CrossRoadsNews, November 17, 2012 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

COMMUNITY

HOLIDAY

Turkeys for homeless arrive

Celebrating partnerships

High school bands and ROTC groups were among those who marched down Main Street to honor the country’s service men and women for Veterans Day. 4

More than 4,000 turkeys were delivered to the DeKalb County Jail for Hosea Feed the Hungry’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. 9

Managers at the Walmart on Gresham Road lead a company cheer during a program to celebrate the store’s community relationships. 13

Lithonia’s military tribute

SCENE

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

November 17, 2012

Volume 18, Number 29

www.crossroadsnews.com

Black Caucus joining charter school amendment lawsuit By Donna Williams Lewis

ing ballot fraud. “Ever since the word has come out about The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus our legal effort to turn this back, I have replans to join a lawsuit that seeks to unravel ceived countless e-mails from people across the charter school amendthe state saying how betrayed they felt after ment passed by voters on learning what they voted for,” Jones said. Nov. 6. On the ballot, voters were asked the folState Sen. Emanuel lowing question: Jones (D-Decatur), chair“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be man of the caucus, said amended to allow state or local approval of language in the ballot public charter schools upon the request of question was “intentionlocal communities?” ally deceptive.” It passed overwhelmingly in DeKalb and He has asked state and Emanuel Jones across the state. DeKalb voters approved the federal officials to investigate what he’s call- amendment with 63.9 percent of the votes.

Statewide, it passed with 58.5 percent of the votes. Local school systems already are the approval body for charter schools. So there was nothing new there. What was in question was whether the then-defunct Georgia Charter Schools Commission should be revived as an “alternate authorizer” of charter schools, allowed to override local school boards’ denials of charter school petitions with charters of its own. Jones said the amendment was really about creating a “gold mine” for people who want to profit from Georgia’s tax dollars.

“This had nothing to do with student achievement, nothing to do with local control,” he said. “It was all about this sevenmember commission that was formed by the governor who makes three of the seven appointments on the board.” A Dalton teacher and an Atlanta pastor filed a lawsuit over the amendment question in Fulton County Superior Court on Oct. 26. The lawsuit names Gov. Nathan Deal along with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Please see LAWSUIT, page 6

Food Depot Coming to Lithonia The Food Depot in the Salem Crossing shopping center will employ 80 full- and parttime workers when it opens in January. The area has been without a grocery store for seven years.

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Grocery store opening in mid-January at old SaveRite space in Lithonia By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

After seven years without a grocery store, residents of the Panola, Salem and Browns Mill roads corridor will soon have one nearby. Stockbridge-based Food Depot is renovating the old SaveRite grocery store that closed in the Salem Crossing shopping center in September 2005 in the wake of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and downsizing by parent company Winn-Dixie Stores. The Salem Crossing location was one of six DeKalb stores impacted and it is among the last to get a new grocery store. Jamey Leseueur, Food Depot’s operations manager, said the supermarket will open for business by mid-January and employ 80 fulland part-time employees to start. In 2006, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church announced that it, along with 500 pastors it had relationships with, was ex-

ploring opening a grocery store selling a high percentage of organically grown food. Those plans did not materialize and the space stayed empty. Leseueur said Food Depot, which has 29 locations listed on its Web site, eyed the Salem Crossing center for two years before the deal went through. “I used to drive by there from Stockbridge, and what I liked about it is that the center still maintained traffic and tenants. Usually when an anchor leaves, most shopping centers go down,” Leseueur said. “That did not happen.” Leseueur said Food Depot also was interested in the Lithonia location because of its success with the store they opened on Rockbridge Road in Stone Mountain. Work has been under way inside the 44,000-square-foot space for about six weeks. This week, electricians were running wiring for the store’s refrigeration system.

If everything goes as planned, Leseueur said they should start hiring employees after Christmas. Insurance broker Leroy McCoy, whose McCoy Agency has been located in Salem Crossing since 1997, said he is looking forward to the new anchor’s arrival. “It will be good for the neighborhood,” he said. “We need a grocery store here. Hopefully it will bring us more traffic. Without a big box here, it’s been like a ghost town.” Nita Vanish, who opened Spatastik in the shopping center in September, said she was aware that Food Depot was coming. “It enticed me to this location. We know that a strong anchor will help business.” All American Quality Foods, which does business as Food Depot, began in March 1975 when friends and former Food Giant employees Gerald Taylor and Raymond Johnson mortgaged their homes to purchase a former Kenney’s Market in Stockbridge.

Their friends thought they were crazy. By late 1988, the company changed its business name to the Food Depot and its concept became Cost Plus 10 percent, which means 10 percent is added to all its discounted prices at checkout. It’s a distributor for SuperValu Inc., an Eden Prairie, Minn.-based grocery retailer that is the third-largest food retailing company in the United States with a network of more than 2,500 stores. In 2001, Food Depot was SuperValu’s Southeast Region Retailer of the Year and is listed among its “Top Ten” retailers in sales. Food Depot, which sells a full line of groceries, meats and vegetables, has 31 locations in places across metro Atlanta and in Dallas, Warner Robins, Fort Valley and Griffin. Its other east metro Atlanta stores are on Salem Road in Conyers and in Covington. For more information, visit www.my fooddepot.com.

CrossRoadsNews

Community

November 17, 2012

During the meeting, residents learned that the creation of a city of DeKalb might not stop the formation of other cities.

DeKalb County ‘going splintered,’ Senate study panel told By Mary Swint

The Georgia Senate study committee studying the creation of a city of DeKalb will meet Nov. 29 at the State Capitol. The meeting, which is open to the public, starts at 10 a.m. in Room 450. It will be the committee’s third. The Carl Vinson Institute will make a presentation on annexations and franchise fees. At its second meeting, held on Nov. 8 at the Maloof Auditorium, county officials discussed the impact a new city of DeKalb could have on the county’s revenues and the growth of its cities. Those speaking at the meeting included commissioners and county officials. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis did not attend. Commissioner Lee May, who was one of four commissioners in attendance, said the flurry of city creations and annexations has made it increasingly hard to plan. “It is not just about Lee May preserving revenue, but comprehensive planning for the county as a whole,” said May, who represents District 5. He pointed out that Brookhaven will be able to acquire county parks for about $100 per acre. District 4 Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton said a city of DeKalb deserves consideration. “The entire county planned and put investments in infrastructure and then for

a small group to take it without compensation for the county is not fair,” she said. She added that it is not fair for the cities to get 43 percent of the HOST revenues. “We can’t let a few S. Barnes Sutton people destroy one of the best counties,” Barnes Sutton said. County Economic Development Director Charles Whatley said that the rest of the world is going regional while DeKalb is “going splintered.” He said the proliferation of cities will make it difficult to achieve economy of scale in planning. District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader said he opposed creating a city of DeKalb. “What would be the main street and common interest,” he asked. “We won’t lose the county government. We will gain another layer of government.” During the meeting, residents learned that the creation of a city of DeKalb might not stop the formation of other cities. State Sen. Steve Henson said the Legislature could create a city within a city by redoing the charter. “If there is created a city of DeKalb, the Legislature could create a city of Tucker,” he said. Joel Gottlieb, the county’s chief financial officer, said the new city of Brookhaven will cost the county $22 million in revenues. “Due to Dunwoody, we lost $18 million,” Gottlieb said.

