CrossRoadsNews, December 24, 2011

HOLIDAY

SCENE

MINISTRY

Former Atlanta Falcon Chauncey Davis made Christmas a little brighter for 94 kids who received new bikes as part of his “Bike for L.I.F.E.” initiative. 6

Members of the Candler Road Senior Center get 145 blankets to help them stay warm this winter. 7

Area churches are celebrating Kwanzaa, and the start of a new year with Watch Night services. Kwanzaa celebration kicks off Dec. 26. 9

Let the good times roll

Blankets for seniors

Year-end celebrations

EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER

Copyright © 2011 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

December 24, 2011

Volume 17, Number 34

www.crossroadsnews.com

Retailers wringing everything out of comeback season

By Donna Williams Lewis

On Tuesday, with Christmas a mere five days away, these lunchtime patrons were getting their shopping on at the Gallery at South DeKalb.

The mall will be open until 8 p.m. on Dec. 24.

last week.

It now expects 2011 holiday sales to rise 3.8 percent to a record $469.1 billion.

The group’s initial forecast, announced on Oct. 6, anticipated a 2.8 percent rise in sales growth.

Henry Greene, manager of the Memorial Drive Walmart, said sales have been steady at his store since Black Friday, when they were “excellent.”

“We brought back layaway … that was a big volume producer,” he said.

Greene said that televisions and electronics really drove sales.

“There were $900 TVs that a year and a

It’s beginning to look a lot more like Christmas.

With the big day just hours away, lastminute Christmas shoppers are flocking to area retailers in search of gifts and groceries and maybe one more visit with the jolly extra-large guy in the red suit.

Retailers are opening late through Christmas Eve, offering consumers as many hours as possible to stack gifts under the tree.

After a blockbuster Black Friday weekend when 226 million consumers visited stores and shopped online and shelled out $52.4 billion in purchases, the National Retail Federation revised its holiday forecast upward Please see SHOPPING, Page 4

Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Santa’s Helpers to the Rescue Commissioner Larry Johnson with gifts donated by supporters of his Tree of Love campaign that benefits children in foster care.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Donna Brown and Tamara Sheppard of the South DeKalb YMCA Early Childhood Academies sort toys donated by Stan Watson supporters.

Outpouring of community support

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

been homeless for four years, was in search of a pair of jeans. She said she suffers from traumatic stress disorder after she was stabbed multiple times, and she is tired of not having a place of her own.

“I want a place so I can cook and be normal again,” she said.

Sixty-two-year-old Bernice Gaines was effusive in her praise for the church’s help.

“It’s such a blessing,” said Gaines, who has Type 2 diabetes. She has been homeless for about four years. Gaines says she sleeps at a shelter when there is room, and when there isn’t she huddles on the street.

She said she lost her apartment when she became ill and lost her job.

“I got behind on my bills,” she said. “If I paid the elec-

The holiday spirit is in full swing this season with Santa’s helpers feeding and clothing the homeless, lending a helping hand to families hard-hit by the economic recession, and collecting hundreds of toys for disadvantaged children.

Individuals, businesses, churches and elected officials are chipping in to do their part.

On Dec. 17, members of First Afrikan Presbyterian Church in Lithonia made sandwiches, packed goodie bags with toiletries, and took clothes and coats to homeless people gathered in a parking lot near a downtown Atlanta bus station.

Before they could set up their tables, they were Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews Homeless people swarmed First Afrikan Presbyterian Church members swarmed by homeless men, women and children.

Forty-nine-year-old Belinda Crooks, who said she Please see HELPERS, Page 4 (at right) on Dec. 17 when they offered food, toiletries and clothes.

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Holiday

CrossRoadsNews

December 24, 2011

“I just feel so blessed and appreciative of all of this. I thank God I have a support system like this.”

Tucker ballplayers show heart at Christmas

Tucker quarterback Jawaan Williams hugs William Hayes during the program.

Sasha Hayes was crying tears of joy on her 25th birthday.

Not because of the new jacket she received, but because of the newly wrapped toys her six children got for Christmas from Tucker High School’s football team.

On Dec. 16, a week after winning the AAAA state championship, the Tigers became Santa’s helpers when they surprised Hayes and four of her children along with Sasha Hayes three other families at Midvale Elementary School with bags filled with toys. Hayes felt overwhelmed by all the generosity.

“I just feel so blessed and appreciative of all of this,” said Hayes, who is raising her six children alone. “I thank God I have a support system like this.”

Team members have been mentoring

Photos by Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Four Midvale Elementary families received gifts from the Tucker High School Tigers on Dec. 16.

Hayes’ four boys – 8-year-old William, 7-year-old twins Xavier and Dimitri, and 6-year-old Montier – at the school all season as part of the team’s mentoring program.

Hayes said the players come to Midvale Elementary, also in Tucker, and help them with their homework and read to them.

“Their reading has improved since they’ve been working with them,” Hayes said. “They know how to spell their names now.”

Hayes, who works long hours at Zaxby’s in Tucker, said she appreciates the football players taking time out of their schedules to spend time with her boys.

“The hardest part is working hard and not having that one-on-one time with them,” she said. “I do make sure that I talk with them and explain that Mommy is working hard

because she loves you and wants to give you the best. And I think they understand that.”

Senior linebacker Justin River was happy to do something good for the young boys whom they have been working with since the start of the school year in August.

