COMMUNITY
SCENE
Neighbors will take back the night on Aug. 7 in observance of the 35th anniversary of National Night Out. 3
Hundreds of children got free book bags and thousands of pounds of food at the Let’s Move! DeKalb Back-to-School Expo. 7
Police-community awareness
Put Litter in Its Place
CHOICES on the case
Let’s Do Our Part to Keep DeKalb Beautiful A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE FROM CROSSROADSNEWS
EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER • STONECREST
August 4, 2018
Copyright © 2018 CrossroadsNews, iNC.
Volume 24, Number 14
www.crossroadsnews.com
DeKalb levels playing field for primary, subcontractors By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Prime contractors doing business with DeKalb County government can no longer force subcontractors into arbitration following the passage of new legislation by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. The landmark ordinance, approved 5-0 on July 24, prohibits forced arbitration clauses in agreements between primes and their subcontractors. District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon abstained and Super District 7 Commissioner Gregory Adams was absent. Prior to passage of the legislation, prime contractors were able to use their unequal bargaining power to force small businesses to sign away their right to pursue a claim in a court of law if a dispute arose.
treated fairly. “A small business should not be forced to give up its right to a jury trial in order to work for DeKalb County,” said Davis Johnson, who call the first-of-its-kind local legislation “precedent-setting.” “I hope similar ordinances are adopted nationwide, because small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy,” Davis Johnson said. Mereda Davis Johnson The ordinance amends a 1988 law to require prime contractors to sign an affidavit declaring under penalty of perjury its intention to comply fully with the provisions of the article, and to attest to the truth and accuracy of all District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, who information provided to the county. “All prime contractors and LSBEs must adhere to all sponsored the ordinance, said it levels the playing field between prime and subcontractors and helps ensure that small businesses doing business with DeKalb County are Please see ARBITRATION, page 2
“A small business should not be forced to give up its right to a jury trial in order to work for DeKalb County.”
Glenwood sidewalks won’t be done by January County says gas, water lines fuel project delays
Only about 30 percent of the $4.4 million project to build sidewalks along Glenwood Road between Candler Road and Columbia Drive has been completed.
By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Pedestrians and homeowners battling a sea of construction barrels along a twomile stretch of Glenwood Road in Decatur that is getting sidewalks, will have to fight them longer than the 18 months originally projected. A year into the $4.4 million project to build 5-foot-wide sidewalks along both sides of Glenwood Road between Candler Road and Columbia Drive, only about 30 percent of the construction has been completed. County spokesman Andrew Cauthen said this week that the project, which is being done by BRTU Construction Inc., is behind schedule but that the delay will not impact the cost of installing the sidewalks. “DeKalb County’s Transportation Division has asked the contractor to submit an updated schedule in August,” he said. “Any extension of the contract beyond Dec. 31, 2018, if requested by the contractor, would require a change order approved by the Board of Commissioners.” DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond and District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson were among county officials who helped break ground on the project on Aug. 3, 2017. Johnson, who last year called the project’s start “a great day on Glenwood Road,” said Tuesday that he is disappointed that the project has fallen behind schedule but that he is committed to seeing it completed as soon as possible. “I fought so hard to get it done,” he said. “It took eight years to get the funding.” When it is completed, Johnson said it will enhance the area. “Having a pedestrian-safe and a walkable community is very important,” Johnson said. “I just ask pedestrians and residents to be patient. We are going to give them a safer place to walk and it will help get our com-
PhotosByJenniferFfrenchParker/CrossRoadsNews
munity where we want it to be.” Cauthen blamed the project’s delay on utility companies. “As part of the Glenwood Road sidewalk project, the contractor is installing storm drain Larry Johnson pipe and there have been delays due to other underground utilities being in the way,” he said. “Contractors have encountered many gas and water lines along Glenwood, which have to be moved or worked around.” At present, Cauthen said the contractor is still working within the original contract terms and is scheduled to be substantially complete by the end of the year. In early 2000s, Glenwood Road was considered among “the most dangerous streets in Georgia” because of the number of pedestrian deaths on it.
Pedestrians and motorists will have to navigate construction barrels longer than originally projected.
The sidewalk project, which will include a HAWK pedestrian crosswalk – where walkers can stop traffic with the push of a button – near Shoal Creek Park, is the second phase of a three-part, $11.6 million project that began in 2009. The first phase, from I-20 and Candler Road to Glenwood Road, was completed in 2010 at a cost of $7.2 million. Georgia
Department of Transportation and federal funding is covering $3.1 million of the Glenwood sidewalk project. The county is providing $1.3 million in matching funds. The project’s final phase will continue the sidewalks from Columbia Drive to Covington Highway. There is no timeline yet for it to be completed, but Johnson says it’s on the District 3 list for SPLOST funding.
