CrossRoadsNews, May 7, 2011

COMMUNITY

FINANCE

SCENE

More than 400 veterans and members of the armed services got lots of help at Congressman Hank Johnson’s Vet Expo last week. 3

Students at Omnitech Institute on Covington Highway are preparing themselves for careers such as medical assistants and information technology. 6

The life story of Tupac’s mother will be on stage starting May 13 when “Afeni Shakur: In Her Defense – A Short Play & Gallery Exhibit” opens. 10

Assistance for veterans

Copyright © 2011 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

Hands-on training

May 7, 2011

Shakur trial revisited

Volume 17, Number 1

www.crossroadsnews.com

DeKalb standouts drafted for NFL teams DeKalb’s credit rating facing more downgrades

By Carla Parker

son High in 2005, was the first to hear his name called when Buffalo selected him as its Three former DeKalb Schools 68th overall pick in the third round. football players, who excelled durHe graduated from Louisiana State Uniing their high school and college versity in December, finishing his career with careers, saw their NFL dreams come 30 starts in three years at inside linebacker true last weekend when they were and finishing ninth in school history with drafted by two teams.

311 career tackles.

Da’Norris Searcy, a former Da’Norris Searcy Dwayne Harris He was named All-Southeastern ConferKelvin Sheppard Towers Titans running back and deence in 2010. fensive back, and Kelvin Sheppard, a former place April 28-30 in New York.

Sheppard collected 102 tackles and 10 Stephenson Jaguars linebacker, were drafted Searcy is the first Towers player ever sacks as he helped lead the 2005 Stephenson by the Buffalo Bills. drafted by the NFL. Sheppard will join four Jaguars to a 12-2 record and an appearance Dwayne Harris, a former Tucker Tigers Stephenson alums who are already in the wide receiver, was the Dallas Cowboys’ No. NFL. 176 pick during the 2011 NFL Draft that took Sheppard, who graduated from Stephen- Please see NFL, page 12

Good Times at Stonecrest carnival

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Youngsters and the young at heart can enjoy carnival rides, attractions, food and games on the last weekend of the Spring Fair at Stonecrest in Lithonia. Operating hours are 11 a.m. to midnight on May 7 and noon to midnight May 8. For more information, visit www.mallatstonecrest.com.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoad-

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

By Carla Parker

DeKalb County is facing another downgrade in its credit rating in the near future if it doesn’t put its financial house in order.

Moody’s Investors Service, which rates the creditworthiness of counties and municipalities, said this week that it has placed the county under review for possible downgrade of its Aa3 rating.

The May 3 warning comes because of the county’s $415 million of outstanding general obligation, unlimited tax-backed and parity debt issued through various public authorities, and its A1 rating on $18.9 million of appropriation-backed debt.

The New York-based company said that the review was triggered by the county’s strained liquidity position and concerns over its ability to achieve structural improvement this fiscal year and in future years. It also credits the impact of “a larger-than-expected tax base decline on county operations.”

The day before Moody’s released the notice, CEO Burrell Ellis said at a press briefing that the county Burrell Ellis will experience a $25 million shortfall in its budget because of declining property values. He said the decline in assessed property values will be closer to 10 percent, and not the 4 percent on which the county’s 2011 budget is based.

The DeKalb Board of Commissioners approved a $530 million budget with $33 million in cuts and no property tax increase on Feb. 22. Ellis had proposed a $563.3 million budget with a 2.32 millage rate increase.

In the wake of the board’s approval, Standard & Poor’s, citing the county’s “deteriorating finances,” downgraded the county’s rating to BBB from AA and subsequently withdrew the rating.

Ellis said that increasing costs and decreasing revenues have created a cash flow problem for the county.

“This can be corrected, if we take the appropriate, swift action,” he said. “If we do that, I believe both agencies will restore our credit rating.”

Moody’s review will focus on the county’s efforts to restore structural stability, including the possible adoption of a new Please see CREDIT, page 2

2

CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

Community

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS MAY 16 & 17, 2011

Shoe drive now has drop-off site

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

The Soul Project, which is collecting 50,000 pairs of new and used shoes to send to Liberia, now has a drop-off location.

Martin Kumi, the project’s founder, said Thursday that individuals and groups can bring donations to Inspiring Kids Academy, 5051 Snapfinger Woods Drive in Decatur.

Kumi said that response after an April 16 article in CrossRoadsNews was so great that he was unable to pick up from everyone.

“Inspiring Kids is partnering with us and has offered us storage space,” said Kumi, who is collecting new and gently used sneakers and flat-heeled shoes for children who walk up to 10 miles barefoot to go to school.

Since 2008, Kumi has collected more than 100,000 pairs with the help of DeKalb students, churches and individuals and has taken them to Ghana. This year, he taking shoes to Liberia and seeking donations through July.

Kendall Simmons, Inspiring Kids assistant executive director, said Kumi’s project is a natural fit for his nonprofit, which has an 82,000- square-foot building in the Snapfinger Woods Business Park.

Simmons said they have donated 15,000 square feet to store the shoes. “We are passionate about kids and he is helping kids. He had a big enough ‘why’ for us to get involved.”

He is hosting a shoe drive on May 14 to help Kumi exceed his goal. “We are holding the shoe drive along with our open house for our summer camp. The first 50 people to drop off shoes will get Braves tickets.”

For more information, call 678-851-1005.

Proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Operating and Capital Funds Budget, Proposed Service Changes for September 24, 2011 and Proposed Fare Increases for October 2, 2011.

Monday, May 16 Tuesday, May 17 141 Pryor Street, Atlanta, 30303

1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur 30030

Fulton County Government Center

Maloof Auditorium

ATLANTA

DEKALB

Community Exchange: 6:00 - 7:00 P.M.

Community Exchange: 6:00 - 7:00 P.M.

Hearing: 7:00 P.M.

Hearing: 7:00 P.M.

Riding MARTA:Bus route 49 from Five Points station.

Special bus shuttle also provided.

Riding MARTA: Walk one block west of Decatur station.

also on Monday:

also on Tuesday:

5600 Stonewall Tell Rd, College Park, 30349

7741 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, 30350

Service Center

Service Center

SOUTH FULTON

NORTH FULTON

Community Exchange: 6:00 - 7:00 P.M.

Community Exchange: 6:00 - 7:00 P.M.

Hearing: 7:00 P.M.

Hearing: 7:00 P.M.

Riding MARTA: Bus route 180 from the College Park Rail station.

Riding MARTA: Bus route 87 from Dunwoody or North Springs rail stations.

PROPOSED BUS SERVICE MODIFICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 24, 2011 Route 3 – Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Auburn Avenue – Modify route to provide alternating trips via Barfield Avenue, Larchwood Street and Wynwood Drive until 8:00 PM. Route 25 – Peachtree Industrial – Modify route to operate from Lenox Station to serve the Doraville Station (as currently operated) and the Medical Center Station on an alternating basis. The route will operate to the Medical Center Station via Brookhaven Station along Peachtree Road, Johnson Ferry Road and Peachtree Dunwoody Road.

Route 50 – Donald L. Hollowell Parkway – Modify route to operate within the Carroll Heights Loop as follows: Fairburn Road, Mercury Drive, Clovis Court, Croft Place, Bolton Road, Adkins Road, Crosby Drive, Alfred Drive, Amber Road, Fulton Industrial Blvd., Old Gordon Road, M.L. King Jr. Drive and Bolton Road then continue regular route during peak periods.

Maintain current routing during midday and evening periods with selected trips operating via Harriett Darnell Senior Multipurpose Center.

Route 51 – Joseph E. Boone Blvd./Dixie Hills – Modify route to operate to/from West Lake Station via Anderson Avenue, Waterbury Drive, Anderson Avenue, Tiger Flowers Drive, Carver Drive, Hyacinth Drive, Verbena Street, Penelope Street, Wadley Street to Tiger Flowers Drive and continue regular route. Additionally, trips will alternate via Collier Heights Apartments until 8:00 PM. The segment along Verbena Street between Penelope Street and Chenault Place will be discontinued.

