CrossRoadsNews, July 18, 2015 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

Kudos ...

Come on now ...

Send us your nominees

... to residents, friends and com munity leaders who braved a brisk chill on Jan. 19, 2015, to pick up litter in downtown Lithonia.

A Facebook fan submitted this photo of a house at 2689 Rainbow For est Drive, which he says was reported to DeKalb Code Enforcement three years ago.

Welcome to “Kudos & Come On Now,” the CrossRoads News initiative that highlights the people, businesses or groups who are going the extra mile to make our communities look better, as well as those who aren’t doing nearly enough. When you see examples at either extreme, tweet a photo and the location to us @CRNews_DeKalb or post it to facebook.com/crossroadsnews with #KudosDeKalb or #ComeOnDeKalb. For more examples of Kudos & Come On Now, visit crossroadsnews.com/kudos.

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

July 18, 2015

Volume 21, Number 12

www.crossroadsnews.com

New York City settles Eric Garner case for $5.9 million Eric Garner’s deadly encounter on July 17, 2014, with New York City police was captured on video. His last words, “I can’t breathe,” which he said 11 times, became a national rallying cry.

Garner, who was unarmed, was standing on a sidewalk selling untaxed cigarettes when police accosted him. The New York City medical examiner attributed his death to a combination of the choke hold, compression of his chest, and poor health. Garner’s death was followed by the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, 18, by Eric Garner a Ferguson, Mo., police officer in August 2014. The two deaths set off national pro2014. The father of six children, including a tests and debate about policing actions 3-month-old, could be heard saying “I can’t in minority communities and racial disbreathe” 11 times while police held him in a crimination in the criminal justice system. choke hold, which is prohibited by the New York Police Department. Please see SETTLEMENT, page A6 New York City settled the high-profile Eric Garner case for $5.9 million on July 13. Three members of the city’s police force were caught on video pulling 43-year-old Garner face down on a Staten Island pavement on July 17,

Johnson is DeKalb’s District 5 commissioner Attorney will fill seat once held by her husband By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Attorney Mereda Davis Johnson will be sworn in as the new DeKalb District 5 Commissioner on July 20. Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams will administer the oath of office to her at 9 a.m. in his courtroom in Decatur. Johnson won the seat in the July 14 runoff election with 53.12 percent of the vote to George Turner’s 46.88 percent. Only 3,776 voters, or 4.56 percent of the district’s 82,732 registered voters, went to the polls. Johnson got 2,003 votes, and Turner, 1,768. Johnson will finish the term of former Commissioner Lee May. She said she is looking forward to serving the residents of the District 5 who have been without representation for two years. “I am going to be here to listen to the citizens of the Fifth District,” she told supporters during her victory speech on election night. “I am going to be here to be their voice. I am going to be their independent voice.” Johnson said she would like to see the district and the county become the best they can be. “I truly believe we will with the input of all the citizens,” she said. “I will work with all of my colleagues on the commission to push DeKalb forward.” Johnson said she is humbled and honored that the people of District 5 gave her their “vote of confidence.” “I will make you proud,” she promised. Johnson and Turner were the top votegetters of 10 candidates in the June 16 special election to fill the seat. May, who is now the county’s interim CEO, stepped down from the seat in May to make way for the election. There are 18 months left on his current

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson congratulates his wife, attorney Mereda Davis Johnson, on July 14 after she won the DeKalb Commission District 5 runoff. Eric Hubbard, a 4th Congressional District aide, is at right.

term, and Johnson will be up for re-election in 2016. Turner called Johnson shortly after 9 p.m. on Tuesday to concede the race. He told CrossRoadsNews that he didn’t run for election just for himself. “I ran for DeKalb and I will support DeKalb regardless of the outcome,” he said.

“As long as she is working for the betterment of DeKalb, she’s got my support.” When Johnson takes the oath of office, she will follow in the footsteps of her husband, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, who represented District 5 for five years before winning election to the 4th Congressional District in 2006.

Johnson will be the second Commissioner Johnson on the current Board of Commissioners. She joins District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson, no relation; Sharon Barnes Sutton, District 4; Kathie Gannon, District 6; Nancy Jester, District 1; Jeff Rader, District 2; and Stan Watson, District 7. Ken Watts contributed to this report.

CrossRoadsNews

Exhibitors include: Atlanta Gastroenterology DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau DeKalb County Board of Health DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office Georgia Stars Academy of Dance Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Green Pastures Christian Academy Greenforest-McCalep Christian Academic Center Jenae’s Dance Experience, LLC Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Oakhurst Medical Paxen, LLC Ramsey Realty Services Shekinah Glory Tabernacle Academy Woodruff Medical Training & Testing

July 18, 2015

CrossRoadsNews

July 18, 2015

Community

“We’re all still shaken up by the loss of Andy. He was the perfect choice for the project.”

Sculptor’s tragic death a setback for King memorial By Ken Watts

The sudden death of Henry County sculptor Andy Davis has set back plans for an 8-foot bronze statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the grounds of the Georgia Capitol. Davis, 53, died of head injuries suffered when his motorcycle was rammed from behind by a pickup truck on July 11 near McDonough. His death came 12 days after Gov. Nathan Deal on June 29 announced him as the state’s pick to create the long-anticipated memorial to the late civil rights leader and Georgia native son. Davis’ works include Corey Sease a fallen police officers memorial in Jonesboro; a sculpture of music legend Ray Charles that stands in the singer’s birthplace of Albany; a statue of Chick-filA founder S. Truett Cathy; a sculpture of American patriot Patrick Henry for whom Henry County is named; and the monument to Gen. Lewis Lawrence Griffin, founder of the Spalding County city. The King statue will stand on the northeast quadrant of the Capitol grounds, a short distance from Auburn Avenue, where King was born on Jan. 15, 1929. In a July 13 statement, Deal said he is “deeply saddened” by Davis’ death. “This tragedy is not only a loss for his family, but for the Henry County community and our state,” he said. “He leaves behind a legacy of excellent work, and I regret that will not include a statue on our Capitol grounds that many generations of Georgians would have admired. Sandra and I offer our prayers,

Andy Davis was picked June 29 to create a statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for a Georgia State Capitol memorial. He was killed in a traffic accident on July 11.

support and encouragement to his family during this difficult time.” The Georgia State Patrol said a pickup truck driven by Corey Sease of Henry County rammed Davis’ motorcycle at a traffic light on Jodeco Road near the I-75 ramp near McDonough.

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Celebrating a Decade of Education & Empowerment

The 2015 E

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October 17, 2015 • Noon - 5 p.m. at the Mall at Stonecrest

Sease, 20, was charged with DUI, following too closely, and possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana, according to troopers. The Davis family will celebrate his life on July 18 at 2 p.m. at the Hood Street Art Center, 136 Hood St. in McDonough. Gerri Davis, who was married to Davis

for 31 years, said in a Facebook post that the artist donated his organs. “Andy was determined to help others, in fact, he went out of his way to help anyone from a little bird on the street with a broken wing, to a single mom who was homeless and hungry, giving them food for her and her baby,” she wrote. “He has always cared for the well-being of those less fortunate. Now, Andy gets to do that still because his request to donate his organs to give the gift of life to others has been granted. His final sculpture is one we would never have imagined – that will be living, breathing, and seeing in someone’s body.” The state was unsure this week on how it will move the King memorial project forward. State Rep. Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus), who is serving as liaison among the Georgia Capital Arts Standards Commission, the Georgia Building Authority, the Martin Luther King Jr. Advisory Council and the King estate, said that they have to go back to the drawing board. He told the AJC on July 13 that he had spent four hours with Davis last week at the King Center. “We were cutting him a check this week for materials,” he said Monday. “Now I’m praying for Andy’s family.” Rep. Joe Wilkinson (R-Atlanta), who co-sponsored HB 1080 that authorized the placement of the King statue on Capitol grounds, told CrossRoadsNews on July 13 that planners will meet in the “next few days” to discuss how to proceed with the King memorial. “We’re all still shaken up by the loss of Andy,” he said. “He was the perfect choice for the project. There is still a desire to select a Georgia sculptor to continue this work.”

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CrossRoadsNews

Community

July 18, 2015

The CID is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 5 at the site. It starts at 10 a.m.

