inDECATUR

It's great to be "in Decatur" Georgia

Images from the American Revolution

DECATUR© (copyrighted as shown) is about a little 4.2 square mile gem, with a population of about 18K, just six miles from the heart of metro Atlanta, a multi-county SMSA with over 5 Million people (9th largest in the US). Decatur is a bustling, Inside The Perimeter (I-285) community retaining a friendly, small town atmosphere. It is in demand as a place to live, work, shop, eat, drink. and play. This is the oldest active blog [started 8/6/07] and most prolific blog [averaging 6.7 posts/day] which actively covers it.

Comments are encouraged. Just don't type anything you wouldn't want your grandmother or a kid to read.

More about inDECATUR and the City of Decatur in the continuation

Attempted rape of acquaintance

From the DPD:

On Friday, 07-11-09, an attempted rape (acquaintance on acquaintance) was reported at 1540 Commerce Drive.

The suspect was arrested shortly after the incident was reported.

Signage at Columbia and Commerce

The gentleman who asked inDECATUR to look at the signage at S. Columbia and E. College [see recent post]  said his real issue was not with the signage where the two intersect, but rather with the signage where S. College and Commerce intersect, south of there. He said it was not clear if one could turn left onto the short S. Columbia spur when traveling north on S. Columbia.

Sooo, your inDECATUR photographer, always attuned to the issues of Decatur citizens, took photos:

inDECATUR conclusion:

The signage seems clear, if you have time to read it, and you're familiar with the names of the streets. Turning left onto the S. Columbia spur off S. Columbia where it merges with Commerce Drive is clearly acceptable, as there is a sign there warning you of speed bumps. There's also a sign warning you that you can't turn left on E. Commerce ahead, and the ominous $105.00 fine warning.

It's just a bit complicated for a visitor who is not familiar with Decatur streets. I doubt I'd absorb all that the first time I drove through. On the other hand, as a visitor I'd probably take the path of least resistance and head on up Commerce to the light. Most who take the shortcut are probably trying to avoid the light.

What do you think? Any suggestions on how to make it simpler/clearer? Is all this really necessary?

Decatur first to hire handicapped police officer?

Decatur is very progressive, so it's possible.

It's more likely the two officers didn't notice the handicapped marking in the dark and the rain.

The question to ponder is, would they accept that as an excuse when about to ticket one of us for parking in a handicapped parking space on a public street?

Hopefully no handicapped people arrived while they were eating at the CP, as the other handicapped space was also occupied.

Paul Hemphill service at Turner Wednesday

By Richard Eldridge, AJC

A memorial service celebrating the life and work of Atlanta author Paul Hemphill will be held Wednesday, July 15, at noon in the chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral home in Decatur. The address is: 2773 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033 next to DeKalb Medical Center.

The former Atlanta Journal columnist died here Saturday after a lengthy battle with cancer.

(Read Hemphill’s AJC obit, sign the guest book, read an excerpt from his classic essay “Quitting the Paper” , his NYT obit and the tribute in the Washington Post).

Visitation will be Tuesday evening, July 14, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

  AJC photo of Paul at Manuel's Tavern

The railroad by the DePeaux will never flood out

The Code Red system has been sending us flood warnings last evening and overnight, and there are low places in Decatur which could flood, but, barring a climactic act of God, the railroad running by what is now called the DePeaux will not.

From Decatur-DeKalb

The CSX railroad running E-W through Decatur was built on a ridge line which is along the Eastern Sub-Continental Divide, which runs mostly N-S but happens to run E-W through this area.

A map on a poster board next to the Watershed Mural on DeKalb Ave. at Arizona Ave. (at the southern boundary of Lake Claire) illustrates why some water falling in East Intown Atlanta eventually ends up in the Atlantic Ocean, while some ends up in the Gulf of Mexico.

There will be talk of a lynching in Decatur tonight

From Georgia Center for the Book

Matthew H. Bernstein; professor, chair and director of graduate studies in the Film Studies Department at Emory University, visits with a unique program on one of the worst crimes in Atlanta's history: The murder of Leo Frank in 1913.

