CrossRoadsNews, November 26, 2014 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

HOLIDAY

Music, trees and Santa The holiday season kicks into high gear at diverse venues such as North DeKalb Mall, Clarkston, Stone Mountain and Avondale Estates. 6

FINANCE

YOUTH

Another site for Goodwill

Clubs’ best youth

Goodwill of North Georgia is expanding its footprint in DeKalb with a new retail store and career center. 9

Sir Dalvin Holloman of Decatur is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s Youth of the Year, the nonprofit’s most prestigious award. 10

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

Thanksgiving, 2014

Volume 20, Number 31

www.crossroadsnews.com

Community helps put turkey on the table for Thanksgiving By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

DeKalb Women in NAACP and DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson’s annual turkey giveaway. Jesse Briggins, 64, got to the parking lot near Macy’s at the Gallery at South DeKalb at 9 a.m. for the giveaway that was to start at 11 a.m. He said there were already dozens of people ahead of him. He signed in and got a ticket. About 12:30 p.m., he received a turkey. He said his wife, Gladys, will be cooking the Thanksgiving dinner. “She will make the turkey and a whole lot more,” he said. “She will be making pies and cakes, oh Lord. She is a really good cook.” Dennise Allen, the DeKalb WIN chair, said they ended up giving away 463 turkeys even though they had committed to 400 turkeys.

Tiffany Wilson knew the turkey she stood in line for two hours to get on Nov. 22 wouldn’t be enough to feed the 20 people coming to Thanksgiving dinner, but she was happy for the helping hand. “It’s not big enough but it will definitely help,” she said, clutching in her arms the bag with the frozen turkey she had just received. Her four daughters, six grandchildren and a host of other relatives are expected at her Stone Mountain home on Thursday. She said she and her mother, Cheryl, will be throwing down in the kitchen. Wilson said she is employed but doesn’t make enough to pay all her bills and cover a big Thanksgiving dinner. On Saturday, she was among 463 people who stood in line for hours in the hopes of landing a turkey from the Please see THANKSGIVING, page 4

All 463 people who lined up for the DeKalb Women in NAACP and DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson’s Nov. 22 turkey giveaway got a bird for Thursday’s Thanksgiving dinner.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Holiday shopping projected to grow 4.1 percent Black Friday shoppers wait patiently in line at the Fairington Road Walmart in Lithonia last year.

140 million expected in stores, online By Jennifer Ffrench Parker and Ken Watts

Black Friday, the start of the annual holiday shopping season, is looking better this year than last year this time. Shopping surveys from the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade association, estimate a 4.1 percent increase in sales to $616.9 billion, the first increase above 4 percent since 2011. Last year, consumers spent $601.8 billion, up 3.8 percent from 2012. The NRF also says that nearly 140 million Americans will shop in stores or online during the Thanksgiving holiday, starting as early as 5 p.m. Thursday at JCPenney, and at 6 p.m. at Macy’s, Kohl’s and other retailers. Shop.org also is forecasting online sales to grow 8 percent to 11 percent to $105 billion this holiday season. In its survey, released Nov. 20, Shop.org says 67.6 million, or 29.5 percent, of holiday shoppers say they will shop online. This year, there are 26 shopping days and five weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas compared with the 2013 holiday season that had six fewer shopping days and only four full weekends to Christmas. Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO, said the rosy forecast could give retailers the shot in the arm they need after a volatile first half of the year and an uneventful summer. “While expectations for sales growth are upbeat, it goes without saying there still remains some uneasiness and anxiety among consumers when it comes to their purchase decisions,” he said. “The lagging economic recovery, though improving, is still top of mind for many Americans.” Donald Bieler, marketing manager for the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia, said that despite the slow start to November, he welcomes the optimistic NRF predictions.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

