FINANCE
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
WELLNESS
Downtown Stone Mountain is ready to break ground on a long-awaited facelift that will include wider sidewalks for outdoor dining, decorative lighting, benches and other amenities. 6
Genealogists can gain tips on how to search their family’s roots at a Family History Symposium at the National Archives in Morrow on Feb. 20. 7
After years of steep declines in the 1990s, a new report shows a disturbing trend – the teenage pregnancy rate is heading back up. 12
New look in store
Lessons in genealogy
February 6, 2010
Copyright © 2010 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
Teen pregnancies up
Volume 15, Number 40
www.crossroadsnews.com
Five firefighters fired in wake of woman’s death By Lee Williams
The list of casualties from the Jan. 24 fire that killed 74-year-old Ann Bartlett in her Dunwoody home just keeps growing. By Feb. 3, DeKalb Fire Rescue Chief David Foster had resigned, and two captains, two battalion chiefs and an acting officer had been fired by the county. The first fallout came Jan. 29 when Public Safety Director William Miller fired acting Officer William J. Greene, Capt. Tony L. Motes and Battalion Chiefs Lesley Clark and Bennie J. Paige for neglect of duty. On Feb. 3, he also terminated Capt. Sell Caldwell for neglect of duty. The five fired firefighters were among the crew that responded to the early morn-
Sell Caldwell III
Lesley Clark
William Greene
ing 911 call from Bartlett reporting a fire in her home in the 1600 block of Houghton Court. The firefighters left saying they couldn’t see a blaze. When the fire department was called to the home a second time, it was engulfed in flames. Bartlett’s body was found in the ga-
Tony Motes
Bennie Paige
“They did not find the person who made the 911 call. No one walked up this hill to her house. No one knocked on her neighbor’s door asking questions.” David Foster, who had been DeKalb fire chief since 2003, resigned on Feb. 1. Altogether, he spent 15 years with the department on two separate stints. CEO Burrell Ellis immediately named Deputy Chief Eddie O’Brien as acting chief. O’Brien’s brother, Bill, is the county’s acting police chief. Shelia Edwards, Ellis’ spokeswoman, said Thursday that Foster’s resignation was not related to the Bartlett fire and that he
rage. Her dog and cat also died in the fire. Bartlett’s daughter, Ruth Bartlett, flanked by the family’s attorney, expressed disappointment with the fire department’s response to the fire. “She paid her taxes in DeKalb County for 41 years, yet when she needed DeKalb County, they did not find her,” she said. Please see FIREFIGHTERS, page 3
Lengthy unemployment frustrating job seekers Job seekers wait Wednesday for service at the DeKalb Career Center on Covington Highway in Decatur. In January, 10.1 percent or 38,644 DeKalb residents were out of work.
By Lee Williams
To some, they’re nameless and faceless, but the nearly 39,000 DeKalb residents who make their way through the unemployment line daily were once your gym attendant, bus driver, and even your auto body technician. They are people with marketable skills, but because of the pervasive economic recession, they find themselves in a sea of jobseekers – trying to stand out. Gary Byron, 59, of Stone Mountain, is just one of 38,644 out-of-work residents in DeKalb, struggling to find a job. The former bus driver lost his job with a small company that transports patients in February 2009 and has been jobhunting for a year. He says it’s difficult to find a job when there’s so much competition, and so few positions. In January, DeKalb’s unemployment rate reached 10.1 percent, just behind the state’s rate of 10.3 percent. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 10 percent. In July last year, the DeKalb’s unemployment rate reached 10.8 percent with 42,170 out of work. In neighboring Rockdale County, the unemployment rate was 11.9 percent last month. Byron said many of the employers he meets tell him they simply aren’t hiring, or they seem to prejudge him. “When I come in they say this old man only has a few years before he retires,” he said Wednesday while visiting the DeKalb Career Center on Covington Highway in Decatur. “They don’t say it to your face because they would be liable, but you just feel it.” Twenty-seven year old Jessica Murphy, of Chamblee has been out of work since December 2008. The former college admissions representative said living without a job has really been “scary.” “I lost my house,” said Murphy, staring at the floor in the DeKalb Career Center
Lee Williams / CrossRoadsNews
on Covington Highway in Decatur on Thursday. “I lost everything.” Sarah Reeves, 31, of Decatur, lost her graphics design job on Jan. 29. She said the firm, which once employed 500 people and provided advertising to apartment complexes and real estate firms, lost business as the real estate industry tanked. “My company had been having hard times,” said Reeves, who had been with the company for nine years. “This was the fourth round of layoffs, so the writing was on the wall.” Unemployment benefits, which cap at $330 for 26 weeks, help but is not a lot to live on. Byron said he had cut back on leisure spending and focus on life’s necessities. “I need a hair cut and I can’t afford it,” he said. “Sometimes I want a steak and I can only afford a hotdog. I had to cut off the cable and hook the antenna back up.” Ruby Bolden, 65, of Clarkston, admits when she’s job searching online it’s hard to
stay focused on the positives. She lost her job as a gym attendant at a Stone Mountain apartment complex in October when the property changed hands. “They brought their own people in and I was out of a job,” she said Tuesday while filing her unemployment claim. Bolden feels that older workers are at greater disadvantage in this economy. “I’ve been looking for a while,” she said. “When you put that age up there, they don’t call you back.” Charles Rice, 40, of Ellenwood, lost his landscaping job six months ago. He said he gets lots of good job leads, but he believes his felony theft conviction causes some employers to shy away. “I tell them I’m trying to change and I’m trying to be honest, and a lot of times they hold it against you,” Rice said. “With the economy the way it is, they can screen a lot of candidates out.” Despite the pitfalls, he is optimistic he will find an employer that will give him a
second chance. “I know I’m a good candidate,” Rice said while searching for job leads at the career center. “I know if I stay positive, I’ll find something. God will make a way out of no way.” After three consecutive layoffs, Jim Harris, 64, of Atlanta, holds little hope for the future. An auto body technician for 37 years, he said things were good for a while. “I worked for Nally Chevrolet, they closed,” Harris said. “I worked for SpaldingLincoln-Mercury, they closed. I worked for Bill Heard and they closed up in December ‘08. I brought my tools home and I didn’t work all of ‘09.” Harris, a Vietnam veteran with a Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars and other honors, said that given the number of jobseekers, and the state of the economy, he isn’t sure he will find work. “We’ve never been in a day like this one,” he said.
2
CrossRoadsNews
2010 Health & Wellness Expo
February 6, 2010
Scenes from CrossRoadsNews’ Jan. 30 expo focussing on good health, held Jan. 30 at the Mall at Stonecrest.
The Top Notch Dance Krew (above) and other dance groups drew huge crowds (below left) with energetic routines and fitness demonstrations that encouraged people to get up and move.
Grand prize winner André Constant of Ellenwood is joined by (from left) CrossRoadsNews publisher Jennifer Parker, Kay R. Milliner of U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism Board and Lillian Miller of LT Travel Connection. Gospel singer Sonya McGuire entertained the audience with inspirational messages in song.
Exhibitors at the Expo offered a range of services including free screenings for prostate cancer, diabetes, hypertension and HIV/AIDS, prize giveaways (center) and free massages.
A representative from Samson’s Fitness Center demonstrated a fitness routine using exercise balls. At right, audience members enjoy a presentation from the Main Stage in front of Macy’s. Dr. Kristi Kinsey of DeKalb Medical Physicians discussed hypertension, its causes and consequences during the five-hour expo.
CrossRoadsNews Photos by Jennifer Ffrench Parker, Curtis Parker and Lee Williams
February 6, 2010
Community
3
CrossRoadsNews
“I have decided that while I do have future aspirations in public service, I must remain a steadfast voice for my constituents.”
ADA running for Superior Court May nixes run for Congress ty, has a law degree from Emory Assistant District Attorney University and an undergraduate Courtney Johnson will be rundegree from Georgetown Univerning for the seat being vacated sity. She lives in Lithonia. by DeKalb Superior Court Judge She said her parents taught Robert Castellani, who is retiring her to take responsibility for her in December. community. She said running Johnson, 35, prosecutes felfor the bench fits in with that ony crimes, including murder, teaching. rape, domestic violence, armed Courtney Johnson “As a Superior Court judge, I robbery and drug trafficking. Prior to joining the district attorney’s would have the opportunity to further enoffice, she was as a DeKalb assistant solic- sure that justice is accessible to all citizens in this county,” she said. itor-general. The election will be in November. Johnson, who grew up in DeKalb Coun-
PRISM to hear about budget DeKalb County’s proposed 2010 bud- will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The church is at 5365 Memorial Drive get will be on the agenda at Pride Rings in Stone Mountain. In Stone Mountain’s Feb. 11 meeting at For more information, call state Rep. St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Stone Mountain. The community group Michele Henson at 404-296-1442.
