CrossRoadsNews, January 21, 2012

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SECTION B - INSIDE

Focus on fitness, fun at annual Health & Wellness Expo Health information, screenings and the 2012 Fitness FaceOff are among offerings at the expo at the Mall at Stonecrest on Jan. 28.

B1-B20

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

Copyright © 2012 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

January 21, 2012

Volume 17, Number 38

www.crossroadsnews.com

Short list for Superior Court bench includes a judge’s spouse Four lawyers, including the husband of a DeKalb State Court judge, are on the short list of candidates to replace DeKalb Superior Court Judge Michael Hancock, who retires on Jan. 31 with a year left on his term.

The list submitted to Gov. Nathan Deal by the Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission includes Rebecca L. Crumrine, a shareholder with Davis, Matthews & Quigley PC; Asha F. Jackson, a partner in Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Buckhead; Gregory J. Lohmeier, an assistant attorney general in the Office of the Attorney General; and Brian Keith Ross, a sole practitioner with the Ross Law Firm LLC. Ross is the husband of DeKalb State Court Judge Eleanor Ross, who was appointed to the bench last year

by Deal.

Stephanie Mayfield, a spokeswoman for Deal, said that there was not a fixed timeline for announcing the person who will com-

finalists to fill State Court vacancies created by the resignations of Judge Barbara J. Mobley and Judge J. Antonio DelCampo.

Rebecca Crumrine Asha Jackson Gregory Lohmeier Brian Ross Before going into private practice, Jackson was the plete Hancock’s term.

Crumrine is a former high school teacher regional law clerk for the National Labor turned lawyer. She practices domestic rela- Relations Board. She is active in a number tions and family law. Known as Becca at her of civic organizations and is a pro hac judge law firm, she has been a “Rising Star” in the in the DeKalb Recorders Court.

For the past two years, Jackson was list of Georgia Super Lawyers since 2007.

Jackson focuses her practice on com- named a “Georgia Rising Star” by Atlanta mercial litigation, product liability, premises Magazine/Law & Politics.

Lohmeier is a former DeKalb assistant liability and employment counseling.

This is her third attempt at the DeKalb district attorney during J. Tom Morgan’s bench. Last year she made the short list of term of office.

Ross, who has been in private practice since June 2003, focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, workers compensation and criminal defense.

He is active in the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Ross is a former field artillery officer in the U.S. Army with deployments to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Before going into private practice, he was a prosecutor in the Newton County District Attorney’s Office. In 2006, he was a candidate for DeKalb solicitor general.

If Ross gets the Superior Court appointment, he and his wife would become the first husband and wife serving on the bench simultaneously in the county.

The Rosses have lived in DeKalb County for more than a decade.

Snapfinger may become King Parkway Performer Knerd Star (center) and her Team Knerd supporters honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the annual King Day Parade on Jan. 16 in Stone Mountain.

Efforts under way to rename road

By Jennifer Ffrench-Parker

Snapfinger Road in Decatur could become Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway before the end of the year.

Moves are afoot in the Georgia Legislature and the county to name the 5.1-mile highway, which is also State Road 155, for the civil rights icon.

State Sen. Ronald Ramsey has introduced a resolution to designate the road, from the intersection of Wesley Chapel Road to the Henry County line, Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, and the De- Martin L. King Jr. catur chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha is working to rename the road, which would mean more than 200 residences, churches and businesses on the road will have new addresses.

Margaret Williams, president of the Snapfinger Lake Homeowners Association, said it was welcome news.

“That would be wonderful,” said Williams, who lives just off Snapfinger Road.

“Considering the contributions that Dr. King made for all of us, I would have no objections.”

The state resolution is a ceremonial designation of the road, while the fraternity’s efforts would change the name of the road.

Both efforts come in the wake of the opening of the King Memorial on the National Mall in Washington and the realization that the state’s third-largest county does not have a street named for King, the Atlantaborn and -bred Baptist preacher who became

Jennifer Parker / CrossRoadsNews

the conscience of a racist America during the civil rights movement.

King was a child prodigy who graduated from high school at age 15 and enrolled at Morehouse College. He was tapped to lead the battle for civil and human rights. He was

death.

A national holiday on the third Monday in January celebrates his birthday on Jan. 15, 1929.

For the observation of his 83rd birthday on Jan. 16, adults and children celebrated with parades, marches, rallies, community service, and conferences and workshops.

When the renaming of Snapfinger Road is completed, DeKalb County will join thousands of cities and counties that have streets and highways named for King.

Freddie West, a member of the Decatur Alphas’ Nu Mu Lambda Chapter, said he pitched the idea 18 months ago to his chapter because it always bothered him that DeKalb County with its majority African-American population had not recognized King’s accomplishments by naming a street for him.

“I thought it would be a fitting tribute,” said West, a 32-year DeKalb resident. “All across this country, cities and counties with large African-American populations have named streets for Dr. King. Savannah has one. Atlanta has one. Why not DeKalb?”

West, who lives in Lithonia just off Snapfinger Road, said he is a product of the civil rights movement and he wants to see a permanent recognition of King’s accomplishments in the county.

West said he marched on Washington and heard King deliver his now famous “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963.

“I was 19 years old,” he said Wednesday.

“I heard Dr. King speak.”

West also participated in civil rights sit-ins and was jailed for a night when he tried to desegregate the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville.

The 80-member Alpha chapter, which had helped raise funds for the King Memorial in Washington, adopted the street naming as

assassinated on April 4, 1968, on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., while in the city to support garbage workers in their fight for human and economic rights.

King was 39 years old at the time of his Please see KING, page A4

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Community

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

“He was an athlete in high school. He has always been in shape, ate well and exercised. He loved his kids, and his family.”

New City Hall taking shape in Stone Mountain

By Donna Williams Lewis

Stone Mountain’s new $1.68 million city hall is nearing completion and is expected to open Jan. 30.

The 10,750-square-foot building is under construction at 875 Main Street, two blocks away from the old train depot where city leaders have run the city’s business since 1959.

The City Council voted April 19, 2011 to grant the contract to Headley Construction Corp. to build its new home, which is funded by tax dollars.

To meet the impending deadline, work crews were busy installing a granite façade to the building on Jan. 16, Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The building’s granite is from Lithonia.

The new quarters won’t have the history of the old place, but the building will of-

Workmen were busy Monday during the King Holiday working on the $1.68 million Stone Mountain City Hall building going up on Main Street.

Its council chambers/courtroom will hold up to 100 people, and council meetings will be able to be televised.

The new building also will be highly energy-efficient. It is being built to meet the standards of Earthcraft, a green building certification program.

An open house for the new building will be held sometime in the spring.

City Manager Barry Amos said the City Council would like to see the train depot, which dates back to 1856, have a new future as a visitor’s center and museum.

The “old end” of that building, which is made of Stone Mountain granite, currently houses the police department. The “new end,” which houses City Hall and the municipal courtroom, was built in 1914.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews The current council chambers/courtfer larger accommodations with its 10,750 offices, the police department and municipal room, serving a city of 5,802, can seat just about 30 people. square feet for all of the city’s administrative court.

Family says they’ll sue bus company in son’s hazing death The parents of Robert Champion, the Florida A&M drum major who died after a hazing ritual in November, said they will sue the company that owns the bus on which the hazing took place.

Ro b e r t a n d Pa m Champion of Decatur, Robert Champion along with their attorney, Christopher Chestnut, said at a Jan. 10 news conference that Fabulous Coach Lines held some responsibility in the death of their son, a Southwest DeKalb alumnus who died Nov.

19. He was beaten on a bus after a football game in Orlando.

Orlando officials ruled 26-year-old Champion’s death a homicide after an autopsy showed he died of internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma.

Officials said on Dec. 16 that Champion had bruises on his chest, arms, shoulder and back.

Chestnut said that the bus company’s negligence contributed to Champion’s death.

He said band members were allowed to get back on the bus without supervision after they had returned to an Orlando hotel following a football game.

“How did students get on the bus, how was the bus turned on, the air conditioner turned on, before a bus employee knew Robert Champion was beaten to death,” Chestnut asked.

Chestnut said that witnesses said Champion may have been targeted for severe hazing because of his opposition to the culture of hazing. Chestnut and Champion’s parents downplayed claims of witnesses that Champion may have been targeted because he was gay.

“This was hazing, not a hate crime,” Chestnut said.

The attorney said the Champions plan to

file a lawsuit against FAMU. He also said suing the bus company will allow the attorneys to depose witnesses and gather documents.

Ray Land, the owner of Fabulous Coach Lines, told the Associated Press that his staff did everything possible to get help once they were notified there was a problem.

Land said in December that the bus driver was helping students unload their instruments when Champion collapsed.

On Jan. 3, trustees at FAMU decided to establish an on-campus memorial and a scholarship in honor of Champion. FAMU is still working out details related to the memorial and scholarship.

Relatives, friends remember late Derwin Brown’s son

By Carla Parker

a heart attack because he was a health-conscious person.

Three weeks after the 11th an“He was an athlete in high niversary of the assassination of school,” Rhodes said. “He has Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown, the always been in shape, ate well and Brown family has suffered another exercised.” loss.

Rhodes said Douglas was a Thirty-six-year-old Anthony very vocal person who loved to Maurice Douglas, son of the late smile, read and learn.

Derwin and Phyllis Brown, died Anthony Douglas “He loved his kids and his Jan. 6 of a heart attack. family,” she said.

Douglas, who was born on June 30, 1975, Douglas was employed at RMDS, a distriwas the biological nephew of the Browns, but bution center for NAPA auto parts. they raised him since he was a toddler and Like his late parents, Douglas was inconsidered him a son. volved in the community, including volunDouglas, who lived in Stone Mountain, teering at Camp Sunshine in Decatur, which was on his way to pick up his two children, provides recreational, educational and sup11-year-old Rajah Jordon and 8-year-old port programs for children with cancer and Derwin Brown Douglas, from their mother’s their families. home when he suffered the heart attack at the Douglas’ home-going service took place corner of Fairburn Road and Campbellton on Jan. 14 at Big Miller Grove Missionary Road in Atlanta.

Baptist Church in Lithonia.

Brandy Brown Rhodes, Douglas’ sister, Douglas is also survived by a host of relasaid it was shocking to hear that he died of tives and friends.

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CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

Community

“We will review the information pertaining to the concerns regarding the School System and determine a proper course of action.”

Grand jury calls for probe of School Board Ponzi schemer

By Carla Parker

A month after the DeKalb School System was informed that it has improved enough to keep its accreditation, the DeKalb Superior Court grand jury is still questioning the dealings of the School Board and is calling for a special investigation Robert James Cheryl Atkinson Ramona Tyson of the board.

After its November-December presentDeKalb District Attorney Robert James ments, the DeKalb Superior Court grand said in a Dec. 30 statement that his office will jury has recommended a special grand jury take the recommendations of the grand jury to look into five general concerns, including very seriously. the School Board’s influence in the hiring “We will review the information pertainand personnel evaluation process, friends ing to the concerns regarding the DeKalb and family with questionable salaries, and County School System and determine a senior-level personnel employed in outside proper course of action,” James said. work that could impact job performance or Schools spokesman Walter Woods said lead to double-dipping on pay.

Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson and the “The DeKalb County School System administration will cooperate fully with any has been declining in many rankings as inquiry generated by the district attorney. compared to other metro Atlanta school For its report, released Dec. 29, the systems as well as various national evalua- grand jury interviewed Atkinson, former tion methods,” the grand jurors said in their interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson, and report. “We recommend that a Special Grand School Board Chairman Thomas Bowen in Jury be convened to investigate the DeKalb December.

County School Board.”

