CrossRoadsNews, January 2, 2010

COMMUNITY

READERS’ CHOICE

WELLNESS

When it’s time to move, a bag for your stuff can make a huge difference. That’s the idea behind an annual bag drive for foster children. 5

Customers and residents can recognize good service and hard work from businesses, groups and individuals with nominations in our annual contest. 6,7

Giving a pint of blood can save a life and the American Red Cross is appealing to those who can donate to help it meet its goals. 8

Got bag?

Copyright © 2010 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

Time to nominate your favorites

January 2, 2010

Gift of Life

Presented to:

Craig Williams, DDS

Volume 15, Number 35

www.crossroadsnews.com

GRTA Xpress route to link Stone Mountain, Atlanta

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Starting Jan. 4, visitors to Stone Mountain Park and commuters who work downtown will be able to ride express buses to and from Atlanta.

The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, which partners with 12 metro Atlanta counties on the regional commuter coach service, said this week that its new Route 424 will serve Stone Mountain Park area commuters from a park-and-ride

lot at 1475 E. Park Place Blvd. in Stone Mountain.

The lot, located in the old Cub Foods parking lot in the former Eastmont shopping center, is near the intersection of Stone Mountain Freeway and East Park Place Boulevard.

Route 424 is expected to help relieve congestion on heavily traveled U.S. 78, also known as the Stone Mountain Freeway. It also will provide another option for riders using the Route 418 from Snellville and

Category: Hewatt Road.

The service joins 28 other routes operated by Xpress coach service that connect commuters with the MARTA rail system.

GRTA spokesman William Mecke said Tuesday that the new route is part of a $145 million expansion of Xpress service announced in June. GRTA plans to spend $105 million constructing new park-andride lots and $40 million on new buses to

Best Orthodontist

Please see GRTA, page 5

GRTA’s new Stone Mountain route is part of a $145 million expansion announced in June.

Emory opening dialysis center on Candler

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

South DeKalb residents who need dialysis will soon have a new center for treatment on Candler Road.

Emory Healthcare is opening a 14,000-square-foot center in the South DeKalb Plaza, at 2726 Candler Road.

Joseph Dee, Emory’s clinical operations manager, said the center is awaiting certification from Medicare.

“We are hoping to open in January,” he said.

When it opens for business, Emory Dialysis at Candler will join three other dialysis centers on Candler Road, which has the distinction of having the most dialysis centers countywide.

The Candler Road clinic is one of three new, state-of-the-art dialysis centers that Emory Healthcare is opening simultaneously as a service to its patients. It also is opening clinics on Northside Drive in northwest Atlanta and on Greenbriar Parkway in southwest Atlanta.

The centers’ individual dialysis stations are equipped with comfortable leather chairs and flat-panel televisions for patient use during the four-hour treatment, which they must take three times weekly.

Services at all three centers will include in-center hemodialysis, conventional home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, including continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis. They also will offer patients training for doing hemodialysis at home.

Dee declined to say how much Emory is investing in opening the centers, but he said they will employ 80 people and serve hundreds of patients with renal failure.

The Candler Road center, which is located in the former Pep Boys site near the corner of Candler Road and Rainbow Drive, will have 38 treatment stations. It will employ 30 people, including 18 to 20 patient care technicians, nurses, a social worker and a dietitian.

Dee said Candler Road is an ideal site for Emory’s expansion into owning its own dialysis centers.

“It’s a good location for us,” he said. “It’s on the MARTA bus stop with easy access to two interstates, and the parking is right.”

The South DeKalb Plaza is not new to

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Technician Gloria Calvimonts checks the dialysis machine at one of 38 stations at the new Emory Dialysis at Candler.

revitalize the area,” he said Tuesthe Emory system. For more than day. “We have been working that 10 years, Emory Healthcare operplan that was completed about ated a clinic there. It relocated two years ago. Emory knows my in November 2007 to the Trinfocus is putting more jobs and ity Office Park, 4153 Flat Shoals health care closer to the people.”

Parkway in Decatur.

Johnson said that having the Because patients with failed dialysis center centrally located kidneys must have dialysis three also fits in with his push for comtimes a week to clean their blood munity-oriented primary care. of impurities, Dee said dialysis Larry Johnson “We are trying to get health centers must be accessible.

DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Larry care close to people so they don’t have to Johnson, who has been working to revital- take two buses to get to it,” he said.

The new health care facility is one of ize the Candler Road corridor that lies in the heart of his district, said getting the three construction projects under way on Emory dialysis center on Candler Road, Candler Road.

McDonald’s is building a new across from the Gallery at South DeKalb, 3,838-square-foot restaurant at the corner is a real coup.

“It fits in with our Renaissance Plan to of Candler and McAfee roads, and down

the road from Walgreens, a small new strip shopping center is under construction.

Johnson said he is also in discussion with the owners of the Candler/McAfee shopping center about attracting a major chain to replace the flea market next door to Wayfield Foods.

Community open house To introduce the community to the new dialysis center, Emory is hosting a community open house at the center on Jan. 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Visitors will get to meet Emory nurses and staff, tour the new facility, and learn more about home therapy options available from Emory Healthcare.

Please see DIALYSIS, page 8

2

CrossRoadsNews

Finance

January 2, 2010

“The prayer breakfast presents an awesome opportunity for business owners and legislators alike to come together.”

Legislative Breakfast to feature candidates and businessowners Candidates for Georgia’s 2010 gubernatorial election will rub shoulders with elected officials at the 12th annual Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce Legislative Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 9 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

The event, held each year on Dale Bronner N. Goldston Alicia Ivey the Saturday before the General Assembly convenes, gives elected officials Baker, Roy Barnes, Carl Camon, Jeff Chapan opportunity to bring essential informa- man, DuBose Porter, David Poythress and tion to small-business owners from across Austin Scott have all confirmed their atthe state. tendance.