Fire chief was not forced to resign FIREFIGHTERS,
from page
1
was not forced out. “It was his choice to resign,” she said. “The CEO met with the fire chief on Monday and talked to him about some things. As a result of the conversation, he chose to resign.” Foster’s resignation came just three years after he was awarded a Medal of Honor, the highest award for “brave and heroic” actions for a Aug. 11, 2005, incident when a man killed Pine Lake Police Officer Francis Ortega. Eddie O’Brien, who worked his way up the ranks, is a 24-year veteran of the
DeKalb Fire Department. He holds an associate’s degree from DeKalb College in fire science and a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health for fire administration from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Ala. Edwards said O’Brien’s qualifications got him the job, not kinship or nepotism. She said he has been second in command for several years and was the logical candidate in the wake of Foster’s departure. Before his appointment, O’Brien oversaw 700 personnel and the daily operation of 26 fire fescue stations operating 68 emergency response units.
By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
DeKalb Commissioner Lee May has bowed out of the 2010 race for Congress, saying big county problems call for his attention in the county. May said Monday that the county is facing a much larger shortfall in the 2010 budget than first anticipated. “We are looking at a possible $80 million revenue deficit,” Lee May he said. “It takes dedication and careful evaluation on behalf of the Board of Commissioners to address the needs of the county, provide services to more than 700,000 residents, and keep people gainfully employed.” When he presented his proposed budget to the Board of Commissioners, CEO Burrell Ellis said the shortfall was $50 million. May said internal reviews conducted by the board have exposed an even greater shortfall. While he is still interested in serving
’s rica Ame rt Sale ho #1 S rvice Se
in Congress, May said he is going to finish the two years left on his commission term rather than run against Hank Johnson, who is completing his second term representing the district. May, 34, was elected in a special election in July 2006 to fill the District 5 seat vacated by Johnson when he resigned to run for Congress. He won a full term in 2008. May expressed interest in August in running for the seat. Since then, former CEO Vernon Jones and District 7 Commissioner Connie Stokes have announced that they will challenge Johnson. May now says after months of much prayer and consideration, he decided not to run in this election. “I need to stay and finish what I was elected to do,” he said. “DeKalb County is in a critical place as it relates to our 2010 budget, services, public safety, economic development and more. I have decided that while I do have future aspirations in public service, I must remain a steadfast voice for my constituents.” May said he spoke with Johnson about his decision and sincerely wished him well.
Facing Foreclosure?
“Don’t Walk Away From It! Short Sale Village it.”
Call 866-850-4649 or visit
ShortSaleVillage.com
We list it • We negotiate it • You live to fight another day Realtors Welcome
4
CrossRoadsNews
Forum
February 6, 2010
Cell phones have become a convenient and pleasurable addiction and not a necessity.
Personal incentive needed, not government programs 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker General Manager Curtis Parker Advertising Sales Cynthia Blackshear-Warren
CrossRoadsNews is published every Thursday 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 CrossRoadsN ews 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 advertisments, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.
What’s on your mind? We welcome your comments on issues of importance to the community. E-mail us at editor@crossroadsnews.com. Please include a contact number where we can reach you if necessary. Your contact information will not be published. Submissions may be edited for clarity or space. We do not publish anonymous letters. You can also voice your opinion about stories and Forum pieces on our website, www.crossroadsnews.com.
In the Jan. 9 Forum (“Jobs will make ‘Made in America’ meaningful again”), Kevin Oliveira’s good intention and strong belief in the courage of the American people is clear and well-founded, but he misses the more realistic context for the reason African-Americans continue to suffer from joblessness in the bowels of urban blight and social desperation. Oliveira cited the admonition to work, as described in Genesis 3:19, about the “sweat of the brow,” but failed to confront us with the reality of what happened to the servant, in Matthew 25:25-27, who got one talent and went out to hide it and cursed the master’s return to “reap where you did not sow.” There is total disregard for Proverbs 12:11, which tells us that “He who works his land will have
When the dropout rate for African-Americans approaches 50 percent in many urban high schools, it is pointless to ask about a money train from Washington. abundant food but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.” It is fashionable and traditional for black politicians, pundits and the darlings of black media to talk about more expansive deliveries of government roast pork for blacks in large urban socioeconomic powder kegs. It could even be political or career suicide to intimate there may be anything blacks can do for themselves to deflect economic missiles that dismantle our families and raze our communities with poverty.
Proof that the governmentfunded slop pot for blacks has never worked is rife in the fact that we are the only ethnic group who have nothing to show from Roosevelt’s New Deal, Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society, tax cuts and deregulation hysteria of Reaganomics, and historic national prosperity and budget surpluses of the Clinton years. We are worse off than before the New Deal. My point? In capitalist societies labor, a resource, gravitates to profitable private industries incentivized by fiscal policy, not to the whims of government social experiments. Creating a job is one thing, but there must be technically trained people behaviorally equipped to perform a job. When the dropout rate for African-Americans approaches 50 percent in many urban high
Senate race was not about health care When the election results rolled out of Massachusetts, people across the nation were shocked by Republican Scott Brown’s win. Brown, who will take over the Senate seat long held by the late Edward M. Kennedy, is the first Republican to hold that seat since 1952. Americans across the country began to wonder what this meant for health care reform. Republicans were S. Stuckey Benfield quick to call Massachusetts’ special election results a referendum on health care reform and President Obama. This could not be farther from the truth. Massachusetts already has its own system of near-universal health care. Consequently, it is a poor laboratory for drawing conclusions about efforts in Washington to reform health insurance for the rest of the country. Additionally, this election was not a referendum on President Obama, as his approval rating in Massachusetts is 60 percent or better. Senator-elect Scott Brown has stated numerous times that the race was not a referendum on President Obama. While this race does not represent American’s sentiments on health care reform or
President Obama, it does show that change is hard and does not always come quickly or easily. The result of this election can be attributed to many things. There were circumstances unique to this race and its candidates and campaigns that make it an imperfect harbinger of what to expect in the mid-term elections. With Democrats down one legislator and Republicans up one, what will happen to health care reform? This is a serious concern for millions of Americans, including Georgians. In Georgia, over 1.2 million residents are uninsured. In spite of what Republicans would have you believe, this is not the end to health care reform. Democrats continue to command a huge majority in the House of Representatives and have 59 senators who caucus with Democrats. Passing major health care in this country is within reach. What course it takes and how it gets done will continue to be a topic of discussion in the coming days – but one thing is for certain, Democrats will continue working towards ensuring all Americans have access to affordable and adequate health care. State Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield represents District 85 in the Georgia House.
Quick Read ADA running for Superior Court
schools, it is pointless to ask about a money train from Washington. When 73 percent of black children are born out of wedlock with high rates of incarcerated or absentee fathers and when huge numbers of young people pick up their first felony before age 20, banging on the White House gate for Barack Obama to come out to address the natives is like listening to a dripping faucet while trying to fall asleep. Nothing is going to change until the plumber comes out. The plumber comes when we take up the government more often on its education investment dollar than its criminal justice/ correction investment dollar. Even Obama is powerless to pig trough us out in this age of scarcity and globalization. Elrado Ramsay lives in Decatur.
Expo one of ‘life’s great experiences’ What a wonderful day! Thank you so much for inviting the South DeKalb Center for Healthy Living [to be a part of the 2010 Health & Wellness Expo]. We served 93 patrons with blood pressure and glucose testing. Three patrons had very high glucose levels and were advised to seek professional help. SDCHL gave these patients glucose meter kits for testing at home. Renee Ranson We were also blessed to sign up 13 volunteers on the spot, and many more took the volunteer registration form with them. Health care reform was a hot topic for the patrons who visited the SDCHL table; tears came to two patrons’ eyes as they learned they could get free health care at SDCHL. As my volunteer phlebotomist Sherita Allen put it, “It was like a day of fellowship.” Again, we thank you for adding to our list of life’s great experiences. Renee Marie Ranson is executive director of the South DeKalb Center for Healthy Living in Lithonia.