Chief Operating Officer Richard Stogner said the losses will be reduced to $15 million because of reductions in county services to the newly incorporated areas. Gottlieb said: “When Dunwoody was created, Richard Stogner police officers and equipment in that area were redeployed to the rest of the county. The net savings was not as large because we redeployed them to hot spots in the county.” Public Safety Director William Miller and Gottlieb said the county has to provide special police services such as helicopters and cannot bill the cities in an emergency to recover the cost of those services. They also pointed out that the cost of funding the courts and jail does not decline when a city is created and county revenue is reduced. A 2008 Carl Vinson Institute study estimated Brookhaven’s revenue would be $25 million, most of which would be diverted from the county. It also estimated that Brookhaven would get $3 million to $4

million from franchise fees on utilities. Two years earlier when 90 percent of the county was unincorporated, a 2006 Carl Vinson Institute study predicted that a city of DeKalb would get about $30 million from franchise fees, which are not available to counties. Interim Planning Director Gary Cornell said Brookhaven will reduce the county’s revenue from permits and zoning variance fees by $1.5 million per year. Stogner said there could not be a consolidated city-county government in DeKalb like those in Augusta, Athens, Savannah and Columbus because there are several cities in DeKalb. He said there would be elected officials for both the city and county of DeKalb. If the unincorporated area is made into a city of DeKalb, the county would resemble Los Angeles, which has a city and county by the same name, Stogner said. Los Angeles County was created in 1850 a few months before the city of Los Angeles. Since then, 97 other cities were chartered inside the county and 10 cities were consolidated with the city of Los Angeles.

Free paper shredding event DeKalb residents drowning in paper can have it shredded and recycled on Nov. 24 at Saint Philip AME Church. The church’s Community Development Corp. is hosting its second annual community shredding of sensitive business and personal documents.

Put CrossRoadsNews to Work for You!

It takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church’s parking lot. There are no limits to the number of boxes or bags per person. The church is at 240 Candler Road. For more information, call Voncile Hodges at 404-371-0749.

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DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis reminds you of the Best Practices for Proper Disposal of

F.O.G.

(Fats, Oils, and Grease)

F.O.G. enters plumbing through garbage disposals, sinks and toilets. It coats the inside of plumbing pipes and also empties into DeKalb County’s sewer system. Here are three simple guidelines to help keep F.O.G. out of our pipes and sewers:

1. 3.

POUR

fats, oils or grease into a sealable container, allow it to cool and throw it in the trash. Do not pour down the drain or toilet.

SCRAPE plates and cookware before washing.

Do not throw scraps of any kind down the drain. Instead, place them in waste containers or garbage bags.

WIPE excess grease from all plates, pots, pans, utensils, and surfaces with a paper towel before washing. Throw the greasy paper towels away.

Plumbing and sanitary sewer systems are simply not designed to handle the F.O.G. that accumulates in pipes. When it gets into the pipes and hardens, blockages occur and cause sewage to backup and overflow out of manholes or into homes. This is expensive for you, and for the County. The damages caused by fats, oils and grease in the sewer system are costly to repair. Over time, they increase the costs of our water and sewer services.

F.O.G. directly impacts your wallet! DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management 1580 Roadhaven Drive * Stone Mountain, GA * (770) 270-6243 dekalbwatershed.com

November 17, 2012

Community

CrossRoadsNews

“This is a fitting tribute to our seniors. We want to make things better on Candler Road.”

$5 million South DeKalb Senior Center under construction By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

By December next year, South DeKalb seniors will have a new $5 million senior center on Candler Road. County officials broke ground on the long-anticipated South DeKalb Senior Center on Nov. 15. It is being built at 1931 Candler Road, on the site of the old senior center that was recently demolished. The 15,000-square-foot facility will have a computer lab, a fully equipped fitness room, access to walking trails, and senior sitting areas both inside and around the grounds. Willie M. Ware, who has been a member of the center for almost seven years, said she is just thanking God for the new facility. “I am asking the good Lord to keep us so we can enjoy it,” said Ware, who will be 75 on Dec. 21. Shirley Jerry, a DeKalb Senior Center member since 2004, said she is excited to finally see the project under way. “It’s going to be great,” Jerry said. “We need the Shirley Jerry space. With a larger facility we can do more things.” DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis, who joined Commissioners Larry Johnson, Kathie Gannon and Lee May and other elected officials for the ceremonial ground breaking, said they promised three senior centers and broke ground on two of them this week. The DeKalb Board of Commissioners awarded the $3.3 million contract to construct the center to Possibility Construction Inc. on Aug. 15. Though it was a chilly 51 degrees dur-

DeKalb County officials and community leaders break ground on Nov. 15 for the new $5 million senior center going up at 1931 Candler Road in Decatur.

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

ing the ground breaking, Ellis said he felt warm. “It warms my heart to be here for this occasion,” he said. A day earlier on Nov. 14, county officials broke ground on a similar senior center at 3393 Malone Drive in Chamblee. The centers will be built at a cost of $5 million each and are funded by federal block grants. “This is your federal tax dollars at work,” Ellis said. Johnson, who has represented Commission District 3 where the center is located for 10 years, said it was a long time coming. “This is a fitting tribute to our seniors,” he said. “We want to make things better on Candler Road.”

Johnson asked the seniors to continue to be vigilant and to hold them to their promise. Gannon, whose Super District 6 includes Candler Road, thanked the seniors for their participation in the process to create the center. “You deserve a place to come together and relax,” she said. The new center is designed in the style of the new Scott-Candler Library next door, which opened in August. Gannon pointed out that when the center, whose design is complementary to the library, is completed, the twinning of both buildings will make that section of Candler “the most outstanding corner” in the county.

The new center is part of the mixed-use development plan for Candler Road. Senior housing also is planned along Candler Road, and Chris Morris, the county’s Community Development director, said that a private developer has been identified for the housing component. Johnson said a park is planned as well. Among the features of the new facility is a main dining hall seating up to 120 people for dining. The space will be easily converted into a meeting space for educational seminars and civic events. There will be activity rooms for ceramics, billiards and board games like chess, bridge and backgammon. A large social lounge will be included in the new facility, which will have a commercial kitchen.

He’s Back!