“I feel that I’m receiving a blessing by giving back to them,” he said.

The families were recommended to the team by Midvale counselor Adrienne Griffin.

“The Hayeses are a special family,” Griffin said. “Sasha is a hard worker and does so much for her children.”

Griffin said the football team has been mentoring students at the school for several years. They also mentor kids at Brockett, Idlewood and Livsey elementary schools.

Gun safety urged in slain boy’s memory New Year’s Eve revelers are being urged to stay away from guns in honor of 4-year-old Marquel Peters, who was killed by a stray bullet on Jan. 1, 2010.

Marquel was sitting beside his mother, Nathalee, at a Watch Night Service at the Church of God of Prophecy in Decatur when a bullet pierced Marquel Peters the roof of the church and struck him. He was declared death at the hospital.

The shooter was never identified.

In the wake of his death, DeKalb County launched “Marquel’s Pledge: Stop Celebratory Gunfire,” a community campaign to reduce celebratory gunfire in DeKalb and throughout Georgia.

The pledge is two-pronged.

First, the county is encouraging ammunition dealers to refrain from selling bullets on the days leading up to the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve and other holidays. Secondly, the county is working with citizens, neighborhood groups, community organizations, churches, and businesses to educate their neighbors, community and patrons about the dangers of celebratory gunfire and to encourage citizens to refrain from the practice, which can lead to serious injuries and fatalities.

Pledges can be submitted at www .dekalbcountyga.gov.

Exhibito Spaces G r oi Fast! ng

December 24, 2011

Community

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CrossRoadsNews

“There are great things about this form of government and fatal flaws.”

CEO government study urged

By Mary Swint

The DeKalb Board of Commissioners, which has been at odds with CEO Burrell Ellis, wants legislators to study the delineation of powers between the two arms of Lee May government.

The board voted 6-1 on Dec. 13 to approve a resolution requesting the DeKalb delegation to the General Assembly to create a charter commission to re-examine the county’s CEO form of government and recommend changes.

“The delineation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of DeKalb County government has been an ongoing source of conflict that has impeded the efficiency and effectiveness of the county government,” the resolution says.

Commissioner Lee May, who supported the resolution, said a professional study on the best form of government was needed.

“There are great things about this form of government and fatal flaws,” said May, who represents District 5.

But District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon, who cast the only vote against the resolution, said the timing was bad.

“There is a lot of turmoil and distraction involved in redistricting,” she said.

“Transportation and transit issues need to be on the front burner. This is not the time to bring this up.”

Ellis, who is completing the third year of his first four-year term as CEO, defends the county’s current form of government as progressive and not that unusual.

“There is more accountability with a CEO form of government than with a board

in which the accountability is diffused in many directions,” Ellis said.

Commissioner Jeff Rader, who suggested the formation of a charter commission in February 2010, said it is not intended as a reflection on the Kathie Gannon existing administration.

“It is important to have a commission composed of people qualified to make objective recommendations to make a stronger government,” he said.

If the study is done, the board’s presiding officer, Larry Johnson, said any recommendations would have to be approved in a referendum.

After the vote, Ellis said one in four U.S. counties has a CEO form of government, but that in some the title is mayor or county executive. He said some of the most populated urban counties have CEOs. He pointed out that two large counties in Ohio and Michigan added elected county executives to their commissions early this year.

In Georgia, Ellis said that Columbus also has a CEO form of government, with the mayor being the chief executive of a consolidated government that directs the executive branch of government and presides at City Council meetings. With a CEO form of government, a CEO who is elected countywide runs the operations of government, while the county commission sets policies, approves ordinances and adopts the budget.

A 2006 study of DeKalb government by state senators led to legislation that gave commissioners the power in 2009 to set their own agenda and preside over commission meetings. Prior to the change, the CEO did those functions.

Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Sheriff’s employees help needy families Lt. C. Bivins with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office helps Dontavious Brown with his gifts on Tuesday. Sheriff’s deputies partnered with Total Grace Christian Center and New Life Church to play Santa’s helpers to the Brown family and a dozen other families with 32 children. They also collected $1,000 in cash and toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign. Sheriff Thomas Brown said his team made him proud.

© 2011 Georgia Power

What is it that makes us different here?

Maybe it’s just knowing when to help. Here in Georgia, some people are having trouble paying their bills. You can help us help them. Just make a small donation to Project SHARE on your next Georgia Power bill. Or give online at GeorgiaPower.com/ProjectSHARE. Together with the Salvation Army we can show everyone what makes us different here.

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December 24, 2011

“The ambassadors can get involved as much as they want. There are no assigned hours or days.”

DeKalb seeks code enforcement ambassadors

By Mary Swint

DeKalb County is seeking volunteers to help identify code violations and clean up illegal signs in their communities.

The county’s Department of Planning & Sustainability is accepting applications for the Neighborhood Ambassador program, which it launched in October at One DeKalb’s Neighborhood Summit. So far about 35 residents have signed up.

Andrew Baker, the county’s interim planning director, said this

week that training sessions for the volunteers will begin in January and will total about four hours.

Training will provide an overview of the illegal signs ordinance and other code violations, such as parking on grass.

Baker said the county has 25 code enforcement officers in the field to serve about 700,000 residents. Neighborhood volunteers will fill out forms to report violations to the code enforcement officers, who will investigate further and issue necessary citations.