CrossRoadsNews
2
Community
August 4, 2018
“Until you go through it, you’re going to be blind as to a lot of the situations that happen in your community.”
Justice for Veterans advocates for former service men and women
Anthony Hill
Brian Easley
By Bryce Ethridge
Following the deaths of five DeKalb veterans at the hands of police since 2015, the group Justice for Veterans is shining a spotlight on the plight of former service men and women. Amos King, leader of Justice for Veterans, told 30 people at a July 30 Veterans Night Out at the Porter Sanford Center in Decatur, that the recent deaths of Anthony Hill, Brian Easley, Quintas Harris, Kisha Holmes and John Watts paint a picture of issues facing modern veterans. “We’re not pointing fingers at anybody this evening,” he said. “This is a conglomerate effort. The veterans themselves, the family, law enforcement and the V.A. all are at fault.” King, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, said the group’s goal is to inform citizens of what’s going on with the veterans’ mental health and police brutality. “I want you to search your soul tonight because you’re going to be shocked at some
Quintas Harris
Kisha Holmes
John Watts
things,” he told those who showed for the conversation hosted by DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson. In the days leading up to the event, King said it would be “big.” But when only 30 people showed up, he said that didn’t matter. “I wasn’t concerned about numbers,” he said. “We just put it out there. We’ve got to do something about what’s going on in our community.” King said we have to do better as a community. “We’re all in it together when we’re talking about lack of support and neglect,” he
said, adding that he plans to engage the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the near future. But Iwoinake Harris-Billups, who attended the event, said she wants to see change now. “It’s not enough cars out here,” Harris said, looking at the venue’s parking lot. “If more people were being more supportive then I think that it would change how our government does stuff.” Harris, who lost her son Quintas Harris – a Navy vet diagnosed with bipolar disorder, PTSD and schizophrenia – during an alleged attack on DeKalb Police last August, was invited by King to tell of her inside experience. She said losing her son to police brutality really hurts. “Until you go through it, you’re going to be blind as to a lot of the situations that happen in your community,” she said. “Then, just the fact that people are not willing to step up and do what’s right… it’s hurtful.” DeKalb Tax Commissioner Irvin John-
son, who attended the meeting as an interested citizen, said after what he learned, he now plans to do what he can to help. “I was moved because I wasn’t as knowledgeable about the details of what’s going on with veterans, specifically in DeKalb,” he said. Johnson said he was aware of the high suicide rates among veterans because he has family in the military, but he said he never knew how deep their struggles went. He is now exploring how he can ensure that they know about the benefits that available to them for their vehicles, tags and property tax exemptions. “What we’re looking at is where we should strategically be located in DeKalb, where is the veterans’ population and where are they located,” he said. “We’re always looking to improve our service level.” King says a date hasn’t been set for meeting with Veterans Affairs. For more information about future events or partnerships, contact Amos King at 678698-8753.
otherwise, shall contain language requiring mandatory, binding arbitration or in any other way limit subcontractor(s) from addressing disputes with the prime contractor(s) through any and all legal means.” In the preamble to the legislation, the county says that binding arbitration clauses
prevent small businesses from pursuing all legal avenues of relief in the courts and often result in unequal bargaining power being held by prime contractors when a dispute arises between a subcontractor and a prime contractor. It also said subcontractors on county
projects should be placed on equal footing with prime contractors when a dispute arises between a prime contractor and a subcontractor; and that prohibiting mandatory arbitration will benefit Local Small Business Enterprises (LSBEs) and all other subcontractors.
“We’re not pointing fingers at anybody. This is a conglomerate effort. The veterans themselves, the family, law enforcement and the V.A. all are at fault.” Amos King
New legislation gives subcontractors more options in legal disputes ow Your PRIDE, South DeKa ow Your PRIDE, South DeKa Your PRIDE, South DeKalb! Show Your PRIDE, Show Show Your PRIDE, Your PRIDE, South South DeKalb! DeKalb! South DeKalb!
ter
ARBITRATION,
from page
1
federal, state, and local law, and applicable provisions of this Code,” it says. “All such affidavits shall also contain a provision whereby the prime contractor declares under penalty of perjury that no subcontract(s), LSBE or
h Don’t Litter
h Don’t Litter h Mow, Trim & Paint h Don’t Litter h the Mow, h Clean to CurbTrim & Paint h Mow, Trim & Paint h &Clean the Curb h Mow, Trim Paint h to Clean to the Curb h Clean to the Curb
MESSAGE ADSNEWS
A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE FROM CROSSROADSNEWS
n’t Litter
h Mow, Trim & Paint
h Clean to the
CrossRoadsNews
August 4, 2018
Community
3
“Over the years that we have been participating, Clarkston Police has seen an increase in the comfort level of our residents.”