Santa’s Arrival – Nov. 23rd • 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Santa Photo Hours:

Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sundays: 1 p.m - 6 p.m. December 24th: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy, Decatur, GA 30033 • www.northdekalbmall.com

CrossRoadsNews

Community

November 17, 2012

“It’s beautiful … to honor vets like this. I think people are finally understanding a lot of us are still hurting.”

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

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Graphic Design Curtis Parker Staff Writer Jennifer Ffrench Parker Editorial Intern Stormy Kage Copy Editor Brenda Yarbrough Advertising Sales Kathy E. Warner

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

Photos by Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

The Navy ROTC members at Martin Luther King Jr. High School carry a banner at Lithonia’s inaugural Veterans Day parade on Nov. 10.

Troops help Lithonia salute the nation’s veterans. Actor-comedian Chris Tucker’s grandfather, the Rev. Theodore Bryant, was the parade’s grand marshal.

The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

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L CA LO ODS! GO

Members of Miller Grove’s Army ROTC march in formation at the parade in Lithonia’s town center.

Lithonia first veterans parade draws lots of participants By Stormy Kage

From ROTC groups to motorcycle clubs, dozens of groups paraded down Lithonia’s Main Street on Nov. 10 to honor the country’s service men and women for Veterans Day. The inaugural parade brought pride to the handful of residents who came out to watch. ALthea Reaves, who lives near Main Street took her five-year-old grandson Taylor to see the parade. “It was the best parade I ever saw in Lithonia,” she said. Uloma Brown of Decatur called it spectacular. “It was really well-coordinated,” she said. Councilwoman Shameka Reynolds said she

was too sick to join the parade but she watched it on Main Street with her three-year-old son Miles and two cousind. “This is what Lithonia needs,” she said. “Its just bringing Lithonia back to life like it used to be.” Other City Council members joined Mayor Deborah Jackson for the parade, which began at Lithonia Middle School and terminated at the Bruce Street center. Tina Troup, owner of Choices of Accessories on Main Street. was happy with the turnout. “It made the city look like we are doing something,” she said. Leon Robinson Jr., a former Marine was touched by the parade.

“It’s beautiful for someone to honor vets like this,” he said. “I think people are finally understanding how a lot of us are still hurting.” Robinson of Stone Mountain, said that when he returned home after serving in Vietnam, he was met with hostility. “I was spit on and called a baby killer,” he said. “But now, people are finally saying thank you. That did something to me on the inside.” Anthony Pearson of Lithonia said he came out to help salute the veterans. “These are the people risking their lives to secure and defend this country. Jackson, the city’s mayor, pronounced the parade a success. “All we needed was a bigger audience,” she said.

AL ! LOC ICES RV SE

www.eastmetromarket.com

The drum majors with the Clarkston High School marching band perform a routine during the parade.

Circulation Audited By

Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson called the parade a success: “All we needed was a bigger audience.”

City Councilman Darold Honoré (center) waves to spectators.

index to advertisers Arthur’s Contracting.......................................15 Attorney Robert Burroughs...........................15 Aviation Institute of Maintenance..................15 BJH Attorneys & Counselors at Law...............14 Cajun Turkeys................................................15 Centura College.............................................15 DeKalb Co. Dept. Watershed Management.... 2

Georgia Military College................................12 Hibachi Grill....................................................6 L’Couture Fashion Lounge.............................15 Live Healthy & Thrive Foundation..................9 Macy’s............................................................. 7 Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery............. 16 Mechanixx Corporation..................................15

North DeKalb Mall.......................................... 3 Quenon Smith...............................................14 Saint Philip AME Church............................... 10 Savannah State University..............................12 The Davis Bozeman Law Firm, P.C.................14 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas.....................14 The Mall at Stonecrest.................................... 5

The Spa Ladies...............................................15 Wright Vision Care..........................................9 Best Buy Co. Inc......................................Inserts Walmart..................................................Inserts Holistic Health Management Inc.............Inserts Walgreens...............................................Inserts

November 17, 2012

CrossRoadsNews

Community

November 17, 2012

“The commission will create a dual school system and resegregate public education based on race and income.”

Archives open by limited appointment only Ballot language, By Donna Williams Lewis

The Georgia Archives facility is now open to the public for just two weeks each month by limited appointment only. The new reduced operating hours, which went into effect Nov. 1, are the result of state cuts. The archives facility houses state records and artifacts dating back to the 1700s. Before the cuts, the facility averaged 74 visitors per week, or about 296 per month. The average visitor spends three hours there, according to state records. The new schedule allows 288 visitors per month during the first two weeks of each month. Visitors will be limited to two or two-and-a-half hours at the facility. Staff was reduced to three – two archi-

State Capitol to protest the closure of state public records to the walk-in public. Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced the end of open access to the archives on Sept. 13 as the way his office would meet a required state budget cut of $732,626, or 3 percent. Kemp said at the time that he announced the closure “with great remorse” and pledged to continue to work with the governor, General Assembly and other interested parties to restore funding and access to the archives. The Georgia Archives staff numbered more than 100 in the early ’80s when the archives operated out of a building in downtown Atlanta. In 2003, it moved to Morrow near the entrance to Clayton State University.

Georgia Archives: The basics n Address: 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260 n Phone: 678-364-3700 n Web site: www.sos.ga.gov/archives n Current public hours: Fridays and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. To make appointments, contact Christopher M. Davidson at cdavidson @sos.ga.gov or 678-364-3714.

vists and a maintenance worker – from 10 employees this month. The state had sought to close the archives to the public, but advocates initiated Facebook campaigns and held a rally at the

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preamble called ‘purposely’ misleading LAWSUIT,

from page

The Rev. Timothy McDonald, senior pastor at First Iconium Baptist Church and a member of the Concerned Black Clergy group, and teacher Beverly Hedges allege in the suit that the ballot language and the preamble that describes it were “purposely” misleading. The suit asks that the charter school amend- Timothy McDonald ment not be enforced even it was approved by voters. When asked for comment from the governor, his spokesman, Brian Robinson, said in an e-mail: “The voters spoke overwhelmingly in favor of school choice.” Deal ardently supported the charter school amendment, which was opposed by many in public education, including Georgia State Superintendent of Schools John Barge. Jones said he met with the governor in February to discuss concerns over the ballot amendment’s wording. The lawsuit alleges that lawmakers wanted the ballot question to promote charter schools’ ability to improve student achievement. That type of language was removed before final passage of the proposed amendment, but it was later put into a preamble to the ballot question by the Constitutional Amendments Publication Board. Deal has one of three votes on that board. Jones said he obtained an e-mail the day before the election that proves the ballot question and its preamble were intentionally worded in a misleading way. “People high up are wanting this legislation,” Rep. Tommy Benton (R-Jefferson) wrote to a constituent on Feb. 3. “The vagueness of the ballot wording is something they want to keep. They think if they keep it vague it will more easily pass.” Benton confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he wrote the e-mail to Jeanette Knazek, an Alpharetta parent who had been following the charter issue. Knazek said she felt the ballot wording didn’t give voters accurate information. Jones has sent letters asking Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate. He said he contacted Holder because charter schools would receive federal funds. Neither office has responded. The charter school amendment was an effort to revive the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, which was formed by a law passed in 2008. Last year, after legal challenges from school districts including DeKalb County’s, the state Supreme Court struck down the law that established the commission. The court ruled that local school boards have exclusive authority over whether charter schools come into their communities. But the Nov. 6 vote put the matter in the hands of voters, who have now reinstated what the court struck down. “We’ve taken power away from elected school boards and given it to appointed members of this seven-member commission that is not accountable to anyone,” Jones said. “The commission will create a dual school system and resegregate public education based on race and income.”