“The ambassadors can get in-

volved as much as they want. There are no assigned hours or days.”

As they walk their dogs or stroll through their neighborhoods, the volunteers will know when signs are illegally posted on rights of way and can remove them.

Baker hopes this will discourage people from reposting illegal signs after code enforcement or county employees pull them down.

At a Dec. 6 public meeting on code compliance, some residents from Brookhaven and the Wesley Chapel area brought bags full of illegal signs they had removed from

their neighborhoods, Baker said.

CEO Burrell Ellis proposed the Neighborhood Ambassador program, which is similar to a program the county had years ago. The county also is working on a process to make it easier for residents to track the progress of code violation cases and to know when specific cases are scheduled for hearings.

Applications and indemnification releases can be downloaded from www.onedekalb.com. For more information, call the Code Compliance Division at 404-6873700.

Benefactors donate food, clothes and toys to families HELPERS,

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.

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tric bill, I couldn’t pay the rent.”

She said the cold weather is getting to her.

Lucious Gundy, a deacon and member of First Afrikan Church Disciples of Service ministry, said the need is great.

“It doesn’t get any easier,” he said. “We’ve been coming out here for five or six years and the numbers of people just keep growing.”

On Saturday, Gundy said he saw more women and children than usual.

“Homelessness is a systemic problem,” he said. “Until the powers that be see that, it won’t go away.”

By noon that day, Santa’s helpers were trooping into the Gallery at South DeKalb to drop off gifts for Commissioner Larry Johnson’s Tree of Love.

Johnson said all 496 kids on his list, a fouryear high for the 13-year annual campaign, were adopted. He was touched by people’s generosity.

“This is a show of love,” Johnson said. “In the middle of a recession, DeKalb has proven that everybody has a heart and wants to give.”

Later that day, benefactors brought more than a hundred new and unwrapped toys to Commissioner Stan Watson’s annual Red & White event at the Community Achievement Center in Decatur.

The event raised toys for the YMCA’s early childhood centers in Decatur and Lithonia This year, former Shalamar vocalist Howard Hewett performed.

Tamara Sheppard, the Y Academies executive director, said both centers serve 600 children who will put the toys to good use.

“Thank you,” she said.

They also collected $1,000 in toys and On Monday, DeKalb Sheriff ’s deputies gave toys and gifts to a dozen families with 32 children donations for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for and sponsored single mother Rahshina Brown Tots campaign.

Sheriff Thomas Brown said he was “just so and her five children during their annual holiday charity and gift-giving event at the DeKalb very proud” of his team.

On Tuesday, 500 families from DeKalb Courthouse.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Above, First Afrikan Presbyterian members Ethelin Reynolds, Cendy Hutchinson and Carolyn Williams help make sandwiches for the homeless. At left, Sheriff Thomas Brown and some of his deputies pose with toys collected for Toys for Tots.

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office

Workforce Development and Goodwill each got complete a Christmas dinner with a turkey and all the trimmings from IPR Southeast Headquarters in Stone Mountain. IPR also gave away seven dinners to listeners who called in to Watson’s cable show that evening.

Last chance to catch St. Nick at area malls before Christmas SHOPPING,

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half ago were $2,000,” he said. “We haven’t seen any letup, no big dip or shoppers’ remorse.”

The Memorial Drive Walmart will be open during its regular hours of 6 a.m. to midnight until Christmas Eve, when it closes at 8 p.m. The store is closed Sunday.

With big-ticket items out of the way, many shoppers at his store tend to be going for the lower-cost items on their lists, such as gift sets and gift cards, Greene said.

“They might be shopping for the co-worker or the third cousin

who might give them something or the teacher they like,” he said.

Food sales haven’t diminished, either, he said, with kids out of school. And now with the holiday upon us, “this will be a big week for food,” he said.

If you’re looking for Santa Claus, you can find him at the Gallery at South DeKalb this week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Santa Fred, the mall’s African-American Santa, checks out promptly at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. He’s got a little traveling to do that night.

The Gallery at South DeKalb is

open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily this week until Friday, when it’s open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Christmas Eve hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

General manager Tene Gallemore said mall traffic has increased every week since Black Friday, with last week marking the greatest boost. She is anticipating a blockbuster week heading into Christmas Eve. “I think it helps us that we will be one of the last malls to close in the city,” she said, pointing out that they will close at 8 p.m. while most malls will close at 6 p.m. that day.

North DeKalb Mall and the Mall

at Stonecrest both close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. All three malls are closed on Christmas Day. North DeKalb Mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until Christmas Eve, when it closes at 6 p.m.

Kids can visit Santa Hugh from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Christmas Eve, when he takes off at 6 p.m.

The Mall at Stonecrest is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. this week until Christmas Eve, when it’s open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Kids can visit Santa Jack from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

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F.I.E.R.C.E. Dance Team................................. 11 Georgia Power................................................ 3 Home & Asset Ombudsman.......................... 11 Kidney & Hypertension Center....................... 8 Law Offices of Chris M. Toles......................... 11

New Creations Fitness.................................... 11 South DeKalb YMCA...................................... 11 The Davis Bozeman Law Firm, P.C.................. 3 The Herb Lady............................................... 11 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas..................... 11

Thomas Hambrick, Attorney at Law.............. 11 Toyota............................................................12 Westgate Resorts............................................6 Best Buy Co. Inc......................................Inserts Walgreens...............................................Inserts

December 24, 2011

CrossRoadsNews

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Holiday

CrossRoadsNews

December 24, 2011

“There is no better gift … than the gift of life through promoting healthy lifestyles and exercise year-round.”