“We’re very excited about the holidays,” Beiler said last week. “Even though things are getting off to a slow start leading up to Black Friday, we believe that’s because bargain hunters are looking for the best markdowns Donald Bieler they can find.” NRF’s Thanksgiving Weekend Expectations survey, released Nov. 20, found 61 percent or six in 10 shoppers saying they plan to shop either Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, which equates to more than 140.1 million unique shoppers. At the Gallery at South DeKalb in Decatur, Macy’s will be doing its best to lure shoppers out earlier with a 6 p.m. store opening on Thanksgiving Day. Store manager Terry Young said the store will stay open continuously until 11 p.m. on

Black Friday. It will be the first time that the national retailer has opened that early for Thanksgiving weekend shopping. Last year, it opened at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. In 2012, it opened at midnight. Young says the store is ready. “We are looking forward to seeing all our customers,” she said. Area Walmart stores have been preparing for six months for Black FriTerry Young day. Greg Clark, store manager at the Fairington Walmart in Lithonia, said he has trained his staff and will have all 40 cash registers open every weekend through Christmas. He said all registers will be manned from Wednesday to Sunday for Thanksgiving weekend shopping.

“That’s our checkout promise now through Christmas,” he said. “We will give the customers a good shopping experience. We will get them in and out of the store.” Walmart is having three main sales events of “Hot Items” – great buys on 32- to 60-inch televisions, laptops and other electronics at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and at 6 p.m. on Greg Clark Black Friday. Clark said the queue maps for all Walmart store are already available online and in the store. He said his store will be ready starting at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day., “So if customers want to start lining up we will be ready,” he said. Please see SHOPPING, page 4

CrossRoadsNews

Community

Thanksgiving, 2014

“I never mentioned [Bob] Lundsten in comments to WSB-TV about DeKalb employees who already left.”

Judge Becker to leave DeKalb bench next March By Ken Watts

DeKalb Superior Court Judge Cynthia Becker is leaving the bench on March 1, 2015. Becker tendered her resignation to Gov. Nathan Deal on Nov. 19. She told Deal she was giving him advance notice Cynthia Becker so that he would “have sufficient time to find the best replacement to serve the remainder of my term.” Becker’s term of office ends on Dec. 31, 2016. She announced Nov. 10 that she was leaving the bench to marry and return to private life. Her wedding is set for April 24, 2015. Becker has said her departure is unrelated to controversial decisions she made in the

schools corruption case of former COO Pat Reid and her ex-husband, Tony Pope, that have put her at odds with DeKalb District Attorney Robert James and generated complaints about her to the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Council. In her resignation letter, Becker, who has been on the bench for 14 years, said that while she has served in various capacities with the Council of Superior Court Judges, she is most proud of the work she did with the group’s Accountability Courts Committee and Subcommittee on Certification and Standards for the Adult Felony Drug Courts. “It is my sincere wish to provide continued assistance to those Adult Felony Drug Courts, and the growing Mental Health Courts, Veterans Courts and Family Services Courts,” she wrote. “More is to be done and I would relish the opportunity to be a part of that growth as

well as assist in any other judicial capacity.” Becker’s decision to sentence the prosecution star witness in the school corruption case, former DeKalb Schools Superintendent Crawford Lewis, to 12 months in jail even though he had negotiated probation for his testimony was overturned by the Georgia Court of Appeals. On that directive, Becker ordered a new trial for Reid and Pope and ordered their release from prison where Reid is serving 15 years, and Pope, eight years. Becker said she sentenced Lewis to jail because she did not believe his testimony and that she reversed the convictions of Reid and Pope because their guilty verdicts relied on Lewis’ allegedly false testimony. “After reading that directive [from the Court of Appeals] and researching the law, I concluded that I would have to give those two defendants a new trial in the interests of justice,” she said Nov. 10.

