Decatur Metro

There are a lot of interesting votes out there today.

The Dunwoody one is probably the most well-publicized, but its the non-binding “Let MARTA into Gwinnett?” question that’s garnered the most heated response thus far over at the AJC blogs. As the AJC reports, the last time Gwinnett voted on a one-cent sales tax to allow MARTA into the county back in ‘90, it only received 30% support at the polls. They were much more comfortable with letting Fulton and DeKalb foot the bill and then just driving into our counties to take the train.

Based solely on the responses to the AJC posting, it seems that opinions are a bit more mixed this time around. But we still hear well-thought out comments like this…

“We don’t need Marta out in Gwinnett County! It will just bring all the criminals, thugs and rif raf from Atlanta out here—-we have enough of that already and don’t need more. Let them go to the Perimeter Mall or 5 points! Keep marta out of Gwinnett!!!”

“NO, NO and NO. I do not want MARTA anywhere near where I live. I hate the buses, all they do is hold up traffic. I moved to Gwinnett to get away from MARTA. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!! And I certainly don’t want another penny of my hard harned money to go to this!!!!!!”

“GOD I HOPE NOT!!!!!!!!!!! Too many criminals from Atlanta will have a basically free way to ply their trades of rape, robbery and murder! Think not? Get on the train at lennox and see what gets on! Obviously these thugs are not shopping at lennox or phipps!”

Obviously these folks haven’t been reading my postings about crime moving to the suburbs (and it has nothing to do with MARTA). I love people that move to the sticks to get away from the ominous threat of “thugs”, and then scream from their fort in the middle of nowhere about all of the crime in places where they never go. Luckily there are more level-headed commenters out there that are keeping these paranoids in check.

Rusty writes in that Stan Watson supporters broke the 150 feet rule at the Sycamore Place polling station when they drove by with a bull horn this morning shouting their support for the ever-absent DeKalb CEO candidate.

Wow…not only technically illegal, but also REALLY effective.  I always take my advice from people screaming at me from passing cars.  “Go to hell!” Done.  “Bikes don’t belong on the road!” You got it sir!  “Vote Stan Watson!”  Good enough for me!

Feeling stressed because there’s a primary tomorrow and you haven’t done your homework on who’s running in all these confounded elections? If you live in the future city of Dunwoody, you only care about one thing. Smoking hot cityhood. But if you’re living anywhere else in the general Atlanta vicinity, its possible that you might have some late-night homework to do.

Luckily the Atlanta Press Club has a whole host of debates up on their website from all over the metro area…including a July 13th debate featuring all of U.S. Senate Democratic hopefuls. [h/t: GriftDrift]

GriftDrift and DecaturGuy’s both have their endorsements posted. Along with InDecatur, all are for Burrell Ellis. I concur. Our mutual distaste for Vernon Jones is enough for me.

But for Senate, I’m still not ready to give up my own youthful idealism, so I’ll be voting for smart ‘n sexy Rand Knight.

Paris wants to reduce car traffic 40% by 2020. And the only way the city thinks they can convince motorists to give up their cars is by making them “live in hell”.

A big first step in the “motorists must live in hell” initiative is the Vélib’ cheap bike rental program (roughly $46 a year), which is already a big hit in Paris after only one year, according to the New York Times. Putting 20,600 bikes on the road at 1,450 self-service stations across the city, has resulted in a 70% increase in bicycle usage. And though 3 Velib riders have been killed since January and 70 injured, the overall accident rate on Paris streets has declined 20% according to TimesOnline.

Now, I recognize that Paris is one of the densest cities in the world, so taking any sort of Parisian solution and applying it directly to sprawled out Atlanta is going to be a bit of a stretch. We can’t even manage build an efficient and far-reaching rail system. But many denser U.S. cities (New York?) might start considering such solutions in the near future, potentially making them even more desirable to a population suffocating on high gas prices.

