WELLNESS
YOUTH
SPORTS
Workers are burying lines for utilities along Candler Road as the second phase of the corridor’s streetscape project gets under way. 3
Members of Decatur’s alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta will share books and reading time with youth at the Gallery at South DeKalb. 11
When high school basketball playoff begin this weekend, 16 teams from central and south DeKalb schools will be in the mix. 10
Facelift, part 2
Copyright © 2009 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
Share the joy
February 28, 2009
Goal driven
Volume 14, Number 44
School creates black history museum
www.crossroadsnews.com
Budget ups number of police officers By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Photos by McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews
Sky Haven Elementary second-grader Makala Robinson elicits admiration from teacher Connie Wheeler-Hughley and classmates when she dons an African headdress during a visit to the school’s Black History Museum, created with donated artifacts from teachers, parents and students.
By McKenzie Jackson
Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King Jr., Booker T. Washington, and Muhammad Ali have all taken up residence at Sky Haven Elementary School. They are joined by a cotton plant, tribal masks, carvings, drums, and artifacts from Africa, books on African-American history and a host of other memorabilia. Together, they make up the school’s Black History Museum, conceived and created by teachers with items donated by parents, teachers and supporters. Connie Wheeler-Hughley, the school’s computer lab teacher and one of the museum’s main architects, said its purpose is to engage students in their history. “Every year for Black History Month we try to do something big for the kids and the community,” she said. “Instead of spreading stuff all over the school, we thought ‘Why don’t we put things together like a museum?’” The project was so successful, the Atlanta school is keeping the 150-piece exhibit up throughout the month of March. Every day, students visit with their class and pepper the “curators” with questions. “Oh, who is that?” asked a second-grader who was touring the one-room museum with the rest of his class on Tuesday.
“That’s Rosa Parks,” Wheeler-Hughley answered. “Is she still alive?” he questioned again. Later, Wheeler-Hughley asked the second-graders from Loretta Wright’s class if they had ever seen a real pineapple plant, which is on display in the museum because it was one of the main fruits grown in the 1800s by slaves in the West Indies. As soon as she asked the question, a female student reached out and touched the tree. “Mmm, I’d eat that,” she said. “I like pineapple.” Wheeler-Hughley said that during the museum tour, teachers talk to the students
about slaves and how they were brought to America. “This important stuff they are seeing in here,” she said. “They get to see pictures of everything, like what slave chains looked like. We give them a full view, from Africa to the future.” Jeanette Roberts, the school’s principal, said that when students know their history and their roots, it is easier to figure out where to set a life course. “If you don’t know the things that your fathers, father’s father or forefathers struggled with, then you won’t understand how easy or how committed you can be to get something better,” she said. When Roberts toured with a group of 7- and 8-year-olds on Tuesday, they peppered her with questions. “They ask, ‘Can that person come talk to us?’ ‘How did they pick that cotton?’” she said. “They want to touch and know about things they can relate to.” Roberts said the students are intrigued by photographs of Fredrick Douglass, John Lewis and depictions of slaves. “They think it is fascinating, the features, and the characteristics of the people and what they wore,” she said. “Most of the kids are smiling when they come in and they look at the pictures and wonder why the people look so mad. Then we tell them that person’s story and the oppression that they faced.”
Despite tough economic times, DeKalb County will have 35 more police officers on the streets this year. The extra officers, plus four deputy sheriffs, two code enforcement officers and other positions in the District Attorney and Juvenile Department are included in the $616.6 million budget adopted by the DeKalb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday. The public safety positions, which will cost $1.4 million, along with funding for Senior Services Meals on Wheels program, youth programs, a retail recruiter for the Office of Economic Development, will cost the county $17 million. Commissioner Connie Stokes, who chaired the board’s Budget, Audit and Finance committee, said they did it without increasing the budget proposed by CEO Burrell Ellis. Connie Stokes “We moved stuff around,” she said. “The reality is that with declining revenues, if we add something we have to take something away.” Stokes said the positions will be funded by redirecting part of the 2010 reserve for the 27th payday. The 35 positions funded Tuesday will help grow the county’s police force to 1,200 officers by the end of the year. Commissioner Larry Johnson, the board’s presiding officer, said they will add to 44 recruits currently in the police academy and 100 officers expected from President Barack Obama’s Stimulus Package. Adoption of the 2009 budget came ahead of the March 1 deadline to approve it. It did not include immediate approval for the public safety director position that CEO Burrell Ellis and his transition committee had recommended. Instead, Stokes set aside $284,814 for the position in a reserve account “for future study.” She said that Ellis needed to convince the board that the position was needed. The amended budget passed 4 to 3. Stokes, Johnson, May, and Sharon BarnesSutton voted yes; Jeff Rader, Kathie Gannon and Elaine Boyer, who favored immediate funding for the public safety director position, voted no. The budget was approved against the backdrop of declining revenues. The depressed economy and the tanking of the housing market have negatively affected sales and other tax revenues. The state also did not fund the Homeowners Tax Relief Grant for 2009. The county is also feeling the pinch from the incorporation of the city of Dunwoody and the inclusion of the Perimeter CID within its boundaries. Please see BUDGET, page 4
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CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
E duc a t in g & E mp owe r in g Ou r Co m m u n i t y
& Present
the 2009
Small
B usiness
&
expo
Sales • Marketing • Branding April 25, 2009 • Noon - 5 p.m. The Small Business/Best of East Metro Expo provides a unique opportunity for businesses to network with each other and with potential customers and suppliers under one roof at the Mall at Stonecrest. The Expo is open to professionals, home-based, women-owned and other businesses. Businesses that can participate include:
• Accountants • Graphic & Web Designers • IT Companies • Real Estate Agents • Mortgage Brokers • Caterers • Florists
• Massage Therapists • Interior Designers • Decorators • Builders • Home Improvement Companies • Landscapers • Upholsterers
• Custom Automotive Companies • Photographers • Videographers • Dance Schools • Fitness Instructors • Frame Studios • Music Studios
Winners of the 2009 “Best of East Metro” Readers Choice Awards will be recognized during the Expo!
* Call Now for Economic Stimulus Special! $350 to ParticiPate * Participants will receive a SuperCard ad to be published in our “2009 Small Business / Best East Metro” Special Section in the April 18 issue of CrossRoadsNews (add $250 for 4-color). Participants also receive:
8-foot table w/ two chairs during the Small Business/Best of East Metro Expo n Name listed in promotional advertising in our April 4, 11, and 18 issues n Two meal tickets
n
Deadline: March 13, 2009 • Expo Date: April 25, 2009 Limited number of spaces, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 404-284-1888 to confirm your space. www.crossroadsnews.com
Community
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CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
“We expect that this will have a significant impact on the pedestrian access and safety. It is great to have a homegrown vendor working on the project, too.”
