CrossRoadsNews, March 5, 2011 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

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Schools’ fate to be sealed

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Schoolteacher Heather Kloer (left) is convinced saved her life when he foiled a carjacking and kidnapping in broad daylight. 5

After weeks of hearings and debate, the DeKalb School Board will vote on March 7 to close schools and realign districts to save money. 9

Find the ballot at www.crossroadsnews.com

A hero in every sense

March 5, 2011

www.crossroadsnews.com

Volume 16, Number 45

Brutal rape at Stone Mountain church shocks community By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

A man who brutally beat, robbed and raped an employee at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Stone Mountain was still on the loose at press time on Thursday. DeKalb Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said the suspect has not been identified and that they have no leads. The female employee, who is in a leadership position at the Memorial Drive church, was working alone just before 4 p.m. on Feb.

church leader when the man entered the office, and her cries of “Don’t hurt me” were heard on the other end of the call. That person was able to call the police. The attacker is described as a black man between 40 and 50 who is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. State Rep. Michele Henson Carlyle Bruce, a 15-year member and church leader, said the attack is a major 26 when the man entered a church office and shock and a big cause for concern, but that the church community is coping. attacked her. “The community is very strong and She was on her cell phone with another

“We have had enough. We need to address this. It’s time to take back our neighborhood.”

tight,” he said Thursday. Bruce said the victim, who is not being identified, was still hospitalized on March 3. Even though her name has not been released, Bruce said the church is asking people who may guess her identity not to contact her at this time. “It is very important that she has her privacy at this time,” he said. Please see RAPIST, page 5

South DeKalb Lags in Recycling Vera Penn of Decatur was sold on recycling after spending a year in New York, where it is mandatory. She is one of 2,408 South DeKalb subscribers.

More education, outreach needed, proponents say By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

After spending a year in New York caring for her ailing brother, Vera Penn of Decatur got used to recycling. “It’s mandatory there,” she said. “You pay fines if you don’t separate your recyclables from your garbage.” Back home in South DeKalb, Penn said it made sense to subscribe to DeKalb’s then 3-year-old voluntary Residential Curbside Recycling Program. “It would be a waste to go backward,” she said Wednesday. “By then it was ingrained in me.” As of February 2011, Penn is one of 2,408 South DeKalb residents who pay a one-time fee of $30 to subscribe to the county’s program, which had 30,665 residential subscribers in four regions – North, South, Central and East. Since its start in 2005, the program has diverted more than 69.3 million pounds of waste from the countyowned Seminole Landfill in Ellenwood. Billy Malone, the county’s assistant director for public works and sanitation, said that when the program started in 2005, they were hoping to average 25 pounds of Billy Malone recyclables per household. In February, they were at 15.51 pounds. South DeKalb ranks near the bottom for the number of residences subscribing to the recycling program. Only the East region, with 1,556 subscribers, has fewer. Malone says he is not sure why more people in the southern end of the county – home to large families – do not recycle. “Larger families are just trying to make supper and stuff like that,” he said. “They just might feel it’s so time-sensitive they are not doing it.”

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

DeKalb County’s voluntary Residential Curbside Recycling Program, with a one-time subscription fee of $30, diverts waste from the landfill.

Gil Turman, president of the South DeKalb Neighborhoods Coalition, says it’s more than that. “The education component hasn’t been to the point to get the attention for people to participate,” he said on March 3. Turman said enough real education about recycling has not taken place.

the 195-acre Live Oak Landfill in December 2004, he is not recycling and neither is anyone in his South DeKalb subdivision. “I am embarrassed to say all of this,” he said. “Someone needs to set me down and say, ‘This is what we need you to do.’ ” In Brenda Jackson’s small subdivision off Wesley Chapel Road, no one recycles. Jackson, who is also active in the community and is the SDNC’s secretary, does not have a blue recycling bin to put out on Wednesdays and has never seen one in her subdivision. “Recycling takes an extra effort,” she said. “When I throw my trash out, I have to sort it. That’s an extra effort. You have to change habit. So far I haven’t been willing to make that change.” Both Turman and Jackson say that intellectually they understand that recycling is a good thing to do, but that the case hasn’t

“We don’t talk about the things that will occur if you don’t recycle,” he said. “People are just not as informed about it as they need to be. The county wants you to recycle, but some folk don’t understand that people have to be sold on the process if they are going participate.” Even though Turman led the fight to close Please see RECYCLING, page 4

CrossRoadsNews

March 5, 2011

Exhibitors include: Back 2 Basics Home School Beulah Community Family Life Center Camp Catalyst Career Technology-DeKalb County Schools Cheer Tyme Allstars Conservatory of Dance & Fine Arts Cornerstone Leadership Academy Dance On The Move Destined For Success Educational Services Excellent Montessori School Firm Foundation Early Learning Academy Generation Next Head of the Class Academy Jennifer Dance Company, Inc. KIDDS Dance Project, Inc. McClendon School of Dance Miles of Learning Christian Academy Reading Phonics Math & More Tupac Shakur Center for the Arts Wings of Knowledge Tutoring YMCA Academies of South DeKalb

Community

CrossRoadsNews

March 5, 2011

“I’m concen about the safety of the children as they go to school because of the narrow sidewalks and cars driving really fast in the area.” Clarkston City Councilman Dean Moore leads a walking school bus at Indian Creek Elementary on March 2 to help teach kids about pedestrian safety.

Training to speak to reps DeKalb citizens can get legislative training at the March 8 “Citizens in the Halls” at the Community Achievement Center in Decatur. State Reps. Rahn Mayo and Dee Dawkins-Haigler are organizing the event. Advocacy specialist Nikema Williams will teach the 6:30 to 8 p.m. class. Mayo says he is happy to do his part helping citizens become more engaged in the governmental process. Rahn Mayo Williams’ interactive presentation will offer insights in how citizens can influence government decisions and impact the legislative process. “Citizens have more power than they realize to influence legislators and shape the agenda under the Gold Dome,” she said. The free event is co-hosted by the Deltas and Kappas. For more information, call Mayo’s office at 404-656-6372.

Judge to talk of wills DeKalb Probate Court Judge Jeryl Rosh will discuss the importance of having a will at Commissioner Stan Watson’s monthly Legislative Breakfast Meeting on March 5 in Decatur. The 9 to 11 a.m. meeting will also include a a presentations by Keep DeKalb beautiful and Neighborhood Assistance Corp. of America’s William Green. The meeting will be at Chapel Hill Middle School, 3535 Dogwood Farms Road in Decatur. For more information, call 404-371-3681 or 404-371-2988.

Town hall on legislation Democratic Minority House Leader Stacey Abrams will hold a town hall meeting on March 12 at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church in Decatur. Abrams will discuss key pieces of legislation and issues impacting the community. Oakhurst Presbyterian is at 118 Second Ave. For more information, contact Mo Cardenas at mo@staceyabrams. com.

Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Walking school bus has many lessons for kids When dozens of Indian Creek Elementary students formed a “walking school bus” to get to class on March 2, being on foot was nothing new for them. Every school day, nearly 800 students who speak more than 80 different languages, walk to the school, which is DeKalb’s most ethnically diverse elementary school. What was different on Wednesday, was that on their walk along North Indian Creek Drive in Clarkston, they got help from City Councilman Dean

Chase mortgage customers are invited to a special Homeowner Assistance Event.

Moore, held onto yellow rope, walked in single file and were accompanied by DeKalb Board of Health’s Jackie Ingram holding a yellow diamond-shape “Yield to Pedestrians” sign. The occasion was the second annual Georgia Walk to School Day, held across the state to promotes pedestrian safety and encourages children, including those with disabilities, to safely walk and bicycle to school. Many of the children are from countries with no pedestrian safety measures, which place them at a greater

risk for accident. The area has had more than its fair share of traffic accidents with more than 239 crashes since Jan. 1, 2008. Of those accidents, 11 of them involved pedestrians. Moore, who was elected in 2008, said pedestrian safety is a top priority for Clarkston, which is home to large numbers of refugees. “I’m concern about the safety of the children as they go to school because of the narrow sidewalks and cars driving really fast in the area,” he said.

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Need help but can’t come to the event? Visit chase.com/HomeownershipCenters, or call 1-866-550-5705, to find the Homeownership Center closest to you. All home lending products are subject to credit and property approval. Rates, program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. © 2011 JPMorgan Chase & Co. 13255NP_ATL_0111

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2/18/2011 8:30:28 AM

Community 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker General Manager Curtis Parker Staff Writer Carla Parker Advertising Sales Patricia Walthour

CrossRoadsNews is published every Thursday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsN ews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisments, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

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CrossRoadsNews

March 5, 2011

“We do need to reach out to people with the message. It’s our responsibility to expand people’s horizons.”

Recycling by the Numbers

159,000

30,665

15.51

3,079

19.3

residences in DeKalb County

residences recycling as of Feb. 2011

average pounds being recycled

subscribers who signed up in 2010

percent of residences that recycle

Subscription program helps extend life of landfill RECYCLING,

from page

been made to make them and their neighborhoods do it. “We closed a huge landfill based on air quality and health issues,” Turman said. “And when you think about it, we would not have had such a mess at the landfill if we had been recycling.” District 6 Commissioner Kathy Gannon, who has championed county recycling and was instrumental in getting the voluntary subscription program off the ground, admitted that the education component has been wanting. She said she also has fielded complaints about the $30 subscription fee and a clunky subscription process. “We need to make it more accessible to people and help them cut back on their waste,” she said. She said it’s been easy to make people passionate about recycling. “We had one Green Commission meeting and talked about recycling and they were believers,” Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews she said. “We do need to reach out Billy Malone, DeKalb’s assistant director for public works and sanitation, looks over a map that shows participation in to people with the message. With the subscription recycling program. “Because we haven’t done it all our lives doesn’t mean we are too old to learn.” the economic and environmental impact, it becomes a no-brainer. Who’s on board with recycling? It’s our responsibility to expand people’s horizons.” In 2010, 30,665 DeKalb residents recycled 22.5 million pounds of paper, plastic, tin and glass. Here is The county is near to reachthe breakdown of who did what, by region of the county: ing its five-year goal of having 20 North Central South East percent of the county’s 159,000 Subscribers 17,784 8,730 2,383 1,555 residences engaged in recycling. Pounds recycled 12.6 million 6.6 million 2.2 million 1.1 million Last year, it added 3,079 new subscribers, which helped it reach Source: DeKalb County Sanitation Department 19.3 percent of residences recycling in mid-February. But Malone said that making more percentage gains space, Malone said recycling ex- pect of increasing sanitation fees is going to get tougher. to cover the four pickups it does tends the life of many products. Getting started with “You are going to have a little “Because we haven’t done it all weekly – two for garbage, one curbside recycling bit more education,” he said. “You our lives doesn’t mean we are too for recyclables and one for bulky n $30 to subscribe. are going to have a little bit more old to learn,” Malone said. “We items. n It gets you a blue recycling involvement. You are going to have Gannon said the county can have got to think about the next bin for life and 100 blue trash to make it very convenient for the generation. This paper has a use- reduce the number of pickups, hold bags. homeowners. ful life. There is no reason just to the fees steady, and help people do n If the bin is damaged, the “You have got to get some combury it and discard it and cut down more recycling. county will repair it. munity activists who are willing “We could give people a choice,” another tree. We should try to use n Additional blue bags can be to go to homeowners associations this paper as many creative ways she said. “We could let people purchased for $15. to bring it up, go to churches and as possible before you have to cut choose higher fees and four pickups n Paper, plastics, tin cans and bring it up, and go to any type of or go to recycling and not have an down the next tree.” bottles are recyclable. community. That kind of advocacy Gannon said people who are increase.” n Wednesday is recycling will go a long way.” Penn, the homeowner who has educated about recycling are ready pickup day. to do it, and the Board of Commis- been a subscriber since 2008, says n For more information, call ‘County hasn’t engaged us’ sioners is prepared to provide the she recycles about 30 percent of 404-294-2900. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis has her trash. leadership to help them do it. said he would like to see 50 percent Malone said the program’s “It’s a very small effort but every “We can cut back on one of the of residences in the curbside recy- goal is to take recyclable products sanitation pickups and do more bit helps,” she said. cling program. and make something else out of recycling,” she said Thursday. “The Turman, the SDNC’s president, Malone said it’s really hard to them and not just send them to county is ready to make it more ac- said that organizations like his can get more than that. the landfill. cessible for people and to help them do a better job on recycling. “Even an aggressive recycling The program is subscription- cut back on waste.” “The county hasn’t engaged us,” city like Seattle doesn’t get more based to ensure that the people She said that when we increase he said. “Homeowners and neighthan 50 percent,” he said. “Some who subscribe really want to recycling, we can stretch the life borhood associations haven’t been people just refuse to recycle. There recycle. “Otherwise, if you give of the Seminole Landfill, which at engaged. We have to engage the are a hundred excuses that people people the boxes, they will use it current usage rates is expected to churches. We have to engage the come up with why they are not go- for toys.” educational system. We have got to reach capacity by 2068. ing to recycle.” In addition to saving landfill The county is facing the pros- better sell the program.”