Among concerns, the grand jury criti-

cized the board for taking nearly two years to find a permanent replacement for former Superintendent Crawford Lewis, who is now under indictment on racketeering and fraud charges.

The grand jurors also Thomas Bowen criticized School Board members for leaking information to the media regarding former superintendent candidate front-runner Lillie Cox, who withdrew from consideration after contract negotiations stalled and details of her potential contract were made public.

The grand jury questioned the use of public funds to endorse and promote the last special purpose local option sales tax referendum. Public money is only supposed to be used for education-related projects, not a specific endorsement.

The grand jurors also criticized board policies for hiring attorneys and filing and managing lawsuits. They highlighted excessive spending on a lawsuit to recover funds from Heery Construction, the district’s former school builder.

Panel to examine impact of new immigration law A panel of activists, academics and politicians will examine the treatment of undocumented Latinos on Jan. 28 at the Friends School of Atlanta.

“Immigration Today: A Hometown Human Rights Crisis” takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 862 Columbia Drive in Decatur.

Waman French, head of the Friends School of Atlanta, said they are hoping to

help educate people and find productive ways to address the very difficult challenges of immigration reform.

“It is our hope that through this dialogue, which is designed to include a variety of opinions, we can help educate our audience, and clear up common misperceptions,” French said.

Georgia’s law on illegal immigrants – HB87 – went into effect last July and allows

local police to check the immigration status of anyone suspected of violating any law, including minor traffic violations, and requires businesses to use the federal E-Verify database to check the legal status of all workers.

Admission is $10 per person. For more information, visit www.friendsschoolatlanta. org or contact Nancy Bent at nancy.bent@ friendsschoolatlanta.org or 404-3738746, ext. 8135.

gets 12 years

A real estate investor who defrauded more than a dozen victims out of nearly $660,000 is going to prison for a dozen years.

Anthony Ray, owner of Key Funding Group, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and eight years on probation after he entered a guilty plea for racketeering charges and fraud.

Sup er ior Cour t Judge Gregory Adams handed down the sentence on Jan. 12.

Ray, who had homes Anthony Ray in Atlanta and Decatur, solicited investors for real estate transactions between August 2006 and July 2008. He told the investors he was going to buy distressed real estate to renovate and sell at a profit.

DeKalb District Attorney Robert James said Ray operated an elaborate Ponzi scheme that caused more than a dozen victims to lose a substantial amount of money.

“He had a total disregard for others to the degree he even stole from his own father,” James said. “I hope this case serves as a warning for residents to do a thorough background check on any investments that may sound too good to be true. They often are just that.”

A number Ray’s of victims took out loans that they were unable to repay and many of them ended up in bankruptcy.

Ray had six prior felony convictions and was sentenced as a recidivist. He will be required to serve every day of his 12year sentence.

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Notice of Public Hearings – Jan. 24 & 26, 2012 Proposed Bus Service Modifications for April 24, 2012 Proposed routing and adjustments for the following bus routes: Route 1 – Centennial Olympic Park / Coronet Way: The temporary re-routing implemented June 18, 2011 to improve bus turn movement is proposed to become the permanent routing.

Route 12 – Howell Mill Road / Cumberland: The temporary re-routing implemented June 18, 2011 to improve bus turn movement is proposed to become the permanent routing.

Route 32 – Bouldercrest / Georgia Aquarium: is proposed to terminate service at Five Points Sta-

tion after 7:30 pm on all service days. The segment from Five Points Station along Marietta Street, Jones Avenue, Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard, Spring Street, Pine Street and West Peachtree Street to Civic Center Station will be discontinued after 7:30 pm on all service days.

Route 86 – Fairington Road / McAfee Road:

The re-routing implemented December 17, 2011 due to

Tuesday, Jan. 24

the closure of the Evans Mill Park and Ride lot is proposed to become the permanent routing. From Evans Mill Road and Mall Parkway, Route 86 will continue Mall Parkway, Left-Stonecrest Trace, and Left-Mall Loop Road to bus shelter at Mall at Stonecrest which will be the new terminus for Route 86. The segment along Millwood Lane will be discontinued.

Route 115 – Covington Highway / South Hairston Road: The re-routing implemented De-

cember 17, 2011 due to the closure of the Evans Mill Park and Ride lot is proposed to become the permanent routing. From Covington Highway and Evans Mill Road, Route 115 will operate via Left-Evans Mill Road continue Main Street, Left-Max Cleland Boulevard and Right-Swift Street to Main Street which will become the new terminus for Route 115. The segment of Evans Mill Road south of Covington Highway, Mall Parkway and Millwood Lane will be discontinued.

Thursday, Jan. 26

55 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta 30303

1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, 30030

Downtown Atlanta City Hall

DeKalb Maloof Auditorium

Riding MARTA: Bus route 49 from Five Points Station.

Special bus shuttle also provided.

Riding MARTA: Walk one block west of Decatur Rail Station.

7:00 p.m.

Community Exchange: 6-7 p.m.

Copies of the proposed bus service modifications will also be available at MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact (404) 848-4037. For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 404 848-5665.

In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and want to provide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404)

7:00 p.m.

Community Exchange: 6-7 p.m.

848-5299; (2) write to MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com; (4) or fax your comments no later than February 3, 2012 to (404) 848-4179.

All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affected by the subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notified and invited to appear at said times and places and present such evidence, comment or objection as their interests require.

Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D. General Manager/CEO

Plan Your Next Family Reunion in Atlanta’s DeKalb County!

DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Reunion Specialists will teach you everything you need to know to plan the perfect Family Reunion!

Free Planning Workshop Saturday, February 18th (9:00 a.m. to Noon) Holiday Inn Select Perimeter Center 4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30341 Call (770) 492-5050 ext. 1048 to Pre-Register

VisitAtlantasDeKalbCounty.com

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will hold public hearings for the purpose of considering

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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 Graphic Design Curtis Parker Staff Writers Carla Parker Jennifer Ffrench Parker Advertising Sales Kathy E. Warner Alison White

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CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

“People continued to move their children as each allegation unfolded.”

New Birth Academy reopens doors A month after closing its doors, New Birth Christian Academy reopened them Jan. 19.

New Birth spokesman Art Franklin said that the church announced at its Jan. 15 Sunday worship services that the academy would reopen through a cooperative agreement with Aurora Day School. He declined to say what role Aurora Day School will play in New Birth Academy operations.

Aurora, which serves students in kindergarten through grade 12, has campuses in Tucker and Roswell.

Parents of 221 students were left scrambling to find a school for their children after New Birth Christian Academy informed them in a Dec. 22 letter that the school was closing because of a funding shortage.

In the letter, the academy’s board said it had operated the 18-year-old school for several years with substantial deficits and that the church was unable to continue to cover the gap.

Session tackles student discipline

The Georgia Independent School Association said the private school, which served students in pre-k through 12th grade, had an enrollment of 221 students and 20 teachers.

A parent, who did not want to be identified, told WSB-TV in December that enrollment had dwindled to about 100.

“People continued to move their children as each allegation unfolded,” she said.

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, based in Lithonia, has been rocked by allegations from four young men who accused Bishop Eddie Long of luring them into sexual relationships with his influence, trips, gifts and jobs. Long and the church settled with the men in May for an undisclosed amount.

On Dec. 1, Vanessa Long, his wife of 21 years, filed for divorce and Long told his congregation on Dec. 4 that he was taking leave to “heal” his family. He returned to the pulpit New Year’s Eve and has continued to preach at weekly services.

Robert Rhodes, Georgia Appleseed’s director of projects, will discuss effective student discipline at the “School to Prison Pipeline/Keep Kids in Class” event on Jan. 26 at Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta.

The free event, which starts at 6:30 p.m., is hosted by the Interfaith Children’s Movement and will take place in the Youth Center/Café in the church’s Family Life Center.

Rhodes will take an in-depth look at Georgia’s student discipline policies, practices and outcomes. Refreshments will be served.

The Interfaith Children’s Movement is a grassroots, advocacy movement dedicated to improving the well-being of children in Georgia.

Saint Philip AME Church Youth Center is at 1607 Richard Allen Drive.

To register for the event, e-mail info@inter faithchildrensmovement.org or call 770-4982141.

Alphas urge property owners along road to sign petition KING,

from page

A1

a project. West said they enlisted the help of the DeKalb NAACP and picked Snapfinger Road for the honor since it had been undergoing a $10.1 million road-widening.

The DeKalb Planning Department told them that they have to secure the support of 50 percent-plus one of the 200-plus owners of properties along Snapfinger Road, including churches like Greater Piney Grove, the Ray of Hope, the Decatur Bible Chapel, New Life Baptist and Solid Rock AME. West said that Greater Piney Grove and New Life have said yes and that they are awaiting replies from the others.

He said that property owners who have not yet responded or have not heard from them can call him at 678-468-1953 to sign the petition.

The chapter began canvassing property owners in December but found that the majority of them are absentee owners.

Of the 50 owners who are in the county, West said 55 percent are in support.

“If this holds with the absentee ones, we

Quick Read

will be able to get it done,” he said.

Letters to absentee owners will be mailed in the next 10 days, and West said they are asking them to respond within two weeks.

DeKalb has the state’s only high school named for King, who was arrested and jailed for a minor traffic violation in DeKalb by the late Judge J. Oscar Mitchell in 1960.

The Martin Luther King Jr. High School is located on Snapfinger Road, and West said he wants the address of MLK High to be on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.

“That would be a fitting tribute,” he said.

Ramsey’s Senate Resolution 667, which is seeking to dedicate the entire length of Snapfinger Road in DeKalb County to King, is co-sponsored by Sens. Steve Henson, Emanuel Jones and Gloria Butler.

The resolution calls King “one of the most prominent Georgians of the 20th century” and said “it is fitting and proper to dedicate” Snapfinger Road “the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway” as “an appropriate tribute to this outstanding Georgian.”

Many DeKalb elected officials and community leaders welcomed news of the moves

to honor King and wondered aloud why it had not been done before.

John Evans, the DeKalb NAACP president, said some people had just assumed that there was already a street named for King.

“It was just overlooked,” EvJohn Evans ans said Wednesday. “Maybe we were busy with so many other things.”

Now that it is on the table, Evans said he is glad the idea popped up and that the NAACP supports it wholeheartedly.

“A lot of things are coming together,” he said.

“Once we get it moving, we try to make up for [what] we hadn’t done.”

Ramsey was unavailable, but Butler, who represents Senate District 55 and lives in Stone Mountain, which King made famous in the “I Have a Dream” speech, said she can’t think why the idea had not come up before.

Now that it has, she said she is appreciative that she was asked to co-sponsor the resolution.

“It’s a good idea,” she said. “We should have named a street long ago. It’s long overdue.”

Family to sue bus company in son’s hazing death A2

Teen performers honor Dr. King

The parents of Robert Champion said they will sue the company that owns the bus on which the hazing took place.

They sang. They danced. They rapped.

And they recited poetry. All in honor of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Many African-Americans don’t find out about illnesses until they have progressed to a late stage and are more difficult to treat.

Panel to examine impact of new immigration law A3

Fitness training takes center stage during Expo B1

‘Life Chef’ offers help for relationship with food B7

A panel of activists, academics and politicians will examine the treatment of undocumented Latinos.

So you have known for ages that you need to incorporate more movement into your life, but you have been crippled by procrastination.

“Life Chef” Asata Reid believes that eating healthy should never be a boring chore.

CodeRed warnings to alert residents to storms A5 DeKalb residents can sign up to get a heads-up before serious weather hits their area.

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Fitness FaceOff a good fit B4 Rae Rae Clark has spent most of her adult life motivating and inspiring the young and the old to move it, move it.