Route 99 – Boulevard/Monroe Drive – Modify route to operate from GA State Station on the Blue line to serve the North Avenue Station via North Avenue. The current service from GA State Station to Midtown Station will continue as currently operated on an alternating basis throughout the day on weekdays only. Additionally, the trips that operate via North Avenue will operate via the King Memorial Station via Jackson Street, Decatur Street, Hilliard Street and Edgewood Avenue to/from GA State Station on weekdays only. Saturday and Sunday services from GA State Station to Midtown Station remain unchanged.

Route 181 – Buffington Road/South Fulton Park& Ride – Modify route to operate to/from College Park Station via Roosevelt Highway to Buffington Road and continue regular route instead of as currently operated to/from College Park Station via Interstate 85 and GA-14- Spur to Buffington Road.

PROPOSED FARE CHANGES FOR OCTOBER 2, 2011 FARE CATEGORIES

CURRENT: 10/03/10

Base (one way)

$

Reduced (Half-Fare)

$

Mobility Base (one way)

$

2.00

. . . . . . . .

$

0.90

. . . . . . . .

$

3.60

. . . . . . . .

$

17.00

. . . . . . .

$

68.00

. . . . . . .

$

115.00

$

7-Day Pass

$

30-Day Pass

$

Mobility Pass

$

TMA Discounts

0% - 10%

Children (46” max, limit 2)

PROPOSED: 10/02/11

. . . . . . .

. . . . . No

Free with Adult

. . . No

2.50 0.95

CREDIT,

3.80

fiscal 2011 tax rate in late June and potential future expenditure reductions, in the context of the county’s ongoing financial strain as demonstrated by negative fund balance reserves and limited liquidity positions.

The review will incorporate the county’s continued development of formal cash management practices and operating policies.

Ellis said the county has been in communication with Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s and is working with the Board of Commissioners to reach a solution. He said he expects the board to increase the millage rate when it makes midyear budget adjustments in June.

The administration also has blamed the series of credit rating downgrades on the unwillingness of the Board of Commissioners to implement the tax increase included Ellis’ proposed budget.

It was the second consecutive year that the board refused to raise taxes.

Since 2008, the county has cut $113 million from its budget.

The rating downgrades will increase the cost of the interest the county will pay on future indebtedness but do not increase payments on existing debt.

So far, fallout from the budget cuts includes the layoffs of 82 fire recruits, postponement of the training for 40 police recruits and the elimination of police crime scene investigators from nonviolent crimes, and the elimination of Saturday hours.

Moody’s said county officials anticipate issuing tax anticipation notes in June, the first time in a decade, to provide a cushion against the practice of using inter-fund borrowing from restricted funds to cover shortfalls prior to property tax collections in September and November.

Based on the cash flow statements as well as conversations with management, Moody’s said it believes that the county would be able to continue to fund its operations if it is unable to sell the TANs.

23.75 95.00

122.00 change change

Information on the proposed fare and bus service modifications will also be available at MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sat 9:00 a.m. to12 Noon, and on the website www.itsmarta.com.

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

In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and want to provide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com; (4) or fax your comments no later than May 27, 2011 to (404) 848-4179.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority complies with all federal regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin in its programs, benefits, services or activities. Complaints, or inquiries regarding Title VI compliance, may be directed in writing to the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity at 2424 Piedmont Rd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 or 404-848-5240.

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

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

CEO expects midyear millage rate increase from page

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May 7, 2011

Community

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CrossRoadsNews

The poll shows that 73 percent of respondents from unincorporated DeKalb County said yes to Sunday sales.

Veterans and members of the U.S. armed forces got to tap into a range of federal and local resources during the expo at DeKalb Tech.

Congressman’s Veterans Expo draws crowd Hundreds of veterans, military personnel and their families received assistance at the Veterans and Armed Forces Expo last week in Clarkston.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, who hosted the April 29 expo at DeKalb Technical College, said veterans deserve special attention.

“Helping veterans and military personnel receive the benefits they deserve is one of the main reasons I serve,” said Johnson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

More than 400 veterans, military personnel and their families received free information about available services and on-site assistance with benefits, including employment opportunities, housing, health care, education and filing Veterans Affairs claims.

Johnny Cole of Decatur, left, speaks with Mike Noles of the American Legion of Georgia about a claim.

Dozens of veterans’ organizations provided services, including the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, the Georgia Department of Defense, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the Veterans Health Administration.

The event, held in conjunction with

De­Kalb County, included appearances by Maj. Gen. Maria L. Britt, commanding general of the Georgia Army National Guard, and DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis.

Since Johnson took office in 2007, his office has helped veterans secure more than $2 million in benefits.

Sunday sale law popular in DeKalb Voters in unincorporated DeKalb County and Dunwoody overwhelmingly support the sale of alcohol on Sundays, according to a poll released May 2 by Guided Precision Services.

With nearly three out of every four individuals answering in the affirmative, support crosses all segments of both communities, the polling firm concluded.

The April 29 poll randomly interviewed people who voted in at least two of the three elections in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

On April 28, Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law Senate Bill 10, which allows local communities to vote to allow the sale of alcohol in stores on Sunday. Several communities are preparing to hold referendums this year.

Respondents were asked two questions: n Do you support the sale of alcohol on Sundays? and n Would you support a candidate for office who does not support your position on Sunday alcohol sales?

More than 40 percent of voters in both areas said they would not support a candidate who does not share their particular position on the issue.

The poll showed that 73 percent of respondents from unincorporated DeKalb County support for Sunday sales.

Fifty-seven percent said they would support a candidate who does not share their position on the issue, while 43 percent said no. There were 218 responses with a margin of error of 6 percent.

In Dunwoody, 72 percent said yes to support for Sunday sales and 28 percent said no. Fifty-three percent said they would support a candidate who did not share their position, while 47 percent said no.

There were 286 responses with a margin of error of 5.5 percent.

The poll was conducted jointly by Florida-based Guided Precision Services, which has offices in Dunwoody, and the Hicks Evaluation Group consulting firms.

4

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.

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L CA LO ODS! GO

AL !

LOC ICES RV SE

www.eastmetromarket.com

CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

“The Red Cross has worked very hard with us to identify and establish shelters situated throughout DeKalb County.”

Farmers market returns to Mall at Stonecrest Garden-fresh produce and preserves are available once again at the Mall at Stonecrest.

The seasonal East Metro Farmers’ Market opens May 7 in the parking lot in front of Borders Books at the Lithonia mall.

The market, which had a sixweek trial opening last fall, will operate Saturdays until Thanksgiving from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine.

It will primarily feature ultra-local produce grown within 10 miles of the mall.

This season, Cadillac Fairview is partnering with nearby Wesley Apartment Homes to present the market featuring a cast of local farmers and artisans. Vendors include Bobby Britt’s Bes Maid Garden Essentials, Brady Bala’s Double B Farm, Bellas Best Cookies, Just Butter (shea butter) and Soap Therapy, T-Bell’s Fresh Chunky Salsa, Heavenly Pastries and artists like Gina Chaney.

The farmer-operators who will man their booths include small farms or collections of urban

Fresh produce will be available at the East Metro Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting May 7, in the parking lot in front of Borders Books.

micro-farms. Produce includes mushrooms, lettuces, beets, fancy greens, flowers, and many unusual, ethnic or hard-to-find fresh crops.

There also will be a guest chef for each market to prepare timesaving and delicious recipes with fresh produce.

On May 7, sous chef James

Hogan of Strip Steaks & Sushi will show off some of his Southwestern recipes. Texas-born Hogan has 20 years of experience in the culinary arts and was a chef with Houston’s for five years.

The East Metro market accepts EBT and Snap Program for payment of purchases. With the

“Wholesome Wave Double Value program,” for every dollar spent, recipients get two dollars to spend at the market, doubling access to healthy, fresh and affordable locally grown food.

The mall is off I-20 at Turner Hill Road. For more information, visit www.mallatstonecrest.com.