This year, legislators, business owners Chamber President Anna Henderson and corporate partners will gather under said they are very excited to have the parthe theme “Unity, Diversity, Partnership: ticipation of the gubernatorial candidates Connecting With a Purpose.” as we embark on a new legislative year and Gubernatorial candidates Thurbert elect a new governor.

erational Torch Awards.

The 2010 honorees are Alexis Scott of the Atlanta Daily World; Nathaniel Goldston of Gourmet Services Inc.; Dale C. Bronner of Bronner Bros.; Herman Russell of H.J. Russell and Co.; Alicia Ivey of Phoenix Global Corp.; and Jeffrey L. Robinson of J.W. Jeffrey Robinson H.J. Russell Alexis Scott Robinson & Associates.

State Sen. Emanuel Jones, chair of the “The prayer breakfast presents an awesome opportunity for business owners and Georgia Black Legislative Caucus, and legislators alike to come together, put a Phoenix Global Corp. president and CEO name with a face, and begin the year with Alicia M. Ivey will co-chair the event.

Tickets are $50 each. A table of 10 is positive energy and inspiration,” she said.

During the breakfast, the chamber will $500.

For more tickets and sponsorship, visit salute African-American families whose businesses started generations ago yet www.gablackchamberofcommerce.org or continue to thrive to this day with its Gen- call 404-329-4504.

Deadline looms to secure spot in financial fitness contest Twenty-five Atlantans will get the chance to improve their financial fitness in 2010 with the help of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta, but only those who act by Jan. 5 will be considered.

The nonprofit financial counseling agency is sponsoring a Credit Score Challenge, Feb. 1 to May 31, to teach creditchallenged individuals how to improve their credit ratings. Applicants must e-mail their contact information to creditscore@

cccsinc.org and describe in 300 words or less why they would like to participate in Credit Score Challenge.

Chosen participants will attend a free financial education seminar on Jan. 30 and get a free “Money Makeover” from a certified budget/credit counselor who will analyze their monthly income and expenses and make recommendations to reduce their spending and increase their income.

As part of the contest, CCCS will pay

the cost of obtaining participants’ credit scores at the beginning and end of the contest. Participants must agree in advance to share their credit scores and participate in media interviews about their experience working to improve their credit scores.

The winner will be the person who increases his or her credit scores by the most points by the end of the contest. That victorious contestant will win an $850 gift card to symbolize a “perfect” credit score, which is 850.

Mechel Glass, CCCS education director, said financial education is fundamental in helping consumers achieve financial freedom.

“This contest will raise awareness of how easy it is for people to understand and manage their credit,” he said.

Successful applicants will be notified

by Jan. 15.

Visit www.cccsinc.org/mediaRoom/ pressReleaseDetail.jsp?id=3227 for the contest’s official rules.

Decatur businesswoman enjoying well-deserved bonanza year Jennifer Ffrench Parker

2010 is shaping up to be a great year for Decatur businesswoman Norma Johnson.

Johnson, who is president and CEO of Norma J Body Care, is headed to China, Greece and Trinidad this year on economic development trade missions to promote her business, the state of Georgia and Norma Johnson DeKalb County.

Johnson also got news in December that she was nominated for the prestigious state “Manufacturer of the Year” award

by DeKalb Technical College and DeKalb Economic Development director Maria

Mullins.

“I have just been so blessed,” Johnson said Wednesday. “This past year, I decided to concentrate on my business on building overseas and it has paid off.”

As a nominee, Johnson will be celebrated April 12-16, the week Gov. Sonny Perdue has set aside to honor Georgia manufacturers. The Awards Luncheon will be April 15 at the Georgia International Convention Center. Even if she doesn’t win, Johnson said it’s an honor to be nominated.

Johnson launched her line of cosmetics, skin care products, advanced anti-aging formulas, home spa products and gifts in 1987 in Palo Alto, Calif. She did well in retail there in a waterfront location, but when she relocated to Georgia, her retail business struggled.

Today, her line of 40 products is distributed in 12 countries via the Internet and to individual distributors and cosmetic consultants.

During the Ningbo Trade Mission trip to China scheduled for this summer, Johnson will represent the Georgia Department of Economic Development and her products, many of which she develops herself.

The trip will include the Cosmoprof Asia Expo, a leading trade event for salon, cosmetics, hair, perfumery, toiletry and personal care products. The expo attracts more than 1,300 exhibitors from 36 countries and more than 39,000 visitors from around the world.

This is an encore trip to China for Johnson. She also displayed her products at the expo in 2008. Johnson also will promote

her products through the Collective Purchase & Distribution Center, sponsored by the People`s Republic of China’s Ministry of Commerce.

The trade mission to Trinidad with the DeKalb County Economic Development Office is set for Feb. 28.

Johnson says she is excited about the opportunity to expose her products to people in other parts of the world.

“Every time I go, I come back with orders,” she said. “The more exposure I get abroad, the more people at home take me seriously.”

In the past year her business has tripled, and this year she is looking to quadruple business. For more information, visit www.normajbodycare.com or call 770323-6675.

Jackson to lead foreclosure vigil

Estate planning for LGBT families

discriminatory.”

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., Instead, Jackson wants clergy leaders, civil and human banks to restructure loans so rights organizations, and the that homeowners can have Rainbow PUSH Coalition will more affordable payments. host a prayer vigil on Jan. 4 at the He will be joined by the Georgia state Capitol to support Georgia Coalition for the Peohomeowners, churches and fample’s Agenda, Georgia SCLC, ily farms facing foreclosure.

The one-hour vigil starts at Jesse Jackson Sr. NAACP-Atlanta Branch, Atlanta Fighting Foreclosure 4 p.m. at 206 Washington St. in Coalition, National Action Network, downtown Atlanta.

Jackson and Rainbow PUSH have been Georgia Homeless Coalition and Conhosting monthly vigils in Atlanta calling for cerned Black Clergy.

Participants will get to sign a moraan end to auctions of homes on courthouse steps across Georgia. He has called the torium petition.

