Free-For-All Friday 12/12/14
Decatur Metro | December 12, 2014 | 7:36 amFeel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.
Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.
Police shooting / home invasion story unfolding around Glenwood and 285. Not to minimize the events AT ALL, but it’s been interesting watching 11 Alive doing their level best not to call it Decatur even though, I’d imagine, it has a Decatur mailing address. Steve, perhaps your work is done!
wsb headline: 2 police officers shot, injured in Decatur
so that’s what all the cops heading south on 285 this morning were going to.
Sorry, Steve. Looks like your retirement may not be imminent after all.
Channel 5 waffles between calling it Decatur and DeKalb County. Don’t trust the media to ever figure that out completely.
What’s to figure out? The area has long been known as Decatur. Referring to it as “Decatur in DeKalb County” is more specific than just calling it DeKalb County. I really don’t see how this is an issue, as anyone with common sense can look it up and see if an area is in the City of Decatur or not, or even deduce it from the fact that it’s DeKalb Police on the scene (and I’d add that the police almost certainly refer to the area as Decatur when speaking to the media).
The fact that people are so concerned with this is pretty silly, IMO. The area is Decatur – it may not lie inside the moat but it is still Decatur and has been for a very long time.
Rockville MD has a similar issue (city vs postal). But when I lived there (15+ years ago), nobody seemed annoyed by the lack of distinction.
Really? Another human being was the victim of a violent crime and THIS is your concern? WOW.
Really? Someone makes a completely innocuous observation about how the media is covering an event, and you opt for injecting sanctimonious criticism into the discussion? WOW.
Really? Someone injects sanctimonious criticism into a discussion about a completely innocuous observation about how the media is covering an event, and you opt for making a comment about it? WOW.
(sorry, had to do it)
THANKS, OBAMA.
Sanctimony on this blog comment board?
So in your world, noting that something is “interesting,” together with a disclaimer to ensure that the larger, far more important event isn’t minimized, equates to being “concerned”? Got it.
Jeez, that’s less than a mile from the apartments on Glenwood where two cops were shot and killed a couple years back.
They need to start referring to it as my Dekalb PD friend does – SoGlo
Yes, that’s a Decatur mailing address. As a child, I lived not far from there until the early 80s.
Something was happening around Pure station last night. Anyone?
Any reports on Twisted Soul in the old MarBar space?
Not on food but my wife was at Las Brasas midweek around 7 and she said they were full. So that’s nice to hear.
They are now open. We were looking in the window and a nice fellow came out, gave us a card and invited us to come back. They are open for dinner. Closed on Mondays. Interesting menu. Will be trying it soon.
Just reminding everyone to remember to share the road during this busy holiday season. A motorist made a left turn in front of my husband who was cycling in the bicycle lane last night on Trinity and he could not stop in time to avoid hitting the car and sustaining injuries and damage to his bicycle. It could have been much worse, but it’s definitely a wake-up call for us.
Was his accident the source of the police/ambulances around the entrance to the county parking deck last evening between 5:30 and 6:30?
Yes that was the accident. The police/ambulance response was very prompt and they were most helpful for him.
I’m glad he’s okay! That stretch of Trinity is a mess, what with people turning out of the deck and the crosswalk right there.
Glad to hear he is ok! Saw 3 cop cars hauling proverbial *ss on Ponce & Commerce headed there around 5.45
So glad he is OK. Will there be any fallout for the driver ticket wise?
Thanks Daydreamer. I don’t think there will be a ticket. That is a very busy area with lots of activity as Decatur Mom pointed out. When you are watching for pedestrians and other cars and trying to make a left turn, it’s easy to overlook that bicycle lane – and that is why I’m suggesting drivers be on alert for cyclists as well . There is so much activity on the roads in Decatur.
Sorry that happened and hope he has a speedy recovery.
Very obvious police presence on the Square last night for Terrific Thursday. Thanks DPD.
Yes thanks – now more than ever
I went into the Taste of Olive for the first time last week for a hostess gift and came out with several Christmas presents and something for myself as well. My salads have never had such tasty dressings.
I highly recommend it for keep in indie-catur holiday shopping.
+1,000! I bought several hostess and Christmas gifts there as well. I love shopping in Decatur – so many great stores with items that are one-of-a-kind!
Just to keep the record straight, the store name is A Splash of Olive.
Thanks for the correction—-Yest it’s a Splash of Olive, on Commerce across the street form CVS and round the corner from Teds.
It’s 20 minutes of fun tasting all the oils and vinegars and talking about what they would be good on. My 6 year old has been knocking out the different combos on French bread.
Hey everyone,
Can anyone recommend a local carpet supplier and installer? Maybe 1000-1300 sq feet (3 bedrooms and a closet). It’s a house going on the market soon, so there would be no need to move furniture. Thanks!