Residents preparing to celebrate National Night Out on Aug. 7 By Bryce Ethridge
Neighbors will take back the night on Aug. 7 in observance of the 35th anniversary of National Night Out – a community-police awareness campaign that heightens awareness of and strengthens participation in local anti-crime efforts. Across DeKalb County and the nation, neighborhoods will host block par- Christine Hudson ties, cookouts and other community events with police officers and elected officials aimed at crime prevention and building relationships to keep their communities safe. The city of Clarkston will be offering free food, fun and a Community Partners and
Resources display from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is its seventh annual National Night Out. Christine Hudson, the city’s police chief, said participation is important to them because it builds police and community partnerships that help to prevent and in solving crimes in and around the city. “Over the years that we have been participating, the Clarkston Police Department has seen an increase in the comfort level of our residents in contacting and interacting with us,” she said. Jacqueline Hines, a senior investigator aide at the DeKalb Police South Precinct in Decatur, said that this year instead of hosting a single event in the parking lot of the Gallery at South DeKalb on Candler Road, officers will disperse across their coverage area. “They’re going out into the community this time,” she said.
The cities of Lithonia and Stonecrest are not hosting any events this year, but residents can visit Milam Park at 3867 Norman Road for Clarkston’s National Night Out. Clarkston and DeKalb County Police departments and DeKalb County Fire & Rescue will offer tours of mobile and Crime Lab & Bomb Disposal units, police cruisers, motorcycles, and fire and rescue vehicles. Public safety equipment demonstrations will also be available. Trinity Triumph Community Outreach Inc. is also hosting a night out at 4851 River Road in Ellenwood. Pastor Robert Miller said that he’s absolutely excited to host the event. The Community Achievement Center on Flat Shoals Parkway is hosting a communitywide National Night Out celebration from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Residents can party with a purpose, meet neighbors and South DeKalb Pre-
cinct commanders, enjoy music, and dance. There will be a playground for children. Participants should bring their own food and beverage, lawn chairs and grill. There will be voter registration and voter information available. The Belvedere Park Community will celebrate National Night Out from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Shoal Creek Park II, 3642 Glenwood Road in Decatur. Created in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out is celebrated annually across the United States and Canada on the first Tuesday in August. Nationally, more than 16,500 communities host cookouts and block parties to promote healthy police-community relations. For help in planning or signing up for a National Night Out event, call Jacqueline Hines at 404-286-7955.
Boot Camp geared to homeowner Democratic nominees, new officials invited to August Cultural Exchange associations taking registrations Homeowners and leaders of their organizations who want to improve their operations should attend a HOA Boot Camp on Aug. 11 at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center. The event, hosted by DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson, takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Johnson, who represents District 3, says Larry Johnson the HOA Boot Camp is a place for homeowners and homeowners boards to network and learn best practices for managing and operating their HOAs.
“We discuss popular topics like elections, finance, management and collections,” he said. “We educate homeowners and their boards so that they can avoid making decisions in isolation. More importantly, we discuss the rights of the homeowners and the residents.” The boot camp will examine topics like Best Practices for Balancing Finance & Community Spirit; Community Spirit vs. Declarations; Builders Turnovers to HOA; and the Community Association Transparency and Protection Act [HB748]. Registration is required to attend. To participate, RSVP to dekalbhoabootcamp.eventbrite.com.
Democratic nominees on the Nov. 6 ballot are expected to attend the DeKalb Cultural Exchange breakfast on Aug. 11 at Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church/House of Hope in Decatur. St on e c re s t C it y Councilman Rob Turner – who co-hosts the event with his wife, DeKalb School Board Rob Turner member Vickie Turner – said they have invited the nominees to come out and address the community with important updates and the needs and
focuses of their campaigns. Newly elected officials serving South DeKalb are also expected to share their visions and plans going forward. “We will also have an update from DeKalb County Schools, as school would have commenced for the 2018-19 school year,” Turner said. The meeting takes Vickie Turner place 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the church’s atrium. The House of Hope is at 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway.
Doctors Dedicated to Serving Seniors OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: Respectful doctors who listen Dedicated specialists Medications provided on-site On-site tests and screenings Door-to-doctor transportation available
5
ATLANTA AREA LOCATIONS Brookhaven 3371 Buford Hwy NE Atlanta, GA 30329
Morrow 1331 Mount Zion Road Morrow, GA 30260
East Point 2084 Headland Drive East Point, GA 30344
South DeKalb 2124 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032
West End 1325 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW Atlanta, GA 30310
Some services are not covered under all plans. Check your plan documents for details and service availability at each individual center. Due to space and time limitations, some services are not available at all centers. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Offer good while supplies last. Promotional value is nominal.