Wesley Chapel Road north median getting spruced up 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Graphic Design Curtis Parker Assistant Editor Brenda Yarbrough Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Circulation Manager Jami Ffrench-Parker

CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers.

The Wesley Chapel median between I-20 and Snapfinger Woods Drive is getting a major overhaul. Crews hired by the East Metro Community Improvement District began extensive landscaping of the median on July 14. The work includes adding 260 muhly grass, carissa holly, gold mop, mischanthus, loropetalum and knockout roses to the 32 crape myrtles and holly and maple trees already there. Some of the plants were donated by the Home Depot. The EMCID is paying $15,000 to install and mulch the plants and to water them for the first three to four months. RaceTrac was to landscape the north median and install gateway landscaping on the Wesley Chapel/I-20 entry and exit ramps as part of rezoning conditions for it to build a controversial ninepump gas station and convenience store project at the corner of Wesley Chapel Road and Snapfinger Woods Drive. But in August 2014, the company announced that plans for the

Extensive landscaping, paid for by the EMCID, is under way on the Wesley Chapel north median. The project’s ribboncutting ceremony is set for Aug. 5 at 10 a.m.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

$2.5 million project had been put on hold indefinitely. Because RaceTrac is a member of the EMCID and many of the CID’s members are along the Wesley Chapel corridor, the EMCID board voted in April to pay for the median landscaping as one of its first projects.

While only the north median is being landscaped at this time, CID administrator Nicole Hall says that the CID plans to address the median south of I-20 as a future project. The current median beautification project is being done in partnership with the South DeKalb

Improvement Association, the Wesley Chapel Curb Appeal Task Force, the Home Depot, Keep DeKalb Beautiful and Russell Landscape. It is scheduled to be completed in about two weeks. The CID is hosting a ribboncutting ceremony on Aug. 5. at the site. It starts at 10 a.m.

Problems highlighted by CrossRoadsNews get attention

The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisments, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

After three weeks of hauling away trash and overgrown shrubs, this “buried” house at 4129 Rainbow Drive, highlighted in the June 20, 2015, CrossRoadsNews front-page story on vacant and abandoned properties in South DeKalb county, was finally “uncovered” on July 14.

CrossRoadsNews’ Kudos and Come On Now quality-of-life campaign has been yielding results. After two front-page stories focusing on how vacant and abandoned houses are eyesores that threaten the safety and beauty of neighborhoods, DeKalb County Code Enforcement found the owner of property at 4129 Rainbow Drive in Decatur and got him to clean up the property that was covered in overgrown trees and shrubs and strewn with trash. Neighbors have been complaining for about two years about the condition of the property, which had a long list of violations. On Candler Road, 65 crape myrtles and yupon hollies were installed as part of the water main replacement project, but the contractor planted them in the midst of grass, weeds and trash. After a June 13 front-page story, the county cleaned and mulched the area around the plants last week.

Before and after photos show crape myrtles planted amid grass, weeds and trash in June and last week after the county cleaned and mulched the plants.

Photos by Jennifer & Jami Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

index to advertisers Circulation Audited By

Americolor Opera........................................A11 Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton...........A6 2015 Family & Back-to-School Expo.............A2 DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court....................A9 First African Presbyterian Church..................A6 Jason & Bradley, LLC Attorney at Law...........A3 Johnson Hopewell Coleman LLC................A11 Law Office of Trichelle Griggs Simmons......A11 Little Tots Academy......................................A11

Malcolm Cunningham Hyundai.................. A12 Michael L. Hickman.....................................A11 Optiworld Medical and Vision Center..........A11 Ousley United Methodist Church (2)...........A11 Patricia E. White Book-A-Trip Travel............A11 Preferred Home Repair...............................A11 The Davis Bozeman Law Firm, P.C...............A11 The Samuel Group.......................................A11 Wells Fargo...................................................A5

Atlanta Gastroenterology.............................. B3 Chick-fil-A /Turner Hill Road.........................B4 Jenae’s Dance Experience.............................B5 Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage............B4 Ramsey Realty Services.................................B4 DeKalb County Board of Health....................B5 Georgia Stars Academy of Dance.................B4 Paxen, LLC....................................................B5

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office......................B6 Green Pastures Christian Ministries...............B6 Shekinah Glory Tabernacle Academy...........B6 Woodruff Medical Testing & Training...........B6 DeKalb Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.......... B7 Oakhurst Medical Centers, Inc...................... B7 DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office......B8 Walgreens...............................................Inserts

July 18, 2015

Community

CrossRoadsNews

Ellis, who was suspended with pay in July 2013, lost his pay check on conviction.

Ellis transferred to Coastal State Prison in Savannah to serve sentence Suspended DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis is now an inmate at Coastal State Prison in Garden City near Savannah. The Georgia Department of Corrections transferred him from the DeKalb County Jail to the state prison system on July 8, a few hours after his sentence to 18 months in prison. A jury convicted Ellis on July 1 of attempted extortion of a county vendor for a donation to help pay off his 2012 campaign debts and of lying to a special purpose grand jury investigating corruption in DeKalb about his role in county

contracting. DeKalb Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson sentenced Ellis to five years to serve 18 months for attempted extortion and perjury and pay a fine of $1,000. After prison, Ellis will serve three-and-a-half years on probation. Ellis, who was suspended with pay in July 2013, lost his paycheck on conviction. His lawyer, Craig Gillen, has said that Ellis will appeal the conviction.

Suspended DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis was transferred on July 8 to Coastal State Prison in Garden City near Savannah. Georgia Department of Corrections

Community

CrossRoadsNews

July 18, 2015

“Somebody threw things at me while I was talking to a reporter. … You can throw that middle finger at my flag. I don’t care. That’s your privilege.”

Confederate flag marcher passes through South DeKalb By Ken Watts

Morning commuters traveling along Panola Road near I-20 in Lithonia on July 10 blinked in disbelief at the sight of a lone white man on foot carrying a backpack and a huge Confederate battle flag – in predominantly black South DeKalb. The sight of the Confederate emblem provokes strong emotions as many AfricanAmericans consider it a symbol of anti-black hatred and oppression from slavery to modern times. To some white Southerners, it’s a cherished symbol of their heritage. However on this sunny Friday morning, the reaction was mostly curious stares and even car honks from passing motorists. Johnny Cooper, 60, of Huntsville, Ala., said he departed on July Fourth on a trek from the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery hoping to reach Washington, D.C. He is on a personal march protesting recent moves by elected officials in several states to remove the Confederate symbol from public buildings. “I’ll go as far as I can go peaceably,” he said. “I’d like to walk all the way to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial [in Washington].” Cooper, who has worked as an electronics technician and building maintenance man, said it had been a smooth trip so far, except for an incident in Fairburn. “Somebody threw things at me while I was talking to a reporter,” said Cooper, who was not injured. “I don’t have a problem with a mixture of opinions. You can throw that middle finger at my flag. I don’t care. That’s your privilege.” Efforts to remove the Confederate emblem from public buildings gained traction in the wake of the killing of nine black people at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C.,

Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews

Johnny Cooper, 60, of Huntsville, Ala., walked along Panola Road on July 10 with a Confederate battle on his march to the nation’s capital.

on June 17. Police say white supremacist Dylann Roof has confessed to the shooting. S.C. Sen. Clementa Carlos Pinckney, 41; Susie Jackson, 87; Ethel Lance, 70; the Rev.

Daniel Simmons, 74; the Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45; Tywanza Sanders, 26; the Rev. Depayne Middleton Doctor, 49; Myra Thompson, 59; and Cynthia Hurd, 54, were shot and killed during their Wednesday Bible study at the church. Roof, 21, of Columbia, S.C., is shown in a Facebook photo posing with a handgun and the Confederate battle emblem. The flag was removed from the South Carolina State Capitol on July 10 to the cheers of hundreds after S.C. lawmakers voted on July 9 to take it down. Cooper said he is angry at Roof and strongly disapproves of the horrific crime he is accused of committing. “There’s a lot of things that have been going on in the last month with that terrible shooting in Charleston. I’m even protest-

ing that. I kinda wish they had shot that guy straight up. I would have. It’s also a sad thing that he took a picture posing with the Confederate flag because that’s not what it’s all about. There’s been a lot of people who’ve carried this flag for the wrong reason.” As Cooper spoke, a passing pedestrian glanced at the flag, then at Cooper. Robert Wisebeck of Lithonia struck up a friendly conversation but was clearly troubled by the Confederate symbol. “That symbol means different things to different people,” Wisebeck said, gesturing at the flag. “Are you a Christian?” “Yes,” said Wisebeck. “Then you’re my brother,” Cooper said. “OK,” said Wisebeck. “But that [flag] doesn’t represent Christianity.”