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November 17, 2012

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Holiday

CrossRoadsNews

November 17, 2012

These recipes are super-fast, so you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the people you treasure.

Tasty traditional treats minus all the guilt Eating Healthy Life Chef Asata Reid

oliday meals are a cause for celebration! The season’s big feasts are some of my favorite memories from childhood, and I’m embellishing and extending the tradition with my own family and beloved friends. This year, there’s no need to go without your favorite holiday flavors or start the guilt cycle associated with unhealthy food choices. These recipes will provide all of the nostalgic scents and tastes of Thanksgivings gone by, but without all of the fat, salt and extra calories. As an added bonus, these recipes are all super-fast (average cooking time is 20 minutes or less), so you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the people you treasure. Enjoy!

Corn & Edamame Succotash

1 onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced Corn kernels cut from 5-6 ears of grilled, charred, smoked or roasted corn (1 1-pound bag frozen corn kernels) 1 1-pound bag of frozen, shelled edamame (soybeans) 1 red bell pepper, small diced 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté the onions and garlic until aromatic, about 3-4 minutes. Add corn, edamame and bell pepper. Season with spices and continue to cook until the peppers are crisp-tender (about 3-5 minutes). For added decadence, top with crumbled queso fresco or other mild crumbly white cheese.

Cranberry Orange Sauce

2 pints fresh cranberries 1 jar of orange marmalade 1/2 cup of water or orange juice 1-2 cinnamon sticks 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a low simmer, stirring occasionally. When the cranberries start to burst, remove from heat and allow to thicken. As the sauce sits, it will get thicker. For a smoother sauce, process in a blender.

Quick Cooked Spiced Collards

1 bag pre-washed, trimmed collard greens (or kale) 3 cups broth or stock 3 cloves garlic 1 onion 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon allspice or cloves Olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

Mushroom Gravy

2 pints mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced 1 medium onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons flour (or rice flour or gluten-free flour mix) 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 16 ounces broth or stock ½ cup heavy cream (optional) Salt and pepper to taste Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté the mushrooms, onion and garlic until tender and cooked down. Add one more tablespoon of olive oil and reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the flour and keep stirring until a light brown roux has formed. Pour in the broth or stock and scrape up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Increase heat to medium high, add thyme, cream, salt and pepper and allow to simmer 5-10 minutes or until gravy starts to thicken and can coat a spoon. Gravy will continue to thicken as it cools. For a smooth gravy, process in a blender. Serve over steamed green beans for a lighter version of the classic green bean casserole.

Follow the Life Chef Find Life Chef Asata Reid on Face book and Twitter or call her at 404-9535474. For more healthy and delicious recipes or information on cooking classes, visit www.lifechef.net.

In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat, add onions and sauté until tender. Add garlic and cook, stirring for another 3 minutes. Add the broth or stock and all the spices and bring up to a simmer. Stir in the greens, cover with a lid, reduce heat to medium and cook for another 15-20 minutes. When greens are tender and bright green, serve.

EZ Creamy Mashed Potatoes

4 cups 2 percent milk (or rice milk or oat milk) 6-8 medium red-skin potatoes (think tennis ball-size) peeled and quartered 2 bay leaves 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil or coconut oil (optional) Salt and pepper to taste Combine peeled and cut potatoes with milk, salt and pepper in a pot. Liquid should be enough to just cover the potatoes. Cover and cook for about 10-15 minutes over medium heat, being careful not to scald the milk and stirring occasionally to prevent any sticking on the bottom of the pot. When potatoes are fork tender, remove the bay leaves, add the butter or oil, and mash with a whisk or potato masher until creamy. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. If potatoes are too stiff, whip in a little additional warm milk 2 tablespoons at a time. If serving potatoes later, reheat with a little additional liquid.

Black-eyed Pea Salad With Corn and Tomatoes

12 ounces frozen corn, thawed 2 15-ounce cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained 1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half 2 scallions, chopped (green parts only) Juice and zest from 2 lemons 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Combine black-eyed peas, corn and tomatoes in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. Stir in the lemon zest and scallions. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and stir well. Serve chilled or room temperature.

Stove-top Glazed Sweet Potatoes

1 12-ounce bag frozen, diced organic sweet potatoes 1 cup apple cider 1 cinnamon stick Pinch of garam masala (Indian spice blend) Pinch of salt Combine ingredients in a pot, simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sweet potatoes are tender (about 10 minutes), and the cider has reduced to a glaze.

November 17, 2012

Holiday

CrossRoadsNews

These churches are part of an ecumenical ministry that distributes lunches to about 70 people each weekday.

Hosea Feed the Hungry needs trimmings for annual dinner By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

More than 4,000 turkeys were delivered on Nov. 9 for the annual Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Thanksgiving Dinner. Now it’s time for the trimmings. The donations of frozen birds from Publix, Kroger and Sodexho supermarkets were unloaded at the DeKalb Sheriff ’s Office where volunteers will prepare the annual meal for thousands of homeless and lowincome individuals and families on Nov. 22 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The meal will be served from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Elisabeth Omilami, HFTH’s CEO, said the organization started by her father more than four decades ago stands in the gap for those individuals and families who would otherwise have nothing to celebrate. “While the holiday season is filled with lots of joy and cheer for so many Americans, for just as many more it is a time of lost hope and despair,” she said. This year’s dinner will be the organization’s 43rd annual dinner. For the past seven years, the meal has been prepared in the kitchen of the DeKalb County Jail, which is reputed to be the largest commercial kitchen in metro Atlanta.

“While the holiday season is filled with lots of joy and cheer for so many Americans, for just as many more it is a time of lost hope and despair.” Elisabeth Omilami

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

DeKalb Sheriff Thomas Brown (from left), Clint Slaton, Commissioner Lee May and Afemo Omilami of Hosea Feed the Hungry unload turkeys at the DeKalb County Jail on Nov. 9.

