (specifically in front of the Renaissance building)
I sure hope so. I’ve done it myself, when traffic is light or non existent .
From the Georgia Code:
O.C.G.A. 40-6-121 (2010)
40-6-121. U-turns
No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction:
(1) Upon any curve;
(2) Upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of another vehicle approaching from either direction;
(3) Where such turn cannot be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic; or
(4) Where a prohibition is posted.
Thanks Udog. I found that too, and it seems like it would be legal in that stretch by my interpretation.
New Tree Ordinance listed as agenda item on Monday May 19th Commission Meeting:
https://decatur.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=823
The latest update is dated May 9th.
What happened to the new Chinese restaurant? (Big Boss)
It’s coming in December – it’s supposed to be on Church Street behind / near Saporo di Napoli.
Similar to your ‘For the Money Quick links’ to find commentary on different types of food, drinks, places around Decatur…conversations on best doctors, dentists, orthodontists would be helpful. Best roofers, landscapers, carpenters, plumbers would be great as well. Some of those topics may not be as much fun to talk about as food, but I’m sure the questions come up regularly in your Free-For-All fridays posts. I know it would help me out a lot!
For Jerry Jenkins appliance repair, I made this little fanpage so I (and anyone else) could easily find his contact info:
http://decaturappliancerepair.blogspot.com/
We already have this, by Decatur neighborhood. You can go to Nextdoor.com to find your neighborhood and sign up. Then you get email updates or you can log in to check back on things, by category.
Oakhurst Recommends:
http://oakhurstbusiness.org/oakhurst-recommended-contractor-directory/
Tough decision for this True Progressive Democrat(tm)–should I vote for Nathan Deal or Mitt Romney in the Democratic primary for State Senate District 42?
A couple weeks ago, someone brought up Marion Berry, which made me pine for the good old days of drug-addicted politicians.
So you should vote for Rob Ford.
I haven’t seen Rob Ford in the campaign literature for this race so far, but who knows, he might pop up yet.
A Canadian friend offered to send Rob Ford down our way after I threatened to haul Beiber over the border. I figure if we trade Ford for Deal, though, Canada will be getting the short end of the stick.
I figure if we trade Ford for Deal, though, Canada will be getting the short end of the stick.
Really? You’d rather have Governor Rob Ford than Governor Nathan Deal?
Well…in my estimation, it’s not really saying much of one’s governor when the best that can be said in comparison with Ford is “At least Deal’s not a crackhead.”
HAH!!! You win the internet prize for today, that was LOL funny!
It’s a good joke, bu real talk, I can’t really tell a difference between ’em.
Although I’ve gotten two attack ads from the Parent campaign in as many days now – I thought she said she was gonna run a clean campaign?
I’m disappointed with both of them, honestly. Given they seem to be functionally identical, ideology-wise, the lack of sleazy mailers had pushed me into the Parent camp.
Ugh.
Ditto. I liked them both and now don’t want to vote for either.
Yep–Sarah Palin has been added to the mix too. FWIW, I read around a bit to try to figure out what was behind those ads. The “same Republican group” that endorsed both Sarah Palin and Kyle Williams? The (Georgia) Log Cabin Republicans (pro-equal rights for LGBT Republican group) endorsed Kyle Williams for his 2009 Decatur City Commission campaign, and the national Log Cabin Republicans endorsed McCain/Palin in 2008 and Romney/Ryan in 2012. Not a big fan of the Log Cabin Republicans myself, but it’s pretty cowardly to insinuate the Williams/Palin connection without mentioning the group in question.
I don’t know if she’ll win in November (though I think she has a good chance), but Michelle Nunn’s television ads are very smart compared to everyone else’s I’ve seen. Some of our local pols would probably do well to follow her cue.
Looking for recommendations on two things:
1. Gutter cleaning
2. Car window tinting
Anybody to recommend for either?
+1 on window tinting. I’m in the market and would love a local rec.
There is a tinting place on Church St. Next to the animal hospital. My son Jacob , the pressure washing kid, got his windows tinted 7% too dark. His mistake. Hope the cops don’t read Dec. Metro.
Make sure not to tint too dark. I got a ticket in the lovely city of Atlanta last year for a car I bought used and had driven since 2004 with the same tint.
A Better Gutter Cleaning. You can arrange the whole thing online. Nobody has to be home. They do fine work.
Lightning Auto Glass on Peachtree Industrial 770-451-6468
Can someone suggest a repair person for electronics (in this case, an internet radio)?