But before that can happen, we Americans need to figure out if we would really be able to wear dress shirts, slacks, skirts, or dresses on a bike. We can’t all be changing in the bathrooms before and after work. And don’t even get me started on the helmet-hair.

[photo courtesy of the New York Times]

Of course its kinda hard to tell what the papers mean when they say “Decatur” (be it the city or just the zip code)

The details are kinda vague.

From the Gainesville Times…

Authorities have identified Michael U. Abrams Sr., 49, of Decatur, [editor's note: the AJC has his name as "Michael Abram"] as the man who drowned Saturday in a small cove of Lake Lanier, across from Holiday Marina in South Hall.

Three men from the Atlanta area were fishing off the shore when Abrams decided to go for a swim.

The man swam about 20 yards from the shore before he became distressed and yelled for help, said Hall County Fire Services Capt. Scott Cagle.

Another man swam out to help him but was unsuccessful. The victim went under and did not resurface.

Emergency workers received a call about the incident shortly after 12:15 p.m.

The body was pulled from the lake at about 1:40 p.m.

It took members of the Hall County Fire Marine Rescue Team about 45 minutes to recover the drowning victim, who was in waters thick with vegetation about 12 feet deep, Cagle said.

There have been four drownings and three boating fatalities on Lake Lanier this year, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Four people drowned in the lake last weekend, although two of the deaths were listed as boating fatalities because the men jumped from a pontoon boat, officials said.

Mark your calendars, because over on the Oakhurst Message Board, Wardell has posted all of the upcoming city meetings when the 315 W. Ponce development will be up for discussion.

Here they are according to his post…

* July 18, 8:00a, City Hall Commission Room : Presentation of project to DDA

* August 7, 7:30p, City Hall Commission Room: Presentation of project to Planning Commission

* August 11, 7:30p, City Hall Commission Room: Consideration of variances by Zoning Board of Appeals

* August 18, 7:30p, City Hall Commission Room: Consideration by City Commission

The post also says that over on decatur.livablegrowth.org, you will find “developer’s plan and filing paperwork, the City’s traffic study and the developer’s parking study” (things I really want to see) but I can’t find them anywhere. Can someone help me out?  UPDATE: In the comments section, Baron said that he should have them posted in the next few days.

And a slight aside…in a follow up post, Wardell cites back up on Ponce and a “waterfall of cars” coming off Nelson Ferry on Friday afternoon. This was true, however it was not the normal traffic pattern…this was due to the downed tree on Scott that was diverting traffic through the neighborhood. Which leads me to a question for Clairemont-Great Lakes residents…when is your cut-through traffic worst? Because I sometime walk my dog down Oakland and Ponce Place in the morning (around 8-8:15a) and I don’t usually have more than a few cars pass me. I’d just like to get an idea of the existing traffic flow.

So, it was kind of a sticky commute this afternoon.  Trying to get back from the Whole Foods on Briarcliff, I got stuck on Clifton amidst the rain and a power outage (’nough said).  By the time I had weaseled my way back to Scott via Clairemont, I hit a wall of cars.  As I pulled into the turn lane for Coventry, I noticed a cop and a bunch of cars up ahead simply stopped.  “Either an accident or a tree”, I thought.  With our record as of late, I guessed “tree”.

And boy was I right!

But, by the time I got home, dumped my whole food in the slowly warming fridge (since the power was out) and got back out the door to venture back to Scott on foot, most of the mess was already cleaned up.  How’s that for service?!  Literally 10 minutes from the time the cops got there until the tree was out of the road.  Now granted it was a relatively small tree, but hot damn that’s quick.

After returning home again and hanging out for a bit in my non-A/C house, I started hearing choppers.  A quick look outside and I spotted 11Alive up in the air.  I thought “Did I miss something?”  Why is 11Alive covering a downed tree on Scott?  So, my curiousity piqued, and with little else to do, the dog and I headed out for second lovely walk down Scott.  And again I saw nothing but the downed tree and a power crew working to restore service.  (That’s when I snapped the above pic)

So apparently local news nets love a good downed tree story?  (A StormTracker46 van drove down our street an hour or so later)  Well then they should set up shop here in Decatur, because it seems that every time it sprinkles nowadays, big, fat branches fall and trees come down.