Screenings for common ailments available

B6

High-stepping Beulah Boys to bring the house down B15 In demand is the phrase that best describes the Beulah Boys these days.

index to advertisers

Circulation Audited By

2010 Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo........ A12 Beautiful Babes Hair Care for Children........A11 Beulah Baptist Church............................A2, A7 BJH Attorneys & Counselors at Law............A10 Bobby L. Scott & Associates.........................A11 Chapel Hill Orthodontics...............................A8 Comfort Suites Northlake..............................A7 DeKalb Convention & Visitor’s Bureau..........A3 DeKalb County School System......................A2 Dykes Desktop............................................A10 F.I.E.R.C.E. Dance Team..............................A10 Flat Shoals Foot & Ankle Center...................A9 Gwinnett Federal Credit Union.....................A6 Hibachi Grill..................................................A5 Home & Asset Ombudsman.......................A10 Johnny Harris CPA......................................A10

Kidney & Hypertension Center.....................A9 KIDS Quarters.............................................A10 Kool Smiles P.C.............................................A8 MARTA..........................................................A3 New Creations Fitness.................................A10 Padgett Business Services.............................A6 South DeKalb YMCA....................................A11 Sunset Ranches............................................A11 SWH Apparel...............................................A11 The Davis Bozeman Law Firm, P.C................A6 The Herb Lady.............................................A11 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas..................A10 HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO American Family Insurance...........................B9 Amerigroup.................................................B11 Atlanta Access Care......................................B17

Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates.......... B18 Auto Club South......................................... B10 Bank of America......................................... B10 Bankers Life & Casualty Company.............. B10 Chick-fil-A....................................................B11 Children’s Dentistry at Stonecrest.................B6 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.................B20 Children’s Medical Central...........................B13 DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office...... B7 DeKalb District Attorney’s Office...................B4 DeKalb Medical............................................. B3 Dental Touch............................................... B16 Dr. Craig B. Williams, DDS.......................... B12 Full Body Loving Care Chiropratic................B6 Georgia Preventive Health...........................B11 Injury 2 Wellness Centers..............................B8

Kaiser Permanente..................................... B15 Living Healthy DeKalb..................................B13 Oakhurst Medical Centers, Inc.....................B17 Office of Hank Johnson................................B13 Omnitech.................................................... B18 Optimal Health & Wellness Center............. B19 Organic Root Stimulator..............................B11 Premier Women’s Healthcare & Aesthetics..B5 Rehab Works & Wellness............................ B12 Rotary of South DeKalb.............................. B16 Samson’s Health & Fitness Center................B4 The Spa at Stonecrest...................................B9 WellCare of Georgia................................... B10 INSERTS Best Buy Co. Inc......................................Inserts Walgreens...............................................Inserts

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CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

Community

“DeKalb County has a commitment to public service, and I am certain we can respond to the needs of the most needy.”

CodeRed warnings to alert residents to storms

By Carla Parker

DeKalb residents can sign up to get a heads-up before serious weather hits their area.

The DeKalb Emergency Management Agency has completed enhancements to its CodeRed Emergency Communications system called Weather Warning.

DeKalb Public Safety William Miller Director William “Wiz” Miller said on Jan. 11 that DeKalb citizens can receive telephone messages, e-mail or text messages moments after the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm, flood or tornado warning with a projected path.

If the call is missed, an 800 or 866 number information updated in the system. is left on the caller ID, and users can dial that Registered business in DeKalb can register number to hear the latest weather-related for the Weather Warning as well. message.

To register, visit www.co.dekalb.ga.us and “This will allow recipients of the alerts more time to prepare and take precautionary measures,” Miller said.

With Weather Warning, the county can disseminate severe weather alerts to the community by tapping into the National Weather Service’s storm-based warnings.

Miller said the outbound messages will greatly reduce the number of inbound inquires handled by his office and will offer residents an immediate replay of the message.

The CodeRed Weather Warning is an opt-in only service that requires registration.

Residents who currently receive CodeRed messaging also must re-register to have their

The CodeRed Weather Warning service requires registration by residents and businesses.

click on the “Notification Enrollment” page.

Those without Internet access can call 770270-0413 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Food donations sought for banks January is National Poverty Awareness Month, and Super District 6 DeKalb Commissioner Kathie Gannon is hosting her annual food drive to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

The drive is collecting nonperishable food items between Jan. 24 and Feb. 14.

Gannon says that every week, more than 58,000 metro families rely on donations from the food bank. After a very demanding holiday season, community and church food pantries are depleted and struggling to replenish their stocks.

“DeKalb County has a commitment to public service, and I am certain we can respond to the needs of the most needy,” Gannon said.

Collection barrels are in the Maloof Building on Commerce Drive, the Clark Harrison Building at 330 Ponce de Leon, the DeKalb Courthouse, and the Tax Commissioner’s Office on Memorial Drive.

Open For Christmas & New Years!

Residents can get briefing on flood insurance study DeKalb County citizens can get details on a new flood insurance study and preliminary flood insurance rate maps on Jan. 24 and 31 in Decatur and Tucker.

The open houses will be held on Jan. 24 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center in Decatur and on Jan. 31 at the Reid H. Cofer Library.

DeKalb County, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Environmental Protection Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has completed a countywide revision of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study for DeKalb and its cities.

The cities include Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake and Stone Mountain.

The Flood Insurance Study includes charts and a narrative report of local flooding to be used by permit officials for development in the floodplain.

During the open houses, representatives from the county, the cities, GA DNR-EPD and FEMA will provide the most current information on countywide flood risk, flood insurance, flood plain development regulations, flood plain mapping, and a timeline for the flood insurance study and flood insurance rate maps adoption.

The countywide flood plain maps also will be displayed.

The meeting at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center takes place 5 to 8 p.m. at 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur.

The Tucker meeting will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The library is at 5234 LaVista Road.

For information, contact Brian Shoun at bshoun@dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-3712012.

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A6

Finance

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

“This should be a catalyst for the economic development of the area. It will be good for the overall corridor.”

New Walmart proposed for Memorial Drive near Hairston

By Donna Williams Lewis

ers on the plan at a meeting of P.R.I.S.M. – Pride Rings in Stone Mountain.

A new Walmart could soon go At that meeting, Walmart’s Amy up on Memorial Drive near North Hillman provided an overview of Hairston Road. the store, slated to open in early On Jan. 2, the DeKalb Planning 2013, according to a news release Commission approved Walmart’s issued by Barnes Sutton. proposal to build a 150,000-squareDuring the meeting, Barnes foot supercenter on the site of a Sharon B. Sutton Sutton talked about the ways her vacant car dealership.

The proposal, recommended for ap- office is working with Walmart.

“I’m planning a job fair prior to the proval by the county Planning Department, goes before the Board of Commissioners on store’s opening to give local residents the Jan. 24. Walmart wants to build on 14 acres first shot at employment opportunities,” bordered by Memorial Drive, Hairston Road she said. “With every decision that we make, we’re looking out for the best interests of our and Lauren Parkway.

District 4 Commissioner Sharon Barnes community.”

Andrew Baker, associate director of planSutton last week briefed nearly 50 homeown-

ning for the county, said the store will meet the same requirements it would face if it were going up at Stonecrest, where developers must abide by the requirements in an overlay zoning plan.

The new Walmart will have a brick base, attention to landscaping and a monumentsized sign. It will feature a grocery section but no automotive service.

“This should be a catalyst for the economic development of the area,” Baker said.

“It will be good for the overall corridor and good for the overall tax base of DeKalb County.”

Baker said Walmart has made adjustments based on concerns of some area residents, such as a privacy fence and a right-in, right-out traffic triangle for the adjoining

Kenilworth Estates community.

Nadine Rivers-Johnson, community association director of the Mainstreet community and a member of P.R.I.S.M., said most area residents appear to want the new Walmart.

“Walmart does bring stability and encourages medium and small businesses to come because they’re driving traffic,” RiversJohnson said. “It’s going to make other stores in the area become more competitive.”

She said Walmart seemed receptive to community requests for an alternative or additional eating establishment in the store, which typically features a fast-food place.

“We’re just going to push for the best Walmart that there can be,” Rivers-Johnson said. “I see it as a win-win.”

Tour touts Hispanic consumer market

Put CrossRoadsNews to Work for You! Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information

Small-business owners can find out how to tap into the growing Hispanic consumer market and diversify their consumer base on the Jan. 27 Business Empowerment Tour.

The tour of Hispanic businesses and organizations, sponsored by the Black & Latino Council, takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Stops on the chartered luxury bus tour include the Univision TV station for a roundtable breakfast, presentation and tour; the Latin American Association; the Plaza

Fiesta Shopping Mall; El Patron FM/105.3 radio station; and Larumba Restaurant for a Taste of Mexico luncheon with guest speaker Leonardo McLarty, president of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce.

The cost is $50, which includes parking, breakfast, lunch, shuttle bus, and automatic one-year membership in the Black & Latino Council professional organization.

For more information, visit black-latino -council-of-america.socialgo.com or call 404-454-8830.

Chamber meeting set for Jan. 26 Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s 74th annual meeting and legislative reception on Jan. 26.

Member companies and individuals will be honored for exemplary standards in business development, employee programs, business innovation, contribution to DeKalb County, and overall involvement and support of the Chamber.

Newly appointed Chamber board members and officers will be presented as well.

The meeting, hosted by AT&T, begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Retreat at Perimeter Summit, 1001 Summit Blvd. in Atlanta. Kaiser Permanente is the presenting sponsor.

The cost is $85 person and $850 for a table of 10. Additional tables are $750. Online registration is available at http://dekalb 2012annualmeeting.eventbrite.com.

Basics of e-mailing available at library A class on the basics of using e-mail will take place on Jan. 25 at the Hairston Crossing Library in Stone Mountain.

Participation in the 10 a.m.-to-noon class is limited to 10. Participants must know how to type and use a mouse. The

class will explore the use of e-mail – setting up a Web-based account, composing and sending messages, and sending attachments with messages.

To register, visit the library at 4911 Redan Road or call 404-508-7170.

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A7

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

“This program takes young people from [across the county] and brings them all together to focus on talents, abilities and gifts.”

More than 75 students were entertained at the PAL Plus “The Dream Continues” Youth Explosion.

Milestone for Beulah pastor than 35 years, was recognized on Oct. 2, 2011, as a “Living Legend” by the U.S. Postal Service, which issued a postal stamp in his honor.

The 20th anniversary celebration, which will culminate on Feb. 12, will include Wonderful Wednesday Services, Celebration Sunday Services, a Step Extravaganza, a Celebration Gala, and a Praise and Worship Concert.

All events are free and will be held on the church campus at 2340 Clifton Springs Road, except for the Feb. 4 Celebration Gala, which will be held at the Westin Buckhead.

Tickets are $75.

For more information, visit www.beulah baptist.org or call 404-241-3307.

Artifacts at the Sights and Sounds Black Cultural Expo Museum at North DeKalb Mall will be on display through Jan. 29. Visitors also have a chance to win tickets to see “Red Tails.”

View black history artifacts at mall chronicle the history of African-Americans from the motherland to America.

Visitors will have the opportunity to win tickets to see “Red Tails,” a movie about the Tuskegee Airmen.

North DeKalb Mall is at 2050 Lawrenceville Highway in Decatur.

For more information, call 404-3207960.

Teen performers honor King They sang. They danced. They rapped.

And they recited poetry. All in honor of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The performers were onstage Jan. 14 at the Police Athletic League Plus “The Dream Continues” Youth Explosion at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in Decatur.

During the two-hour event, singers, dancers, rappers and spoken word performers from the Martin Luther King Jr. High School’s Sigma Beta Step Team, the Lithonia High School Jazz Band, and McNair High School kept the audience of more than 75 students entertained.