In his revelatory new book, Screening a Lynching, Bernstein is the first scholar to examine feature films and television programs that followed in the wake of the sensational case. For this evening's presentation, he will show clips from some of these programs and offer insights into the cultural aspects of the productions to illuminate issues of race, ethnicity, religion and law. It will be a dramatic, important evening.

7:15p

To fully appreciate the evening, you should bone up on the facts of the case. This Wikipedia entry is a good start.

Good time to sell Decatur home -- if you need to sell one

By Elliott Robinson, Elliott on Real Estate

In the first part of our study on the City of Decatur, we did an analysis of the 1st six months of 2007, 2008 and 2009. The analysis confirmed what most people have felt which is that sales of single family homes in Decatur are down considerably over the past two year (down 53% from 2007).

....

The positive impact of this posture is that there is a pent up demand in the buyer pool for high quality single-family homes.  The City of Decatur and other highly desirable locales within the Atlanta Metro Area (Candler Park, Inman Park, Ansley Park, Druid Hills, etc.) still have the intangibles that serious buyers look for: great schools, proximity to Downtown/Midtown, family activities, great restaurants, etc. 

...

With the start of school less than 1 month away (August 10th), this would be a great time for sellers who have held back to test the marketplace.

He's the expert, but I'd think it's a bad time to sell a home unless you need to sell it, as prices are still depressed.

Cash from trash

By Ty Tygami, AJC

This month, DeKalb is expecting a third monthly check for around $12,000 from a venture that uses new filtration technology to harvest methane from rotting garbage at the defunct Live Oak Landfill.

The plant at Live Oak, which closed in 2004, uses new technology to strip away most of the carbon dioxide and other contaminants, so the methane can be injected into Atlanta Gas Light lines 1,200 feet away.

The Sierra Club opposes new landfill gas facilities and subsidies for them. Mark Woodall, chairman of the Georgia chapter, said a subsidy would improve the financial prospects for landfills and undermine the business model for recycling. Also, most of the “green” electricity that Georgia Power buys at above-market rates through its alternative energy program comes from electrical generators at landfills rather than from solar or wind power facilities, he said, so landfill gas is already “elbowing aside the things we really consider to be renewable energy.”

DECATURadar, Monday, 7/13/2009

Computer problems this morning, so posting will be a bit late. Sorry.

Looking out at the universe from the Decatur square

Notes may be added until noon. Comment anytime.

inDECATUR is 707 continuous days (over 23 months) old, with 4797 posts (averaging 6.79/day), all searchable using the search block in the sidebar.

SUMMER SCHEDULE: Irregular postings. Visit once per day to see it all.

  Creative Loafing "Best of Atlanta" 2009

Rainy day with high of 86F.

DECATUR

The Asian Cajuns style a photo shoot.

I have presents for the AC's, if they want them.

An illustrated breakfast at Russ Taylor's Coventry Rd house.

Cute kids with big eyes at the Davis house.

FitWit has a new blog.

ETC

Frogs don't readily adapt to 0g in space. [YouTube]

PERSONAL

This blogger's weight this AM was 177.4, ten ponds over goal, and it shows.

HORN TOOTIN'

Post 4797 / Day 707

Next Hot Event

The Next Hot Event, not far from Decatur (with a Decatur address, but actually closer to Lithonia) rents rooms with capacities of 75, 200, and 300.

Not a paid ad. Just something to consider if the Decatur Convention Center is booked up on your desired date.

Decatur reservist drowns in Lake Allatoona

From Fox 5 News:

A soldier in the Army Reserve drowned in Lake Allatoona Saturday afternoon.

A spokesperson with the Department of Natural Resources said 28-year-old Marcus McDonald of Decatur disappeared shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday.

AJC explores Paste's survival strategy

Yesterday, the AJC alerted us to the article about Paste in today's paper.

John Kessler concludes:

"Paste has not yet devised a new business model, but it has bought some breathing room —- time to figure out a way to give both recordings artists and music lovers the forum they both depend on."