Circulation Audited By

index to advertisers ABC Consignment Store............................... 10 Academix thru 3R’s Inc................................. 10 Alvin Albert Law Group................................ 10 ATM Constructors, Inc.................................... 11 Auto 285....................................................... 10 DeKalb County School System........................9 DeKalb Workforce Housing Initiative Prgm.. 10

Chase.............................................................. 3 Felicia V. Anderson CPA LLC...........................6 Gibbs Garage................................................ 10 Johnny Harris CPA......................................... 11 Just Decks....................................................... 11 Kiddy Kompany............................................. 11 Macy’s............................................................12

Mystery Valley Golf Club................................. 7 New Jerusalem Christian Academy............... 10 Newburn Reynolds Photography................... 11 Omega One Insurance.................................. 11 S.Callan Advertising Co................................... 8 SCI Dignity Memorial...................................... 5 Seafood On The Crest.................................... 11

The Boddie Law Group LLC.......................... 10 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas.................... 10 The Samuel Group......................................... 11 The Spa at Stonecrest.................................... 11 The Willie Gray Story.................................... 10 Unity Rally LLC............................................... 11

CrossRoadsNews

March 5, 2011

Community

“This man was attacking her in broad daylight and people were just standing around looking.”

Man who foiled carjacking hailed as hero Mother, sons

charged in teen’s slaying

By Carla Parker

Rob Strickland doesn’t think he is a hero, but Stone Mountain elementary schoolteacher Heather Kloer disagrees. Kloer is happy to dub the Stone Mountain man a hero after he rescued her from a carjacking and kidnapping on Jan. 9 while others stood by and watched. Kloer is convinced that Strickland saved her life. “He is an incredible man and I will pray for him every night,” she said. The incident occurred about 5:30 p.m. as Kloer was opening the door to her car in the parking lot at Office Depot on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain. Out of nowhere, a young man approached her and asked if she had a phone. When she said no, he told her he had a knife and that he was going to kill her. Before she could react, he had pushed her back in her car and was trying to get in on the driver’s side, where she was. Kloer said she tried to escape through the front passenger door, screaming at the top of her lungs. When she screamed, the man began punching her in the face. Strickland was pulling into the Office Depot parking lot when he heard Kloer’s screams. “This man was attacking her in broad daylight and people were just standing around looking,” Strickland said. The owner of Strickland Security & Safety Solutions in Atlanta grabbed his firearm and rushed to Kloer’s car shouting at the assailant to stop. When the attacker started backing away from Kloer’s car, he tripped on a curb and stumbled. “That’s when I hit him in the chest and held him to the ground until the police came,” Strickland said. The suspect, 20-year-old Alex Taylor, was arrested and charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault. He is still in the DeKalb County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Kloer said she was saddened to hear that there were people in the parking lot who did not come to her aid, but she is very thankful for Strickland. Strickland said it’s hard to accept the fact

Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Stone Mountain teacher Heather Kloer leafs through a self-defense guide recommended by Rob Strickland, who rescued her from an attempted carjacking and kidnapping in January.

Book offers key self-defense principles “Common Sense Self-Defense: A Woman’s Self-Defense Survival Guide” offers three key principles women can employ to escape an attacker: n Disrupt the vision. n Disrupt the breathing. n Disrupt the balance. Author Mark James says that you must be prepared to cause injury to your attacker. In the book, he teaches that injury helps negate mass. “A woman who inflicts injury upon an attacker may give herself time to escape,” he says.

that he is a hero. “I just did the right thing at the right time,” he said. After witnessing the attack, Strickland said he will now educate the public, especially women, on how to stay alive if ever assaulted. He recommends that women read “Com-

mon Sense Self-Defense: A Woman’s SelfDefense Survival Guide,” written by Mark James, owner of a security firm in Atlanta. Strickland is also an author. His book, “Know the Basics to Protect Your Business,” helps educate business owners. Both books are available at Amazon .com.

PRISM meeting will focus crime on Memorial Drive RAPIST,

from page

Since the attack, Bruce said that the church has tightened security and stepped up police patrols, and it is instituting a number of other security measures. He said the attack won’t stop the church from carrying out its work in the community. “St. Timothy will continue its role in being a key resource for the community,” he said. The church, which operates a school, hosts numerous community meetings and partners with two other Memorial Drive churches annually to host a Thanksgiving service and other communitywide services. Its 20-year-old Halloween Pumpkin Patch, which raises funds for mission

projects, is a popular annual stop for area families. Parish said police do not have an artist’s rendering of the suspect because the victim was so traumatized she could not provide a good description of her attacker. After the incident, PRISM, which holds monthly community gatherings at the church, changed the topic for its March 10 meeting to focus on crime in the area. State Rep. Michele Henson, the group’s program chair, said that the attack was absolutely tragic and that she felt the need to immediately address crime on Memorial Drive. “This was a most horrific situation,” she said. “This should happen to no one anywhere.”

In the past two weeks, Henson, who lives five blocks from the church, said there was a shooting near Rays Road and Memorial Drive and other incidents. “We have had enough,” said Henson, who worships regularly at St. Timothy even though she is not member. “We need to address this. It’s time to take back our neighborhood.” The group has invited DeKalb Police Chief William O’Brien and Tucker Precinct Maj. Steven Fore to tell them how they can achieve a safer neighborhood. The PRISM meeting starts at 7 p.m. The church is at 5365 Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain. For more information, call state Rep. Michele Henson at 404-296-1442. Carla Parker contributed to this story.

Decatur court worker charged with felony theft A city of Decatur Municipal Court employee has been arrested on charges of felony theft within her capacity as a court clerk. Sonequa L. James, 37, of Conyers has been suspended without pay and her termination is pending, said Andrea Arnold, assistant city manager for administrative services. An investigation under way may result

in additional charges. James was arrested Feb. 18. “The city will not tolerate behavior that undermines the public’s trust in our government,” Arnold said in a press release. “We intend to prosecute Ms. James to the fullest extent possible under the law.” James has worked for the Municipal Court since 2006. The salary range

for her position, court clerk assistant, is $25,792-$41,995. Arnold said she could not comment on specific allegations because of the ongoing investigation. She said police were contacted after some of James’ coworkers noticed “some discrepancies.” “Her co-workers did the right thing by immediately bringing it to my attention,” Arnold said. Sonequa James

A Decatur mother and her three sons are facing murder and aggravated assault charges in the shooting death of a 13-yearold on McAfee Road on March 2. Viola Goodman, 52, and sons Shontonious Hawkins, 25, and James Fanning, 20, were arrested at their Willa Way home on the night of March 2. They are in jail without bond. Her 16-year-old son, who is not identified because he is underage, is believed to be the shooter. He turned himself in to police on Thursday. The four are accused in the slaying of Jernard Wheeler. The teen died after he was shot at 2717 McAfee Road, near Candler Road. A 16-year-old boy also was critically injured and is hospitalized. DeKalb Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said the shootings occurred around 2 p.m. after two groups of people walking in opposite directions on McAfee Road exchanged words and argued. Shots were fired from one group. The three suspects made their first court appearance Thursday night.

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CrossRoadsNews

Finance

March 5, 2011

“Our forecasts indicate continued strong population and employment growth for the next 30 years.”