Probes pending in Garner’s death SETTLEMENT,

from page

Garner’s “I can’t breathe” final words became a national rallying cry. A Staten Island grand jury’s decision not to indict Daniel Pantaleo, the officer who used the choke hold, fueled weeks of protests. Garner’s relatives, including his widow, Esaw Garner, and his mother, Gwen Carr, filed a notice of claim against the city last year seeking $75 million in damages. New York Comptroller Scott M. Stringer

called Garner’s death “a touchstone in our city’s history and in the history of the entire nation.” He said financial compensation is not everything and it can’t bring Garner back. “But it is our way of creating balance and giving a family a certain closure,” he said. Inquiries into Garner’s death are still pending, including investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Civilian Complaint Review Board. State health officials are looking into the actions of emergency medical responders who treated Garner.

“Come on and be a part of the vision” First Afrikan Church is an Afrocentric Christian Ministry that empowers women, men, youth and children to move from membership to leadership in the church, community and the world. Praise & Devotion Worship Service Sundays at 10 a.m. Join us for Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

5197 Salem Road Lithonia, GA 30038

770-981-2601 “We are building far beyond our years.”

Rev. Dr. Mark A. Lomax

July 18, 2015

Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

“Anyone who has lost power after a storm knows how tough it is to make a good meal, but if you’re not prepared, it’s impossible.”

DeKalb Medical Hillandale marks 10 years of service GEMA recipe DeKalb Medical Hillandale celebrates 10 cell anemia program, comprehensive breast relocated back to South DeKalb in this contest open to years of service to South DeKalb on July 18. center and support groups. It recently added practice. DeKalb Medical Hillandale also is The Lithonia hospital was built in 2005 radiation oncology and has recruited a new amateur chefs focused on helping the community with after a 38-year effort by the DeKalb Regional gastroenterologist and vascular surgeon. Health System and the community to secure state approval for a hospital in the area. Prior to receiving approval, the health system opened an urgent care center, an outpatient diagnostic center, an outpatient surgery center and two medical office buildings on the Lithonia site in an effort to bring needed physicians to South DeKalb. As part of its anniversary celebration, the hospital will thank the community with a health education and screening event on Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stakeholders can take “behind-the-scenes” tours, participate in free screenings, attend mini-doctor talks, and meet the doctors. The medical staff has grown to more than 350 physicians, and annual admissions have risen from 3,300 in its first year to over 5,000. The Emergency Department, which initially expected to see 25,000 patients annually, exceeded the projection the year the hospital opened and now sees 61,000 – a number that rivals the ED volume at the North Decatur campus that is twice the size. Hillandale offers services specifically designed to meet the growing needs of its community such as diabetes education, a sickle

Kim Bentley, vice president/administrator, said the focus is on the patient. “We take pride in putting ourselves in the shoes of our patients,” Bentley said in a July 10 statement. “We want to make sure Kim Bentley our patients feel comfortable … as if they are interacting with a family member or friend who has their best interest at heart.” One of DeKalb Medical’s key objectives is continuing to increase access to primary care providers in South DeKalb. The high volume in the Emergency Department is due in part to difficulty residents find in accessing primary care. DeKalb Medical has recruited primary care physicians to the community both in private practice and the health system’s own physician group. The most recent addition to the DeKalb Medical Physicians Group is the opening of its Miller Grove location, which supplements the Stonecrest and Flat Shoals locations with several providers. Dr. Eddie Whitehead

prevention and education. It hosts free programs on its campus and at health fairs, schools, churches and senior centers. Whitehead said education is extremely important when it comes to personal health. “And with the constant changes in health care, we want to be proactive in bridging relationships with primary care providers and the community,” he said. “As a primary care physician, I see consistent generational trends with my patients that with the right treatments and education could possibly be eliminated, and I am proud that DeKalb Medical has recognized these growing concerns and has identified ways to meet the needs of this community.” Health system CEO John Shelton said the September community event is a small way to give back and continue efforts to keep the community informed. John Shelton For more information, visit www.dekalbmedical.org.

Adjust workouts, outdoor activity in summer heat Fitness buffs, walkers, runners and other athletes who participate in outdoor exercise activity can stay fit while protecting their health during hot summer weather. Fitness expert Susanne Koch, worksite wellness coordinator for the Georgia Department of Public Health, and Frederick Dobard, director of Community Outreach for DPH’s Maternal and Child Health Section, share insights and tips on Susanne Koch how to attain your fitness goals safely in high temperatures and high humidity. Koch said consuming an adequate amount of water is an important component to protecting your health when outdoors or

exercising in the summer. “Proper hydration is important to maintaining electrolyte balance in the body,” Koch said. “Electrolyte balance is critical to proper muscle function, including the heart. Also, blood becomes more viscous – or thicker – when dehydrated and can cause the heart to work harder. This subsequently elevates the blood pressure.” Start drinking half your body weight in ounces 24 hours prior to the exercise session, Koch said. Dobard recently participated in a 5K run in Georgia and used this advice to prepare for and complete the event. “I filled my water bottle with filtered tap water, adding lemon juice for flavor, and throughout the race took sips along the route,” Dobard said. “Also, I poured a little water on my towel and placed the cool towel

on my neck to help maintain my body temperature.” Koch advises: “Avoid exercising outside during the middle of the day, but rather in the morning or afternoon.” She also recommends making temporary adjustments to your workouts. Know the warning signs of when you or someone around you needs to slow down, especially during walking or running events. Most often, signs of heat illness may include headache, nausea, loss of concentration or muscle control, and excessive sweating. Stop the workout or physical activity and take time to cool off if you experience any symptoms, and get medical help if warranted. For more tips, visit http://www.cdc. gov/extremeheat/index.html.

DeKalb amateur chefs can compete against celebrity chefs in the second annual No Power? No Problem! Recipe Contest. Through July 31, Georgia residents 18 and over can submit recipes via the Ready Georgia Facebook page. Recipes must use only nonperishable ingredients, such as those you can store in a Ready kit, as well as manual tools and alternative heating sources. The contest, which is designed to raise awareness about the importance of preparing a three-day supply of food in case of an emergency, will pit amateurs against wellknown professional chefs, including “Top Chef ” judge Hugh Acheson; “Top Chef ” finalist Kevin Gillespie; and the winner of last year’s contest, Jason Starnes, executive chef of the Sun Dial in Atlanta. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security’s Ready Georgia campaign is presenting the challenge. Director Jim Butterworth said it’s tough to find good food when a natural disaster strikes and you’re stuck at home without power. “Anyone who has lost power after a storm knows how tough it is to make Jim Butterworth a good meal, but if you’re not prepared, it’s impossible,” he said. “The No Power? No Problem! Recipe Contest is a fun way to encourage everyone to get creative with emergency recipes and stock their Ready kits at the same time. “Last year’s contest was limited to professionals, but we heard from a lot of residents who wanted to compete, so this year we’re inviting everyone to come up with their best recipes and take on some world-renowned chefs.” Amateur chefs’ recipes will be judged by a panel of experts and the winner will compete against six well-known Georgia chefs during September, National Preparedness Month. The winning amateur chef will be announced in August and will win a Ready kit valued at over $100. The recipe will be featured on www.ready.ga.gov.

CrossRoadsNews

Finance

The two-day back-to-school holiday will save Georgians up to $143 million.