For more information, visit www practice of auctioning people’s homes on courthouse steps in Georgia’s 159 counties .rainbowpushatlanta.org or call 404on first Tuesdays monthly “inhumane and 525-5663.

Timothy Mahoney, director for estate planning for the Washington-based Human Rights Campaign Foundation, will be in Atlanta on Jan. 12 for “Smart Estate and Financial Planning for LGBT Individuals and Families.”

The two-hour life and estate planning seminar is part of a national effort to help educate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals on various estate and financial planning issues including drafting of wills, durable power of attorney for health care and finances, living wills, domestic partnership, and the Pension Protection Act. The free seminar starts at 6:30 p.m. at Coca-Cola’s Goizueta Auditorium.

Mahoney said that recent events pro-

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foundly demonstrate the importance of individuals to have a sound estate plan in place.

“Whether dealing with a loved one’s medical care decisions or protecting the family’s relationship and the fruits of their life’s work, ensuring now that one’s wishes will be carried out in the future is a wonderful gift to the individual, the family, the friends and the community,” he said.

Mahoney will be joined by local financial and estate planning professionals for a question-and-answer session.

Coca-Cola Headquarters is at 1 CocaCola Plaza N.W., Atlanta. For more information, visit www.hrc.org/estateplanning.

To register, e-mail estateplanning@hrc.org or call 202-216-1563.

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January 2, 2010

Community

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CrossRoadsNews

“ The goal here is to prevent the worst of the worst speeding in the state of Georgia.”

Census office Oath for new mayors New law targets super hosting open speeders with extra fines and council member Two new mayors and city council heavy-footed drivers now face an extra $200 fine each house and tour timeGeorgia’s they are caught going 85 miles an hour or more on interstates. members will be taking the oath of ofThe U.S. Census Bureau is unveiling its DeKalb office on Jan. 4 to elected, business and community officials.

The 10 a.m. open house will include a guided tour of the facility.

When operating at peak capacity, the local office will have an administrative staff of about 50 and will employ hundreds more from across the county to conduct various field operations. It is recruiting applicants for temporary fulland part-time positions for the 2010 tally of the nation’s population.

Hiring for most positions starts this month. Hourly pay ranges from $14.25 to $20.25.

The U.S. Constitution requires a count of the population every 10 years.

The 2010 Census Day is April 1. Census forms asking the age and number of residents will be mailed to every address in March and must be returned by April 1.

To get an accurate count, Census numerators will visit the homes of people who do not return their forms.

A national work force of nearly 1.4 million temporary employees will count every resident. Census results are used to determine congressional representation, redraw congressional lines, and to distribute $400 billion of federal funds annually for local services like health care, schools, transportation, social services and law enforcement.

The DeKalb County office is at 5474 Memorial Drive, Suite A. For more information on Census 2010, visit www.2010census.gov.

On two-lane roads, the extra fee kicks in at 75 mph.

The extra fine comes with HB160, the state’s new “Super Speeder” law that went into Jan. 1. It is in addition to any local fines already in effect in the jurisdiction where the speeding offense occurs.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety says that high-risk drivers who make a habit of ignoring posted speed limits will be the first to feel the pinch of higher fines on their wallets.

Bob Dallas, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, says the HB160 is a lifesaving Bob Dallas law that will put an end to the super-speeders and the use of our roadways as a racetrack.

“The goal here is to prevent the worst of the worst speeding in the state of Georgia,” he said.

When caught, violators will get two separate citations – their regular speeding ticket plus a letter notifying them of the $200 fine, which must be paid within 90 days of the letter’s date.

Drivers who don’t pay will incur another $50 fee and have their licenses suspended.

fice in Lithonia, Stone Mountain and Clarkston this week.

The Lithonia City Council will swear in new council member Richard “Ric” Dodd and incumbents Al Franklin and Deborah Jackson who won re-election on Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. before its first meeting for the year.

In Clarkston, new Mayor Howard Howard Tygrett Tygrett and council members Dean Moore, Joan Swaney and Adam White will be sworn in on Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. The first council meeting of the year starts at 7 p.m. City Hall is at 3921 Church St. in Clarkston.

At its Jan. 5 meeting at 7:30 p.m., the Stone Mountain City Council will swear in new Mayor Patricia Wheeler and new council member Nan Odum Nash and incumbents Susan Coletti and Steve Deborah Jackson Higgins who won re-election.

Superior Court judgeship for former solicitor the Superior Court for the Alcovy Former DeKalb SolicitorJudicial Circuit.

General Shawn LaGrua is now LaGrua, a Republican, was apa Superior Court judge in the pointed DeKalb solicitor-general Atlanta Judicial Circuit. in 2001 by Perdue but lost her LaGrua, who served in De­ re-election bid in 2006 to Robert Kalb from 2004 to 2007, was one James, a Democrat. of three judges appointed by Gov. As solicitor, she launched a Sonny Perdue on Tuesday to three Truancy Program to hold parnew judgeships created by the Shawn LaGrua ents accountable for keeping General Assembly.

Perdue also appointed Stephen Kelley their children out of school. In 2006, she to the Superior Court for the Brunswick was named Georgia’s Solicitor-General Judicial Circuit and W. Kendall Wynne Jr. to of the Year by the Association of Georgia

Solicitor-Generals.

In January 2007, she was appointed inspector-general for the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, a position she held until her appointment to the bench.

LaGrua has extensive experience as an assistant district attorney in DeKalb and Fulton counties. She also worked for the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit.

She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Georgia State University School of Law. She and her husband, Christopher, have two children.

4

Scene 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007

CrossRoadsNews

January 2, 2010

Phillips was once described as “the best short story writer since Eudora Welty.”

Wanted: Men with good singing voices Acclaimed author to be at library

www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker General Manager Curtis Parker Advertising Sales Cynthia Blackshear-Warren

CrossRoadsNews is published every Thursday by CrossRoads­News, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings.

The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers.

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Members of Stone Mountain Barbershop Harmony promote barbershop singing and choral programs in public and private schools with performances, clinics and sponsorships.