Firing ends chief’s tenure By McKenzie Jackson
DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis fired DeKalb Police Chief Terrell Bolton Monday afternoon after a twomonth standoff between the two. In a 39-word statement Monday evening, Ellis said Bolton’s termination is effective Feb. 24. “A formal termination letter was forwarded today to Terrell Terrell Bolton Bolton and his attorney, William J. McKenney,” the statement said. The firing follows a Feb. 20 pre-termination letter sent to Bolton that required him to show up for a 10 a.m. meeting Monday. Instead, McKenney sent Ellis a 19-page letter with attachments, dated Feb. 23, in which he said Bolton would not show up because he was unable to get access to his office to obtain records needed to respond to Ellis’ charges. “Therefore, without records to refer to or attach in support of the chief ’s response, this letter is incomplete and Chief Bolton reserved the right to file a supplemental response after you release his records and allow him access to his office.” McKenney’s letter also said that Bolton was on medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. “Chief Bolton has federallyprotected rights afforded to him
under the Act,” McKenney wrote, “and you are cautioned not to take any action regarding his employment status while under said medical leave.” Bolton has said he was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Bolton’s termination followed two weeks of paid administrative leave and an internal investigation that ended Monday. Burrell Ellis He was hired in December 2006 by former CEO Vernon Jones, who picked him over three people recommended by a search committee. Following the two-week investigation, Ellis charged Bolton with insubordination, misuse of county property, and conduct unbecoming an officer and breach of public trust. Bolton says he has done nothing wrong and has characterized the investigation as a “witch hunt.” He says he will fight his termination through the county’s merit system and through the courts, if necessary. This is Bolton’s second consecutive firing from a police chief position. He was fired as Dallas chief in August 2003 after a four-year tenure that included a fake-drug scandal, low morale among rank-and-file officers, a multimillion-dollar lawsuit by commanders he demoted, and a crime rate that was the highest in the nation among big cities.
Workers are installing lines for underground utilities along Candler Road between Glenwood Avenue and I-285.
McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews
Candler Road project enters second phase The second phase of the Candler Road Streetscape Project is under way. Work crews began burying lines for utility lighting last week along the project that goes from I-285 to Memorial Drive. On Feb. 20, county officials and community leaders staged a groundbreaking in front of New Life Community Center. The $4 million Candler Road Pedestrian and Landscape Enhancement project will bring pedestrian and streetscape upgrades to the busy corridor.
It is part of a $10.4 million streetscape improvement project for Candler Road. The first phase – the Candler Road/Glenwood Avenue intersection – was completed in April 2007. This phase includes sidewalks, stamped concrete buffers, pedestrian crossing signals, lighting, and bus stop waiting areas with benches and trash bins. It will take 18 months to complete and is expected to be finished by July 2010. Because of recent drought conditions, Commissioner Larry Johnson’s office said that installa-
tion of plants, which is part of the project, will be dependent upon conditions. Scott & Son Holdings LLC, a minority contractor with roots in South DeKalb, is the project’s contractor. Johnson, who represents District 3 where the project is located, said he is looking forwarding to its completion. “We expect that this will have a significant impact on the pedestrian access and safety,” he said. “It is great to have a homegrown vendor working on the project, too.”
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Community 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 Writer McKenzie Jackson Advertising Sales Cynthia Blackshear
CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
Keep DeKalb Beautiful says proper recycling of electronic items reduces hazardous material entering the Seminole Landfill.
Abrams to host Johnson to discuss bill Electronic Fourth District Congressman Hank community meet recycling day Johnson will discuss the American Recovery State Rep. Stacey Abrams is hosting a March 7 Community Meeting at McNair Middle School. Abrams who represents House District 84, will discuss the proposed $18.9 billion state budget, Senate Bill 31 that is seeking nuclear power financing for Georgia Power, Stacey Abrams and transportation issues at the 10 a.m. to noon meeting. McNair Middle School is at 2190 Wallingford Drive in Decatur. For more information, call Jazmine Smalley at 404656-0220.
and Reinvestment Act on March 7 at Stan Watson’s Community Cabinet meeting. President Barack Obama signed the act, also known as the Stimulus Bill, into law on Feb. 17. The 4th Congressional District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Rockdale and Hank Johnson Gwinnett counties, will get 7,900 jobs from the $787 billion package, which will create or save 3.5 million jobs nationwide. Georgia is slated to get $1 billion in infrastructure spending for highways, bridges, transit, clean water projects and fixed guideway modernization from the package. The community meeting is co-hosted by state Reps. Pam Stephenson, Howard Mosby and Robbin Shipp and Commissioner Larry Johnson. It starts at 9:30 a.m. at New Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur.
BOC adds positions without raising taxes 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.
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BUDGET,
from page
1
Johnson said the Dunwoody effect on the budget amounted to $16 million and that they were able to neutralize it by transferring $10 million from HOST funds that will not be available for sidewalks and roads. Still, Stokes said she was proud that the board was able to beef up public safety without increasing taxes. “We listened to the people,” she said. “We had 20 community meetings and every where we went, people said public safety is the number one priority.” Johnson, whose District 3 has seen an increase in crime, said people kept telling them that they want more police on the street. “We need a surge on the streets. That’s what they kept telling us,” Johnson said. Stokes, who represents Super District 7, said the county will
“During these harsh economic times, we have to employ long-term thinking to help keep DeKalb solvent. Making an effort to fund a position on retail recruitment in our Economic Development Department will certainly give us a leg up in helping stimulate DeKalb’s economy.”
Cleanup set in Towers area
Commissioner Larry Johnson
provide funding for the Meals on Wheels Program, which was not included in the CEO’s budget because of the loss of state funding for it. With the adopted budget, the commissioners decided that the county will assume the $195,662 funding for the program that provides hot meals to house-bound seniors across the county. On the retail position, which will cost $65,976, Johnson said
DeKalb County residents can help reduce landfill waste by recycling old electronics on March 7. The 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. event at the Memorial Drive Wal-Mart Supercenter in Decatur is sponsored by Keep DeKalb Beautiful. Volunteers will collect computers, keyboards, scanners, cables, typewriters, projectors, telephones, radios, disc players, microwave ovens, computers, disk drives and floppy drives in front of the store’s gardening section. Television sets will be accepted with a $10 charge. Keep DeKalb Beautiful says proper recycling of electronic items reduces hazardous material entering Seminole Landfill and leaching into the county’s ground water. The groups says an estimated 4.4 million PCs and 8 million television sets in 3 million Georgia households will eventually become 334,800 tons of e-waste in our landfills. The Wal-Mart is at 3580 Memorial Drive in Decatur. For more information, call 404-371-2654.
the recruitment of more retail will increase DeKalb’s commercial tax base and provide jobs. “During these harsh economic times, we have to employ longterm thinking to help keep DeKalb solvent,” he said. “Making an effort to fund a position focused on retail recruitment in our Economic Development Department will certainly give us a leg up in helping stimulate DeKalb’s economy.”