Sales tax holiday for BTS is July 31-Aug. 1 Individuals and families shopping for back-to-school supplies and clothes get a break from sales taxes on July 31-Aug. 1. During the sales tax holiday, the following items will be exempt: n Clothing (including footwear) with a sales price of up to $100 per item. The exemption excludes accessories such as jewelry, handbags, umbrellas, eyewear, and watches and watchbands. n School supplies with a sales price of up to $20 per item. n Computers up to $1,000. The exempt items include electronic book readers and laptops, desktops, tablets and data storage devices like DVDs, CDs, flash drives, diskettes and memory cards. Consumers can shop extended hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days at the Mall at Stonecrest. An ENERGY STAR and WaterSense appliance tax-free holiday is set for Oct. 2-4. In April 2014, Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 958 to extend the statewide backto-school and appliance tax-free holidays for an additional two years. The bill continues the Georgia Jobs and Family Tax Reform Plan originally signed into law in 2012. Deal said the tax holidays will allow families to save money on necessary items for school and on appliances that will help

July 18, 2015

Back-to-school shoppers get a break from sales taxes on clothing, school supplies and computers on July 31-Aug. 1. The Mall at Stonecrest will have extended hours.

conserve energy resources. Over the two-year time period, the twoday back-to-school holiday will save Georgians up to $143 million, and the energyefficient household appliance tax holiday will save taxpayers $2.6 million, the state says. The bill also provides a new sales tax

exemption for Georgia’s food banks, an initiative that will help sustain the charitable service across the state, saving an estimated $2.5 million over two years. Visit https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/sales-tax-holiday-july-31-august-1-2015 for full list of exempt items.

Clarkston council cuts millage rate The city of Clarkston has dropped its millage rate to 17.11. The City Council voted unanimously to reduce the rate from 21.11 to 17.11 at its regular meeting on July 7. The new millage rate will allow Clarkston to maintain a balanced budget, add more police officers, and increase its fund balance along with providing for a 5 percent pay scale adjustment for all job classifications. The decrease was made possible largely as a result of annexation of residential and commercial properties along the East Ponce de Leon and Brockett Road corridors previously in unincorporated DeKalb. City Manager Keith Barker said more annexations are coming. “Annexation and the Keith Barker upturn in the economy have resulted in a 63 percent increase in our net digest in 2015 as compared to 2014,” he said. “We have more property annexations effective Jan. 1 … which will add significantly more light industrial and commercial property to Clarkston, which will continue to have a positive impact on our digest figures.”

New Life Center Be wary of tragedy-related fundraising scams Wise Giving Alliance is warning community. We are warning donors to be on n Never click on links to charities on unfahosting job fair aboutThetheBBBpotential for fundraising scams in the lookout for questionable solicitors and miliar Web sites or in texts or emails. These Military veterans will have priority admittance to the New Life Community Ministries Job Fair on July 22 in Decatur. New Life hosts the 10 a.m.-to-2 p.m. event in association with the Georgia Department of Labor’s North Metro Career Center Veterans Unit and the South DeKalb Career Center of Goodwill. The event is free and open to the public. The dress code is business casual. The community center is at 3592 Flat Shoals Road, Building 2. For more information or for employers reservations, contact Kenneth Dinkins at 404-486-8008, New Life at 404-381-6731 or the South DeKalb Career Center of Goodwill at 404-728-8605.

the wake of the massacre at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., on June 17 that killed nine people. Donors need to be aware of the different circumstances that often emerge in tragedy-related philanthropy, said Art Taylor, president and CEO of the national charity monitoring arm of the Art Taylor Better Business Bureau. “The hate crime that is being called the ‘Charleston massacre’ is such a shocking and emotional event,” Taylor said. “Many people are going to want to donate to the families of the victims, the historic church, and the

scammers, not to mention people who might have good intentions but no experience with charity fundraising.” The alliance offers these tips: n Be proactive and find trusted charities that are providing assistance. About 40 of the 50 states require charities to register with a state government agency before they solicit for charitable gifts. If the charity is not registered, that may be a significant red flag. n Watch out for vague appeals that don’t identify the intended use of funds and when they will be used. n Tragedies that involve violent acts with firearms also can generate requests from advocacy organizations that address gun use. Some efforts are not tax-exempt.

may take you to a look-alike site where you will be asked to provide personal financial information or to click on something that downloads harmful malware into your computer. Don’t assume that charity recommendations on social media have been vetted. n After funds are raised for a tragedy, it is even more important for organizations to provide an accounting of how funds were spent. Transparent organizations will post this information on their Web sites. n Not all groups are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. And contributions that are donor-restricted to help a specific individual/family aren’t deductible, even if the recipient group is a charity. More tips at www.bbb.org/atlanta.

Show Your PRIDE, South DeKalb! R Don’t Litter R Mow, Trim & Paint R Clean to the Curb

A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE FROM CROSSROADSNEWS

CrossRoadsNews

July 18, 2015

Youth

“We are proud of our students, parents, teachers and staff and together we will make a positive difference.” Southwest DeKalb’s mandatory uniform policy includes attire in gold, navy, white, gray and khaki; the school logo must also be on the uniform.

28 Title I schools on DOE lists Twenty-eight DeKalb County schools are on the Georgia Department of Education’s Priority and Focus lists of Title I public schools that exhibit the greatest need for additional support based on data from the 2014 College & Career Ready Performance Index. The GaDOE, which released the report on July 8, identifies the schools as part of its Elementary and Secondary Education Act waiver. Priority Schools are among the lowest 5 percent of Title I schools in terms of academic achievement. Focus Schools are among the lowest 10 percent of Title I schools in terms of the achievement gap – both the size of the gap between the school’s bottom quartile of students and the state average and the degree to which that gap is closing. Title I, Part A of the ESEA, provides financial assistance to schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. DeKalb schools on the lists represent 20 percent of its 137 schools and centers. At least 10 schools that were on the state’s lists in 2013 have progressed off the lists, including DeKalb Alternative School; International Student Center; Elizabeth Andrews and M.L. King Jr. high schools; Tucker Middle School; and Indian Creek, Flat Rock, Stone Mill, McLendon, and Pleasantdale elementary schools. The district has 103 Title I schools. Sixteen schools on the lists are elementary schools, the front-line combat zone in dealing with the pernicious influences of poverty,

the district said. Priority Schools are Destiny Achievers Academy of Excellence; Margaret Harris Comprehensive School; Clarkston, Columbia, Cross Keys, McNair, Redan and Towers high schools; and Knollwood and Toney elementary schools. Focus Schools are McNair Discovery Learning Academy; Columbia, Freedom, Lithonia and Bethune middle schools; and Allgood, Mathis, Browns Mill, Canby Lane, Clifton, Kelley Lake, Miller, Meadowview, Montclair, Princeton, Smoke Rise, Snapfinger and Stoneview elementary schools. The DeKalb Early College Academy – a Title I school with 66 percent of its students from lowR. Stephen Green income families – topped the list of Georgia’s highest-performing high schools on the 2014 CCRPI. Dr. R. Stephen Green, DeKalb’s new superintendent, is placing greater emphasis on academic achievement and the teaching and learning that takes place in the classroom. “I pledge to the parents and citizens of DeKalb County that I will have a laser-like focus on classroom curriculum and instruction,” he said. “Much work needs to and will be done. We are proud of our students, parents, teachers and staff and together we will make a positive difference everyone will see.” Many schools made significant progress – visit www.crossroadsnews.com.

DeKalb teams ready to suit up for new season DeKalb high school football teams are fired up and ready to roll into a new season that starts Aug. 21. Coaches assess their teams’ chances of making the postseason playoffs at www.crossroadsnews. com.

SWD students to wear uniforms Students at Southwest DeKalb High will be wearing uniforms with the school logo when school opens on Aug. 10. Southwest DeKalb’s mandatory uniform policy will be in effect for the 20152016 school year. The school says uniforms take the competition out of dress and keep the focus on learning, not clothing. Students will wear polos in white, gold or navy; oxford shirts in white, gold or navy; sweaters and jackets in gray or navy; and bottoms in khaki or navy. They can wear any color of shoe they choose. The Southwest DeKalb school logo must be on the uniform.

Only approved SWD outerwear will be allowed, including SWD sweatshirts and SWD jackets. Unacceptable attire listed for girls: jeggings or leggings; jeans of any color; pajamas or sweat pants; too tight, too short or too revealing clothing; clothes with tears, cuts or frays; and T-shirts, tank tops and midriff tops. Unacceptable attire listed for boys: jeans of any color; baggy or sagging pants; pajamas or sweat pants; clothing with tears, cuts or frays; and T-shirts and tank tops. Parents, guardians and students can visit www.SouthwestDeKalb.org to view the uniform presentation and ordering information.