Stone Mountain Barbershop Harmony is expanding and looking for men who want to sing a cappella, the musical style of singing without musical accompaniment.

The 26-year-old chorus is a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Members enjoy using their vocal range to deliver

astounding varieties of dramatic musical entertainment.

They compete, perform, support a number of charitable organizations, and promote barbershop singing and choral programs in public and private schools with performances, clinics and sponsorships.

The group meets on Monday

evenings from 7:30 to 10 at the Hudgens Center for the Arts at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, in Duluth, in the Gwinnett Center at the intersection of Sugarloaf Parkway and Satellite Boulevard.

For more information, visit www.stonemountainchorus.org or call 770-978-8053.

Gala to benefit family-focused charity Friends and supporters of Set Free TV Network will walk the red carpet at the Christian nonprofit’s gala on Jan. 12 in Conyers.

The charity-based group founded by Dr. Olivia Holmes has served impoverished families for more than 30 years. It focuses

on reaching everyday American families where they live with intervention and prevention programs.

Conyers Mayor Randy Mills will be the featured speaker for its first Red Carpet Gala, which starts at 6 p.m. There will be live enter-

tainment, a premiere of Set Free programs and a formal dinner.

Tickets are $100 per person or $1,000 to walk the red carpet at 351 Gees Mill Business Parkway.

For more information, contact Patricia Arnold at p.arnold@set freetv.org or 770-483-8118.

National Book Awardnominated author Jayne Anne Phillips will be at the Decatur Library on Jan. 11 to discuss “Lark & Termite,” her first book in nine years.

Set in the 1950s in West Virginia, the nove l te l ls the story of Leavitt, a young soldier in the Jayne Phillips Korean War; his bride, Lola, back home in the United States; and the love that will develop between his son, Termite, who is unable to walk or talk, and Termite’s half-sister, Lark, who will become his caretaker, protector and soul mate.

Phillips, who taught writers at Brandeis University before heading up Rutgers UniversityNewark’s first master’s writing program, was once described

by South African novelist Nadine Gordimer as “the best short story writer since Eudora Welty.” Her other works include “MotherKind,” “Machine Dreams” and “Shelter.”

The discussion, which is part of the library’s Festival of Writers series, starts at 7:15 p.m.

The Decatur Library is at 215 Sycamore St. For more information, call Janet Florence at 404-370-8450, Ext. 2224.

Singing just for the fun of it New singers and seasoned performers can make a joyful noise with Sacred Harp singing on Jan. 7 at Emory Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.

Sacred Harp, also known as shape-note music, is a 200-yearold, uniquely American style of hymn singing.

The haunting four-part harmonies are sung in powerful, exuberant style, with singers seated in

an open square.

Members sing early American hymns as seen in the movie “Awake, My Soul.” They do not perform and sing only for fun.

Beginners are welcome and instruction is provided.

The group meets 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The church is at 1886 North Decatur Road. For more information, visit www.atlantasacredharp Sacred Harp or shape-note singers use four-part harmonies sung in .org or call 404-892-6836. exuberant style as seen in the movie “Awake, My Soul.”

Quick Read

Breakfast to link candidates New law targets super and business owners 2 speeders with extra fines

H1N1 vaccine urged for 3 children

5

Candidates will rub shoulders with Heavy-footed drivers face an extra $200 The DeKalb Board of Health is reminding elected officials at the 12th annual Georgia fine each time they are caught going 85 parents to get their children vaccinated with Black Chamber of Commerce Legislative miles an hour or more on interstates. .

H1N1 vaccine to help prevent the spread of Prayer Breakfast. flu virus at home and in the classroom.

Oath for new mayors and Deadline looms in financial council member 3 Music mogul donates to fitness contest 2 Two new mayors and city council mem- Children’s campaign

8

Twenty-five Atlantans will get the chance bers will be taking the oath of office in A year-end gift of $300,000 tops off to improve their financial fitness, but only Lithonia, Stone Mountain and Clarkston critical funds needed to help revitalize Chilthose who act by Jan. 5 will be consid- this week. dren’s Healthcare at Hughes Spalding. ered.

‘Totes 2 Tots’ collecting for Strategies to help keep your Census office hosting open foster children on the move 5 resolutions on track 9 house and tour 3 Many of Georgia’s 15,119 foster chil- If that waistband’s too tight and those The U.S. Census Bureau is unveiling its dren often have to move at a moment’s no- buttons are straining to stay fastened, it’s DeKalb office on Jan. 4 to elected, busi- tice, and most don’t have bags to carry their time to brush off your good intentions and ness and community officials. clothes and other personal belongings. make a new start in the new year. index to advertisers Committee to Elect Billy Mitchell.................... 5 CrossRoadsNews 2010 Expos.......................12 DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office..... 3 Doing It Just 4 U............................................ 11

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RC Cancer Centers..........................................9 Samson’s Health & Fitness Center..................9 Service 1st Auto Care...................................... 2 SWH Apparel.................................................. 2

The Gallery at South DeKalb.......................... 11 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas..................... 11 Wireless Global Solutions.............................. 11 Zip2Save................................................... 2, 10

January 2, 2010

Community

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CrossRoadsNews

“Something as simple as providing a piece of luggage for their cherished possessions is a source of comfort in an otherwise difficult situation.”

‘Totes 2 Tots’ collecting bags for foster children on the move Many of Georgia’s 15,119 foster children often have to move at a moment’s notice, and most don’t have bags to carry their clothes and other personal belongings.

On Jan. 15, DeKalb residents can donate bags for the children in the annual “Totes 2 Tots” drive, sponsored by Georgia Cancer Specialists.

The bag drive, which is in its eighth year, is collecting new or lightly used backpacks, suitcases, duffel bags, diaper bags and other age-appropriate bags for foster children. The drive will benefit foster children, from infants to teenagers, who often have to cart their belongings from home to home in plastic garbage bags.