A few months ago I solicited recommendations for all things puppy-related and took your advice! Thank you for connecting us with Village Vets (we love Dr Finke), Jabula, and K and B Elite Doggy Daycare. No one had a specific recommendation on pet stores, but after shopping them all, I think the Petco by Publix on N Decatur is the best of the chains by a wide margin. (Selection, cleanliness, convenience.) Next up is to try the dog walker everyone raved about. We appreciate all the great recommendations!
Speaking of car window tinting, as it gets warmer I would like to petition furry creature owners to clean up pet waste in their yards. Yes, neighbors, the corner of your property joins another’s and may need attention to prevent the spread of disease and unpleasant odors.
Thank you.
+1 Please and Thank you
Wanted to throw this out here on FFAF that there has been a few instances of car break-ins on Third Ave next to the tennis courts at Oakhurst Park.
On two separate occasions the cars were parked on the street parking cutout and the window smashed during daylight hours – both around 10:30 am!
Be aware, and when visiting the Boys&Girls Club or the Park, make sure you lock your purse in the trunk or take valuables with you.
And be sure to file a police report.
I hope the police can squeeze in an investigation of this real crime around their primary work which seems to be driving around looking for African-American kids in cars who they pull over for bs traffic violations, create probable cause by claiming to smell pot (try refuting what someone says they smell), search the car and find miniscule quantities of pot for which they arrest everyone in the car.
Yeah, b/c if the police found pot in the car, it is entirely unreasonable to think the occupants might have been smoking it in the car or that the officer smelled it. The officer pulling kids over for no reason might have just prevented a DUI death.
“The officer pulling kids over for no reason might have just prevented a DUI death.”
Seriously? Have you ever smoked marijuana?
Maybe I am misunderstanding your point, but are you suggesting it is safe to get high and drive around? All I am saying is that it certainly possible that the officer smelled pot b/c the occupants had recently been smoking pot. smith seems to think that is never the case. But, if they weren’t smoking pot, why would there be any in the car in the first place?
I have to say, 80% of the time I see someone pulled over in COD, they are black. Seems a little odd to me. And if I may – DON’T GIVE PERMISSION TO SEARCH YOUR CAR! EVEN IF YOU ARE AS CLEAN AS A WHISTLE! I know they use the “smell pot” nonsense all the time, but it’s irrelevant most of the time, as permission is given. As least make them work for it.
Walrus:
How does this work? How do you stop them? The police officer is standing there saying “I have probable cause to search your car”. How do you stop him/her from searching it?
Can’t stop them, but you don’t have to give your consent. Even if they feel they have probable cause, they will always seek consent, thereby alleviating the need to prove probable cause.
Yeah drug war! Boo 4th Amendment! The Bill of Rights interferes with police work — they are only trying to save us from ourselves, after all — and should be scrapped.
There don’t seem to be any movies shooting in Decatur right now. No semi trailers parked on Sycamore Street, no cables snaking across the sidewalk. No extra-duty cops saying, “You can’t walk here.” No dry-ice fog in the cemeterary. No maybe-it-a-celebrity glimpses. No vintage Ferraris cruising on Ponce. It feels so … normal.
This vintage Ferrari you speak of…when and where did you see it and did you happen to snap a photo? Do you know what model it is? The people….(this person)….needs to know.
Didn;t get a photo, but it was a red (of course) 308 GTB, a la “Magnum PI.” Saw it several times. Owner seemed to frequent the PTTR (excellent taste). Also have sighted on Ponce a cherry mid-’60s Lincoln Continental convertible like the one Stephen Briggs drove in the opening scenes of the first season of “Mission Impossible.” You see cars like that all the time in LA. Not so much in Decatur, Georgia.
There’s a Maserati in the neighborhood, though not vintage. Darn.
I’ve seen several Ferraris around Decatur in recent months, though not vintage models. And it seems like Teslas (admittedly far less exotic) are darn near everywhere now. I even saw one in the emission testing shed next to Pure this week. What it was doing there, I have no idea.
I assume it passed.
I see Teslas all the time too. So far, I haven’t heard of a serious push to keep them from selling here without dealerships.
There’s a dealership/service center in Marietta.
I was referring to the efforts in many state legislatures to prevent Tesla from selling directly to customers (as they do at the Marietta location) rather than through independent dealers as is usually required by state law. (Auto dealers are usually among the 2 or 3 most powerful lobbies in all states)
I think Tesla currently operates here under an exemption to the law for emission-free vehicles, but the exemption has a cap on number of vehicles sold.