During the annual Great Turkey Drop, a tractor-trailer rolls up to the jail loaded with frozen and smoked turkeys and hams. Sheriff Thomas Brown said they are now depending on the community to bring the rest of the ingredients for the dinner. “We need those canned vegetables. We need bread,” Brown said. “It’s not just about meat. We got to make sure we have the gravy, the cranberry. We have to have the trim-

mings. We have to have the desserts.” Brown said it’s not too late to give. “Come one, come all,” he said. “It’s not too small. It’s not too large. Bring the food on so that we can have a nice time. It’s a tradition, just like riding the Pink Pig, so just make it happen.” Afemo Omilami said the holidays are the season for reminding people about invisible Americans who are people like us.

“They have a life,” he said. “They want to be touched. They want to see their children go to medical school. They want their children to have the opportunities we all enjoy.” Over the next three months, the organization will prepare and serve meals at Thanksgiving, Christmas and the King holiday. “All those dinners depend on what happens here and now,” he said. “We are still looking for the vegetables that go along with the wonderful turkeys and the dressing. We are still asking the public to help us.” His wife said that it takes a partnership between the business, faith-based and nonprofit communities and individuals to make a difference. “With that four-legged stool, we really can end homelessness in Atlanta,” she said. “We can bring about what [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.] called the beloved community.” To donate, visit Hosea.com.

Churches share blessings of season with fellowship and food By Donna Williams Lewis

Churches in Stone Mountain and Lithonia are coming together for joint Thanksgiving events to give thanks for the season and help people in the community. The joint services have become a tradition for St. Timothy United Methodist, Memorial Drive Presbyterian and Rock of Ages Lutheran churches in Stone Mountain and for First Afrikan Presbyterian, Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist and Ousley United Methodist churches in Lithonia.

Potluck Thanksgiving This year, the Stone Mountain churches, all located on Memorial Drive, will meet at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church on Nov. 17 from 5-7 p.m. at 5135 Memorial Drive. A new addition to the group this year is the Rest Stop Church, also located on Memorial Drive. This year’s event will be different from the previous ones, also held for decades. These churches and others are part of an ecumenical ministry that distributes lunches to about 70 people every weekday at Rock of Ages. As an extension of that ministry, the churches will worship together during a potluck dinner that is open to the community. To make donations for the event or for more information, call Memorial Drive Presbyterian at 404-292-8212 or St. Timothy’s at 404-292-5969.

Communitywide service Decatur Cooperative Ministry, which works to prevent and alleviate homelessness, will hold a “Communitywide Thanksgiving Service” on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. The worship service will be held at Decatur Presbyterian Church, 205 Sycamore St. in Decatur. Guest speaker is the Rev. David Lewicki, copastor of North Decatur Presbyterian Church. His sermon is titled “Thank You, Lord.” The Cooperative Ministry partners with more than 38 congregations David Lewicki that have been invited to the service, which is open to the public.

of Antioch-Lithonia Baptist Church. Antioch-Lithonia Church is at 2152 Rock Chapel Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770-482-1277.

Thanksgiving worship service First Afrikan Presbyterian, Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist and Ousley United Methodist Church will hold Thanksgiving worship together on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at Ousley UMC, 3261 Panola Road. Big Miller Grove Bishop Miles E. Fowler will deliver the sermon and First Afrikan’s Tam choir will sing. The churches, which are located within a one- Miles E. Fowler mile radius on Panola Road, have co-hosted the annual joint worLithonia gives thanks The Lithonia community will celebrate ship service for nearly 20 years. The public is invited. For more informaThanksgiving on Nov. 18 at Antioch-Lithotion, call 770-981-0180. nia Missionary Baptist Church. Participating churches for the 5-7 p.m. event include Lithonia First United Meth- ‘A Day of Thanks and Giving’ Fairfield Baptist Church will host “A Day odist Church, Fishers of Men, First St. Paul AME Church and Higher Level Worship of Thanks and Giving” on Nov. 22. The Thanksgiving Day service, which Church, among others. starts at 9 a.m., is a collaborative effort of The sermon will be delivered by the Rev. Rod Dewberry, pastor of Fishers of Men 10 churches. The Rev. Andre Grier, pastor of the Union Community Church. The James C. Ward Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, will Chorale will provide the music. Refreshments will be served after the deliver the sermon. The service will be followed by an outservice, said the Rev. James C. Ward, pastor

pouring of social services and Thanksgiving dinner for about 200 pre-registered families. The co-sponsoring churches include Big Miller Grove Baptist Church, Christ Our Hope Catholic Church, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Exousia Andre Grier Light House International, Flat Rock Community Church, New World Harvest Ministries, Solid Rock AME Zion Church, Union Missionary Baptist Church, and White Oak Hills Baptist Church. Fairfield Baptist is at 6133 Redan Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 770482-7660.

Dial to preach at Greenforest Greenforest and Rainbow Park Baptist Church are co-hosting a joint Thanksgiving Day worship service at Greenforest Community Baptist Church on Nov. 22. The service starts at 10 a.m., and Rainbow Park’s Steven Dial Sr. pastor, the Rev. Steven N. Dial Sr., will preach. Dial is a former youth and young adult pastor at Greenforest, at 3250 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information, call 404-4861120.

Wellness

CrossRoadsNews

November 17, 2012

“Every dollar is a blessing.’ Heck, if you donate a quarter, we shall save it up until we can purchase what we need.”

South DeKalb free clinic needs donations to keep its doors open By Brenda Camp Yarbrough

Five years ago when Renee Ranson and community supporters opened the South DeKalb Center for Healthy Living in Lithonia, she had no idea how great the need would be for their free services and how challenging it would be to stay afloat. Since that day, the center, which provides health screenings and primary care to the unemployed Renee Ranson and uninsured with a staff of volunteers, has seen 8,672 patients. Faced with dwindling donations, the cash-strapped center was forced this year to turn away about 20 people seeking care, reduce its days of operation to two Saturdays per month from up to nine days of operation, and institute a $20 to $25 fee for its services. Ranson said two out of 10 people still cannot afford that. “They give what they can or we see them anyway,” she said. To help it continue to serve the community, the center is seeking donations for its annual Christmas in November fund-raiser under way through Nov. 30. The goal this year is to raise $8,000. It also needs exam table paper, exam drapes, multipurpose paper, cleaning supplies and office supplies as well as gift cards from Staples, Walmart, Kroger and Home Depot. Since the campaign’s launch on Nov. 1, the center has received cash and in-kind donations totaling $3,232 but is still far from its goal. Ranson, the center’s executive director, said it has been a blessed but challenging year because the nonprofit center did not secure any grant funding this year. They have made it this far with the help of donors like Cathryn Dixon, who made a contribution to honor the memory of her husband, Jack Dixon, who died on Sept. 22 of a massive heart attack. Dixon said her husband received excellent health care through the clinic when he was unemployed and uninsured.

The South DeKalb Center for Healthy Living in Lithonia depends on a staff of volunteers to provide health screenings and primary care for unemployed and uninsured patients. It is seeking donations during its annual Christmas in November drive and recipes for a cookbook fund-raiser.