In DeKalb, bags can be delivered between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Lithonia offices of Georgia Cancer Specialists at 5900 Hillandale Drive, Suite 200, and at its Decatur offices at 2712 Lawrenceville Highway. These offices are among 23 Georgia Cancer Specialists and Atlanta Oncology Associates offices from Atlanta to Blue Ridge participating in the 2010 drive.

Georgia Cancer Specialists launched “Totes” in 2003 as a service project to honor the vision of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., whose Jan. 15 birthday is celebrated annually on the third Monday in January.

Since then, “Totes” has collected and distributed more than 17,800 bags. Last year, it collected 5,216 bags.

Dr. Bruce Feinberg, CEO of Georgia Cancer Specialists, said the company is

Georgia Cancer Specialists’ annual bag drive, which is in its eighth year, collects new or lightly used backpacks, suitcases, duffel bags, diaper bags and other age-appropriate bags for foster children.

proud of what “Totes 2 Tots” has become.

“With the increasing community involvement ‘Totes’ has experienced every year, I can only imagine what we will collectively achieve in 2010,” he said.

The bags will be distributed through the Division of Family and Children Services

in the counties where they are collected.

Mark Washington, Georgia Department of Human Services assistant commissioner for DFCS, said that leaving home is traumatic enough for a child without them having to worry about what will happen to their belongings.

“Something as simple as providing a piece of luggage for their cherished possessions is a source of comfort in an otherwise difficult situation,” he said.

For more information, visit www .gacancer.com or www.atlantaoncology .com or call 1-877-716-2273.

Route to link park area, downtown GRTA,

The DeKalb Board of Health is encouraging parents to get their children vaccinated against the swine flu virus before returning to school.

H1N1 vaccine urged for children The DeKalb Board of Health is reminding parents to get their children vaccinated with novel H1N1 vaccine to help prevent the spread of flu virus at home and in the classroom.

In a statement released Wednesday, the board says it has ample supplies of the vaccine in both nasal and injectable forms.

“The vaccine is safe, effective and you do not need to be in a priority risk group to receive it,” it said. “You can take advantage of the holiday break by getting your child’s vaccination at one of the DeKalb County

Board of Health’s five locations, Monday through Friday, between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.”

The offices are open Dec. 31 but are closed on Jan. 1. No appointment is needed. DeKalb Schools reopen Jan. 4.

The vaccine is free, but an administrative fee is charged to Medicaid, Medicare and third-party insurance. Bring your child’s shot record and your insurance card with you at the time of service.

For more information, visit www .dekalb health.net or call 404-294-3700.

Ellis to address state of county

Vet post seeks new members

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis will be delivering his first State of the County address on Jan 7 at the Maloof Auditorium.

Ellis, who completes his first year in office Jan. 5, will speak on his recurring campaign theme, “Building a New Consensus for a Better DeKalb.”

The address takes place 6 p.m. to 7: 30 p.m. The county is facing declining revenues and Ellis has proposed job cuts and tax increases to balance the budget.

The Maloof Auditorium is at 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur.

The American Legion has a new Post in Stone Mountain for Veterans and is recruiting new members.

Chartered by congress in 1919, the American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans service organization. The patriotic organization mentors and sponsors youth programs, promotes strong national security, and continued devotion to fellow service members and veterans.

For more information, call Edonna Koon at 770-714-6366 or John Hayes at 770-873-8672.

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increase its fleet to 219 coaches from 112.

The expansion also includes increasing the number of Xpress routes to 47 from 28. A new $5.5 million park-and-ride lot, under construction on Salem Road in Conyers, is part of that expansion.

That lot, which is scheduled to open in the fall, will serve Xpress Route 425 commuters between Conyers and downtown Atlanta.

Xpress Route 424 will run six morning trips between 5:30 and 8 and six evening trips between 3:37 and 6:10 from the Civic Center MARTA station on West Peachtree Street.

The trip to and from the Stone Mountain Park area is expected to take 50 to 60 minutes via U.S. 78, I-285 and I-20 East.

Two morning and two evening reversecommute routes also will be provided, departing at 6:15 and 6:45 a.m. from the MARTA Civic Center station, and at 4:40 and 5:10 p.m. from the Stone Mountain park-and-ride lot.

Fares for the new route will be $3 one way and $5 round trip. Twenty-ride, 40-

ride and 31-day unlimited ride passes are also available at $45, $85 and $80.

Fare passes may be purchased online at www.XpressGa.com or from Breeze Card vending machines in MARTA stations, at MARTA ride stores or the GRTA office in Peachtree Center.

On its morning trips, Route 424 will travel a new routing plan through downtown Atlanta, primarily using Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Spring Street from the Capitol to the Five Points MARTA station to the Civic Center MARTA station and on to Spring Street just north of Linden Avenue.

In the evening, Route 424 will begin service on the northbound side of West Peachtree Street at the Civic Center MARTA station, travel north to North Avenue and then south on Spring Street, stopping just north of Linden Avenue. It will work its way down the west side of downtown and back to the Capitol before returning to the Stone Mountain Park area.

A complete schedule with a list of morning and afternoon stops is available at www.XpressGa.com or by calling 404463-4782.

From my family to yours, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

State Representative Billy Mitchell, wife Shawn, daughter Maya and son Sean.

P.O. Box 88 • Stone Mountain, GA 30086 • 770-465-8800 Paid for by BILLY MITCHELL FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

6

CrossRoadsNews

January 2, 2010

Nominate your choices for the best Tell Us Who’s Best!

Who gives the best haircut in East Metro Atlanta?

Where is the best car repair shop or BBQ joint? Walking trail? Most romantic restaurant?

Here’s your chance to nominate the Best of East Metro in our annual Reader’s Choice Awards. Winners of these awards will be honored at our Best of East Metro / Small Business Expo on April 24 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Nominate your favorites now.

Please complete and return your ballot by Jan. 31, 2010. Or, go to www.eastmetromarket.com and enter your nominees online.

Voting begins online in February Nominees must be located in the CrossRoadsNews coverage area that includes ZIP codes in East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Clarkston, Conyers, Decatur, Ellenwood, Lithonia,Scottdale,Stone Mountain and Tucker. * ZIP code required for all nominees.