I think they’re cool, so I’m not a hater, but if you can pay $80-100k for a car, you can figure out a way to work around the dealership dilemma. Plus, I think that issue will be resolved by the courts before too long.
I believe they are doing exactly that in New Jersey, which banned direct sales. Tesla asked people to buy their cars in New York instead.
It was there getting a bath by the excellent Pure detail department.
It was gloating.
Decatur is more vintage Subaru. Lots of old Loyales running around with sagging headliners.
We need to do an addition and reconfiguration of a ranch home. Can anyone recommend an architect who is affordable and familiar with a single story style?
http://clarkzookarchitects.com/
Alan Clark lives here in Decatur
Rodolfo Castro 404 514 7247
We are very happy with how his plans for our reconfiguration and addition turned out. He had several great ideas that neither we nor the other architects we interviewed came up with which resulted in drastic improvements to both the function and look of the space.
My wife and I used a guy by the name of Greg Harrell on our house in Druid Hills and were extremely happy with his work. He creatively solved a number of problems we couldn’t come up with answers to. His pricing was quite affordable and he lives in Decatur, so he was very responsive.
Here’s his email:
[email protected]
+1 for Greg
Decatur Active Living is hosting a Children’s Rodeo tomorrow from 10 am until 1 pm in the Callaway Parking lot. Stop by and learn the ABCs of bike safety, traffic skills and some fun games. It’s free. Please wear your helmet.
Serious inquiry, here. I am bringing someone to eat dinner in Decatur, and he is a serious vegetarian (will eat dairy and eggs). I don’t know what restaurant in Decatur, or nearby, serves steamed or boiled vegetables without a lot of goo/spices/dolled-up additions. Can anyone suggest a restaurant that might have, e.g., steamed broccoli, corn, sweet potatoes (could be fried), and other vegetables that are served “plain” and “simple”? This person, 7 years old, will not eat anything with “sauce” on it. He will eat “pizza” if it has no cheese or sauce on it, only olive oil plus a few vegetable toppings. I would appreciate any suggestions. I would cook dinner for him, but at present have no kitchen facilities. Thanks for ANY suggestions you may send!
So I assume Indian is a non-starter? Too bad, because there’s lots of good vegetarian Indian nearby. I’d bet Sapori di Napoli could make him a good “pizza”, though.
I just called Sapori di Napoli Pizzeria and they confirm with enthusiasm that they can fix a pizza in this way for my small guest. Life saver! Thank you so much!
Sounds like cafeteria food, e.g Picadilly. Or maybe Evans Fine Foods on N,Decatur?
Unfortunately, almost all buffet restaurants “add” ingredients to their vegetables that make them taste “like something else”. I do think it is possible to find some ordinary vegetables at, say, Golden Corral, but there are none of those nearby. Thanks for these nudges in the right direction, however — we may end up with peanut butter sandwiches if the pizza idea doesn’t work out.
I’m sorry if I’m reading your reply incorrectly, but I think you were saying that there are no Golden Corrals around. There’s a fairly-new one at North Dekalb Mall. J_T can take you to his favorite table.
Thanks for this info on the Golden Corral near North Dekalb Mall. I don’t see it on the GC website, but may have not recognized the “address”. THANKS!
And just to clarify, Scott was joking. I don’t have a favorite table there. I happily sit wherever they tell me to.
Most restaurants will make up a veggie plate for whatever they are pairing with the meaty dishes. I would suggest Siam Thai if you are trying to go the steamed route. Also, I bet Sun in My Belly would have some good options, but I’m not sure how much goo/additions they put in their veggies.
Thai restaurants, in general, have very nice steamed vegetables, you’re right! And he does like rice. So… hmmmm. I think Sun in my Belly is a good candidate too. I will check out Wahoo, also, while I’m thinking of that neighborhood. THANKS for your suggestions. I will call Siam Thai right now!
Why does no one seem to care that a tractor is currently ripping apart the trees along Commerce between E. Ponce and Clairemont to make way for more development? Our beautiful Mulberry tree is no more.
If canopy is removed now, “no net loss” is easier to achieve later.
You mean W. Ponce, right?
So, what do you think of the work around YDFM, where the trees will be replaced with asphalt?
Can anyone recommend a good tailor? I have some alterations to make to some suits, and don’t just want to walk into to the closest one without a reference.
Mario Bosco on Piedmont in Buckhead is the best suit tailor I’ve come across. Hope he’s still around.