Police need help to ID rape History center to honor 3 suspect 5 DeKalb sheriff, judges
8
Assistant District Attorney Courtney A young man who kidnapped, robbed DeKalb Sheriff Thomas E. Brown and Johnson will run for the seat being vacated and raped a 28-year-old woman in Stone three DeKalb County judges will be honby DeKalb Superior Court Judge Robert Mountain is wanted by DeKalb Police. ored for their work in law and justice by the Castellani, who is retiring in December. DeKalb History Center on Feb. 25.
Facelift begins for historic May nixes run for Congress Stone Mountain 6 Smaller plate anchors new for now 3 After years of hoping, waiting and pre- ‘diet’ 12
Commissioner Lee May has bowed out paring, Stone Mountain city officials will The size of the plate may make a differof the 2010 race for Congress, saying big break ground on Feb. 13 on its $1.15 mil- ence in the size of the waist. county problems call for his attention. lion Streetscape improvement project.
Hearing to look at paratransit issues
Funds to boost Rainbow Workshops offer tools to help intervention programs 5 research black families 7 Rainbow Elementary School
The disabled, senior citizens and others African-American families can learn can tell their stories about transportation about tools to search their genealogy at problems with MARTA Para-Transit Mobility “Finding Your Ancestors’ Voices” Family Services to state legislators on Feb. 15. History Symposium in Morrow.
Circulation Audited By
13
got a $2,500 check last month to support its Early Intervention and other programs focused on reading, math, and personal development of children most in need.
index to advertisers Brentwood Family Daycare...........................14 Comfort Suites Northlake..............................13 Congressman Hank Johnson.......................... 3 CrossRoadsNews 2010 Expos...................... 16 DeKalb Convention & Visitor’s Bureau........... 5 DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office..... 3 DeKalb Medical Center.................................12
Dreamz Catcher Productions........................ 10 Ella’s Caring Hands Adult Day Care...............14 Exotic Thai Restaurant............................Inserts Family of Damon Bell..................................... 5 Felicia V. Anderson CPA LLC..........................6 Henry Mitchell, CPA, PC.................................15 Liberty Tax Service.........................................15
Macy’s.............................................................9 McDonald’s..................................................... 8 Multi Care Health & Rehabilitation.........Inserts N’Timate Salon & Day Spa.............................15 Outback Insurance.........................................14 ReMax of Buckhead........................................6 Ruth, MacNeille & Knudsen, P.A....................15
Ruth, MacNeille & Knudsen, P.A....................15 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas.....................15 The Medley.....................................................6 TruNatural Specialty Salon.............................15 Vaccines N More............................................14 Wal-Mart........................................................ 11
February 6, 2010
Community
5
CrossRoadsNews
Kameron’s teachers and classmates named a book club, library and reading area in his honor and decorated the areas with his portrait and a plaque.
Trial starts for driver in fatal accident Officer suspended, charged with assault By Lee Williams
at the maximum penalty that could be handed down in her son’s death. On Feb. 2, Michael and Karen She said she believes Ogilvie Dunmore of Lithonia marked should lose her license and serve the first anniversary of the death community service with children their only son, Kameron Dunas part of her sentence. more. Kameron’s teachers and classSeven-year-old Kameron mates named a book club, library was killed Feb. 2, 2009, in the Kameron Dunmore and reading area in his honor crosswalk in front of Princeton Elementary School, where he was in the and decorated the areas with his portrait and a plaque. They also erected a stone second grade. Karen Dunmore said Tuesday that they bench, planted a tree and named an acwill never forget his smile and comedic celerated reading award for him. To mark his anniversary, his parents charm. “We will always have him in our and 17-year-old sister, Kiara, had dinner at hearts,” she said. Even as the family marked the anniver- Loca Luna, a popular Atlanta eatery with sary this week, Shirley Ogilvie, the alleged Latin and Caribbean flair. They also shared driver of the SUV that hit Kameron, was funny stories and other precious memories preparing to stand trial on misdemeanor about Kameron. His mother said that on the day that charges of vehicular homicide, failure to yield the right of way for a pedestrian, and he died, Kameron asked her for a cookiesanother traffic charge on Feb. 5 before and-cream Hershey’s bar and specified DeKalb County State Court Judge Alvin that he wanted “the white one, not the black one.” Wong. When Dunmore tried to explain that Police said Ogilvie, 41, of Snellville, ignored a hand-held stop sign from a “black is better than white,” she said his DeKalb Schools crossing guard and struck response was, “ ‘Mom, Dr. Martin Luther the child. If convicted, Ogilvie could face a King solved that problem a long time maximum one year in prison and a $1,000 ago.’ ” They both laughed as they headed to fine. Marcia Fuller, Ogilvie’s attorney, de- their destinations – Kameron to school and she to work. That was the last time she clined to comment on the case. Karen Dunmore said she is surprised saw him alive.
Hearing to look at paratransit issues The disabled, senior citizens and others on fixed incomes can tell their stories about transportation problems with MARTA Para-Transit Mobility Services to state legislators on Feb. 15. Disabled in Action Inc., Maat Helpers
and other organizations are encouraging citizens to attend the public hearing at the state Capitol at 2 p.m. in Room 514 at the Legislative Office Building. For more information, e-mail disabledinaction009 @comcast.net or call 770-987-7684.
At press time Reynolds, who DeKalb Police Officer Jerhad been on the force for two emy Reynolds was arrested years, was in custody at the and suspended on Jan. 29 amid DeKalb County Jail. allegations that he sexually asDeKalb Police spokesman saulted a female suspect while Jason Gagnon said the arrest in his custody last year. comes after a criminal investigaReynolds, 23, of Alpharetta, tion into the alleged misconduct is accused of felony sexual assault on a person in custody, ag- Jeremy Reynolds by Reynolds while on duty in September 2009. gravated sodomy, rape and two “Officer Reynolds has been placed on counts of violation of oath of office. If convicted, Reynolds could face life administrative leave pending termination,” Gagnon said. imprisonment.
Police need help to ID rape suspect A young black man who kidnapped, robbed and raped a 28-year-old woman in Stone Mountain is wanted by DeKalb Police. Police released an artist rendering of the suspect on Wednesday. Mekka Parish, a DeKalb Police spokeswoman, said the department needs the help of the public in identifying the suspect. Detectives say the 6-foot-1 armed man, weighing 165 to 170 pounds, ab-
ducted the woman about 1:15 a.m. on Jan. 31 from the 5400 block of Memorial Drive and forced her to drive to an ATM and withdraw cash. He then demanded the victim drive to an apartment complex on Central Drive, where he sexually assaulted her before forcing her to drive to a third location, an office park off Memorial Drive, where he fled in her car. Anyone with information is asked to call the DeKalb Police Special Victims Unit at 770-724-7710.
Happy Birthday Damon Bell We miss you and we are still searching for those responsible for your untimely death. A reward of $3,223 is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Damon Bell. Call the DeKalb Police Major Felony Unit, 770-724-7850 or 770-724-7890.
Your loving mother Gwen, and your sisters, Djana & Damese Decatur, Georgia
Feb. 4 , 1976 - Jan. 15, 2006
6
Finance
CrossRoadsNews
February 6, 2010
“We hope these enhancements will entice people who were planning on going through to stop and shop in Stone Mountain.”
Facelift begins for historic Stone Mountain Village’s Main Street By Lee Williams
area prettier and more pedestrian-friendly, said Emily Eigel, interim director. “This is a historic city and a lot of buildings have been here before the Civil War,” Eigel said. “They are not deteriorating, but they do have that older look to them.” Construction on the first phase that will cover two-tenths of a mile on Main Street from Manor Drive to Health Nut, a vitamin and natural food store, will likely last six to eight months. Traffic could be rerouted around a portion of Main Street as the project gets under way later this month or early March. Amos said Tri Scapes of Cumming won the contract to complete the project for $651,955. Twenty thousand vehicles a day go through Stone Mountain taking people to work or home. Amos hopes the improvements will spark a new trend. “We hope these enhancements, with the help of our businesses adding outdoor caThe $1.15 fes and outdoor displays, will entice people million who were planning on going through to Streetscape stop and shop in Stone Mountain,” he said. improvement “This will give our businesses an advantage project will bring over other areas.” wider sidewalks, Jo Johnson, who owns Good Sense Fradecorative light grance and Gifts, and Mary Simmons, who posts, benches owns Village Hair Studio, said Streetscape and trees to will be good for Main Street and for everyhistoric Stone one in the village. “We want to move away Mountain Village. from the KKK stigma,” Johnson said.