Public Affairs Best Local Activist_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Local Character___________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Local Entrepreneur________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best County Commissioner______________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best School Board Member_____________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Citizen of the Year_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best East Metro Landmark______________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Most Beloved Elected Official____________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Most Beloved Public Official_ ___________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best State Legislator___________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Civic Organization_________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Community of Faith Best Large Church_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Small Church_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Church Choir_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Outreach Ministry_________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Dance Ministry_ __________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Christian School_ _________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Dining Best American Restaurant_ _____________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Asian Restaurant__________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Fish Fry_________________ Street Address: _______________

Best BBQ Restaurant_ _________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Ribs____________________ Street Address: _______________

Best Caribbean Restaurant______________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Sushi___________________ Street Address: _______________

Best Family Dining Restaurant___________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Sunday Brunch___________ Street Address: _______________

Best Italian Restaurant_________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Restaurant Service_ _______ Street Address: _______________

Best Mexican Restaurant_ ______________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Buy & Best Auto Dealer New__________ Street Address: _______________

Best Restaurant for First Date____________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Most Romantic Restaurant______________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Soul Food Restaurant______________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Sports Bar_______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Restaurant When Someone Else Buys: ___________________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Auto Dealer Used_________ Street Address: _______________

Best Auto Detailing____________ Street Address: _______________

Best Tire Store________________ Street Address: _______________

Best Car Wash________________ Street Address: _______________

Best Gas Station_ _____________ Street Address: _______________

Best Bakery__________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Bookstore_______________ Street Address: _______________

Best Buffet___________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Eyewear Store____________ Street Address: _______________

Best Breakfast________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Florist_ _________________ Street Address: _______________

Best Late Night Eats_ __________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Furniture Store Home______ Street Address: _______________

Best Pizza_ __________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Garden Center____________ Street Address: _______________

Best Takeout_________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Jewelry Store_____________ Street Address: _______________

Best Chicken Wings____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Shoe Store_______________ Street Address: _______________

Best Chicken Sandwich_________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Thrift Store_ _____________ Street Address: _______________

Best Fish Market______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Pet Store________________ Street Address: _______________

Best Grocery Ethnic___________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Financial Institution________ Street Address: _______________

Best Supermarket_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Insurance Agency_________ Street Address: _______________

You can also nominate your favorites online at www.eastmetromarket.com. Click on th

January 2, 2010

Best of East Metro

7

CrossRoadsNews

that East Metro Atlanta has to offer

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Best Law Firm________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Running or Jogging Track_ ___________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Best Real Estate Agency________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Martial Arts Dojo____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Best Veterinary Clinic__________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Private School______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Services Rendered Best Divorce Lawyer___________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

Best Dance School_ _____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

& Sell _________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Best Auto Repair______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Event Planner____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Best Health Clinic_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Best Health Club______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Best Day Spa_________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Best Hair Salon_______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Nail Salon_______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Barber Shop_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Dentist__________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Orthodontist_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Handyman ______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best HVAC Service ____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Plumber________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Free Wi Fi_ ______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________ Best Mobile Service Provider _ __________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Fun for All Best Bicycle Trail______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Best Hiking Trail______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

_________________________ __________ ZIP*: __________

Best Walking Trail_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: __________

he “Best of East Metro” banner and follow the directions...

Best Youth Performing Arts Group_ ________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Day Care__________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Bowling Alley_ _____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Pool Hall__________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Place to People Watch_______________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Place to Meet New People____________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Movie Theater______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Live Music Venue_ __________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________

21-Plus Best Bar Food__________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Bartender_ ________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Bar or Club to Be Seen In_____________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best New Nightclub_ ____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Dance Club________________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: Best Karaoke Bar_ ______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Best Open Mic Night_____________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________ Most Romantic Bar______________________________________ Street Address: ________________________ ZIP*: ____________

Tell Us About Yourself First Name:_____________________ Last Name:________________ Address:_ _______________________________________________ City: _ ___________________________ State: _ ___ Zip: _________ Phone Number: _ _________________________________________ Email Address:____________________________________________ Age:

❍ 18-34 ❍ 35-49 ❍ 50-65 ❍ 65+

Sex:

❍ Male ❍ Female

8

Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

January 2, 2010

“I’ve always been a strong believer in investing in the future, and the future is our children.”

Music mogul donates to Children’s Healthcare campaign A year-end gift of $300,000 from music mogul Devyne Stephens tops off critical funds needed by 2010 to help revitalize Children’s Healthcare at Hughes Spalding.

The contribution by Stephens, chairman and founder of UpFront Megatainment Worldwide, helps close out the $43 million capital campaign.

Stephens presented the gift during his annual Christmas gala, “Puttin’ on the Ritz: The Top Hat Affair,” at the Atlanta History Center. The star-studded red carpet event included artists Akon, Yung Joc and Monica, and producer Jermaine Dupri.

Stephens also announced the launch of a yearlong campaign to raise money and awareness for Children’s through the hospital’s collaboration with DeVyne Intervention, his new nonprofit foundation.

“Helping to make the Children’s at Hughes Spalding dream a reality means the world to me,” said Stephens, a father and lifelong Atlantan. “I’ve always been a strong believer in investing in the future, and the future is our children.”

Atlanta Mayor-elect Kasim Reed was among guests treated to a dance sequence to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” performed by Stephens and several dancers in the style of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Doug Hertz, chair of Children’s board of trustees, called Stephens’ generosity and leadership invaluable to Children’s and the patients they serve.

Antwan “Twan” WatsonRobinson, 14, an asthma patient of Children’s at Hughes Spalding who was named a 2009 Miracle Child

by Children’s Miracle Network, poses with Akon and Devyne Stephens on the red carpet at the “Puttin’ on the Ritz” affair.

