Home > Fayette.Talk > Archives > 2007 > July
July 2007
At the corner of Uh-Oh and Oh-No
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m going to get right to the point with this blog. It has to do with dangerous intersections in Fayetteville, Peachtree City and intersections outside those city limits.
Last year, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) released a traffic crash profile, for the metro Atlanta area, which included Fayette County. The numbers collected were from 2002-2004. This is an excerpt from the agency’s introduction.
“Every year, about 550 people are killed and another 68,000 are injured on roads in the 18 counties around metro Atlanta. Another 140,000 crashes result only in damage to vehicles. The cost to society, in terms of medical bills, lost productivity and congestion delay, caused by all these crashes is staggering, an estimated $4.7 billion annually. It’s also estimated that over 50% of all congestion in the Atlanta region is a direct result of crashes and the ensuing backups they create.” In their study, they listed the top 10 intersections with the most crashes. Number one on the list was the intersection of Ga. 85 and Bernhard Road with 270, located on the south end of Fayetteville.
Next was the intersection of Ga. 54 and Ga. 74 in Peachtree City with 180.
The third was Ga. 85 and Ga. 54 in Fayetteville at 164.
If I could have a vote in the matter, I would put the last one, the Ga. 85 and Ga. 54 intersection, at the top of my list. Whenever I get to that intersection, no matter what lane I’m in, I double and triple check oncoming traffic when the light changes. I do that because inevitably, someone will run the light because they think they can or because they don’t want to wait for the traffic light to cycle through.
I don’t mind admitting that I’ve driven through a few yellow lights, but I never block an intersection because I know how annoying and problematic it can be.
Do you have an intersection you avoid like the plague?
Permalink | Comments (41) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Lewd lawn care
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Did any of you see this story on the AJC Internet earlier this week? I thought it was so amusing that I wanted to make sure you saw it. Here’s a portion of the piece.
Bikini-Clad Women Mow Lawns in Memphis
One lawn care company is showing a little skin to boost business.
The women of Tiger Time Lawn Care offer to mow customers’ lawns dressed in bikinis — a service that attracts more attention to the ladies than the lawns.
“Oh yeah, they honk and yell. They can do everything you can imagine,” said employee Blair Beckman, 21.
Owner Lee Cathey said the bikini service makes mowing the lawn a lot more interesting, although the fee is slightly higher.
“The yards definitely get more attention when there’s a bikini on the lawn,” Cathey said. Some customers sit in lawn chairs and have a beer while watching, he said.
The three-month-old company is looking for a way to expand the service through the end of summer.
“In the fall we’ll go pick up leaves in the bikinis if need be,” Cathey said.
Cathey said there hasn’t been any interest in a male version of the bikini lawn cut.
So what does this have to do with Fayetteville? Well, I started thinking about how people are dressed or undressed while they mow their lawn or do yard work.
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t seen too much variety when it comes to gardening attire. In my neighborhood, we have the occassional bare-chested men sitting on riding lawn mowers and women dressed in shorts and t-shirts. I haven’t seen any women in bikinis, but years ago, one homeowner apparently cut her grass scantily clad in very short shorts and a tanktop of some sort.
If any of the women work their weeds in bikinis, I have to admit, it would make me uncomfortable. But hey, I just wouldn’t look.
My husband on the other hand would probably be happy to set up a basecamp for all the men in the development.
Do you have any neighbors that garden in questionable attire? Now, come on. You can admit it on a blog. You don’t even have to use your real name. Just tell us about someone you’ve seen and what you’ve thought.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Still time for a swim before vacation time ends
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Believe it or not, summer vacation is almost coming to an end.
Fayette County schools resume on Aug. 13, only three weeks from today.
Since I love to swim, but since it takes nearly five hours to get to the beach (Panama City), Robin Lake at Callaway Gardens will have to do. There is a large lake for swimming and water skiing lessons.
But even the pool in my subdivision provides a relaxing atmosphere. I can close my eyes and just pretend I’m sitting on a bed of sand.
