CrossRoadsNews, February 14, 2009 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

MINISTRY

A Feb. 21 symposium at the National Archives in Morrow will offer lots of tips and short cuts for searching slave ship manifests. 10

First Afrikan Church members will sing, dance, drum and act during a single dramatic worship service on Feb. 15 in honor of Black History Month. 13

Searching slave records

Honoring the past

February 14, 2009

VOTE NOW! www.crossroadsnews.com

Ballot on page 2

www.crossroadsnews.com

Volume 14, Number 42

Old Wal-Mart to be halls of learning Workmen at left and below were busy Thursday erecting a new facade on the old Wal-Mart store on Wesley Chapel Road. The building will become the home of the Decatur Campus of Everest Institute.

Terrell Bolton

Burrell Ellis

Ellis says he’ll follow probe where it goes By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Jennifer French Parker / CrossRoadsNews

College to occupy former site on Wesley Chapel Road By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Life will be returning soon to the old Wal-Mart building on Wesley Chapel Road. The 91,124-squarefoot building, vacant for four-and-a-half year, will open May 1 as the Decatur Campus of the Everest Institute. The college – which offers diploma programs and associate degrees in health care, business, criminal justice, transportation and information technology, and construction trades – will open with 600 students. DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson said the coming campus is good news. “This is the beginning of the Wesley Chapel renaissance,” he said Thursday. “This is the result of a lot of prayer and a lot of hard work.” This week, a flurry of construction activi- Larry Johnson ties at the site included workmen building a new façade on the building, which has been boarded up since Wal-Mart Corp. shuttered it on July 21, 2004, when it opened the larger Super Wal-Mart on Fairington Road in Lithonia.

college will start the “walkability” that he has been trying to get along the once-busy Wesley Chapel commercial corridor. “With the students, more restaurants and businesses will open up,” Johnson said. The downward spiral of the Wesley Chapel corridor began in May 2002 when the 104,000-square-foot Kmart across the street closed. That building is still vacant. It gained momentum Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews in the summer of 2004 DeKalb County records show structural, with the departure of Wal-Mart, which had sign, plumbing, HVAC and electrical permits anchored the shopping center since 1989. With Wal-Mart’s departure, the center’s issued Oct. 29, 2008, for interior work on the building which is being reconfigured into traffic dwindled to nothing and by November 2004, stores like Payless Shoe Store, Royal classrooms and offices. In Atlanta, Everest Institute was formerly Wigs and host of others had left as well. They were followed by the departure of Georgia Medical Institute. Its parent company is Santa Ana, Calif.-based Corinthian Long John Silver’s and Blockbuster along the Colleges Inc., a publicly traded company outer parcels facing Wesley Chapel Road. Johnson said he has been working for that bills itself as one of the largest postsecondary education companies in North years with Equity One, which manages the center, to get something in the vacant WalAmerica. It has more than 74,265 students at 100 Mart space. “They were going to do a furniture store campuses in Norcross and across the United States and Canada. Most of its diploma pro- but the home market tanked,” he said. Neither Barbara Holliman, the campus grams take just nine months to complete. Johnson, whose District 3 includes the president, or Tapas Ghosh, regional vice Wesley Chapel Crossing shopping center, president of operations for Corinthian Colhome to the old Wal-Mart store, said the leges, Inc., were available at press time.

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis says he will follow the trail wherever it leads in his investigation of Police Chief Terrell Bolton. “I don’t know what will happen in two weeks,” Ellis told reporters Tuesday, the day after he suspended Bolton with pay pending an internal administrative investigation, being conducted by the DeKalb Sheriff ’s Office. Ellis suspended Bolton on Feb. 9 after a marathon seven-hour meeting that included a two-hour, 20-minute break. During that meeting, Bolton was reportedly offered his salary for a year, if he would resign. He declined. At the Feb. 10 meeting with reporters at his Ponce de Leon Avenue office, Ellis would not discuss whether any offers were made to Bolton to leave the department. The suspension includes Bolton being relieved of his badge, gun, and county-issued vehicle and denied access to county buildings. Ellis said it is standard procedure during an administrative investigation. Outside of that, he would not provide any details about what or why Bolton was being investigated, but said he shared with the chief and his lawyer, Bill McKenney, a number of allegations that had come to his attention about the chief. Asked if the investigation included comp time and the punitive re-assignments of top police officers to positions below their rank and experience, Ellis said he was not going to get into the details of what was discussed or the scope of the investigation. “I just don’t think that would be appropriate while we are conducting the investigation,” he said. Bolton referred CrossRoadsNews to McKenney for comments, but spoke directly to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution where he was quoted Wednesday calling the investigation “a political witch hunt.” McKenney could not be reached at press time but media reports Thursday quoted him saying he was sending a letter to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation asking it to “intercede and take over this Please see PROBE, page 3

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

The Best of East Metro Please vote for your favorites below (one vote per category), or cast your vote at www.crossroadsnews.com. Winners will be featured in an upcoming Best of East Metro special section. Public Affairs Best Local Activist r Alvin Dollar r Colet Odenigbo r Ernest Brown r George Turner r Gil Turman r Hank Stewart r John Evans r Joyce Dorsey r Karen Adams Anderson r Michael Armstrong r Peggy Smalls r Susan Keith r Viola Davis Best Local Character r Alphonso Mallory r David Milliron r Hank Stewart r Joe Bembry r Josie Dean r Marion Garvin r Stan Watson Best Local Entrepreneur r Bonnie Kallenberg, Finders Keepers r Brenda Jackson, Brenda Jackson Assoc. r Darrius Green ( D’maestro) r Donald A. McMichael r Greg Levett, Levett & Sons Funeral Home r Gregory Baranco, Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead r Lorraine Harrison, About Conyers Publisher r Lu Woodson, Alpha Climate Control r Malcolm Cunningham, Cunningham Automotive Group r Mattie Rock, Rock’s Networking Unlimited r O’Keefe, Avondale Pizza r Tony & Leslie Royal, Chick-fil-A Turner Hill Road & South DeKalb Mall Best County Commissioner r Connie Stokes r Kathie Gannon r Larry Johnson r Lee May r Richard Oden Best School Board Member r Eugene Walker r Frances Edwards (posthumous) r Jay Cunningham r Tom Bowen r Zepora Roberts Citizen of the Year r Ann Brown r Brenda Jackson r Camille Harvey r Donald A. McMichael r George Johnson r Hank Johnson r Kerwin B. Lee r Larry Johnson r Leslie E. Royal r Peggy Smalls r Renee Ranson r Rev. Marvin L. Crawford, MD. Best East Metro Landmark r Arabia Mountain r Berean Christian Church r Flatiron Building in Oakhurst r Gallery at South DeKalb r Olde Town Conyers r Stone Mountain Most Beloved Politician r Hank Johnson r Commissioner Lou Walker (posthumous) r Lee May r Pam Stephenson r Stan Watson r Thomas Brown r Vernon Jones Most Beloved Elected Official r Burrell Ellis r Gwen Keyes Fleming r Hank Johnson r Johnny Isakson r Larry Johnson r Oz Nesbitt r Stan Watson r Thomas Brown r Vernon Jones Most Beloved Public Official r Chris Morris r Crawford Lewis r David Milliron r Gregory Adams r Larry Johnson r Thomas Brown Best State Legislator r Billy Mitchell r Gloria Butler r Howard Mosley r Pam Stephenson r Ron Ramsey r Stan Watson r Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield Best Civic Organization r AKA - Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter r American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) r ARThink r DeKalb NAACP r East Lake r FACAA - Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority r Fairington Park Homeowners Assoc. r Howey Hudson Lowe Foundation, Inc. r League of Women Voters of DeKalb Co. r Pride Rings in Stone Mountain (PRISM) r South DeKalb Neighborhood Coalition (SDNC) r Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) r The Saturday School r The Stewart Foundation Community of Faith Best Large Church (More than 5,000 members) r Berean Christian Church r Beulah Baptist r Destiny Metropolitan Worship Center r Divine Faith Ministry International r Elizabeth Baptist Church r First Baptist Atlanta r Greenforest Community Baptist Church r Hillside Chapel & Truth Center r New Birth Missionary Baptist Church r New Life Community Baptist r Ray of Hope r Saint Philip AME r Springfield Baptist Conyers r Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church r Total Grace Missionary Baptist Church r Voices of Faith r Word of Faith Family Worship r World Changers Best Small Church (5,000 or less) r Body of Christ Ministries r Divine Circle of Enlightment r Exousia Lighthouse Christian Ministry r First Afrikan Presbyterian r First Saint Paul AME r Grace Pentecostal Tabernacle r Greater Heights Christian Church r Greater Love Baptist r Greater Piney Grove r Hillcrest Church of Christ r New Hope Christian Ministries r New Piney Grove Missionary Baptist r Power of Faith r Snellville Church of God r St. Joseph’s Maronite Church

Best Outreach Ministry r Angel Food Ministry r Dollie’s Pantry of Exousia Lighthouse r First African r JAMS Worldwide Minisry New Birth Missionary Baptist Church r New Life Community Impact Day r South DeKalb Center for Healthy Living r The Saturday School Best Dance Ministry r Berean Christian Church r Midnight Hour r Moore Arts Ministry r NPG Dance Ministry r Sabrina McKenzie r Saint Philip AME r Tamba Issa r Word of Faith Family Worship Best Church School r Greenforest/McCalep Academy r Faith Academy r Children for Christ Academy r Kilombo Pan-Afrikan Institute r Sts Peter & Paul Catholic School Best Gospel Choir r 1st Saint Paul AME Choir r D.F.M.I. Recording Choir r Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church r New Life Gospel Choir r Saint Philip Griffin Choir r Tamba Issa r Total Praise r World Changers Church International Best Gospel DJ r Brian Clay r Coco Baby r Larry Young r Reggie Gay Best Gospel Singer r Byron Cage r Celina “SoulDivine” Crawford r Charlena the Soulful Psalmist r Darwin Hobbs r Euclid Gray r Lashawn Pace r Leon Timbo r L’Tanya Moore r Maxine Veerdre r Yolanda Adams Dining Best African Restaurant r Atlanta Best Coffee r Island Cafe Best American Restaurant r Applebee’s r Arizona Steakhouse r Avondale Pizza Café r Chick-fil-A at Turner Hill Road r Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ r Marlows Tavern r Taco Mac r Wahoo Best Asian Restaurant r China Dragon r Chou Lee’s r Kampai r Mint r Mu Lan r SpiceThai Palace (Conyers) Best BBQ Restaurant r Harold’s BBQ r Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ (Conyers) r Old Hickory House r Smokey Bones r This Is It r WW the Boss Best Caribbean Restaurant r Chanan’s Restaurant r Eat Right r Golden Spoon r Island Café r Maracas Cafe/Covington r Peach’s r Royal Caribbean r Taste of Jamaica Best Family Dining Restaurant r Applebee’s r Avondale Pizza Café r Golden Corral r IHOP r Longhorn’s r Piccadilly r Pizza Hut/Candler Rd r Red Lobster r Roberts Restaurant r Ruby Tuesday r Sycamore Grill Best Italian Restaurant r Cafe Milano’s r Cappozi’s r Carraba’s r Chianti’s Italian Restaurant r Joe Carrinos r Maggiano’s r Michelangelo’s r Milanos r Olive Garden r Vini Vidi Vici Best Mexican Restaurant r El Pollo Loco r El Ranchero (Old National Hwy) r Frontera r La Parilla r Los Bravos r Los Chorros r Mexico City Gourmet r Pacho’s Best Restaurant for First Date r Arizona Steakhouse r Bugaboo Creek r Café Circa r Nans r Papadeaux r Parker’s On Ponce r Red Lobster r Spondivits r Sun Dial r Surin of Thailand r Sycamore Grill r Wahoo Most Romantic Restaurant r Arizona’s r Bugaboo Creek r Cappozi’s r Cheques r Michelangelo/Conyers r Milanos r Oceanaire r Steak & Shake r Sycamore Grill r Take 2 Best Soul Food Restaurant r Beautiful Restaurant r Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles r Hodges r Kings Southern Delight r Mammie’s r Mudea’s r Robert’s r This Is It r WW the Boss Best Sports Bar r Applebee’s r Buffalo Wild Wing r Corner Pub r Dugans r Fox Sports Grill r Scores r Stats r Zanzas Best New Restaurant r Atlanta Best Coffee r Borage Grille r Mables r Parker’s On Ponce r Turkey Base r Wondrous Works-Fairburn