Red Cross agreement helps grow DeKalb shelter numbers More emergency shelters will be available to DeKalb residents in the event of natural or man-made disasters in the wake of a partnership between the county and the American Red Cross.

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis and Public Safety Director William Z. Miller announced the agreements on May 4 and said that 12 locations will function as shelters when situations warrant it.

“The Red Cross has worked very hard with us to identify and establish shelters situated throughout DeKalb County and our neighboring jurisdictions that will be responsive to the needs of our citizens in times of emergency,” Miller said.

The county cannot identify the location of shelters prior to an emergency.

Seven additional emergency shelter locations are currently being identified.

The agreements are part of ongoing efforts by DeKalb’s Emergency Management Agency to ensure that the county has the adequate number of shelters in proportion to its population and geography.

County personnel have been working with local organizations and surveying potential sites to ensure locations meet Red Cross guidelines and requirements. William Miller

PRISM encore for Probate Judge Input needed on animals little-known facts of the legal DeKalb County Prosystem. bate Judge Jeryl Debra Rosh was among presenters Rosh will discuss legal at a February PRISM meeting issues at a May 12 PRISM that focused on resources for secommunity meeting in niors, and she is back by popular Stone Mountain. demand.

The free program, St. Timothy United Methodwhich begins at 7 p.m. ist Church is at 5365 Memorial at St. Timothy United Drive. The free event is sponMethodist Church, will Jeryl Rosh cover estate planning in DeKalb, sored by Pride Rings in Stone Mountain. how guardians of both children For more information, contact state Rep. and adults are appointed, mental Michele Henson, program chair, at michele health concerns and the law, and henson@earthlink.net or 404-296-1442.

Quick Read

Veterans Expo draws crowd 3

Veterans, military personnel and their families received assistance at the Veterans and Armed Forces Expo last week.

Event to help job hunters

5

Job hunters can get help this month designing the perfect resume at the Department of Labor offices and Career Centers.

Springboard for success

6

In 2008, Marcell Minor was working one day a week for $6 an hour at the Cumberland Footlocker and dabbling in music.

Circulation Audited By

DeKalb residents can attend two community meetings this month to provide input on reducing the number of animals euthanized in the county and how to improve quality of life.

Thousands of cats and dogs have been put to death over the past three years. Between 2007 and 2009, the number of euthanized animals rose from 3,800 to nearly 5,500.

The DeKalb Animal Services Task Force and Animal Services & Enforcement are hosts for the meetings, set for May 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Miller Grove High School, 2645 DeKalb Medical Parkway in Lithonia, and May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Dunwoody High School, 5035 Vermack Road in Dunwoody.

Residents are encouraged to complete a survey at www .dekalbcountyga.gov/astf. For more information, e-mail dila@ dekalbcountyga.gov or visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/astf.

Afeni Shakur’s story returns to stage 10 The life story of Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, is coming to the stage again.

Peters inaugurated at ITC 11 The Rev. Dr. Ronald Edward Petersis the new president of the Interdenominational Theological Center.

Green alternatives

11

Families can celebrate the importance of a green environment at the DeKalb Cooperative Extension’s annual Spring Festival.

Lady Saints capture title 12 The Cedar Grove Lady Saints scored 88 points on the second day of competition to capture the Region 5-AAA girls track title at Woodward Academy on May 2.

Private school opening second DeKalb location 13 Camp Jewell House private school will be cutting the ribbons on its Lithonia location.

CBC Spouse scholarships 13 Students can apply for from the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Foundation.

index to advertisers ATM Constructors, Inc....................................15 Auto 285........................................................14 Beautiful Babes Hair Care for Children..........15 Best Buy Co. Inc......................................Inserts Cake Café Atlanta........................................... 11 Claxton Law Group........................................14 DeKalb Convention & Visitor’s Bureau............ 3 F.I.E.R.C.E. Dance Team.................................15

Georgia Regional Transportation Authority...15 Green Grease Inc............................................6 Hair by Gynesis..............................................14 Kilombo Academic & Cultural Institute..........15 Love Radio.....................................................15 Macy’s............................................................. 7 Majic Kids USA...............................................15 Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery............. 16

MARTA............................................................ 2 Mechanixx Corporation..................................14 Mystery Valley Golf Club.................................9 Newburn Reynolds Photography.................. 10 Omega One Insurance..................................14 Solid Source Realty GA...................................6 South DeKalb YMCA......................................15 St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church..................... 10

Stephenson Middle Baseball.........................15 Sterling Health Plans.......................................9 Team Blue Tennis..........................................15 The Batter’s Box.............................................15 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas.....................14 Tupac Shakur Center for the Arts................... 11 Wells Fargo..................................................... 5 Wright Vision Care..........................................9

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CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

Finance

“Anything we can do to help the community help itself is a good idea. The area needs to take steps to revitalize itself.”

ResuMAY to help job hunters sell themselves Stone Mountain Job hunters can get help this mé-writing assistance is one of the month designing the perfect remost popular and valuable services sume at the Georgia Department that the work force system offers. of Labor’s RésuMAY event at state “Studies have shown that an Labor offices and Career Centers. employer makes a decision about The event will focus on résua job seeker within the first 30 mé-writing tools and year-round seconds of looking at a résumé,” employment-related services.

Butler said.

The department will be joined “That’s why a well-written Mark Butler

by Vocational Rehabilitation ofrésumé is critical; otherwise the fices and Workforce Investment Boards in applicant may not get an opportunity to the effort that is targeted to all job seekers, interview for a job. Through RésuMAY, we’ll including older workers, professionals and be able to better equip job seekers to market the long-term unemployed. their skills to employers.”

Labor Commissioner Mark Butler, who RésuMAY resources include Type Exlaunched the program on May 3, said résu- plore Discover (Ask TED), a live online chat

scheduled for May 25 devoted to résumés; a series of new online résumé-writing podcasts; and new online resources and marketing materials for job seekers to download.

Career Centers and other one-stop centers will offer résumé workshops, employer-led feedback discussions, résumé contests, and one-on-one intensive résumé sessions. Plans also are under way to offer these résumé-writing activities at career expos, schools, military installations, churches and libraries.

For more information and a list of statewide events, visit www.dol.state.ga.us and click on RésuMAY.

Business seminar taking rsvps

Toastmasters to help job seekers hone skills

Small-business owners and Our Community” forum will aspiring entrepreneurs can attend be held at the Lucious Sanders a free seminar on starting and Recreation Center from 7:30 growing a business on May 19 in a.m. to noon. downtown Lithonia.

Lithonia Mayor Tonya PeterState Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, son and Con­yers Mayor Randal who is co-sponsoring the National S. Mills will moderate a “Dream Small Business Week Forum in Team” panel offering participartnership with DeKalb County Dar’shun Kendrick pants the opportunity to ask Parks and Recreation and the questions of bankers, business DeKalb and Rockdale Chambers of Com- attorneys, and certified public accounmerce, said it will be an excellent opportunity tants. Information on resources for smallfor small-business owners and aspiring en- business owners also will be available. trepreneurs to learn about job creation from A complimentary breakfast will be local business leaders. served from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

“We’re focused on getting Georgia’s The Lucious Sanders Recreation Ceneconomy back on track, and that work begins ter is at 2484 Bruce St. in our own communities,” said Kendrick, For more information or to register, whose 94th House District includes parts of visit www.nsbwforum.eventbrite.com, eDeKalb and Rockdale counties. mail dkendrick@kendrickforgeorgia.com, The “Empowering Businesses Through or call 404-656-0109.

With you when Home Mortgage

Job seekers and college students can get tips on the all-important job interview at two Toastmasters seminars this month.

Phoenix Rising Toastmasters Club is hosting its “How to Prepare for the Job Interview” and “How to Improve Communication Skills Through Toastmasters” on May 9 at the Scott Candler Library at 2644 McAfee Road and on May 24 at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road.

Both seminars are 6 to 8 p.m. Participants will learn how to answer tough questions and control the job interview. They will get tips on what the employer is looking for and how to sharpen their interview, communication and leadership skills.