The Georgia Court of Appeals has put the conviction reversals on hold. James filed a motion with the Court of Appeals on Nov. 7, claiming Becker gave advance notice to lawyers for Reid and Pope before attempting to reverse their convictions without also notifying the District Attorney’s Office. Becker said there was nothing improper about her communication with the defense lawyers and that she called them to verify the exact location of defendants in the state prison system so that her new trial orders could go directly to those prisons. The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Council is investigating a complaint against Becker from an unidentified person. Becker said she understands that James has complained to the JQC. JQC Chairman Lester Tate says the investigation will continue despite Becker’s resignation.

Boyer’s former top aide seeks removal of Ethics Board chairman By Ken Watts

During a Channel 2 Action News interview, Bob Lundsten, a forErnst compared unethical mer top aide to former government employees to DeKalb Commissioner termites. Elaine Boyer, is calling “Sometimes when for the removal of DeKalb there’s termites in the Board of Ethics Chairman building, the homeowner John Ernst. doesn’t care how they get John Ernst Lundsten, who is fac- Bob Lundsten out,” Ernst said in the ining an ethics complaint, was Boyer’s chief terview. “If they leave, they leave.” of staff. Ernst said later that the interview had He filed an Oct. 30 complaint accusing nothing to do with Lundsten’s case. Ernst of failing to be impartial. “I want to make it clear that I never

Help Us Shape

Clifton Corridor! The Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative is MARTA’s proposed light rail line linking the Lindbergh and Avondale Stations. It will provide rail service to one of the region’s most congested areas – and biggest job centers – serving Emory University & Hospital, CDC, Children’s Healthcare, and VA Hospital. Come to one of our Scoping meetings to: • Find out the latest developments • Learn more about the environmental study • Answer your questions about the project Thursday, December 4, 2014, 6-8 pm Westminster Presbyterian Church 1438 Sheridan Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 6-8 pm Emory Student Activity & Academic Center Room 316 1946 Starvine Way, Decatur, GA 30033 For more information: • Visit: itsmarta.com/Clifton-Corr.aspx • Email: clifton@itsmarta.com

CLIFTON CORRIDOR TRANSIT INITIATIVE

mentioned Mr. Lundsten in my comments to WSB-TV about DeKalb employees who have already left,” Ernst said in a Nov. 18 email to CrossRoadsNews. “In fact, WSB ran a story after Mr. Lundsten filed his complaint showing that my comments, which he took as directed at him, were in fact not directed at him.” Lundsten’s complaint said the TV interview was inappropriate. “The basis for fairness and justice in our society is a legal system that reviews and hears cases with impartiality,” he said in his complaint. “The same standard must apply to the Board of Ethics in DeKalb County. The chairman of the newly empowered Ethics Commission has violated the DeKalb County Code of Ethic(s) as well as the board’s own rules and procedures. It is clear he should be removed from that position before hearing any other cases.” Lundsten was named with his former boss in an ethics complaint for misusing his county-issued debit card for personal

purchases, including cell phone and car expenses. He said he thought that was allowed since he used them for work. Boyer, who represented Commission District 1 for more than 20 years, resigned Aug. 25 and pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and mail and wire fraud charges for her misusing her county-issued Visa purchasing card. Lundsten, who still works for the county, said Ernst’s comments on TV have made it impossible for him to get a fair hearing. “If he were a judge in a criminal case, he would have no choice but to step down after his media comments,” the complaint said. “Mr. Ernst serves in dual positions both as chair and voting member of the board.” Ernst said WSB sought Lundsten out for comment for a second story, but neither he nor his attorney responded. “I am not sure that they ever saw the second story that showed that there was no mention of Lundsten in the first report,” he said.