This is the third large contribution to Children’s in the past two months. Kaiser Permanente of Georgia donated $5 million in December to help fund the construction and operation of the new four-story pediatric hospital that replaces the existing Hughes Spalding facility. In November, the family of Herman J. Russell donated $1 million to the new pediatric facility. It was the largest gift ever from an AfricanAmerican family to the hospital.

The construction of new and renovated facilities began in 2008 and a $43 million capital campaign was established for the new four-story facility.

The new Children’s at Hughes Spalding will house child-friendly beds, an expanded emergency department and specialty clinics for sickle-cell anemia, asthma and child protection. In addition, it will be the first building in the Children’s system to be erected as a Leadership in Energy and En-

vironmental Design, or LEED, building.

Stephanie Blank, chair of the Children’s Foundation board of trustees, thanked donors for their generous contributions.

“With a long history as the medical home for many families, Children’s at Hughes Spalding will be able to continue to lead the community to a healthier future,” she said.

For more information, visit www.choa .org or call 404-250-5437.

Lots of blood drives make it convenient for donors to give blood Roll up your sleeve and give. That’s the message the American Red Cross wants to get across this winter to potential blood donors.

The need for blood donations does not take a break for the winter holidays, and the Red Cross’ “Why Do You Give?” campaign shares stories of volunteer donors and encourages individuals to donate blood and platelets.

In the Southern region that includes Georgia, the Red Cross needs to collect 1,200 pints of blood each weekday to meet the needs of the more than 120 hospitals that it serves. The goal is infrequently achieved, and the organization must rely on other states to meet local hospital needs. It says that harsh winter weather may negatively impact the supply of blood from other states.

Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. One unit of blood can help save the lives of up to three individuals.

Accident victims as well as patients with

District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader gives blood during a recent DeKalb County drive.

cancer, sickle-cell disease, blood disorders Most healthy people age 17 and older, and other illnesses receive lifesaving trans- who weigh at least 110 pounds, can donate fusions every day. There is no substitute blood and platelets. for blood, and volunteer donors are the Teens who are 16 years old can donate only source. with parental consent. Donors 18 and

younger also must meet specific height and weight requirements.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days.

Upcoming area blood drives n East Metro Service Center, 3486 Covington Highway, Decatur; Jan. 4 from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. n Emory Clinic, Decatur Plaza, 101 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur; Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. n Emory University Yerkes Research, 954 N. Gatewood Road, Atlanta; Jan. 6 from noon to 5 p.m. n Decatur-DeKalb YMCA, 1100 Clairmont Ave., Decatur; Jan. 6 from 3 to 8 p.m. n Emory University Finance and Administration, 1599 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta; Jan. 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. n Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, 1365C Clifton Road, Atlanta; Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.red crossblood.org or call 1-800-448-3543.

New clinic on Candler capable of treating up to 228 kidney patients DIALYSIS,

from page

1

Marshia Coe, who will direct clinical operations at all three Emory dialysis centers, said the Candler Road center will support up to 228 patients, ages 18 years and up, at its 38 stations.

“All Emory doctors will send patients here,” she said.

The dialysis clinics will be staffed by Emory Healthcare nephrologists, who are also faculty members at the Emory University School of Medicine. Emory Healthcare currently has 11 nephrologists who care for patients as well as conduct research and teach medical school students, residents and nephrology fellows. Its nephrologists also work closely with Emory Healthcare’s Transplant Center for patients’ kidney transplant needs.

Adults have 5 quarts of blood in their bodies. Coe says a dialysis treatment takes

Marshia Coe holds an artificial kidney, which does the work during dialysis that failed kidneys are no longer capable of doing.

Wednesdays and Fridays and two shifts on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Coe, who worked in dialysis for 26 years at Wake Forest University before she was hired by Emory, said diabetes and hypertension are two main causes of kidney failure.

“Most kidney patients are middle-aged to elderly, but we do have other patients who may lose temporary use of their kidneys during surgery or have kidney disease.”

Many of the patients who will get service at the new Emory centers are now being served at other dialysis centers that are under contract with Emory.

Dee said they will relocate to the Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews Emory-operated centers.

Other patients can contact the Emory four hours. Patients are connected to a are no longer capable of doing.

The Candler Road center will open Call Center at 1-877-525-2990 and express machine with an artificial kidney, which does the work – cleaning the impurities Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 interest in getting their dialysis at the new from the blood – that their failed kidneys p.m. It will operate one shift on Mondays, center.

January 2, 2010

Wellness

9

CrossRoadsNews

“If you value yourself, you will make a concerted effort to take care of yourself.”

Following these strategies can help keep your resolutions on track n Maintain a food log and keep track of ev-

If that waistband’s too tight and those buttons are straining to stay fastened, it’s time to brush off your good intentions and make a new start in the new year.

Patricia M. Amborn, a wellness author and expert for TOPS Club Inc., says New Year’s resolutions are a good jumping-off place for self-improvement.

“With a resolution, it’s a commitment to take care of what you value,” she says.

“Start with self-love. If you value yourself, you will make a concerted effort to take care of yourself.”

Amborn shares these tips culled from Take Off Pounds Sensibly strategies:

Visualize changes When forming individual New Year’s resolutions, start by dreaming a little.

Amborn cites research that shows people are most productive and creative when relaxed. She suggests taking advantage of a daydream state to visualize weight-loss success.

To be most effective, write resolutions down. Scientists have found that when you write something down in the present tense, your brain thinks you’ve already done it and believes it. For example, “I am eating better. I am exercising more. I am getting appropriate rest.”

Change, even positive, can be overwhelming, so start small. One way to kick off a new resolution might be to assertively state it to your household. Your announcement could be as simple as, “I want to make 2010 a healthy year.”

List expectations of how family members can support this goal. A week or two later, repeat the statement. Those words sound assertive and represent boundaries and expectations being established.

erything eaten during the day to reflect on your eating habits and assess your diet. n Toss out or give away treats from the holidays that are lingering in the house. n Post a “healthy living” tally on the refrigerator door. List pounds lost, miles walked, inches lost, and other measurable progress.