Residents in the Greater Towers Community will be cleaning up the streets on March 7. The 9 a.m. to noon cleanup will take place in the areas surrounding Towers High School and Austin and West Austin drives. Brenda Swinney, the Greater Towers Community Association’s publicity chairperson, said the cleanups will be held monthly. Volunteers will meet at Towers High School, 3919 Brookcrest Circle. For more information, call Brenda Swinney at 404-284-2317.
Quick Read
Candler Road project enters Fraternal groups to perform 7 Students donate shoes for second phase 3 11 Black fraternities and sororities will take children in Ghana The second phase of the Candler Road Streetscape Project is under way. Work crews began burying lines for utility lighting last week along the project.
center stage at ARThink DeKalb’s Feb. 28 black history month celebration at Miller Grove High School.
Financial expert and author Glinda Bridgforth was in town last week to help launch Wal-Mart’s “Operation Main Street: Money Makeover Day.”
stage this weekend at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center.
Since the start of this school year, DeKalb students have donated more than 1,000 pairs of new and gently worn shoes to students in Ghana, West Africa.
Arts Center staging play about Money makeover plan includes tragic singer 7 Path improves park access 12 discount on prepaid card 5 The story of impresario Sam Cooke is on Come May 23, getting to Shoal Creek
Credit unions offer car deals 5 CDC FCU members can save up to 4.5 percent off MSRP or $1,000 cash back on a new vehicle through March.
Park is going to be a lot easier for residents of the Belvedere/Line Street community.
16 DeKalb teams join quest to First Afrikan presenting AIDS bring home trophies 10 awareness programs 13 16 boys and girls teams from central and south DeKalb will be among teams competing for a state basketball title.
A community-wide HIV/AIDS education seminar on March 7 at First Afrikan Presbyterian Church will help celebrate Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS.
Three to play in GACA All-Star Authors to sign books at Mall game 10 Saint Philip to screen film by at Stonecrest 6 Albany-based ministry 13 Miller Grove’s Mfon Udofia, Tucker’s Circulation Audited By
Actress Adilah Barnes and bestselling author Charlotte Hughes are coming to Borders Books and Music at Stonecrest.
Manny Atkins and Redan’s Kenny Hall will be suiting up for the GACA North/South Basketball All-Star Classic in Savannah.
The action-packed inspirational film “Fireproof” will be screened March 7 at Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta.
index to advertisers 1.2.3 Discount Fabrics.......................................5 Corner Stone Leadership Academy................ 15 Craig B. Williams, DDS.................................... 12 DeKalb Convention & Visitor’s Bureau..............3 DeKalb Co. Parks & Recreation........................11 DeKalb Co. Purchasing & Contracting Div...... 15 DeKalb Co. School System..............................10
DeKalb Medical Center................................... 12 Douglas J. Flanigan Law Firm......................... 15 Ella’s Caring Hands Adult Day Care................ 16 Felicia V. Anderson CPA LLC.............................5 Fidel’s Kiddie Salon......................................... 16 First Afrikan Presbyterian Church................... 13
Fish N More.................................................... 16 Greenforest McCalep Academy.......................11 Lorillard Tobacco Company............................. 6 MBC Group Inc............................................... 15 Metro Atlanta YMCA....................................... 12 Mini Mall......................................................... 16
Narvie J Harris Theme School PTA..................11 Padgett Business Services.................................5 Raleigh Rucker Funeral Home........................ 16 Salt & Light Truth Center................................ 13 Sulton Pediatric Group.................................... 16 Tab Contracting.............................................. 16
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CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
Finance
“The reduced fees on the WalMart MoneyCard will save our customers millions of dollars.”
Wal-Mart money makeover plan includes discount on prepaid card Financial expert and author Glinda Bridgforth was in town last week to help launch Wal-Mart’s “Operation Main Street: Money Makeover Day.” The Feb. 18 event at the Memorial Drive store in Decatur was part of the nationwide launch of “Operation Main Street: Money Management,” that includes a $3 price on the Wal-Mart MoneyCard and a focus on financial literacy. The reloadable, prepaid Visa debit card previously sold for $9. The card allows them to check their balances, pay bills and shop anywhere Visa debit is accepted. It also has no overdraft fees. Jane Thompson, Wal-Mart Financial Services president, said that customers who use the WalMart MoneyCard tell them they are
making a difference in their lives and helping them get their finances under control. “The reduced fees on the WalMart MoneyCard will save our customers millions of dollars,” she said. “We will continue to lower prices on the money services that we know our customers need.” Bridgforth, bestselling author of “Girl, Get Your Credit Straight” and “Girl, Get Your Money Straight,” presented “Top Five Money Makeover Tips” and led a discussion geared toward helping Americans get their finances back on track. She said that for those living paycheck-to-paycheck, affordable access to basic money services like check-cashing, money transfers and reloadable pre-paid debit cards can be key to getting back on track and
having finances that are in order. “Wal-Mart is setting an example and demonstrating how businesses can support and help Americans facing financial challenges,” she said. With growing numbers of families facing financial challenges, “Operation Main Street: Money Management” offers adults who lack traditional checking accounts access to money services to manage their finances. It includes the reduced price on the Walmart MoneyCard and a focus on financial literacy. Other services include low prices on money services like check cashing, bill payment and money transfers to help consumers stretch family budgets and save on money- Wal-Mart’s “Operation Main Street: Money Management” program offers service fees. people access to money services to help them manage their finances.
At your income, best advice is sell the car Dear Dave, I’m 22 years old, in the military, and our yearly household income is about $20,000. We’re trying to get out of debt, but we owe $13,000 on a car that we financed at 14.5 percent. We both got $500 limit credit cards to help rebuild our credit rating, so we could refinance the car at a lower rate. Can you give us any other advice? – Josiah Dear Josiah, I can definitely help you with the interest rate problem. Sell the car! I’m not kidding. I’m not trying to beat you up, but you’ve got no business with a $13,000 car when you’re only making $20,000 a year. Even if you’d paid cash for it, that’s way too much money for something that’s going down in value. You don’t own the car, dude, it owns you! Right now your entire life revolves around finding a way to keep a car you can’t afford. If I were you, I’d sell the car, go get a little beater to drive, and give my wife a big hug. This thing is putting unbelievable stress on your marriage, dictating your direction in life, and it’s just a stupid car! Forget the idea of building your credit, too! That’s one of the biggest myths around. Credit hasn’t been much of a blessing to you so far, has it? Here’s the deal. If you can’t
equipment turns into very expensive coat hangers in a short time. I don’t ever recommend maintenance agreements, or extended warranties. I self-insure by having money saved up, and buying quality items! pay cash for something, you can’t - Dave afford it. When you pay cash, you don’t have any payments. Then, you Did China bail us out? have control of your most power- Dear Dave, Where did the government get ful wealth-building tool – your income! Now that’s a formula for all of that bailout money? Did they print it, or did they borrow it from success! - Dave China? – Carl Maintenance plan worth it? Dear Dave, Dear Carl, I’m interested in your opinion It’s none of the above. When regarding a five-year maintenance the government runs a deficit, agreement on a new treadmill. It which means it spends more than it covers repairs, and an annual visit makes, it borrows money by selling to check and lubricate all moving U.S. government bonds, or treasury parts. Is a maintenance agreement bonds, on the open market. China ever worth the money, especially if owns some of these bonds, but they you’re not the handyman type? certainly don’t own them all. Treasury bonds are sold to lots – Anonymous of investors. Corporations buy them, as do individual investors, Dear Anonymous, You know why they sell those because these bonds are theoagreements? Because they’re huge retically some of the safest on the planet. So don’t worry about the moneymakers! No, I wouldn’t do that. We have China angle, Carl. They didn’t exercise equipment in our home, make us a direct loan of hundreds and we don’t have any maintenance of billions of dollars to handle the agreements. Lots of folks make bailout. That’s just another bunch resolutions to start working out of conspiracy theory bull. and get into shape, but very few - Dave see it through to the end. A high Visit www.davesays.org for more percentage of expensive workout financial advice.
