Free-for-All Friday 8/22/14

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics not discussed here over the past week.

Comments close on Monday.

77 thoughts on “Free-for-All Friday 8/22/14”


  4. What happened at Chick Fil A yesterday afternoon? 7 or 8 police cars and at least one rescue vehicle.

  6. My upstairs neighbor had a leak in their bathroom. I need to find a sheet person to replace half the ceiling in my bath and check & replace part of the tiles in my bathroom wall for mold in the wall
    Looking for suggestion on people who do this kind of work.

  8. Does anyone happen to know if the DBF will have the app available this year? It was a lifesaver for me last year.

    2. There is an app available from Apple. The 2014 schedule was just updated this morning.

  10. I can’t seem to comment. Every time I try, I get an awaiting moderation alert and am asked to confirm my email with a separate message. I click on the link sent to do this, then get a, “can’t confirm email” response. Is it something on my end? I believe my content adheres to guidelines set forth. I have also emailed DM support separately about this but have rec’d. no response.

  14. Pure does good oill changes…may not be the cheapest but I know that for a synthetic oil change, they were the cheapest around.

    1. They had me at “Have yourself a walk down to Java Monkey. I’ll call you when I’m wrapping up.”

  16. Wildlife in the city! Alert!

    Last Saturday morning, early, I saw a rabbit cross Clairmont. Just north of the Commerce intersection, in front of the hotel.

    Or was it someone’s escaped bunny?

    1. Wild bunnies are pretty common here in Decatur, along with other animals. I’ve seen two raccoons and a possum this week.

    2. I run early in the mornings and I see rabbits all the time on my route(s), particularly in Oakhurst, the neighborhood behind Taqueria, and near the East Lake Marta station. I also had an enormous rat scurry across the street right in front of me in Oakhurst the other morning, and disappear down a hole between the curb and street…I also see possums every now and again – actual live ones, too, not just squashed ones.

    3. On my 05:30 run about a month ago, I encountered a deer in the middle of Trinity at St. Thomas. He/she eventually went towards the dog park.

    4. Last week while driving 3 boys to soccer practice, a wild turkey and three babies crossed Derrydown right in front of us. Don’t see that every day.

  18. I thought the Oakhurst streetscape improvements were to be implemented this summer or has this been put off until 2017 or later as well?

  20. So, the 2011 BMW is out of warranty and that means no more “free” maintenance or repairs. Any suggestions for good non-dealer shops? Any in particular to avoid?

    1. I had good experiences with Quantum Mechanics keeping a past-its-prime German auto going for quite some time. Also used a place out on Buford Hwy in Doraville a few times and was satisfied but it was awfully inconvenient. (Quantum is an easy stroll from the Avondale MARTA station.)

    2. I have always taken my 2000 528i to Munich West. They do great work, at great prices. They are on N. Decatur across from Big Kroger.

    3. Highly recommend Quantum Mechanics! Excellent work and they are honest, good guys. Long ago the owner happened to be driving past me 9:30ish pm one night when I suddenly had a flat tire and was pulling over. He stopped, changed my tire and refused anything. I forced a heartfelt hug on him.

    4. Decatur Garage took great care of our BMW when we had it. He now takes care of the Honda.
      http://www.decaturgarage.com/p/about_28.html

  24. Does anyone know how much rage was or was not to be found at yesterday’s Day of Rage at the old courthouse?

  26. I think I posted this before some time ago and then put off the purchase, but where’s the best place to buy a mattress? Not looking for the high-dollar Tempurpedic or Sleep #, but not looking for the cheapest either.
    Thanks.

    1. Several people here have recommended the Original Mattress Factory. I bought a king-sized mattress there a few weeks ago and had a very good experience. Great price and service.

    2. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT go to Mattress Firm. Tried to buy a cheaper mattress for one of the kids, and lets just say it hasn’t been a pleasant experience.

    4. I know some people don’t care for Wal Mart, but their Spa Sensations 12″ foam mattress (Tempurpedic type) is excellent for the money. $350 for a queen, free delivery for online order.