Call today to schedule an appoitment or tour (855) 845-9333 JoinJenCare.com
4
Youth
CrossRoadsNews
August 4, 2018
“Together, we are poised to provide the best educational opportunities in metro Atlanta, and beyond.”
DeKalb Schools to ‘Knock, Walk & Talk’ to launch school year
2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Staff Writer Jennifer Ffrench Parker Editorial Intern Bryce Ethridge Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Multimedia Editor Sharif Williams
The 2018-2019 school year for DeKalb students kicks off on Aug. 6, and district leaders will go door-to-door on Aug. 4 to drum up support for the new year. Teachers, principals and other administrators will have one-on-one conversations with community stakeholders as part of DCSD’s annual “Knock, Walk & Talk“ event, which begins at 11 a.m. across district. District leaders say representatives from all 137 DCSD schools will visit homes during the 90-minute event for conversations about aspirations, expectations and goals for the upcoming school year. School Superintendent and CEO Dr. R. Stephen Green said they are continuing a dialogue with local communities to hear what residents wish to achieve over the course of the year. “We will share the wonderful new things
“We will share the wonderful new things our school district has to offer, as well as the goals we have for the oncoming months. We welcome our parents and students to share their thoughts and concerns so that every student in DeKalb County soars beyond expectations.” R. Stephen Green, School Superintendent
our school district has to offer, as well as the goals we have for the oncoming months,” he said. “We welcome our parents and students to share their thoughts and concerns so that every student in DeKalb County soars beyond expectations. Together, we are poised to provide the best educational opportunities in metro Atlanta, and beyond.”
DeBerry’s annual Community Appreciation Day is Aug. 11 Families line up to enter Browns Mill Aquatic Facility in 2017 for DeKalb Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry’s annual Community Appreciation Day. DeBerry (below, at right) hosts the event annually to thank residents for their continued support.
CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisements, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.
Circulation Audited By
Since 2003
Students, parents and other community stakeholders are encouraged to contact their respective local elementary, middle and high schools for more information on Knock, Walk & Talk. For more information on the 2018-2019 school year, visit www.dekalbschoolsga.org/ back-to-school-2018.
Families will be lining up again on Aug. 11 for DeKalb Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry’s annual Community Appreciation Day at Browns Mill Aquatic Facility. The 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. event, which is in its sixth year, includes free entry to the water park, food and music. DeBerry, who has been Clerk of Superior Court since March 2011, hosts the event annually to thank citizens for their support. Browns Mill Aquatic Facility is at 4929 Browns Mill Road in Stonecrest. For more information, call 404371-2251.
VSU senior is CRN Foundation scholar Kilombo Institute registering for Bryce Ethridge, a rising senior at Valdosta State University, is the 2018 CrossRoadsNews Foundation Scholar. new school year Ethridge, who is majoring in journalism, received a $1,500 scholarship from CRN Foundation President Deborah Jackson and CrossRoadsNews Publisher Jennifer Parker on July 21. The check presentation took place during CrossRoadsNews’ 2018 Family & Back-toSchool Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest. Ethridge, who interned at the newspaper this summer, is a 2015 graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School. He said that he grew up with the newspaper and when he was required to intern at a newspaper for class credit, he knew he wanted to do it with CrossRoadsNews. The annual scholarship is open to DeKalb high school seniors and graduates pursuing studies in communications – journalism, graphic design, web design, photography or advertising – at accredited two- or four-year colleges or universities. It is not restricted to attendance at a Georgia college or university.
Bryce Ethridge (center) receives a check from foundation President Deborah Jackson (left) and CrossRoadsNews Publisher Jennifer Parker.
CrossRoadsNews owners Jennifer and Curtis Parker established the CrossRoadsNews Foundation in 2005 to support communication needs throughout DeKalb. Email scholarships@crossroadsnews.com for more information.
Families looking for a small nurturing education environment for their children can get information about Kilombo Academic and Cultural Institute. Founded in 2001, the school is a project of the First Afrikan Church Community Development Corporation. It is now registering kindergarten through eighth grade for the new school year, which kicks off Aug. 6. Aminata Umoja, a longtime educator and the school’s founder and director, says they accept students starting at age 4. “Kilombo fosters an academically excellent and culturally relevant education that produces students who are equipped to succeed globally and are committed to social justice,” Umoja said. The school is at 1879 Columbia Drive in Decatur. For more information, visit www.kilomboschool.com or contact Aminata Umoja at aumoja@comcast.net or 404-992-8021.
August 4, 2018
Community
CrossRoadsNews
5
“If we would just go out in our community and tell them our expectations of them, then they’d listen.”