Credit unions offer car deals CDC Federal Credit Union members can save up to 4.5 percent off MSRP or $1,000 cash back on a new vehicle purchased from General Motors and Chrysler through March 31. The savings are through a partnership between credit unions and car manufacturers to help give credit union members a boost during tough economic times. Australia Hoover, CDC FCU vice president of member services, said the program is for members who need a new vehicle or who are just looking for something with better gas mileage. “We are thrilled and pleased to be a participant in this nationwide campaign and we look forward to
offering our members additional incentives for their participation,” Hoover said. In addition to the discounts and rebates, CDC FCU is also offering a low rate of 3.9 percent on a 36-month auto loan for new vehicles. Members can also shave more percentage points if they have an active CDC FCU checking account, have more than two accounts, or use the Auto Pay feature. Credit union membership is open to people who live, work, worship, attend school or volunteer in DeKalb, Fulton or Gwinnett counties. For more information, visit www.lovemycreditunion.com.
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6
CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
Community
“Nutcase,” a fictional tale of Atlanta psychologist Kate Holly and her oddball patients, friends and family, is set in Rockdale, DeKalb and Atlanta.
Rockdale County celebrates Obama
Christian hip-hopper’s latest CD on shelves Christian hip-hop artist Dennis “Lil D” Wheeler Jr.’s latest CD, “Da Hottest Kid ‘N’ Da Game” is now on store shelves. The 17-track CD, released Feb. 25, includes songs like “SWAG” and “While I’m Young.” Now 13, Lil’D has been singing since age 7. The Shamrock Middle School eighth-grader won McDonald’s “The Gift” Kids Gospel Talent Show in 2007. “Da Hottest Kid ‘N’ Da Game” is available at most urban clothing stores across metro Atlanta
including DTLR, Sports Profile, Footlocker, Jimmy Jazzy and Athletes Foot. It is also available at local barbershops, recording stores and malls. Lil’ D will perform at the CrossRoadsNews Summer Camp Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest on March 28 and on April 4, he will headline the Drug Awareness Spring Break Kick Off at the Atrium Arena in Stone Mountain. For more information, call 404604-5527.
Authors to sign books at Mall at Stonecrest Actress Adilah Barnes and bestselling author Charlotte Hughes are coming to Borders Books and Music at Stonecrest in Lithonia. Barnes will sign copies of her biography, “On My Own Terms,” on Feb. 28 and March 1, and Hughes will sign copies of her new book, “Nutcase,” on March 1. All three events will be at 2 p.m. Donald Bieler, the mall’s director of marketing, said that bringing prominent authors to Stonecrest
Adilah Barnes
Charlotte Hughes
educates and promotes literacy. Barnes’ 15-chapter book, released Feb. 25, takes readers from her first acting class at age 16 to her
roles in film, television and on stage. Hughes, who lives in Beaufort, is best know for her “Full” book series co-authored with Janet Evanovich. “Nutcase,” a fictional tale of Atlanta psychologist Kate Holly and her oddball patients, friends and family, is set in Rockdale and DeKalb counties and Atlanta. The Mall at Stonecrest is at I-20 and Turner Hill Road. For more information, call 678-526-9880 or visit www.mallatstonecrest.com.
Panelists to talk about writing second book Barack Obama has been in office for a month but that didn’t stop Rockdale County Democrats from celebrating his inauguration. Their Feb. 21 black-tie gala at the Wellington Creek Estates in Loganville attracted a who’s who of community leaders including state Sen. Ronald Ramsey (top, with mike), Rockdale County Chairman Richard Oden (above, left to right), Clerk of Court Ruth Wilson and Commissioner Oz Nesbitt Sr.; and DeKalb Democratic Party chairwoman Sandra Austin (above, right) and Leona Perry, third vice president.
Georgia authors Jack Riggs, Renee Dodd and Tom Mullen will be panelists in a March 3 discussion covering the problems of writing a second book at the Decatur Library in downtown Decatur. “The Sophomore Slump: Writing the Second Book” takes place at 7:15 p.m. Admission is free. The Decatur Library is at 215 Sycamore St. For Jack Riggs more information, call 404-370-8450.
Renee Dodd
Tom Mullen
February 28, 2009
Black History
7
CrossRoadsNews
The musical drama is named for one of Cooke’s most popular songs, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” which was released posthumously.
Fraternal groups to perform Arts Center staging play about tragic singer Black fraternities and sororities will take center stage at ARThink DeKalb’s Feb. 28 black history month celebration at Miller Grove High School. The frats and sorors from across metro Atlanta will perform in a 40-minute step show followed by a screening of the acclaimed documentary “Black Greek Organizations: The Foundation.” Step show performers will include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
The documentary, which was directed, written and produced by filmmaker James Davis, offers a unique perspective on the origins of African-American sororities and fraternities with interviews with Greek organization members like Shaquille O’Neal, Sheryl Underwood and the late Johnnie Cochran. There will be a question and answer session with Davis after the screening. The show starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Miller Grove High School is at 2645 DeKalb Medical Parkway in Lithonia. For more information, contact Fred Sawyers at info@ arthinkdekalb.org or call 404423-6219.
APEX to show film on slavery Owen Alik Shahadah’s documentary “500 Years Later” will be screened March 5 at the APEX Museum in Atlanta. The 2005 movie, which examines the effects slavery had on people of African descent, is being screened from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as a part of the museum’s Sankofa Spirit Movies with a Mission program. The film examines issues of crime, drugs, poor education, inferiority complex, low expectation, poverty, corruption, poor health, HIV/AIDS and underdevelopment that plague people of African descent globally. Shot on location in five continents and more than 20 coun-
tries, the film features civil rights activist Paul Robeson Jr., Kwanzaa founder Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor Molefi Kete Asante, poet Amiri Baraka, author and psychiatrist Dr. Francis Cress Welsing, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It won five awards including Best Documentary at the 2005 Pan-African Film Festival, Best Film at the 2005 Black Berlin International Cinema and “Breaking the Chains Prize” at the 2007 Ziff & UNESCO. The APEX Museum is at 135 Auburn Ave. in Atlanta. For more information, visit www. sankofaspirit.com or call 770234-5890.