Stitch n’ Sew in Avondale, across from Mobeta on E. College. Excellent work, good prices, quick turnaround.
They did some shirts for me recently and did a fine job. Todd, if you are looking for simple fixes — sleeve length, trouser hem, etc — I’d definitely try ’em. Not sure how they’d do with more complex alterations on a suit, though.
Sonny’s by N. Dekalb mall. Super sweet lady and if you need them in a pinch she’ll do a rush job for you. Her husband does shoes. My mom has seen Kasim Reed’s mom in there, and Monica Kaufman on different occasions. I get pretty much everything altered and she has NEVER disappointed, been going there 10+ years.
I second Sonny’s on Mistletoe near N. Dekalb. She is amazing and has done some very intricate work for me.
Stitch and Sew does a great job on suits. Fast. And nice.
RAWK OUT TONIGHT at DHS
Tonight and Saturday, come see talented Decatur High musicians perform classic rock tunes for the annual Rock & Roll Review concert. Student bands Pink Freud, Purgatory, The How, and Tinn Hindenburg, as well as faculty/staff band ABCD, will be each play great high-energy sets. I guarantee you will know and love all the songs and be impressed by the talents within DHS. It’s a fun & family-friendly opportunity to dance, sing along, and have a blast. Shows start at 7:00 in the Performing Arts Center — $5 admission or $20 for a limited run t-shirt and ticket. See you there!
Have been the past two years, and had a great time. The kids (and teachers) are surprisingly good. Looking forward to it.
Decatur F.AVE 5th Grader , Lucas Brotherton will host his 5th Annual Lemonade and Cookie Stand to raise Money for PKU Research.
When: Saturday, May 17th 11:30-3pm
Where: on the corner of S. McDonough and Oakview RD. (across from the Community garden)
PKU is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder. If left untreated, PKU causes devastating neurocognitive problems, including severe intellectual disability when treatment is not started within the first few weeks of life. Newborn screening for PKU began in 1963, and became a mandatory national public health program in 2007. To prevent disability, the treatment must be continued for life. The treatment is expensive and difficult for many individuals to maintain. Continued Research is needed so one day there will be a cure.
Please help Lucas meet his fundraising goal.
All funds raised will go to Georgia PKU Connect a 501c3 non-profit
To learn more about PKU visit georgiapku.org
Yesterday morning around 7:15am while waiting for the light to change, I spotted a city of Decatur garbage truck on the train tracks waiting for the light to change. This is an accident waiting to happen just like the Marta bus that was hit by a train not long ago.
Here is the link to the picture –> http://i61.tinypic.com/33bg210.jpg
I still miss New Century Buffet. That is all.
Well, let’s see, it’s Friday and Walrus is talking racial profiling and Chinese restaurants. I think I’ll pass.
But really, folks, are we going to let the City Schools of Decatur tear down the most iconic piece of modern architecture within our four square miles? Is the High School SPACESHIP entrance worth saving?
We all yawned at the thousands of downed trees at YDFM because they were not as important as those trees inside our city limits, but will we let CSD take down our spaceship?
And we should keep the spaceship because…?
1. It’s the last public space (except for the “new” courthouse) in this town that’s left from the 60’s
2. Trekkies need something to be proud of
3. It’s a good decoy to prevent aliens from invading Decatur
Given that Doc McCoy is one of DHS’s most notable alumni, perhaps we should preserve the saucer section…
And we should keep the spaceship because…?
1. It’s unique
2. Has character, unlike the replacement
3. I like it
4. I first laid eyes on my wife in there
I’ve always been sure it was going to collapse of its own weight and kill someone. I hate to lose iconic architecture but this one always scared me.
If your organizing, I’m in.
Can someone please explain exactly what’s going on with the DHS renovation plan? There’s a handwritten note on the last page of Monday’s City Commission agenda materials that says the concept plan was presented to the public in 2013. That’s true; however, there’s also to be community input meetings held on the design. It seems somewhat odd for the master plan to have already gone before the Planning Commission for a revision before this input occurs. And I’m confused by the mention in the staff report that talks about possibly using greenspace to build a replacement parking lot for 32 vehicles. Why is constructing a parking lot being considered at this stage and can someone clarify the greenspace– would any trees be affected?
http://www.decaturmetro.com/2014/05/02/decatur-high-school-design-timeline-includes-three-community-meetings/
https://decatur.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=801
(I personally dig the spaceship facade. I’m looking forward to hearing what DHS alumni have to say about it during the community input sessions.)