    5. I’ve had good experiences at the Simmons outlet on Chattahoochee Industrial Blvd. I recently bought my mother a Beautyrest there that was $1199 in stores. It was on sale at Sears for $899. I found the identical mattress at the outlet for $600. The salesperson showed me the reason for it being in the outlet–a small dirt smudge on the end. I’m not sure I would have seen it if she had not shown it to me. I’ve had similar experiences there in the past. I have a pickup truck, but I think they know folks who will deliver for a reasonable fee for people who can’t do it themselves. Good luck.

  28. Have you sealed your granite countertops recently? Mine really need it. Did you do it by yourself or hire someone? Any recs on products to buy / who to hire?

    1. I would love product recommendations on this topic too…I know I’ll be doing it myself.

  32. Observation: I am noticing fewer Crossing Guards around Renfroe and the High School. I am wondering if it has to do with the opening of Westchester and the additional expense of hiring more guards. The one guard that crosses kids over the tracks at McDonough has a tough job. In years past, there have been two guards stationed there. Also, there used to be a guard on Adams and College–the exit of Renfroe’s parking. She is not there this year.

    1. I’ve noticed that there’s no longer a police presence in the morning on Scott Blvd. at Westchester. I wondered if it was felt that Scott was under control but Clairemont (for Clairemont Elementary) wasn’t. Definitely, the increase in schoolchildren traversing the City every morning means that more crossing guards and police are needed. Our safe, friendly, walkable, green, etc. streets don’t come free.

      1. The police were there this morning (on Scott). Car parked across the street at the apartments with lights flashing; although I didn’t see the motorcycle.

        1. Great! I have to say that traffic in the morning on that portion of Scott seems much more civilized since Westchester reopened. Another positive benefit of the reopening of Westchester!

      1. That is indeed bad news. Parapros make all the difference in elementary school. There is no way for even the best teacher to provide the “differentiated” instruction in an inclusion environment to the whole range of gifted, disadvantaged, learning disabled, intellectually impaired, and ESOL students without another instructor in the room. Not to mention all the other students in a classroom, not to mention that class sizes are large in some grades at some schools. Penny wise, pound foolish is what cutting back on paraprofessionals is. They are one of the cheapest but most effective ways to improve instruction on the ground level. Unfortunately, they don’t look as good in a slide show to the School Board as programs like Expeditionary Learning or IB do. But neither EL nor IB can be faithfully implemented without adequate classroom support.

  36. it was good seeing y’all at FAVE’s food truck night, truly. loved the vibe we’re blessed with here. if you didn’t recognize me, i was the guy who looked like he’d just done 9 ALS bucket challenges in a row. come on, son.

    imma tell you, next year, unless they pull those trucks into the hallways and the air conditioned comfort of the school, you’re just gonna have to spend your 45 minute wait for your fish and chips by yourself.

  38. Kimball House is on radio, WABE, NPR, This Something Kitchen or something like that, right NOW

    1. The Splendid Table.

      http://www.splendidtable.org/story/bringing-the-chemistry-lab-into-the-kitchen-at-kimball-house

  40. Holy Crosswalks, Batman!
    I choose to believe that the flurry of activity on S. Candler is a direct result of my 8/17 online report of maintenance needed…

  44. I have a dining room chair that needs what seems like a minor repair (one of the wedge pieces that supports the seat is split) – any recommendations for somewhere that’ll do it inexpensively?

  46. More mattress talk …

    Looking to buy new king – will use on platform and know that tempur-pedic style need “bunky” board support whereas traditional do not.

    Question for the group about what, not where – traditional mattress versus latex or memory foam? What’s your advice and why?

    Thanks everyone.

  48. Need old (24 year old) Mazda Miata tuned up and checked over. Any suggestion for a repair shop?

  50. What does the 2008 book festival T-shirt volunteer look like? I thought I had it, but I guess I do not have it.

Comments are closed.