For more information, call Les Young at 770-255-9596 or Ingrid Richburg at 678-825-5118.

gets green light to create CID

The city of Stone Mountain will now have a self-taxing community improvement district.

At its April 26 meeting, the DeKalb Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution to create a CID. Forty-four of the area’s 89 owners, who own 75 percent of all real property – assessed at $72.7 million, consented to the formation of the CID. The total assessed value of the district is $97 million.

With the CID, commercial, industrial and office properties can dedicate a portion of property taxes to improvements of streets and sidewalks, parks and recreation, storm water improvements, and parking facilities.

Commissioner Elaine Boyer, whose District 1 includes Stone Mountain, said the plan will help the community.

“Anything we can do to help the community help itself is a good idea.

The area needs to take Elaine Boyer steps to revitalize itself.

Devoting a portion of its own taxes to self improvement is a great first step.”

CIDs already exist in Perimeter Center, Buckhead, Lilburn, Cumberland, South Fulton and Midtown among others. Property owners in the Wesley Chapel Road corridor are in the process of forming a CID. The Stone Mountain CID’s first organizing meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. on June 16 at the Hampton Inn, 1737 Mountain Industrial Blvd. Five district board members, who will run the CID, will be elected.

opportunity hits home

Opportunity is knocking and it could be at the door to your first home. It’s an opportunity to create a home for your family and become part of a community. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage consultants will help guide you through the process, and will help you estimate your mortgage payments and closing costs, and what you’ll need for a down payment. And our PriorityBuyer® Preapproval can help you determine a shopping price range so you can target homes within your budget and shop with confidence.1 When a homeownership opportunity knocks, we’re with you to help open doors. It’s time to call, click or stop by and talk with a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage consultant today.

wellsfargo.com/aspirations © 2011 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801

A PriorityBuyer® preapproval is based on our preliminary review of credit information only and is not a commitment to lend. We will be able to offer a loan commitment upon verification of application information, satisfying all underwriting requirements and conditions, and providing an acceptable property, appraisal, and title report. Not available on nonconforming products.

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CrossRoadsNews

Finance

May 7, 2011

“I was training hundreds of people but very few of us were in those classes. The digital divide was very real.”

Omnitech courses offer springboard for success Omnitech Institute founder Charlton Lester, a former corporate IT trainer, looks in on information technology/audio student Valentina Winkfield work on a computer at the Decatur School.

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

In 2008, Marcell Minor was working one day a week for $6 an hour at the Cumberland Footlocker and dabbling in music.

Fast-forward three years, and Minor is making $65,000 a year, fielding three to five job offers every other day.

What happened in between?

Minor took a six-month information technology course at Decatur-based Omnitech Institute and got certified.

“It can almost immediately get you a job,” Minor said Wednesday. “You won’t suffer from the recession. As a man you will be able to take care of your family.”

Minor said he had no idea what IT was until it was introduced to him at Omnitech where he had gone to take a course in sound engineering to help him be a better music producer.

“I knew that I live in a digital age,” said Marcell Minor Minor, 25, “but I didn’t know it was that lucrative of a field.”

Charlton Lester, Omnitech’s founder and a former corporate IT trainer, knew that the field was a sure route to economic independence. That is why the man who did technical support at Hewlett-Packard, Owens Corning and MCI founded Omnitech.

“I was training hundreds of people but very few of us were in those classes,” he said.

“The digital divide was very real. AfricanAmericans were using the Internet just as consumers. I wanted to train blacks to get into the IT field.”

But Lester knew it could be so much more.

In 2008, he gathered a group friends and began offering network solutions and database and Web design training.

“This is something that can change your whole family dynamics,” he said. “So many young people have the odds stacked against them. This can give them a real chance at success.”

Lester launched Omnitech Institute in June 1999 in a 1,500-square-foot space in a Covington Highway office building.

He started with one classroom, a dozen students and a single office with a reception area.

Today, the institute occupies 19,000 square feet on two levels in the same office building and it enrolls more than 500

Instructor Shequita Jones (from left) helps medical assistant students Joy Jackson and Britany Barnes.

Photos by Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

students annually in vocational, technical and medical fields. Forty percent of those students take IT, which includes network engineering, technology support, systems analysis, and desktop support. The rest of the students take medical technology, which includes medical billing and coding, medical assistant and Certified Nursing Assistant courses, and audio engineering courses.

The school offers associate degrees and it is accredited by the Council on Education and certified by the U.S. Department of Edu-

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cation to administer Title IV funding.

Renee Alston, Omnitech’s financial aid director, said that students can qualify for up to $2,500 to pay for tuition and fees under the school’s Harvest Institute Scholarship program.

“We strive to assist our students by offering them varied alternatives to pay their tuition and fees,” she said.

Lester said new graduates start at $10 to $12 an hour, and within a year of graduation, some make up to $80,000 a year.

“We know the economic war zone of the streets,” Lester said. “Everyone can’t go to college. Omnitech gives them an opportunity to get career skills, get trained, get certified and get paid by landing successful jobs.”

Omnitech students range in age from 18 to 60 years old.

“Mr. Lester” – as his students call him – said adults can train for first careers or find new careers.

As the institute prepares to mark its 12th anniversary in June, Lester said it is awaiting

IRS approval to become a nonprofit and is seeking accreditation to offer four-year degrees, a yearlong process it started last October.

With accreditation, Lester said the school will establish a School of Business and Entrepreneurship offering accounting and other business courses, a School of Music and Audio Engineering, a School of Technology, and a School of Health and Medical Technology.

Minor, the 2009 graduate, said that Omnitech taught him the basics of IT. “Once you know the basics, you can do whatever you want,” he said. “Every day I go back to the basics.”

Last month Minor, who had returned to his native Chicago, was hired by the Chicago Board of Exchange as a network administrator to trouble-shoot and solve computer network issues. He also is going to school to get a bachelor’s degree.

Minor said he knew nothing of IT before he went to Omnitech.

“Omnitech introduced me to it,” he said.

“IT is something I really love now. Omnitech taught me to keep an open mind and get to work on time. You had to get to class on time. They were very strict on that and it got ingrained in you.”

His first job after graduation earned him $16 an hour.

“I had never seen that kind of money before,” Minor said.

Lester said he gets a thrill out of making a positive impact on people.

“It warms my heart,” he said. “Part of my purpose is to empower and help people to change their standard of living and put money into their pockets.”

Omnitech is at 4319 Covington Highway in Decatur. For more information, visit omnitech.edu or call 404-284-8121.

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CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

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8

Finance

CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

More than 50 individuals and business owners picked up their awards during the April 30 Best of East Metro Small Business Expo.

The Best of East Metro Small Business Expo was a hit DeKalb Commissioner Lee May with daughters, Regan, in his arms, and Ryan, poses with his “Best Commissioner” Award and CrossRoadsNews Editor/Publisher Jennifer Parker.

Children’s author Victoria Attmore and her whimsical book, The Chocolate Forest.

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Membership Vice President Jackie Ginn speaks on the panel about resources for small business.

Looking on are panellists DEBCO’s executive Charles Blackmon and DeKalb Contract Compliance Division deputy director Sharon Walker.

DeKalb NAACP President John Evans with his “Best Local Activist” award. He also won that award last

“Best Asian” Restuarant winner, Exotic Thai’s Tong Arthakorn and his daughter Claire (in blue) and wife Sonthaya (in yellow), and staff.

State Farm agent DeVon Hudson with his “Best Insurance Agent” award.

The high-stepping, hip shaking Beulah Boys was a crowd favorite during the Best of Expo.

Attorney Boykin Edwards and his wife Jean pose with their “Best Law Firm” award.

At left CrossRoadsNews Jennifer Parker; and account rep. Patricia Walthour.

Dancers from The Conservatory of Dance and Fine Arts in Decatur entertained expo goers.

Wellness

9

CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

If approved by the Board of Commissioners, DeKalb County would join several other metro areas that have banned outdoor smoking.