“He felt a kinship there at the clinic,” she wrote in the note that accompanied her donation. Ranson said the center, which opened its doors in April 2007, continues “through the grace of God” and consistent support from a few volunteers, including Lynn Chamberlain, Jim Wunch of Larkin Refractory in Lithonia and DeKalb Medical. She said that Chamberlain is initiating a cookbook fund-raiser to help create a funding stream for clinic.

For the cookbook effort, it is asking supporters to e-mail, mail or bring in their favorite recipes, including selections for diabetic patients. Ranson calls Wunch a stellar supporter who purchases supplies and donated $2,000 twice this year. The clinic is appealing for any and all kinds of help – donors, volunteers and “kind hearts” who can offer up prayers for its mission. “As we at SDCHL have always stated, ‘Ev-

Charli Vogt, who holds advanced degrees in nursing and public health, will discuss the restorative power of food, “From the Kitchen to the Medicine Cabinet,” on Nov. 23 at the Decatur Library in downtown Decatur.

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“God has a vision for our lives that is greater than any vision we can have for ourselves or that others can have for us.”

ery dollar is a blessing.’ Heck, if you donate a quarter, we shall save it up until we can purchase what we need,” she said. Donations can be made at www.healthy livingclinic.org, using the PayPal link on the donations page, or by check payable to SDCHL. Items can be dropped off or mailed to the clinic. The South DeKalb Center for Healthy Living is at 2699 Klondike Road. For more information, e-mail admin.sdhl@gmail.com or call 770-484-2777.

Learn about health-inducing food Herbalist and registered nurse Charli Vogt of Beyond the Measuring Cup will talk about the restorative power of food on Nov. 23 at the Decatur Library. Vogt, one of Oakhurst Community Garden’s favorite teachers, will present “From the Kitchen to the Medicine Cabinet,” which takes place from 7 to 8 p.m. She holds advanced degrees in nursing and public

health. Participants can find out about some of the foods, herbs and spices in the kitchen that are health-inducing. They can taste and learn about food that restores health and provides comfort. Decatur Library is at 215 Sycamore St. in downtown Decatur. For more information, call 404-370-3070.

November 17, 2012

CrossRoadsNews

Youth

CrossRoadsNews

November 17, 2012

Washington was deployed in 2008 to the Western Pacific in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lithonia graduate awarded Navy’s Meritorious Service Medal By Donna Williams Lewis

Charlos D. Washington, who graduated from Lithonia High School in 1990, has a new military medal to add to his collection. Washington, a commander in the U.S. Navy, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for exceptional performance as commanding officer of the USS Oscar Austin. Washington commanded the guidedmissile destroyer from April 2011 until October. Rear Adm. Scott T. Craig, commander, Strike Force Training, Atlantic, praised Washington at an Oct. 22 change of command ceremony held at Port Louis, Mauritius. “Commander Washington demonstrated dynamic visionary leadership as he expertly led Oscar Austin to unprecedented operational, tactical and combat readiness,” Craig said. Washington will next report for duty to the commander of the Strike and Air Warfare Center in Fallon, Nev. After he left Lithonia High, Washington attended the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned in May 1994, receiving a degree in general sciences. He earned a master’s in space systems operations from

Lithonia High School graduate Charlos D. Washington was praised for exceptional performance as commanding officer of the USS Oscar Austin.

the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif., in 1999. Prior to commanding the Oscar Austin, Washington was deployed in 2008 to the Western Pacific in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the American-led counterattack on terrorism.

His personal awards include two Meritorious Service medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, and numerous unit awards. Washington, 39, is the son of the late Don C. Washington and Delores T. Washington, a

retired DeKalb County high school principal. His sister, Cassandra Wilson, is a broadcast video producer at Towers High School. Delores Washington remembers her son playing with “Star Wars” toys when he was a boy. When she visited on the Oscar Austin, “I thought, ‘Here’s this kid still with his toy,’ ” she said. “He always loved water and ships, and we always made sure we exposed him to them.” Washington said her son has been swimming competitively since the age of 3. When he was 5 years old, his parents took him to Mobile to check out the USS Alabama, a battleship. Washington said her husband, who grew up in Smithville, Texas, was denied entry into the Air Force because of his race. “He was so proud that his son was able to be part of the change in history and be accepted into the Naval Academy,” said Washington, who lives in Lithonia. “It’s overwhelming when you think of his accomplishments during his Navy career,” she said. “I had no idea that he would love the Navy as well as he does. We are very proud that he’s serving his country and doing well at it.”

Scout Merit Badge Clinic at Fairfield 49 new buses for DeKalb Schools Boy Scout Troop 1996 will host its first Merit Badge Clinic on Dec. 1 at Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia. Classes will be offered for Boy and Girl Scouts and Scoutmasters. Classes are $15 for all Scouts and $30 for Scoutmasters. Sessions for the Scouts will be held throughout the morning and afternoon. Fifteen classes are offered.

Scoutmaster’s training takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A merit badge allows Scouts to display newly learned skills. A Scout picks a topic and follows instructions on how to study and present the findings to earn a badge. Fairfield Baptist is at 6133 Redan Road. For more information, visit www .meritbadge.info.

The DeKalb School District is adding 49 new buses to its fleet through special state funding. The $3.7 million purchase of the 72-passenger Blue Bird buses was approved by the Board of Education at its Oct. 8 meeting. Twenty buses have passed pre-service inspections and have been delivered with the remainder arriving over the next weeks. The buses were purchased from the Yancey Bus Sales at a cost of $76,219.50 each. The Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission provided state bus bond funding, so the purchase has no impact on

the general budget. The school system’s buses are driven 11 million miles annually to transport 62,000 students to and from school each day, according to the district. Fleet Director Anthony Jackson called the purchase great news for the school system. “Our mechanics and drivers work diligently to care for and maintain our fleet of more than 850 buses, but it can be challenging with the incredible volume of miles that we drive each day,” Jackson said in a Nov. 12 statement. “These brand-new buses provide more reliable transportation for our children.”

County hosting winter break camp Children ages 5 to 12 can attend Winter Break Day Camp at all 13 DeKalb County recreation centers on Nov. 19-21. The $6-a-day camp takes place from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Payments should be made to DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs

by cashier’s check or money order. Participants must provide their own lunch and snack. For more information, call Bernita Reese, division manager, at 404-371-3643 or Al Sheppard, division manager, at 404-3716270.

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November 17, 2012

Scene

CrossRoadsNews

“We wanted a cleaner and easier shopping experience for our customers.”