Jaylin Mason shows off his new bicycle as mom Loretta Triche-Kamal looks on. Former Falcon Chauncey Davis donated the bikes as part of his “Bike for L.I.F.E.” initiative.

Donor offers inmates cheer This Christmas, inmates in the Mental Health Section of the DeKalb County Jail will have a little spending money to purchase candy, socks and other comfort items, compliments of an anonymous donor.

The inmates got $20 each from the parents of a former inmate named Nick.

In a Dec. 4 letter to the DeKalb Sheriff ’s Office, Nick’s family sent a check for $1,200 to be divvied up among the 60 inmates incarcerated in the jail’s Mental Health Section.

“You don’t know us, but our son Nick spent 20 days in the Mental Health Division of the DeKalb County Jail in February,” the letter said.

“He was very sick, but while he was there, he met a lot of people, had a lot of conversations, and learned a lot of things.

“One of the things he learned was that some of you have no one to visit with you and have no money to buy chocolate bars, socks, etc.

“He talked to me about that a lot when he got out of jail, and about the compassion he had for you.”

The letter said the couple wanted the inmates to know that Nick is thinking of them.

“We are honoring Nick by giving each of you $20 to be used at the Jail Commissary,” the letter said.

In a press release, Sheriff Thomas Brown said he was touched by Thomas Brown the couple’s gratitude.

“This is the first time in my 11 years with the Sheriff ’s Office that parents of another inmate have shown this type of love,” Brown said. “They are ones who have seen firsthand the mental health issues that have, to some degree, been criminalized,” he said.

Nick’s parents said they donated the money to the inmates in the Mental Health Section in an effort to brighten the spirits of those who are in the place their son once occupied.

Former Falcon donates bicycles to 94 kids The bike Santa visited 94 kids when former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Chauncey Davis donated bicycles just in time for Christmas.

Davis, who now plays for the Chicago Bears, gave the bikes as part of his third annual “Bike for L.I.F.E.” initiative to encourage physical fitness and combat childhood obesity and diabetes.

During the Dec. 19 event at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium in Decatur, Davis, who maintains his permanent residence in metro Atlanta, said he is dedicated to working with youth in Atlanta, Chicago and in his hometown of Auburndale, Fla. “There is no better gift I can think of than the gift of life through promoting healthy lifestyles and exercise year-round,” he said.

Davis established his nonprofit Chauncey Davis Foundation in 2007 shortly after his mother lost a leg to complications from diabetes.

“Diabetes has totally changed my life and my mother’s life,” Davis said. “If I can expose young people to a different way of life, then their story may not have to be my mother’s story. I would consider it a big win.”

Portia Andrews, 10, gets help with her helmet from Bruce Morton of the Metro Atlanta Cycling Club. She said she plans to ride her new bike around her neighborhood.

Photos by Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews

The kids who got bikes were identified by DeKalb Parks & Recreation and the DeKalb County Child Advocacy Office.

Portia Andrews of Decatur said it was a blessing that her 10-year-old granddaughter, also named Portia Andrews, got a bicycle for Christmas.

“She wouldn’t have gotten anything if she had not gotten this bike,” Andrews said.

Young Portia was ecstatic.

“I’m going to ride it around my neigh-

borhood,” she said.

Along with the bike, the kids also got bicycle helmets signed by Davis, foundation board member and DeKalb Commissioner Lee May, and UpFront Records owner DeVyne Stephens.

Since its inception, the foundation has worked to promote health and wellness, nutrition and diabetes awareness.

For more information, visit www.chauncey davisfoundation.org.

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CrossRoadsNews

December 24, 2011

Scene

“Studies show that for every one degree that you lower your thermostat, you save at least one percent on your heating bill.”

Humana representatives Angela Williams Johnson and Eric Douglas show one of the 145 blankets donated Dec. 16 to the South DeKalb Senior Center.

Bridget (Rene Zellweger) talks with her boss (Hugh Grant) in a scene from “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” which will be shown at Toco Hill Library.

Bridget Jones story on film

Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Donated blankets to keep seniors warm

By Carla Parker

When the temperature dips, the DeKalb 100 Black Women chapter wants to make sure senior citizens have blankets to keep them warm.

The chapter and health insurance provider Humana donated 145 woolen blankets to the South DeKalb Senior Center on Dec. 16 during the center’s annual Christmas Gala.

The donation is a part of the chapter’s HeatSmart Campaign, an initiative of Northwest Woolen Mills.

Kimberly Cameron, past president of the chapter, said the blankets will help the seniors save money on their heating bill.

“Studies show that for every one degree that you lower your thermostat, you save at least one percent on

your heating bill,” she said. “If you can lower your thermostat over a number of months, you can save $800 to $1,000 on your bill.”

Humana, which is one of Georgia’s Medicare Advantage providers, focuses its services on seniors.

The HeatSmart Campaign was created to provide an easy-to-launch efficiency program. The 100 Black Women is the first community organization in the state to participate in HeatSmart and to join forces with Humana to help area seniors.