DeKalb expected to grow by 26 percent over next 30 years DeKalb County, already the third most populous county in the state, is projected to grow by 26 percent over the next 30 years, according to new forecasts from the Atlanta Regional Commission. That surge will be reflected across the 20-county Atlanta region, according to the ARC, which predicts that the region will grow by 3 million people to a total of 8 million by 2040. ARC Director Chick Krautler says that even in these tough economic times, the Atlanta region remains a place where people want to live and work. “Our forecasts indicate continued strong population and employment growth for the next 30 years,” he said. DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett and Cobb counties account for 60 percent of the Chick Krautler region’s current population. The ARC says that of the 3 million more people expected in the region by 2040, nearly 800,000 of them will call either Fulton or Gwinnett home.

ARC population forecasts for DeKalb County, 2010-2040 1980 population ............................................... 483,024 2010 estimated population . ............................. 738,800 2040 forecast population ................................. 930,700 Population Change Average Total change Percent change

1980-2010 8,526 255,776 53 percent

2010-2040 6,397 191,900 26 percent

Those two counties’ population will grow to more than 1 million people each. But by 2040, Fulton and Gwinnett’s total population share will drop to roughly 52 percent. Growth in some of the smaller counties will account for that population shift. Five counties – Coweta, Forsyth, Henry, Newton and Paulding – are expected to see their populations

double by 2040. The ARC also anticipates that there will be an additional 1.5 million jobs in the region by that time to support the influx of people. DeKalb’s jobs are expected to grow from 289,700 today to 425,100 in 2040. Similar to the population trend, DeKalb, Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties account for the vast majority of all jobs in the region today, almost 72 percent. By 2040, those counties’ share of the region’s jobs is expected to drop to 66 percent. These forecasts will form the basis for ARC’s new 30-year regional plan, Plan 2040, which will be adopted by the ARC board of directors this summer. Plan 2040 is being developed on a platform of economic, environmental and social sustainability for the entire Atlanta region. To see more details about the ARC’s forecasts, visit www .atlantaregional.com/info-center/arc-newsletters /regional-snapshots/regional-snapshots.

Don’t shortchange moms: There’s no higher calling than motherhood Dear Dave, I listen to you often and enjoy your radio show, but why don’t you ever ask women to go to work? When a family is broke, and the woman is at home raising one child who is already in the fifth grade, why can’t the wife get a “second job?” – George Dear George, I think far too many ladies, in the name of paying for stuff they don’t need, have left the household and the children for the workplace. Many of them didn’t even want to do this; they just felt obligated to do it by people like you. There are a lot of ladies who have sacrificed their ability to be full-time moms on the altar of the car payment. Now, sometimes ladies have to go to work. There’s a time and a place for that kind of thing. But if there’s any way I can financially and budget-wise figure out how mom can be waiting at home with a big hug

I’m no Neanderthal jerk. I don’t say every mother has to be at home or they’re a bad person. But these days we’ve got very few people who defend full-time, inthe-home motherhood.

There’s no higher calling on the planet than motherhood. We’ve lost that in our culture, and we’re suffering dearly for it. I’m no Neanderthal jerk. I don’t say every mother has to be at home or they’re a bad person. But these days we’ve got very few people who defend full-time, in-the-home motherhood. The inference you’re making is that she’s not helping, or worse, lazy. Why don’t you go take over her job for a week? I think you’ll find out in a hurry there’s not a lazy bone in her body! – Dave

Newlyweds want to buy home Dear Dave, I’m 24 years old, and just got married two months ago. We make $80,000 a year, have our emergency fund and no debt, plus we’ve and a plate full of cookies when that fifth- saved up for a 15 percent down payment on grader walks in the house – and if that’s what a house. I know you suggest 20 percent, but she wants to do – then you’re going to find is 15 percent OK? – Tony me fighting for her opportunity to do that.

Dear Tony, I don’t have a lot of issues with 15 percent instead of 20 percent. You’ll probably end up having to pay private mortgage insurance, but it sounds like you guys are in good enough shape financially to handle things. However, I generally recommend that couples wait until they’ve been married at least a year before buying a home. Buying a house is a huge decision. That’s why I think it’s smart to wait and get to know each other even better before making a decision of this magnitude. Plus, you need to figure out just how close you want to live to your motherin-law! Seriously, take your time and don’t rush things. There will still be great deals on the market in a year or so, and you’ll be able to save more money, too! – Dave For more financial help, visit daveramsey .com.

‘Revival’ takes on money managing from Columbia Theological SemiAdults, teens and children can nary in Decatur, has completed the get help managing their money at popular 10-week Crown Biblical the March 19 “Financial Revival” Financial Life Group Study. at Saint Philip AME in Atlanta, but Bernice Tanker, co-coordinator they must register by March 10. of the Saint Philip’s Crown FinanThe theme of the 8:30 a.m. until cial Ministries, said a financial renoon seminar is taken from Luke vival is timely in this economy. 16:11: “Therefore, if you have not “The revival will show how been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true Gregory Eason Sr. finances should be handled according to God’s way, how God expects you to act riches to you?” It includes a number of seminars on bud- as a Christian,” she said. The event is co-hosted by the church’s geting, family debt reduction, and financial stewardship and a keynote address from the Stewardship Ministry. At registration, parRev. Gregory V. Eason Sr., who is senior pas- ticipants may choose two workshops to attend. Tanker said materials for the seminars tor of Big Bethel AME in Atlanta. A free children’s workshop for 5- to will be provided. Saint Philip AME is at 240 Candler Road, 17-year-olds also will be available. Eason, who holds a Master of Divinity at the intersection of Memorial Drive. For more information, call Bernice from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta and a Master of Theology Tanker at 770-817-8988.

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March 5, 2011

Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

“Hillandale is very, very busy. The hospital is thriving. We have great physicians and I have great expectations.”

Harris brings clinical, business background to Hillandale By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

A registered nurse with an MBA is the top guy at DeKalb Medical at Hillandale. After serving as interim administrator for two and a half months, DeKalb native Susan Harris was tapped by DeKalb Medical CEO Eric Norwood to run the 100-bed hospital. Her appointment as Susan Harris vice president and administrator was effective Feb. 17. Harris, who lives in Lithonia, becomes the hospital’s third administrator since it opened on July 18, 2005. She succeeds Clay Fowler, who left in late November after three years to start his own medical venture capital firm. Harris joined DeKalb Medical in 1979, and over her 32 years with the medical system, she has served in a variety of positions, including operating room nurse, materials manager and educator, and Outpatient Surgery Center manager. She was most recently director for surgical, bariatric and endoscopy services. Before offering her the administrator position permanently, Norwood polled three

Harris said that background will allow the hospital to offer a better product to the community. Plus, she is from South DeKalb and graduated from Gordon High School, which is now McNair. “I am from here. These are my stomping grounds. I have been here. I am vested in the community.” The hospital she takes over is thriving. Last year, Hillandale admitted 4,009 patients and saw 134,509 as outpatients. “Hillandale is very, very busy. The hospital is thriving. We have great physicians and I have great expectations.” One of her first duties will be to oversee the expansion of the Emergency Department and Medical/Surgical Department. Harris said they will be opening up the second floor that was closed in April 2009 when the Maternal and Infant Department was relocated to the system’s North DeKalb The new vice president and administrator of the 100-bed DeKalb Medical at Hillandale has been campus because of declining deliveries. with the medical system for 32 years. The plan is to open some of those beds for observations to relieve pressure on the dozen hospital staff on the type of person background helped her stand out. busy Emergency Department. “It is not often that you find administrathey would like to see in that role. The hospital also plans to expand its When Harris’ name kept coming up, he tors who come from both the clinical and Medical/Surgical Department, now located business sides,” she said. “Knowing both only on the fifth floor, to 36 beds on the knew he was on to something. Harris said her clinical and business makes a big difference.” third floor.