Ethics Board reprimands Boyer By Ken Watts

Even though she is no longer a DeKalb commissioner, Elaine Boyer will be reprimanded by the DeKalb Board of Ethics for her misuse of the county Visa purchasing cards. The Ethics Board voted unanimously on Nov. 13 to reprimand Boyer, who resigned from the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 25. The April 3, Elaine Boyer 2014, ethics complaint against her was filed by Thomas Mitchell Owens. The reprimand was negotiated between Boyer’s attorney, Anne Lewis, and the board. She did not attend the Board of Ethics meeting, but Lewis said she has agreed to admit that she violated ethical rules and enter into a Consent Order to that effect. The reprimand, which becomes final upon Boyer’s signature, avoided a formal hearing and the potential for harsher penalties since she has already left the county. Boyer, who represented Commission

District 1 for 22 years, pleaded guilty on Sept. 3 to federal conspiracy and mail and wire fraud charges for misusing her county-issued P-Card and paying a phony adviser $78,000 in county funds over two years and getting $58,000 kicked back to her. She will be sentenced on Dec. 3. Boyer, 57, has admitted bilking taxpayers out of more than $93,000, including charging $15,000 in personal expenses like family airline tickets, rental cars, a ski resort booking and personal cell phone charges on the county purchasing card. She is free on $25,000 bond on her federal case and faces up to 40 years in prison. Federal prosecutors may recommend a lesser sentence because of her guilty plea and cooperation. In her Nov. 12 response to the Board of Ethics, Boyer admitted violating the county’s Code of Ethics by “misusing her purchase cards for personal benefit and gain, willfully failing to follow the directives of the county purchasing card agreement and intentionally concealing her abuse of county funds.” She said that her admission of those wrongful actions relieves the need to take any evidence at the Nov. 13 hearing.

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Thanksgiving, 2014

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This month, XFINITY® catches up with R&B’s latest gem – Ledisi. Get concert highlights, photos and Ledisi-inspired videos, all leading up to the simulcast presentation of TV One’s HelloBeautiful.com Interludes LIVE!: Ledisi. Enjoy an exclusive performance and interview with the soulful songstress herself. Show premieres November 29th at 10/9c on TV One and at CelebrateBlackTV.com.* *Check local listings for date and time conﬁrmation.

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Community

Thanksgiving, 2014

“I’m a pastor who is available all the time. Every Sunday I’m at the door shaking hands. If it takes two hours, so be it.”

Rader ordered to pay attorney’s fees for whistleblower 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Graphic Design Curtis Parker Assistant Editor Brenda Yarbrough Advertising Sales Kathy E. Warner Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Circulation Manager Jami Ffrench-Parker CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsN ews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisments, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

By Ken Watts

DeKalb Commissioner Jeff Rader must pay $2,500 in attorney’s fees and court costs for filing a libel suit against whistleblower Timothy Brantley. In his Nov. 10 order granting award of attorney’s fees, Rockdale Superior Court Judge Jeff Rader David Irwin said Brantley’s ethics complaint against Rader is covered by law. “The Rules of Procedure of the DeKalb County Ethics Board makes it abundantly clear that the speech alleged to be slanderous in

the plaintiff ’s complaint is absolutely privileged, and therefore not actionable,” Irwin wrote. He ordered Rader to pay up by Nov. 25. Rader sued Brantley for libel and $100,000 on July 23 claiming that he made false and defamatory statements against him. The Ethics Board declined on Aug. 14 to investigate the Decatur resident’s complaint that Rader used his commission office to benefit himself and his former employer, Jacobs Engineering, a county contractor. It said that Brantley’s complaint lacked claims about any specific unethical action Rader took that could be investigated. Rader’s libel suit against Brantley was transferred to Rockdale County after all DeKalb Superior