Helen Mobley of Stone Mountain, who is 77 years old, said she will put the blanket to good use when she gets home from the senior center.

“I like to go home in the evenings and sit up in my chair and wrap up and go to sleep,” she said. “[The blankets] are going to be lovely for that.”

King parade seeking volunteers Groups and volunteers are needed to participate in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Rally in downtown Stone Mountain on Jan. 16.

The parade and rally, which is in its 10th year, is sponsored by the DeKalb NAACP. It commemorates the Jan. 15, 1929, birthday of the slain civil rights icon and is held annually on the national holiday.

The parade takes place at 12:30 p.m. on Main Street in the Village of Stone Mountain.

Sarah Copelin-Wood, who chairs the parade and rally Committee, says participants are asked to line up no later than 11:30 a.m. in the MARTA parking lot on Fourth Street.

The rally takes place immediately after parade in the Champion Middle School gym, 5265 Mimosa Drive in Stone Mountain.

Copelin Wood says volunteers are needed to work with the planning committee, to make donations and to assist parade participants.

For more information, contact CopelinWood at schoolsandcommunity@yahoo.com or 404 371-1490.

The romantic comedy “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, will be screened Dec. 30 at the Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library in Decatur.

The R-rated film, which was released in 2001, is being shown as part of the DeKalb Library’s Friday afternoons mix of new releases and old favorites.

It tells the story of Bridget Jones, a woman struggling with her age, her weight, her job, her lack of a man, and her many imperfections. As a New Year’s resolution, Bridget decides to take control of her life, starting by keeping a diary in which she will always tell the complete truth.

The fireworks begin when her boss takes an interest in her.

Thrown into the mix are Bridget’s band of slightly eccentric friends and a rather disagreeable acquaintance that Bridget cannot seem to stop running into or help find attractive.

The screening begins at 1:30 p.m. The movie is an hour and 37 minutes long.

Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library is at 1282 McConnell Drive.

For more information, call 404-679-4404.

Leaping Lizards!

We’re Back!

The dance workshop at Ebster Gym in Decatur will be followed by a Kwanzaa program celebrating Kuumba, creativity.

Free African dance class for all ages Adults and kids can learn dance moves at a free African Dance Workshop and Kwanzaa Celebration on Dec. 31 at the Ebster Gym in Decatur.

Hosted by the Uhuru Dancers, the dance class will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m., followed by a Kwanzaa program from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The group will celebrate Kuumba (creativity), one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

The Ebster Gym is at 404 W. Trinity Place in Decatur. For more information, call 1-888-249-8311 or visit www.uhuru dancers.com.

DeKalb Library’s holiday closings All DeKalb Public Library branches will be closed Dec. 24-26 in observance of the Christmas holidays. On Dec. 31, all branches will close at 5 p.m. and remain closed through Jan. 2 in observance of the new year.

The Doraville Library also was closed Dec. 19-23 for staff furlough days.

For more information, visit www.dekalb .public.lib.ga.us.

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CrossRoadsNews

Wellness

December 24, 2011

“I tell my patients to mind their Ps and Qs – P stands for portion and Q for quality.”

Put emergency ready kits under the tree, in New Year’s plans It’s not the typical gift you’d find under the Christmas tree, but Georgia Emergency Management officials hope to add emergency preparedness to your Christmas list and your New Year’s resolutions.

The state had its share of severe weather this year – from a crippling freeze to deadly tornadoes, and GEMA’s Ready Georgia campaign is asking all residents, families and businesses to make a Ready Kit one of their Christmas presents and make preparedness one of their New Year’s resolutions.

Charley English, director of GEMA/ Homeland Security, said recent natural disasters offer unfortunate reminders of the importance of preparedness.

“As you gather with friends and family to celebrate the holidays, take the time to talk about preparedness,” English said. “Make a resolution you can keep and ring in the new year with a plan in place.”

A 2011 GEMA survey found that eight

A well-stocked Ready Kit can be invaluable in the event of a large-scale disaster.

out of 10 Georgians admit that preparation, planning and emergency supplies will help them handle a large-scale disaster, yet only one in 10 has taken the necessary steps toward personal preparedness.

To prepare for man-made or natural disasters, Ready Georgia recommends: n Create a Ready kit of emergency supplies including nonperishable food, water, a NOAA all-hazards weather radio and flashlight with extra batteries. n Develop a communications plan to reconnect with family. n Stay informed about the types of emergencies that can happen in your area and appropriate responses.

Visitors to www.ready.ga.gov can create an online profile to receive a tailored plan for the family that includes the specific amount of supplies to put in their household Ready kits. They also can find local emergency contact information, learn about Georgiaspecific disasters, and read preparedness testimonials from local sports stars.

Employers can use the Ready Your Business (www.ready.ga.gov/Your-Business) guide to create contingency plans, and

children can visit www.ready.ga.gov/GetInvolved/ReadyKids for age-appropriate information, videos and games.

For preparedness on the go, families also can download Ready Georgia’s free mobile app (www.ready.ga.gov/mobileapp) to learn how to prepare for emergencies and create family communications plans.

Research has revealed that individuals aware of the Ready Georgia campaign are more than twice as likely to be prepared for a large-scale emergency as others – ultimately increasing their chance of surviving a potentially deadly storm and reconnecting with loved ones after a disaster.