Gresham Park Walmart celebrates civic leaders, renovations By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

When Taniqua Wright arrived at the Gresham Park Walmart in August, she immediately began to forge partnerships with the community around the store. The 11-year Walmart employee, who is on her first store manager stint, immediately reached out and built relationships with the Gresham Park Community Association, Taniqua Wright the Concerned Neighbors Association, the Highland Park Homeowners Association, Greystone Park Association, the McNair Discovery Learning Academy and the DeKalb NAACP. At a Nov. 9 Community Partners Event at the store, she said thanks to them for their support. Wright told the community leaders that she and her team of managers and associates are there to serve the community. “We take that responsibility seriously,” she said. The occasion also celebrated the completion of the renovations at the store that opened in March 2006. The remodel, which was the first done at the 6-year-old store, included repainting the building, installing updated fixtures, upgrad-

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Community leaders Darryl Jennings (from left), Jerri Bason, Priscilla Davenport, Robert Dennis and Cherry Willis received plaques from the new manager of the Gresham Park Walmart.

ing internal and external lighting, boosting security, and increasing the number of cashiers to reduce checkout wait time. “We updated the look and cleaned up the store,” Wright said. “We wanted a cleaner and easier shopping experience for our customers.” Wright didn’t have the total cost of the upgrades, but she said she went more than

$80,000 over budget. Darryl Jennings, president of the Gresham Park Community Association, is happy with the changes that came with Wright. He said the community doesn’t plan to lose her. “We have had five managers in five years,” he said. “We say, ‘No more managers.’ We are going to do what we have to as a community to keep you.”

District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson told Wright that the community has her back and will support her in making the store a success. He said that Gresham, the first Walmart built inside I-285, was the first economic development project he undertook as a county commissioner 10 years ago. The store was built on the site of an old abandoned Kmart building that become a haven for homeless people and criminal elements. Its coming transformed the intersection of Gresham Road and I-20 and brought 300 jobs. “I am proud of the grand reopening and proud of the spirit,” Johnson said. Robert Dennis, president of the Concerned Neighbors Association, says he lives in the store. “I come here five days a week and I walk from one door to the next,” he said. “This is our store. If something is on the floor, pick it up. We worked hard to bring this store to this community and we are not going to make it fail.” Wright presented plaques and goodies to the community leaders, and Johnson got a wall clock for his office and a card signed by the store’s managers and associates. Dennis told Wright that she is not going to please everybody. “Just do your best,” he said.

Centers collecting food to help families in need at Thanksgiving To help families struggling to put Thanksgiving meals on the table, DeKalb County and a number of nonprofit and community groups are collecting canned and nonperishable food items. Residents can donate nonperishable food items at a dozen DeKalb recreation centers through Nov. 20 during normal operating hours. The food drive is sponsored by the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs. Donated items will be distributed to people in need. Donations can be dropped off at: n The Maloof Building, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur.

n Briarwood Recreation Center, 2335 Briarwood Way in Atlanta. n Browns Mill Recreation Center, 5101 Browns Mill Road in Lithonia, n Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive in Decatur. n Gresham Recreation Center, 3113 Gresham Road in Atlanta. n Hamilton Recreation Center, 3263 Chapel St. in Scottdale. n Lucious Sanders Recreation Center, 2484 Bruce St. in Lithonia. n Lynwood Recreation Center, 3360 Osborne Road in Atlanta. n Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340-B McConnell Drive in Decatur. n Midway Recreation Center, 3181 Midway

Road in Decatur. n N.H. Scott Recreation Center, 2230 Tilson Road in Decatur. n Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. n Redan Recreation Center, 1839 Phillips Road in Lithonia. n Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 644 Parkdale Drive in Scottdale. n Tucker Recreation Center, 4898 LaVista Road in Tucker. The main office is open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the recreation centers and the Porter Sanford Center are open 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call LaShanda

Davis at 404-371-3643.

Tupac Shakur Foundation drive The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation is accepting donations of canned and dry food items through Nov. 19. It needs vegetables, tuna and other canned meats, soups, pasta sauce, peanut butter, fruit, and cranberry sauce. The dry food items include rice, pasta, soup packages, Hamburger Helper, cereal, pancake mix, pudding, Jell-O, coffee, tea, chocolate mix, and dry milk. The center is at 5616 Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain. For more information, call 404-2984222.

CrossRoadsNews

November 17, 2012

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Reader Notice As a service to you – our valued readers – we offer the following information: This newspaper will never knowingly accept any advertisement that is illegal or considered fraudulent. If you have questions or doubts about any ads on these pages, we advise that before responding or sending money ahead of time, you check with the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Line and/or the Better Business Bureau. They may have records or documented complaints that will serve to caution you about doing business with those advertisers. Also be advised that some phone numbers published in these ads may require an extra charge. In all cases of questionable value, such as promises or guaranteed income from work-at-home programs, money to loan, etc., if it sounds too good to be true – it may in fact be exactly that. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for any negative consequences that occur as a result of you doing business with any advertisers. Thank you.

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

CrossRoadsNews

November 17, 2012

home services

ARTHUR’S CONTRACTING

Financial & Tax Services

• Handyman Services • Plumbing - Water Line Repair & Fixture Installation • Unclog & Repair Sewer and Drain • Concrete Driveways • Wood & Chainlink Fence

Marketplace

Notice to Creditors. Weyman Lamar McDaniel who resided in Dekalb County GA died August 22, 2012. I have been appointed as personal representative for this estate and any person or organization that has a valid claim against the estate must serve a copy of the claim to me. Melody Rucker, 2324 Whitehouse Rd., Dacula, GA 30019 678-482-7426.

FOR RENT/LEASE Rooms for Rent Decatur/Stone Mt Furnished room wt TV, cable, phone, frig, all utils, access kitchen & Wash/D. Clean and quiet on Marta. $100-$120 per week 678 698 8587. Clean unfurnished Rms in Stn Mtn/Lithonia Full Kitch, util, cable & Washing included. $135 wk.

House for Rent $1500/Month. Call 404-433-8820 for more info

FOR SALE Ellenwood brick Foreclosure, 4 bdrm, 2.5BA, LR,Dr, $95,500! $1000 dwn, $740 per mon. Must qualify. Call 1 888 269 6795 x167 1st U Rlty.

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Call Arthur 404-838-6541

MARKETPLACE RATES

678-982-2068

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.

fashion

All Your Holiday & Special Occasion Needs Latest Fashion Trends One of a Kind Pieces Handbags & Jewelry

food / dining

WANTED Two Christian-Based NonProfit Day Care centers seeking daytime volunteers. Teachers, assistant teachers, RNs and aids for child/adult care service. Compensation included. 770981-7408.

We will make you stand out in a crowd

$45 and up 10%thOisFF ad with

education / training

AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for hands on Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified – Housing available

LOUNGE

4757 Stone Mountain Hwy. Ste 1000 – Lilburn, GA 30047 Phone: 678-478-9549

for rent / lease

spas / salons

Furnished Office Suites For Rent from $350

Permanent Hair Removal & Skin Care Specialist

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CALL Aviation Institute Care of Maintenance & Skin Specialist

HOLIDAY SPECIALS

877-818-0783

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education / training

APPLIANCE SERVICE We Repair Washers, Dryers, Stoves, and More ✓ Same Day Service ✓ Cash, Checks Accepted ✓ Licensed and Insured ✓ Senior Citizen Discount

$65 Body Wraps

6440 Old Hillandale Drive, Lithonia ★ High visibility from I-20. Minutes from The Mall at Stonecrest. ★ Ideal Office location for Lawyers, Accounting Firms, Real Estate Companies, Insurance Agencies, Auto Brokers, Architects, Engineers, Business/Life Style Consultants and other Corporate (for profit and not for profit) Executive Office Use.