After years of hoping, waiting and preparing, Stone Mountain city officials will break ground on Feb. 13 on its $1.15 million Streetscape improvement project. The 1 p.m. ceremony will mark the beginning of the first phase of the three-phase project that will bring wider sidewalks for alfresco dining and shopping, decorative light posts, benches and trees to the historic downtown. Officials hope the village’s new look will breathe new life into the city of 7,145 residents and draw more shoppers and revenue to the town that is immortalized in U.S. history as the former headquarters of the Ku Klux Klan as well as the place from which Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to see freedom ring in his “I Have a Dream” speech made from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 1963. The first phase will be funded with a $900,000 state transportation enhancement grant, approved in 2004, and $246,000 in matching city funds. City Manager Barry Amos said the project was delayed six years because of a right-of-way dispute between the city and a private owner and by leadership changes in the Department of Transportation office. Mainsttreet Stone Mountain, a nonprofit agency that helps attract downtown traffic, spearheaded the project to make the
Business association to be recognized in Senate
Hundreds to rally for Poor People’s Day
The South DeKalb Business Association will be recognized on the floor of the Georgia Senate on Feb. 9. Senate Resolution 898 is sponsored by DeKalb Sens. Gloria S. Butler of the 55th, Ronald Ramsey Sr. of the 43rd, Michele Henson of the 41st, and Emanuel Jones of the 10th districts. It recognizes the SDBA, which was founded in the mid1970s, as a catalyst for collaboration among small businesses, corporations, local governments, and business and community groups and for enhancing the quality of life for all South DeKalb residents. SDBA President Linda Mayhand said they are humbled by the recognition. “We have worked tirelessly to engage and re-engage business owners and the communities they serve,” she said. Linda Mayhand The SDBA also will hold its Feb. 9 membership meeting as part of its trip to the Capitol. The group will meet at 11 a.m. on the mezzanine level on the building’s third floor. Members and guests will hear from legislators and get a special presentation on “How Laws Affecting Small Businesses Are Made” and on partnerships with small businesses. Lunch is free, but R.S.V.P. is required. For more information, call 678-476-3727.
More than 350 people are expected to rally at the Georgia Capitol on Feb. 11 for the 30th annual Poor People’s Day. The rally on the steps of the Capitol will culminate two days of activities that include a Feb. 10 Education Day. The 2010 observance is being held against the backdrop of the continuing unstable economy, unprecedented unemployment and mounting residential foreclosures. The Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger and the “Up and Out of Poverty Now” Coalition, which organized the event, say this year’s rally will attract one of its largest crowds. Sandra Robertson, director of Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger, said they will keep the focus on assistance for Georgia’s poor. “All Georgians should know that the economic situation is serious and state governments have funds available to help people if used appropriately,” she said. The rally’s theme is “Jobs or Income Now.” The People’s Freedom Caravan will depart at 10 a.m. on Feb. 11 from Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger, 9 Gammon Ave. S.E. in Atlanta. The caravan will proceed through the historic Peoplestown, Pitts-
By Joslyn Haynes
burg, Mechanicsville and Summerhill communities to the state Capitol. The People’s Scroll presentation and rally on the state Capitol steps facing Washington Street will take place at 11:45 a.m. with greetings from the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and the Working Families Caucus. Education Day will take place at the Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger. Participants who are experiencing economic distress and loss of economic security will seek solutions on issues like housing foreclosures and homelessness, livable wages, health care coverage, public transportation, expunging criminal records, re-entry programs, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Robertson said there is $165 million in unused TANF funds from the federal government. “We could lose it because the state is not moving on it. These are funds that could be used to help recipientsand provide support services to help them find work.” In preparation for the two-day events, organizers hosted a recent workshop with state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan that offered tips on how to communicate with public officials about the appropriate use of available funds. For more information, visit www.ga-hungercoa lition.org or call 404-622-7778.
Funding aids food banks, shelters Needy families who are out of work and strapped for cash will soon get food for the cupboards or a warm bed to lay their heads. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced last week that it would give $6 million to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, created in 1983 to provide
emergency assistance to families. Of that sum, $1.8 million will benefit DeKalb, Gwinnett and Rockdale residents. The money provides extra funding to shelters, soup kitchens and food banks. It also helps cover one-month assistance for rent, mortgage and utilities and provides relief to families for non-disaster, temporary emergency needs.
The Medley Art & Framing • Furniture Floral Arrangements Women’s Clothing • Jewelry
Up to 50% discount on all store items w/ coupon • expires 2/28/10 5304 Panola Industrial Blvd., Ste 1
•
Decatur, GA
•
404-914-0314
Black History Month February 6, 2010
www.crossroadsnews.com
Page 7
Workshops offer tools to help research black families African-American families can find out about the tools to search their genealogy at the Feb. 20 “Finding Your Ancestors’ Voices” Family History Symposium at the National Archives at Atlanta in Morrow. The annual event, which is free, takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It includes workshops, lectures and discussions lead by experts in family history searches. Registration for the daylong symposium is available at www.blackfamilyhisto ryday.com or by calling 404-252-4864. The symposium is part of the archives’ Black Family History Month observances that also honor individuals and organizations that have played a positive leadership role within Atlanta’s black communities. It will be the closing event for the archives’ “Documented Rights” exhibit that ends Feb. 23. The exhibit of original documents and other records from slave ships opened in June 2009. The “Finding Your Ancestors’ Voices” symposium is being held in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, which runs the world’s largest genealogical library with records of more than 2 billion deceased people. It was created in 2001 in conjunction with the national release of the Freedman’s Bank CD that provides financial records of African-Americans following the American Civil War. The LDS Church also helped release the Freedman’s Bank information in 2001. The records include information on 480,000 former slaves who deposited more than $57 million in the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Co., which failed in 1874. The records have become a rich source of documentation for black family research because its thousands of signature cards contain personal information about the individual depositors: names and ages, places of birth, residence, and occupations; names of parents and siblings; and, in some cases, the names of former slave owners.
“Finding Your Ancestors’ Voices” participants will receive free genealogy research materials at the Feb. 20 symposium at the National Archives at Atlanta in Morrow.
Registered participants for the “Finding Your Ancestors’ Voices” Family History Symposium will receive a free packet of materials along with a CD containing the Freedman’s Bank information. Workshops will feature speakers and authors addressing tools for researching and writing one’s family history, snapshots of the King family’s genealogy, and a discussion of exciting new digitization projects that will provide even greater access to information, including 4,000 slave manifests from the Port of Savannah in Georgia. The slave manifests date back to 1790.
Lecturers will include: n Quinton Atkinson, “The African-Ameri-
can Collection at Ancestry.com.” Atkinson, who is director of U.S. Content Acquisition for Ancestry.com, will share details about the Web site’s partnership with www.fam ilysearch.org and the National Archives at Atlanta to digitize 4,000 inward coastwise Slave Manifests for the Port of Savannah covering the period from 1790-1859. The manifests list names of slaves, slave owner, the shipper and port of origin. Digitization of the records will provide researchers with easy access to the names of 18,000 slaves for the first time in 150
years. n Bryndis Roberts, “Basic Genealogy How-Tos.” Roberts, who is a local genealogy expert, will share her knowledge about genealogy and will provide tools for starting your family tree. n Steve Burton, “Maximizing Free Online Genealogical Research Tools.” Burton, who is the field relations manager of www.familysearch.org, will present free online genealogical research tools managed by the LDS Church, including detailing the digitization project for about 400,000 World War II draft cards for Georgia. n Ashley Judy, “From the Roots of a Tree: The Genealogy of Martin Luther King Jr.” Judy, a National Archives at Atlanta researcher, will present her research on King. n Ben Ridgeway, “Historical Snapshot of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church.” Ridgeway, educator and author, will share his historical snapshot of the nearly 125-year history of the famed church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. joined his father as co-pastor in 1960. The National Archives at Atlanta is at 5780 Jonesboro Road. For more information, call 770-968-2100.