The story of gospel/pop impresario Sam Cooke is on stage this weekend at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center in Decatur. “A Change Gon Come – The Sam Cooke Story: His Life, His Music, His Legacy” opened Feb. 27 at the new arts center. It will be also be staged at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 and March 1. Cooke was born in Clarksdale, Miss., on Jan. 22, 1931, to Annie Mae and the Rev. Charles Cook, a Baptist minister. He began his career singing gospel with his siblings in a group called The Singing Children. His emotive singing style later inspired a generation of pop performers. The musical drama is produced by the Windsong Music Group and features 12 actors and singers. It is named for one of Cooke’s most popular songs, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” which was released posthumously. The early protest song is generally regarded as Cooke’s greatest composition. “Bring It on Home to Me” and “You Send Me” are also among many music lovers all-time favorites. Nat George, the show’s executive producer, said since its launch at the Rialto in Atlanta in July 2007, nearly 10,000 people have seen the show in eight cities across the South. He said this weekend’s show will kick off a 10-city tour that will include Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles.
Sam Cooke, whose emotive singing style inspired a generation of pop performers, was shot to death at age 33.
George, a recording artist who was inspired by Sam Cooke as a boy, said the production grew out of his curiousity about Cooke, who died at the age of 33 on Dec. 11, 1964, at the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles. Bertha Franklin, manager of the motel – which has since been torn down – told police that she shot and killed Cooke in self-defense. The shooting was ultimately ruled a justifiable homicide. As a boy and fan, George said
he could never get the true story about Cooke. “So I went researching,” he said, adding that the audience will leave the theater with a good sense of Cooke’s live, death, historical significance and his enduring musical legacy. The Porter Sanford Arts Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. Tickets are $30 and $35 and are available at www.ticketweb.com or at the box office, 404-286-7266.
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CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
Readers C
Vote online at www.crossroadsnews.com 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 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 Mosby
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 First Afrikan Church Choir r Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church r New Life Gospel Choir r Saint Philip Griffin Choir 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 New Restaurant r Atlanta Best Coffee r Borage Grille r Mables r Parker’s On Ponce r Turkey Base r Wondrous Works-Fairburn 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 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 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 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
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CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
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 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 Best Auto Detailing r Baker’s Auto Car Detail r Cartopia r Eric England’s East Side Detailing r Sparkling Auto Bath
Vote online at www.crossroadsnews.com 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 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 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 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
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Sports
CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
With first-round playoffs beginning this weekend, 160 teams across the state that will be vying to bring home state titles.
16 DeKalb teams join quest to bring home state basketball trophies legations surfaced that he had inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old student on Facebook. The Stephenson Lady Jaguars (20-7) will host Lowndes County (21-6) at 5:30 p.m. The defending champs were the secondbest team in Region 2-AAAAA behind Redan all year, and have offensive firepower led by Hiddaayah Williams’ 12.5 points a game.
When high school basketball playoffs tip off on Feb. 27 and 28, 16 boys and girls teams from central and south DeKalb County will be among the teams competing for the state title. With first-round playoffs beginning this weekend, 160 teams across the state will be vying to be among the 10 teams that raise state title trophies on March 13 and 14. Last season, the Columbia Eagles, Stephenson Lady Jaguars and Southwest DeKalb Lady Panthers brought home state titles. All three – along with several other south and central DeKalb squads – are strong contenders for championships this season. Here is a breakdown of Friday and Saturdays contests:
Feb. 28 games Class A The Greenforest Christian Eagles (24-4) will host Lakeview Academy (18-10) at an undetermined time. The Region 7-A champion Eagles have soared all season, led by juniors Jamel Jones and Joe Chase and seniors Jimmy Gibson Jr. and Jonathan Merit. The Eagles have won nine of their last 10 games.
Feb. 27 games Class AA The boys and girls basketball teams from Decatur High School will play at Manchester High School. The Decatur Lady Bulldogs (13-15) will play the Manchester Lady Blue Devils (21-5) at 5:30 p.m. and the Bulldogs (17-11) will play the Blue Devils (20-6) at 7 p.m. Decatur’s girls grabbed a state playoff berth after beating Blessed Trinity in the first round of the Region 6-AA tournament on Feb. 18. The boys qualified by beating Lovett in the first round of the Region 6-AA tournament. Class AAA The Columbia Lady Eagles (20-7) will host Cartersville (12-14) at 6 p.m. Before their 39-36 loss to Dunwoody in the Region 5-AAA championship game on Feb. 21, the Lady Eagles were on a roll. Columbia was on a 12-game winning streak and their last loss was on Jan. 10.
Photos By McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews
Redan’s MacKenzie Dalrymple (left) and Greenforest’s Jamel Jones will play key roles in their teams’ playoff endeavors.
Class AAAA Southwest DeKalb’s defending state champion Lady Panthers (24-4) will host Douglass County (21-8) at 6 p.m. SWD was knocked off in the Region 6-AAAA title game by Marist on Feb. 21, but were on a 17-game winning streak before the loss. The Lady Panthers are paced by junior forward Kayla Lewis’ 16.5 points per game. The Miller Grove Lady Wolverines (13-9) will play at Mays (25-2) at 6:30 p.m. Coach Renee Breedlove’s squad rebounded from losing a multitude of games in January and beat Chamblee in the first round of the Region 6-AAA playoffs to qualify for the state tournament. Tucker’s Lady Tigers and the Stone
Mountain Pirates will be involved in a doubleheader at Fayette County High School. The Lady Tigers (13-14) will play the Fayette County girls (27-0) at 7 p.m., followed by the Stone Mountain boys (13-15) against the Fayette County boys (19-7) at 8:30 p.m. The Lady Tigers have won eight of their last 11 games, while the Pirates have stumbled into the playoffs after losing four of their last five games. Tucker is led by Serena Clark’s 14.4 points a game, while Samir Rolley leads the Pirates with 12.2 points a game and Kinley Branch averages a DeKalb-high 14.5 rebounds a game.