Due to both enrollment and anticipated construction, DHS needs to add trailers — a handful this summer and then another batch as needed — this summer, which are being installed in the upper parking lot. The replacement lot you mention is a temporary relocation of those spaces that will be lost to the trailers. It is designed to go in the greenspace behind the school next to Commerce and does not involve any tree removal.
The master plan won’t be submitted until after the public input sessions you mention which, as I understand it, are forthcoming but not yet scheduled because the contractor hasn’t yet been locked down.
Thanks for the info, Scott.
(Missed that this comment ever made it out of moderation.)
On this, you and I agree, WB. I think it is iconic and wish they would keep it.
But who will stand up and fight for the old lady, our SPACESHIP?
I would like to submit a few suggestions for parents:
1. If a restaurant is nearly empty, please do not sit right next to me. I was not looking for the company of children.
2. If you know that your child is not supposed to skate around inside a place of business (!), do not let him.
3. Saying “I’m not going to tell you again!” over and over and over is a lie. You’re doing something wrong.
4. Bouncy balls (think super balls) do not belong indoors, unless it is your own home. Your children bouncing and chasing them inside a restaurant was both rude and dangerous to waitstaff.
5. Your children already know they are competing with your smart phone for your attention. Do not be surprised when their antics rival those on Reddit, Wimp or Youtube.
Did you mean literally “skate around”? If so, wow.
Yes, rollerblading around tables. Wow was my response also.
Decatur needs dingos!
We got coyotes. Useless coyotes.
I can’t wait for someone’s precious little darling to seriously hurt a waiter by running around a restaurant underfoot then see the parents get sued.
Funny, but my wife and I were talking about this just last night. At what point in time did parents become so inconsiderate of the general public and decide dining out with kids in tow was appropriate no matter how poorly behaved they are? Fairly recently, I saw two parents with two children on the bocce court at Leon’s. The kids were throwing the ball using overhead motions, several times nearly launching them onto the sidewalk on Church. What did the parents do? Nothing that I saw.
Jackie Chiles? Is that you?
Anybody ever have a company be insulted that you were having other companies give estimates? We need to have a tree taken down. The first company came out to give an estimate but they also marked the tree with spray paint. Then we had another (local) company (which we’ve used in the past) come out for an estimate. As soon as he saw the mark on the tree he said he’s too busy to fit us in on his schedule. He then recommended another company. When I looked up this company online, they got horrible reviews. Very disappointed in the local company.
that first dog was just marking his spot
if the second dog can’t handle it, it ain’t the walker’s fault
it’s the dog’s
metaphoric junction what’s your function?
Like it!
That’s absurd. Every time I had a tree taken down on the homes I’ve owned, I got 3 estimates. They always varied by greater than a factor of two. So yes, get multiple estimates. Companies vary on what is considered easy or hard, how booked up they are, etc. Also check reviews — price is not everything — some clean up their mess well, others leave you with a yard of tree debris.
I know’s it been written about here before, but I wanted to give a shout-out to “Hiking Atlanta’s Hidden Forests,” by Jonah McDonald. Really enjoying using this book. First hike I did was a new one to me: nearby Frazer Forest. I especially like the companion app that allows you to purchase each of the hikes in smartphone-optimized form for 99 cents. It can be difficult to follow the precisely detailed walking directions while holding open the book, this app makes it much easier. That’s a smart business model.
+1. Jonah did a killer job on this.
So when ATT buys DirecTV, what happens to ATTUverse?
Nothing says it will change. One on their main ideas is to gain customers in places that don’t have UVerse and in places where DirectTV has a big presence, like Latin America.
Here is good story: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/05/18/att-buys-directv/9247795/
Don’t forget to vote tomorrow! No voting, no complaining!
+1
Can’t I complain that there’s nobody I want to vote for?
As long as you vote! I define “voting” loosely as going to the poll and getting one of those access card thingys, scrolling through the ballot, and making selections where you know and support a candidate, skipping those sections where you either hate all the candidates, never heard of any of them, and/or have no idea what the position is (i.e. superior judge of the interior court of the 5th circuit of the 12th district, etc.), and then submitting the ballot. I’ve always wished there was a comment section so I could put things like “I voted for neither of you because you were both so nasty” or “I don’t know any of you but I voted for the only candidate who didn’t have major English composition issues with their statement for the AJC” or “I’m voting for you because I’m scared that your opposition will win but it doesn’t mean that I like you.”