Resident on a mission to clean up trash on Glenwood Road
By Bryce Ethridge
Sheryl Thomas has lived in South DeKalb for 23 years, but what she saw at the Exxon Food Mart, down the street from her home on Glenwood Road, on July 16 stopped her in her tracks. In plain sight of customers and everyone driving by on Glenwood Road in Decatur was the ugliest mound of garbage she had ever seen on the property Sheryl Thomas of a business. Inside a wooden enclosure built to house a dumpster were black trash bags bursting at the seams, tires, empty carton boxes, pieces of wood and a lone white sneaker. But there was no dumpster in sight. “They had piled weeks and weeks of trash,” she said. Thomas knew that county ordinances require businesses to have dumpsters to hold their garbage, and she could not understand why this gas station at 4481 Glenwood Road did not have one. She knew she had to do something about it and she called DeKalb Code Enforcement. By 10 a.m. the next day, the garbage was gone and a dumpster was on the property. DeKalb Code Enforcement visited the Exxon station but did not issue a citation because manager Jay Zelek said he explained to the officer that he had already purchased a
dumpster and showed him the receipt. Zelek said that the gas station has a new owner and had ordered the dumpster about a month before. “Everything is clear now,” he said Aug. 2. Thomas has now made it her job to hold the gas station and the surrounding community accountable. “If we would just go out in our community and tell them our expectations of them, then they’d listen,” she said. “They’re only going to do what we ask of them.” Even though the mound of garbage was gone, the Exxon property was still littered with trash – broken glass, cardboard and Bryce Ethridge / CrossRoadsNews other litter – and Thomas says she is going to get the station’s owner to finish cleaning Sheryl Thomas felt compelled to act when she saw mounds of trash – but no dumpster – in this enclosure at the Exxon Food Mart at 4481 Glenwood Road. up the property. Next she will turn her attention to the rest of the Glenwood neighborhood. “We’re going to work on our community,” she said. “Sometimes we let our property value go down waiting on the county, but we and allegedly struck her Suspects in two sepcan’t always wait for the county.” in the head and body arate Stone Mountain Thomas and a few other neighbors are numerous times, causing homicide investigations preparing a community letter to send out to her death. are in custody at the the businesses telling them that from now on, He is charged with DeKalb County Jail. Glenwood is going to stay clean. felony murder. The DeKalb County Next up on her list is the plaza at 4083 Watts, 20, was taken Sheriff ’s Office said Glenwood Road, which Thomas says does into custody without inAug. 1 that Jason Leroy not have a sign and its parking lot has nucident in Clarkston by Brown of Atlanta and J. Leroy Brown J. Daniel Watts merous potholes. DeKalb Sheriff ’s Office Joshua Daniel Watts of She said she has already notified DeKalb Fugitive and Field K9 units working with the Clarkston were both apprehended. Code Enforcement but has yet to see anyBrown, 34, surrendered to the Fugi- U.S. Marshal’s Southeast Regional Fugitive thing come of it. Task Force. tive Unit. A July 23 warrant alleges that on July 10, He was wanted in connection with the death of Taylor Bins on July 24, 2018, at 2018, Watts shot Nathan Lawrence Glover 6065 Hitt Lake Trail in Stone Mountain. multiple times, killing him at 5476 Old The warrant said Brown argued with Bins Rockbridge Road. Aug. 15). n No chlorine strips on the premises (to have been corrected by July 28). n Torn gasket on the prep top cooler and needs replacement (to be corrected by Aug 10). n No current documented health policy on-site. n No documented policy on properly disinfecting a fecal or vomit event on-site (to have been corrected by July 26). n Raw foods (chicken, fish, and french fries) stored next to cooked foods and sauces in refrigeration units (to have been corrected by July 25). Reached on July 30, Winglanta owner Sungmin Kim declined to comment. Visit http://ga.healthinspections.us/ dekalb/history.cfm?id=889566 for the full health inspection report.
Winglanta failed heath inspection
By Bryce Ethridge
Winglanta, which failed its routine health inspection on July 25 with a score of 63, has until Aug. 15 to fix the violations. The DeKalb County Board of Health cited the restaurant, located at 5005 Snapfinger Woods Drive in Decatur, after a twohour evaluation found 17 violations, just two months after it received a score of 100. Nine of the violations were corrected on-site. The remaining violations found by health inspector Rhonda Baines were: n Gnats in the dining room and flies in the kitchen. n A rusty grease trap lid, not properly fitted to cover the grease trap. n Cardboard stored on the floor on top of the grease trap cover (to be corrected by
Suspects in two murders arrested
6
ministry
CrossRoadsNews
August 4, 2018
The Afrocentric church, conceived in April 1993, held its first worship service on Dec. 12, 1993.