Groups serving dinner to homeless, others THANKSGIVING,

from page

“Everyone on the line got served,” she said. “When we gave all the turkeys we had, there were 50 people still lined up. Some guys from the HugLife went to the supermarket and bought 50 more turkeys. No one went away empty-handed.” HugLife was one of six indiDennise Allen viduals and groups that partnered with the NAACP and Johnson for the giveaway. The others were Street Execs, state Sen. Ron Ramsey, and DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry. Thanksgiving Day became an official federal holiday in 1863 during the Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens” to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. As the nation prepares to celebrate its 151st Thanksgiving Day, individuals and groups across DeKalb are offering helping hands to neighbors, the elderly, the working poor, and strangers who are hurting economically or are disadvantaged. Acts of kindness come from civic, community and faith-based groups. For example, on Nov. 25, the Lockhart-Terry Foundation and several partners will host a Thanksgiving dinner at Chit-Chat Lounge on Ember Road in Decatur for the homeless. Founder Tanya Lockhart said they plan to serve more than 500 people at the 1-to-6 p.m. dinner. “I have partnered with several organizations so that we can give back to the community,” she said. On Wednesday night, hundreds of volunteers gathered at the DeKalb County Jail’s kitchen to cook Thanksgiving dinner for more than 4,000 people at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta for the annual Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Thanksgiving Dinner.

Court judges recused themselves. At the time, Brantley said Rader’s libel suit was designed to discourage citizens from complaining about the actions of their elected officials. “Rader’s actions against me can be construed as an effort to produce a chilling effect on the public’s willingness to pursue their legal obligation and right to make accusation to the DeKalb County Board of Ethics regarding their concerns related to perceived unethical behavior of a public official,” Brantley said. However, after Irwin’s order, Brantley was reticent about the outcome when contacted by CrossRoadsNews on Nov. 21. “I don’t have anything to say about that,” he said without expla-

nation. “Nothing at all.” During the ethics hearing, Rader, who was a senior planner with Jacobs Engineering from 2007 to 2013, said he recused himself from voting on matters related to Jacobs. He said he sued Brantley because he may have damaged his reputation and his ability to earn a living. Brantley filed a motion on Aug. 20 asking the court to dismiss Rader’s suit against him and for attorney’s fees. In his ruling, Irwin said the award of attorney’s fees to Brantley was “appropriate” because Rader “clearly asserted a claim to which there existed such a complete absence of any justiciable issue of law or fact that it could not be reasonably believed that a court would accept it.”

Solid Rock welcomes new pastor Solid Rock AME Zion Church in Lithonia will pull out all stops to welcome its new pastor, the Rev. Karim Louis Currey. Church members are hosting a special service and welcome reception on Nov. 30 immediately following their regular 10:45 a.m. Sunday worship service. Carene Porter, a longtime church member, said they would like the community to join them for the celebration and meet their new pastor. Currey arrived in March after the Rev. Roe Nall Jr., who had been pastor for 28 years, The Rev. Karim Currey, with his wife, Annette, and son retired. He said following a long- Komini, is Solid Rock’s first new pastor in 28 years. time pastor at a church can be challenging Since arriving at the church, Porter said but it is getting easier as he and the members Currey has been rapping with their young learn each other’s way. people and has even given the congregation “They are a very loving congregation,” a glimpse of his rap talent from time to time he said. in his sermons. Before Solid Rock, Currey was pastor for Currey, who has a Master of Divinity 12 years at four North Carolina churches from Hood Theological Seminary, says he is – Elizabeth Chapel AME Zion in Godwin, a high-touch pastor. Chestnut AME Zion in Sanford, Price Cathe“I am a pastor who is available all the dral AME in Wilmington, and Mount Olive time,” he said. “I like to touch people and AME Zion in Durham. look them in the eyes. In Wilmington, he grew the church from “Every Sunday I am at the door shaking 200 members to 350 in a year. hands. If it takes two hours, so be it.” About 80 percent of Solid Rock’s 200 Currey is pursuing a doctorate in church members are 60 years and older, and Currey planting and transformation at Columbia said he is pushing for the church to increase Theological Seminary. its mission work so that it can attract more He also is an active member of Alpha Phi young adults to the congregation. Alpha Fraternity, Currey, a gifted rap artist who turned He and his wife, Annette, have a 3-yeardown a multimillion-dollar deal to be a old son, Komini. pastor, accepted the call to the ministry in Solid Rock is at 4065 Snapfinger Road. 2001. For more information, call 770-981-3303.