New law revamps diploma eligibility Students in Georgia no longer will be required to earn a passing score on any graduation tests to earn a high school diploma under a new state law. On March 30, Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 91, creating a new code section, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-281.1. The law became effective upon his signature. It also contains additional details and requirements regarding the ability of students no longer enrolled to petition the local board of education for a diploma for those whose sole reason for not receiving a diploma was due to not passing any part of the graduation tests. The law includes all subjects, forms and versions of the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies); Georgia High School Writing Test; and Basic Skills Tests (reading, mathematics, and writing). It covers all graduation tests, beginning with the Basic Skills Test that was administered to students who

enrolled for the first time in Grade 9 on or after July 1, 1981. Individuals no longer enrolled in a public school who were denied a diploma solely for not achieving a passing score on any of the graduation tests and met all other local and state requirements can submit a petition to the local school system to determine eligibility to receive a diploma under the new law. The local school system will make the final determination based on the state and local graduation requirements that were in effect when the student entered ninth grade. There is no deadline for petitioning the local board of education. An individual who earned a General Educational Development – GED – certificate and did not receive a regular education diploma solely for not passing the graduation tests can submit a petition for a regular education diploma. For more information, visit https://www. gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/ Policy/Pages/Waivers-and-Variances.aspx.

State of Georgia

Legal Notices 07/04, 07/11, 07/18, 07/25

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++15CV6493-4++ Shenl Jackson Plaintiff Vs. Larry Nuckles Defendant To: Larry Nuckles By Order of the Court for service by publication dated June 22, 2015 you are hereby notified that on June 17, 2015, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: 7202 Par Fowr Way, Lithonia, GA 30038. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of June 22, 2015. Witness the Honorable Gail C. Flake, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 17th day of June, 2015

07/11, 07/18, 07/25, 08/01

Notice of Petition to Change Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 15CV6986-3++ LaKayla Beard filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on June 29, 2015 to change name from: Baby Girl Clay to LaKayla Caprese’ Beard. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Jun.29, 2015 Name: LaKayla Beard 619 Winchester Ave. Lincoln Park, MI 48146 757-478-8095 07/11, 07/18, 07/25, 08/01

Notice of Petition to Change Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County

State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 15CV6876-7++ Barbie Jean Manning filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on June 26, 2015 to change name from: Barbie Jean Manning to Barbara Barbie Jean Manning AKA Barbara Jean Manning. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: May 03, 2015 Name: Barbara Wright Roberts AKA Barbie Jean Manning 2766 Joyce Ave. Decatur, GA 30032 678-536-6904 07/11, 07/18, 07/25, 08/01

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 15CV6989-3++ Trenton Howard

Plaintiff Vs. Monique Mayrant Howard Defendant To: Monique Mayrant Howard 3073 Washington Rd. East Point, GA 30344 By Order of the Court for service by publication dated July 06, 2015 you are hereby notified that on Jul. 02, 2015, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Trenton Howard, 2211 Holly Hill Drive, Decatur, GA 30032. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jul. 06, 2015. Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 7th day of Jul., 2015 07/18, 07/25, 08/01, 08/08

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County

Civil Action Case Number: ++15CV7091-4++ Pendall Carroll Plaintiff Vs. Charise Carroll Defendant To: Charise Carroll By Order of the Court for service by publication dated July 07, 2015 you are hereby notified that on July 02, 2015, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Pendall L. Carroll, 4165 Emerald North Drive, Decatur, GA 30035. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 07, 2015. Witness the Honorable Gail C. Flake, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 8th day of July, 2015 07/18, 07/25, 08/01, 08/08

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++15CV6991-2++ LeTricia C. Williams Plaintiff Vs. Allante A. Anderson Defendant To: By Order of the Court for service by publication dated July 10, 2015 you are hereby notified that on July 02,

2015, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: 3771 Leyanne Ct, Decatur, GA 30034. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 10, 2015. Witness the Honorable Asha F. Jackson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 10th day of July, 2015 07/18, 07/25, 08/01, 08/08

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++15CV6994-1++ Chanelle Jones Plaintiff Vs. Jonathan Jones Defendant To: By Order of the Court for service by publication dated July 10, 2015 you are hereby notified that on June 30, 2015, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: 1414 D Post Oak Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021; (570) 974-5211. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of July 10, 2015. Witness the Honorable Courtney L. Johnson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 13th day of July, 2015

A10

CrossRoadsNews

Scene

July 18, 2015

The novel is populated by an unforgettable cast of characters and propelled by a plot that will shock the reader again and again. “Resettling in America: Georgia’s Refugee Communities” at the CDC museum focuses on Clarkston, one of the most diverse cities in the nation.

Refugee exhibit at CDC museum Clarkston, one of the most diverse cities in America, is the focus of “Resettling in America: Georgia’s Refugee Communities” at the David J. Sencer CDC Museum through Dec. 31. The exhibit, which opened on July 13, explores the challenges of resettlement and the resiliency of refugees living in metro Atlanta as they build new lives, identities and a sense of community. Through documentary photography, personal testimonies and artwork, it particularly focuses on Clarkston, a small suburb in DeKalb County with the highest refugee resettlement rates in the area. The exhibit also highlights the work of

ethnic community-based organizations and local nonprofit service organizations that work with refugee clients to help them integrate into society. For more information on Immigrant and Refugee Health, visit www. cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth. Museum admission and parking are free – parking may be limited. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday with extended hours to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Visitors need a valid, U.S. government or stateissued photo ID, and vehicle inspection is required. The museum is at 1600 Clifton Road N.E. in Atlanta. For more information, visit http:// www.cdc.gov/museum/visitor.htm.

Bicycle and music festival in Village

Local author’s debut novel explores a fantasy world

Face painting, raffles, live music and international cuisine will be available at the July 18 International Bicycle and Music Festival in Stone Mountain Village. The noon-to-10 p.m. festival, which is free to attend, promotes healthy living and features a bicycle ride through Main Street and informational booths as well as free health screenings. There will be a meet-up ride at 9 a.m. For more information, call 678-4859930 or visit www.stonemountainvillage. com.

South DeKalb FunFest Families can participate in fitness presentations, get blood pressure screenings and listen to local artists at the familyfriendly South DeKalb FunFest on July 18 in Decatur. The noon-to-6 p.m. event, which is free to attend, is celebrating the first anniversary of the DeKalb Kids Project Inc. It takes place in the Tabitha’s House parking lot at 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway. There also will be vendors and a blood drive. For more information, visit www.dekalbkidsproject.org.

Michael Uhr / Special

gettable cast of characters and Software engineer Scott Hawkpropelled by a plot that will shock ins, who explores a fantasy world in the reader again and again. It is “The Library at Mount Char,” will horrifying and hilarious, alien and discuss his best-selling debut novel human, visionary and thrilling, on July 22 at the Decatur Library. and marked by a deadpan, darkly His talk, part of the Georgia playful sense of humor. Center for the Book’s Festival of The quirky characters include a Writers, starts at 7:15 p.m. Buddhist burglar-turned-plumber, A missing God, a library with Scott Hawkins a lion named Naga, a war hero who the secrets to the universe, and a woman too busy to notice her heart slipping insists on being called Erwin, and the most away – the novel is populated by an unfor- terrifying killer ever to don a tutu.

Hawkins, 45, who lives in the Atlanta suburbs with his wife, Heather, and lots of canine companions, graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in 1993. In addition to computer programming, he works with We Are Rescue, a no-kill animal rescue organization. The library is at 215 Sycamore St. For more information, visit www.dekalblibrary. org or call 404-370-3070.

Recording artists, workshops at youth conference Young people from across the nation are expected to attend teen pastor Jared Sawyer Jr.’s third annual I Am Empowered Youth Conference on July 25 at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria. The theme is “ExceedJared Sawyer Jr. ing Generational Possibilities,” and the 10 a.m.-to-6 p.m. conference includes musical performances and other entertainment, meet-and-greets, social

workshops, exhibits, special appearances, and inspirational speakers. Register at www.empoweredyouthconference.com. Jared, 17, is a gospel artist and a bestselling author. In 2007, he founded Jared Sawyer Jr. Ministries, which produces concerts and conferences, organizes social media campaigns for change, and releases products of inspiration and spirituality. Speakers and artists scheduled to attend the conference include Edward “Kingdom Shawty” Long, senior director of the student

ministry at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia; inspirational recording artist Future Kid, known for the mixtape “Church in Atlanta”; Stellar Award-winning gospel artist Dewayne Woods; and Bobby Hampton, youth pastor at the Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church – House of Hope Atlanta in Decatur. The hotel is at 200 Interstate N. Parkway S.E. in Atlanta. For more information, including sponsorships, contact Jared Sawyer Jr. Ministries at info@jaredsawyerjr.com or 404-769-6036.