Rain, don’t take this personally, but you are a cruel mistress.

Bring a bottle of beer and head over to Wordsmiths to hear author Mary Jane Mahan discuss her Brick Store Pub book, “Love at the Pub”, tomorrow afternoon (July 12th) at 4pm!

From the Wordsmiths website…

“Mahan will recount stories she’s uncovered in her research and discuss the history of Brick Store Pub in regards to her forthcoming book, and will invite any and all in attendance to bring a bottle of their favorite brew to raise in toast to Brick Store while sharing their own favorite Brick Store stories. Join us for a fun and festive afternoon in celebration of one of Decatur’s favorite and finest establishments, Brick Store Pub, 125 E. Court Square.”

I dare anyone to show up with a bottle of Nattie Ice…

[blue-eyed baby pic courtesy of Love at the Pub]

Carl writes in with a smörgåsbord of Decatur restaurant “For Sale” ads. But for most of these, there’s no name included so we’re forced to guess based on the description. Note that just because they are “For Sale” doesn’t necessarily mean any of these places are going anywhere…just that they might get new ownership.

The one certainty (because the name is stated) is The Chocolate Bar. Here’s the ad.

Then its onto the speculation…

Carl thinks this one is Badda Bing, and that this one might be Little Azio.

Then there is this description that he believes is Birdi’s…

“Landlord will give long term lease with favorable terms. This is a well established and very popular watering hole. Super space with hi ceilings, big bar and fully equipped kitchen. This location is located in the heart of the county seat and shares the square with tons of restaurants, bars and retail stores and galleries. Any full service upscale or casual restaurant works great here or could be kept as a bar and club or a live music venue. Priced at $250,000 OBO with Owner financing. Incredible location directly on the Decatur Square in full view of all of Downtown Decatur and Court House.”

And this one he guesses could be Carpe Diem…

“Current sales of this full service progressive cuisine restaurant are underperforming at around $62,000 per month with an Owner that does no advertising, marketing and or promoting of restaurant. Restaurant currently breaks even but could do incredible with a little bit of effort. Full staff in place including Executive and Sous Chef makes that makes for a very easy transition. Great “hands-on” Landlord will give long term lease to qualified Tenant at a negotiated Lease below market rate. Seller will also provide full training and support to new Owner at no cost.

This Decatur spot is well established and is really stunning. Fully built out at a cost of over $400,000.00. 5200/sf which includes as part of square footage a 50 seat private dining room. Restaurant seats 176 plus 14 seat bar, 8-seat lounge and 40 seat patio.”

I think its funny that so many of these ads stress that there has been “no advertising” done. It would be much more amusing if it said something like “We advertised the heck outta this place and still no one showed up! Highest bidder?”

From a DBF Press Release…

July 10, 2008 (Decatur) — The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival Presented by DeKalb Medical (DBF) is extremely pleased to announce the additions of Ty Pennington and Kathy Reichs to the 2008 author lineup. Pennington, host of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” and Reichs, whose books and work as a forensic anthropologist are the inspiration for Fox’s “Bones,” join a scintillating lineup that includes Billy Collins, Eric Jerome Dickey, John Dean, and 250 other authors.

DBF is Labor Day weekend, August 29-31, on and around the Downtown Decatur Square.

Exact details about Pennington’s appearance are forthcoming, but it will be Saturday, August 30, in the afternoon. Check www.decaturbookfestival.com often for updates. His latest book, “Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories,” is due out September 9.

Reichs will appear Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. to discuss her work, including her newest book, “Devil Bones.” Both authors will hold signings after their talks.

“We were well on our way to having our best, most diverse author program yet, and with the addition of these two powerhouse names, we’ve moved into a whole new league,” said Daren Wang, DBF Executive Director. Read the rest of this entry »