Class AAAAA Redan High School will also host a doubleheader, since the school’s boys and girls teams both will be hosting opponents from Northside-Warner Robins. The Lady Raiders (22-0) will host Northside’s girls (14-11) at 6 p.m., and the Raiders (18-7) will player the boys (15-12) at 7 p.m. The Lady Raiders roared through the regular season and Region 2-AAAAA playoffs, blowing out almost every opponent they faced this year. Redan is led by Nia Evan’s 11.2 points a game and MacKenzie Dalrymple’s 10.1 points a game. The Redan boys enter the playoffs with four consecutive wins under their belt, but will be playing without head coach Dalton Greene, who resigned last week after al-
Class AAA The Columbia Eagles (26-2) will host Central Carroll (9-16) at 6 p.m. This year’s team is younger than last year’s state championship team, but the Eagles are still led by standout senior Jershon Cobb and freshman sensation Jordan Price. The Cedar Grove Saints (9-12) will play at Carrollton (25-4) at 7 p.m. The Saints, who closed the season with wins in three of their last five games, are led by Kyland FreemanClark’s 10.6 points a game. Class AAAA The Miller Grove Wolverines (25-3) will host Sandy Creek (16-8) at 7 p.m. The Wolverines, possibly the best team in DeKalb, only lost one game to an in-state opponent this season. Do-everything guard Mfon Udofia, who averages 21.8 points, 3.2 steals and 6.3 assists a game, leads the Wolverines. The Tucker Tigers (19-8) will play at Lithia Springs (20-5) at 7 p.m. The Tigers are led by Virginia Tech signee Manny Atkins, who averages 19.4 points and 10.3 boards a game. Class AAAAA The Stephenson Jaguars (21-7) will host Tift County (19-9) at 7 p.m. Before losing to Redan in the Region 2-AAAAA title game on Feb. 21, Jaguars had won 16 of their 17 games, which included a 106-89 pounding of ML King. Jaguars senior guard Adrien Coleman, who led the county in scoring during the regular season with 29.8 points a game, also had 3.4 steals, another DeKalb high.
Three to play in GACA All-Star game helped lead Tucker to the Miller Grove’s Mfon UdAAAA state championship ofia, Tucker’s Manny Atkins in March 2007. and Redan’s Kenny Hall will Other players on the be suiting up for the GACA North team are Whitefield North/South Basketball AllAcademy’s Brandon Reed, Star Classic on March 22 at Wheeler’s Richard HowSavannah State University in ell and Ari Stewart, WalSavannah. ton’s Glen Rice Jr., Franklin The DeKalb seniors were County’s Demario Mayfield, among 24 players selected McEachern’s Kadeem Batts, last week for the boys’ game, Crawford County’s Dontaviwhich showcases some of ous Lee, Collins Hill’s Jeremy the top basketball talent Olsen, Cherokee’s Shawn in Georgia. No girls from Kemp Jr. and Blessed TrinDeKalb were selected for the McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews ity’s Arris Brundidge. contest. Mfon Udofia (right) is one of The 6-foot-9 Hall is curUdofia, a point guard three DeKalb players in the rently averaging more than committed to Georgia Tech, GACA All-Star Classic. 20 points and 10 rebounds and Atkins, a forward committed to Virginia Tech, will play for the a game for Redan. The South team also includes Appling North team; Hall, a forward committed to County’s Wendel Williams, Dublin’s Rashard Tennessee, will play for the South team. Udofia, who is averaging 21.8 points, 3.2 Smith, Griffin’s Shaq Barber, Hancock Censteals and 6.3 assists a game, has been an tral’s Kammeon Holsey, Northside-ColumAll-State selection the past two years and was bus’ Torin Walker, Savannah’s Darnell Jacka McDonald’s All-American nominee and son, South Atlanta’s Andre Malon, Turner County’s Ternell Davis, Westlake’s Javoris Parade All-American nominee this year. Atkins currently averages 19.4 points and Bryant, Wilkinson County’s Brit Duncan, 10.3 rebounds a game. The 6-foot-7 forward and Worth County’s Jerome Hamilton.
CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
Youth
11
“I couldn’t imagine our children going to school with no shoes. I couldn’t imagine them going through what they go through over there.”
Students donate new and gently used shoes for children in Ghana By McKenzie Jackson
Even in tough economic times, people are helping others. Since the start of this school year, DeKalb students have donated more than 1,000 pairs of new and gently worn shoes to students in Ghana, West Africa. The shoe drive, which is sponsored by Barnabas International, is collecting shoes for children who walk barefoot up to 10 miles daily over rough terrain to get to school. Now they are collecting shoes at Lithonia Middle School through March 6. Martin R. Kumi, a Ghana native who started the nonprofit, knows from personal experience what it is like to step on gravel, stones and jagged rocks with no shoes.
tion collects and ships school supplies, clothes and Bibles to Kumasi in Western Ghana. Louise Cobham, a Lithonia Middle School teacher who is coordinating the school’s shoe drive, said Kumi’s story brought her to tears. “I couldn’t imagine our children going to school with no shoes,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine them going through what they go through over there.” Two days after the bins were put in the school’s lobby on Feb. 23, both bins were filled with Nikes, he said. Before he launched Barna- Keds, Timberlands and Adidas of bas International in 2007, Kumi, who has been in the United States for 14 years, collected old shoes from garbage cans to send home to his native land. Today, the nonprofit organizaStudents at Lithonia Middle School have contributed more than 1,000 pairs of shoes to be distributed by Barnabas International.
As a boy, Kumi too had to walk miles to school. Now living in Lithonia, he still has the cracks and scratches on his feet to prove it. “I remember telling God if he brought me here [to America], I would go back and help my people,’
Deltas to share joy of reading with youth More than 200 children than 60 children’s books. will get a free book on His popular titles include March 7 when the Deca“Green Eggs and Ham,” tur Alumnae Chapter of “The Cat in the Hat,” “One Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, hosts its annual Spring Into Blue Fish,” and “How the Reading at the Gallery at Grinch Stole Christmas!” South DeKalb. More than 350 chilDuring the 11 a.m. dren and 700 people have to 2 p.m. event, sorority participated in the event’s members will encourage first two years. children ages 2 to 16 to The Gallery at South read and write their own Members of Delta Sigma Theta will donate books and DeKalb is at 2801 Candler read to children at the Gallery at South DeKalb. stories as part of the naRoad in Decatur. tional celebration of the birthday of “Dr. Seuss.” For more information, visit www.dstdac.org or Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, wrote more call 404-406-6490.
all sizes. Patricia May, the school’s principal, said that students have been making donations all week. By Wednesday, more than 75 pairs of shoes were in the bins. “This makes me feel absolutely wonderful,” she said. Kumi said brand names are unimportant to Ghanaian youth. “They just want shoes on their feet,” he said, adding that his goal is to raise 50,000 pairs of shoes. “Right now we have 3,000 pairs,” he said. “We have a ways to go.”
12
CrossRoadsNews
Wellness
February 28, 2009
“It’s not that people don’t know that they need to be more active or eat better, it’s just that the access isn’t as easy.”