Retailers ready for Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday crowds SHOPPING,

from page

For Walmart’s three sales events, Clark said wristbands will be distributed to customers who are in line, and if the store runs out of the item within the first hour, they are guaranteed to get it before Christmas. Even though consumers are in a much better place economically this year than last year, NRF chief Circulation Audited By

economist Jack Kleinhenz said retailers still will have to woo them with deep discounts and bargains. “The extra spending power could very well translate into solid holiday sales growth for retailers,” he said. “However, shoppers will still be deliberate with their purchases while hunting for hard-topass-up bargains.” At the Mall at Stonecrest, Bieler said clothing seems to be a popular

gift item on this year’s wish list, followed by toys, video games, smartphones and electronics. “Jewelry seems to be getting a lot of interest from early shoppers too,” he said. The NRF survey say 24 percent of shoppers will buy jewelry. For both shoppers and recipients, gift cards – the most requested gift for eight years in a row – also is a favorite for 60 percent of

shoppers . Still Shay, the NRF CEO, said that retailers could witness a sea change as consumers shift to more of a “wait-and-see” mentality around offerings on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. “We are positive retailers have a few tricks up their sleeve that will draw their customers to their stores and Web sites, deciding the deals are worth it after all,” Shay said.

index to advertisers Celebrity Glamour Salon................................ 11 Comcase......................................................... 3 Decatur Business Association..........................6 DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court.................... 10 First African Presbyterian Church....................6

Glaxosmithkline.............................................. 5 Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home........9 Johnson Hopewell Coleman LLC................... 11 Johnson’s Antiques & Flea Market................. 11 Macy’s............................................................12

MARTA......................................................... 2,8 Quenon Smith............................................... 11 Smiles for Less............................................... 11 The Gallery at South DeKalb........................... 7 Best Buy Co. Inc......................................Inserts

Holistic Health Management Inc.............Inserts Walgreens...............................................Inserts Walmart..................................................Inserts GMG - Buick.......................................... Online The Davis Bozeman Law Firm, P.C......... Online

Thanksgiving, 2014

CrossRoadsNews

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Thanksgiving, 2014

Donations of clothing, toiletries and other items can be made through Dec. 2 at Avondale City Hall.

Avondale Estates lighting two trees Free cookies and doughnuts, hot cider and caroling will be available for the arrival of Santa and the lighting of the city of Avondale Estates Christmas Tree on Dec. 1. The annual event takes place rain or shine at the intersection of Clarendon Avenue and South Avondale Road starting at 6 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 6 will give away cookies in a tent adjacent to the tree, and members of Avondale Estates First Baptist Church will begin caroling at 6:30 p.m. Cider and doughnuts will be served at about 7 p.m. after the tree lighting and the arrival of Santa Claus. Girl Scout Troop 24433 will sell homemade beef, vegetarian and turkey chili served

The Clarkston Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Clarkston Woman’s Club. It features a fireworks show, a visit from Santa, holiday music, light refreshments, and gifts for children who attend.

with chips and cheese. Proceeds benefit the troop’s service projects and activities. Avondale’s 17th Annual Lake Tree Lighting takes place on Dec. 6 at Lake Avondale. The city bills it as one of its most spectacular events. Lighting of the “floating” Christmas tree, designed by the late Thomas P. Samford, takes place at 6 p.m. Samford, a longtime Avondale resident, built the gazebo at Lake Avondale and helped his grandsons design and build a bridge there to honor his late son, John. For more information, visit http:// www.avondaleestates.org/events.html.

The Suzuki Young Performers of Atlanta will appear at 3 p.m. on Dec. 6 at North DeKalb Mall.