Launched nationwide by the Police Athletic League 60 years ago, the nonprofit PAL Plus offers year-round and seasonal sports programs, after-school education programs, and summer camps for youth that emphasize education, promote selfesteem, and foster positive interaction with law enforcement.

More than 600 police departments across the country have established PAL Plus programs.

....... ........... . . . .. ...

Author to launch her latest novel

........ . . . . . ...... .... ....

A launch party for Atlanta author Joshilyn Jackson’s latest novel, “A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty,” takes place on Jan. 25 at the Decatur Library.

First editions of the book will be available for signing at this reception.

Jackson’s novel is a story told in the voices of three women in one family — a grandmother, mother and young daughter — struggling with hardships born of a devastating secret.

New York Times best-selling author Sara Gruen calls Jackson’s book “giddy and enthralling and a little bit dangerous.”

Jackson is the author of “Gods in Alabama,” “Between, Georgia,” Joshilyn Jackson “Backseat Saints” and “The Girl Who Stopped Swimming.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for this 7:15 p.m. event at the library, located at 215 Sycamore St. in Decatur.

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DeKalb’s program, which operates afterschool and summer and spring camps for students, is sanctioned by the DeKalb Police and county government and operated by three officers who have been deployed full time to run it.

It also has an 11-member board of directors made up of acting Police Chief William O’Brien and Assistant Police Chief Dale Holmes and members of the community.

DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson said the PAL Plus program amplifies what King’s dream is all about.

“This program takes young people from [across the county] and brings them all together to focus on talents, abilities and gifts,” Johnson said.

In a statement read during the performances, CEO Burrell Ellis said the Youth Explosion was an example what can be achieved when the police, youth and the community join in a partnership.

“PAL Plus plays an integral role in encouraging youth in our county to reach their full potential, and I thank PAL Plus for its contribution of service in our community,” Ellis said.

..... ....... .......... ....

More than 8,000 African-American artifacts will be on display at the Sights and Sounds Black Cultural Expo Museum at North DeKalb Mall through Jan. 29.

Shoppers can view the museum, located in the Macy’s wing, daily during mall hours.

The collection includes art, documents, artifacts, video and book collectibles that

Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews

.................... . . . . ..

It’s been 20 years since the Rev. Jerry D. Black came to Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, and the congregation will be celebrating the anniversary over 20 days starting Jan. 25.

Black was installed as the seventh pastor of the Decatur church on Feb. 9, 1992.

Under his tenure, the church moved from its Jerry D. Black previous location on Beulah Lane to its current campus on Clifton Springs Road. It also grew from 800 members to more than 8,000 and became a “100 percent tithing church.”

Black, who has been in ministry for more

1.25.12 Pastor Frank Ray New Salem MBC Memphis, TN

1.29.12 Pastor William Flippin

Greater Piney Grove BC Atlanta, GA

2.1.12 Pastor William L. Robinson

First Baptist Church North Little Rock, AR

2.5.12 Pastor Christopher Wimberly Hunter Hill FBC Atlanta, GA

Beulahland Bible Church Macon, GA

Join us for an amazing worship experience as we honor Pastor Jerry D. Black for 20 Years of Service!

The celebration begins Wednesday, January 25, 2012. an evening of praise and worship concert - 6:00 pm Hosted by Larry Tinsley of WVEE/V-103 Featuring The BMBC Mass Choir, “How Sweet The Sound” 2011 Regional Winners Pastor Keith Brooks and All Nations Life & Praise Choir, and Stellar Award Winners Bishop Paul S. Morton and Pastor Beverly Crawford. celebration gala - 6:00 pm A Black Tie Affair, The Westin Buckhead, 3391 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA - For tickets, www.beulahbaptist.org

Offer Valid Feb. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012 All booking must be made 72 hours prior to arrival and full payment is due 48 hours prior to check in.

1ST 25 COUPLES TO RESERVE THEIR ROOM WILL RECEIVE A JACUZZI SUITE UPGRADE AND LATE CHECKOUT AT 2PM

2.8.12 Pastor Maurice Watson

20th anniversary celebration culmination service - 7:30am and 10:45am Pastor Marvin L. Sapp, Lighthouse Full Life Center, Grand Rapids, MI For more details please visit www.beulahbaptist.org 2340 Clifton Springs Road . Decatur, Georgia 30034 . (404) 241-3307 Church Office

A8

Youth

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

“Our students and community will benefit from a greater emphasis on cultural awareness and community service.”

Wrestling program takes off at McNair High

By Carla Parker

seen a big improvement on the football field.”

The wrestling program is split into two squads, varsity and junior varsity, and both squads have 14 members.

Tillery does more than just teach the boys how to wrestle. He also teaches them to be respectful and to have good sportsmanship, brotherhood and a good work ethic.

“I try to instill in them to be respectful and gentlemen and having their school work together,” he said. “You’re a student first, before athlete.”

Team mom Felicia Hardy said her son, Earnest Johnson Jr., who is in the eighth grade, has learned a lot from Tillery and he is enjoying his first year on

When Ramon Tillery was appointed assistant coach of the McNair High School wrestling team in 2007, he noticed there wasn’t a high interest in the sport from students.

There were only 12 students in the program and they weren’t having much success in the win column.

“I had to start the program over from scratch because the kids weren’t participating,” he said.

Tillery, who is also an assistant coach on the school’s football team, persuaded some of the football players to give The junior varsity wrestling squad at McNair High is wrestling a try.

Since then, the wrestling team has undefeated this season, while the varsity has one loss. grown from 12 to 42 members and has improved its winning record. the wrestling team.

Last season it had a 22-3 record and only one loss this year. Seven “Coach Tillery has taught him a lot and he knows the meaning students have received wrestling scholarship offers. of brotherhood,” Hardy said. “He has not only gained strength, but Tillery, now the team’s head coach, also sold football players on motivation to do good on and off the mat.” wrestling by showing them that it could help their football skills.

Tillery said he believes the varsity team can win the region title “They’re much more aggressive in their tackling, and wrestling this year. has helped their balance, stamina and hand skills,” he said. “I’ve “We also have a chance at the state title,” he said.

Salem Middle to offer International Baccalaureate Salem Middle School is now offering the International Baccalaureate.

The nonprofit educational program offers a rigorous curriculum with global focus and emphasizes inquiry-based learning, creative problem solving, hands-on projects, and community service.

Salem Middle joins 25 IB Middle Years Programme World Schools in Georgia and Tucker and Druid Hills middle schools in DeKalb County.

The Middle Years Programme makes middle

school transition into the IB Diploma Programme at the high school level easier. At the high school level, students can earn college credit and advanced standing at many colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. IB schools are located in about 139 countries.

DeKalb’s IB coordinator Anne Marion said the program does not replace anything in the current curriculum.

“International Baccalaureate enhances the current curriculum and provides a

consistent focus and approach to learning throughout the middle school years,” she said.

Marion also said all subjects will become more interconnected and enriched and will be taught with a more global outlook.

“Our students and community will benefit from a greater emphasis on cultural awareness and community service,” she said.

For more information visit www.ibo.org or contact Anne Marion at anne_marion @fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us or 678-676-9417.

School Choice Expo at Mall at Stonecrest DeKalb parents can get information about the myriad choices they have at the DeKalb School System’s fifth annual School Choice Expo on Jan. 21 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Choice programs include charter, magnet, gifted, theme and Montessori programs.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., parents can browse displays of DeKalb’s School Choice programs and speak with DeKalb teachers and administrators on-site.

The Mall at Stonecrest is at 2929 Turner Hill Road in Lithonia.

For more information, visit www .dekalb.k12.ga.us.

Tuskegee Airmen scholarships deadline is Jan. 25 DeKalb high school seniors have until Jan. 25 to apply for $1,500 scholarships from the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. The organization awards 40 scholarships of $1,500 to eligible graduating seniors annually.

Applicants must be students of accredited high schools and must have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Application forms and instructions are available at www.tuskegeeairmen.org.

Students can mail all completed applications to Dr. Lisa Bratton at P.O. Box 2113, Lithonia, GA 30058.

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A9

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

Wellness

Participants will learn how to overcome the grief, sorrow and shame associated with sexual abuse.

Diabetes primer: Types, symptoms, aid for uninsured Grant to help Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects the way our bodies handle sugar.

There are two kinds of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

Q: What are the symptoms of diabetes?

What signs should a person look for?

This is an important question because many people have diabetes and don’t know it.

Symptoms include tiredness; urinating much more often, especially at night; blurred vision; frequent infections; wounds that do not heal; and feeling very thirsty even after drinking liquids. In women, recurrent vaginal yeast infections can be a sign of high blood sugar. If you are experiencing symptoms like these, see a doctor.

Q: What is the difference between types 1 and 2 diabetes?

Type 2 or “adult onset” is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and many more are unaware they are at high risk. Some groups like African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders have a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes than others.

In Type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin, which is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy.

When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin.

blood without being used.

Diabetes develops when the body cannot get the glucose inside the cell in order to convert it into energy. There should only be a certain amount of glucose in the blood; too much or too little glucose are both serious problems. In diabetes, there is too much Dr. Jewel Crawford glucose and this is called “high blood sugar.”

Some African-Americans commonly call Only 5 percent of people with diabetes have having diabetes “having sugar.” this form of the disease.

Q: What is insulin resistance?

Q: What is glucose?

When the body starts ignoring what Glucose is one kind of sugar. It is the bod- insulin “tells” it to do, the body develops a ies’ main source of fuel. Just like a car needs condition called insulin resistance. Insulin gas to run, human beings also need fuel for resistance happens before someone gets fullenergy to keep the body going. blown Type 2 diabetes.

Our main source of glucose is carbohyIt’s like the insulin is telling the cells of the drates. We all know (and love) our “carbs” body to open their doors to let the glucose in such as potatoes, rice, cereals and pasta. so it can be turned into energy, but the cells These types of foods are also called starches. won’t “obey” the insulin. Early in the process, Our bodies digest carbs and change them insulin resistance can sometimes be reversed into glucose. The glucose is then converted by things like weight loss and exercise. In that into energy to run our bodies. way diabetes can be prevented.

Ask The Doctor

Q: What is insulin?

In order to change glucose into the energy we need, the body MUST produce a special substance to make that change. That substance is called insulin. Insulin is the “key” to enable us to get energy from food. Insulin is normally made in a special gland called the pancreas.

Q: What is happening in the body when a person has diabetes?

In Type 2 diabetes, insulin either stops working like it should, or a person may not produce enough insulin, or both of these things may occur.

This key called insulin “unlocks the door” to our cells to let glucose in so it can be changed into energy. If this key does not work, the glucose cannot be changed into energy. It will keep circulating around in the

Q: What if I don’t have health insurance?

If you do not have health insurance, there are a number of resources available to help you. You can go online to www.gfcn .org to find a “safety net clinic” in this area that treats patients without insurance and at a lower cost.

If you do not have a computer or do not know how to use one, go to the public library and ask someone there to help you. But do not ignore these symptoms! Get checked!

Diabetes can cause very serious complications if not treated, including blindness, kidney failure and loss of limbs.

Dr. Jewel Crawford teaches at the Morehouse School of Medicine.

Support group for abuse victims Victims of sexual abuse can register now for a 10-week support group offered by the Branch Outreach Center beginning Feb. 6.

The Tamar Support Group will meet Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. through April 9 at 1399 Austin Drive in Decatur.

Participants will learn how to overcome the grief, sorrow and shame associated with

local families with children

A $300,000 federal Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting grant awarded to DeKalb County will fund a one-year program supporting expectant parents and families with children birth to five years.

DeKalb is one of seven Georgia counties to receive the grant from the Governor’s Office for Children and Families.