Path improves access to Shoal Creek Park By McKenzie Jackson
Come May 23, getting to Shoal Creek Park is going to be a lot easier for residents of the Belvedere/Line Street community. That’s when a new 250-foot path will be completed to give neighbors access to the 16-acre park on Glenwood Road in Decatur. Officials of DeKalb Board of Health and DeKalb government joined residents on Wednesday to break ground on the path that is being built at a cost of $36,000. The path is one of four recommendations from the BelvedereLine Street Active Living Plan identified by residents to improve connections between their homes and destinations to encourage walking and biking. Ann Brown, who has lived in Belvedere for more than 20 years, said the path will increase residents’ use of the park. At the moment, the park is not well used by the Belvedere community because it is difficult to get there. “We know Glenwood is one of the most dangerous streets in the county because of traffic,” she said. “People are really afraid to trust their children to walk to the park.” The path will begin at the south end of Eastwood Drive in the Line Street community and snake through the woods, down a hill and connect to a sidewalk in the park.
Free Weight Loss Program
McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews
Belvedere/Line Street residents and county officials broke ground this week on a walking path to Shoal Creek Park that will avoid busy Glenwood Road.
Monty Rawl, DeKalb Public Works chief construction inspector, said that the construction which began Feb. 23 will be completed in 60 days. Work crews and earth movers have already begun clearing trees on the land. Healthy living has become a priority for the 18,945 residents of Belvedere-Line Street area since its high rate of chronic illnesses like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease was identified in 2007. Residents created the Active Living Plan with help from the Board of Health and CSX Railroad Co., which donated $3,000 to the efforts. Dr. Leslie Richmond, the county’s acting health director, said the path will encourage more physical
activity, promote healthier lifestyles and reduce obesity. Robin Tanner, the Board of Health’s school health coordinator, said the path offers people the opportunity to be more active. “You can promote all you want,” she said. “It’s not that people don’t know that they need to be more active or eat better, it’s just that the access isn’t as easy.” Mary Williams, a Belvedere/ Line Street resident, said residents are excited about a safe and convenient route into the park. “This will encourage more people to utilize the park,” said Williams, who co-chairs the path project’s steering committee. “This path will invite the community to come in more.”
Check to see if you qualify for this safe program.
Mayors to ride for regional bicycle network
Requirements for Participants:
DeKalb mayors will take to the streets on bicycles on March 3 for the fourth annual “Georgia Rides to the Capitol.” Lithonia’s Tonya Peterson, Avondale’s Ed Reicker and Decatur’s Bill Floyd will join mayors from across the state who will ride to support development of a regional bicycle network around major transit facilities, activity
• Must present a written release by their physician authorizing them to participate in a regular exercise program • Must be 21 – 60 years old • Have not participated in a regular exercise program within the last year • Cannot be under medical supervision for diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease • Cannot have uncontrolled high blood pressure • Have height and weight according to chart • Must attend an orientation session and bring physician’s release to the orientation session
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centers and schools. They will join more than 1,000 metro Atlanta bike riders for the event. Riders will depart from designated spots in Decatur and Ros well and meet at the state Capitol for an 11:45 a.m. press conference. Cyclists will depart from the East Lake MARTA Station north parking lot, 2260 College Ave. in Atlanta, at 10:45 a.m. for the 5-mile ride.
Lisa Safstrom, coodinator for State Scenic Byways at the Georgia Department of Transportation, said that although 11 percent of Georgia’s traffic deaths involve bicycles or pedestrians, only 1.4 percent of federal safety set-aside funding goes towards bike/pedestrian projects. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaRidesToTheCapitol. org.
Ministry
“No one can do everything, but each of us can to something to help turn the tide against AIDS.”
Exhibit shows effects of AIDS on children South DeKalb residents can get a bird’s-eye view regarding the international AIDS pandemic’s effect on children in developing countries through a touring interactive exhibit at Greenforest Baptist Church March 1-8. The “World Vision Experience: AIDS” exhibit is expected to engage the community on how AIDS is devastating parts of Africa during its weeklong stint at the Decatur church. Participation is free and and it will open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each year more than 2.5 million people are infected with HIV and about 33 million people globally are living with HIV or AIDS. Children are most affected by HIV/AIDS and by 2010, the number of children orphaned by AIDS will be more than 20 million. In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 10 million children have lost both parents. The Rev. Dennis Mitchell, Greenforest’s senior pastor, said visitors will get to see, hear and experience the lives of children whose worlds have been devastated by HIV/AIDS. “Our congregation is excited to host the exhibit and invite the local community to come join us as we do our part to make a difference in the lives of those most affected by this disease – our children,” Mitchell said. The 2,340-square-foot exhibit
13
CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
More than 15 million children are orphaned by AIDS in Africa. Their stories will be told in an exhibit coming to Greenforest Baptist Church, March 1-8.
will walk visitors through a replica of an African village while they listen on headsets to the story of four real children whose lives have been affected by AIDS. World Vision, a Christian relief and development organization, helps children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. Its AIDS exhibit visited 75 cities in 2007 and 2008. It is slated to visit 40 more cities in 2009. Richard E. Stearns, World Vision U.S. president and CEO, said
the exhibit was created to enable people to “step into Africa” and learn more about effects of the greatest humanitarian disaster of our time and how they can help. “No one can do everything, but each of us can to something to help turn the tide against AIDS,” he said. For more information, visit www.worldvisionexperience.org. Greenforest Baptist Church is at 3250 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information, call Lorraine Johnson at 678-938-5482.
First Afrikan presenting AIDS awareness programs A community-wide the AIDS pandemic. HIV/AIDS education T h e c h u r c h’s seminar on March 7 at Wednesday Bible Study First Afrikan Presbyterian will include a candleChurch will help celebrate light vigil for healing Black Church Week of of AIDS. Prayer for the Healing of The Lithonia AIDS. church’s seminar will The 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mark Lomax include the screening event will culminate a of the HBO movie week of prayer, education and “Life Support.” action among black churches The movie, which stars Queen nationally that is sponsored by Latifah, is inspired by a true story. Richmond, Va.-based Balm in It tells the story of an HIV-positive Gilead Inc. Brooklyn woman who channels The annual event, which is in her energy and regret over past its 20th year, engages black con- drug addiction into working for gregations to support, encourage Life Support, an AIDS outreach and empower African Ameri- group. cans, Africans and people of the A panel discussion followDiaspora to take action to help ing the film will address specific stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in ways that metro Atlanta churches black communities worldwide. can become more involved in reNationally, 1 in 4 Americans sponding to the AIDS crisis. are living with HIV and don’t Organizations partnering with know it. In addition, the Centers First Afrikan Church are Greater for Disease Control and Preven- Piney Grove Baptist Church, tion says as many as 55,000 Ameri- Church of the Lord Christ, Incans are newly infected with HIV terdenominational Theological every year. African Americans, Center, National AIDS Education who make up 12 percent of the and Services for Minorities, and country’s population, account for STAND Inc. nearly half of the new infections. First Afrikan Church is at 5197 Dr. Mark Lomax, the church’s Salem Road in Lithonia. For more pastor, will kick off the week on information, contact Bettye Jo March 1 with a sermon on the dai- Beatty-Wilson at b.j.beatty@juno. ly realities of living in the midst of com or 770-981-9381.