Program honors slain mother, helps youth cope with domestic violence

Screenings, consultation can detect heart disease, pharmacists advise

By Brenda Camp Yarbrough

Last year, heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States, contributed to more than a million Americans having new or recurrent heart attacks. The 2010 numbers broke down into 785,000 having a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. The American Pharmacists Association is encouraging the public to talk to their pharmacists about available screening and consultative services that could prevent and detect health problems usually associated with heart disease. The Washington-based group, which represents more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, says druggists work as a team with doctors and offer a number of “heart

A son’s grief over his mother’s death at the hands of his stepfather is the catalyst for Beverly Cunningham Outreach in Lithonia, a program that helps youth cope with domestic violence. It’s been 16 months, but the memories are still fresh for Roderick Cunningham and his brothers Quincy and Demetrius. He and Demetrius were in their Decatur home on Oct. 27, 2009, when their mother, Bev- Beverly C. Brown erly Cunningham Brown, was shot in the head while lying in bed. Her husband of more than 10 years, Leroy Walker Brown, has been sentenced to life in prison in the slaying. Her son said she endured years of mental and verbal abuse before dying at the hands of her husband. Beverly Cunningham Brown was the longtime owner and operator of Beverly’s Home Childcare and an evangelist with the Church of God in Christ. She often provided free child care when parents lost their jobs. The day care remains closed because it was family-based and the license was nontransferable. Cunningham says the family plans to reopen the center. In July 2010, Cunningham founded Beverly Cunningham Outreach to honor his mother’s memory and celebrate her generous spirit. The group’s mission is to provide individual and group counseling and advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence and to offer an outlet for community youth who are at risk of becoming victims of violence, substance abuse or who are impacted by health issues. “My mother’s greatest legacy to me was her dedication to service,” he said. “For 55 years she strived to help and nurture others. When I am able to follow her legacy I feel like she is still here with me.” In its first year, the nonprofit held several outings, including trips to NBA and NHL games, and the “Silent No More” inaugural fund-raising dinner featuring the awardwinning author L.Y. Marlow in October for

victims and families of domestic violence. Cunningham said the group partnered with local businesses and Decatur city officials to provide fun and entertainment. Supporters include the DeKalb-Childcare Association of Professional Providers and Family Childcare in Georgia, Hi-Tek POS, Zoom Express Car Wash, Publix, Wal-Mart, and Pentecostal Temple. Cunningham says the goal is to provide a facility that will allow the program to counsel, mentor R. Cunningham and protect victims of domestic violence. “Through the donations of our community, we will continue to strive to increase awareness and teach young people how to have healthy relationships.” Since losing their mother, Cunningham says he and brothers Quincy and Demetrius Turner have been taking each day at a time. They were 35, 29, and 28, respectively, when their mother was killed. They have received encouragement from COGIC ministers and Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake. “Their prayer and support during such a traumatic time in our lives was invaluable.” Cunningham said they also are coping by holding awareness seminars featuring Marlow, who wrote “Color Me Butterfly,” a novel inspired by a true story of domestic abuse. It follows four generations of mothers and daughters as they discover the strength, hope and courage to survive. Cunningham said social outings let families know there is someone who cares. The tragedy has strengthened his family. “I am blessed to have a beautiful wife and daughter [who hold] me up through prayer, and everyone that my mother’s life has touched surrounded me and my brothers with love. We have bonded together to see that my mother’s death not be in vain. ”He wants victims and families to end the silence and stop the vicious cycle. “Don’t be afraid to seek out help. Don’t look at the behavior of others that is negative to be an example in your life.” The Beverly Cunningham Outreach Program is at 5353 Fairington Road. For more information, visit www.beverlycunning hamoutreach.com or call 770-864-1664.

healthy” services, including blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI screenings; blood glucose or “sugar” testing; tobacco cessation counseling; and diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle counseling. APhA says that individuals can decrease their risk for developing coronary heart disease by taking steps to prevent and control associated risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. Most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Seek care immediately if you or someone you know experiences symptoms. APhA says patients should maintain regular visits with all of their health care providers.

Heart disease seminar in Lithonia South DeKalb residents can learn more about heart disease at a free cardiovascular awareness seminar on March 5 at the Redan Recreation Center in Lithonia. Free blood pressure screenings also will be available at the 10 a.m.-to-noon event, hosted by the Stone Mountain/

Lithonia Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. There will be information on treatment options for vascular disorders and diseases. The center is at 1839 Phillips Road. For more information, visit www.akataupiomega.com or call Aidra N. Martin at 678-525-6155.

CrossRoadsNews

Scene

March 5, 2011

“These scrapbooks give us a glimpse into how these artists and students and former slaves thought about themselves, their families, their work.”

Oakland’s phone tour offers narratives about famous blacks History buffs can learn about the lives of black families and race relations at Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery via an advanced, userfriendly cell phone walking tour. “African American Voices,” the first cell phone tour for the cemetery, features 12 narrative presentations of families interred in the cemetery’s historic African-American section. The narratives offer expert commentary that addresses the thematic significance of the individuals and their connection to local and national history. The 25-minute cell phone tour, announced March 1 by the city of Atlanta and the Historic Oakland Foundation, is offered weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from

9 a.m. to dusk. George Dusenbury, commissioner of Atlanta’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, said “African American Voices” is the park system’s first cell phone tour and that it enhances the cemetery’s visibility. Along with the tour, the city has installed three story panels in the African-American section and the original “Slave Square.” They tell the story of African-Americans and race relations in Atlanta and America. To take the tour, visitors dial 678-3650232 on their cell phones and follow instructions to hear historical information at each numbered stop. Normal cell phone charges will apply.

The 48-acre Victorian-style garden cemetery is open year-round. It was founded in 1850 and is one of Atlanta’s largest park spaces and significant cultural sites. Among the 70,000 people interred there are “Gone With the Wind” author Margaret Mitchell and golf great Bobby Jones; a number of former Atlanta mayors, including Maynard Jackson; six former governors; the unmarked graves of paupers; Confederate and Union soldiers; and a Jewish section. Historic Oakland Cemetery is at 248 Oakland Ave. S.E. in Atlanta. For more information, call 404-688-2107 or visit www. atlantaga.gov or www.oaklandcemetery. Historic Oakland Cemetery includes an AfricanAmerican section and “Slave Square.” com.