Best Restaurant When Someone Else Buys r Arizonas r Atlanta Fish Market r Daruma/Conyers r Gladys Knight Chicken & Waffles r Kam Pai r New York Prime r Olive Garden r Red Lobster r Sambuca r Spundivits r Taste of Brazil Best Appetizers r Applebee’s r Blue Pointe r Bugaboo Creek r Chili’s r Red Lobster Best Bakery r Atlanta Best Coffee r Cakes By Coco r Publix Best Buffet r Asian Buffet r Golden Corral r Mandarin Garden r Piccadilly r Best Burger r Applebees r Backyard Burgers r Burger King r Checkers r Chili’s r Five Guys r Gutbusters r Honey Creek Wings r Sonics r Ted’s Montana Grill r The Vortex r Three Brothers r Turkey Base r Wendy’s r Best Breakfast r Chick-fil-A at Turner Hill Road r IHOP r James Joyce Irish Pub r Java Delight r Thumbs Up r Waffle House Best Cheap Eats r Avondale Pizza Café r Chick-fil-A r Popeyes r Subway r Taco Bell r Turkey Base r Wendy’s Best Late Night Eats r Chou Lee’s r McDonald’s r Taco Bell r Taco Cabana r Waffle House Best Pizza r Atlanta Pizza & Gyro r Avondale Pizza Café r Davido’s r Dominos r Fellinis r Johnny’s Pizza and Subs r Mellow Mushroom r Nancy’s r Papa John’s r Pies on Pizza r Pizza Hut r Pizza Man in Gwinnett r Tava’s Pizza r Vintage Pizzeria r Whole Foods r Zo’s Best Takeout r $3.75 Pizza r American Deli r Chick-fil-A r Fellinis r Mandarin Garden r Piccadilly Best Chicken Wings r $3.75 Pizza r American Deli r Atlantas Best Wings r Buffalo Pizza & Wing Company r Crossroads Cafe & Grille r Davido’s r Dugan’s r Hard Luck Conyers r Honeycreek Wings r JR Crickets r Lovejoy Wing Cafe’ r Mo Better Wings r Seafood and Wings r Susie’s Best Wings r Wal-Mart r Wild Wing Café r Wing Depot r Wingin’ It r Zaxby’s Best Chicken Sandwich r Chic-fil-A r Wendy’s Best Chicken Salad r Carraba’s r Chick-fil-A r El Pollo Loco r Outback r Zaxby’s Best Coffeehouse r Java Delight r Kaiteur Coffee House r Lattetude Coffee Lounge & Bistro r Starbuck’s r Town Center Breads Coffee House Best Farmers Market r College Park Farmers Market r DeKalb Farmers Market Best Fish Market r DeKalb Farmers Market r Spundivits Best Grocery Delicatessen r DeKalb Farmers Market r Jason’s Deli r Publix Best Supermarket r Aldi r Ingles r Kroger r Publix r Super Save Foods r Walmart Best Doughnuts r Dunkin Donuts r Krispy Kreme Best Fish Fry r Bar B Que Works r Ishlah’s r James Joyce Irish Pub r Natalie’s Fish House r Red Lobster r Supreme Fish Delight r Yasins Best French Fries r American Deli r Checkers r Chick-fil-A r Depeaux r McDonald’s Best Hot Dogs r Checkers r QuikTrip r Sam’s Club r Skip’s r The Varsity Best Ribs r Arizona’s r Jim N Nicks r Old Hickory House r This is It r WW The Boss

Best Soups r Olive Garden r Panera Breads r Roly Poly Conyers r Town Center Breads Coffee House/ Covington r Whole Foods Best Steakhouse r Smokey Bones r Bugaboo Creek r Longhorn’s r Outback r Parker’s On Ponce Best Sub Sandwiches r Avondale Pizza Café r Blimpie r Firehouse Grill r Maracas Cafe/Covington r Publix Deli r Quiznos r Subway Best Sushi r Benihana’s r Blue Fin r I Love Sushi r Kampai r Nagoya r RuSan’s r Sushi Avenue Best Sunday Brunch r James Joyce Irish Pub r Marlow Tavern r Sycamore Grill Buy and Sell Best Antique Store r Faye’s Alabaster Box r Finders Keepers r Glitz and Glam r Lingering Memories Best Auto Dealer / New Domestic r Car Connection, Inc. r Malcolm Cunningham Ford r Stone Mountain Chrysler Best Auto Dealer / New Import r Car Connection, Inc. r Cunningham Mazda r Mercedes Benz of Buckhead Best Auto Dealer Used r Alexis Motors r Car Connection, Inc. r Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery Best Tire Store r NTB r NTRW r Sears r Tire Deal r Tires Plus r Walker Tires Best Car Wash r $4 Car Wash r $5 Car Wash r Baker’s on Covington Hwy r California Gold r CarNett r Eastside Detailing & Carwash r Sparkling Auto Bath r Super Suds Car Wash/Conyers r The Finish Line Best Bookstore – New r Barnes & Noble r Books A Million r Borders r Tall Tales Best Bookstore – Used r Aspen Book Store r Eagle r The Book Nook Best Beauty Supply Store r Angie Beauty at Northlake r C & C Beauty & Beyond r Don Janelle’s r Sally’s r Weeta’s Beauty Supply Best Eyewear Store r Eyeworks of Decatur r Fashion Optique r Lenscrafters Best Financial Institution r Bank of America r Best Bank r Best Tax Services r CDC Federal Credit Union r Citizens Trust Bank r Decatur First Bank r Edward Jones Investments r SunTrust Bank r Wachovia r WaMu Best Florist r Bloomland r Bussey’s Florist r Dream Florist r Flowers of Conyers r Gloria’s Flowers & Gifts r Gresham Park r Hall’s Flower r Maud Baker Best Furniture Store Home r Finders Keepers r Haverty’s r Rooms To Go Best Garden Center r Home Depot r Lowes Best Insurance Agency r Don Harris State Farm r KJ Insurance r Les Kemp Allstate r Liberty Mutual Best Jewelry Store r Alexander’s – Toco Hill r Jared’s r Best Law Firm r Betty Williams-Kirby LLC r Burroughs Johnson & Hopewell r Deming Parker r Moulton and Tarrer r Winfrey & Winfrey Best Music Store r Moods Music r Wal-mart Best Pet Store r Petco r PetSmart Best Real Estate Agency r InTouch Realty, Inc. r Jenice Brinkley r Metrobrokers r Pam Holmes Realty r Prudential r Pulte Mortgage Best Travel Agency r Brock Tours and Travel r Come Cruise With Us & Tours Best Women’s Clothing Store r Barami’s r Belk r Dots r Finders Keepers Consignments r JC Penney r Juicy Couture r Kohl’s r Macy’s r Simply Fashions r TJ Maxx Best Men’s Clothing Store r Bachrach r Burlington Coat Factory r D&K r K&G r Kohls r Men’s Wearhouse r Shoe Shack

Best Children’s Clothing Store r JC Penney r Kid to Kid r Limited Too r Old Navy r Ross r Sprouts Children’s Resale Best Thrift Store r Finders Keepers r Goodwill Best Shoe Store r Bakers r DSW r Famous Footwear r Finish Line r K&D Shoes r Liz Claiborne Shoe Store r Payless Shoes r Shoe Land r Shoe Time Services Rendered r Best Auto Detailing r Baker’s Auto Car Detail r Cartopia r East Side Detailing r Eric England’s Detailing Shop r Sparkling Auto Bath Best Auto Repair r Drummer Imports r Far East Motor Works r Lionheart Auto Repair r Ultimate Benz r Vol-Maz r Whitlow’s Auto Center Best Health Club r 24/7 Fitness r Anytime Fitness r Beulah Family Life Center r D Renard’s Personal Training Facility r Gold’s Gym r Jeanne’s Body Teck Buckhead r LA Fitness r Lou Walker Senior Center r Samson’s r South DeKalb YMCA Best Day Spa r Kai Spa r La Vie r Spa Sydell r Travis Salon & Spa/Conyers Best Barber Shop r $5 Barber Shop r 1st Class Barber Shop r Afrorama r Exodus Barber Shop r Lion’s Den r Pro Don r Regency Barber Shop r Rick’s Barber & Beauty Salon r Tru Kutz r Walmart Best Hair Salon r $5 Barber & Beauty r Capelli Salon r Don Janelle’s r Favor Hair Studio r Fazeeks r FrostHair Rendition - Veronica Jackson r Honey Creek Hair/Conyers r Mix r Results Hair Studio r Rick’s Styles & Cuts Salon r Salon Milan r Shades of Brown r Shear Perfections II-Debra Valore r Shine Salon and Spa r The Purple Door r Touched by an Angel Best Nail Salon r Beauty Nails r C & A Nails r Diane’s Nails Spa/Covington r Georgia Nails r Immix r Nail Shop on Rainbow r Rick’s Hair & Nail Salon Best Dentist r Best Care Dental r Children’s Dentistry at Stonecrest r Dan Hodges r Dental One r Diane Stephens r Elise Ashpole r Heard & Heard Dental Associates r Jimmy Blount r Lithonia Restoration & Dental r O’Shea & O’Shea Denistry r Sharn Shepard Best Orthodontist r Craig Williams DDS r Dental One r Dr. Eric Echols Best Pet Grooming r Fur Side r Petco r PetSmart Best Free Wi Fi r Atlanta Best Coffee r Chick-fil-A Turner Hill r Panera Bread r Starbucks Best Internet Provider r AOL r AT&T r BellSouth r Comcast r Earthlink r Yahoo!

Best Mobile Service Provider r AT&T r Metro PCS r Sprint r T-Mobile r Verizon Best Tattoo Parlor r City of Ink r Karmic Tattoo Best Martial Arts Dojo r Adrian Spellen r AKJ Karate r Jim Fullers Best Youth Performing Arts Group r A Step Ahead Art Studio r Callanwolde r Moore Arts Ministry r Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia Best Dance School r Conservatory of Dance & Fine Arts r Dominy School of the Performing Arts r Starbound r Stone Academy of the Arts r Stone Mountain School of Performing Arts r Susan’s Dance School of Performing Arts Best Private School r BaSix Academy r Excell Preparatory Academy r Hope School Of Excellence r Wilson Academy r Young Americans Best Day Care r Beverly’s Angels r Excell Preparatory Academy r La Petite r Love in Action r Visions Child Care r Wings Of A Dove Christian Academy Fun for All Best Bicycle Trail r Arabia Mountain r Callaway Gardens r Silver Comet Trail r Stone Mountain Park r Stonecrest Best Hiking Trail r Arabia Mountain r Panola Mountain State Park r Silver Comet Trail r Stone Mountain Park Best Walking Trail r Arabia Mountain Trail r Callaway Gardens r Fernbank r Silver Comet Trail r Stone Mountain Park r Stonecrest Best Running or Jogging Track r Arabia Mountain r Chapel Hill Elememtary r Stone Mountain Park r Towers High School Best Children’s Attraction r Beyond Beauty Camp r Celebrate r Chuck E Cheese r Dixie Land r Fernbank r Golden Glide Skating Rink r Maxx Fun Center r Sherwood Forest Best Bowling Alley r Atlanta Fun Center r Glenwood Lanes r Loganville Hwy 78 r Suburban Lanes r Tin Pin Alley at Dolce Best Pool Hall r Barleys r Stroker’s r Twain’s Best Art Gallery r Neighborhood Gallery and Arts Center r The High Best Museum r Fernbank r The High Scene & Be Seen Best Place to People Watch r Centennial Park r Hartsfield Airport r Mall at Stonecrest r Mall of Georgia r Stone Mountain Best Place to Meet New People r Church r East Atlanta Divers r Evening at Emory r Hairston’s r Starbucks on Lake Lucern Drive r The Wine Loft Best Female Vocalist r Algebra Blessett r Candi Staton r Celina “SoulDivine” Crawford r Chantae Cann r Charlena Nutal r Jeanne Brown r Keri Hilson r Trei Taylor Best Male Vocalist r Euclid Gray r JAMM r John McCutcheon