North DeKalb Mall’s holiday sounds Shoppers and children taking a photo with Santa Hugh at North DeKalb Mall in Decatur can get into the spirit with the mall’s model train exhibit and annual free Holiday Sounds music series featuring performers from area churches and elementary and middle schools. Performers for the first week in December are: n Dec. 3 at 11:30 a.m. – Kittredge Magnet School 5th String Orchestra. n Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. – Avondale Elementary Music Club. n Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. – Liberty Tabernacle

Outreach Ministries Choir. n Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. – Suzuki Young Per-

formers. n Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. – Druid Hills Middle School Jazz Band. The model train exhibit opens weekdays from 1 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 6-14 in the Macy’s wing. Admission is free with the donation of canned and other nonperishable food for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. North DeKalb Mall is at 2050 Lawrenceville Highway. For more information, visit www.NorthDeKalbMall.com.

Stone Mountain’s Santa Breakfast Kids can have a bite to eat with Santa on Dec. 6 at Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church. The annual Santa Breakfast event takes place from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. It includes a country breakfast, photo with Santa, a silent auction, and a Santa Secret Shop offering gifts for their family for $1 or less.

All sales benefit the nonprofit Stone Mountain Cooperative Ecumenical Ministry that helps the less fortunate in the community year-round with food, utilities and some medical assistance. Tickets are $6, and children 3 and under eat free. The church is at 5312 W. Mountain St. For more information, visit www.stone mountaincity.org.

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A spectacular fireworks show will light the way for Santa’s arrival in the city of Clarkston on Dec. 4. Mayor Ted Terry and the Clarkston City Council are hosting the 2014 Clarkston Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Clarkston Woman’s Club. There will be holiday

music and light refreshments and gifts for the kids who attend. The Clarkston Woman’s Club is at 3913 Church St. For more information, contact City Manager Keith Barker at kbarker@city ofclarkston.com or 404-296-6489.

Mayors’ Motorcade seeking gifts Avondale Estates is accepting donations for the Georgia Municipal Association’s annual Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade that brings holiday cheer to clients and patients of the Georgia Regional Hospital in Decatur and other state facilities. Gifts should be new and unwrapped. Glass and objects with sharp edges, metal or strings are prohibited. Donations of clothing, toiletries and other items can be made through Dec. 2 at Avondale City Hall, 21 N. Avondale Plaza. Cash donations are welcome. Make checks payable to the GRHA Patient Benefit Fund. The motorcade, which often provides the only gifts the clients will get for the season, takes off at 9 a.m. on Dec. 3 at GRHA, 3073 Panthersville Road in Decatur. Items in demand include clothing for men (M-3XL) and women (M-4XL): jeans

or pants, sweaters, shorts, long-sleeve polo shirts, gloves, raincoats, ponchos, hats, baseball caps, socks, underwear and sports bras. Stationery, stamps, puzzles and word search/crossword books and personal care items including toiletries and makeup are encouraged. Gift bags, ribbons and bows also are needed. The Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade began in 1958 at the request of Betty Vandiver, wife of then Gov. Ernest Vandiver, to provide gifts to clients at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville. In 1980, it expanded to support state regional hospitals. Gifts not handed out at Christmas are used for clients’ birthdays or for new clients who need basic items. For a complete list of items and more information, visit http://www.gmanet.com /Motorcade.aspx or call 404-294-5400.

“Come on and be a part of the vision” First Afrikan Church is an Afrocentric Christian Ministry that empowers women, men, youth and children to move from membership to leadership in the church, community and the world.

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Fireworks, Santa in Clarkston

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

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Thanksgiving, 2014

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CrossRoadsNews METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Notice of Public Hearings: December 1, 2, & 4, 2014

Holiday

Thanksgiving, 2014

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

Proposed Bus Service Modifications for March 21, 2015 Proposed routing and/or adjustments for the following bus routes: Route 1 - Centennial Olympic Park/Coronet Way: This route is proposed to terminate at North Avenue Station. The segments along Luckie Street (between Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. and Pine Street), Centennial Olympic Park Drive (between North Avenue & Pine Street and Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. & Marietta Street), Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. (between Centennial Olympic Park Drive & Spring Street), Spring Street, Marietta Street, Forsyth Street, Alabama Street, Peachtree Street, and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive will be discontinued. The route will be renamed Route 1 – North Avenue/Coronet Way.