Board of Health wants to extend smoking ban outdoors With growing incidence of smokingrelated illnesses, the DeKalb Board of Health wants the county to extend its smoke-free ban to more locations, including outdoors.

The board is urging county commissioners to amend the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance to make businesses, parks and other outdoor venues, and more facilities smoke-free.

It voted April 21 to amend the ordinance and has sent it to the Board of Commissioners for consideration and adoption.

Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, the district’s health director, said the push for the expansion of the smoking ban is prompted by concern for residents and employees who work around smokers.

“Your health, while working on a job, should not be compromised because people around you are permitted to smoke,” she said in a May 2 statement.

The current ordinance allows smoking at free-standing bars, adult entertainment establishments and outdoor venues, including parks.

The proposed amendment bans smoking in those places and a number of others, such as playgrounds; entrances and exits to buildings; outdoor entertainment venues; and outdoor service lines, such as the line at an ATM. The proposal also decreases the number of rooms a hotel can designate for smoking from 25 percent to 10 percent.

business to do As soon as so or not, and news of the pro“Your health, while working on a that includes all posed amendjob, should not be compromised city- or countyments became because people around you are owned proppublic, two permitted to smoke.” erty,” said LuftGeorgia-based Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford man, who owns premium cigar Blue Havana II associations said expansion of the ordinance may drive away Cigars in Alpharetta.

Earlier this year, Alpharetta approved business.

The Atlanta-based Georgia Premium an ordinance banning tobacco use at its six Retail Tobacconists Association and the city parks and along more than six miles of International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retail- greenway trails.

Arlene Parker Golders Association said expanding the current smoking ban to include bars, clubs, restau- son, the Board of Health’s rant patios and other outdoor areas would acting chair, said visitors cause customers to seek other, more smoker- to outdoor venues are entitled to a smoke-free friendly businesses in other communities.

But Ford said that for every argument of environment.

“It is our hope that the lost revenues for businesses impacted by the proposed amendment, she can show data Board of Commissioners from other cities that have passed 100 per- passes this amendment so cent smoke-free policies with little reduction that this summer millions Arlene P. Goldson of residents and visitors who enjoy DeKalb’s in revenues.

Jim Luftman, GPRTA’s parks, mountains, bike trails and nature president, said it’s a par- preserves will be able to breathe cleaner air ticularly bad time to ex- and sit in parks not littered with old cigarette butts,” Goldson said. pand the ban.

The Department of Health and Human “If an owner of a business or property desig- Services has proved that tobacco use, parnates it as smoke-free, ticularly smoking – which can lead to cancer, then that’s his or her is one of the leading preventable causes of Jim Luftman

Test for radon simple, inexpensive DeKalb residents can find out if a silent killer is lurking in their homes by testing for radon.

Radon, an invisible radioactive gas, is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.

Nationally, more than 21,000 cases of lung cancer are attributed to radon, which is caused by the decay of uranium in the soil and can contaminate your home and poison your family.

The only way to find out if you and your family are at risk of radon exposure is to

administer a simple radon test.

Testing for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive, the DeKalb Cooperative Extension says.

Cooperative Extension is offering radon test kits for $5 at the office at 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 200, in Decatur. By mail, the kits are $6.50.

Kits also are available at local hardware and home improvement stores or directly from radon testing companies.

For more information, contact Edda Cotto-Rivera at 404-298-4080.

Emory study tests monkeys’ memory Monkeys can recall and reproduce simple shapes from memory, a new study at Emory University shows.

Researchers say that identifying this recall ability is critical to our understanding of the evolution of memory Ben Basile and other cognitive abilities, and it could be applied to better diagnosing and treating memory impairments in humans.

The finding by Emory psychologists and Yerkes National Primate Research Center researchers Ben Basile and Robert Hampton was published April 28 in the journal Current Biology.

The psychologists developed a computer touchscreen method to test the recall power of rhesus monkeys at the Yerkes Research Center at Emory.

Basile said monkey memory performance paralleled that of humans.

Robert Hampton “Our observations of recall in Old World monkeys suggest it may have been adaptive in primates long before humans evolved, and that it does not depend on language or anything else that is uniquely human,” Basile said in a statement issued May 3.

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death in the United States.

The DeKalb Board of Health says that eliminating smoking in public places has been proved to reduce the number of tobacco-related illnesses and deaths, which number more than 11,000 each year in Georgia.

Smoking bans in places of employment also have been shown to lower maintenance expenses related to cleaning and insurance premiums including medical and fire, the board said.

The Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Tobacco Use shows that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, which contributes to severe health problems such as cancer, emphysema, heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome and asthma in both smokers and nonsmokers.

If approved by the Board of Commissioners, DeKalb County would join several other metro areas that have banned outdoor smoking.

Roswell passed a smoking ban for its 18 municipal parks last summer. Marietta’s 19 parks went smoke-free in 2009, and Alpharetta approved an ordinance in March banning tobacco use at city parks and along greenway trails.

For more information, visit www .dekalbhealth.net/DPPW/index.html or contact Nykia Greene-Young at 404-294-3844.

RSVP needs lay leader volunteers Volunteers 55 and older are needed for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Lay Leader Program.

The Metro Atlanta RSVP Volunteer Program, sponsored by the Atlanta Regional Commission, Area Agency on Aging, is recruiting volunteers.

The four-day CDSMP Lay Leader Volunteer Training will be held May 1619. Volunteers will learn how to empower

individuals to self-manage chronic conditions and deal with negative emotions as well as learn the importance of eating well and exercising and how to solve problems effectively.

Volunteers who attend the workshop are asked to commit to facilitate one to two sixweek workshops per year. For more information, contact Ellen Naumann at enaumann@ atlantaregional.com or 404-463-3119.

10

CrossRoadsNews

Scene

May 7, 2011

Afeni Shakur, facing more than 200 years in jail, defended herself against 156 charges in the Trial of the New York Panther 21.

Afeni Shakur’s one-woman self-defense returns to stage The life story of Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, is coming to the stage again.

The short play and a gallery exhibit about the Shakur one-woman self-defense will be at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain on May 13, 14, 15 and 20 to 22.

Opening night for “Afeni Shakur: In Her Defense – A Short Play & Gallery Exhibit” will be at the Tupac Shakur Center exactly 40 years from the day of Afeni Shakur’s acquittal. It includes a special VIP performance, food and live music.

While she was pregnant with Tupac, the late hip-hop icon and movie actor, 24-yearold Shakur was among a number of Black Panther Party leaders who were charged in a conspiracy to blow up New York City department stores, subway stations and police stations.

Despite the advice of co-counsel, the court, husband and friends, Shakur, who was facing more than 200 years in jail, defended herself against 156 charges in what became known as the Trial of the New York Panther 21.

The play, originally compiled from court records by Tre’ Maxie, will feature her original opening statement, cross-examination

Danye Brown (in blue) will play Afeni Shakur in play that opens May 13, exactly 40 years from the day of Shakur was acquitted in trial of Black Panther members.

of informants, and an eloquent closing statement.

It is written and directed by Hilda Willis, who recently received acclaim for her role in “Mad at Miles” and oversight in Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre August Wilson Monologue Competition.

The production captures Shakur’s innermost thoughts and feelings after being

released on a $100,000 bail raised by the community, churches, celebrities and activists including Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Jane Fonda, Barbara Ann, and Fredrica Teer, only to have her bail revoked and being returned to jail.

The exhibit, which accompanies the dramatic production, includes original TV news coverage from 1969-1971 anchored by CBS’

Kirkwood hosts 5K run, spring fest Families can participate in a 5K run and tour houses at the ninth annual Spring Fling Festival and Tour of Homes on May 14-15.

The weekend’s activities begin with the 5K run at 8 a.m. on May 14 in downtown Kirkwood. Runners will meander through Kirkwood’s tree-lined streets and finish at Bessie Branham Park, the site of the Spring Fling Festival, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The festival, which is hosted by the historic Atlanta neighborhood of Kirkwood, will feature an artist market with more than

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The ninth annual Spring Fling Festival and Tour of Homes includes a 5K run on May 14 through Kirkwood’s treelined streets.