Best Jazz Artist r Antonio Allen r Baatin r Delores Major r Herman Mitchell r Kem r Ken Ford Best Local Artist r Algebra Blessett r Baatin r Chris Cauley r Hank Stewart r Herman Mitchell r Jon McCutcheon r Oorrin Morris Best Local Radio Personality r Coco Baby r Coco Brother r Frank Ski r Larry Tinsley r Lorraine Jacques White r Reggie Gay r Ryan Cameron r Steve Harvey Best Local TV Personality r Fred Blankenship r Jovita Moore r Karen Greer r Mark Hayes r Monica Pearson Best New Artist r Algebra Blessett r Antonio Allen r Chantae Cann r Crisette Michelle Best Jazz Band r Crisette Michelle r Herman Mitchell & the All-Stars r Jaspects Best Movie Theater r Carmike Crossroads 16/Conyers r Cobb Cinema r Galleria r Midtown Landmark r Screen Works (Gallery at South DeKalb) r Starlight Drive In r Stonecrest AMC r Tavern at Northlake r Torch Theater Best Live Theatre r Academy Theatre r Alliance Theatre r Fox Theatre r Horizon Theatre r Renaissance Theater Best Live Music Venue r Apache Café r Center Stage r Chastain r Encore r Lithonia Amphitheater r Schwarz 21-Plus Best After Work Watering Hole r Arizonas r Crickets on Camp Creek r Hairston’s Best Bar Food r Applebee’s r Artistry r Hairston’s r Hot Wings/Shrimp r Ruby Tuesdays r Tangueray Best Bar or Club to Be Seen In r Barley’s r Hairstons r Luckie Lounge r Sugarhill Best Dance Club r Hairston’s r Sugarhill r Taboo 2 r Tongue & Groove r Velvet Room Best Happy Hour r Arizonas r Dugans (Memorial Drive) r Hairston’s Best Cocktail Lounge r Beluga r Gallery Theater r Hairston’s r Sambuca Best Comedy Club r Hairston’s r Jay’s Place r Uptown Comedy Club Best Jazz Club r Hairston’s r Kennedis r Sambuca Best New Nightclub r Ambiance r Artistry Best Karaoke Bar r Buffalo Wild Wing r Dugans Most Romantic Bar r Hairston’s r Ray’s on the River

Tell us about yourself:

First Name:__________________________________________ Last Name:__________________________________________ Address:_ ___________________________________________ City:_ _______________________________________________ State:_______________________ Zip:____________________ Phone Number:______________________________________ Email Address :______________________________________ Age: r 18-29 r 30-39 r 44-49 r 50-59 r 60+ Sex r Male

r Female

Mail your completed ballot by Feb. 28 to CrossRoadsNews, 2346 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032. Contact information collected here for internal use only and will not be shared for any commercial uses. The Best of East Metro Readers’ Choice ballot is also available online at www.crossroadsnews.com.

Community

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

“I know for a fact that the chief was not interrogated. There were no law enforcement officials present. There was not an interrogation.”

Commissioners holding three more meetings on 2009 county budget With the Feb. 24 deadline nearing for the approval of DeKalb County’s 2009 budget, the Board of Commissioners is hosting three more community meetings, Feb. 17-19, for residents to get answers to their questions and concerns. To balance the proposed $601.4 million budget, CEO Burrell Ellis has slashed $34.2 million in debt services,

parks and libraries, public works, human services, general administration, facilities management, information systems, courts and jails, and public safety. Commissioner Connie Stokes who chairs the board’s Budget, Finance and Audit Committee, said she wants DeKalb citizens to be fully informed of

the budgetary alternatives the county has. “With their full participation and involvement, they will have a better idea of why we’ve made some of the tough choices that confront us,” said Stokes, who represents District 7. The meetings will be: n Feb. 17, St. Timothy United Methodist

Church, 5365 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, 7 p.m. n Feb. 18, Victory Church, 1170 North Hairston Road, Stone Mountain, 7:30 p.m. n Feb. 19, Berean Community Center, 2440 Young Road, Stone Mountain. For more information, call 404371-3053. Connie Stokes

Chief ’s suspension, investigation bring strained relations into open PROBE,

from page

investigation and expand it to include any improper actions taken by the CEO.” McKenney told the AJC that one of the possible “improper actions” is “the use of the sheriff’s [office] to investigate a county police department.”

Acting chief named This week’s developments follow a flurry of activities last week set off by Bolton’s cancellation of a scheduled Feb. 2 meeting with Ellis. Bolton said he cancelled the meeting because he was hospitalized for diabetes in his hometown of Dallas, where his family still lives. Ellis issued an executive order requiring his approval of police staff assignments and named assistant chief Karen Anderson to act last week. On Feb. 11, he announced the appointment of Maj. William O’Brien as acting chief during Bol-

ton’s administrative leave. The investigation and suspension of Bolton brought into the open strained relations between the new CEO and the police chief, who was hired in December 2006 by Ellis’ predecessor, Vernon Jones. Since taking office Jan. 5, Ellis has refused protection from the police department, opting instead for his security escort to come from the Sheriff ’s Office. It is customary in DeKalb for the police department to protect the CEO. It also took more than a month for Ellis and Bolton have a “sitdown” meeting, even though Ellis has put public safety as his administration’s top priority. The CEO said that he has been meeting with all of his department heads since taking office to discuss his vision for the county and hear theirs. He said that several meetings with Bolton, including the one on Feb. 2, were cancelled for one reason or another. He said he never read into the cancellations

that Bolton did not want to meet with him. “Yesterday just happened to be the time that I was able to come to a mutually convenient time to have that meeting with the chief of police,” he said.

Bolton not interrogated Their Feb. 9th meeting included county chief operating officer Keith Barker. “The three of us had a meeting,” Ellis said. “As CEO, I have got to have the ability to sit down and talk to my employees.” He denied reports that Bolton was interrogated or ambushed. “I know for a fact that the chief was not interrogated,” he said. “There were no law enforcement officials present. There was not an interrogation.” Ellis said they both talked about their visions for the county and police department and discussed a number of issues related to policing and public safety.

Despite Bolton’s suspension, the DeKalb Board of Commissioners approved his proposal to spend $1 million in confiscated drug money to buy Taser stun guns for more than 1,000 officers. Before the vote, Ellis had asked the commissioners to hold off on approving the request until the two-week investigation was complete. Asked during the press briefing why he is using the Sheriff ’s Office and not the police for his security detail, Ellis said it was a very personal decision. “I did that because of statements made by Chief Bolton last year, where he appeared to refer to me as an enemy,” he said. “I was concerned by that statement and concerned about who would provide my personal security. I elected to go with the Sheriff ’s Department.” In spite of that decision, he says he enjoys good relations with the rest of the police department. A source close to the investiga-

tion said that on Wednesday two of Bolton’s assistants were interrogated all day at the sheriff ’s office and kept in separate rooms without lunch. In an e-mail leaked to CrossRoadsNews, one of the women said she was “made to take a voice stress test and write a long seven-page accounting of all that they asked me and my answers. “Tried to get me to say that Chief had me shred papers and kept asking me if he instructed me to manipulate his time, etc,” she said. The women said also said their telephones – home, cell and county cell – are being monitored for contacts with their suspended boss. Bolton, who has not relocated his primary residence to DeKalb, continues to commute between the county and Dallas, Texas where his family still lives. An investigation by an Atlanta television station, said he has taken five months of comp time in the two years since his appointment.

CrossRoadsNews

Forum

February 14, 2009

“It wasn’t President Obama who bailed out Wall Street and left Main Street hanging out to dry.”

We need to support the president’s agenda for change 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 Staff Writers Corey M. Edwards McKenzie Jackson Advertising Sales Cynthia Blackshear Graphic Designer Shari Ffrench 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.

L L CA S! CA ES! O O L L IC OD RV GO E S

www.eastmetromarket.com

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for their authority is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. ( Romans 13:1) President Obama laid his hand on the Bible – Abraham Lincoln’s Bible at that – and swore an oath to serve the citizens of this nation and protect our national and international interests. I believe his intentions are genuinely progressive; however, any reasonable person knows he needs time, the administrative personnel, and the bipartisan cooperation of Congress to effectively govern this nation. It wasn’t President Obama who destroyed the national economy. It wasn’t President Obama who got our troops entrenched in the Middle East madness. It wasn’t President Obama who bailed out Wall Street and left Main Street hanging out to dry. It wasn’t President Obama who gave the extreme wealthy more tax breaks and more corporate loopholes. It wasn’t President Obama who stacked the U.S. Supreme Court with strict constructionists and extremely conservative justices who serve the

The Sunday morning television critics, political hacks, conservative hitmen, and the good ole boys need to understand that if President Obama fails, America fails, because while politicians keep the national in-fighting going, China and India are on the move. Kevin Oliveira

corporate interests and not John Q. Public’s interests. No! It was eight years of the worst presidential administration in American history. The current problem with the American system of governing is the ongoing political turf wars between Republicans and Democrats. President Obama is not trying to be a “token-symbolic president.” He is actually trying to govern this nation. Trying to broker an economic stimulus package between the Democrats and Republicans is just as bad as trying to broker a peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians. It is shameful how these politicians are acting with such a national crisis at hand. Real-life citizens

are suffering while they play highprice politics. Political operatives need to get in touch with “other people’s reality” – i.e., unemployment, foreclosures, homelessness, and poverty. Citizens must begin to look beyond the talking heads on the Sunday morning political shows and email their representatives to get with the program. President Obama has been in office a little over a month and the games to politically castrate him have already started. The Sunday morning television critics, political hacks, conservative hitmen, and the good ole boys need to understand that if President Obama fails, America fails, because while politicians keep the national in-fighting going, China and India

are on the move. Wisdom and power belongs to the Lord. He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. (Daniel 2:21-22) President Obama is not perfect. His intentions are good for the nation. Through his early prudent decisions, as well as his miscalculations, he is trying to establish his governmental operations. We need to pray for him to get more wisdom and understanding. And when he has to make a hard decisions, we should pray that he opens that Bible and meditates on Proverbs 3:5-7: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding but, in all your ways acknowledge Him that he may direct your steps. Don’t be wise in your own eyes – fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” This nation needs prayerful progress and no more political posturing by these self-serving political legends in their own minds. Kevin Oliveira lives in McDonough.

School nurses help kids – and parents – breathe easier All of us will probably be affected by budget cuts made in the We can’t cure asthma, but we coming weeks by our state legisla- can reduce asthma episodes. tors. We face a dire economic fore- With the help of school nurses, cast with no assurances of a quick these children can spend more turnaround. time in school. One cut that will impact Georgia’s children for years to come is dren have asthma. At the American the funding of school nurses. Ten percent of Georgia’s chil- Lung Association, we see school

Quick Read

nurses as important partners for parents and physicians in the care of children with asthma. Asthma attacks translate to missed school days, missed workdays for parents, hospitalizations – the list goes on. We can’t cure asthma, but we can reduce asthma episodes. With the help of school nurses, these children can spend

more time in school. For all these reasons and more, legislators must find the money to maintain funding for school nurses. Parents, grandparents, family and friends, please speak up for our school nurses. June Deen is director of advocacy for the American Lung Association of Georgia.