In a Jan. 9 statement, DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis said DeKalb was chosen to receive funding due, in part, to the success of its existing evidence-based, Parents as Teachers and Early Head Start-Home Based Option home visiting programs. It will be expanded within an Early Childhood System of Care under the MIECHV grant to improve child and family outcomes on a community level.

Georgia’s MIECHV Program provides direct services to families and young children in need of support.

DeKalb’s MIECHV Program is administered through DeKalb County government, which works with an array of community partners to maximize resources and ensure coordination of services to children and families. Partners include Refugee Family Services, DeKalb Partners for Early Learning, DeKalb Initiative for Children and Families, Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center, Partnership for Community Action, Clarkston Development Foundation, DeKalb Board of Health, DeKalb School System, DeKalb Public Library System, DeKalb Division of Family and Children Services, and United Way.

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sexual abuse. The sessions also identify the types of sexual abuse. Group leaders are survivors of sexual abuse.

The Branch Outreach Center is an extension of the Hand of the Lord International.

For more information, visit www.branch outreach.org or call Kendra Thomas at 404288-1033.

Special needs fair at N. DeKalb Mall Parents of children with special needs can meet Jan. 28 with representatives of camps, respite care, recreation and other activities at North DeKalb Mall.

The Special Needs Camp Registration

and Summer Recreation and Respite Fair is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Macy’s wing.

North DeKalb Mall is at 2050 Lawrenceville Highway in Decatur. For more information, call 404-320-7960.

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CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

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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.

A11

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

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A12

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

Health & Wellness Expo - Jan. 28, 2012 January 21, 2012

Section B

www.crossroadsnews.com

Time To Get Active

Fitness training takes center stage during the Fitness FaceOff at the 2012 Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo Noon to 5 p.m., lower level, the Mall at Stonecrest n Free health screenings

n Dancers

n Fitness demonstrations

n Elected officials

n Musical performances

n Door prizes

n Information presentations by doctors

B2

CrossRoadsNews

Health & Wellness

January 21, 2012

Like any machine, the body needs to be in motion to keep in motion.

Trainers, dancers to motivate and entertain 2346 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.Cross­Roads­News.com editor@Cross­Roads­News.com

The Health and Wellness Expo Special Section is a publication of Cross­Roads­News Inc., East Metro Atlanta’s award-winning weekly newspaper.

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Graphics Editor Curtis Parker Reporters Carla Parker Jennifer Ffrench Parker

© 2012 Cross­Roads­News, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without written permission of the publisher.

Circulation Audited By

So you have known for ages that you need to incorporate more movement into your life, but you have been crippled by procrastination.

Well, you are not alone, and the 2012 CrossRoadsNews Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo is here to help.

Jennifer Parker, editor and publisher of CrossRoadsNews, says that during the expo, which takes place noon to 5 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Mall at Stonecrest, all the focus will be on getting children, youth and adults moving so that they can live a more active and healthy life.

“We know that it is sometimes hard to get our exercise on,” Parker said. “That is why we will show you through the examples of others how fun and easy it can be to get started.”

The expo kicks off at noon with exercise motivator Rae Rae Clark and the Eagle Essence Dance Troupe from Atlanta’s Whitefoord Elementary School.

Like any machine, the body needs to be in motion to keep in motion, so personal trainers, fitness trainers and exercise coaches will demonstrate the moves they use to motivate clients to exercise weekly. The demos will be done during the 2012 Fitness FaceOff, which takes off at 1 p.m. from the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level.

Eight contestants will vie for the Fitness FaceOff Trophy and a grand prize of a table at the April 28 Best of East Metro/Small Business Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

A panel of celebrity judges will select a winner. For a look at this year’s competitors, see pages B8-B11.

Throughout the five-hour expo, every performance and demonstration from the stage will be focused on encouraging children, youth and adults to get busy, be more active, and eat food that will feed their bodies rather than harm them. And the operative word will be fun.

The dancers, trainers and Life Chef Asata

High-stepping expo participants bring intensity to an aerobics workout at the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia. This year’s action takes place on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the lower level.

Reid will demonstrate how easy and enjoyable it can be to exercise and cook and eat healthy food.

Performers will range from 8-year-old dancers with Jenae’s Dance Experience to 70ish line dancers. This year, the Sassy Divas, a line-stepping female group, will show women that they can be as sexy as those booty-shaking geezers in the Beulah Boys.

This year’s title sponsors are Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, DeKalb Medical, and 100 Black Women Decatur-DeKalb Chapter.

Nearly three dozen exhibitors, including hospitals, health centers, physicians, dentists and other health care professionals, health insurers, training institutes, and government agencies will discuss health issues and offer resources on some of the issues that plague

our community.

Expo-goers will have their pick of free screenings for diabetes, hypertension, HIV/ AIDS, vision, and BMI. There will be flu shots, a detox foot bath demonstration, and point-of-pain and biochemistry checks.

Parker says beauty was added to the name of the expo, which is in its seventh year, to showcase spas and beauty providers.

The Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo is one of four community expos that CrossRoadsNews stages annually at the 1.3 million-square-foot Lithonia mall. The others are the Summer Camp Expo in March, the Small Business Expo in April, and the Family & Adoption Expo in August.

Since its launch in 2006, the Health & Wellness Expo has attracted up to 10,000 people to the mall every January.

2012 Health & Wellness Expo Exhibitors and Grand Prize Entry Form Visit at least 15 of these exhibitors* at the Mall at Stonecrest and enter to win a Grand Prize Gift Basket at the 2012 Health & Wellness Expo. Drawing takes place on Jan. 28, 2012, at 4:45 p.m. at the Main Stage in front of Sears on the lower level of the Mall at Stonecrest.

5100 Black Women Decatur-DeKalb Chapter 5American Family Insurance 5Amerigroup 5Amerigroup Community Care 5Atlanta Access Care 5Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates 5Auto Club South 5Bank of America 5Bankers Life & Casualty 5Children’s Dentistry at Stonecrest 5Children’s Healthcare at Hughes Spalding 5Children’s Medical Central 5Congressman Hank Johnson

5Craig B. Williams DDS 5CrossRoadsNews 5Decatur Pediatric Group 5DeKalb Co. Solicitor General Sherry Boston 5DeKalb District Attorney Robert James 5DeKalb Medical 5Dental Touch 5Full Body Loving Care Chiropractic 5Georgia Preventive Health 5Healthy Living DeKalb 5Injury 2 Wellness Center 5Jas Links Healthcare Services 5Kaiser Permanente

5Oakhurst Medical Centers 5Omnitech 5Optimal Health & Wellness 5Organic Root Stimulator 5Premier Women’s Healthcare 5Rae Rae Clark, fitness motivator 5Rehab Works & Wellness 5Rotary of South DeKalb 5Samson’s Health & Fitness Center 5STAND Inc. 5Source Care Management – DeKalb 5The Joy of Soul Food 5The Spa at Stonecrest

Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________________________________________ Home phone _________________________________________________ Cell ___________________________________________________________ * Eligible entries must be validated by at least 15 exhibitors and must include your complete name, address, e-mail address and telephone number. Employees and immediate family members of CrossRoadsNews and the Mall at Stonecrest are excluded from winning. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You MUST be present to win.

January 21, 2012

Health & Wellness

B3

CrossRoadsNews

2012 Health & Wellness Expo Program Highlights Jan. 28, 2012 • Noon to 5 p.m. • The Main Stage in front of Sears Lower Level, The Mall at Stonecrest Noon

Expo kickoff/warmup exercises with Rae Rae & the Eagle Essence Dance Troupe and Louis Bell, vocalist

12:30 p.m. Greetings from the Office of 4th District Congressman Hank Johnson 1 p.m.

Fitness FaceOff Competition with fitness motivator Rae Rae Clark

2:45 p.m. Top Notch Dance Krew 3 p.m. Diabetic food demo with Life Chef Asata Reid Eagle Essence Dance Troupe

3:30 p.m. 100 Black Women DecaturDeKalb, Norma Johnson, president Life Chef Asata Reid

2:20 p.m. Sassy Divas Line Dancers

Sassy Divas

3:45 p.m. Jenae’s Dance Experience

S. Elizabeth Ford

2:30 p.m. Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, district health director, DeKalb Board of Health

Jenae’s Dance Experience

4 p.m.

Beulah Boys Line Dancers

4:45 p.m. Grand Prize drawing 5 p.m.

Expo ends

The Beulah Boys

The last thing the community needed was “just another hospital.”

Sure a state-of-the-art facility close to home would be appreciated. But what was equally important was building a place that would remind patients of the care that had disappeared from healthcare. So beyond simply launching the first all-digital master planned hospital in Georgia, we set out to give patients everything from access to a talented pool of doctors and dedicated support staff, who would engage them in their treatment, to free parking and amazing food. See, before DeKalb Medical at Hillandale was even established, we asked ourselves, “What can we do differently? What can we do better than them?” And we still ask ourselves those two questions every day. Because as far as we’re concerned, good could never be good enough.

To learn more, visit www.dekalbmedicalhillandale.org

B4

CrossRoadsNews

Health & Wellness Expo

January 21, 2012

“It says that the sky is the limit and that you can be anything you want. You just have to dream it first.”

Vocalist puts his stamp on ‘Impossible Dream’

Former Atlanta firefighter Louis Bell will sing at the expo kickoff at noon on Jan. 28. He has been singing since age 5. ”I like soul music and R&B,” he said.

Louis Bell has been singing for as far back as he can remember.

“I think I started at 5 years old,” he said. “I can remember in the first grade, my teacher found out I could sing, and I was performing Lou Rawls ‘Tobacco Road’ all the time at school.”

But as talented as he was, Bell didn’t become a professional singer.

Instead, he went into firefighting and sang in the choir at Greenforest Baptist Church, where he has been a member since 1988.

He also sang whenever and wherever people asked him to. That included at weddings, funerals, anniversaries, christenings and so on.

“I like soul music and R&B,” he said.

In 2008, Bell retired from the Atlanta Fire Department after 31 years of service. The Decatur resident started a carpet cleaning business and now spends a lot of time singing at events.

Fans say he has put his stamp on the song “The Impossible Dream (The Quest).”

He will sing it on Jan. 28 during the kickoff for the 2012 Cross­Roads­ News Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo with Rae Rae Clark.

Bell says he likes to sing “The Impossible Dream” because it’s an inspirational song with a positive message.

“It says that the sky is the limit and that you can be anything you want.

You just have to dream it first.”

The expo takes place on the lower level of the Mall at Stonecrest between noon and 5 p.m.

“The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office strives to offer citizens prevention, protection and peace of mind to support your health and wellness goals in 2012.”

Fitness FaceOff a good fit Rae Rae Clark has spent most of her adult life motivating and inspiring the young and the old, and those in between to move it, move it.

And if you won’t take her word for it, she hopes you will follow the examples of the eight trainers and coaches who will showcase their exercise routines during the 2012 Rae Rae Clark Fitness FaceOff at the Cross­Roads­ News Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo, Jan. 28 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Clark will emcee the competition at 1 p.m. from the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level.

But before that, she and the Eagle Essence Dancers from Whitefoord Elementary School will showcase the “Sassy Classy Hustle,” a five-minute upbeat cardio workout she created and debuted last year at the expo to help her reach her goal of touching a million people with her message about the benefits of exercise and movement.

Veteran expo emcee Pamela Holmes has hosted so many CrossRoadsNews Community Expos at the Mall at Stonecrest, she has lost count.

Holmes will be back on stage at the 2012 Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo starting at 2 p.m., after the 2012 Fitness FaceOff Champion is crowned, and will shepherd the rest Pamela Holmes of the expo to its end at 5 p.m.

When she is not on stage at the Mall at Stonecrest, Holmes is a Realtor and cookbook author. Her cooking show, “The Joy of Soul Food,” can be found on YouTube.