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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

July 18, 2015

People

“Her energy, enthusiasm and zeal for the value of learning was powerful. She touched so many young people and parents.”

Former DeKalb educator, author loses long battle with cancer April 16, 1973 – July 12, 2015 Friends and family are mourning the passing of author and former DeKalb County educator Adrienne Willis Bradshaw of Conyers, who died on July 12 after a long battle with lymphoma. She was 42. A meet-and-greet is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on July 17 at Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, South DeKalb Chapel, 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway in Decatur, and the funeral service is at 11 a.m. on July 18 at Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 3800 Big Miller Grove Way in Lithonia. Bradshaw, a former teacher at Allgood Elementary, penned “Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Rain,” a humorous inspirational

book about overcoming illness. Her mother, Miriam Almond, said she wrote the book in 2009 to encourage people who are going through any illness. “Adrienne was all Adrienne Bradshaw about education,” said Almond, a pre-k teacher who has worked at Canby Lane Elementary for 23 years. “She always knew she was going to be a teacher. When she was a girl, being the oldest, she taught her brothers and sisters. She loved teaching – teaching was in her spirit.” Bradshaw attended Canby Lane and Redan High and received a bachelor’s degree

from Brenau University. Almond said Bradshaw inspired her to go back to school to get her degree so that she could teach, and Bradshaw’s sister, Sabrina Sawyer, is also a teacher. Bradshaw taught all three of Gregory White’s children when they were in first grade at Allgood. He called Bradshaw an amazing teacher who “really planted the seed in getting kids excited about learning.” “Her energy, enthusiasm and zeal for the value of learning was powerful,” White said. “She touched so many young people and parents.” Bradshaw had to leave the classroom after a stem cell transplant in July 2010 because of her immune system. Her sister was a match

for the transplant. Her love of learning and teaching has guided her daughter, Destini Willis, a 2015 graduate of Southwest DeKalb High who is heading to the University of Georgia. Destini was in the top 10 percent of her class with a 4.0 GPA. She was 5 when her mother’s “journey” began, Almond said. “Adrienne was a very positive person and inspired so many people,” she said. “She had a positive effect on everyone she met. She was always ready to uplift people and encourage them. Adrienne had a wonderful spirit.” Survivors in addition to her mother, sister and daughter include her husband, Kenneth Ray Bradshaw; father, Lonnie Almond; and brothers Lonnie Almond Jr. and Anthony Almond.

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

events Ousley United Methodist Church

WOMEN’S DAY 2015

“Women of Ousley: Missionaries for the Lord”

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The 7th Door 2 plays by Sharon J. Willis

The Rev McCallister Hollins, Senior Pastor 3261 Panola Road, Lithonia, GA 30038 • 770-981-0180

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All skill levels are invited to participate and compete in team “best ball” format. Contact the church @ 770-981-0180 for more details.

Ousley United Methodist Church

The Rev McCallister Hollins, Senior Pastor 3261 Panola Road, Lithonia, GA 30038 • 770-981-0180

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Family & Back-to-School Expo Saturday, July 25, 2015

July 18, 2015

www.crossroadsnews.com

Section B

Education front and center

Each year, kids get to sign the perfect attendance pledge at DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston’s booth at the Family & Back-to-School Expo.

Information & resources to get you excited about the new school year! Noon to 5 p.m. • Lower Level • the Mall at Stonecrest ■ Free Back-to-School screenings

■ Informative presentations

■ Entertainment

■ Door prizes & giveaways

CrossRoadsNews

Expo

July 18, 2015

Expo-goers who visit 12 or more exhibitors can enter the drawing for a fabulous Back-to-School Basket, compliments of the Mall at Stonecrest.

2015 Family & Back-to-School Expo Program Highlights 2346 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.CrossRoadsNews.com editor@CrossRoadsNews.com The Family & Back-to-School Expo Special Section is a publication of CrossRoadsNews, Atlanta’s award-winning weekly newspaper.

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Graphics Editor Curtis Parker Reporter Jennifer Ffrench Parker Copy Editor Brenda Yarbrough CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without . the written permission of the publisher © 2015 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

July 25, 2015 • Noon to 5 p.m. • The Main Stage in front of Sears Lower Level, The Mall at Stonecrest Noon

Expo kicks Off with Rae Rae “Exercise Motivator” Clark

12:30 p.m.

Georgia Academy of Stars Glamettes

1 p.m.

Singer/Dancer Zion Moore

2 p.m.

Dancers Lauren Thomas & Ryann Phillips

2:30 p.m.

Jenae’s Dance Experience

3 p.m.

DeKalb Solicitor-General Sherry Boston

3:30 p.m.

Georgia Academy of Stars Jr. & Sr. Ensemble

4 p.m.

The Beulah Boys

4:40 p.m.

Grand Prize Drawing

5 p.m.

Expo Ends

Rae Rae Clark

Georgia Academy of Stars Glamettes

The Beulah Boys

Zion Moore

Sherry Boston

2015 Family & Back-to-School Expo Exhibitors & Grand Prize Entry Form Visit at least 12 of these exhibitors* at the 2015 Family & Back-to-School Expo and enter to win a Back-to-School Gift Basket from the Mall at Stonecrest. Drawing takes place on July 25, 2015, at 4:40 p.m. at the Main Stage in front of Sears on the lower level of the Mall at Stonecrest. _____ Atlanta Gastroenterology

_____ DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office

_____ Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage

_____ CrossRoadsNews

_____ Georgia Stars Academy of Dance

_____ Oakhurst Medical Centers

_____ DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau

_____ Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta

_____ Paxen, LLC

_____ DeKalb County Board of Health

_____ Green Pastures Christian Academy

_____ Ramsey Realty Services

_____ DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court

_____ Greenforest-McCalep CAC

_____ Shekinah Glory Tabernacle Academy

_____ DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office

_____ Jenae’s Dance Experience, LLC

_____ Woodruff Medical Training & Testing

Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________________________________________ Home phone _________________________________________________ Cell ___________________________________________________________ * Eligible entries must be validated by at least 12 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 not eligible to win. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You MUST be present to win.

CrossRoadsNews

July 18, 2015

Expo

“It may still be 90 degrees outside, but preparations have to be made. … We help to get the ball rolling.”

Expo helps kids, parents get in mood for new school year Ready or not, the new school year is right around the corner. On Aug. 10, DeKalb County students will head back to class for the 2015-2016 school year with new School Superintendent Stephen Green at the helm. On July 25, the annual CrossRoadsNews Family & Back-to-School Expo will be at the Mall at Stonecrest with more than a dozen exhibitors offering information, resources, back-to-school screenings, giveaways and entertainment to get kids excited about a new year of learning. The expo, which is co-sponsored by DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston, will highlight the importance of perfect attendance during the school year. Even though her office prosecutes parents who don’t send their kids to school, Boston prefers to underscore the value of a good education in building future earning power. She says that since kids have no idea how much education will affect their lives in the long run, adults must step in. “As parents, it’s our job to keep our children interested in learning and help them see the big picture,” she says. Boston will speak from the Main Stage near Sears on the mall’s lower level at 3 p.m. As always, she will encourage kids to pledge to attend school every day it is in session this school year and underscore the responsibility of parents to get their kids to school. Expo exhibitors include county officials, private schools, dance academies, and the Girl Scouts. Oakhurst Medical Centers will offer back-to-school screenings for kids and blood pressure and diabetes tests for adults. Expo-goers who visit 12 or more exhibitors and get their numbers can enter the

Children and adults take the Perfect Attendance pledge at the 2014 CrossRoadsNews Family & Backto-School Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

drawing for a fabulous Back-to-School Gift Basket from the Mall at Stonecrest. There also will be book bags and gift card giveaways from the stage. The Main Stage will be hopping with performances by talented students. Columbia High School junior Zion “da fro” Moore will be back to dance. This year, he also is singing his newly released song, “Splash.” Lauren Thomas, a rising eighthgrader from Woodward Academy and a talented dancer, will perform with her friend Ryann Phillips. Dance students from Jenae’s Dance Experience in Conyers and Georgia Stars Academy

in Stone Mountain also will perform. The popular Beulah Boys step group, who are regulars at CrossRoadsNews expos, will take the stage at 4 p.m. both to entertain and to show audience members how to do some of their smooth moves. Jennifer Parker, CrossRoadsNews editor/ publisher, said this is the 10th year of CrossRoadsNews Expos at the Mall at Stonecrest and that as always, the newspaper is happy to help bring together exhibitors and families to kick off the new school year. “Every year, the Family & Back-to-School Expo helps to get parents and kids in the mood for heading back to school,” she

said. “It may still be 90 degrees outside, but preparations have to be made, screenings and immunizations to get, and documents to collect for registration. We help to get the ball rolling.” The Family & Back-to-School Expo is one of three hosted annually by CrossRoadsNews at the mall. Its Senior/Baby Boomer Expo is set for Oct. 17. It will be followed on Jan. 30 by the Health & Wellness Expo. The Mall at Stonecrest is at I-20 and Turner Hill Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 404-2841888.