It’s a powerful reminder of what’s been accomplished and a deterrent to raiding the refrigerator.

In addition, follow these recommendations to make your resolutions stick and promote motivation: n Don’t mourn the past when weight was gained. It wastes time to be mired in regrets. Simply start your 2010 action plan. n As weight comes off, look for hidden rewards. Every few pounds will yield additional health benefits. n Confront negative beliefs held by both you and others. Each of us has “a rebel inside us” who urges us to give in to temptations. Even if we failed in the past, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll fail again. n Take responsibility for each day. Reflect on how the day went. If you ate too much food, recognize it, move on, and plan for tomorrow. n Believe in yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. TOPS chapter meetings each week are a treasure-trove of support. Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge.

“Remember, this is for your benefit.

You have to love yourself enough to do it,” Amborn says. “It’s about the kind of life you want to live in the new year and in the years ahead.”

For more information or to find a local chapter, visit www.tops.org or call 1-800932-8677.

It helps to find a supportive workout buddy who also has resolved to live a healthier lifestyle.

Develop an action plan Define core values as you work to set and attain goals. One way to define your values is to visualize yourself at the end of your life, thinking of the legacy you want to leave behind. The new year is a fresh start. Ask yourself: How do I direct myself to build a foundation for my legacy? The action plan has to become specific.

To develop a plan of action, set a weight-loss goal and establish it as a priority. Recognize obstacles and double resistance to them.

Build determination. For example, if pressured to eat tempting, high-calorie treats, say, “Thanks, but I’m not hungry

right now.” Visualize saying this in present tense, and rehearse turning down tempting holiday food.

Take concrete steps Practice new “small picture” habits while keeping a focus on the “big picture” to fuel motivation. Make the following changes that can add up to big improvements by the end of the year: n Place workout gear by the front door to minimize excuses about exercising. n Find a supportive workout buddy who also has resolved to live a healthier lifestyle.

Make regular appointments with each other to exercise.

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CrossRoadsNews

January 2, 2010

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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.

Claim It Now! You could win a chance to Promote It Later! co . t e k r a r oM t e M t s a he E d win! t n i g n i oul list c s u s o e y n i y s bu tor c E e E r i R D F r s u s GR C l a i m yo O n l i n e B u s i n e 4 Su AND P perC RIZE in

m

Cro ssR ard Ad prin oads s* N ($80 t editio ews n 0 va *co lor e lue) xtr a

IZE at PR able ast d 2n or T of E ess it est sin hib Ex 010 B all Bul 24.

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1) Go to www.eastmetromarket.com 2) Create a username and password 3) Verify that you are the owner or authorized representative of the business 4) Claim your business and update basic info such as hours, services offered, etc.

5) All businesses claimed by 1/27/2010 will be entered into drawing.

Drawing will be held Jan. 30 during the Health & Wellness Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest. No Purchase Necessary.

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

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CrossRoadsNews

January 2, 2010

MARKETPLACE RATES

Marketplace 404-839-9930.

COMPUTERS

FOR SALE

www.jonatech.net. Laptops Special $199 & up. Parts, AC adapters, Screen Repair/Sales & Virus removal. Diag fee $35 Jonatech 678-918-4445

AKC Male and Female British Bulldogs are available for Free adoption. They need home urgently. Anyone interested to have one should e-mail meggloball@ yahoo.com

FOR RENT/LEASE Room 4 Rent. Private Home in Lithonia area. Must be a Nonsmoker. Adult female only. Call

HEALTH & FITNESS American Professional Institute

Spa Rain Massage Therapy Clinic Special Introductory Offer $25.00 Massage (404) 370-1177 Ext. 178

SERVICES Handyman, 27 years experience.

Plumbing repairs, water lines, hotwater heaters, showers, toilets, sinks, bathtubs, sewer drain cleaning, pressure washing, gutters cleaned. Call 404-244-9193 or 404-838-6541.

School Law Attorney Representing Teachers

The Law Office of B.A. Thomas, LLC

Public Notice The Gallery @ South DeKalb Mall is seeking General Contractors to bid on minor work for the existing Social Security Administrative Office located in the Mall Annex.

For contract documents and to schedule a walkthrough please email receptionist@southdekalbmall.com Telephone calls and unscheduled visits not accepted.

404-525-6902

Wireless Global Solutions Serving Metro Atlanta • Super Speed Internet • 2 Minutes Plug-N-Play Installation • No software Installation

HOME/MOBILE OR MOBILE/MOBILE $50.00 PER MONTH

HOME/MOBILE/VOICE $70.00 PER MONTH

Please Call Today

678-368-4504 OFFERS EXPIRE 10/31/2009

HOME OR MOBILE $22.50 PER MONTH (HALF OFF) FOR 1ST THREE MONTHS

“Kiosk/Store” located in South DeKalb Mall “In front of Footlocker” Monday-Saturday: 10am - 9pm • Sunday: 12:30pm - 6pm www.clearinternet.me • wirelessglobalsolutions@gmail.com

If This Was Your Ad, Someone Would Be Seeing It Now! Call 404-284-1888 today for rates & information.

AUTO INSURANCE

The LOWEST Down Payment in Atlanta!

Stop By or Call for a FREE Quote!

1459 Moreland Ave. SE Atlanta, GA 30316

South Dekalb Mall

Opp. Dept. of Driver's Services

Corner of Memorial & Columbia Opp. Walmart on Columbia Dr.

1-877-OUTBACK / 1-877-688 -2225

Place your MarketPlace line ad here – up to 20 words for $25. Additional words are $3 per block of five words (maximum 45 words). Boxed Ads (with up to 3 lines bold headline): $35 plus cost of the classified ad. Send ad copy with check or credit card information and contact phone number (if different from ad) to MarketPlace, CrossRoadsNews, 2346 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032, or e-mail to marketplace@crossroadsnews.com. Our deadlines are at noon on the Friday one week prior to publication, unless otherwise noted.

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CrossRoadsNews

January 2, 2010