First Afrikan kicking off 25th anniversary with jazz concert
Victor Choates & Company featuring jazz songstress Marsha Dupree will headline First Afrikan Church’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Jazz Concert on Sept. 15, and tickets are going fast. The concert will kick off the anniversary season that includes an Ancestral Walk on Sept. 29; a Sankofa Sterling Silver Celebration at Jolie Banquet Hall on Dec. 1; and a Community Concerns Panel on Dec. 8 at the Auburn Research Library. The celebration culminates with a 25th Anniversary Worship Service on Dec. 9 with guest speaker Dr. Molefi Kete Asante. Choates is a bass player whose credits include performing with the Uptown Mark Lomax Entertainment Band. Dupree, who calls what she does “sweet soul music,” is known for her soulful vocal stylings
Victor Choates, whose credits include performing with the Uptown Entertainment Band, and Marsha Dupree will help launch First Afrikan’s season of celebration.
of jazz standards and classics, smooth R&B, classic soul, ballads, swing, blues, gospel and specialty songs. The concert will take place at the church, at 5197 Salem Road, where it rose from the ashes of the former predominantly white Salem Presbyterian Church that disbanded in August 1991 as the community around it became African American.
The Afrocentric church, conceived by the Rev. Mark Ogunwale Lomax in April 1993 with a steering committee of 12, held its first worship service on Dec. 12, 1993, and installed Lomax as pastor after receiving its charter from the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. Twenty-five years later the church, which empowers its members to move from mem-
bership to leadership, is both spiritually and politically active in community with rites of passage programs for preteens and teens, a food pantry that has distributed more than a million meals, a community garden that teaches people to grow vegetables and herbs, a freedom school offering culturally based education, a prison ministry that engages in the conversation about reentry of former inmates into the community, and other ministries and initiatives. Tickets for the 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. jazz concert, are $20 each. A pre-concert reception with light refreshments begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. Sony’a Grier, a church elder who is helping organize the event, said tickets for both events are available at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/first-afrikan-church-25th-anniversary-jazz-concert-tickets-48529956406. For more information, visit www.firstafrikanchurch.org.
Greenforest Baptist celebrating diamond anniversary Aug. 11-12 Greenforest Community Baptist Church’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Celebration includes a mission project helping seniors, guest speakers, and a reception and memorabilia museum taking place Aug. 11 and 12. The celebration’s theme is “Great Is My Faithfulness” from Lamentations 3:23. Helping Our Seniors takes place 8 a.m. John Mason to noon on Aug. 11. On Aug. 12, the Rev. John Mason, pastor of Providence Community Baptist Church,
will preach at the 7:45 a.m. service, and the Rev. Tyrone Barnette, pastor of Peace Baptist Church, will speak at 10:45 a.m. A Diamond Jubilee Reception & Memorabilia Museum follows the 10:45 service. Greenforest Baptist is led by senior pastor Dr. Emory Berry Jr. The Decatur church, which was incorporated on June 5, 1959, Tyrone Barnette was founded in 1958 with 135 charter members who met at Wadsworth Elementary School on Greenforest Drive in Decatur.
In 1977, as the demographics of South DeKalb changed from white to black, nearly all of the white church members, including the pastor, left the church in what became known as “The Exodus Experience.” The remaining members operated as a mission congregation for about 18 months under the guidance of the Atlanta Baptist Association and the leadership of the Rev. John H. Cross, former pastor of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. In 1979, the Rev. Dr. George O. McCalep Jr. became pastor of 25-member congregation, which affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1989, the church relocated to its current home, the 16-acre former Mt. Carmel Christian Church facility on Rainbow Drive.
It subsequently bought an additional 78 acres and over McCalep’s 27 years of visionary leadership, the church experienced expansion and growth in population, facilities, ministries. It opened a child care academy and private school, created a community development corporation that purchased an apartment building and worked to expand affordable home opportunity in the county, among others. McCalep died Dec. 23, 2006. The Rev. Dennis Mitchell succeeded him in 2007. Berry became pastor in August 2016. The church is at 3250 Rainbow Drive. For more information, visit www.greenforest.org or call 404-486-1120.
Christian film screened at Ray of Hope The Christian film “I Can Only Imagine,” song about his relationship with his father, which tells the story behind the bestselling played by Dennis Quaid. Other stars include Madeline Carroll, Priscilla Shirer, Cloris Christian single of all time, will be screened Leachman and Trace Adkins. Aug. 7 at Ray of Hope Movie Night. Produced for $7 million, “I Can The drama, praised by some critics Only Imagine” has already grossed as inspiring, was released March 16. It $85 million worldwide. It is the is directed by the Erwin Brothers and third highest-grossing music biopic written by Alex Cramer, Jon Erwin, of all-time in the United States. and Brent McCorkle. Movie Night starts at 7 p.m. It stars J. Michael Finley as Bart The church is at 2778 Snapfinger Millard, the lead singer of the Christian Road in Decatur. rock band MercyMe, who wrote the
CrossRoadsNews
August 4, 2018
Scene
7
“Our goal this year was to help families stretch their dollars by providing them with school supplies and fresh groceries.”