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CrossRoadsNews

Expo

July 18, 2015

“The more children who are fully immunized, the less the risk of exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Immunization can protect children, help prevent outbreaks As students head back to school for the fall on Aug. 10, health officials are underscoring the importance of all children having up-to-date immunizations for vaccinepreventable diseases like measles, mumps, and pertussis or whooping cough. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention says that vaccines are the most effective means of protecting children from potentially serious infectious diseases and to stop the spread of disease. Dr. Bea Files, Emory University School of Medicine’s clinical associate professor of pediatrics, says a back-to-school checkup is an ideal time to make sure that children’s

immunizations are current. “The more children who are fully immunized, the less the risk of exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases, and the less risk of a regional or statewide outbreak occurring,” Files said. Across the country, there have been outbreaks of measles and whooping cough, which were once considered controlled. Last winter’s multi-state outbreak of measles, a highly contagious disease, that began in a California amusement park sickened more than 170 people, most of whom were not vaccinated. Outbreaks of pertussis have been af-

fecting schools. More than 321 cases were reported in 2014 in Georgia, up from 180 cases in 2011. Pertussis can last for weeks or even months and infected children can pass it on to unvaccinated infant siblings, who face the greatest risk of serious illness and death. In 2011, pertussis cases were reported in 48 counties across Georgia, and most of the cases occurred in metro Atlanta. Infants 6 months and younger were most impacted. The majority of the victims were younger than 3 years old and 17 percent of them were hospitalized. The CDC recommends that pregnant

women, family members, and caretakers also should be vaccinated to protect infants, especially those too young to get their own immunizations. The flu season follows fast on the heels of the new school year, and each year, about 20,000 children younger than 5 are hospitalized with complications. The best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated annually. With rare exception, the CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are especially important for pregnant women, who face a higher risk of complications for themselves and their babies.

Oakhurst offering BTS screenings

Children can get back-to-school hearing and eye screenings on July 25 at the Oakhurst Medical booth at the Mall at Stonecrest. The health care provider will offer immunizations at its Aug. 1 health fair at its Memorial Drive headquarters.

Back-to-school hearing and eye screenings will be available at the CrossRoadsNews Family & Back-toSchool Expo on July 25 for children headed back to school. Oakhurst Medical will screen children for hearing and eye problems during the expo, which takes place noon to 5 p.m. on the lower level of the Mall at Stonecrest. While they will not offer immunizations at the mall this year, Tarri Johnson, Oakhurst Medical’s community outreach manager, said vaccinations will be available at their Aug. 1 Back to School Health Fair & Family Fun Day at the 5582 Memorial Drive headquarters. During the 10 a.m.-to-2 p.m. health fair, children ages 4 to 12 with their immunization record will get immunized and will receive a free book bag while supplies last. The hearing and eye screenings will take place at the Oakhurst Medical booth. The Mall at Stonecrest is at Turner Hill Road and I-20 in Lithonia.

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Zack and Quack ready for close-up Nickelodeon stars Zack ways to solve problems and making the bigand Quack will be at the gest adventures possible. CrossR oads On July 25, fans of the show can meet Ne w s Fa m and greet the TV stars and have their phoily & Backtos taken with them starting at noon to- School Expo on the mall’s lower level. helping get kids Donald Bieler, the mall’s marexcited about the upketing manager, said it will be a lot coming start to the new of fun. school year. “Bring the kids, The popular Nick bring the camera,” Jr. show follows the he said. “The fun adventures of Zack, a begins at dynamic and advennoon.” turous 7-year-old The boy, and his best 2 0 1 5 friend, Quack, Faman impulsive young ily and duck. BackThe two live inThe Nick Jr. stars t o side an amazing popuwillp be available for School photos starting at book full of “fantastical surExpo prises” where pulling popunoon p s on July 25 at takes makes exciting and unexpected t h ithe n g sexpo. place happen. noon to 5 From the second they step into their gar- p.m. on the lower level of the mall. den, the adventure begins. Zack, the leader, The Mall at Stonecrest is at Turner Hill is constantly finding surprising and creative Road and I-20 in Lithonia.

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CrossRoadsNews

July 18, 2015

Expo

“As parents, it’s our job to keep our children interested in learning and helping them see the big picture.”

Right words can encourage a great attitude about education By DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston

With the new school year right around the corner, most families are busy trying to soak up those last few days of summer. Before we know it, we’ll have to get the kids up extra early, pack lunches, get uniforms ready, help with homework. … The list goes on and on. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the daily grind. However, with the start of this school year, I want to urge parents to consider how their attitudes can impact their children’s education. Far too often I hear adults say things like, “You must be glad to be out of school”; “I know you’re dreading going back”; or even, “I bet you don’t like school.” Then later parents wonder why their children aren’t doing well in their classes. When we say negative things or just assume our kids don’t like school, they learn that it’s bad to enjoy learning. Since kids have no idea how much education will affect their lives in the long run, they may decide to give up on their schoolwork – especially in harder subjects – altogether. As parents, it’s our job to keep our children interested in learning and help them see the big picture. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, our kids could earn $630,000 more during their lifetime simply by not dropping out of high school. And if they go on to graduate from a four-year college, the U.S. Census Bureau shows us they will earn an average of 235 percent more than a high school dropout. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tells us high school dropouts also have a 47 percent higher unemployment rate than graduates. As your DeKalb County solicitor general, I oversee the prosecution of misdemeanor crimes including educational neglect, when parents don’t send their children to school as required by Georgia law. These parents face criminal prosecution because their kids have five or more unexcused absences, and sadly, some have missed as many as 40 days

Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews

DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston presents a pledge of school attendance at the 2014 expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

in just six months. We have a diversion program called the Attendance Review Team or ART to help parents get back on track because I want to make sure every child gets an education. Failure to complete the program will result in hefty fines, community service or up to 30 days in jail.

Even if you don’t have kids, you should care about our children staying in school because it makes our neighborhoods safer. Almost all – about 90 percent – of the inmates in the DeKalb County Jail never finished high school. This school year, I hope you will help us encourage kids to strive for perfect atten-

dance and always go to school unless they’re sick. And let’s watch our own attitudes about learning. Helping our children get an education is one of the most important things we can do to improve our quality of life and help all of us build a safer DeKalb. Sherry Boston has been DeKalb solicitor general since 2011. She has two children.

By the numbers

$630,000

235

Percentage of inmates at the DeKalb County Jail who didn’t finish high school

Additional lifetime income possible by not dropping out of high school

Percent more income made by a four-year college graduate over a high school dropout

Number of unexcused absences that can expose parents to criminal prosecution

Percent higher unemployment rate among high school dropouts over graduates

The Clerk of Superior Court Is a

Proud Supporter of the CrossRoads News

Back to School Expo Debra DeBerry Clerk of Superior Court

DeKalb County

Stonecrest Mall

Paxen, a program of Eckerd, is a provider of outcome-based workforce development and education services for at-risk youth and young adults. It is sponsored by DeKalb Workforce Development to provide GED services at no cost to youth ages 16 to 24. Our GED program is six to eight weeks. These youth obtained their GEDs within two weeks of completing the program.

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CrossRoadsNews

Expo

July 18, 2015

“We instill in both youth and adult members to never give up on their dreams and always set out to make a difference.”