“Being prepared is the best defense against the unexpected, so use this opportunity to learn how to become your own first responder during emergency situations,” English said. “Tornadoes, storms and floods can devastate communities, but the damage can be minimized if we’re prepared.”

Company drops plans to build controversial coal plant in state A New Jersey-based energy company has canceled plans to build a coal-fired power plant in southwest Georgia that environmental groups have been fighting for 10 years.

LS Power announced on Dec. 12 that it will cancel plans to build the 1,200-megawatt Longleaf Energy Station in Blakely. The station was opposed by the Sierra Club, Friends of the Chattahoochee and the Atlanta-based nonprofit law firm GreenLaw. Colleen Kiernan, director of the Sierra Club’s Georgia chapter, said the victory represented the best work of activists and environmentalists – “combining the power of the courts, the power of the people and the power of the press.”

“This is not just a victory for the individuals and organizations fighting this plant, but also for all Georgians, who are now safe from a major new source of toxic air pollution,” Kiernan said.

The environmental groups said 160 proposed coal plants have been canceled since the Sierra Club launched its Beyond Coal campaign in 2005. The legal battle over the Longleaf plant made national and international news when Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore ruled that the plant’s air quality permit was illegal because it failed to provide any limits on emissions of carbon dioxide, a decision that was later overturned.

But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted much of the legal reasoning of the decision in promoting rules to limit carbon dioxide emissions from larger industrial facilities.

The legal agreement between LS Power and the Sierra Club also requires LS Power to abandon its proposed Plum Point 2 coal plant in Arkansas and imposes strict new limits on air pollution from the new Sandy Creek coal plant in Texas. The agreement requires LS Power to withdraw all requests for permits in Georgia and Arkansas and that any issued permits be rescinded or revoked.

Justine Thompson, GreenLaw’s executive director, said that Georgia needs to rethink

its approach to energy.

“Longleaf ’s cancellation is one of dozens that have swept the nation, which raises the question: When will state officials finally learn that Georgia’s citizens deserve better than coal?” Thompson said. “Georgia has a promising future – but to be a serious player in the global economy while also ensuring that we have clean air and water, Georgia needs to embrace energy efficiency and more renewable sources of energy.”

Environmental and public health organizations continue to fight coal plant proposals for central and southeast Georgia.

For more information, visit www.green law.org/Longleaf.

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Experts say Dr ago adv ises snacking patterns choosing snacks with should be tailored “staying power,” those to an individual’s that will prevent you preferences, schedfrom eating too much ule and medication. Three crackers with a slice of cheese make a better-quality snack than a chocolate bar. later in the day. This But the bottom line is that the best snacking pattern involves a means your snacks should include some fat custom plan that fits comfortably into your and some protein to slow food absorption lifestyle and helps keep your Type 2 diabetes and keep you feeling full longer. Stay away from foods heavy in carbohydrates, like sugunder control.

For example, someone taking insulin ary desserts. can use a snack to help prevent a drop in blood sugar between meals. Someone else Plan ahead Plan snacks in advance to make sure might have a snack while preparing dinner to relieve hunger and keep from overeating healthy choices are available and to prevent overeating. before dinner is ready.

But snacking can work against you if you Snacking in general can help spread out food intake over the course of a day, helping take it too far.

Dr. Thomas Wolever, a University of Toto lower blood lipids and glucose for people ronto professor of nutritional sciences, says with Type 2 diabetes.

The right snack and the right time to that research shows that when people with eat are equally important. Here are tips for Type 2 diabetes eat six meals a day instead of three, they tend to overeat and, in turn, gain selecting that perfect snack. weight, which overcomes any potential benefit of managing blood glucose and lipids.

Choose quality Since weight control is often a primary Lorena Drago, a registered dietitian and diabetes educator with the American Asso- concern for people with Type 2 diabetes, ciation of Diabetes Educators, has a catchy snacking carefully and strategically is very way to remember the important criteria for important.

Some people with diabetes may have a a good snack.

“I tell my patients to mind their Ps and hard time stopping after eating one handQs – P stands for portion and Q for quality,” ful of tasty cashews – a tightly restricted eating schedule might work better for these she said.

Keeping snack portion sizes small is im- people.

Patients should examine their own lifeportant, but so is choosing quality, healthy snacks. For example, three crackers with one style, personality and medication before slice of cheese is a better-quality snack than deciding whether snacking is a healthy approach for tackling their diabetes. a chocolate bar.

9

CrossRoadsNews

December 24, 2011

Ministry

The theme of this year’s celebration is “To Be African – To Be Family – To Be Awesome – To Be Whole.”

Kwanzaa Celebration at First Afrikan illuminates principles Each night, church elders at First Afrikan will share wisdom about each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. There will be children’s crafts and a marketplace.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

First Afrikan Church’s annual Kwanzaa Celebration kicks off Dec. 26 at the Lithonia church.

The celebration, which is in its 16th year, teaches children and adults how to observe the cultural holiday that runs through Dec. 31.

This year’s theme is “To Be African – To Be Family – To Be Awesome – To Be Whole.”

It is part of a national restoration campaign organized by the Institute for the Advanced Study of Black Family, Life and Culture Inc., founded by Dr. Wade Nobles, a black psychologist and San Francisco State University professor.