The vast majority of Decaturites want Paste to survive the recession and continue to grow. Why else would I pay $20 to stay at a benefit at the Earl for about 30 minutes?

I'm not sure what Chunklet's problem with Paste is. He disses the mag, but gives no specific examples of why it's not good.

I was told the "pay-what-you-will" strategy was cheaper than buying advertising, but Josh doesn't seem to be saying that now.

The strategy of giving dowloads contributed by artists in exchange for donations seems like a good one. Those who help are actually getting something for their money.

But, with even the President saying we'll be in this recession for another two years, it could be a long, hard struggle for Paste before the advertising dollars return.

Hang in there, Paste.

Hot diggity, Brockett Pub dog diggity!

The Brockett Pub's dog was named as one of the five best hot dogs in Atlanta.

On the occasion of the Hot Dog Eating Contest, I elected to try one (even though I still find $6.50 for a hot dog shocking.) I found it quite tasty and filling. (If I'd realized at the time you can sub a salad, I would have done that, to avoid those fattening fries.)

If you're a vegetarian, there's a veggie dog. If you prefer sausage or bratwurst, they've got you covered.

You can be at the Brockett in 10-15 minutes (during non rush hours) via the Lawrenceville Hwy, Hwy 78, and Brockett Rd.

Tell John or Christina inDECATUR sent you.

Ellen Wall of Decatur in Junior Dressage Championship

From dressagedaily.com

After a long selection season, the Region 3 Junior Team for the North American Junior Championships has been decided.  It consists of five young ladies who have a long list of accomplishments. All of the riders worked very hard this year.  The championships are 22-27 July at the Kentucky Horse Park.

... 17 year old, Ellen Wall of Decatur Georgia.  She rides a 9 year old chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding named Tvauri.  This will be her first trip to the NAJC, but at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Junior Championships, they were 9th overall.

DECATURadar, Sunday 7/12/2009

Looking out at the universe from the Decatur square

Notes may be added until noon. Comment anytime.

inDECATUR is 706 continuous days old, with 4789 posts (averaging 6.78/day), all searchable using the search block in the sidebar.

Vote for all things Decatur, including this blog if you like, in CL's "Best of Atlanta" balloting. Vote on Facebook if you like.

SUMMER SCHEDULE: Irregular posting times. Visit once a day to see it all.

Cloudy but warming today. 71F at 6A. 88F at 6P.

DECATUR

John-Thomas Ryals Scott: Parker's starts Prime Rib Sundays tonight!

eLife Magazine now has a Facebook page. Be a fan.

Nick closed the homeless discussion at Decatur Metro after 134 comments, just as a virtual food fight was about to break out.  If CL had a category for "Best Discussion Blog" I vote for DM.

DEKALB

Yard sale at 2805 Ashwood Place, off Katie Kerr Drive, starting noon today. [Craigslist]

ATL

Atlanta Police Department spokesman office Eric Schwartz said the men had white T-shirts covering their faces when they broke through the glass of Wish at 4:20 a.m. Saturday and swiftly pillaged the Moreland Avenue store.

The Plaza Theatre is now a non-profit.

US

Fox News is commemorating Tony Snow on the anniversary of his death.

Is it just a matter of time until the President's economic recovery measures work? [Fox News]

Let Freedom Ring is asking congresspeople to pledge to actually reading the bills they are voting on, and to not vote on any bill Americans have not been able to read for at least 72 hours.

Quincy Carter has left the Abilene Ruff Rider team. [Abilene Online]

HEALTH

Do restaurant foods taste better because the chefs use TOO MUCH salt for our health? [Chowhound]

Paraphrasing McCain on MtP: US has highest quality health care in the world. Can't cut that. Cost is the problem. Raising taxes on those with incomes over $280K drives economy in wrong direction. Those are mostly owners of small businesses which generate jobs. Huge deficits are generational theft.

Those who run with the bulls may find themselves nakid and bloody, or even dead:

PERSONAL

This blogger's weight this AM was 179.0, twelve pounds over goal. Should have subbed a salad for the fries at Brockett.

HORN TOOTIN'

Post 4784 / Day 706