‘We teach them to pay it forward’ Singer-dancer makes ‘Splash’ Bridgette Rucker has been training kids to pay it forward for 20 years at the Georgia Stars Academy of Dance & Performing Arts in Stone Mountain. Rucker was working in hospital management in 1995 when she started Georgia Stars Academy of Dance & More LLC to change lives through the performing arts and track and field. Her students ages 18 months to adults learn all genres of dance, including tap, ballet, lyrical, liturgical and hip-hop. The year-round school also offers a musical theater, cheerleading, gymnastics, majorettes, fitness, modeling, and track and field training. The Georgia Stars Glamettes and the Junior and Senior Rucker, known as “Coach Company will perform at the expo on July 25. Rucker,” has lost count of the number of children she has impacted in the Stonecrest on July 25, Rucker’s students past two decades. will take the Main Stage, near Sears on the “Countless,” she said. “Thousands.” mall’s lower level, at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. “We instill in both youth and adult The Georgia Stars Glamettes, students members to never give up on their dreams ages 5 to 10, will perform at first. Rucker and always set out to make a difference in said they will do a jazz piece to the song someone’s life. Even if it is just one person “Move” from the soundtrack of “Dreambecause that one person can turn into a girls.” thousand persons.” The Junior and Senior Company, ages Georgia Stars Academy is still in down- 10 to 16, will dance to the song “Contown Stone Mountain where she first started. queror” from the soundtrack of “Empire” Rucker said that she gives kids skills. When at 3:30 p.m. parents can’t afford it, she tries to find scholThe annual expo, which gets students arships for them. excited about the start of the new school Now her kids who are in college come year, takes place noon to 5 p.m. back in the summer to help out. The Mall at Stonecrest is at Turner Hill “We teach them to pay it forward,” she Road and 1-20 in Lithonia. said. For more information, visit www.georAt the CrossRoadsNews 2015 Fam- giastarsacademyofdance.net, call 678-499ily & Back-to-School Expo at the Mall at 1035, or email gastarsdance@gmail.com.

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Columbia High School junior Zion Moore is firmly on his way to becoming a triple threat with the July 7 release of his new hip-hop song “Splash” on YouTube. Zion, who has been dancing since age 4, is already well-known around town for his “hopping and ticking” dance moves. He is making a singing name with “Splash,” which he first performed for a live audience on July Fourth at the AEBLE Hoops Celebrity BasketBall Game in Atlanta. And, he is taking acting lessons to soon add the last rung to his triple threat. Zion says he lives to perform and feeds off the reactions of his audience. “I just like entertaining people,” he said. “I like their response. When I sing and I see their faces blow up, I realize that I can actually do this.” Last year he wowed audiences with his dance moves at the CrossRoadsNews annual Family and Back-to-School Expo. He will be back for the 2015 expo on July 25. He will be on the Main Stage near Sears on the mall’s lower level at 1 p.m. This time, Zion will both sing and dance. “Splash” is produced by Zion’s cousin, Atlanta music producer Mike Da Rockman, whose other artists include rappers Future, Rich Homie Quan and Gucci Mane. Rockman, who has been producing music since 2005, said he had no idea his little cousin could harmonize until two weeks Zion Moore, who performed a dance routine at the 2014 expo, ago. “I made the song a week will sing and dance at 1 p.m. on July 25 at the expo at the Mall at Stonecrest. “Splash” can be heard on YouTube. ago and it’s blowing up,” he said. Through last week, “Splash” had no airplay but has been viewed 3,519 times on https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH5kvu8GAbE&feature=youtu.be. Rockman said Zion has done open mic at eight shows in Atlanta since July Fourth. “He shut it down,” he said. “After he performs, the audience walks out because they don’t want to hear the lesser acts.” Rockman said the song should be on iTunes by July 21. He will have copies for Zion to sign for fans after his performance at the expo. Right now Zion is networking and performing. To book him, contact Mama-Mo Management at itsziontheartist@gmail or 678-508-3112.

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CrossRoadsNews

July 18, 2015

Expo

“When I dance, I feel happy. … It’s surprising considering how much I cried when Mom first registered me.”

Dancer is also choreographer Dance training imparts life lessons By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

words into movement.” Her other joy is perLauren Thomas was 4 forming. when her mother, Rhonda “I like performing beThomas, enrolled her in fore lots of people even dance. though it makes me nerShe hated it. vous,” she said. “I cried so much she She also dances at First took me out of the class,” Baptist Church on Gresham she said. Road where her father, But not for long. When the Rev. Norman Thomas, she was about to turn 5, her is pastor, and regularly mother enrolled her again. performs at Black History “By then I was able to unMonth programs and has derstand more,” she said. participated in dance comNine years later, Lauren petitions, including Dance is just simply “in love” with Moms, where she placed in dancing. the top 10. Although she’s Lauren Thomas helped “It’s like a passion,” she choreograph the hip-hop mixed only 13, she is choreographsaid. “When I dance I feel piece she and friend will dance. ing dances. She also likes to happy. … It’s quite surprising watch others do it. considering how much I cried when Mom “I just love to see the process. I like first registered me.” starting from scratch and see how it all Lauren, a rising eighth-grader at Wood- develops.” ward Academy, says that when she dances she Before attending Woodward, she danced just lets everything go. at the Academy of Dance in Stone Mountain. “I just focus on the music and the words To continue to hone her skills, this summer because I want it to be meaningful.” she is doing a two-week dance intensive at the At the CrossRoadsNews 2015 Fam- Adamsville Recreation Center in Atlanta. ily & Back-to-School Expo at the Mall at She is reveling in the success of American Stonecrest, Lauren and best friend Ryann Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland, who made Phillips will dance a hip-hop mixed piece she history last month when she became the first helped choreograph with dance teacher Leo African-American to be named a principal White. They will be on the Main Stage near dancer. She said Copeland has long been Sears on the mall’s lower level at 2 p.m. her idol and she wants to be a professional Lauren, who lives in Conyers, and Ryann, dancer just like her. who lives in Lithonia, dance to all genres of “I have written so many papers on her. music – tap to ballet, jazz, modern and con- She is even the screensaver on my phone.” temporary. Lauren loves dance so much, she She’s excited for Copeland. happily rehearses 16 hours a week. Contem“I felt like it showed that African-Ameriporary ballet is her hands-down favorite. can dancers can just be as swell as Caucasian “It’s so flowy and I can interpret the dancers.”

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In the five years since she opened her dance studios in Conyers, Jenae Duncan has touched the lives of about 400 young people. In their training at the Jenae’s Dance Experience studios, students ages 4 to 19 learn to be active and even to eat well. Duncan, who has 20 years of dance experience, says she loves exposing the kids to movement such as hip-hop, jazz, ballet, tap, African and gymnastics pointe. “We are using dance to fight obesity in kids,” she said. “We even have a Jenae’s Dance Experience students will perform a jazz and hip-hop boot camp where we routine at 2:30 p.m. on July 25 at the expo. teach kids to jump rope, do double-dutch and hopscotch. Duncan said they will dance a jazz and These days it’s all about technology and hip-hop routine. kids don’t know how to do these things.” The Family & Back-to-School Expo takes Duncan also loves that she can have place noon to 5 p.m. on the mall’s lower a positive impact on the children she level. trains. Duncan said the skills she is imparting “I can give someone the opportunity to her students will stay with them a long to shine,” she said. “I love that.” time. At the 2015 CrossRoadsNews Family “It’s something that they will remember & Back-to-School Expo on July 25, Jenae’s even when they are 30 years old,” she said. Dance Experience students will shine at “They can say Miss Jenae taught me that.” 2:30 p.m. from the Main Stage near Sears For more information, visit JenaesDanceat the Mall at Stonecrest. Experience.com or call 678-379-8983.

CrossRoadsNews

July 18, 2015

Encouraging Perfect School Attendance to Build a Better Future { smart

prosecution for a better quality of life }

my goal is to: ➤ keep our community safe ➤ improve our quality of life ➤ keep our kids in school and out of trouble ➤ protect the vulnerable solicitor-General boston wants to help kids stay in school to ensure a brighter future for dekalb’s youngest citizens. our office works hard with families and school administrators to provide support and resolve attendance issues before they rise to the level of prosecution of parents and guardians.

Sherry Boston dekalb county solicitor-general

404.371.2201 www.dekalbsolicitorgeneral.org