Three more budget meetings Memories of co-workers gives Lewis predicts more cuts scheduled 3 life to ‘Go Red Day’ 9 ahead for DeKalb schools 11 With the Feb. 24 deadline nearing for approval of the county’s 2009 budget, the commissioners are hosting three more community meetings.

Food drive under way

Tough days are ahead for the DeKalb School System. That’s the word from Dr. Crawford Lewis, the school system’s superintendent.

Bullies now harass in cyberspace

Food can be donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Decatur Cooperative Ministries during a February food drive sponsored by 6th District Commissioner Kathie Gannon.

Capitol rally to shine spotlight on lupus 9

Seminar for home buyers

Biker using love of cycling to Symposium details use of promote fellowship 13 slave ship records 10 James Etchinson has always enjoyed

First-time homebuyers can learn what it takes to buy a home at a free seminar on Feb. 21 at Southwest DeKalb High School.

Illness silences vocal activist 7 Community activist and Grady Hospital champion Ron Marshall has been silent for reason.

A rally to call attention to the 55,000 Georgians with lupus will take place Feb. 18 at the state Capitol.

African Americans can trace their history back to the slave ships that brought their ancestors from Africa at a Feb. 21 symposium at the National Archives in Morrow.

In 2003, a tormented 13-year-old Vermont boy killed himself after months of email threats, taunts and insults from schoolmates who labeled him gay.

the freedom of riding motorcycles. Ever since he bought his first bike – a 1979 iron-framed 1100cc Suzuki – 30 years ago, the retired General Motors worker has gone just about everywhere and seen just about everything.

Sit-in museum lands $1 million donation 10 Dramatic worship marks black Seminar for pre-teen girls 8 The International Civil Rights Center and 13 Parents of pre-teen girls can take them Museum in Greensboro, N.C., which honors history celebration Circulation Audited By

to a Puberty Rocks seminar at DeKalb Medical for a frank discussion on the “tween” years.

the students who staged lunch counter sitins in the 1960s, has received a $1 million donation from Lorillard Tobacco Co.

First Afrikan Presbyterian Church members and visitors are in for a treat at the Lithonia church’s Feb. 14 service.

index to advertisers AtlantaJobs.com..........................................14,15 CDC Federal Credit Union................................ 6 Chick-fil-A.........................................................7 Corner Stone Leadership Academy................ 15 Craig B. Williams, DDS..................................... 9 CRAM Academy.............................................. 15 CrossRoadsNews Expos.................................. 16

DeKalb Convention & Visitor’s Bureau..............3 DeKalb County Board of Health....................... 9 Douglas J. Flanigan Law Firm......................... 15 Ella’s Caring Hands Adult Day Care................ 15 EOS The Medical Spa.......................................8 Felicia V. Anderson CPA LLC............................ 6 First Afrikan Presbyterian Church................... 13

Griffin Capital Funding..................................... 6 Heritage Circle Realty...................................... 6 Lorillard Tobacco Co.........................................5 Mini Mall......................................................... 15 Multi Care Health & Rehabilitation..................... River of Life Baptist Church............................. 13 Safe Total Security........................................... 6

Saint Philip AME Church................................. 13 Salt & Light Truth Center................................ 13 Sandy Springs Hospitality & Tourism................7 Sheriff Thomas Brown......................................5 The Master’s Hands Music Studio................... 15 Will Wilson Insurance...................................... 6 Wright Vision Care............................................8

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

Open Letter to the Citizens of DeKalb County PUBLIC SAFETY CHIEF – A GOOD DEAL FOR DEKALB COUNTY First let me state for the record, I am not interested in being the public safety chief. I have not lobbied for it, nor has the county administration asked that I consider the job. As chairperson of the public safety committee for CEO Burrell Ellis’ Transition Team, I can state that this committee agreed unanimously that a county as large, urban, and diverse as DeKalb is ripe for executive level oversight of public safety functions. The transition committee found • Lost revenue opportunities at the Medical Examiner’s Office and a dysfunctional organizational structure • Deteriorating facilities within our Fire and Rescue Services Department • Large numbers of vehicles in the Police Department being taken home every night outside of the county • An unacceptable number of certified police officers performing tasks or placed in assignments unrelated to policing or assignments not suitable to their rank and position • An underperforming computer-aided dispatch(CAD) system in our 911 Communications Center for dispatching emergency equipment and personnel to our homes • A Recorder’s Court that is in melt down DeKalb County needs a public safety chief to address the regression of what was once a functioning public safety area to what is now a dysfunctional host of departments, units, and agencies that are not coordinated and that arguably have become wasteful with the ability to generate revenue and wisely spend the tax dollars that are provided. Having been your public safety director from 1990 until the end of 2000, and seeing where we were then and where we are today, let me offer three reasons why we should reinstate the public safety chief. 1) The Coordination of All Services. The demand of providing public safety to a large urban county is a huge challenge that must be managed with clear policies, procedures and oversight. It requires close and consistent interaction between the 911 Communications Center, police and fire

The point is someone must be the person to take the arrows and say “stop” and let the police do the policing, the animal control officer deal with the animals, the 911 center supervisors deal with that business, etc. In other words, someone has to “keep the main thing the main thing” minus the politics. departments, code enforcement, and to a smaller but no less important degree, the county’s courts and the medical examiner’s office. Coordination is paramount to seamless operation among these departments that demand the lion’s share of the county’s budget. Also, the very nature of the executive level positions in these departments can and often do create big egos and mentalities of “protection” of the individual departments among the leadership. Someone must be the referee, the gatekeeper, and the knowledgeable final person to make recommendations to the CEO. A public safety chief, as CEO Ellis has proposed, will be in a much better position to ensure the coordination of all public safety functions under his authority. The public safety chief will also ensure that taxpayer dollars are maximized and that DeKalb’s safety is provided efficiently using the resources available. 2) The Emergency Management Director. The public safety chief is your local Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) director. The chief makes sure that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing. The chief ensures that ego does not forget common sense and cooperation, and that we implement what we practice and prepare for in the event of the unthinkable. In 1998, a tornado ripped the community (now city) of Dunwoody. That disaster turned out to be a textbook model of how to handle a large natural disaster. With the many local, state and federal agencies involved, everyone knew their role not because they attended a certification class but because we had practiced the what ifs. We had developed memorandums of understanding, compiled

had to occupy the station prior to some amenities being installed, and inviting the commissioners in was their inappropriate way of bringing attention to the matter. Rather than contacting me, the public safety director, to get a clear understanding of the circumstances, the commissioners – who did not serve the district in which the station is located – accommodated the firefighters with a visit. Had the commissioners contacted the public safety director instead of the media, they would have found the contractors were still in the process of making final corrections at the station. The only reason why the station was opened in the first place was my commitment to the citizens to have it open before Christmas. The commissioners who were actually elected to serve that district were happy to have their fire station open. The citizens were happy that I had kept the commitment. I learned of the outof-district commissioners’ visit by watching them on the evening news. The captain at that station was transferred.

emergency contact numbers and operating procedures, and developed emergency purchasing procedures. We did not operate by crisis, but by an organized play book led first by the public safety director, who in the aftermath transitioned the power to the public works director for massive cleanup operations, and all with close coordination with the regional FEMA director. Today your emergency management function is buried in the bureaucracy of the police department. That cannot, in my opinion, meet the needs of this county. We need a public I have had to play the gatekeeper as public safety safety chief. director. The point is someone must be the person to take the arrows and say “stop” and let the police 3) Keep Politics Out of Public Safety. Don’t let do the policing, the animal control officer deal with me, your elected sheriff, your elected CEO, or the animals, the 911 center supervisors deal with that your elected board of commissioners ever tell business, etc. In other words, someone has to “keep you that politics is never a consideration in the main thing the main thing” minus the politics. some of the decisions made. To say otherwise That’s what I did as the public safety director, and would be wrong. Therefore, a “gatekeeper” is I have the gray hair to prove it. needed to provide the shield that deflects the politics from entry. Let’s support CEO Ellis’ bid, and the transition team’s recommendation and well-documented One of the biggest challenges during my tenure as need, for a public safety chief to coordinate public public safety director was keeping the politics of the safety functions in DeKalb County. The concept legislative branch of government from introducing of a public safety chief, as practiced in the wellitself into the operations of the departments within respected, efficiently operated government next the Public Safety Department. As public safety door to us in Cobb County, is a good deal for director, I had some firefighters and two district DeKalb County, as well. commissioners play politics with the opening of Fire Station #25. The commissioners went to the Sincerely, then new station located on Rockbridge Road near South Deshon at the invitation of firefighters at that location. Residents in the area had long awaited the opening of that station after delays resulting from a change in contractors. Some firefighters Former Director of Public Safety staffing the station evidently were upset that they DeKalb County

– – PAID ADVERTISEMENT – –

CrossRoadsNews

Finance

“We are holding this so people don’t make the mistake of not knowing what to do when they buy a home.”

Seminar for home buyers First-time homebuyers can learn what it takes to buy a home at a free seminar on Feb. 21 at Southwest DeKalb High School. The three-hour “Restoring Change: A Complete Home Buyers’ Seminar” starts at 9 a.m. Organizer Lori M. Anderson said speakers will educate people about the requirements of home ownership. “We are going to walk everyone through process,” said Anderson, manager with Decatur-based Heritage Circle Realty. Panelists include Anderson, Shirree Bellamy of Bank of America, Lewis Carr from State Farm, Matt Taylor from TNT Home Inspection, Gene Rodrigo from Halperin Lyman & Associates, and Dorrine Nunnally from Habitat

for Humanity. Anderson said existing homeowners can also attend and get answers to their questions about their loans. “We are holding this so people don’t make the mistake of not knowing what to do when they buy a home,” she said. Anderson said that aspiring homebuyers will find out that the down-payment assistance program went away this year. “That was three percent on whatever home they were purchasing,” she said. “Now that three percent has to come out of their pockets.” Southwest DeKalb High School is at 2863 Kelley Chapel Road in Decatur. For more information, call Lori Anderson at 404-2885001.

SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEMS STARTING AT

$699 FREE INSTALLATION • VIEW ONLINE • PAYMENTS OF $75/MO

888-580-8836 SECURITY GUARDS

February 14, 2009

COUPON #699CRN

SECURITY GATES (Telephone Entry)

Business association selects new leaders DeKalb District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming (right) administered the oath of office to the 2009 Board of directors of the South DeKalb Business Association on Feb. 10. Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Clinics target foreclosures Home and property owners facing foreclosure can receive assistance at two foreclosure clinics at Antioch AME Church in Stone Mountain next week. The D&E Group, a HUDapproved housing counseling agency, is holding the free clinics on Feb. 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in partnership with NeighborWorks America, Antioch AME and Fannie Mae. In January there were more than 12,000 advertised foreclosures in DeKalb County. During the meetings, homeowners, who are behind on their mortgage payments or recently lost their jobs, will learn how to

deal with delinquent mortgage payments, high interest loans and adjustable rate mortgages. Participants should bring a copy of their mortgage statement, most recent bills and statements, two recent pay stubs, last year’s tax return, last two months’ bank statements, a copy of their mortgage/deed of trust and any court, sheriff, or attorney documentation regarding foreclosure. Carrie T. Harris, D&E’s president and CEO, said foreclosures have reached an all-time high locally and nationally. “We can only assume that number will go up as unemployment increases across the country,” she said.

Credit union cuts tax deal for members Members of the CDC Federal Credit Union can receive discounts on tax preparation services with Jackson Hewitt and Turbo Tax through April 15. Andy Anderson, the credit union’s marketing services manager, said that in the struggling U.S. economy, the discount is a great way for CDC’s FCU’s members to save money. “Today, it seems like everyone is trying to make a dollar out of a dime and by offering our members discounts on services like tax preparation, we are not only serving their financial needs, but also living the ‘Credit Union Difference.’” In addition to the tax preparation services, CDC FCU is offering discounts on auto loans through the ‘Invest in America’ campaign, as well as offering low rates on mortgages for first-time homebuyers and those looking to refinance. Members can access the discount service online by visiting www.cdcfcu.com.