Emory gets grant to preserve African-American scrapbooks Emory’s collection of scrapbooks of African-American artists, writers, students, vaudeville performers, preachers and former slaves is about to get new life. A three-year $170,000 Save America’s Treasures grant will help the university preserve the aging collection at Emory’s Manuscript, Archives and Rare Books Library. The university will match the grant, awarded through the Department of Interior and the National Park Service in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Thirty-four scrapbooks dating from 1883 to 1975 have been selected for the project. Among them, scrapbooks of author Alice Walker; vaudeville performers “Jolly” John Larkin and Johnny Hudgins; entertainer and playwright Flourney Miller; Spelman College graduate Virginia Hannon; and former slave and author W.S. Scarborough, who became a professor of classics at

Thirty-four scrapbooks of African-Americans dating to 1883 will be preserved with a matching Save America’s Treasures grant.

LION Awards for standouts CBS News national Augustine Preparacorrespondent Byron tory founders Robert Pitts, community leader and Vickie B. Turner Jackie Adams, and recreated the Leaders nowned praise and worin Our Neighborhood ship leader Pastor Clariece Awards to educate and Paulk will be honored inform local students March 11 at the Augustine and the community about heroes while recPreparatory Academy’s Clariece Paulk Byron Pitts ognizing their accomsecond annual LION plishments. Awards ceremony in Decatur. The 7 p.m. ceremony, which is free to Pitts, a contributor to CBS’ “60 Minutes,” will receive the school’s Legends Award, the public, will be held at the H.F. Shepherd AM Multiplex-Atrium on the campus Paulk will get the Legacy Award for more 10:34 0305.GRACE.4.9x3.ACN-AA:Layout 1 2/25/11 Page 1 than 40 years of ministry in music and arts of Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church, in the church community, and Adams will 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway in Decatur. For more information, call 404-212get the Lighthouse Award for tireless work in 7660. education and the elderly community.

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Wilberforce University and eventually its president. Randall K. Burkett, MARBL’s curator of AfricanAmerican collections, said scrapbooks have often been treated as the unwanted children or the neglected orphans of archives. “They are difficult to handle, they are often in fragile physical condition, and they are a mix of memorabilia of every description and taste,” he said. “These scrapbooks give us a glimpse into how these artists and students and former slaves thought about themselves, their families, their work.” The grant, announced by Emory on March 2, will create digital surrogates to enhance access to the historical materials. Laura Carroll, manuscript archivist and principal investigator, said the project is urgent because the scrapbooks are deteriorating rapidly. “We’re losing original information,” she said. “The clock is ticking.”

Plethora of classes at arts center South DeKalb residents can pick up a new skill, learn to dance or act, or lose weight at classes offered at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in Decatur. New classes are forming or are under way and size and fees vary. Among them: n Chicago Style Stepping Classes with instructor Steven Matthews. 7-9 p.m. Thursdays. Contact 404-934-3093 or smsteppin production@yahoo.com. n Premiere Actors’ Network Acting Classes with instructor Dwayne Boyd. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. Saturdays. Contact 770-873-8974 or info@premieractorsnetwork.com. n Les Miserables Acting Class with instructor Harry Saint-Cyr. 2-3 p.m. Saturdays. Contact 770-572-5618 or hsaintcyr@yahoo.com. n Black Top Circus Afterschool Program with instructor Andrew Swift. 2:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Contact 404-2853336, 678-768-9288 or swift6010@aol.com. n WOW Weight Loss Classes with instructor Deborah Summerville/Wonderland Gardens. 6-8 p.m. Mondays and

Wednesdays. E-mail sfleming@wonderland gardens.org or call 404-680-1900. n Nutrition Class with instructor Deborah Summerville/Wonderland Gardens. 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Contact 404-2866163, Ext. 5, or dsummerville@wonderland gardens.org. n Quilting Workshop with instructor Belinda Predroso. 1-4 p.m. every fourth Saturday of each month. Contact 404-244-5474 or consuela58@bellsouth.net. n Atlanta Young Singers - Callanwolde with instructor Ginny Thompson. 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday. Contact 404-873-3365 or info@ aysc.org. n Middlebrooks World International Inc. Karate with instructor Michael Middlebrooks. 4-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Contact 404-447-7077 or mckmartialarts@ yahoo.com. The Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive. For more information, visit www. co.dekalb.ga.us/PorterSanford/index.html or call 404-286-7262.

Many to walk for the cure Adults and children will walk all over Glenwood Avenue on March 12 for the Greater Piney Grove 8th Annual Walk for a Cure for AIDS. Registration for the 5K starts at 8 a.m. and walkers will hit the streets at 9. Donna Tate, chairwoman for the church’s Embrace the Healthy Temple Ministry, which is sponsoring the event, says participants will walk to the East Lake Y and back to the church at 1879 Glenwood Ave. in Atlanta. Last year 200 people participated, and Tate said they are expecting as many this year. “We are working with Shy Temple CME Church in Atlanta and New Jerusalem Church

of God in Christ in Lithonia, and they have people participating too,” she said. She said the Embrace the Healthy Temple Ministry promotes AIDS prevention with AIDS 101 training. It also hosts blood drives; cancer walks; and obesity, diabetes and caregivers workshops. Registration for the walk is $10. Tate says all proceeds benefit community-based organizations working with people with AIDS and their families. Since it started, she said it has raised about $20,000. For more information, call Donna Tate at 770-879-5850.

March 5, 2011

Youth

CrossRoadsNews

“We realize that Avondale has gone down and we need to bring excellence back, but I don’t think the resolution is to close [it].”

School Board to vote on consolidation, redistricting plan By Carla Parker

After nine weeks of debates and public hearings, DeKalb’s nine School Board members will vote March 7 to close and consolidate a number of schools and change attendance lines to maximize the school district’s funding from the state. Interim School Superintendent Ramona Tyson had proposed closing eight schools, seven of which are in south DeKalb County, to compensate for shifting demographics and declining enrollment. The district has more than 11,000 empty seats countywide that are costing it millions of state dollars for operational and capital funding. The process began Jan. 3 with a proposal to close 14 schools from MGT Consultants of America. On Feb. 7, Tyson whittled down the list after listening to parents’ complaints and concerns. She has recommended changing the attendance lines for 8,989 students and shuttering the elementary schools – Atherton, Glen Haven and Peachcrest in Decatur and Gresham Park and Sky Haven in Atlanta. Avondale Middle School and Avondale High School also will be closed, but under her plan, Avondale High will house the DeKalb School of Arts students. Medlock Elementary in north Decatur also will close. At heated meetings, parents have accused the district of not taking their concerns in account. District 5 board member Jay Cunningham said he has been listening to parents and will take their input into consideration when he votes. “I have been out to Bouie and Wadsworth,” he said Wednesday. “I have visited PTAs and I have been to community meetings on the weekend. I do hear the concerns.” At a Feb. 25 town hall meeting in Avondale Estates, supporters of Avondale Middle and Avondale High pleaded with Districts 7 and 3 board members Donna Edler and Sarah Copelin-Wood to leave the schools open, while others said the high school should be closed because of its failing rate. Some parents wanted to know why Avondale Middle – a school that is only 10 years old – and a historic school like Avondale High are closing. Copelin-Wood said she too was baffled by the closures. “I can’t explain to you why Avondale Middle and Avondale High were put on the list,” she said. “I don’t know why this happened.” Lisa Deutsch, who lives in Avondale Estates, said the high school should close because of its failure rate. Avondale High has not made Adequate Yearly Progress since 2004. “More than half of the students are failing the End-of-Course test,” Deutsch said. “There are just so many things going wrong