BBQ Blues and Bluegrass festival coming Agnes Scott grad to The Decatur BBQ Blues and Bluegrass Festival, founded in 2000 by the Decatur Preservation Alliance to save the old Decatur Train Depot, offers seven hours of eclectic music from entertainers like Cha Wa (below left) and others.
Grills will be working overtime at the 18th annual Decatur BBQ Blues and Bluegrass Festival on Aug. 11 in Harmony Park. Tasty meats, cold beer and the sound of blues and more will be on the menu from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The “classic” Southern barbecue event will also feature more than seven hours of original live music – including fusions of blues, jazz, country and rock – headlined by the likes of Chris Duarte, Miss Tess and the Talkbacks, Preston James, The Electromatics, Tyler Porch Band, Cha Wa, Jim White Duo and Kate Coleman.
Lots of tasty meats will be available at the “classic” Southern barbecue event in Harmony Park.
The festival, founded in 2000 by the Decatur Preservation Alliance to save the old Decatur Train Depot, has always donated a portion of proceeds to local organizations and schools. Kids up to age 12 attend for free. The park is at 630 East Lake Drive in Decatur. For more information, visit decaturbbqfestival.com.
discuss debut novel set in segregated Alabama Cheryl Reid will discuss her debut novel, “As Good As True,” on Aug. 6 at the Decatur Library. Critics describe the historical fiction, published in February, as “a powerful and haunting novel of a woman’s broken past and the painful choices she must make to keep her family and her home.” Set in segregated Alabama in 1956, “As Good As True” tells the story of Anna Nassad who, after a night of rage and terror, wakes up bruised and battered to find her abusive husband dead. As the daughter of Syrian immigrants, she has never belonged, and now her world is about to erupt. To compound matters, days before, Anna had invited the first black postman to deliver the mail Cheryl Reid to her house inside for a glass of water. That act raises doubts about her role in her husband’s death. Reid grew up in Decatur, Ala., studied art and writing at Agnes Scott College, and earned a master’s in fine arts degree in creative writing from Georgia State University. She lives with her husband and three children in Decatur, Ga. The discussion, which is part of the Georgia Center for Book’s Festival of Writers, is for adults 18 years and older. It takes place 7:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. The library is at 215 Sycamore St. in downtown Decatur. For more information, visit www.dekalblibrary.org.
Give stress the boot CHOICES moved thousands of book bags, food with color therapy at Vanetta Keyes, CHOICES executive director, declared Hundreds of children got free book bags and thousands of pounds of food at the Let’s Move! DeKalb Back-to-School the event a success. Scott Candler Library “Our goal this year was to help families stretch their Expo at the Intergenerational Center at Exchange Park on July 28. More than 1,600 people attended and more than 1,100 backpacks and 30,000 pounds of food were distributed to kids heading back to school. The event, in its eighth year, was organized by the Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully (CHOICES), DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, and the Fulton-Dekalb Hospital Authority. Families also got health, financial and nutrition information provided by local organizations.
dollars by providing them with school supplies and fresh groceries,” she said. “In this way, families could focus on the many other items needed get their children ready for school.” Johnson said the event shows that residents are practicing living well. “I’m really proud that collectively we were able to execute another great event that connected the residents of DeKalb County with resources, fresh vegetables, backpacks and school supplies for our children,” he said.
Halwood Ct., Lithonia, GA 30058. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 26, 2018. Witness the Honorable Gail Flake, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 26th day of July, 2018
Legal Notices 07/28, 08/04, 08/11, 08/18
Notice of Petition in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM1833-2 Joy-Alexis Outur PLAINTIFF VS Osadebanan Ode DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: 2918 Hemingway Lane Roswell, GA 30075 By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated May 17, 2018. You are hereby notified that May 8, 2018, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Joy-Alexis Outur, 4401 Luxembourg Way, Decatur, GA 30034. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 17, 2018. Witness the Honorable Asha F. Jackson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.