People

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

“I had just written a letter to the editor and couldn’t find it on the computer. I just couldn’t remember how to get into the computer that I had used for years.”

Illness silences vocal activist Community activ“I had just written a ist and Grady Hospital letter to the editor and champion Ron Marshall couldn’t find it on the has been silent for reacomputer,” he said. “I just son. couldn’t remember how to Marshall is ailing and get into the computer that his illness has silenced I had used for years. his pen and curtailed his “The next thing I knew, activism. Marshall, who it was two days later and I lives in Stone Mountain, Ron Marshall was in the hospital.” has an inoperable brain Gwen Marshall, his tumor and has spent the last seven wife of 35 years, said she found him months in and out of the hospital. on the floor, stricken by a seizure. Marshall was 53 years old on Since then, he has been hospiFeb. 2. talized seven times. At a Feb. 7 birthday gathering Doctors say the tumor is restfor him, hosted by some of his ing on his brain’s left side, which friends and fellow activists, Mar- controls his memory. shall, who was having a good day, To contact Marshall’s family, said there were no warning signs of email his wife at gwenmarshall@ the tumor. rgmdevelopment.com.

Arabia champion recognized Kelly Jordan, founder helped protect more than and chairman of the Ara1,000 acres of underdebia Mountain Heritage veloped land for natuArea Alliance, will be ral, cultural, historic and picking up a Regional Exrecreational resources in cellence Award from the the DeKalb, Henry and Civic League for Regional Rockdale County region Atlanta on Feb. 26. around the granite outJordan is among a crops forming Arabia and number of individuals Kelly Jordan Panola Mountains. and organizations beThe event begins at 6 ing recognized for “extraordinary p.m. with dinner at the Ballroom at commitment to creating a better Twelve in Atlantic Station. Tickets Atlanta region.” are $125 each. He is being singled out for For more information, call his work with the Alliance, which Sarah Douglas at 678-521-5289.

Find local goods & services

www.eastmetromarket.com Own a business? Claim it and enhance your free listing. Call 404-284-1888 for more information.

Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

“Even though he was one of our more ‘seasoned’ faculty members, he was full of life and moved around better than some of our younger ones.”

VOTE NOW! Seminar targets pre-teen girls

www.crossroadsnews.com

Parents of pre-teen teens how to open the lines girls can take them to the of communication about Feb. 20 Puberty Rocks body changes, mood swings, seminar at DeKalb Medithe menstrual cycle, peer cal for a frank discussion pressure and more. on the “tween” years. Refreshments will be Dr. Kay Entrekin, a served and parking is free. DeKalb Medical gynecoloDeKalb Medical is at gist, will led the 6 p.m.- Kay Entrekin 2701 North Decatur Road 7 p.m. discussion in the in Decatur. For more inGround Floor Auditorium on the formation or to register, visit www. North Decatur Road campus. dekalbmedicalcenter.org or call 404Entrekin will show parents and 501-WELL.

Avondale Middle School principal Bernetta Jordan chats with PTA vice president Gwen who died of heart disease in the past two years at the school.

Memories of co-workers brea By Corey M. Edwards

For Bernetta Jordan, national “Go Red Day” on Feb. 6 was a time of mixed emotions. As the Avondale Middle School principal took part in the national heart disease awareness movement, the importance of the day was foremost in her mind. In the past two years, two of the school’s best-known teachers – Richard Butler and Asya Andrews – died from heart disease. Andrews left her house on Nov. 27 with what she thought was a slight case of indigestion. Four days later, she was dead from a heart attack. She was only 30. “That was a wake-up call for a lot of us,” said Jordan. “To lose someone so young and so impactful on a broad number of people here at the school and in the community was a big loss.” On Feb. 14, 2006, veteran teacher Richard Butler died from complications associated with heart disease. “Even though he was one of our more ‘seasoned’ faculty members, he was full of life and moved around better than some of our younger ones,” Jordan said. Gwen Daniels, the school’s PTA vice president, wanted to do something to raise awareness in the community about heart disease. Daniels, who works as a unit secretary at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, organized the Feb. 6 Go Red Day to honor both teachers. During the event, PTA volunteers passed out information and Go Red Women pins to the school’s students

You’re increasing your risk of n Puffing. With every puff, you’re dramatically increasing your chances of suffering a lifethreatening heart attack. The chemicals in tobacco smoke raise blood pressure, reduce good cholesterol (HDL) and damage your blood vessels. But if you can find a way to quit and stay away from smoking permanently, you can reduce your risk almost immediately, and eliminate tobacco’s negative effects within three years. n Finishing the entire sixpack: While several recent studies have suggested that consuming moderate amounts of red wine may be beneficial to the heart, excessive

and staff. Those who knew the dynamic Andrews best shared a few laughs in her memory. Jordan said she was the type of person who always encouraged them to do things like eat healthily. “She would’ve wanted us to do something like this,” she said. To raise money for research, teachers and faculty members at Avondale Middle were allowed to wear a red shirt and jeans for a week if they donated $5 to the PTA’s Go Red Women Fund. A $10 donation earned them two weeks of dress-down days. By the time the event had ended, 45 Avondale staff members had donated $250 to the American Heart Association. Daniels said she and her husband, Keith, who owns K.D. Security & Associates, plan to match

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

Wellness

Symptoms of lupus range from extreme fatigue, joint swelling and pain, fever, hair loss, skin rashes, to major organ dysfunction and failure, which can be fatal.

Capitol rally to shine spotlight on lupus A rally to call attenThe disease is three tion to the 55,000 Geortimes more common in gians with lupus will take African Americans, esplace Feb. 18 at the state pecially women 15 to 40 Capitol. years old. Sen. David Adelman, Symptoms range from who represents DeKalb’s extreme fatigue, joint District 42, is co-hosting swelling and pain, fever, the event with the Geor- David Adelman hair loss, skin rashes, to gia Chapter of the Lupus Foun- major organ dysfunction and faildation to raise awareness about ure, which can be fatal. the chronic disease, which causes The rally begins at 2 p.m. in the inflammation and tissue damage Capitol Rotunda and will round to the body’s organs and leaves one out the second annual Lupus in five patients on disability. Awareness Day.

Community Kitchen

Dr. Sam Lim of Emory, the Grady Lupus Clinic and the CDC will lead a legislative presentation on lupus, research and education at 9 a.m. Chapter volunteers, patients and families will call on their state representatives to enact legislation to help fight the disease. Adelman will also read the Lupus Resolution and give a short speech from the capital floor prior to the rally. For information, visit www. lfaga.org or call 770-333-5930.

Where: DeKalb County Cooperative Extension 4380 Memorial Drive Decatur, Georgia 30032

404-298-4080 Location: Enter at side of building (DeKalb Central Training Center) proceed up ramp to security desk.

What:

February 26th to May 21st

A group of people that come together to assemble 6 healthy entrees (serves 6). Great way to connect with your neighbors and have a supply of healthy home cooked entrees for your family.

(On Thursdays)

Nutrition lessons are also included.

6 p.m. – 8 p.m. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Midway Recreation Center

When:

Corey M. Edwards / CrossRoadsNews

n Daniels (left) at a Go Red Day Heart awareness event that honored two teachers

athes life into ‘Go Red Day’

on the last Thursday of the month

Childcare ! E E R F (Ages 3 month and up) & Transportation

f heart disease if you’re…

Got love?

drinking of wine, beer or hard liquor can result in both weight gain (see next item) and increased blood pressure. And if you’re a chronically heavy drinker, you’re poisoning your heart and risking cardiomyopathy— an enlarged and permanently damaged heart. n Inflating the spare tire. Researchers have recently discovered that belly fat—in other words, a sizable spare tire—is a huge predictor of heart disease risk. In fact, at least one recent study has suggested that for every two inches you add to your gut, your risk of heart disease increases nearly 20 percent.

Researchers say women who feel loved and emotionally supported tend to have less severe coronary artery blockages than those who do not. And get this. Studies in men revealed similar findings. A Yale University study of 119 men and women coronary artery blockage found that those who felt the most loved had substantially less blockages. Love appears to also affect life expectancy. In a 1964 Alameda County, Calif. study, men and women who did not have love, support, and community ties were 1.9 to 3.1 times more likely to die prematurely.

Source: HeartDecision.org

the final total and donate it to the American Heart Association. “We just wanted to do our part to help get the word out about this disease,” she said. The fact that disease struck twice in such a short time at Avondale Middle isn’t as remarkable as it may seem. Heart disease remains the number one killer of men and women in the United States. The American Heart Association says that every 26 seconds, an American will suffer a coronary attack, and someone will die from one every minute. The statistics for women are even more staggering. The heart association says that the disease kills half a million U.S. women annually and that they are 15 percent more likely than men to die of a heart attack.

Heart disease can affect the heart in several ways. Symptoms include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat or arm. Avondale Middle School’s celebration is one of many events creating awareness about heart disease during National Heart Month, celebrated in February. On Feb. 16, the American Heart and American Stroke Associations are jump starting their Heart Month campaign at the Power to End Stroke Kick-Off, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, 250 14th St. N.W. in Atlanta. For more information, visit www. americanheart.org or call Nettie Jackson at 678-224-2075.

(Adults and children age 6 and up)

Cost: $30 per session (Cash, Check or Money Order)

Black History

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

“Without Rosa, there would have been no Martin and without Martin, there would be no President Barack Obama.” More than 350 people attended st symposium on investigating slave ship manifests at the National Archives in February 2008.

Symposium details use of slave ship records By McKenzie Jackson

African Americans can trace their history back to the slave ships that brought their ancestors from Africa at a Feb. 21 symposium at the National Archives in Morrow. The Archives and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are holding their award-winning “Were Your Ancestors Slaves?” symposium in recognition of Black Family History Month. The 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. symposium offers participants insight and inspiration for searching historical records. They will also be exposed to the newest tools and methods available in genealogy research for African Americans. At the first symposium in February 2008, more than 350 people from all across Georgia attended and viewed 14,000 slave manifests dating back to the 1700s that are housed at the archives. The slave ships brought slaves to American ports in Charleston and Beaufort,

S.C.; Mobile, Ala. and Savannah, Ga. Participants, who must pre-register, will get a packet of materials that includes a CD featuring Freedman Bank records. It includes information on 480,000 former slaves who deposited more than $57 million in the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Co., which was established in 1865. Geneaologists Melvin J. Collier, Toni Carrier and Jim Ison will speak at the symposium. Collier is the author of “Mississippi to Africa: A Journey of Discovery” that details his seven-generational, genealogical journey between two large Mississippi families who were separated in 1859 while in slavery in South Carolina. Carrier is the founding director of the University of Southern Florida Africana Heritage that presents rediscovered records of names and lives of slaves, freed persons and their descendants. He will tell the story of a 249-year paper

trail that links descendant Thornalind Martin Polite of Charleston, S.C., to an ancestor who, in 1756 at age 10, was kidnapped from the West African nation of Sierra Leone and put on a slave ship to Charleston where she was sold as a rice planter. Ison, a Salt Lake City genealogy expert, will discuss tools to overcome research hurdles in the newly launched Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade database that analyzes migration patterns of Africans, and the free online 1900 U.S. Census with 76 million searchable names. Mary Sallie Clark Hughes, 95, and Milton C. Clipper Jr., the president and CEO of Public Broadcasting Atlanta, will be presented with service awards. Admission is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. The National Archives Southeast Region is at 5780 Jonesboro Road in Morrow. For more information or to register, visit www.blackfamilyhistoryday.com or call 770-968-2100.