District 5 board member Jay Cunningham looks over proposed school closings and redistricting at a DeKalb Legislative Community Cabinet meeting.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

at this school.” Jada Henderson, the school’s senior class president, said all is not lost at the school and there is hope for the school and students. “We realize that Avondale has gone down and we do need to bring excellence back, but I don’t think the resolution is to close the school,” she said. Copelin-Wood told the community to send e-mails to the other School Board members in support of the Avondale schools if they want the schools to stay open. “Things can change if there is enough support for change,” she said. Jill Forte, whose son attends Avondale High, said she feels the School Board members already have made up their minds. “It seems as if they’re going to do what they want to do,” Forte said. “It doesn’t matter what we say.” Thomas Bowen, the board’s chairman, told parents at a March 1 public hearing at the School System’s headquarters that there will never be a perfect plan that will please everyone. “I do think the district listens, but it will unequivocally never be perfect,” he said. “We spent so many hours incorporating so much feedback to get what we think right now is a good recommendation, not a perfect, but a good recommendation.” Some parents and residents said the board is targeting South DeKalb with school closings because they didn’t speak out loudly against the first redistricting plan like the parents from North DeKalb did. Former School Board member Zepora

DeKalb holds on to accreditation including former SuperintenThe DeKalb School System will dent Crawford Lewis and Chief hold on to its accreditation for now, Operating Officer Pat Reid on but the Southern Association of racketeering and other charges Colleges and Schools said it needs in connection with the district’s to pay immediate attention to eight billion-dollar construction prorecommendations. gram. On the list: completing its redisSACS praised the leadership of tricting and consolidation process, interim Superintendent Ramona hiring a new permanent superin- Ramona Tyson Tyson. tendent, fixing the administration of Tyson, a 22-year district employee, was state standardized tests, and re-establishing its strategic planning process to guide the tapped by the School Board to lead the district when Lewis was terminated. district’s future direction. “It is through the leadership and integrity The SACS recommendations, which were presented to the DeKalb School Board on of interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson March 3, come after a special five-month that hope and trust [in the School System] review that followed a turbulent year that saw is beginning to be restored in the DeKalb the indictment of three district employees, community,” the SACS report said.

Roberts, who spoke during the meeting, said the board is sending the message that they place more value on what some parents say and want than on others. “I’m concerned about the lack of consistency and fairness.” Bowen said South DeKalb schools targeted for closing are on the list because of the low enrollment in the south. “We have to close the schools that are

empty,” he said. District 9 School Board member Eugene Walker said he doesn’t want to see any school in DeKalb close but said the district can’t keep buildings open that are unsustainable. “I am a supporter of ‘if it’s not broke, then don’t fix it,’ but that’s not the case here,” he said. “In this situation we have buildings under capacity and we have to take action.”

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A free half-day Title I Annual Meeting Parental Involvement Conference Saturday, March 19, 2011 • 8am to 1pm Stone Mountain Middle School 4301 Sarr Parkway, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Light refreshments will be served at 8 a.m. The focus of the spring conference is Test-taking Strategies. A variety of workshops focusing on test-taking strategies in both Mathematics and Reading for all grade levels, Special Education, and Early Childhood will be offered. The general session will offer a panel discussion for parents. The theme for the panel discussion will be The Parents Role in Creating Successful Children. The parents in attendance will have an opportunity to ask the panelists questions which pertain to their field of expertise. The panel will consist of a psychologist, a parent, a principal, an author, PTA President and other community leaders. There will be Gender-Based workshops for Middle and High School Students. Language translators will be available for some workshops.Childcare for school age children will be provided. We will also have exhibits featuring the DeKalb County School System, various community agencies, and educational companies. Door prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the conference! For more information, call Jackie Marshall at 678-676-0376.

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Business Opportunities PAID IN ADVANCE! Make $1000 Weekly Mailing Brochures from Home. Income is guaranteed! No experience required. Enroll Today! www.thehomemailer.com DO YOU EARN $800.00 IN A DAY? YOUR OWN LOCAL CANDY ROUTE 25 MACHINES AND CANDY ALL FOR $9995.00 ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED 877-9158222 Void in CT, MD, SC, VA, ME & NH

Attend College Online from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 800-488-0386 www.CenturaOnline.com

Employment Opportunities EARN $1000’s WEEKLY! Receive $12 for every envelope stuffed with our sales materials. Free 24-hr. information. 1-800682-5439 code 10 Earn up to $150 per day Undercover Shoppers Needed to Judge Retail & Dining Establishments Experience Not Required Call Now 1-877-737-7565

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ness group. Cash and bonuses daily. Call Paula 877-539-8673 today.

Financial

Misc. For Sale

Trying to Get Out of Debt? NO Obligation- Complimentary Consultation. $10k in Credit Card/ Unsecured Debt. YOU have Options!! Learn about NO Upfront Fee Resolution Programs! Call 888-452-8156

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Health & Fitness ATTENTION DIABETICS with Medicare. Get a FREE Talking Meter and diabetic supplies at NO COST, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, this meter eliminates painful finger pricking! Call 888-449-1321

Help Wanted ABLE TO TRAVEL National Company Hiring Sharp People. Able to Start Today. Transportation & Lodging Furnished. NO EXPERIENCE Necessary. Paid Training. Over 18+ 970-7733165

Help Wanted!!! Make $1000 a Week processing our mail! FREE Supplies! Helping Home-Workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required. Start Immediately! www.homemailerpro.com

Between High School and College? Over 18? Drop that entry level position. Earn what you’re worth!!! Travel w/ Young Successful Business Group. Paid Training. Transportation, Lodging Provided. 1-877-646-5050.

ACTORS/MOVIE EXTRAS Needed Immediatelyfor upcoming roles $150-$300 per day depending on job requirements.