Kwanzaa is based on the Nguzo Saba or seven principles – Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (cre-

ativity) and Imani (faith).

The Kwanzaa programs begin at 7 p.m. Each night, a Kwanzaa candle will be lit for the principle being observed, and church elders will share wisdom about the principle.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for the Children’s Kwanzaa Crafts and the Afrikan Marketplace on Dec. 27, 28 and 29.

On Dec. 30, the Kwanzaa Celebration will be at the Lou Walker Senior Center on Panola Road.

It returns to the church on Dec. 31. The Kwanzaa program at 7 p.m. takes place before the church’s Umoja Karamu-Watch Night Service beginning at 10.

For more information and vending opportunities for the Afrikan Marketplace, call 770-981-2601. First Afrikan Church is at 5197 Salem Road in Lithonia.

The Nguzo Saba Kwanzaa is based on seven principles called the Nguzo Saba.

Dr. Maulana Karenga, who is credited with creating Kwanzaa in 1966, explains the principles below: Umoja (unity) – teaches us the oneness of life, the kinship and common interests of humanity, our interrelatedness and interdependence, the needful foundation of family and community, and good of gathering together in mutual respect and harmony.

Kujichagulia (self-determination) – teaches us to uphold the right and responsibility to live free and dignityaffirming lives, to bear witness to the beauty and goodness of being African in the world, to hold fast to the culture that calls us into being and sustains us, to reaffirm the sacredness of our lives and our history, and leave it as an eternal legacy for those who come after us.

Ujima (collective work and responsibility) – teaches us our shared responsibility for the work and struggle for good in the world, and to be actively concerned about the well-being of the world and to seek always common ground in the midst of our many differences.

Ujamaa (cooperative economics) – teaches us to uphold the right of all people to the good and wealth of the world, and to reaffirm the ethical urgency for a just equitable distribution.

Nia (purpose) – teaches us to understand and assert ourselves, to embrace sacrifice, service.

Kuumba (creativity) – teaches us the ethical obligation to leave our community and world more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (faith) – teaches us to hold fast to the faith of our ancestors who taught us to believe in the sacred and Transcendent, and in the good, the right and the possible.

Watch Night, New Year’s Eve events Area churches will teem with worshippers on Dec. 31 for annual New Year’s Eve services.

From Decatur to Stone Mountain, church members will sing, pray, perform and testify about God’s goodness in 2011 and his promise for a better 2012.

Here are some area services: n Beulah Missionary Baptist Church is

holding a Watch Night Service at 10 p.m.

Worshippers who want to park in the church lot should arrive early.

The church is at 2340 Clifton Springs Road in Decatur. 404-241-3307.

E. Dewey Smith Jr. The church is at 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway. Visit www.greatertravelersrest.org or call 404-243-9336. n Greenforest Community Baptist Church is hosting two worship services on Dec. 31.

The early service is at 6:30 p.m. for everyone who cannot attend the 10:45 p.m. service.

From 7 to 9 p.m., children and teens will attend a free Atlanta Scavenger Hunt at Atlantic Station, followed by a 10-to-midnight Watch Night Service at the church. They will meet at the church before heading to Atlantic Station. On Jan. 1, the 10 a.m. Fulfillment Hour Sunday school will be followed by a worship service at 11.

The church is at 3250 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. Visit www.greenforest.org or call 404-486-1120.

n Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church’s Watch Night Service will start at 9:30 p.m. Bishop Miles E. Fowler will deliver a sermon. The service will include testimonials and music by the choir. Teens and children will discuss the events of 2011 and think n Green Pastures Christian Ministries is of ways to make 2012 a better year. holding its Watch Night Service at 10 p.m.

The church is at 3800 Big Miller Grove Apostle Collette Lewis Gundy will deliver Way in Lithonia. 770-981-3800. the sermon. Doors will open at 9.

The church at 5455 Flat Shoals Parkway n First Afrikan Presbyterian Church will in Decatur. 770-987-8121. host its annual Umoja Karamu-Watch Night Service beginning at 10 p.m. n New Birth Missionary Baptist Church The narrated service includes songs, will ring in the new year with two services – dance and spoken word, and worshippers at 6 and 9:30 p.m. will eat samples of gold, white, black, green The sanctuary will open at 5 for the 6 and red foods to symbolize stages in the p.m. service and at 8:30 for the 9:30 service. struggle for freedom – enslavement, emanci- Buses will pick up worshippers from the pation, freedom movement and the future. MARTA Indian Creek train station at 5 and The Rev. Dr. Mark Ogunwale Lomax will 8:30 p.m. deliver the message just before midnight.

New Birth is at 6400 Woodrow Road in The church is at 5197 Salem Road in Lithonia. 770-696-9600.

Lithonia. 770-981-2601. n Saint Philip AME Church will have two n Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church is New Year’s Eve worship services – at 8 and holding its Watch Night Service at 10 p.m. in 10. The Rev. Dr. William D. Watley, senior pastor, will deliver the message and the W.N. the Hope Cathedral.

The church will bring in the New Year Griffin Gospel Choir will sing.

Saint Philip is at 240 Candler Road S.E. “GTR” style with dynamic praise, spirit-filled worship and an illustrated sermon by Pastor in Atlanta. 404-371-0749.