This the 17th day of July, 2018 07/28, 08/04, 08/11, 08/18
Notice of Petition in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM5526 Giana Shabazz PLAINTIFF VS Rosaldo Shabazz DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: Rosaldo Shabazz 1577 N. Military Trl. W. Palm Beach, FL 33409 By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated July 16, 2018. You are hereby notified that May 18, 2018, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Giana Shabazz, 5256 Golfcrest Circle, Stone Mountain, GA 30088. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of
08/04, 08/11, 08/18, 08/25
Notice of Petition in the Superior Court
July 17, 2018. Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 17th day of July, 2018 08/04, 08/11, 08/18, 08/25
Notice of Petition in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM7463 Shameka Burch PLAINTIFF VS Jarod Burch DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: Jarod Burch 3879 McGill Lane Decatur, GA 30034 By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated July 25, 2018. You are hereby notified that July 24, 2018, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Shameka Burch, 5908
of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM6710-3 Kiashanna Bragg PLAINTIFF VS Todd Bragg DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: Todd Bragg 2110 Dellwood Pl. Decatur, GA 30032 By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated July 27, 2018. You are hereby notified that Jun. 28, 2018, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Kiashanna Bragg, 3398 Tulip Dr., Decatur, GA 30032. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 27, 2018. Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 27th day of July, 2018 08/04, 08/11, 08/18, 08/25
Notice of Petition
Adults can color away their stress on Aug. 8 at the Scott Candler Library in Decatur. The session – “Relax and De-Stress with Color Therapy” – is funded by the Friends of the Scott Candler Library. It takes place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and includes free coloring sheets, and colored pencils, pens and markers will be available for use. It’s open to the first 15 participants. The library is at 1917 Candler Road. For more information, call 404-286-6986. in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM7466 Jeremiah Jenkins PLAINTIFF VS Candace Baker DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated July 27, 2018. You are hereby notified that July 23, 2018, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Jeremiah Jenkins, 65 Howard St., Atlanta, GA 30317. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 27, 2018. Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 27th day of July, 2018 08/04, 08/11, 08/18, 08/25
Notice of Petition in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM6239 Arnold Stewart PLAINTIFF VS
Moniqua Weaver DEFENDANT NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated July 20, 2018. You are hereby notified that June 15, 2018, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Arnold Stewart, 899 Forest Path, Stone Mountain, GA 30088. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 27, 2018. Witness the Honorable Daniel Coursey, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 27th day of July, 2018 08/04, 08/11, 08/18, 08/25
Notice of PetitioN TO CHANGE NAME(S) OF MINOR CHILD(REN) in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: 18FM7455 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION Joycelyn Zakiyyah Saboor filed petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on July 12, 2018, to change the name(s) of the following minor child(ren) from: Marqavious Zakee’ Bibbs to: Marqavious Zakee’-Bibbs Saboor. Any interest party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within the time prescribed in OCGA 19-12-I(f)(2) and (3). Dated: July 12, 2018
CrossRoadsNews
8
August 4, 2018
LeGAL
fABricS / uPhoLSterY
JHC
Marketplace
Johnson Hopewell Coleman, LLC “EXPERIENCED LAWYERS, EXPERIENCED MINDS”
MARKETPLACE RATES Place your MarketPlace line ad here – up to 20 words for $25. Additional words are $3 per block of five words (maximum 45 words). Boxed Ads (with up to 3 lines bold headline): $35 plus cost of the classified ad. Send ad copy with check or credit card information and contact phone number (if different from ad) to MarketPlace, CrossRoadsNews, 2346 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032, or e-mail to marketplace@crossroadsnews.com. Our deadlines are at noon on the Friday one week prior to publication, unless otherwise noted.
Personal Injury & Workers Comp • Family Law/Divorce/Custody • Wills/Probate/Trusts Bankruptcy • Criminal Defense • Corporate & Business Law • Immigration Law
4153 Flat Shoals Parkway | Bldg C Suite 322 | Decatur, GA 30034
P:404.289.2244 F:404.289.2888 www.bjhlawyers.com
FOR RENT/LEASE
PuBLic Notice
3 bdrm; 1 bath house; 2839 Mitchell Pl., Dec.; betwn McAfee & Columbia Dr.; $780. mo. + 1 mo. sec. dep.; R. Daniels 912313-2956
PuBLic Notice
HELP WANTED Custodian/Solid Rock AME Zion in Lith.; P/T;9am-1pm;Tues/ Thurs/Sat; exp. req; call 770-9813303;10am-1pm;Tues/Thurs. to apply; or leave VM w/your info for Mrs. Rowell
REAL ESTATE Buying or Selling - Any Property; Any Condition; your home sold in Real-Tyme; www.Real-Tymes. com or call 404-879-8002
DeNtAL BeNefitS
Business Slow?
Adver tise here
&
watch
GROW!
it
Call Catherine today for information!
404-284-1888
Celebrating a Decade of Education & Empowerment
6th Annual
SENIORS
Sign Up Now for
Early Bird Specials
Exp Expos
October 13, 2018 at the Mall at Stonecrest Noon - 5 p.m.
Food & Fitness Demos • Exhibitor s • Health Screenings • Enter tainment & Perfor mances
Award-Winning Community Expos
Limited number of sponsorships available. Call 404-284-1888 to confirm your participation.