Archives to honor King for community service of civil rights icon the Rev. MarMartin Luther King III will tin Luther King Jr. and Coretta receive the National Archives Scott King – will get the award at Atlanta Community Service honoring an Atlanta leader who Award on Feb. 20. is a human rights advocate and The award will be presented community activist. King served during the archives’ annual on the Fulton County Commis“Finding Your Ancestors’ Voices” sion from 1987 to 1993 and is Family History Symposium at a former head of the Southern its Morrow headquarters. Martin King III Christian Leadership ConferDuring the 10 a.m.-to-3 p.m. symposium, King – the older son ence, which was founded by his father.
In 2006, he founded Realizing the Dream, an organization to carry on his parents’ legacy. The group champions freedom, justice and equality by working to eliminate poverty, build community and foster peace through nonviolence. King joins previous recipients that include U.S. Reps. John Lewis and David Scott, WSB-TV anchor Monica Pearson, and H.J. Russell Co. President Jerome Russell.
Youth orchestra hosting reunion concert
Origins of Black History Month
Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia Orchestra will play with alumni at its Feb. 20 “Grand Orchestra Reunion Concert” at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of February being celebrated as Black History Month -- four weeks a year when the spotlight focuses on African-American culture, heritage and achievements. In 1976 the Washington-based Association for the Study of African-American Life and History Inc. expanded Negro History Week observances to a monthlong celebration to focus on the contributions of African-Americans that were largely ignored at the time. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvardeducated Ph.D., founded the association in 1915 and initiated Negro History Week in 1926 to focus on the contributions of blacks in the development of America who had been largely left out of textbooks and the media. Woodson, known as “the Father of Black History,” was born in Virginia Carter G. Woodson to former slaves. Coming from a large, poor family, he could not regularly attend school. But he taught himself to master the fundamentals of common school subjects by age 17. He worked his way through high school and received his diploma at age 20. Woodson went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Chicago, a Ph.D. in history from Harvard, and a Doctor of Laws from West Virginia State College. He wrote scholarly books and magazines on the positive contributions and roles of blacks, including “The MisEducation of the Negro,” published in 1933. It showed how poorly black children were being taught in school. Woodson encouraged blacks to be proud of their heritage and other Americans to understand it. He picked February for the Negro History Week observances because it is the birth month of Frederick Douglass, who fought against slavery, and of Abraham Lincoln, who freed the slaves.
Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia Orchestra will be onstage Feb. 20 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center. The performance will be part of the Stone Mountain-based AfricanAmerican youth orchestra’s “Grand Orchestra Reunion Concert.” The 6 p.m. concert will include alums who now play for the DeKalb Youth Pops, the Atlanta Youth Pops Orchestra, the Clark Atlanta Orchestra, the orchestras at College Park High School and Tri-Cities High School, and the Ronald E. McNair Area Orchestras. It kicks off with a tribute pre-
lude at 5:30 p.m. David Robinson, the orchestra’s director and founder, said 10 to 15 alums already have signed on, including famed electric violinist Ken Ford. He said they will be bringing back many of the classic pieces they have performed through the years. “As always, the legacy continues in Sinfo-Nia,” he said. “We perform various types of music such as classical, jazz, Negro spirituals, gospel, motion picture themes, reggae, ragtime, country, Top 40, rock, R&B, hip-hop, and so on.” Robinson, who has taught music for 27 years, founded the
orchestra for students ages 8 to 18 from across metro Atlanta in June 1990. He said they are looking to welcome back as many former members as possible. “Alumni are welcomed to start attending classes at any time to get back in shape,” he said. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children at www.stillwaters youthsinfo-nia.org. At the door, they will be $20. The Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information, call Alycia Robinson at 404-328-0840.
8
Black History
CrossRoadsNews
February 6, 2010
“Discovering your roots and understanding your genealogy is something that’s important to everyone.” The Martin Luther King Jr. High School Band will perform Feb. 13 at Macy’s at Stonecrest during a black history trivia contest.
DeKalb youth to vie in black history challenge A team of DeKalb youth will show off their knowledge of black history in the African-American History scholastic contest at Macy’s at Stonecrest on Feb 13. The middle and high school students, who are members of the DeKalb 100 Black Men Leadership Academy, will compete for a $200 Macy’s gift card in the American Legacy Magazine’s trivia challenge. The competition, which is modeled after the American
Legacy Know Your History Knowledge Game, is part of the store’s celebration of Black History Month. It begins at 2 p.m. in the store’s hosiery department on the main level. The Martin Luther King Jr. High School Band will perform, and customers who view the competition will get refreshments courtesy of Lady Cakes. Macy’s at Stonecrest is at I-20 and Turner Hill Road in Lithonia.
Workshop to teach families to trace roots through DNA Gina Page, president and co-founder of African Ancestry Inc., will show families how to trace their roots through DNA at “Discovering Your Roots” on Feb. 27 at the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta. Page will provide an intimate look into the process of tracing one’s African bloodlines and unveil the results of a DNA tracking of the African ancestry of the Rev. Joseph Echols Lowery, former president of the Southern Chris- Gina Page tian Leadership Conference. African Ancestry, founded in 2003, is the world leader in tracing maternal and paternal indigenous African samples. The “Discovering Your Roots, a Day of Discovery” program is presented by Exploritas, a nonprofit organization that offers educational travel programs for adults in its 2010 Black History Month programs. Kathy Taylor, Exploritas associate vice president of community development, said the DNA tracking seminars offer an opportunity to learn more about the topic. “Discovering your roots and understanding your genealogy is something that’s important to everyone,” she said. The workshop will explore the study of genealogy and the importance of finding one’s African identity. It also will offer a concise look at African-American history and lineage and delve into the details of DNA analysis. Lowery’s DNA results will be revealed after lunch and will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Exploritas is offering similar programs throughout February in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington. For more information, visit www.exploritas.org /globaldiscoveries or call 1-800-322-5315.
History center to honor DeKalb sheriff, three judges DeKalb Sheriff Thomas E. Brown and three DeKalb County judges will be honored for their work in law and justice by the DeKalb History Center on Feb. 25. Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams, State Court Judge Barbara J. Mobley and Juvenile Court Judge Desiree Sutton Peagler will be recognized for their extensive work at the history center’s third annual Black History Month Celebration at the Historic DeKalb Thomas Brown County Courthouse in downtown Decatur. The history center also will honor the Rev. Thomas N. Bristow Sr., the last known survivor of the Tuskegee Airmen from DeKalb County. Georgia’s Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker will be master of ceremonies and DeKalb CEO Gregory Adams Burrell Ellis will bring greetings. The luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m., will include music from the James C. Ward Classical Arts Chorale. Tickets are $30 for history center members and $35 for visitors. Sponsorships are still available. Proceeds benefit the DeKalb History Center, which is the only countywide organiza- Desiree Peagler tion dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing the history of DeKalb County. The center, housed in the Old Courthouse on the Square, was established in 1947. It manages the county’s archives, museum collections and three antebellum structures – the Benjamin Swanton House, the Biffle Cabin and the Thomas-Barber Cabin. For more information, call 404-373-1088 or visit www.dekalbhistory.org.
February 6, 2010
CrossRoadsNews
9
10
Black History
CrossRoadsNews
February 6, 2010
“We’re making you better, by helping you be the best you can be.”
Documentary spotlights black patriots in America through the ages
“For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots” examines how a people so often denied freedom fought heroically to preserve the freedom of their fellow countrymen.
“For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots” will air on PBS on Feb. 8. The four-hour documentary, which was released nationally this month, explores the contributions of African-American men and women in the military from pre-Revolution to the Iraq War. It will air in Atlanta on WGTVDT3 at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. (Check local listings.) Written by Jeff Stetson and Frank Martin, the documentary took 10 years to make. It examines how a people so often denied freedom fought heroically to preserve the freedom of their fellow countrymen. At a time when Hollywood so easily and consistently depicts African-Ameri-
can men as gangsters, brutes, drug dealers and abusers of their children and families, Stetson shares the typical and normal experiences of ordinary black men and women who did extraordinary things. “For Love of Liberty” is introduced by Colin Powell, hosted by Oscar winner Halle Berry, and narrated by Avery Brooks. The film includes appearances by John Amos, Angela Bassett, Tom Berenger, Roscoe Lee Browne, LeVar Burton, Anthony Chisholm, Bill Cosby, Walter Cronkite, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Charles S. Dutton, Robert Duvall, Morgan Freeman and Alfre Woodard. The documentary also premieres on DVD this month. For more information, visit www.forloveofliberty.com.