The Beulah Community Family Life Center A Ministry of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church Reverend Jerry D. Black, Pastor 2340 Clifton Springs Road • Decatur, GA 30034 678-553-6030 • www.beulahbaptist.org/flc

“Enriching Lives... Building a Community”

10

CrossRoadsNews

Schools

December 24, 2011

“I am indebted to the school system that gave me the opportunity to grow from a football coach … and leave as athletic director.”

DeKalb Schools inks T-Mobile deal for cell towers at schools Despite growing opposition to the School Board’s decision to allow cell phone towers, DeKalb School Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson signed the lease on Dec. 8 that empowers T-Mobile to construct towers on the property of nine schools.

Atkinson, along with School Board Chairman Thomas Bowen, inked the deal for the 30-year lease that allows T-Mobile to erect and operate cell towers at six elementary schools, two high schools and a comprehensive school.

Six of the schools are located in South DeKalb.

Over the life of the lease, T-Mobile will pay the school district just over $2.3 million in rent.

The schools are Flat Rock and Princeton elementary and MLK Jr. High in Lithonia; Briarlake and Narvie J. Harris elementary in Decatur; Smoke Rise Elementary in Stone Mountain; Jolly Elementary in Clarkston; and Lakeside High and Margaret Harris Comprehensive School in Atlanta.

Schools spokesman Walter Woods said that the first towers will be up by March.

Since the approval of the cell towers, parents and residents who live near the targeted schools have voiced their opposition.

They point to health risks to the students and to the effect of the towers on their property values.

Woods said that T-Mobile will pick a location to build the cell tower at each site to ensure that they are inconspicuous and do not interfere with school day activities.

But according to the lease, T-Mobile plans to demolish the Briarlake Elementary School’s outdoor auditorium to build a cell tower.

Stephanie Byrne, president of No Briarlake Tower LLC, said she was disappointed by the decisions of the School Board and Atkinson.

“We are now reaching out to T-Mobile to give them a chance to do the right thing and find another location for these towers,” she said.

Star linebacker heads to Vanderbilt

DeKalb Athletics director retires

By Carla Parker

After 25 years with the DeKalb School System, athletics director Ron Sebree retired on Dec. 16.

Sebree is leaving DeKalb to be the next athletics director for the Social Circle City School District beginning Feb. 1.

Sebree served as athletics director for Ron Sebree the DeKalb system for four years and takes pride in the fact that more than 780 students received over $45 million in scholarships on his watch.

“I will always have a special place in my heart for DeKalb County Schools,” Sebree said. “I am indebted to the school system that gave me the opportunity to grow from a football coach to assistant principal and leave as the athletic director.”

During his tenure, Sebree guided the DeKalb Athletics Department in improving the quality of equipment and uniforms to meet the standards of the Georgia High School Association and National Federation of High Schools; oversaw the enhancement of the Athletics Web page; and helped implement the Senior All-Star events in football, baseball, basketball, soc-

total tackles, five sacks, four caused fumbles and three When Stephenson High fumbles recovered. students return to school on Of course colleges were Jan. 4, the senior class will be falling all over him. missing a star athlete.

He received athletic Darreon Herring, one of scholarship offers from the top outside linebackers 17 schools, including the in the state, graduated from University of Arkansas, Stephenson a semester early Clemson University, the and will enroll at Vanderbilt University of Miami and University in Nashville, Stanford University.

Tenn., on Jan. 9.

He said he picked VanHerring, 18, who was derbilt, which has had only offered a full athletic scholfour winning seasons since arship to play for the Com1959, because of its new modores, said he is excited Darreon Herring graduated a coaching staff and the posto start college early. semester early from Stephenson. sibility of leaving a legacy.

“I’ll get an early feel of “I want to build someliving on my own and playing college foot- thing that they never had – back-to-back ball. I’m looking forward to starting school winning seasons.” and starting a new life.”

But athletics was not his only reason.

Plus, Herring joked, his parents are ready Herring, who plans to major in pre-law or to get him out of the house. He graduated premed, said he also chose Vanderbilt for its with a 3.3 GPA because he started going academics. to summer school after ninth grade to get With his early start, Herring will have ahead. an advantage over other freshmen starting Ranked 23rd overall in Georgia and 28th school next fall. “It gives me time to learn the on ESPNU Top 100 outside linebackers, plays and get stronger,” he said. “I’ll also get Herring finished his senior season with 109 a chance to play spring football.”

cer and softball.

Sebree also focused on middle school sports to aid in the building of the varsity programs that have brought home team state championships in football, basketball, soccer, baseball and track.

He said the department was able to accomplish many of its goals.

“We also improved accountability for funds we collected through ticket sales, stadium rentals, concessions, advertisements and sponsorships as well as for the expenditures in purchasing equipment, uniforms and supplies,” he said.

The Social Circle position represents a homecoming for Sebree, who began his coaching and teaching career there in 1981 and stayed five years, serving as offensive line coach and defensive coordinator as well as junior varsity basketball coach.

He joined the staff at Columbia High in DeKalb in 1986. From 1988 to 1998, he was head football coach. He went on to become an assistant principal a year and a half, then joined the Central Office Athletic Department as athletic coordinator in fall 2002.

Sebree said he’s excited about his new job.

“I will get the opportunity to work with some of my former players and their children in a place that has always been special to me.”

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CrossRoadsNews

December 24, 2011

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CrossRoadsNews

December 24, 2011