In between her emcee duties, she will sign copies of her cookbook, “Soul Food Volume 1: The Basics,” which was published last year. Holmes is on a mission to make soul food healthy by substituting healthier ingredients for some of the staples, like using olive oil instead of lard.

January 21, 2012

B5

CrossRoadsNews

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Mention this ad for your free consultation through Feb. 14, 2012 Premier Women's Healthcare LLC • 5404 Hillandale Park Court • Lithonia, Georgia 30058 678-418-6990 office • www.premierwomens.com

B6

Health & Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

Local health organizations will offer free screenings from noon to 5 p.m. at the Jan. 28 expo at the Lithonia mall.

Lots of screenings for common ailments available at expo Early diagnosis of most health problems can often lead to a good outcome, but many African-Americans don’t find out about their illnesses until they have progressed to a late stage and are more difficult to treat.

On Jan. 28, local health organizations will offer free screenings from noon to 5 p.m. at the annual CrossRoads­News Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Tests for diabetes will be offered by Amerigroup Community Care, DeKalb Medical, the Rotary Club of South DeKalb, and Oakhurst Medical Centers.

Screenings for high blood pressure will be offered by Healthy Living DeKalb, DeKalb Medical, Amerigroup and Oakhurst. Kaiser Permanente and the Rotary Club will offer BMI, or body mass index.

Flu shots will be available at the Healthy Living DeKalb table, and STAND Inc. will offer rapid HIV/AIDS tests.

Amerigroup is offering vision screenings, and you can get point-of-pain checks from Injury 2 Wellness and biochemistry tests from Premier Women’s Healthcare.

Rehab Works and Wellness plans to demonstrate ionic detox foot baths, a process involving electromagnetic impulses, sea salt and water that is said to release toxins from the body through the feet.

High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because onethird of the people with it do not know they have it. Free screenings will be available at the expo.

Free screenings and therapies at the Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo

Diabetes The diabetes test is taken from blood drawn from a finger prick. It assesses your blood sugar to determine if you have pre-diabetes or diabetes.

If the results register a glucose level higher than 200 mg/ dL and are accompanied by classic symptoms of unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and increased thirst and urination, then the doctor will suspect diabetes mellitus and will request a fasting blood glucose level test to confirm the results.

Blood

Flu HIV/

Detox Point-of- BioProvider Diabetes pressure BMI shots AIDS Vision foot bath pain checks chemistry Amerigroup 3 3 3 DeKalb Medical 3 3 Healthy Living DeKalb 3 3 Kaiser 3 Rehab Works and Wellness 3 3 Rotary Club of South DeKalb 3 STAND Inc. 3 Oakhurst Medical 3 3 Injury 2 Wellness 3 Premier Women’s Healthcare 3

High blood pressure Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is called the “silent killer” because about one-third of the people with it do not know they have it. High blood pressure is easy to diagnose.

You have hypertension if your blood pressure is more than 140/90. Because it has no symptoms, it’s important to have blood pressure measured by a nurse, physician or another knowledgeable person (including yourself).

To screen for it, you must be in a relaxed state, preferably are available in 12 minutes. From a private physician, the cost in a sitting position. Allow half an hour to have passed since of an HIV test is $100. your last cup of tea, exercise or stressful situation.

Body Mass Index (BMI) HIV/AIDS Physicians divide the patient’s weight in kilograms by The test for HIV/AIDS can be taken with blood or with height in inches to receive the BMI number. A BMI between the non-invasive OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV Test, done 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal; between 25-29.9 is overfrom a swab of the mucous membrane in the mouth. Results weight, and 30 or above is obese.

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Dr. Sonya Windham

January 21, 2012

Health & Wellness

B7

CrossRoadsNews

“Learning how to use herbs and spices is the best way to cut down on fat and salt.”

‘Life Chef ’ offers help for a good relationship with food

By Donna Williams Lewis

“Life Chef ” Asata Reid believes that eating healthy should never be a boring chore, and she delights in showing people “how delicious, nutritious and fun healthy cooking and eating can be.”

People should develop a good relationship with food, looking for the same things in food that they would want in a “significant other” relationship, Reid says.

For her, the food relationship should be “alluring, attractive, nurturing, inviting, bold, sexy, indulgent.”

“If it’s not, it’s a bad relationship, so kick it to the curb,” says Reid, 38.

The East Lake resident will be talking up healthy food relationships at the seventh annual CrossRoadsNews Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest on Jan. 28.

Reid will demonstrate some of her quick, healthy recipes at 3 p.m. on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level.

She also will offer time-saving tips on menu planning, food shopping, food prepping and cooking.

Here are some of her time-savers for improving your ways with food: n Meal planning. “Don’t overplan. Start by planning only as much as you can realistically eat,” Reid said.

In other words, don’t try to plan different menus for three meals a day plus two snacks seven days a week. Cook in double batches so you can have leftovers for lunch or dinner.

“If you don’t plan to eat, you end up eating whatever somebody left in the break room, picking off your kids’ plates, or going for the 99-cent menu at Wendy’s,” Reid said.

“People seem to act surprised that they have to come up with dinner every night even

Asata Reid will demonstrate some of her quick, healthy recipes at 3 p.m. at the Jan. 28 expo at the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia.

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

though we have to come up with it every night.” n Shopping. Make your grocery list, then shop for everything at once. Shop at the same store or stores so you get to know where to find everything. n Prepping. When you get home from the grocery store, go ahead and prep the food you plan to cook right then. Cook rice, chop veggies, season or cook meat, for example, to save time at mealtime, Reid said. n Cooking. “Knowing your ingredients boosts your confidence,” Reid said. “Learning how to use herbs and spices is the best way

to cut down on fat and salt.”

If you could use help in that department, she suggests that people read cookbooks as they would any other book to learn how others use spices.

Also, sign up on blogs and Web sites so you can view recipes and be inspired by others’ creativity.

Reid demonstrates dishes and shares her knowledge in classes held at noon on second Saturdays monthly, except in August, at Sevananda Natural Foods Market, 467 Moreland Ave. The class costs $10 for Sevananda mem-

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Reid, who goes by the moniker “Life Chef ” because she teaches people to have healthy relationships with food, has been a chef at the Dish Restaurant, the Food Studio and Nikolai’s Roof, and the vegan restaurant Lush. She also has catered through Bold American Catering and has worked as a private chef with an upscale staffing company for private estates in Atlanta.

She teaches people how to let food fit their lifestyles. She works with families who want to eat better and people with health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, cancers and obesity. She conducts demonstrations at churches and community organizations and is on contract with the Kaiser Permanente Worksite Wellness Program to do one-hour lunch-and-learn sessions at companies.

Teaching people to cook is her passion.

When she meets newly diagnosed diabetics, she says “Congratulations.”

That’s not to be flippant.

“It’s an opportunity to turn things around,” Reid said. “It means you have to pay attention to your diet. … You get to learn how food treats you and how your numbers respond and you get to personalize your diet based on you. You can find out more about the foods you haven’t been eating that you can add to your repertoire.”

Healthy Relationships Make a Safer DeKalb ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS DON’T JUST HAPPEN TO ADULTS. One in three young people experience some form of dating abuse.

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B8

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

Health & Wellness Expo

Smith, a fitness trainer for 13 years, is married to Olympic gold medalist Gwen Torrence.

‘Super trainer’ promises new body in 30 days

By Donna Williams Lewis

Jody Smith’s clients are expected to work out with him or one of his associates at least three days a week.

Fitness trainer Jody Smith is known as “the super trainer.”

“They call me the super trainer because we can get people in shape in 30 days,” Smith said. “That means they will have a different body in 30 days.”

Smith, a fitness trainer for 13 years, is married to Olympic gold medalist Gwen Torrence.

He trains locally at Grady High School, Piedmont Park and Panthersville Stadium in south DeKalb County.

He also trains on the West Coast, counting celebrities among his clients who range in age from 2 to 82.

Among them is a formerly paralyzed woman who was able to run for the first time in 19 years with his help.

Another of his clients was a one-armed man.

“His fiancée said she was real pleased at the way I took the time to do drills that have helped him develop his shoulders and pectoral muscles,” Smith said. “It helped him get a new outlook on his body.”

On Jan. 28, Smith will showcase some of the routines he uses to motivate his Jody’s Body Beautiful clients during the 2012 Fitness FaceOff at the Mall at Stonecrest. The competition, one of the highlights of the annual CrossRoadsNews Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo, will feature eight personal trainers, fitness trainers and exercise coaches. The Fitness FaceOff kicks off at 1 p.m. from the Main Stage in front of

Sears on the mall’s lower level.

Smith, 42, says the secret to his success with people is just loving what he does. “I just love helping people and making someone want to work out.”

He does that by making people laugh so they forget about the pain that will lead to their gain.

“I’m always smiling and in a great mood, so I guess my attitude is contagious,” Smith said.

Since November, he’s been working out at Piedmont Park with a music producer who lives in Atlanta and Los Angeles and “13 or 14” of the artists from his music label.

“I got him in shape once before. Then he got back big … and now he’s trying to reinvent himself,” Smith said.

A Lithonia resident, Smith graduated from Morrow High School in Clayton County in 1987. He graduated from Life Chiropractic College in 1996.

He became a fitness trainer after catching the envy from people who saw his physique.

“A lot of people were asking me to show them how to get their abs and body like mine,” he said, “and I knew I didn’t want to punch a clock.”

Smith’s clients are expected to work out with him or one of his associates at least three days a week. He also sends them workout routines or does virtual workouts with them on the Web. To see some of his workouts, visit youtube.com and search “jody smith super trainer.”

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Anita Adams has been a fitness instructor and personal trainer since her days as a student and step aerobics instructor at Grambling State University in Louisiana.

She teaches classes at the South DeKalb Family YMCA; at a couple of locations of Ladies Only Total Fitness; and at Emory, CNN and other locations through the Just Wellness health and fitness management company.

“My objective is to make sure people Anita Adams stay fit for life,” Adams said. “It doesn’t matter what age you are.

You can start where you are. The important thing is to keep it moving.”

Adams lives what she preaches, staying fit while she played high school basketball and served in the U.S. Air Force. After six years in the service, she left in 1992 with the rank of captain. Her last assignment was at Yokoto Air Base in Japan.

Adams’ classes include strength training, Pilates, yoga, “awesome abs,” and body sculpting.

On Jan. 28, she will showcase her techniques in the 2012 Fitness FaceOff during CrossRoadsNews’ annual Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

The competition featuring eight personal trainers, fitness trainers and exercise coaches kicks off at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level.

Adams said she supports her students all the way.

“When I go into a class, I give 100 percent to whatever class it is,” she said. “It doesn’t matter whether there are three in the class or 20 or 25 in a classroom.”

Most of her students are over 20 years old, said Adams, who gives her own age as “a day over fabulous.”

“One lady in class is 78, and she’s awesome,” she said.

Adams plans to bring 10 of her step students to the Fitness FaceOff for a high-energy step class demonstration.

Her students step to everything from the latest Beyonce to good “old school” music.

“We keep it pumped!” she said.

For more information, e-mail Adams at adamsdeva@yahoo.com.

B9

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

Health & Wellness Expo

“Music is the motivation. If they roll with me enough, they’ll know … where the change is going to come.”

Spin instructor bikes on success

Tamisha Cosby will shed her corporate persona for a shot at the 2012 Fitness FaceOff Trophy.

She will bring along one of her success stories.

Star student motivates her teacher

By Donna Williams Lewis

By day, Tamisha Cosby is a button-down business analyst for a credit card processing company.

At night and on Saturdays, she turns into a certified fitness tiger, jumping, stepping and pushing a class into a calorie-burning frenzy.