90 high-quality artisans and crafters showcasing handmade products.

Activities for children include hands-on crafts, storytelling, a moon bounce, art show and games.

There also will be music, food and drinks from a variety of restaurants and street food carts.

The tour of homes will showcase building styles from classic Victorian cottages to Craftsman bungalows and modern lofts.

For more information, visit www.Kirk woodFling.com.

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Walter Cronkite and others.

Tickets are $40 for the Opening Night VIP Reception and Show and $20 for adults and $10 for students for the other performances. Sunday matinee shows are $15 for adults and $5 for students.

The Tupac Center is at 5616 Memorial Drive. For tickets and more information, visit www.tasf.org or call 404-298-4222.

Al photo l gr are ca aphs pture d digita lly

Kids 15 and younger can hook catfish and bluegill while learning about aquatic habitats at the May 7 Kids Fishing Festival at Panola Mountain State Park.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids can get tips on fishing and identifying fish and other fishing skills. An archery range, fly-fishing, tree climbing, wildlife encounters and more will be available.

Participants must bring their own bait and rods and meet at Alexander Lake 30 minutes before each program.

Panola Mountain State Park is at 2600

The Kids Fishing Festival gets under way at 10 a.m. on May 7 at Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge.

Highway 155 in Stockbridge. Parking is $5, and parents must register their kids in advance.

For more information, call 770-3897801.

11

CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

Scene

“Over the years, we have raised thousands of dollars for the center and many men and women have found hidden treasures.”

Peters inaugurated at ITC

In addition to jewelry, the sale at the Decatur Square Gazebo on May 16 includes gently used handbags, scarves, ties and belts.

Jewelry sale aids Rape Crisis Center Dr. Joseph L. Crawford Sr. (from left), chair of the ITC board of trustees; Bishop Alfred Norris, retired bishop of the United Methodist Church; and Dr. Mark Lomax, assistant homiletics professor, at the April 19 inauguration of the Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Peters, at right.

The Rev. Dr. Ronald Edward Peters, an internationally respected preacher, author, and adviser on social witness policy and urban theological education, is the new president of the Interdenominational Theological Center.

Peters was inaugurated April 19 as the college’s eighth president at the King International Chapel at Morehouse College.

Peters was most recently the Henry L. Hillman Associate Professor of Urban Ministry and the first director of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Metro-Urban Institute, an interdisciplinary program of religious leadership development for urban society.

He will lead ITC, a consortium of six different denominational seminaries, as it continues to train preachers, pastors, academic scholars, and lay leaders in Christian leadership and service in the church and the global community.

Peters said the significance of the ITC and how the collaborative seminaries work together to prepare future leaders for the church is “a gratifying ecumenical lesson to be emulated by all of us in the clergy.”

“I look forward to helping the wider society understand how the heritage of the African-American church can help strengthen the quality of life in the plural, global and increasingly urbanized society of the 21st century,” he said.

Peters, who is a native of New Orleans, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern University, the Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church and joined the Pittsburgh Seminary faculty after 18 years of pastoral leadership.

Fashion-conscious women can find loads of jewelry and accessories at the May 16 Jewelry Sale benefiting the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center.

The popular biannual fund-raiser will include unique, gently used jewelry, handbags, scarves, ties and belts. The sale takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Decatur Square Gazebo.

Mickie Ferrante, the jewelry sale coordinator, said the center also is seeking donations of items for the sale.

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Festival explores green alternatives Families can celebrate the importance of a green environment at the DeKalb Cooperative Extension’s annual Spring Festival on May 14 at North DeKalb Mall.

The free 10 a.m.-to-3 p.m. festival will include information and displays promoting a greener and healthier environment.

There also will be opportunities to learn

about methods and natural products to help keep homes clean and fresh and sessions on nutrition and healthier cooking strategies, gardening and weatherization plus youth development events.

North DeKalb Mall is at 2050 Lawrenceville Highway in Decatur. For more information, call 404-298-4080.

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The center has held the sale twice a year for more than 17 years with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support its work.

“Over the years, we have raised thousands of dollars for the center and many men and women have found hidden treasures at the sale,” Ferrante said.

The Decatur Square Gazebo is 101 E. Court Square in downtown Decatur.

To donate belts, scarves, purses, men’s ties or jewelry, e-mail beth@dekalbrapecrisis center.org or call 404-317-4642.

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12

Sports

CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

East Carolina’s Dwayne Harris became the fifth Tucker Tiger to get a call in the NFL Draft as he was taken in the sixth round.

Lady Saints capture Region 5-AAA title Buffalo, Dallas The Cedar Grove Lady Saints scored 88 points on the second day of competition to rally past St. Pius and capture the Region 5-AAA girls track title at Woodward Academy on May 2.

Cedar Grove trailed St. Pius by 33 points (72.50 to 39.50) heading into the second day of competition, but twin sisters Christian and Kayla Pryor won five events to come out on top 120.50 to 111.50 over St. Pius.

Kayla won the 800 meter run and the 300 meter hurdles to bring home a pair of individual gold medals, and Christian won the 400 meters dash and finished second to her sister in the 800.

Cedar Grove also swept the 4 x 100 meter relay and the 4 x 400 meter relay (3:59.48) to complete its rally for the championship.

Alexus Cobb was the key to the first day’s points for Cedar Grove as she swept the long jump and triple jump.

Shannon Williams, a 2011 Gates Millennium Scholar, led Towers High to fourth place as she captured a silver medal in the shot put to qualify for state and a bronze in the discus.

Arabia Mountain finished fifth with 46 points led by silver medalists Alivia Cromartie in the 100m dash and Vanessa Providence in the 200m dash.

Columbia was seventh with 39.50 points while Stone Mountain and Druid Hills tied for 11th with 12 points each.

Cedar Grove had four competitors qualify in a total five events and two relays for the state meet on May 12-14 in Albany.

Arabia Mountain had two runners qualify for state in one event each, while Towers had three competitors advance to state competitions and Columbia had one.

In Region 6-AA competition, Shunika Jarrells won the 100 meters dash and 200 meters dash to help Avondale to a seventh place finish in the teams standings. Shunika qualified for the state meet in the 100 meters and 200 meters dashes for the second con- Twins Kayla (left) and Christian Pryor helped the Cedar Grove Lady Saints secutive year to advance to Albany on May 12-14. rally past St. Pius for the championship at Woodward Academy on May 2.

snag trio of alums NFL,

from page

1

in the Class AAAAA state semifinals.

He joins former Stephenson alums Perry Riley (LSU/Washington Redskins, 2010); Jermaine Cunningham (Florida/New England, 2010); Demario Minter (Georgia/Cleveland, 2006); and Anthony Cannon (Tulane/Detroit, 2006) as NFL draftees.

Tucker draftees date back to 1972 Searcy, who comes out of the University of North Carolina, was Buffalo’s 100th overall pick in Round 4 of the draft. At UNC he was a safety who led the Tar Heels with four interceptions and was 15th in the nation. He had 37 tackles as a senior in just 10 games.

He was the Tar Heels leading kick returner with a 24.9 average on 12 kickoff returns in 2010. He was fifth in the nation in punt returns during the 2009 season with a 14.6 average.

During his senior season with Towers in 2007, Searcy rushed for 1,607 yards and 16 touchdowns and was credited with 71 total tackles on defense.

East Carolina’s Dwayne Harris became the fifth Tucker Tiger to get a call in the NFL Draft as he was taken in the sixth round as the 176th overall.

Harris enters the NFL as a wide receiver/kick returner and as East Carolina’s all-time season receiving yardage (1,123 yards) and season receptions (101) leader, which he accomplished in the 2010 season.

His performance earned him All-Conference USA honors as a receiver and punt returner in 2010.

Harris was the Tucker Tigers quarterback in 2005, leading his team to a 10-1 record while passing for 1,334 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushing for 524 yards and seven touchdowns.