THE JOB FOR YOU! $500 Signon-bonus. Travel the US with our young minded enthusiastic busi-

DIRECTV DEALS! FREE Movie Channels for 3 mos - starting at $29.99 for 24 mos -210+ Channels+FREE DIRECTV CINEMA plus, Free Installation! Limited time only. New Cust only. 1-866-528-5002 promo code 34933

Miscellaneous Advertise your product or service nationwide or by region in up to 12 million households in North America’s best suburbs! Place your classified ad in over 815 suburban newspapers just like this one. Call Classified Avenue at 888-486-2466 or go to www. classifiedavenue.net Your home country in your home! Enjoy your favorite channels from back home. DIRECTV offers a huge selection of packages offering news, sports and entertainment from countries and regions around the world - includ-

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Real Estate ARIZONA LAND LIQUIDATION Starting $99/mo., 1 & 2 1/2-Acre ranch lots 1 hour from Tucson Int’l Airport NO CREDIT CHECK Guaranteed Financing, Money Back Guarantee. 1-800-631-8164 Code 4001 www.sunsiteslandrush.com Alaska Goldmine w/camp/equipment Known resource, large block, over 40 claims! $1.5M Firm. Serious/capable only! By owner

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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.

CrossRoadsNews

March 5, 2011

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Marketplace

CHILD CARE

REAL ESTATE

Have fun, stay fit, make new friends. After school Program offering: Hip Hop, Ballet and Martial Arts. Call Sandra 678-462-2506. Stone Mountiain Lithonia Road Area.

FOR RENT/LEASE Decatur-3/2 Newly remodeled near S. Dekalb Mall. Lg Yard. Marta. Section 8. Security +1st mon. required. 352-283-086

I buy houses. Any Condition/Any Area. 404-246-9975.

SERVICES Affordable Home Repairs/ Remodeling. Interior/Exterior Painting. Basement Remodeling. Pressure Washing. Plumbing & Tile. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Call Derrick 678-4690071.

Large Private Efficiency. I-20, Wesley Chapel Road. Furnished, clean & utilities included. Section 8, Divorcee, Elderly or Disability Ok. 770-558-1227 DeKalb/E. Atlanta - 1bd/1ba duplex, appliances, W/D. connection, CHA. Hardwood floors, large back yard. $595/mo. 404.661.2706.

HELP WANTED $14.56 hourly, 74 year old Company. Full - Part time, Training provided, (customer relations). Stone Mountain & Lithonia Area. 678-221-1850. Rocky Jones. First Baptist Church is looking for a Minister of Music. Please send resumes to 2394 Gresham Rd., Atlanta, GA 30316

events & seminars It’s Time to Get Your Vendor Booth/Promotional Ad for

The Unity Rally for Cultural Awareness & Racial Harmony April 30, 2011 Georgia International Horse Park

Call 770-648-8023 today! www.UnityRally.org

Academics Thru 3R’s, Inc.

Presents An Academic Program for Pre-teens & Teens Using Hip Hop

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.

TRANSPORTATION

TRAVEL

COSTA 995 RICA $

Roundtrip transportation to school, daycare, tutorials, field trips PARTIAL SCHOOL LISTING

Leadership Academy Chapel Hill Middle Redan Middle DeKalb Academy Lithonia Middle Princeton Elem. Champion Middle Murphey Candler Stephenson Middle Wynbrooke Elem. Arabia Mountain Pine Ridge Elem. DeKalb School of the Arts

(770) 374-7384

www.kiddykab.com

+ tax & fees

Offer Valid until 3/19/2011

10 Day Guided Tour

Available at Caravan.com. 8 to 10 day guided tours of USA, Canada, Guatemala and Panama. All Priced between $995 - $1,295. Free 28 Page Brochure. Since 1952

Call 1-800-CARAVAN

HOME SERVICES

1.875x2Suburban_CostaRica.indd 1

com

WEDDING SERVICES

Affordable Wedding Photography Weddings Start at $500 Hourly Rate for Special Events

1/12/11 12:57:32 AM

(Rhymes, Raps, Rhythms and Games)

All s graph photo tured p a are c ally digit

Taught By: Starlite Stella GPS Certificate Teacher

HOME SERVICES Are you having electrical or plumbing problems? Hot water tank or heating system going out? Call Chris Today! 404-992-3663.

For a FREE 6 week session in Social Studies February 26-April 30, 2011 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

LANDSCAPE/LAWN CARE Lawnmax & Associates Leaf removal, Bobcat work, French drainages, concrete work, Wood Fence. 770-593-1382

MARKETPLACE RATES

Contact Newburn Reynolds at

770-722-6096

Cleveland Avenue Library 47 Cleveland Avenue SW Atlanta, GA 30315 404-762-4116 • www.thiphop.com Academix thru Hip Hop/facebook.com

HOME SERVICES

business services

Newburn.reynolds@gmail.com http://newburnreynolds.smugmug.com

Spring Handyman Special: $250 Off any renovation project Offer expires: 6/8/2011

Find Local Goods & Services

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & CONSULTING

www.eastmetromarket.com Affordable

10% off Beautiful Custom Decks

Sunrooms • Gutters • Painting General Remodeling

Wall Street experienced professionals providing business plans, incorporations, financial statement preparation and other consulting services.

90 Day Same-As-Cash-Financing MC/Visa Accepted

The Samuel Group 404-870-9070

Call 770-634-3044 justdecksatlanta.com

FREE Safety Inspections

FINANCIAL Open Year Round!

Income Tax, Referrals, and Connections Personal and Business Tax Returns Call today 404-549-2501 5300 Memorial Drive Suite 224-F Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Omega One Insurance Auto•Home•Life•Commercial

“Your ultimate online insurance company” Office Hours: Mon–Sat: 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Call 1-866-577-7044 or visit

www.myomegaoneinsurance.com

FREE 1040 EZ and Electronic Filing Taxes • IRS Representation • Debt Consolidation Consulting • Business Returns 5211 Covington Hwy Decatur, Ga. 30035 CALL FOR APPT

(678) 518-8501 Evenings and weekends available www.johnnyharriscpa.com

JOHNNY HARRIS, CPA PC

RESTAURANTS

CrossRoadsNews

March 5, 2011

SHOP SATURDAY 9AM-11PM. HOURS MAY VARY BY STORE. VISIT MACYS.COM AND CLICK ON STORES FOR LOCAL INFORMATION.

THE MARCH

ONE

DAY

SALE SATURDAY IS THE DAY! OPEN 9AM-11PM TODAY IS THE DAY! OPEN 9AM-11PM HURRY IN FOR MORNING SPECIALS 9AM-1PM TODAY!

5O%-8O% OFF STOREWIDE!

FREE SHIPPING AT MACYS.COM

with $99 online purchase ($8 ﬂat-fee shipping with purchases under $99). No promo code needed; exclusions apply.

FIND MACY'S EVERYWHERE!

Shop, share and connect anytime.

ONE DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 3/5/11. OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, select licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food and wine. On furniture, mattresses and rugs/floor coverings, the new account savings is limited to $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible. N1020033A.indd 1

2/18/11 3:43:41 PM