Before the summer fades into the sunset, are you going to try and hit your favorite beach? Or do you have a favorite pool in Fayette County?
Permalink | | Categories: Abby Brunks
How do you handle offensive language at a restaurant?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I think many of us would agree that Fayetteville is a bedroom community, made up mostly of families.
We are also a community where we take our youngsters to restaurants to get a break from kitchen duties.
Some of the conversations that take place at our dinner table at home are private and can become heated, which is exactly why they take place in the home.
But here’s the question:
What if you took your family to a restaurant and some teenagers or a couple seated next to you started using language that was offensive to you and you didn’t want your children to hear it.
Would you confront them yourself or call the manager to deal with the subject?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Thoughts on roadside memorials
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I don’t mean to bring up a somewhat depressing subject, but it’s something I’m curious about.
It’s the culture of memorials.
What I’m talking about are the small signs stuck in the grass. Some are on medians like Ga. 54 near the Piedmont Fayette Hospital, memorializing someone who died in an auto accident at that particular spot.
Other memorials can be seen on the back of car windows. You’ve seen them. Name, date of birth and date of death. The couple I’ve seen most are for teens who died tragically.
When I see those epitaphs in the middle of the road or on the back of car windows, I wonder about the people who put them there.
I wonder if they are related to the person who bears that name. I wonder how are they faring after a tragic loss. And I suppose, more than anything, I wonder why they put up the memorials.
I don’t remember ever seeing anything like them as a kid. And I really don’t recall when I started seeing them.
I guess when I see those reminders of a young life that’s now over, it simply makes me sad. It’s a distraction when I read them, but a temporary one.
What do you think of those memorials? What sort of thoughts go through your mind when you pass one?
Permalink | Comments (22) | Categories: Abby Brunks
I like living in Fayetteville. Do you?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the 10 years we’ve lived in Fayetteville, I have to say this town, for me, has been the nearly perfect marriage of subdivision living (which I had never experienced before), shopping and comfortable living.
Before we moved here I did my research trying to find out home prices, amenities, school info, crime stats, and places to worship.
As far as I could tell at that point, Fayetteville seemed to have everything I wanted and needed to live easily in a suburban setting.
Now, while my children have grown and the requirements aren’t the same as they were 10 years ago, I still like living here.
And simply put, Fayetteville met and actually still meets my expectations. There are more places to shop and there are more restaurants for dining.
Yes, I know the traffic has worsened in recent years, but honestly, it certainly is bearable compared to other places like in Cobb or Gwinnett County, don’t you think? So I guess you can tell by this blog that Fayetteville is still very much working for me. What about you?
For however long you have lived here, has Fayetteville met your expectations? If it hasn’t please explain.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Abby Brunks
What one word describes Fayetteville?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Summertime is the time to vacation for many folks and I’m no exception.
My family and I just returned this past weekend from nine days of travel that started in Boston where we ate at Boston’s oldest restaurant, the Union Oyster House. From there it was off to Cape Cod and a visit to Salem, which is fascinating even if you aren’t into witches, and then into New York to see “Lion King” on Broadway.
I truly hope I didn’t bore you with that abbreviated edition of my trip, but it was a wonderful time accompanied by spectacular weather.
That said, once we arrived home and drove down Ga. 85 in Fayetteville on Saturday afternoon, I was thrilled to be back in comfortable old Fayetteville.
I felt like I had been gone for months. So while everything looked the same in my hometown, I stretched my neck to see if anything had in fact been torn down, moved or closed.
Luckily, nothing changed and I was just simply glad to be home.
As we got closer to home I kept thinking of the people I met on my trip and how I told them where I lived and what it was like.
Some were interested and others not so much. But I thought if I could condense my opinion of Fayetteville into one word, the place I call home, what one word would I use? I decided homey. Yep, that’s the word that best describes Fayetteville for me.
What about you? If you could use only one word to describe where you live, what word would you use?
Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: Abby Brunks
Services »