Young pastor, drama mark celebrations By Corey M. Edwards

A dynamic young pastor and a stage play about giving will dominate the annual Black History Month celebrations at Saint Philip AME Church on Feb. 15 and 22. BaSean Antwoin Jackson, who preached his first sermon at 10 years old, will take the pulpit at the Candler Road church for the 7:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. services on Feb. 15. On Feb. 22, the Saint Philip Theater Group production of S. Latrell Harrison’s play “The Gift That Keeps on Giving” will be on stage at 4 p.m. in BaSean Jackson the Marcia Moss Fellowship Hall. Michelle McKenzie, president of the church’s Young Adult Ministry (YAM) which organizes the annual Black History Celebration, says the theme is “Beyond Black, Beyond Boundaries” to focus on the collective accomplishments of African Americans reaching beyond racial stereotypes to uplift the nation and their people. “Without Rosa, there would have been no Martin and without Martin, there would be no President Barack Obama,” she said. McKenzie said she expects this year’s worship services to take on special meaning due to the historic inauguration of the nation’s first black president on Jan. 20. “The nation’s mindset is different and has been stretched more than ever before since Barack Obama became president,” she said. Jackson, who graduated from Morehouse College in 1997 with a bachelor of arts degree in religion, has devoted his life to the ministry. He is the pastor and organizer of the Fellowship of Love Church in Fayetteville, Ga. He will turn 33 on March 29 and is now working on a Ph.D. in theological studies at Emory University. During the services, the Young Adult Ministry will recognize winners of the church’s Black History Poster and Oratorical contests. A reproduction of the winning poster and speech will be printed in the program for the service. Admission to the “The Gift That Keeps on Giving” is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Saint Philip AME Church is at 240 Candler Road in Atlanta. For more information call Michele McKenzie at 770-726-7113. To purchase tickets for play, call 404371-0749, ext. 8433.

Sit-in museum lands $1 million donation The International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, N.C., which honors the bravery and contributions of four North Carolina A&T College students to the 1960s Civil Rights lunch counter sit-ins has received a $1 million donation from Lorillard Tobacco Co. The Greensboro-based company announced the donation Feb. 2. It said the infusion of cash is being given in recognition of the role that Greensboro played in the fight for civil rights for African Americans. On Feb. 1, 1960, four N.C. A&T College freshmen – Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Joseph McNeil, and Franklin McCain – sat down at the segregated lunch counter at the F.W. Woolworth building in downtown Greensboro as part of the sit-ins that Black students were staging across the south to protest segregated public eating facilities and unequal access for African Americans across the United States. The International Civil Rights Center and Museum is being constructed in the original Woolworth building on South Elm Street where the sit-in took place. The museum is currently housed at 301 North Elm St., Suite 303, in Greensboro. The authentic whites-only lunch counter will be the focal point and signature artifact in the museum, and visitors will be able to visualize landmark events of

Four North Carolina A&T College students sat down at Greenboro Woolworth lunch counter on Feb. 1, 1960.

the ’ 60s through immersion in the sounds, sights and emotions that set the stage for the Greensboro sit-ins and the larger Civil Rights Movement. Martin L. Orlowsky, Lorillard’s president, chairman and CEO, said that the opening of the museum will bring recognition to the role Greensboro and its citizens played and continue to play in the Civil Rights Movement. “We believe that the Civil Rights Center will have a profoundly positive impact on our city and county,” he said. “We look forward to celebrating the historic importance of Greensboro and its brave young activists in launching the national civil rights movement 50

years ago.” Lorillard’s donation is part of $10 million in funding for the new home for the museum. Amelia Parker, the museum’s executive director, said that the financial generosity of Lorillard and other donors was the final pieces of the puzzle in bringing the project to life. She said the museum’s new home will open in 2010 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Greensboro sit-ins. “It is particularly poignant that we accept this gift as we begin our community’s celebration of Black History Month,” Parker said. For more information, visit www.sitinmovement.org or call 336-274-9199.

photoimagesbyben.com

Joseph M. Wells (right) is the first African American to attain the rank of brigadier general in Georgia.

Wells named brigadier general It took 276 years, but Joseph M. Wells finally cracked the racial glass ceiling at the Georgia Army National Guard to become brigadier general last month. Wells, the first African American to attain that rank in Georgia, was officially commissioned and pinned by Gov. Sonny Perdue on Jan. 7. Perdue also awarded Wells a star for his distinguished record and outstanding service to the

country and Georgia. In his new position, Wells is the deputy-commanding general of the reserve component at the United States Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca in Arizona. He was most recently director of intelligence at the Georgia National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Atlanta. When off-duty, Wells is a Boeing 777 flight officer with Continental Airlines.

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

Youth

“Everything we do is based on three tenets – is it philosophically based, is it fiscally responsible and is it educationally sound.”

Lewis predicts more cuts ahead for DeKalb schools Tough days are ahead for the DeKalb School System. That’s the word from Dr. Crawford Lewis, the school district’s superintendent. For the 2009-2010 school year, Lewis said the district is facing a $16 million in its budget and may have to close some of its 153 schools. “These are tough times, we all know this,” he told nearly 200 teachers, parents and business leaders at his Feb. 5 State of the School Address. In spite of the challenges, Lewis said that he is confident that they can manage resources Crawford Lewis effectively while doing nothing to compromise the quality of instructional programs. The ominous warnings came on the heels of $7.5 million in teacher step increases and the cutting 100 of its 962-bus fleet to save money. Lewis, who has been superintendent since October 2004, said he will do whatever he can to reduce the budget without laying off teachers. “Everything we do is based on three tenets – is it philosophically based, is it fiscally responsible and is it educationally sound,” he said. “If it doesn’t meet all of those three tenets, then we know that it’s not something that we should do.” He said the district and its corporate partners are renewing focus to improve DeKalb’s Career Technical programs. The school district leads the state with its offerings of 62 programs in business administration, computer science, marketing, engineering, culinary arts, healthcare, construction, cosmetology and video broadcasting. Leonardo McClarty, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce president, said business leaders need to offer more internships to students and help teachers prepare them for workforce. “We got to form a chain and get involved so that DeKalb County remains competitive and remains at the forefront of education,” McClarty said.

Matthew Turner photo

Zuri Ford and Nakia Bell pose with Ringling Bros. clowns [from left] Kelly and Greg, ringmaster Chuck, and Timea after nabbing the funniest kids title at Georgia’s Funniest Kid competition at DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts at Hooper Alexander in Decatur.

DeKalb students make the cut for funniest kids Zuri Ford and Nakia Bell recently showed the pros what being funny was really all about. The DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts students wowed Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Chuck and clowns Timea, Greg and Kelly Feb. 10 with their performance of a “telephone” skit. The judges, which included Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders Megan Spivey and Tamara Harris and DeKalb Elementary staffers, were so impressed by the two-

minute skit that they crowned the duo as the school’s funniest kids. Zuri and Nakia will compete in the Georgia’s Funniest Kid competition on Feb. 13 at Philips Arena when the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus opens in Atlanta. The circus will be in town through Feb. 22. To win the title, Zuri and Nakia beat out more than 20 kids who did everything from stand-up comedy to a commercial-

Bullies now harass in cyberspace By Corey M. Edwards

In 2003, a tormented 13-year-old Vermont boy killed himself after months of email threats, taunts and insults from schoolmates who labeled him gay. When eighth-grader Ryan Patrick Halligan committed suicide on Oct. 7, 2003, he put a face on the worst effects of cyber bullying and helped pushed online harassment to the forefront for parents, school administrators and child advocates. For the first time, they had to face the new schoolhouse bully, who no longer roams the halls and playgrounds beating up small and timid kids but now use the Internet to terrorize their classmates. Child advocate and Emmy award-winning television journalist Stacey DeWitt says bullying has entered a new frontier. “What teachers and administrators are dealing with in the hallways of their schools has changed dramatically from one end of the continuum to the other,” said DeWitt, founder of the “Connect With Kids” television series that airs on WXIA-TV. DeWitt was speaking Jan. 29 at a parent advisory meeting on cyber bullying and electronic aggression at the DeKalb School System’s William Bradley Bryant Center in Decatur.

reported being victims of electronic aggression increased by 50 percent and 30 percent of students in sixth through 10th grades say that they have bullied or been victims of bullies. Jennifer Errion, the school system’s assistant director of prevention and intervention in the Support Services Department, says policing children’s Internet use is not as easy as just taking them away. “Our knee-jerk reaction to cyber bullying is to take the computers away from children,” she said. “But I think it would be better for us to put our training and our expertise into helping children understand the ethical use of the computer so that they know what’s right and what’s not right.” To help prevent cyber bullying, experts recommend that parents keep home computers in the open so they can monitor their use; know who their children are chatting with and where they live; and install web site-blocking software to restrict access to potentially dangerous sites. For more information on cyber bullying resources, visit www. connectwithkids.com, http:// stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index. asp?area=main, and the American Academy of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry website at www.aacap. org/.

“What teachers and administrators are dealing with in the hallways of their schools has changed from one end of the continuum to the other.” Stacey DeWitt

In her talk to more than 100 parents and teachers, DeWitt said cyber bullies use computers and cell phones to send aggressive e-mails, pictures and instant and text messages to harass and intimidate their victims; to spread lies or rumors; post unflattering photos and trick people into giving them personal information. DeWitt says parents have to take time to pay attention to who their children are interacting with and to communicate with their kids. She said that Ryan’s parents weren’t bad parents or uninvolved. “They knew something was sort of wrong and they knew something wasn’t quite right,” she said, “but most of the time when kids are bullied they won’t tell. They’re generally embarrassed about it.” Research confirms that cyber bullying, done at school and after school – in chat rooms, on social networking web sites and Internet blogs – is reaching epidemic proportions. Between 2000 and 2005, the percentage of young people who

like jingle to Abbott & Costello-ish comedic timing. All competitors received face-painting applications from Air Illustrations Inc. The winner of Georgia’s Funniest Kid competition will perform as a guest clown during Ringling Bros.’ all-access Pre-Show during its Atlanta run. After the competition, the Ringmaster and clowns showcased their skills with juggling, plate spinning, lever balancing and hula hooping.

Morehouse/GPC transfer agreement offers savings High school graduates can cut more than $18,000 a year off their Morehouse College fees by going to Georgia Perimeter College first. The savings are now available because of a transfer agreement signed Feb. 9 between GPC president Dr. Anthony Tricoli and Morehouse president Dr. Robert Franklin of Morehouse. The Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) agreement allows students to complete their core courses at one of the Georgia Perimeter’s six campuses, where tuition is lower, and then transfer to Morehouse if they meet the college’s academic requirements. The average cost for an instate freshman at Morehouse is $10,179 per semester for the 2009-10 school year. First-time students who sign up for the TAG agreement with Morehouse can take the same courses at Georgia Perimeter College for $1,161 per semester – for a total savings of $18,036 a year. Franklin called the partnership groundbreaking and said the agreement gives worthy students a cost-effective approach to earning a quality higher education. “By entering into this agree-

Robert Franklin

Anthony Tricoli

ment, we are serving both institutions well and, more importantly, meeting the educational needs of Georgia’s future leaders,” he said. Students who sign the TAG agreement for Morehouse must earn a 2.5 or higher GPA and complete at least 60 transferable credits from GPC. They also have to graduate with an associate degree from GPC. GPC has similar transfer agreements with 33 schools statewide and throughout the southeast, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Clark Atlanta University, Agnes Scott College, Georgia Southern University, Troy University and University of Louisville. Tricoli said the Morehouse TAG is a direct result of the success that GPC students have had at many of those institutions. For more information on Transfer Admission Guarantees, visit www.gpc.edu/tag.

CrossRoadsNews

Sports

February 14, 2009

“It’s not like you are coming in to fill someone else’s shoes; basically, you are the person who is going to set the standard for other kids that come behind you.”

GSU’s first football team eyeing easy duty in 1st season BOYS BASKETBALL Feb. 10 Columbia 75, Towers 44 Tucker 67, SWD 51 Miller Grove 77, Stn Mtn. 47 Stephenson 74, Redan 69 Dunwoody 58, Clarkston 48 Douglass 61, ML King 53

GIRLS BASKETBALL Feb. 10 Redan 62, Stephenson 58 SW DeKalb 65, Tucker 35 Columbia 55, Towers 25 Douglass 48, ML King 42 Miller Grove 63, Stone Mtn. 49

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Sheldon Strickland, guard Lakeside High School The junior Lithonia resident dropped 33 points in a loss to Tucker on Feb. 7. Strickland, a 5-foot-11 guard, is averaging 20.1 points, 3.9 assists and 3.3 steaks a game this season.