Other Tucker draftees include Asher Allen (Georgia/Minnesota, 2009),Thomas Brown (Georgia/Atlanta, 2008), Patrick Pass (Georgia/New England, 2000) and John McMakin (Clemson/Pittsburgh, 1972).

Youth

13

CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

The CBC Spouses Education Scholarship was established in response to federal cuts in spending for education and scholarships.

SWD tennis teams finish tough season Applications now Southwest DeKalb High School’s boys and girls tennis teams finished a rigorous season highlighted by several marquee performances and 6-AAAA Sub-Region titles for both the boys and girls teams.

The boys finished the season with a 9-10 record (6-0 in region), and the girls completed the season with an 8-11 record (5-1 in region).

The Panthers faced some tough competition from some of the top teams in the state while making a name for themselves. Coach Lance ThomasDavenport said he put together a tough schedule to help the teams get better.

“We’re building a program here and to do that you have to play tough competition,” said Thomas-Davenport, who has coached the team for two years.

The teams went up against schools like Westlake, Centennial, North Springs, Athens Christian, Harris County and Lakeside. Thomas-Davenport said the Panthers didn’t shy away from the competition in 2011.

By playing top-ranked, state-level tennis programs, the boys were able to thrust themselves onto Georgia’s tennis map, he said.

During the third round of the Granger Invitational Tournament in LaGrange on March 12, the boys went stroke for stroke with Athens Christian Academy. Two out of the five matches went to third set tiebreakers. Although Athens Christian won three matches to two, the boys team caught the attention of tournament spectators with its highly

The Southwest DeKalb High boys and girls tennis teams won 6-AAAA Sub-Region titles. Coach Lance ThomasDavenport said they faced stiff competition.

competitive play.

The girls team got a significant victory when it defeated South Gwinnett 3-2 on March 11 in the second round of the Granger Invitational Tournament.

The girls were led by junior Jasmine Riddick, who posted seven singles wins; sophomore Emani Tavares (five singles wins); and freshman Kaylin Roman (five singles wins). The team also featured the doubles pair of seniors Karlysa McGhee and Lindsey Baker (six wins); the pair of senior Ashanti Booker and junior Shawna Wilson (four wins); and the pair of juniors Kinya DaCosta and Imani Smith (four wins).

The boys were led by senior Fred Jackson, who posted six singles wins; junior Kalin Harrison (six singles wins); and junior Spencer Wade (six singles wins). The boys featured a doubles pair of senior Quadarris Kennedy and junior Odell McCree (six wins) and of seniors Horatio Todd and Deion Williams (six wins).

Fred Jackson and Quadarris Kennedy are both college prospects.

With 33 of 45 team members returning next season, the Panthers expect to make more noise next year.

“We intend to make the stat playoffs next year,” Thomas-Davenport said.

Private school opening second DeKalb location Camp Jewell House private school will be cutting the ribbons on its Lithonia location on May 14.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at 9 a.m. and will be followed by grand-opening festivities at 11 a.m.

The 16,000-square-foot facility at 1719 Redan East is Camp Jewell’s second location.

It also operates a school at the House of Miracles and Blessings Church on

Austin Drive in Decatur.

The school serves children 2 years to 12th grade. The school, which will accommodate up to 320 students at the Lithonia facility, grew out of the Camp Jewell Summer Enrichment Program.

This location replaces the school it was trying to open on Flakes Mill Road in Ellenwood in January. The plan was opposed by residents of the nearby Tara Woods subdivision who did not want

a business operating in the residential area.

The grand opening will include a tour of the new school, food, fun and performances from local artists. Parents also can register their children for the school, its Summer Enrichment Program, and its after-school program.

For more information, visit www .campjewellhouse.org or call 770-7331097.

open Black Caucus Spouse scholarships

High school and college students have until June 1 to apply for thousands of scholarships from the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Foundation.

The CBC Spouses Education Scholarship was established in response to federal cuts in spending for education programs and scholarships. The scholarship program is a national program that awards scholarships to students pursuing full-time undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degrees; who have a minimum 2.5 GPA; and who exhibit leadership abilities and participate in community service activities.

The scholarships include the CBC Spouses Cheerios Brand Health Initiative Scholarship, which supports minority students pursuing degrees in the fields of medicine, engineering, technology, nutrition and other healthrelated professions.

Students must plan to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree full time or be a current full-time student in good academic standing at an accredited college or university, have a 2.5 GPA, and exhibit leadership abilities and participate in community service activities.

To download applications, visit http://cbcfinc.org /cbcf-scholarships.html. For more information, contact Betty Dixon at betty.dixon@mail.house.gov or at 770987-2291.

Honorees integrated Atlanta high school Martha Ann Holmes-Jackson and Rosalyn WaltonLees, who were among the first black students to integrate Atlanta Public Schools in 1961, will be honored at the J.C. Murphy High School Alumni Association prayer breakfast on May 7.

The women will be recognized at the 9 a.m. breakfast at the Holiday Inn in Decatur.

Holmes-Jackson, who lives in DeKalb County, and Walton-Lees integrated Murphy High, now Alonzo A. Crim Open Campus High School.

Murphy High was one of four Atlanta high schools (Brown, Northside and Grady) that were integrated in fall 1961. Holmes-Jackson and Walton-Lees were among nine black students who integrated the all-white schools.

The Holiday Inn is at 130 Clairemont Ave. in Decatur.

For more information, call 678-596-9650.

14

CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

home services

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Education & Training

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Financial aid if qualified- Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (877)818-0783

Employment Opportunities Earn up to $150 per day Undercover Shoppers Needed to Judge Retail & Dining Establishments Experience Not Required Call Now 1-877-737-7565 Help Wanted!!! Make $1000 a Week processing our mail! FREE Supplies! Helping Home-Workers

Canada Drug Center is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our licensed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 90% on all your medication needs. Call Today 888-459-9961 use Promo code save135 for $25.00 off your first prescription and free shipping.

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Auto•Home•Life•Commercial Blue Cross/Blue Shield Tax Services Available

We are now enrolling grades K-8 Call Aminata Umoja, director, 404-992-8021 5197 Salem Road • Lithonia, GA 30038 www.kilomboschool.com

CLAXTON LAW GROUP, LLC The Trust Building 545 N. McDonough Street Suite D Decatur, GA 30030 Phone: (404) 669-6119 Fax: (404) 475-3089 mclaxton@claxtonlawgroup.com www.claxtonlawgroup.com

Find Local Goods & Services

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Kilombo Academic and Cultural Institute fosters an academically excellent and culturally relevant education that produces students who are equipped to succeed globally and are committed to social justice.

Receive a Free Consultation

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Omega One Insurance

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CLAXTON LAW GROUP, LLC

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insurance

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.

wide Offices FREE Consultation!

Se Habla Espanol Call Now - 888-476-3043

Help Wanted Available to Travel? Earn Above Average $$$ Selling with Successful Young Business Group!

No Experience Necessary. Paid Training. Lodging, Transportation, Provided. 1-877-646-5050.

ATTN SALES REPS: Inc.500 Co CPAY (www.cpay.com) is now hiring Sales Partners in your area. Commissions paid daily, plus bonuses and residual income. Sell Visa and MasterCard services to businesses. Proven and accomplished company with career opportunities. Call 1-800213-3350

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15

CrossRoadsNews

May 7, 2011

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

Marketplace

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I will exchange five dollars for ten dimes dated 1964 or before.

M.Jerome 404-324-2036. morethanpennies@hotmail.com.

For Rent Loving Senior Housing Community (60+ ) Live like a “Golden Girl” for less. Share house w/other seniors. Pvt Mstr Ste. Marta.

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HELP WANTED

Notice is given that articles of incorporation that will incorporate Accounts Receivable Relief Inc., have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing in accordance with the Georgia Business Corporation code. The initial registered office of the corporation is located at 2413 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032, and its initial registered agent at such address is Leora Brown.

home services

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.