“It’s a lot of fun, high intensity,” Cosby said of her advanced step aerobics classes, “and you can burn over 1,000 calories.”

But she doesn’t want anyone to feel intimidated. “I try to show them modifications and I always tell them to go at their own pace.

You have to start somewhere and starting somewhere means doing what you can do.”

Cosby, 37, also got the crowd in a frenzy at the 2011 Fitness FaceOff at the Mall at Stonecrest but was ultimately edged out of the trophy by Elgin Key. This year, she and Team Samson are coming back, ready to claim the trophy. She will be one of two teams from Samson’s Health & Fitness Center vying in the 2012 face-off

at the Jan. 28 CrossRoads­News’ Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo. The competition featuring eight personal trainers, fitness trainers and exercise coaches begins at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the lower level.

Joining her onstage will be a woman who started her class about two years ago weighing more than 300 pounds. She has lost more than 120 pounds, Cosby said, and motivates her teacher.

“Just seeing her determination – she can keep up with my movements. She looks fabulous.”

Cosby, who also teaches hip-hop dance, boot camps and kickboxing, says everyone should try to do some type of fitness workout at least three times a week, even if it’s just for 10 or 15 minutes. “It’s healthy for your heart, your mind and your soul. You look better and you feel better.”

For more information, contact Cosby at dancewithtamisha@gmail.com or 404427-8675.

All your protection under one roof

Will Fisher subbed his way from student to spin instructor with a unique “rhythm ride” at Anytime Fitness in Ellenwood.

By Donna Williams Lewis

Being the class clown paid off in a big way for Will Fisher, a five-year spin instructor at Anytime Fitness in Ellenwood.

Fisher was taking a Gold’s Gym spin class in 2008 when the instructor was late one day.

Just kidding around, he got the class started, giving orders to his classmates as though he were the teacher.

The teacher caught him in action, liked what he saw, and talked to the gym’s owner.

The next thing you know, Fisher was subbing for the gym’s teachers in a class that became so popular, some teachers complained that they were losing students to him.

Fisher said the draw is his technique – something he calls a “rhythm ride,” to the beat of old school, hip-hop and other music genres.

“Music is the motivation,” said Fisher, 51.

“If they roll with me enough, they’ll know

what song is playing and where the change is going to come.”

On Jan. 28, Fisher and some of his clients will be rolling in the 2012 Fitness FaceOff at CrossRoadsNews’ annual Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

The competition, featuring eight personal and fitness trainers and exercise coaches, kicks off at 1 p.m. from the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level.

Fisher, whose day job is driving a UPS truck, says clients do more than spin the wheels of a bike to music.

They actually do push-ups and Zumba on their bikes, working the upper body as well as the lower body, he said.

Fisher said he’ll bring about five bikes to the Fitness FaceOff. “I will show [the audience] the commands I give, the type of riding I do, and the uniqueness of my class,” he said.

For more information, contact Fisher at wfisher4@bellsouth.net.

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B10

Health & Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

“You must have a cheat day, where you eat your favorite junk food! Enjoy it and get back to your planned meals.”

Fitness and health a lifelong cause

By Donna Williams Lewis

Elfreda Smith is not your typical grandmother of four.

The 58-year-old is a certified fitness trainer who teaches up to 20 classes per week, from water aerobics and step aerobics to Pilates, cardio fusion and spin classes.

She is one of eight personal trainers, fitness instructors and coaches competing in the 2012 Fitness FaceOff at the Mall at Stonecrest on Jan. 28. This year she is back, hoping to claim the championship trophy that eluded her last year. The faceoff begins at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage near Sears at CrossRoadsNews’ annual Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo at the Lithonia mall.

Smith’s devotion to health and fitness became a lifelong cause after her mother died of breast cancer at age 45 in 1971.

Smith was just 18. She eats no meat, except for fish. She takes no medications, not even aspirin.

And for Christmas this year, she and her children gave each other bikes – the kind you ride outside.

The grandchildren got tricycles.

Retired after 30 years as a manager for flight attendants at a major airline, Smith teaches classes at multiple locations, including the East Lake YMCA. She also works with clients in their homes, offering “Door 2 Door Fitness,” her company’s name.

Trainer Elfreda Smith, 58, said her message goes beyond She said her message goes be- exercise to helping people change how they view food. yond exercise to helping people change how they view food. She “Why did you eat three pieces of cake, doesn’t use the word “diet,” preferring “meal plan.” Smith, who lives in Decatur, supports two cups of ice cream?” she said. “If you were the theory of eating six small meals to keep hungry, plan your meals. If you crave it, eat your metabolism burning throughout the it. Just eat a little bit.”

Another tip: Celebrate small victories, day. She says meal plans should be simple such as: “I didn’t eat a slice of bread on but well-thought-out.

“Include nuts, berries, whole grain and Tuesday.”

She motivates people by reminding them stay away from a lot of sugar, white bread, white pasta and white rice,” Smith said. “You that they are breathing. “As long as you have must have a cheat day, where you eat your breath, then there is time for change, and you favorite junk food! Enjoy it and get back to have to create your own change. It’s not even about your size. It’s about your health.” your planned meals.”

She advises people to keep a journal of For more information, visit www.your what and when they eat to get to the why. mobilefitnesscompany.com.

Dwight Calhoun, a disabled veteran and stroke survivor, says exercise is important in the fight against childhood and adult obesity. “Working out is more of a ministry for me,” he said.

Line dancing adds fun to fitness

By Donna Williams Lewis

These days, it’s almost a given that at every family reunion, wedding or big party, a line dance will break out.

“It’s the hottest thing going!” says Dwight Calhoun, aka the Line Dance King.

Calhoun, a personal trainer and dance and fitness instructor, is helping children and adults shape up with his urban line dance fitness classes.

On Jan. 28, he will compete in the 2012 Fitness FaceOff at CrossRoadsNews’ annual Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

The face-off featuring eight personal trainers, fitness instructors and coaches kicks off at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level.

Calhoun, who is a certified instructor, teaches about four times a day, 30 hours per week, at Emory University; the Southwest Arts Center; and in Columbus, Ga., at senior centers, a community center and in preschool programs.

On Saturdays, from 9 to 11 p.m., he leads line dance as part of the entertainment at Michon’s Smokehouse restaurant in Virginia-Highland.

Calhoun began dancing at age 4, inspired by legendary dancers Michael Jackson and James Brown.

He attended Clark Atlanta University in the late ’80s, serving for a time as the school’s Panther mascot.

Calhoun says that the energy and enthusiasm that got him that job carry through in his classes.

He began line dancing in 2008 to support a cousin in Columbus who wanted to lose weight. Now he is “Mr. Cardio-Tone,” another of his aliases, leading his students through 10 to 12 line dance workouts in 55-minute routines. He does about 40 different line dances.

“I keep it fresh,” said Calhoun, 45. “I change line dances every month or so, so you use different muscles.”

His signature statement: “Few can outdance me, but none can outlast me.”

Exercising is as important to Calhoun, a disabled veteran and stroke survivor, as it is to his students.

“Working out is more of a ministry for me,” he said. “I look at it as a social movement, especially with the childhood obesity and adult obesity in our country.”

For more information, e-mail Calhoun at mrcardiotone@yahoo.com.

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January 21, 2012

Health & Wellness

B11

CrossRoadsNews

“If you are fit, a lot of things like obesity, hypertension and stroke can be avoided or delayed.”

Dancer teaches basic steps on the journey to fitness

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Lawanda Brokenborough’s classes include Zumba, step, kickboxing, aerobics, yoga and salsa. “If you are not fit, you open yourself to a lot of health problems.”

Trainer pushes clients to depart comfort zone, challenge selves

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Lawanda Brokenborough is sure of two things.

Fitness can be fun, and for change to happen, people who exercise have to go outside their comfort zone.

“I emphasize putting intensity in the workout,” she said. “You have to work at your maximum. There has to be fatigue and exhaustion to see results.”

Brokenborough, who has been teaching fitness for 10 1/2 years, took her first class in June 2001 at the Piedmont Hospital Wellness Center. She was a quick study, and by September she was teaching her first class at the center. On Sept. 11, she was getting dressed for her second class when news of the terror attack on the World Trade Center canceled the class.

Since then, she has taught 25 to 32 classes a week at gyms, churches, recreation centers and corporate facilities. She also has done fitness training with sororities and other groups. Over the years, she has trained thousands to stay active.

On Jan. 28, she will showcase some of the exercise routines she uses to motivate clients as one of eight personal trainers, fitness

instructors and coaches competing in the 2012 Fitness FaceOff that begins at 1 p.m. at CrossRoadsNews’ Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Brokenborough said she decided to become an aerobics instructor after being in a job she didn’t like. “I was waiting tables and bartending when a light bulb came on.”

Her company, Aerobics Delivered, is mobile, and she travels across metro Atlanta training everyone from 18 to 50 how to stay active and healthy.

“If you are not fit, you open yourself to a lot of health problems,” she said. “If you are fit, a lot of things like obesity, hypertension and stroke can be avoided or delayed. Exercise can help prevent all of those things.”

Brokenborough teaches Zumba, step, kickboxing, aerobics, yoga, salsa, water aerobics and boot camp.

Her specialty is Zumba, the high-energy workout that mixes Brazilian, Latin and African dancing. “I teach the most intense Zumba class around,” she said.

In her one-hour classes, Brokenborough said serious exercisers can burn up to 1,000 calories. “If you want change, you should always choose classes that are a challenge,” she said.

A n d r e Wa l l a c e knows that fitness is not a fad or a trend, and that is why he teaches people basic moves they can do for life.

“Good health is a lifelong journey,” he said last week. “You have to have a realistic program that you can stick with.”

Wallace is one of eight fitness instructors, personal trainers and coaches competing in the 2012 Fitness FaceOff on Jan. 28 that starts at 1 p.m. during CrossRoadsNews’ annual Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

He is part of Team Samson from Samson’s Health & Fitness Center at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia.

Wallace, a dancer and choreographer, has been teaching fitness classes since 2002. He began at the Covington YMCA teaching fitness at the Y’s Teen Camps and after-school proTeam Samson’s Andre Wallace says you “have to have a realistic grams. He said young program that you can stick with.” people are easy to teach because they don’t focus on how they look when they are exer- in his workouts and teaches people four to cising and are willing to try new things. seven basic steps for the their legs, abs and These days he teaches everyone – men, arms. He teaches them the proper way to women and children – at a number of squat, bend and reach so that they won’t metro gyms, including Samson’s, Ladies injure themselves when exercising or in their Fitness Only and the Covington Y. He does daily lives. corporate fitness training at Delta, CNN “Once they know how to do these lunges, and the Coca-Cola Co. squats and crunches, they can do them to the Wallace does salsa fitness parties and music they love.” daylong jams where large groups dance Wallace’s face-off entry will be hightogether to music played by a DJ. energy: “It’s Caribbean cardio. There will be He says he uses Latin-Caribbean music a lot of jumps and squats.”

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B12

Health & Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

The panel will judge the competition that begins at 1 p.m. and features eight personal trainers, fitness instructors and coaches.

Fitness FaceOff judges have lots of passion for exercise

By Donna Williams Lewis

The thumbs up or down on the 2012 Fitness FaceOff belongs to certified personal trainers Elgin Key and Kevin Peoples and DeKalb State Court Judge Eleanor Ross.

The three celebrities will be judging the fitness competition that takes place through the CrossRoadsNews annual Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo on Jan. 28 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

This year’s competition that begins at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level will feature eight personal trainers, fitness instructors and coaches who will show off the fun routines they use to get their clients excited about exercising.

Key, who teaches exercise classes at seven fitness facilities in Atlanta, walked away with the inaugural FaceOff Champion Trophy last year.