BasEball Feb. 23 Stone Mtn. at Avondale, 4:30 p.m. Columbia at Meadowcreek, 4:30 p.m. Stephenson at Creekside, 5:30 p.m. Tucker vs. Druid Hills at Shamrock, 4:30 p.m. Feb. 24 McNair at Lithonia, 4:30 p.m. DeKalb County Tournament Cedar Grove at Miller Grove, 4:30 p.m. Clarkston at Tucker, 4:30 p.m. Columbia at Stephenson, 4:30 p.m. Feb. 25 Decatur at Westlake, 5:30 p.m. Druid Hills at ML King, 4:30 p.m.

GAME OF THE WEEK Wrestling State Tournament The best wrestlers from DeKalb and around the state will be hitting bidding for state titles Feb.19-21 at the Gwinett Center Arena in Duluth.

WORTH NOTING The Redan girls basketball team is still undefeated.

By McKenzie Jackson

Next football season could be a little strange for Nathaniel Anthony and Fred Barnes. There will be no opponents to run over, just drills to run through, and the only thing they’ll be hitting is each other and their teammates. There probably won’t be any screaming fans or an energetic band playing either. For one football season, Anthony, a Columbia Hig h senior running back, and Barnes, a ML King safety, will Fred Barnes spend a lot time on the practice field, because they are among the first members of Georgia State University’s football team. The downtown Atlanta school, which is set to kick off its inaugural football season in 2010, signed its first recruiting class on Feb. 4. Twenty-six players from Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Texas signed with the Panthers, including five from metro Atlanta. Anthony and Barnes were the only DeKalb players to sign full scholarships with the school, which could be playing its home games at the Georgia Dome. Karl Williams, a defensive end from Eastside High School in Covington, is also in the Panthers initial freshman class. Barnes said he signed with the Panthers because he saw the opportunity to help start something new. “I like the fact that we are starting a new program and that it is here in my hometown,” he said. Anthony said that his decision is making history. “I like everything about Georgia State, the environment at the school,” he said. “I think the school is a good fit for me and it’s close to home.” Barnes’ high school coach, MLK’s Corey Jarvis, said the players can start their own tradition. “It’s not like you are coming in to fill someone else’s shoes; basically, you are the person who is going to set the standard for other kids

McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews

Running back Nathaniel Anthony rushed for 1,315 yard and 11 touchdowns in his senior year at Columbia High.

that come behind you,” he said. Recruiting analyst Scott Kennedy described Barnes as an extremely physical safety with a great frame. “Barnes supports the run like a linebacker and often plays close to the line of scrimmage,” he said. “He has excellent change of direction and relishes contact. He has the frame to add 25-30 pounds of bulk throughout his college career.” During his senior year, Anthony, an all-county selection, rushed for 1,315 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games. His father, LaGrant Anthony, a former high school and college running back, said he thinks his son will do well on the college gridiron. “I think he will be outstanding,” he said. “We really didn’t get a chance to see how good he really is because of that tight offensive formation they ran [at Columbia]. He has a lot of moves he will be able to use.” Nathaniel Anthony said he likes the offense that the Panthers plan to run.

“They plan to play me in the slot and at running back,” he said. Many of the Panther signees around the state have said that one of the main reasons they signed with Georgia State was because of Panthers head coach Bill Curry, a former NFL player and head football coach at Georgia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky. Barnes and Anthony were no different. Barnes said he likes the principles that Curry represents. “When I talked to him, it wasn’t so much about playing football or the NFL or playing sports period,” he said. “It was more about life and becoming a better man and him as a spiritual person. Getting to the know the type of person he is and getting to know that he is more concerned with helping you become a man than just playing sports.” LaGrant Anthony said that his son liked Curry. “He is a real good coach and they have a real good coaching staff,” he said.

At a Feb. 4 press conference, Curry said that he feels a huge obligation toward the university and each player. “Almost everywhere we went for 11 years to do an ESPN game, somebody would say don’t you miss it? What do you miss?” he said. “The answer was always the same: I miss my guys.” Before choosing Georgia State, Anthony and Barnes both weighed scholarships from other football programs, including several schools from across the Southeast. By going to Georgia State, the Panthers football players will be red-shirted their first year on campus to maintain their four years of eligibility when the season kicks off in 2010. Barnes said he doesn’t mind missing a year. “It will feel awkward to go a whole year without playing football,” he said, “but at the same time I think it’s better for me as a person to have time to get on top of my college school work.”

Saunders gets draw in 4th pro fight Hot streak continues S t o n e Mo u n t a i n at Georgia Perimeter boxer Jamar Saunders’ fourth professional boxing match ended in a draw on Feb. 6 at the Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, R.I. Saunders, a boxer out of Focus First Boxing and Fitness in Lithonia, was beating Josh Beeman of Providence, R.I., early, but a final round comeback by Beeman led to the draw. The judges scored the fight 39-37, 38-38 and 37-39. Focus First coach Al Brown said the fourround fight was very grueling, but he was proud of Saunders. “To go into somebody’s back yard and pull off a draw with the hometown favorite is very impressive,” he said. “Jamar is maturing.” Saunders’ fight was one of nine matches that evening.

Jamar Saunders (right) opened strong but finished in a tie with Josh Beeman in his fourth professional fight.

Early on in the junior welterweight match, Saunders traded headshots with Beeman, but in the final round Beeman landed several head shots. Brown said that after the fight, one of the fight’s promoters expressed interest in signing Saunders to a promotional contract. Now they are just waiting for an offer. “This was a career fight for him,” Brown said. Saunders is now 2-1-1, with one knockout.

Georgia Perimeter’s Jaguars got off to a blistering start and never looked back as they beat the Middle Georgia College Warriors 88-71 on Feb. 11. It was the Jaguars’ fourth victory in the past five games. In front of a raucous home crowd that was celebrating homecoming, GPC jumped out of the gates to a 32-13 lead and led 52-25 at halftime behind the scoring of sophomore standouts Anthony “B.J.” Miller and Jamail Turner. Miller scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the first half, while Turner scored 15 of his 19 points before halftime. The Jaguars withstood a second half run by the Warriors to secure the win, which pushed their season record to 15-12 overall and 9-3 in their region. Jaguars head coach Alfred Barney said the leadership of Miller and Turner is key for the team. “They have shown exceptional leadership throughout the whole year,” he said. “And I’m going to be honest with you. If B.J. and Jamail can shoot the ball well we got a chance any night. If they don’t, we are going to struggle.”

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

Ministry

“I just want to get some guys together..There’s plenty of things to do like fundraising if the guys want to.”

Dramatic worship marks black history First Afrikan Presbyterian Church members and visitors are in for a treat at the Lithonia church’s Feb. 14 service. The single service at 10 a.m. will include a Black History Celebration featuring song, music and drama. The event will be directed by novelist and Clark-Atlanta English professor Dr. Daniel Black, author of “The Sacred Place” and “They Tell Me of a Home.” The 10 a.m. service replaces the church’s weekly 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. First Afrikan Church is at 5197 Salem Road. For more information, Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews call, 770-981-2601. The FAPC drummers will participate in the dramatic worship service.

River of Life Baptist celebrates first year Biking enthusiast and Saint Philip AME Church member James Etchington hwants Chirstians who love cycling to get together for fellowship.

Biker using love of cycling to promote fellowship By Corey M. Edwards

James Etchinson has always enjoyed the freedom of riding motorcycles. Ever since he bought his first bike – a 1979 iron-framed 1100cc Suzuki – 30 years ago, the retired General Motors worker has gone just about everywhere and seen just about everything. Now Etchinson, a member of Saint Philip AME’s male chorus and usher board, is trying to put together a local biker group to promote fellowship and the love of God. Etchinson first got interested in riding when his younger brother, William, bought his own bike and introduced him to the scene. “I went to visit him in Texas and rode his bike, and like they say, everything else is history,” said Etchinson, 58. California, the birthplace of some of the country’s best-known biker groups, became the perfect setting to foster his love affair with riding. He souped up his Suzuki and took to the highways. After he moved to Atlanta in 1972, Etchinson began riding with a 100 Black Men of Atlanta group. These days, he is more of a solo rider. His wife, Liz, has also become a motorcycle enthusiast, hopping on

the back of his Honda Goldwing for numerous trips throughout their 27-year marriage. They try to make at least three long trips each year on his bike, usually to Myrtle Beach, S.C., Dallas, Texas, or wherever the National Black Biker Roundup is being held. This August, the Roundup will be in Atlanta at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton. Etchinson would like to have the Saint Philip group organized and ready to be a part of the Roundup. He said first priority is to find a group of guys who wouldn’t mind just riding in the city or taking a trip up to Athens on Saturday or Sunday. “I just want to get some guys together from Saint Philip and maybe some other churches and just ride for the fellowship,” he said. “There’s plenty of things to do like fundraising if the guys want to do that sort of thing. That’s the reason why I wanted to get together with anyone who’s interested to see exactly what the guys want to do.” After putting an announcement in the church program two Sundays ago, Etchinson said he’s already received calls from seven Saint Philip members. He hopes to add a few more bike enthusiasts to the group. For more information, call James Etchinson at 404-378-5330.

Auditions set for gospel play Actors 14 years and older can audition for the gospel stage play “Don’t Blame It on Me” on Feb. 21 at Big Miller Grove Church in Lithonia. Just 1 Gospel Entertainment

will hold the auditions from noon to 2 p.m. The church is at 3800 Miller Grove Way. For more information, call Paula Moreland at 770-9299404.

A year ago, when assistant pastor Antonio Grissom was passed over for top the job at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, he and five members left to start their own church. They called it the River of Life Baptist Church and their first Antonio Grissom William Flippin service took place in the chapel Today the church is located at of the Donald Trimble Mortuary 2520 Park Central Blvd., Suite D-2 in Decatur.

in Decatur, and has 33 members. On Feb. 22 4 p.m., they will celebrate their first anniversary, with the theme “God Has Done Great Things for Us” and Dr. William E. Flippin Sr., pastor of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, will be the featured speaker. For more information about the church anniversary, call the church at 770-323-5990.