Top ‘Hero’ essayists to be selected Trailblazers to share strategies Winners of the North DeKalb Mall “Black History Hero” essay contest will pick up their awards on Feb. 11. More than 48 essays were entered in the competition from five elementary schools. Students in second to fifth grades participated from Midway, Medlock, Kelly Lake, Laurel Ridge, Atherton and Peachcrest elementary schools. Judges will pick the top three winners
before the awards ceremony, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at the clock court atrium just outside of the Ross store at the mall. The winners will get cash prizes. All essays will be on display throughout February in a store window adjacent to Wendy’s in the AMC wing of the center. North DeKalb Mall is at 2050 Lawrenceville Highway in Decatur. For more information, call 404-235-6444.
Leadership workshop for teens Teens 15 to 18 years old can hone their leadership skills at a Feb. 27 leadership workshop sponsored by Jack and Jill of America in celebration of Black History Month. The group’s East Suburban Atlanta Chapter is hosting the three-hour interactive event for teens from DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton, Walton and neighboring counties. It will focus on career planning, time management and financial literacy. Teens will participate in mock interviews, prepare resumes and receive expert
advice on how to best market themselves for the careers they want. They also will explore the proper way to use social networking tools. The 11 a.m.-to-2 p.m. session, which is free, will include lunch and door prizes. Presenters for the event include entrepreneurs, businesswomen and educators. The Elks Aidmore is at 2394 Morrison Road S.W. in Conyers. For more information, call Dionne Mahaffey at 404-723-2534 or Vickey Hale at 678-772-0466.
African-American trailblazers will help Macy’s kick off its Black History Month observance with a Feb. 6 “Celebrates You” event at Lenox Square mall in Atlanta. Sheila Coates, author of “Mama Used to Say … Be Your Own Brand” and creator of the Sheila Coates Michelle Lynch Shirley Strawberry Be Your Own Brand organization, will moderate the panel at the Atlanta p.m. event. event, which is one of 10 “Celebrates You” Coates said their aim is not to make events that Macy’s is hosting nationwide. people over. The Atlanta panelists include Melinda “We’re making you better by helping Dancil, CEO of Melinda Enterprises and you be the best you can be,” she said. “Dismanager of Grammy Award-winning art- cover your own brand and celebrate others ist Monica; Johnita Due, assistant general who continue to be their own brand and counsel and Diversity Council chair, CNN make a statement.” Worldwide; Camille Love, director of the Be Your Own Brand is a visual branding Office of Cultural Affairs, city of Atlanta; company that empowers people to “Speak Michelle Lynch, owner of Poshe Produc- volumes without saying a word” by projecttions; Shirley Strawberry, co-host of the ing who they are “visually and physically” “Steve Harvey Morning Show”; and Cas- using a personal branding statement. sandra Wells, Ph.D., director of the marketFor more information, visit www ing program at Morehouse College. .byobunlimited.com. They will discuss their success stories Macy’s Lenox Square is at 3393 to inspire and encourage others at the 2 Peachtree Road N.E. in Atlanta.
Resolution honors Medgar Evers Civil rights activist Medgar Evers, who was gunned down in the driveway of his Jackson, Miss., home at the height of the civil rights struggle, was honored by Congressman Hank Johnson this week. Johnson, who represents the 4th District, sponsored House ResoluMedgar Evers tion 1022 honoring the life and achievements of Evers. It passed the House Thursday 426-0. Evers was 37 years old when he was shot in the back on June 12, 1963, after meeting
with NAACP lawyers. In the House resolution, Johnson recognized Evers not only for his pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, but also as a soldier in the Battle of Normandy during World War II. “His courageous efforts led to the desegregation of the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1962 and his eventual martyrdom for the cause.” Johnson said. “His pioneering courage was an inspiration to the Movement.” The resolution was co-sponsored by 57 legislators, including all 42 members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
February 6, 2010
11
CrossRoadsNews
Day of learning, lifetime of understanding.
Discover the legacy of the nearly 500-year journey that changed America.
Proudly Sponsored by
October 30, 2009, through April 15, 2010 |
Get specially priced tickets at select California Walmart stores. For more information, visit walmart.com/AIA
12
Wellness
CrossRoadsNews
February 6, 2010
“The nation’s collective efforts to convince teens to postpone childbearing must be more creative and more intense.”
Smaller plate anchors new ‘diet’ Teen pregnancy rates going back up Watchers, Atkins and South The size of the plate may Beach. make a difference in the size of As a diet aid, you can dig the waist. out your family’s old dinnerThat’s the simple truth, acware and serve up smaller porcording to advertising executive tion sizes – and forgo second Alex Bogusky, who wrote “The helpings. 9-Inch ‘Diet’: Exposing the Big Don’t cheat: Filling the Conspiracy in America” with smaller plate to the rim or Alex Bogusky Chuck Porter. stacking food up won’t cut Bogusky discovered that calories. America had supersized its When fixp l a te s w h en ing your next he bought a plate, look at lakeside cothow you serve tage built in your food. the 1940s. His Do you have f a m i ly ’s 1 2 a big serving of inch dinnerwhite rice or ware would not other starches fit into the old and a small cupboards. serving of vegAfter extengies? Eating that sive research, way robs your he found that body of vital nutrients, raises your chostandard dinner plates used to be 9 inches, not the 12-inch size of modern lesterol levels, and may increase your weight and your risk of diabetes. dinnerware. Instead, divide your plate into halves. Since then, Bogusky has championed a diet that uses vintage plates to help reduce Fill “half ” the plate with vegetables. Diportion size. Glassware is also bigger today, vide the second half into quarters and he notes, which can lead to more calories use one for protein – lean meats, lentils or beans – and the other for bread and in beverage servings. Since most Americans now consume starches like rice and pasta. Using this more than 300 excess calories a day, switch- 9-inch plate method can help you dish up ing to a smaller plate can make a big differ- the right portions in a healthy way. It is a good idea to also include a meence. By using a 9-inch plate at every meal and skipping seconds, it is easy to see how dium fruit and one serving or one cup of we could decrease our caloric intake by 30 nonfat plain yogurt with your meal. This will help you control the portion size of percent to 35 percent. His book offers advice on dining out the entire meal. and how to fit the smaller plate size into The Washington Post and healthy popular diet regimens, including Weight khana.org contributed to this article.
By Brenda Camp Yarbrough
After steep declines in the 1990s, the teen pregnancy rate is headed up again. A new report released Jan. 26 by the Washington-based nonprofit Guttmacher Institute said more 15- to 19-year-olds in the United States are getting pregnant. It found that the teen pregnancy rate rose 3 percent between 2005 and 2006 as 750,000 women younger than 20, or 7 percent of America’s teen girls, became pregnant. It was the first jump since 1990 and comes in the wake of a decade of declining pregnancies among teenagers. Georgia’s rate mirrored the nation’s, but DeKalb County, which stands at 75.9 births per 1,000 among 15- to 19-year-olds, far exceeds the national rate. DeKalb County Board of Health spokeswoman Vickie Elisa said that DeKalb has no current data on the subject, but that new numbers will be available on March 26 when the county’s new Status of Health in DeKalb Report is released. The state Division of Public Health said Georgia’s birth rate for 15- to 19-year-olds rose from 52.3 births per 1,000 in 2005 to 54.1 births per 1,000 in 2006, a 3 percent increase. Heather Boonstra, Guttmacher Institute senior public policy associate, said that this reversal after more than a decade of progress is deeply troubling. “It coincides with Heather Boonstra an increase in rigid abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, which received major funding boosts under the Bush administration,” Boonstra said. “A strong body of research shows that these programs do not work.” Sarah Brown, CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, said that it now appears that one of the nation’s shining success stories of the past two decades is in danger of unraveling. “Given our tough economy and demanding job market especially, anything that gets in the way of high school completion and at least some higher education is a national emergency,” Brown said. “Clearly, the nation’s collective efforts to convince teens to postpone childbearing must be more creative and more intense – and they must begin today.” The report – “U.S. Teenage Pregnancies, Births and Abortions: National and State Trends and Trends by Race and Ethnicity” – analyzed data collected by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. Brown’s group says that the only teens getting pregnant are those having sex and not using contraception consistently and
carefully. “We must insist that sexually active teens use contraception each and every time and make the education and services available to help them do so,” she said. The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention has launched a statewide goal to achieve a 15 percent reduction in the pregnancy rate for girls ages 15 to 19 in Georgia by the year 2015. G-CAPP programs available in DeKalb include training and technical assistance, advocacy support, the Community-based Doula Project and the Second Chance Homes Network. The Doula Project provides first-time pregnant youth, ages 10-19, with a trained birth assistant to provide social and emotional support during pregnancy, labor and post-delivery. Second Chance Homes provides teen mothers with supportive relationships, counseling, educational incentives, and support for long-term economic independence, child development, and parenting and life skills. Ravae Graham, the state Department of Community Health’s public health communications manager, said Georgia provides funding for Teen Center programs throughout the state. The centers focus on positive youth development as one strategy to address teen pregnancy prevention. In addition, some of the centers offer family planning services for teens. The decision of whether or not to provide teen family planning services through the Teen Center is made at the local/district level. Graham said there currently aren’t any planned state-level campaigns to address teen pregnancy. The national report showed the abortion rate among teens rose 1 percent in 2006 from the previous year – to 19.3 abortions per 1,000 women in that age group. Accounting for abortions and miscarriages, the report showed that the pregnancy rate among U.S. women younger than 20 in 2006 was 71.5 per 1,000 women, a 3 percent increase from the rate of 69.5 in 2005. Lawrence Finer, Guttmacher’s director of domestic research, said it is too soon to tell whether the increase in the teen pregnancy rate is a short-term fluctuation, a more lasting stabilization, or the beginning of a significant new trend. “Either way, it is clearly time to redouble our efforts to make sure our young people have the information, interpersonal skills and health services they need to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to become sexually healthy adults,” he said. To view the full report, visit www.gutt macher.org.