Rabern Nash on College did an excellent job for us a few years back.
Thanks!
I know that this has been asked many times, but can someone recommend a handyman that can handle various small projects? Install storm windows, minor painting, install some light fixtures, etc. I would love to use a local Decatur handyman. Thanks.
Dale Jenks. (404) 610-2349
Looking for a festivus miracle.
I have 3 cats in need of cat sitting during the winter break. One of them needs insulin shots twice a day, more or less 12 hours apart. Any one have a suggestion on who could provide such a service. Would require 2 visits a day, food, water and litter duty. Also the cats don’t like each other that much though they do like people. Oh and fish feeding and Mail retrieval.
Thanks for your consideration
Frogs to Dogs in Kirkwood. None better.
As Junderscore said, Frogs to Dogs has sitters capable of such service. They were able to deal with our late dowager Pickles who needed daily thyroid meds and subcutaneous fluids.
My cat sitter Gale Finley used to be a vet tech and has experience with insulin injections. Been using her for five years–always great. Decaturpetsitting dot com.
Petmeisters for sure. They have always taken such great care of our dogs. 678-640-1858.
Thanks everyone. I have my festivus miracle. Now for the feats of strength.
Bicycles have been bought by Grandparents for Christmas, any recommendations on places that will assemble them?
We can do it, but would rather go with a professional if possible.
any local bike shop will do it. Depending on the complexity of the bike (eg gears/etc) and the current level of completeness, it may not be cheap…
Any suggestions for gift baskets to send over the miles that aren’t named Harry, David, Shari Berry or Wolferman? We’re looking to send something of assured quality and decent quantity for under $100.
Amazon has about a bazillion gift baskets, many of them part of the Prime program for free shipping. I also recommend that people use Amazon Smile and pick a non-profit to get a small percentage of your Amazon purchases. I chose The Seed & Feed Marching Abominable Endowment, but there are plenty of other worthy local non-profits like Friends School of Atlanta participating in the program.
That Smile program is such a great idea and the number of charities to choose from seems endless. Mine go to C5 Youth Foundation.
Great idea! Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) and Reading is Essential for all People (REAP), 2 local nonprofits, are also on Amazon Smile!
I’ve always been a fan of Popcorn Factory.
try the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers – fudge, biscotti, fruitcake.
http://www.trappist.net/abbey-trades/monks-bakery
For all the grandparents (three sets) plus a great-grand who don’t want a lot of stuff due to down-sizing, we always go the ” of the month” club from Amazingclubs.com
The grandfathers may get beer or cheese, the grandmoms, chocolate or flowers.
From all reports, everyone has been very satisfied with the deliveries and we’ve using them for about 5 years.
A gift that keeps on giving is a museum membership. I first gave my stepmother in Long Island a membership to the Morgan Library on Madison Avenue about seven years ago. She loves it, and heads into the city regularly for concerts and new exhibits along with lunch in the cafe. Brings a friend or her sister. And it’s tax deductible for me.
Greene’s here in Decatur does gift boxes- I’ve given their spicy pecans a lot as gifts.
As a museum professional, I wholeheartedly second FMFats recommendation of a yearly museum membership! However, that’s not what you asked so my two cents: I’ve had great success with sending Zingerman’s gift baskets and been a recipient of the Bacon Club. The Balinese Long Pepper Bacon is to die for!
Highland Gourmet (Birmingham) has the best scones I’ve ever tasted. We got a gift basket a year or two ago, and I highly recommend them. http://www.highlandgourmet.com/
Looking for a great stocking stuffer for Christmas or the Holidays? Stop by the Oakhurst Market for a festival t-shirt only $ 8 ! Hurry while supplies last!
Around 10:30 last night I saw a police car on Second Ave between Oakview and East Lake. A man was on the ground on the sidewalk. I’m guessing it was something medical (he didn’t appear to be handcuffed) but I was focused on the road. Does anyone know what happened? Is he OK?
New Braunfels Smokehoue: nbsmokehouse.com
They have all sorts of smoked meats, plus a few cheeses, candies, cake. It is a little pricey but absolutely delicious! Everyone we have ever given this to has loved it and usually ordered some of their own later. This is located in Texas but they can get it to you quickly. We have been buying from them for over 20 years.
Our teenager just got his learner’s permit. Any recommendations for a local company that offers online classes and behind-the-wheel training?
My teen(s) took classroom and/or online training via National Safety Council.