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

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 Autos *Police Impounds for Sale!* Honda Civic 2001 only $700! Chevy Malibu 2001 only $800! Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans & More from $500! For Listings 800-366-0124 ext. L213 DONATE YOUR CAR to SPECIAL KIDS FUND. Help Disabled Children With Camp and Education. Non-Runners OK. Quickest Free Towing. Free Cruise/Hotel Voucher. Tax Deductible. Call 1-866-448-3254. $500! HONDAS & TOYOTAS FROM $500! Buy Police Impounds & Repos! Acuras, Nissans, Chevys & more from $500! For Listings 800-366-0124 ext. L215

Business Opportunities Potentially Become a Millionaire! Insider Secrets Revealed! 24/7 Recorded message. Call Now! 1-888-613-6222; $34.95 per call Advertise your product or service nationwide or by region in up to 14 million households in North America’s best suburbs! Place your classified ad in over 1000 suburban newspapers just like this one. Call Classified Avenue at 888-486-2466 or go to www. classifiedavenue.net **Are You Making $1,500.00 + PER WEEK? ALL CASH VENDING! Incredible Income Opportunity! Snack-soda... Minimum $8K To $40K Investment Required. Excellent Quality Machines. 800962-9189

100% RECESSION PROOF! 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) WHAT RECESSION? My income jumped 20% in January!! We’re growing like crazy & seek fun, honest, hard-workers with entrepreneurial desire and leadership skills. Work from home. PT / FT 800-605-8675

Education & Training Peacekeeping Taskforce/ Bodyguards. Overseas/USA $113/440k+ possible. Protect Overseas Workers 3-90 Day tours Military/security/Police helpful. Not Required. 18+ 1-615-885-8960 ext 782 www. BodyGuardTrainingUSA.com 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 AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified -Housing Available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888) 349-5387. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Fast Affordable & Accredited. FREE Brochure. Call NOW! 1-800-5326546 Ext. 96 www.continentalacademy.com

Employment Opportunities $600 Weekly Potential$$$ Helping The Government PT. No Experience, No Selling. Call: 1-888-213-5225 Ad Code E. Void in Maryland and South Dakota. POST OFFICE NOW HIRING! Avg. Pay $20/hour or $57K/ yr. including Fed. Benefits and OT. Placed by adSource, not affiliated with USPS who hires. 1-866-497-0989 Government Jobs- $12-48.00/ hr. Full Benefits/Paid Training. Work available In areas like Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Wildlife & more! 1-800-320-9353 Ext 2002 Earn $500.00 weekly assembling Angel Pins in the comfort of your home. No experience required. Paid weekly. Simple and fun! Call 1-413-303-0474 or visit www.angelpin.net DATA ENTRY PROCESSORS NEEDED! Earn $3,500-$5,000 Weekly Working from Home! Guaranteed paychecks! No Experience Necessary! Positions Available Today! Register Online Now! www.DataCashNow.com Mystery Shoppers Needed Earn up to $150 per day Undercover Shoppers Needed to Judge Retail & Dining Establishments Experience Not Required Call Now 1-877-218-6211 $384 DAILY! No experience required! Data entry positions

available Now! Internet access needed! Income is Guaranteed! Apply today! www.datahomeworker.com *EARN $1000’s Weekly. Mailing Brochures! Weekly pay + Bonus. Guaranteed Opportunity! Start Today! 1-866-960-9834 Code 701 *2009 POSTAL JOBS!** $14 to $59 hour + Full Federal Benefits. No Experience Required. NOW HIRING! Green Card OK. 1-800913-4384 ext. 95

Financial IRS Tax Problems? FREE Consultation if you owe 10k+ Settle for Less - Eliminate Penalties, Interest Charges & Tax Liens 800-393-7630 Buried in Credit Card Debt We can save you thousands & lower your monthly payments. Call Debt Relief hotline for your free Consultation. 888-245-4418 $$$ 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 www.cash-forcases.com

Health & Fitness PHENTERMINE, Xanax, Carisoprodol and more. Doctor Consultation included. Shipped FedEx 1-4 days. www. BESTBUDGETRX.COM 1-866-683-5744 Cut Prescription Medication costs by up to 80%, Thousands of satisfied customers keep coming

ARE YOU READY TO CONTROL YOUR OWN LIFE?! BE IN BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF! HAVE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE FOR LIFE! ITS TIME TO ACT! www.CAREER LEASE.COM 516 932 2430 [1] WHAT RECESSION? OUR BUSINESS IS EXPLODING! ELIMINATE ALL CREDIT CARD DEBT, RESTORE PERFECT CREDIT AND MAKE $900 PER SALE. WWW.STOPPAYINGCREDITCARDS.COM 800-430-3775

back for better prices and better service visit www.meds4less. betterlifepharmacy.com call 1-866-839-9581

Help Wanted DISCOVER A BETTER JOB! To see if you qualify, go to www. qualifyforbetter.com NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! Help Wanted Earn Extra Income, assembling CD cases from home. Start immediately, No experience necessary. 1-800-405-7619 ext 1395 www.easywork-greatpay. com ASSEMBLE MAGNETS & CRAFTS FROM HOME! Yearround Work! Excellent Pay! No Experience! Top US Company! Glue Gun, Painting, Jewelry & More! TOLL FREE 1-866-8445091, en espanol

Misc. For Sale DIRECTV Satellite TV: Save $23/ month for 1 year; Free Install; Free Upgrade; Packages from $29.99/month; Call Expert Satellite today at 800-601-8130(credit card required)” GET A NEW COMPUTER Brand Name laptops & desktops Bad or

NO Credit - No Problem smallest weekly payments avail. its yours NOW- Call 1-800-618-3765 A NEW COMPUTER NOW!!!! Brand Name laptops & desktops Bad or NO Credit- No Problem Smallest weekly payments avail. Its yours NOW- Call 800-3177891 STOP PAYING RETAIL. Join our Cosmetic/Skin Care/ Nutrition Club to receive WHOLESALE PRICES! Get 35% to 80% off the best products. GUARANTEED SAVINGS CALL 516 632 9929 or email fferrante1@optonline.net * REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL!* Get a 4-Room All-Digital Satellite system installed for FREE and programming starting under $20. FREE Digital Video Recorders to new callers, SO CALL NOW. 1-800-699-7159

Real Estate 3bd 2ba HUD Home only $200/ mo! 4bd 2ba Home only $300/ mo! Priced to Sell! 1-4bd Foreclosures from $10k! 5%dn, 20yrs @8%apr! For Listings 800-3660142 ext. T253

Timeshares SELL/RENT YOUR TIMESHARE NOW!!! Maintenance fees too high? Need Cash? Sell your unused timeshare today. No commissions or Broker Fees. Free Consultation. www.sellatimeshare.com 1-866-708-3690

Wanted To Buy CASH FOR GOLD We buy Gold, Silver, Plat. Get Cash NOW! Highest Payouts - Satisfaction Guaranteed 877-652-3025

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.

4 0 4 - 2 8 4 - 18 8 8 f o r R a t e s & I n f o r m a t i o n

When You Miss CrossRoadsNews, You Miss News You Can Use! Call 404-284-1888 for Subscription Rates & Information

CrossRoadsNews

February 14, 2009

MARKETPLACE RATES

Marketplace BUSINESS FOR SALE Home Based Education Business. $20K . Manage tutors from Home. Highly successful franchise. For Info call Dana Hansen 800-434-2582 or email dana@clubztutoring.com

COMPUTERS Computer & laptop repair. Diagnostic fee $35. We come to you. Spyware, virus removal, & wireless network. www.Jonatech. net. (678) 918-4445 Jonatec.

Contractors/Construction Need Quality Home Improvement Services? Call Rob at 404-207-2875 or 678-4101728 for a free estimate. GA Licensed & Insured. www. atmconstructors.com

COSMETICS

FOR RENT/LEASE 654 Post Road Drive Stone Mountain, GA 3br 2ba Backyard, near elementary and high school. $850 per month plus $500 deposit. Ph. 404-285-7257 A must see! Gym for rent at Straight Life Church of God Pentecostal, Inc., 4228 Glenhaven Dr., Decatur, GA 30035. The gym space is great for church services, sports practices, wedding receptions, and much more. Please contact Denise Head for details @ 404-289-6069 or 678642-9870. Single room for rent in Decatur. $100 weekly. Private entrance. Utilities included. 404-408-9125 or 404-244-9372

Avon 60% Off Sale! Makeup, Skin Care, Bath & Body and More! Go to http://youravon.com/ lynishaallen.

EMPLOYMENT Sales Representatives Needed - Print, Graphic & Web to local small businesses. Commission Only. Camille (404) 299-2073. Serious Inquiries Only!

EVENTS & SEMINARS The DIVA Marketplace - An Exclusive Shopping Event, www. atl-socialbutterflies.com. Vendors Needed. 770-217-7344.

2bd/1ba duplex /w appliances & hardwood floors in gated SW Atlanta community. Water/sewer paid. $650.00/mo. 404.523.6136 (9-5pm).

Leather sofa - new! A 100% Leather Sofa. Solid wood frame, UNUSED! Still in box with a lifetime manuf. warranty. $450 Can deliver. 770-875-8434

4bd/2ba duplex /w appliances, central heat & air, W/D conn., off-street parking, lg back yard. Water/sewer paid. $950/mo. 404.523.6136 (9-5pm.

Cherry Sleigh Bed & Mattress Set A Cherry Sleigh Bed in Solid Wood with Mattress Set. All NEW, in packaging. Warranty. $485 Delivery avail. 678-7545075

Conyers/Stonecrest Mall area. 3BR, possible 4th, 2 1/2 bath. Extras. Section 8 welcome. Call owner/agent @ 770-842-3150 or 770-322-3150.

Furniture A brand NEW Queen Pillowtop Mattress & Box set 2pc. Queen Pillowtop Mattress set, Still in factory plastic, Unused, Manuf. Warranty! $135 Delivery avail. 678-754-5075

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF RICHMOND, STATE OF GEORGIA ) ) ) ADOPTION NO ) ) ) 2008-RCA-0075 ) ) ) )

You are hereby notified that a Motion To Terminate Parental Rights has been filed in the Richmond County Superior Court on the above-captioned child. Pursuant to Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 19-8-10, 19-8-11, 19-8-12, and other pertinent laws, you are advised that you will lose custody rights to this child, and you will neither receive notice of, nor be entitled to object to the custody and adoption of the child, unless, within thirty (30) days of your receipt of this notice, you file an Answer to this Petition pursuant to O.C.G.A. 19-7-22, and give notice in writing of the filing of such Petition to this Court and to the attorney listed below. You must prosecute the action to Final Judgment. You are further advised that if you intend to object to this Petition, you must file an Answer to the within thirty (30) days in the Superior Court of Richmond County, Georgia. You are urged to immediately retain legal counsel to assist you in this matter. You should contact the attorney for Petitioner, Helen W. Yu, 3540 Wheeler Road, Suite 509, Augusta, Georgia 30909, telephone: (706) 736-3020, for further information. All notices to or correspondence with the Petitioner and copies of all pleadings or proceedings you may file in any Court in regard to the above-referenced Child should be served upon him. Dated this 5th day of February, 2009.

3540 Wheeler Road, Suite 509 Augusta, Georgia 30909 GSBN: 783555 (706) 736-3020

Elaine C. Johnson Clerk Of Superior Court Richmond County, Georgia Helen W. Yu

MOVERS Gideon Movers, Inc. Moves & Deliveries, In-house Moves; Loading & Un-loading. Free on-site Estimate. (404)241-8899. gideonmovers@comcast.net

Services Affordable Resumes and Cover Letters A Complete, Professional Service Great Impression Re-

C&Y Laundry Wash/Dry/Fold $1 off. Free Soap Tues & Free Dry Wed both with limits. 1230 S. Hairston Road

TAX SERVICES Twan L. Leonard, CPA Accounting & Tax Services. Audit Assistance, Accounting & Payroll Services & Tax prepartion. 945 South Hairston Road. Stone Mountain. 678-662-5035

TRAVEL MARDI GRAS Bus Trip--$85, Turnaround party bus. Call 800709-4340.

Caregiver Needed for Personal Home. Live-in Position. Call 404241-4009.

HOME SERVICES Your Neighborhood Handyman! Plumbing and Electrical repairs, painting, carpentry, flooring, roofing, exterior work also. Call Chris (404) 992-3663. Home for Rent 3 BDRM, 2.5 bath, 2-story in Lithonia 30058 avail. for $950.00/month. School districts, Redan ES, MS and HS and Marta. Call 678/519-3689.

LOANS & MORTGAGES

TO: RONALD WHITE, the alleged Biological Father of the minor child, RAQUEL SASHA EDWARDS.

HELP WANTED

Homes for Rent

LEGAL NOTICE IN RE: PETITION OF WILLIE H. EDWARDS, JR. AND ALICE EDWARDS, FOR THE ADOPTION OF A MINOR CHILD, RAQUEL SASHA EDWARDS, DOB: May 19, 1993.

Place your MarketPlace line ad here â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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 Thursday one week prior to publication, unless otherwise noted.

sume Service Resumes--Cover Letters--Job Interview Coaching... that results in jobs! Call 404-7315173/770-657-8918 Ask for Roz Bogle. www.greatimpressionresume.com. rozdbo@greatimpressionresume.com

Loans for churches, restaurants, day care centers, multi-family properties, office buildings, and other commercial properties. Purchases or refinancing. All credit considered. Closings as quick as 7 days. www.thesamuelgroupinc.com. 404-870-9070.