FODAC gathering supplies for Haiti Friends of Disabled Adults and Children is collecting supplies to aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The Stone Mountain nonprofit is collecting blankets, crutches, walkers, orthotic braces, wheelchairs, bandages and medical gloves and other nonperishable medical supplies and relief items through Feb. 6 at its warehouse in Stone Mountain. It is partnering with Portlight Strategies of Charleston, S.C., and the Weather Underground to ship and distribute the items. FODAC provides more than $8 million
a year in home health mobility and daily living equipment to people with disabilities or injuries worldwide. Chris Brand, the group’s executive director, said most of the equipment they provide to children and adults consists of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and other mobility devices. “A disaster like an earthquake leaves countless victims with broken bones and other mobility injuries,” he said. The FODAC warehouse is at 4900 Lewis Road. For more information, visit www .fodac.org or call 770-491-9014.
13
CrossRoadsNews
February 6, 2010
Youth
“Even in these very difficult economic times the schools we are awarding continue to have a no-excuses attitude.”
Funds to boost Rainbow Elementary’s intervention programs By Lee Williams
Rainbow Elementary School got a $2,500 check last month to support its Early Intervention Program and other programs focused on reading, math and personal development of children most in need. The check from AT&T through a partnership with the DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce was presented by state Rep. Rahn Mayo (D-Decatur) on Jan. 21. “As our state struggles with budget challenges, and we ask our local school system to make cuts, I believe it’s necessary for elected leaders who are in a position to attract the private sector to support our public schools,” Mayo said. Mayo’s House District 91 includes the Decatur school. He said some children need extra help and support they may not receive at home. He said extra time might encourage students to succeed. “A little motivation goes a long way,” Mayo said. After reviewing the scores for the 2009 Criterion Referenced Competency Test, Mayo said he discovered that many elementary school students in south DeKalb County were not meeting the minimum standards in math, language arts and reading. “That’s a problem for me,” he said. “I think we all should be alarmed by this and give back in some way.” The CRCT results show that 34 percent of Rainbow
Grants available to assist teachers DeKalb County and City Schools of Decatur teachers can apply for $500 grants to help cover school supplies for their classrooms from the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and AT&T. The grants, which will be awarded in the fall and winter, will help pay for supplemental materials needed for middle school- and high school-level science, technology and engineering. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 17; recipients will be recognized at the chamber’s March 1 luncheon. Leonardo McClarty, chamber president, said they are proud to partner with the two school systems. “Involvement of the business community in education is vital to educating today’s youth,” he said. Delores Crowell, region and external affairs manager for AT&T, agreed. “We value education, recognizing that the future of our company is based upon the scholastic achievement of young people particularly in the areas of math and science,” Crowell said. Teachers can apply through their school or by visiting the Workforce and Education section at www.dekalbchamber.org.
Rainbow Elementary Principal Annette Roberts (left) received a $2,500 check from state Rep. Rahn Mayo and Delores Crowell, region and external affairs manager for AT&T.
Elementary fourth-graders failed reading, 25.8 percent failed language arts, and 35.1 percent failed math. School Principal Annette Roberts did not return telephone calls. Mayo, 34, lives in Decatur but grew up in Los Angeles. He says he understands the challenges many children face in their environment and home life. That is why the test scores propelled him to take action.
In addition to seeking out businesses to support the schools, Mayo said he and his staff donate their time tutoring and mentoring students. Mayo hopes to make a difference by helping a child – before they give up on school. He urges others to follow his lead. “I think it’s important to not only give money, but to support the students with our presence,” he said.
Schools lauded for improvements on state exams More than 17 DeKalb schools were recognized for improving performance on state curriculum exams. The DeKalb schools were among 327 recognized statewide by State School Superintendent Kathy Cox in January for highest performance and greatest gains on the CRCT or Georgia High School Graduation Test. The schools were recognized under Georgia’s Single Statewide Accountability System, which awards schools based on their performance on state curriculum exams and Adequate Yearly Progress status. The DeKalb schools recognized for highest performance are Kittredge Magnet, Austin, Vanderlyn, Fernbank, Livsey, Wadsworth Magnet, Oak Grove, Evansdale and Montgomery elementary schools and DeKalb Early College Academy, Chamblee Charter, DeKalb School of the Arts and Lakeside high schools. Those making the list for Greatest Gain are Montgomery and Bob Mathis elementary schools, Academy of Lithonia Charter and DeKalb High School of TechnologyNorth. The recognitions were released as part of the 2008-2009 K-12 Public Schools Scoreboard and Report Card. Cox congratulated the teachers and sent congratulatory letters and a banner announcing the accomplishment to the schools. “Even in these very difficult economic times the schools we are awarding continue to have a no-excuses attitude,” she said. “We are more focused than ever on the goal of providing a world-class education to every student.”
Notable achievements These DeKalb schools were recognized for Student Achievement under Georgia’s Single Statewide Accountability System. Greatest Gain Awards Academy of Lithonia Charter.....................................Bronze Bob Mathis Elementary..............................................Bronze DeKalb High School of Technology-North.................Bronze Montgomery Elementary............................................ Gold Highest Performance Austin Elementary School........................................ Platinum Chamblee Charter High School.................................Bronze DeKalb Early College Academy................................... Gold DeKalb School of the Arts..........................................Bronze Evansdale Elementary School....................................Bronze Fernbank Elementary School...................................... Gold Kittredge Magnet School......................................... Platinum Lakeside High School................................................Bronze Livsey Elementary School...........................................Silver Montgomery Elementary School...............................Bronze Oak Grove Elementary School...................................Bronze Vanderlyn Elementary School..................................... Gold Wadsworth Magnet School........................................Bronze
Your Source for Neighborhood News Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information
14
CrossRoadsNews
February 6, 2010
One-order, one-invoice, multi-newspaper placement service! Reach more than 15 million households served by over 1,020 suburban and community newspapers around North America and Canada. 25-word ad starts at $240 weekly. Discount Contact Rates Available. For more information, call 404-284-1888
\Business Opportunities ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy. All for $9,995. 800-893-1185 (Void in SD & MD) ABSOLUTE GOLD MINE! Make Serious Money From Home! Rapidly expanding new company looking for motivated leaders to help open new markets. We’re WORLD CLASS from top to bottom. Are you? 6 figure earners & experienced sales pros only please! 800-605-8675 $412 Daily! Data entry positions available online! Internet needed. Income is Guaranteed! No experience required. Start today! www. datafromhome.net
ALL CASH VENDING! Incredible Income Opportunity! Candy, Gumball, Snack, Soda...Minimum $4K-$10K Investment Required. Excellent Quality Machines. We Can Save You $$$$. 800-9629189
Education & Training AIRLINE MECHANIC- Train for high paying Aviation Career. FAA Approved program. Financial aid if qualified- Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (877)818-0783 Attend College Online from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 800-488-0386 www. CenturaOnline.com
Employment Opportunities $412 Daily! Data entry positions available online! Internet needed. Income is Guaranteed! No experience required. Start today! www.datafromhome.net Mystery Shoppers Needed. Earn up to $150 per day. Undercover Shoppers needed to Judge Retail & Dining Establishments Experience Not Required. Call Now 1-877-2186211
Financial $$$ ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!!! AS seen on TV. Injury Lawsuit Dragging? Need $500$500,000++ within 48/hrs? Low rates. APPLY NOW BY PHONE! 1-888-271-0463
Misc. For Sale Get Dish with FREE Installation - $19.99/mo HBO & Showtime FREE - Over 50 HD Channels FREE Lowest Prices - No Equipment to Buy! Call Now for full Details 1-866-202-1044 * REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL!* Get a 4-Room All-Digital Satellite system installed for FREE and programming starting under $20. FREE DVR and HD Upgrades for new callers, SO CALL NOW. 1-800-699-7159
Miscellaneous Advertise your product or service nationwide or by region in up to 12 million households in North America’s best suburbs! Place your classified ad in over 815
“Keep your pet protected and LEGAL! Update their Rabies vaccine today!”