Saint Philip to screen Christian film created by Albany-based ministry The action-packed inspirational film “Fireproof ” will be screened March 7 at Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta. The 2008 movie tells the story of Capt. Caleb Holt, a fireman who lives by the old firefighter’s adage “Never leave your partner behind,” but at home his marriage is cooling. As his wife prepares to enter divorce proceedings, his father challenges him to commit to a 40-day experiment, “The Love Dare.” That commitment leads to a life-changing commitment to love God and an understanding of what it means to truly love his wife. “Fireproof” was the number one independent film released in 2008 and one of the top-grossing Christian films. It is the third feature film from
Albany, Ga.,-based Sherwood Pictures, a moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church. It follows “Facing the Giants” and “Flywheel,” the church’s first two films. Proceeds are helping build Sherwood’s 82acre public sports park in Albany with walking trails, a fishing pond, horse stables and riding trails, tennis courts, baseball fields, and soccer fields. The free 2 p.m. matinee in Saint Philip’s Family Life Center includes free popcorn and sodas. Childcare will also be available. The church is at 240 Candler Road S.E., at the corner of Candler Road and Memorial Drive. For more information, visit www.saintphilip.org, or call Venus Stevens at 678-777-2342.
New pastor to be installed at First Baptist in Atlanta by the late Rev. Hubert The Rev. Norman Shepherd. Thomas will be installed His wife, Rondah March 8 as the new pastor Thomas said that the Rev. of First Baptist Church in Dr. Jerry Alexander, pasAtlanta. tor of Springfield Baptist Thomas, who was hired Church in Athens, will by the church on Jan. 10, is preach the sermon at no stranger to the South DeKalb. He is the former Norman Thomas the 4 p.m. installataion service. youth minister at Greater First Baptist Church is at 2394 Travelers Rest Baptist Church where he had been a member since Gresham Road S.E. For more infora small boy and was mentored mation, call 404-243-9288.
Prayers being collected for book Chaplain Pamela Ayo Yetunde is collecting prayers for a book that will be published this fall by Marabella Books. The Prayer Project is a collection of spiritual writings from ordinary Americans that captures the country’s hopes and dreams in a new era of change.
Yetunde and writer Kim Green are looking for original sacred, religious and spiritual writings. The deadline for submissions is March 31. Send them to prayersproject@ comcast.net or Marabella Books, P.O. Box 552, Avondale Estates, GA 30002.
“Fireproof” tells the story of a firefighter’s journey toward a lifelong commitment to God and learning what it means to truly love his wife.
14
CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
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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.
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CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
to reject any and all proposals, to waive informalities, and to readvertise.
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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 3bd, 2ba, wash & dry .$795 month. $600 security deposit & $20 application fee. Requirements: 32K- 42K/year income. Single, Couple or Sec 8. Call (770) 306-8087 A must see! Gym for rent at Straight Life Church of God Pentecostal, Inc., 4228 Glenhaven
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Request for Proposals DeKalb County Government requests qualified individuals and firms with experience in project management, preliminary design/design and construction management services to submit proposals for NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM (NSP) IMPLEMENTATION (RFP No. 09-500104). A copy of the Request for Proposals is available on the county website at the following address: http://www.co.dekalb.
ga.us/purchasing/index.htm and at DeKalb County Purchasing and Contracting Department, The Maloof Center, Room 202, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30030 (telephone number 404/371-6400) Proposals will be received at the above address until 3:00 pm on March 31, 2009 Pre-Proposal Conference and Site Visit: A mandatory pre-proposal conference and site visit will be held at 10:00 a.m. on March 11, 2009 at Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, Georgia 30030. Interested responders are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in the pre-proposal conference and site visit. For information regarding the pre-proposal conference and site visit, please contact Joseph Patterson at 404-371-6243.
Questions: All questions concerning the project shall be submitted to the Director of Purchasing and Contracting, The Maloof Center, Room 202, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30030, in writing no later than 5:00 pm on March 20, 2009. Questions received by the Director of Purchasing and Contracting after this date will not receive a response. Addenda: Request for Proposals are available on the County’s website and all addendums issued for this project may be found on DeKalb County’s website, www.co.dekalb.ga.us/purchasing/ index.htm.
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MARKETPLACE RATES Place your MarketPlace line ad here – up to 20 words for $25. Additional words are $3 per block of five words (maximum 45 words). Boxed Ads (with up to 3 lines bold headline): $35 plus cost of the classified ad. Send ad copy with check or credit card information and contact phone number (if different from ad) to MarketPlace, CrossRoadsNews, 2346 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032, or e-mail to marketplace@crossroadsnews.com. Our deadlines are at noon on the Thursday one week prior to publication, unless otherwise noted.
DeKalb County Department of Purchasing and Contracting Kelvin L. Walton, Acting Director
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LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE ORDINANCE It is the objective of the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Commissioners of DeKalb County to provide maximum practicable opportunity for all businesses to participate in the performance of government contracts, including Local Small Business Enterprises (LSBE), Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women Business Enterprises (WBE). The County’s Schedule of Local Small Business Enterprise Participation, Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise Opportunity Tracking Form (Exhibit A) and Letter of Intent to Perform as a Subcontractor or Provide Materials or Services (Exhibit B) are included in the Request for Proposal, along with sample report forms (Exhibit C). The current DeKalb County List of Certified Vendors is included as Exhibit D. For details relative to DeKalb County’s Local Small Business Enterprise Ordinance, contact the Contract Compliance Division at contract@co.dekalb. ga.us or 404.371.4795. The County reserves the right
LEGAL NOTICE IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF RICHMOND, STATE OF GEORGIA 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.
) ) ) ADOPTION NO ) ) ) 2008-RCA-0075 ) ) ) )
TO: RONALD WHITE, the alleged Biological Father of the minor child, RAQUEL SASHA EDWARDS. 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
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CrossRoadsNews
February 28, 2009
Business Spotlight History-making duo of the cloth Rev. Raleigh Rucker and his daughter LaTonia Rucker are the first father and daughter to serve as chaplain for several law enforcement agencies.
At Raleigh Rucker Funeral Home in Decatur, the fatherdaughter team at the helm of the family-run business are history makers. Family patriarch the Rev. Raleigh Rucker and daughter LaTonia Rucker are the first and only father and daughter chaplains to hold the same rank and positions at two major law enforcement organizations in Georgia. Dad, a senior chaplain for Georgia State Patrol, is the first AfricanAmerican senior chaplain for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. He is also the chief chaplain for the
Clarkston Police Department. LaTonia, who has been a GBI chaplain since 2003, holds the rank of captain and first female chaplain there. She is also the first female chaplain at the Georgia State Patrol, and she also serves as chaplain with the Clarkston Police Department. In 2007, Gov. Sonny Perdue swore her in as a Homeland Security chaplain. The Ruckers stand ready to serve grieving families at their $1.7 million funeral home at 2199 Candler Road. For more information, call 404288-7015.
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