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

events

Styling with Passion Salon in Decatur is Now hiring Licensed Stylist! For more information, please call Martice at 404-849-1975.

summer camps

clothing

summer camps

Kidswear at 40%-60% Below Wholesale

Team B.L.U.E.

Huge Manufacturer's Clearance Sale on the hottest selling children's fashions from basic to casual.

We have brand name, high demand apparel for boys and girls of all ages.

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Vendors Market • Live Entertainment

May 23 - July 29

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Sponsors: Diversity Class Limousine Service • Hilco Valet Cleaners TGFL Bar-B-Q Special • Coast to Coast Tours

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LEgal notice

health/wellness

Xpress Seeks Comment on Proposed Service Changes Public Meetings to be Held in May

Emory Heart & Vascular Center

Taking expertise, research and improved outcomes to heart.

Proud sponsor of the Stephenson Middle School baseball team!

Atlanta – The public is invited to review and comment on proposed service changes for the Xpress Regional Commuter Service at a series of public meetings to be held between Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 24, 2011 at locations throughout metropolitan Atlanta.

Written comments also are welcome either by email to customerservice@xpressga.com or regular mail sent to Xpress Service Changes, GRTA, 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, NE, Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30303. Comments will also be received by phone by calling Xpress customer service at 404-463-4782.

The formal comment period on the proposed changes ends Wednesday, May 25, 2011.

Comments received after that time will be considered for future service adjustments.

Special Offer!

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50

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The meetings will be held at the following times and locations: Date Tuesday, May 10 Thursday, May 12 Tuesday, May 17 Wednesday, May 18 Thursday, May 19 Tuesday, May 24

Time 4:15-7:30 p.m.

4:00-7:00 p.m.

4:30-7:15 p.m.

3:45-7:15 p.m.

11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

4:15 – 7:30 p.m.

Routes 410, other I-85 corridor routes 428 461, 462,475 450, 451/455 All 408

245 Peachtree Ctr Ave, NE, Ste 800, Atlanta, GA 30303

Doraville MARTA Station

hair care / salons

hair care / salons

Beautiful Babes

Mobile Braiding Express Hair services at your home with a safe and reliable professional.

678-887-6203

If you’re seeking great quality Tree Braids that includes the hair, sew-ins, designer cornrows and more, call (404) 452-3479 or visit www.hairgynesis.com.

beautifulbabeshaircare.vpweb.com

(Off Wesley Chapel, Near I-20)

3592 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur, GA 30034 Conveniently Located in South DeKalb County Offering: Academic Enrichment, Step, Dance, Arts & Crafts

May 23 – July 23

Monday-Friday • 7:00 am-6:00 pm

Only $65/week

Free Breakfast and Hot Lunches Served Daily Serving Ages 5-15 • Registration Fee $35

Call Now for More Information (678) 278-8403 summer camps

REACH FOR THE STARS CHEERLEADING

Coming soon to the SOUTH DEKALB FAMILY YMCA

ADULTS ACCEPTED

NEW LOCATION (effective 1/27/2011) 4118 Snapfinger Woods Drive • Decatur, GA 30035

Camp F.I.E.R.C.E.

24/7 Hair Services

Ms. Felecia

• PRESS & CURL • BRAIDS • QUICK WEAVES • HEALTHY HAIRCARE Call for Monthly Specials

SUMMER DANCE CAMP

At New Life Community Center

Location Discover Mills Mall Xpress shelter Panola Road P&R West Douglas P&R Newnan P&R GRTA office, Chairman’s Conference Room

Requests for interpretation services at the public meetings should be made at least one week prior to the meetings by calling 404-463-3011.

Hair Care for Children

summer camps

We also sell hair!

Purchase 100% Indian Remy Hair $65 16” • 18” • 20” • 22” • 24”

Your Source for Neighborhood News

Ages 5-12 • Registering Now! $40 Facility Members • $50 Program Members Starts May 7! Call 770-987-3500 for details

Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information

16

CrossRoadsNews

Malcolm Cunningham Ford

It’s tIme For An

eAsY

May 7, 2011

Malcolm Cunningham LinCoLn

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Lease for 24 months with $2264 due at signing including $0 security deposit. 10,500 miles per year and 15¢ per mile thereafter plus tax, tag, and title with approved credit. offer expires at month end.

399 0

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Lease for 36 months, with $0 due at signing, including $0 security deposit, 10,500 miles per year, 20¢ per mile thereafter with approved credit. Plus tax, tag, and title.

new 2011 LInCoLn mKs MSRP $42,325 • VIN#1LNHL9DR5BG611641

new 2011 Ford

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new 2011 LInCoLn mKX MSRP $40,915 • VIN#2LMDJ6JK6BBJ21019

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we now rent & Sell truckS!

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5675 Peachtree Industrial Blvd

770-621-0200

2001 toyota camry Xle Auto, Leather, Sunroof, Stk#A1521A ................................................. $4995 2004 chrysler Sebring convertible Fun in the Sun, STK#A1542A ................................. $5995 2002 Ford F-150 Auto, Work Ready, STK#A1599 ......................................................................... $6995 2006 Ford Five Hundred Auto, Power Windows, Power Locks, CD, Must See, Stk#A1508 .......... $9995 2005 Ford explorer Summer Fun, Power Windows, Power Locks, Stk#A1374A .......................... $9995 2010 kia rio Auto, Low Payments, Gas Saver, Stk#A1476 ............................................................... $9995 2008 kia rondo Fun, Fun, Fun, STK#A1489 ............................................................................ $11,995 2008 chrysler Sebring convertible Must See, Nice, Sporty Wheels, STK#A1488....... $12,888 2006 Dodge ram 1500 Auto, V8, Must See, Stk#A1498..................................................... $13,995 2007 Ford escape Xlt Extra Nice, Sport PKG, Stk#A1525 ................................................... $14,995 2008 Dodge charger Power Windows, Power Locks, CD, Sporty, Stk#A1510 ........................ $14,995 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Auto, Power Windows, Power Locks, Gas Saver, STK#A1533.......... $15,985 2008 nissan Altima Power Windows, Power Locks, Auto and More, STK#A1538.................... $16,888 2008 Ford Fusion Sel Auto, Sunroof, Leather, Sporty!!, Stk#A1528 ................................... $16,750 2007 camry Xle Leather, Sunroof, Sporty, StK#A1529 ........................................................... $16,995 2008 Honda Accord eX Auto, Leather, Sunroof, CD, Only 26K Miles, Stk#A1517 ................ $18,995 2006 chevrolet Silverado crew cab lt Priced Right, V8, Powerful, Stk#A1503 ..... $19,959 2007 BMw 328xi Sedan Auto, Leather, Sunroof, & More, Stk#A1522 ............................. $20,888 2009 cadillac ctS New Body Style, STK#A1500.................................................................... $20,995 2007 BMw 328xi coupe Sporty, Clean, Like New! Stk#A1487 ........................................ $22,888 2008 Infiniti G35 Loaded, Must See and Drive, STK#A1539.................................................... $22,995 2010 nissan Maxima Auto, Sunroof, Leather, Stk#A1574................................................... $22,995 2008 Ford edge limited Glass Top and More, Call For Details, STK#A1532......................... $23,758 2008 Mercedes-Benz clk350 Low Miles, Ride in Style with Top Back, STK#A1468 ....... $28,958

mAIntenAnCe InCLUDeD

4-year/50,000-mile Limited Maintenance Plan. Coverage includes a maximum of eight regularly scheduled maintenance services. See dealer for qualifications and complete details. Program ends 5/31/11.

5675 Peachtree Industrial Blvd

(770) 621-0200

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We will buy or trade your car...

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Must Present Coupon When Order Is Written. Not Valid With Any Other Offer. One Coupon Per Visit. Up To 5 Quarts, Diesels And Some Models Slightly Higher. Expires 5/31/11.

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All Insurance Claims Welcome. Open 6 Days a Week.

I-20, Exit Wesley Chapel To Snapfinger Woods Drive

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5C (10.5”) X 16” 25934-MCFO (5-7) Crossroads FC (nb)

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stOCk phOtO