RABIES CLINIC
$10 $28
404-432-2772
suburban newspapers just like this one. Call Classified Avenue at 888-486-2466 or go to www. classifiedavenue.net
Real Estate North Carolina Mountains. E-Z Finish Log Cabin Shell with Acreage. Pre-Approved Bank
Financing. Only $99,900 Ask about our Mountain Land for Sale 828-247-9966 code 45A
Timeshares SELL/RENT YOUR TIMESHARES FOR CASH!!! Our Guaranteed Services Will Sell/ Rent Your Unused Timeshare for CASH! Over $78 Million Dollars Offered in 2009! www.sellatimeshare.com 1-866-708-3690
Wanted To Buy WANTED DIABETES TEST STRIPS. Any Kind/Any brand Unexpired. Pay up to $18.00 per box. Shipping Paid. Call 1-800-267-9895 OR http://www. SellDiabeticstrips.com
Reader Notice As a service to you – our valued readers – we offer the following information: This newspaper will never knowingly accept any advertisement that is illegal or considered fraudulent. If you have questions or doubts about any ads on these pages, we advise that before responding or sending money ahead of time, you check with the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Line and/or the Better Business Bureau. They may have records or documented complaints that will serve to caution you about doing business with those advertisers. Also be advised that some phone numbers published in these ads may require an extra charge. In all cases of questionable value, such as promises or guaranteed income from work-at-home programs, money to loan, etc., if it sounds too good to be true – it may in fact be exactly that. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for any negative consequences that occur as a result of you doing business with any advertisers. Thank you.
15
CrossRoadsNews
February 6, 2010
If This Was Your Ad, Someone Would Be Seeing It Now!
Marketplace COMPUTERS
SERVICES
WWW.JONATECH.NET. Laptops $199 & up. Parts, Adapters, Screen Replace, Spyware & Virus removal. Diag fee $40 Jonatech 678-918-4445
Sell your music online. I-tunes, rhapsody, Amazon, napster. Package deals starting @$125. Get royalty checks sent straight to your mail. Start today! 404-8399076 or email@ lamarclay1@ gmail.com
EMPLOYMENT
We need a male or female repreTUTORIAL SERVICES sentative for our opening potion bookkeeper. For more information, Online GED Prep! Work at your please contact howard.appliown pace in the privacy of your ances@gmail.com. own home! Email mathwhiztut@ yahoo.com or call 404-453-4559! FOR RENT/LEASE
Call 404-284-1888 today for rates & information.
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.
SEA CREST SURF & RACQUET CLUB I OWNERS’ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, vs.
CALVINF. SMITHandBARBARA HILL SMITH
TO THE DEFENDANT(S)ABOVE-NAMED: PLEASEBE INFORMEDthatthe Complaintin the above-captionedmatterhas been properlyfiled with the Clerkof Courtfor BeaufortCounty,SouthCarolina,on November12, 2009.
RUTH,MacNEILLE,& KNUDSEN, P.A.
Rooms for rent in spacious 4 bedroom house in DeKalb County. New hardwood and carpet deck, large living room, dining room and kitchen all utilities included, cable close to bus line Rooms from $125 to $140 per week 404-291-0212
_______________________________ Douglas W. MacNeille, Esquire Attorneyfor the Plaintiff Sea Crest Surf & Racquet Club I Owners’ Association, Inc. P.O. Drawer5706 Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 (843) 785-4251
Liberty Tax Service is into the 2010 tax season. However, in the midst of the recent tragedy in Haiti, Liberty is working with Care, Inc., in collecting contributions for Haitian Relief. Come by one of our two locations to make your contribution.
Townhome for rent! 3b 2.5ba, like new, Lithonia area, $950, Sec 8 ok, call 678-523-9565
5402-C Covington Hwy Decatur, GA
LANDSCAPE/LAWN CARE
Hilton Head Island, SC
*2748 Candler Rd Decatur, GA (Big Lots shopping center)
LEGAL NOTICE
Join Liberty Tax Service and let us make a difference “Charitable contributions are tax deductible.”
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Liberty Tax Service
• We offer half price every Saturday. • We prepare and E-file tax returns for all 50 states. • We charge no additional fee for E-filing.
Henry K. Mitchell Certified Public Accountant Adjunct Instructor of Accounting, Atlanta Metropolitan College
Call us at
(678) 663-6229
• We prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, non-profit entities, estates and trust. • We insure you receive every tax benefit. • We serve our clients with due diligence and with utmost respect for their financial interest.
) IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS FOR ) ) THE FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL CICRUIT ) ) SEA CREST SURF & RACQUET ) Case No.: 2009-CP-07-05409 CLUB I OWNERS' ASSOCIATION ) ) Plaintiff, ) vs. SUMMONS ) (NON-JURY) ) ) CALVIN F. SMITH and BARBARA HILL ) ) SMITH ) ) Defendants. _____________________________________ ) ) COUNTY OF BEAUFORT
678-518-0940
Last Chance Tax Preparation
8.59 m e d $1 ro I s a v u p o n s f ws o c Ne w i t h s sR o a d s Cro
COUNTY OF BEAUFORT
) IN THE COURTOF COMMONPLEAS FOR ) THE FOURTEENTHJUDICIALCIRCUIT ) ) ) Case No.: 09-CP-07-05409 ) ) ) NOTICE OF FILING ) COMPLAINT ) (Foreclosure Action) ) (Non-Jury Matter) ) ) ) )
_________________________________________
3 bedroom, 2 bath house. Large bonus living room. Eat in kitchen. Quiet Neighborhood. Lithonia area. Section 8/ Seniors. 404-2075157
Click. Print. Save!
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Defendant.
Nice 3 bedroom house with 2 full bath, split level den w/fireplace and 1 car garage. $850/month. 1310 Mill Lake Circle, Stone Mtn GA 30088. 770 484-9260
Landscape Services Since 1996 Design-Installation-Maintenance Aeration, Bobcat Work, French Drainage, Concrete Work. Free Estimate. Call 770-593-1382.
LEGAL NOTICE
Ayanna Nubienne loctitian
2964 s. rainbow ste 312 decatur, ga 30032 trunaturalsshop.com
TO THE DEFENDANT(S) ABOVE NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint herein, a copy of which is hereby served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said Plaintiff upon the subscriber, at his office at Post Office Drawer 5706, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Conyers’ Best Kept Secret!
N’Timate Salon & Day Spa A Full Service Salon
Stylist for all your hair care needs * Customized Facials * Spa Manicure & Pedicure * Rejuvenating Massages Call for your reservation or additional information powered by:
www.crossroadsnews.com/pages/coupons
770-679-0700
1046 Iris Drive Ste E, Conyers, GA 30094 Inquire about Senior Citizen Wednesday
29938, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service, and if
February Special:
ONLY $115
• Customized Facial • Shampoo & Set • Mani/Pedi Combo • Massage ($150 value)
you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, Plaintiff will apply to the Court for the relief demanded in the Complaint, and judgment by default will be entered against you. RUTH, MacNEILLE and KNUDSEN, P.A. By:___________________________________ DOUGLAS W. MacNEILLE, ESQ. Attorneys for Plaintiff, Sea Crest Surf & Racquet Club I Owners' Association 40 Pope Avenue P.O. Box 5706 Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 (843) 785-4251
16
CrossRoadsNews
February 6, 2010