He is certified in personal training, yoga and other exercise programs and knows how to get clients pumped up about fitness with energetic routines.

Elgin Key

Kevin Peoples

Key is a Southwest DeKalb High and Morehouse College graduate, and in 1996 he helped the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony in Atlanta.

Peoples is a former professional football player who started with the Washington Redskins in 1999 and ended his career with the BC Lions in Vancouver, British Columbia,

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He has earned three nationally accredited certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine — CPT for certified personal trainer, PES for performance enhancement specialist, and CES for corrective exercise specialist.

Peoples has trained professional and

collegiate athletes in speed, strength, conditioning and functional training.

He trains professional and general clientele in homes and facilities throughout Atlanta, including Samson’s Health and Fitness Center in Lithonia.

Since her appointment to the DeKalb State Court bench in May, veteran prosecutor Eleanor Ross has been passing judgment on weighty criminal issues, but she is as much an advocate for fitness as she is for the law.

In 2005, while taking a temporary leave from the legal profession to be a stayat-home mother, she became a certified aerobics instructor and started a fitness ministry at New Life Baptist Church, where she is a member.

During that time, she taught an aerobics class, an after-school fitness class and a senior aerobics class.

From 2007 to 2010, she served in the liturgical dance ministry at New Life, including as a dance teacher/coach to youth. She also coached two seasons of soccer at the South DeKalb YMCA.

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B13

CrossRoadsNews

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B14

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

Best of East Metro Atlanta

Nominate your choices for the best that East Metro has to offer 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 recognize people and organizations who provide you with best services around. Winners of the Best of East Metro Reader’s Choice Awards will be honored at our Best of East Metro / Small Business Expo on April 24 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Nominate yourself or your favorites now, and get your customers, friends, family and supporters to vote for you when voting begins in February.

Please complete and return your nominations by Jan. 31, 2012. You can also place nominations at www.eastmetromarket.com.

Nominees must be located within the CrossRoadsNews coverage area that includes ZIP codes in East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Clarkston, Conyers, Decatur, Ellenwood, Lithonia, Scottdale, Snellville, Stone Mountain and Tucker.

Best Homeowners Association____________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Late Night Eats_ ___________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Community of Faith Best Large Church______________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Pizza_ ___________________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Small Church______________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________ Best Church Choir______________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________ Best Outreach Ministry__________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

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!

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E n. 2 C Public Affairs N Ja A Best Local Activist______________________________ H e C s Street Address*: _______________________________ T clo S ZIP*: ________________________________________ A ns L Best Local Character____________________________i o t Street Address*: _______________________________ a n i ZIP*: ________________________________________ m o Best Local Entrepreneur_ ________________________ N Street Address*: _______________________________ * Street Address and ZIP code required for all nominees.

NOTE: CrossRoadsNews does not create the Best of East Metro ballot. Readers’ submissions determine who is on the ballot.

Best Dance Ministry_ ___________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Ethnic Grocery____________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

E T A N I M R O U N YO ITES R E O m V o N c .

I A s F NsLroadsnew O s o r c . ww Best Christian School_ __________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Dining Best American Restaurant_ ______________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best County Commissioner_______________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best City Council Member_ ______________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best School Board Member______________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Mayor___________________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Citizen of the Year______________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best East Metro Landmark_______________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Asian Restaurant___________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best BBQ Restaurant_ __________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Caribbean Restaurant_______________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Family Dining Restaurant____________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Most Beloved Public Official_ ____________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________ Best State Legislator____________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________ Best Civic Organization__________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Fish Fry__________________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________ Best Ribs_____________________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________ Best Sushi_ ___________________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________ Best Sunday Brunch____________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________ Best Restaurant Service_ ________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Italian Restaurant__________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Buy & Sell Best Auto Dealer (New)_________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Mexican Restaurant_ _______________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Auto Dealer (Used)_________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Restaurant for First Date_____________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Auto Detailing_____________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Most Romantic Restaurant_______________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Soul Food Restaurant_______________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

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Most Beloved Elected Official_____________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Supermarket______________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Restaurant When Someone Else Buys: _________________________ _______________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Tire Store_________________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________ Best Car Wash_________________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________ Best Gas Station_ ______________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Seafood Restaurant: _ _______ _______________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Consignment Shop_________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Bakery___________________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Thrift Store_ ______________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Buffet____________________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Eyewear Store_____________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Breakfast_________________________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

Best Home Furniture Store_______________________ Street Address*: _______________________________ ZIP*: ________________________________________

January 21, 2012

Health & Wellness

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CrossRoadsNews

Bowers says line dancing is a fun way for the group to care for their aging bodies, and members also have lost weight in the process.

High-stepping Beulah Boys to bring the house down

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

In demand is the phrase that best describes the Beulah Boys these days.

Since the high-stepping, booty-shaking line dancers performed at Cross­Roads­News’ Family and Back-to-School Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest in August, they have been entertaining audiences all over Atlanta. Nick Bowers, the group’s spokesman, said it’s been hectic.

“We have been really busy,” he said, ticking off a list of performances they’ve had.

Over the recent holiday season, they performed at the SCLC Christmas Eve party and the Georgia World Congress Center and went back there for Kiss 104.1’s Youngblood’s New Year’s Eve Bash.

In between, they returned home to Beulah Baptist Family Life Center for a number of appearances and showed out at the Lou Walker Center.

On Jan. 28, they will be back at the Mall at Stonecrest for CrossRoadsNews’ annual Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo.

The Beulah Boys take the Main Stage at 4 p.m. on the mall’s lower level in front of Sears. They will showcase some of the line dances that are keeping them fit and making them famous.

Bowers said the group enjoys performing in the expos.

“That’s a big event for us,” he said. “We love coming there.”

The eight members range in age from 58 to 70. But these are no ready-for-therocking-chair geezers. When they take to the stage, they bring smiles to people in the audience, and women half their ages have been known to throw dollar bills at them.

Bowers and his buddies – Luther Walker, Leon Nolton, Willie Banks, Hubert Jackson,

The line-dancing Beulah Boys have become an inspiration to the young and old.

They will perform at 4 p.m. at the Jan. 28 expo at Stonecrest.

Jerry Heard, Sam Swain and William Rogers – began line dancing in 2010 as a form of exercise.

The men boast two knee replacements and a hip replacement among them, but to watch them hop, skip, shuffle, wobble and shake their booty, you couldn’t guess who has artificial joints.

They had so much fun at it and looked so good together, senior centers started inviting them to perform.

One thing led to another, and invitations began pouring in from across metro Atlanta and from cities as far away as Philadelphia.

Bowers, who at 58 is the group’s youngest member, says line dancing is a fun way for the

group to work out and care for their aging bodies, and members also have lost weight in the process.

They also have become an inspiration to elderly men and women and to people who are a fraction of their ages.

For more information, call Nick Bowers at 404-310-0067.

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CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

“Dentistry with a dental touch”

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January 21, 2012

Health & Wellness

B17

CrossRoadsNews

Jenae German says her mission is to instill self-esteem, discipline and creativity through dance, art and drama.

Jenae’s young dancers to strut their stuff at expo Jenae’s Dance Experience students will perform a routine titled “Around the World” at 3:45 p.m. at the Jan. 28 expo.

The students of Conyers-based Jenae’s Dance Experience – J’DE – will strut their stuff on the stage of the 2012 Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

The repertoire of the 8- to 13-year-old dancers includes ballet, tap, African, jazz, hip-hop and drama.

Jenae German, the school’s director, says her mission is to instill self-esteem, self-respect, self-confidence, discipline and creativity into her students through dance, visual arts and drama.

The year-round J’DE program is located at the Barksdale Boys and Girls Club, 1015 O’Kelly St. in Conyers.

Offerings include a “Winter Wonders” show and raffle, end-of-the-school-year concert and awards ceremony, and a Summer Arts Program.

Classes run 45 to 60 minutes and include 20 minutes for drama rehearsals.

At the expo, which takes place noon to 5 p.m., German says her students will dance a routine titled “Around the World.”

They will be on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level at 3:45 p.m.

The Mall at Stonecrest is at I-20 and Turner Hill Road in Lithonia. For more information, visit www.jenaesdance experience.com.

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Health & Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

“Most importantly, we love demonstrating to our seniors a fun and easy way to stay active and fit.”

Savvy, well-seasoned Sassy Divas put soul in line dancing

By Donna Williams Lewis

Six women in their 60s are showing folks around metro Atlanta that there is no age limit on sexy.

The “Sassy Divas,” a soul line dance group of retirees based at the Beulah Family Life Center in Decatur, have been strutting their stuff for two years.

“We love being able to bring a smile to many faces through our performances,” said Louise Gordon, the group’s spokeswoman and member. “Most importantly, we love demonstrating to our seniors a fun and easy way to stay active and fit.”

The Sassy Divas will demonstrate their prowess at CrossRoadsNews’ Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest on Jan. 28. They will take the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level at 2:20 p.m.

Since their launch, the Divas have performed at North DeKalb Mall, Fulton County government, senior centers, churches and at last year’s DeKalb County 2011 Senior Olympics.

All of the action is taking a welcome toll on their bodies.

Gordon said she has lost pounds and inches in the past year.

“It has been a vital factor in my weight loss/fitness program, where I lost 15 pounds and over 10 inches and improved health [blood pressure and cholesterol levels],” Gordon said. “We all share a passion for dancing as a social activity for meeting other line dancers and new friends.”

The Sassy Divas also must know what they’re doing.

They won first place in a talent competition at North DeKalb Mall and placed second in the Line Dance competition at the Senior

Gerri Ricks (from left), Irma Pugh, Louise Gordon, Brenda Grier, Carolyn Cobb and Dorothy Marshall perform as the linedancing Sassy Divas of the Beulah Family Life Center.

Olympics.

They lost only to their brother organization, the high-stepping, line-dancing Beulah Boys. Both groups grew out of a line dancing class taught at the Beulah Missionary Baptist Church Family Life Center in Decatur.

Dance instructor Jan Martin was their impetus, encouraging them to take their shows on the road. She says the Sassy Divas are some “super seniors.”

The women take one-hour line dancing classes three days a week and have Sassy Divas practice three times a week.

“They go all across the board, from slow

line dances to moderate and very fast line dances,” Martin said. “They have a regular practice schedule. Everybody is expected to be there and ready to dance … to make sure their performances are flawless.”

Most of them work out in other ways.

They swim, jog and play water volleyball.

Wearing blouses bearing their logo, the Sassy Divas dance primarily to R&B, with Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” one of their mainstays.

“We are looking at using some gospel music because occasionally we get invited to perform at churches,” Martin said.

Upcoming events include a Valentine’s Day affair for couples at Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church.

Line dancing, Martin said, “is healthy for your heart, your mind and your soul. You look better and you feel better.”

You also don’t need a dance partner. And, “it’s so much fun,” she added.

People who tell her they can’t line dance because they have two left feet get this answer: “You’ve got two left feet? Bring them both and have a good time!”

For more information, call Louise Gordon at 770-323-9589 or 404-561-4467.

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January 21, 2012

CrossRoadsNews

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

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CrossRoadsNews

January 21, 2012

In an EMERGENCY when minutes matter, we’re in the neighborhood.

The Emergency Department at Hughes Spalding.

In a medical emergency there’s no substitute for experience. The Children’s at Hughes Spalding Emergency Department is staffed by board certified emergency medicine pediatricians who can handle everything from fevers to broken bones. So don’t worry. We’re right here when you need us.

To learn more, visit www.choa.org/hughesspalding 35 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE

©2012 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding is owned by Grady Health System® and managed by HSOC Inc., an affiliate of Children’s. Some physicians and affiliated healthcare professionals who perform services at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are independent providers and are not our employees.