I have also taken an online defensive driving course, which helped me save a lot on my car insurance 😉
http://www.nsc.org/Pages/nsc-on-the-road.aspx
We found the standard commercial option with Target Driving School to be fine–whatever is the minimum to get the lower insurance cost—classroom sessions and driving practice. My son liked the instructor enough that he requested extra driving practice sessions with her. Money well worth spent. We used the one up on Lawrenceville Highway.
I think there is still a Georgia tax credit for drivers education.
Does anyone have any information regarding Los Loros? New signs went up this week – T’kilas. New ownership or what?
According to their Facebook page, it is just a new name with some new menu items coming in January.
T’kilas. Tequilas. Get it?
The interior remodeling is quite nice and more open. The food is always good and still reasonably priced. You’ll never find more chicken inside an enchilada than the ones served at Los Loros. Service is usually excellent. New name is catchy; glad it’s only a name change.
On principle I refuse to eat in any “Mexican” place that has a lunch plate called the “Speedy Gonzalez”.
just a new name. I confirmed that by going thursday night.
Any recommendations on where to buy Italian cookies locally?
Toscano and Sons in Virginia Highlands. I know they have amaretto cookies, and probably many others.
http://www.toscanoandsons.com/
Whatever happened to Stella Doro? Haven’t seen their cookies and biscotti in years. Maybe it was never down here, but only in places with a Little Italy around. Never liked their stuff because it was so dry and hard but loved the name.
A food question and comment. Does anyone know where to buy muffaletta bread? The type you find in New Orleans or even at Jason’s Deli?
Also, if you or you’re family haven’t been to The Sweet Hut on Buford Highway, it’s worth the trip. (About a mile from Lee’s bakery). Yelp it to see all of it’s uniqueness.
Don’t know if the Sno-Cone shop on W Ponce has it or not. If not, they should be able to tell you.
Jason’s Deli will sell it to you. I’ve bought loaves from the Northlake restaurant several times. Just call ahead.
12/13/14
12/13/2014
Y2K
Cash registers at DeKalb Farmers Market have been down for 30+ minutes, over 100 people waiting a zero attempts by management to find a solution other than leaving customers waiting. The abyssmsl customer service at this place has reached a new low. I’d complain but their armed guard would probably rough me up.
#shouldagonetoPublix #whyshoplocalwhentheydontcareaboutme
Yet another reason I haven’t darkened their doors for 20 years.
A letter has been circulated in Winnona Park about the children in the multiple disabilities class being moved to DeKalb County against the wishes of the parents, teachers and principal.
Children with special needs require classmates with similar needs and abilities. Since it is so small, City Schools of Decatur has an agreement with DeKalb County schools where special needs children who don’t fit into our special needs classes can be transferred with their funding plus a low tuition payment.
I know how this works because my child who has a rare, progressive, terminal genetic disorder was moved to DeKalb County in the fall of 2012. She really didn’t fit in her class at Glennwood and needed a different placement. It makes sense to move a single child who would not have a cohort with similar needs in the City of Decatur schools, but I believe that it is being overused. They are proposing moving an entire class, and I personally know of other students that are currently in DeKalb County like my daughter. It is likely that many of these students could be served together in Decatur.
I am very happy with my daughter’s classroom situation in DeKalb County this year, but am very very sad that she is not in her community. I was told that it was not fiscally responsible for her to be served here in Decatur where she has lived for 8 1/2 years.
I was under the impression that our school system was not a for-profit business. Do these decisions reflect the values of our community? Please help us have this discussion with the school board.
This is so upsetting to hear. “Fiscally responsible” is a euphemism for cheaper. This was done once with high school students being sent to Columbia High and it was awful. CSD is growing in population size and can figure out how to provide services to all of its students whose families want them to stay in their own district in which they are legal tax-paying residents. Parents and the community should fight this tooth and nail, contacting Board members, meeting with the Superintendent, getting in touch with advocacy groups who understand these issues, and if necessary, using lawyers with expertise in advocating for children with special needs and learning disabilities.
Keep us all updated on this blog.
There was a little blurb in this morning’s AJC reported b Bill Banks about the Avondale Mayor Pro Tem wooing the Rio circle folks with a breakfast and such. Unfortunately, due to the AJC’s outstanding editing, the headline said it was Decatur’s Mayor doing the wooing.
Bad news from Harbor House Pub yesterday. From their Facebook page:
We want to say thank you DECATUR! With lots of mixed emotions, today will be the last day Harbour House will be open. As much as we love the restaurant and our guests, new opportunities have come up and I have to make the right adjustments and sensible decisions to manage time and resources that are healthy for my family and me. If you’ve enjoyed Harbour and have some time please join us for a final day of joy and celebration. We will be open for brunch and dinner. I want to thank all our wonderful guests that have supported Harbour so generously over the past three and a half years! I sincerely appreciate you!!! Sean Keenan