• Free Wi-Fi • Free Parking • On Site Property Manager

$50 LED Light Facials BEFORE

AFTER

• Monitored Entry From 9-5 • 24/7 Key Card Access

For Information, contact James Burroughs jamesburroughs@burroughslaw.com • 770-484-4044 / 678-938-2281

678-914-1688 • TheSpaLadies@ymail.com www.TheSpaLadies.com

Your Source for Neighborhood News

Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information

Winner of the 2012 MillerCoors Messenger Award and 8 Awards for Journalistic Excellence

in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists’ 30th Pioneer Black Journalists Awards Competition* * Print Category - Under 100,000 circulation

East Metro Atlanta’s Best Source for Local News

e llenc Exce ory f o ard ” teg g Aw ews Ca Schools n i h s N li o t b g u P reakin Going B wers l To “Cel

• • • • • • •

Best Community / Public Affairs Reporting Best Deadline Reporting Best Non-Deadline Reporting Best News Series Best Hard Feature Story Best Soft Feature (2) -- Tie Best Photojournalism

2346 Candler Road • Decatur, GA 30034 • 404-284-1888 • www.crossroadsnews.com • www.facebook.com/crossroadsnews

CrossRoadsNews

November 17, 2012

MalcolM cunninghaM Ford it’s the

Mid-Month Markdown event! new 2012 Ford

MSRP ........................................$38,834 Factory Rebate ........................... -$3500 Malcolm Cunningham Discount... -$6500 Sale Price ..................................$28,834

ECO BOOST! all new

TauruS

FocuS

all new

2013 Ford • STK#134503

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BlacK Friday evenT SPecialS!

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STK#128172

2013 Ford • STK#131504

right now get our BeST dealS This week only!

Check Back Tuesday For our

all new

2013 Ford • STK#133050

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MuSTang

MSRP ........................................$27,744 Factory Rebate ........................... -$1500 Malcolm Cunningham Discount... -$3285 Sale Price ..................................$22,959

Plus tax, tag, and title with approved credit. Includes all factory rebates. See dealer for complete details. Expires 11/18/2012.

770.621.0200

5675 Peachtree industrial Blvd

w ww.MalcolmCu n n in g ha m F or d. com

advanced intelligence comes Standard leaSe For

479

Your ChoiCe

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First month’s Payment

Per MonTh

Brand new 2013 lincoln

Stk#L13300 VIN#2LMDJ6JK6DBL00289

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MKX Fwd

Cash Due at signing

MKS Fwd

39 month leases, 10,500 miles allowed per year, 20¢ per mile thereafter. Plus tax, tag, and title. First month’s payment up to $550 paid by Lincoln. With approved credit. Offers expire 11/18/2012.

5675 Peachtree industrial Blvd

770.621.0200

www.malcolmcunninghamlincoln.com

Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery $

We CAn Help!!!

dOWn!

Example: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300, STK#A3008. Buy for 72 months at 3.75% APR with $0 down is $379 per month. Plus tax, tag and title with approved credit.

1995 chevrolet

2007 MInI

cooper

corvette convertIBle

priCes stArt

need Credit?

2011 chevrolet

caMaro ls

2012 volkswaGen

under

5000

2005 ToyoTa Sequoia Leather, Sunroof, 4X4 STK#A3041 ............................. $8995 2008 VolkSwagen JeTTa Power Package, Alloy Wheels, STK#A3105 ............ $13,995 2009 Honda CiViC Coupe Sporty and a Great Gas Saver, STK#A2041....... $13,995

2011 ToyoTa Camry CD, Alloys Wheels, Nicely Loaded, STK#A3113 .......... $14,895

2006 merCedeS-Benz C230 Loaded, All Features, STK#A3135 ................ $14,995 2009 Honda aCCord eX V6, Sunroof, Alloy Wheels, STK#A3094 .................. $15,995

Example: 2004 Cadillac DTS, STK#A3010A. Sale Price $3995.

2009 Bmw X5 Fully Loaded, STK#A3145 ..................................................... $15,995

2008 Mercedes-Benz

2007 infiniTi m35 Leather, Navigation, Sunroof, STK#A3061 ...................... $18,995

2009 Mercedes-Benz

e350

s63 aMG

2010 dodge CHarger All Power, Upgraded Wheels, STK#A3072 ................. $17,995 2006 Bmw X3 Fully Loaded, Priced Right, STK#A3136 ................................ $18,995

2010 dodge CHallenger P/W, P/L, Alloy Wheels, STK#A3097...................... $19,995 2009 niSSan maXima Leather, Sunroof, STK#A3062.................................. $19,995 2009 merCedeS-Benz C300w Leather, Sunroof, STK#A3081.................. $20,995

All Power, Auto, Chrome Wheels, Spoiler, Like New, STK#C100

Dual Roof, Leather, Bright Alloy Wheels, Nicely Loaded, STK#A3103

Power Package, Alloys Wheels, STK#A3087

Black, Loaded, STK#A3125

Navigation System, Sunroof, AMG Wheels, Loaded, STK#A3077

V12, Navigation, Rear Camera & More, STK#A3032A

10,995 15,995 21,995 24,995 26,995 48,995

Prices plus tax, tag, and title. All offers with approved credit. Offers expire 11/18/2012.

2010 aCura Tl Alloy Wheels, Sunroof, All Power Equipped, STK#A3118 ...... $22,995 2007 merCedeS-Benz e350 Sunroof, Leather, Bluetooth, Navigation System, STK#A3091 $22,995 2007 audi q7 Leather, Sunroof, 3rd Row Seating, STK#A3083......................... $23,995

2009 VolVo XC70 STK#A3131 .................................................................... $24,995 2008 ToyoTa 4runner limiTed Loaded, STK#A3130 ............................. $25,995 2010 merCedeS-Benz e350 Leather, Sunroof, Navigation System, STK#C9307 $38,995

(7 70) 987-9000

A Division of Malcolm Cunningham Ford

YOUR FiRst, Last and OnLY stOP!

We NoW ReNt

678.502.2005

I-20, Exit Wesley Chapel To Snapfinger Woods Drive

Sales Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm • Closed Sunday

w w w. M a l c o l m C u n n i n g h a m A u t o G a l l e r y . c o m

4C (10.5”) × 16” 36367-MCAQ (11-17) Crossroads FC (nb)

Buy WitH