Route 74 – Flat Shoals: This route is proposed to be extended to terminate on Rainbow Way and Candler Road via Ember Drive. The route will operate alternating service (every other trip) via Flat Shoals Road and Whites Mill Road to the new terminus location. Additionally, this route is proposed to terminate at King Memorial Station. The segments along Lloyd Road, Cavalier Drive, Jamestown Way, Williamsburg Drive, Williamsburg Way, Memorial Drive, Capitol Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Broad Street, Alabama Street, Peachtree Street, and Mitchell Street will be discontinued.

Route 15 – South DeKalb/Candler Road: The trips that currently terminate at GA Perimeter College will be extended along Panthersville Road past River Road to Left - Bouldercrest Road, Right - Forest Parkway, Right Grant Road, Right - Anvil Block Road which will be the new terminus. The Route 15 extension will be renamed Route 15 - Candler Road/South DeKalb/ Forest Parkway. Service along River Road, Linecrest Road, and Clevemont Road remains unchanged.

Route 84 – East Point/Camp Creek: This route will operate a short turn alignment between East Point Station and Camp Creek Market Place on weekdays until approximately 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays until approximately 9:00 p.m. The short turn alignment will provide service to the Social Security Administration Office on weekdays instead of Route 82 - Camp Creek/Welcome. The service frequency will be reduced to the Camp Creek Parkway (between Princeton Lakes Pkwy. & Old Fairburn Rd.), Old Fairburn Road, Fairburn Road, N. Camp Creek Pkwy, and Hogan Road segments during this time. Sunday service remains unchanged with all trips operating from East Point Station to N. Camp Creek Parkway.

Route 16 – Noble: This route is proposed to terminate at Civic Center Station. The segments along Courtland Street, Peachtree Center Avenue, Auburn Avenue, Peachtree Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Broad Street, and Alabama Street will be discontinued. Route 55 – Jonesboro Road/Hutchens Road: This route will be extended from Conley Road and Jonesboro Road south along Jonesboro Road to Forest Parkway turnaround in Clayton County. The segment along Jonesboro Road between Hutchens Road and Conley Road will be discontinued. The segment along Hutchens Road, Forrest Park Road, and Conley Road will be provided bidirectional service. This route will be renamed Route 55 – Jonesboro Road/Hutchens Road/Forest Parkway.

Route 196 – College Park/Church/Upper Riverdale/Mt. Zion: This new route will originate from College Park Station South Bus Bay, Interstate 85 South to Interstate 285 East, Riverdale Road Exit, then Riverdale Road, Garden Walk Blvd., Highway 85 (SR 85), Main Street (S.R. 139), Church Street, Highway 85 (S.R. 85), Lamar Hutcheson Pkwy. to GRTA Park/Ride, continue Lamar Hutcheson Pkwy., Upper Riverdale Rd, Tara Blvd., Mt. Zion Rd. to Southlake Mall terminus. Mobility: Implement complementary ADA service for the above new and extended routes to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Monday Dec. 1

Tuesday Dec. 2

3717 College Street College Park, 30337

1300 Commerce Drive Decatur, 30030

College Park Public Safety Complex

Maloof Auditorium

7:00 p.m.

Community Exchange: 6-7 p.m.

Staff available to discuss MARTA initiatives. Riding MARTA: Bus Routes 72 & 78 from College Park Station.

68 Mitchell Street, Suite 3100

City of Atlanta Old Council Chambers Auditorium

7:00 p.m.

Community Exchange: 6-7 p.m.

Staff available to discuss MARTA initiatives. Riding MARTA: Walk one block west of Decatur Station.

2424 Piedmont Road NE Atlanta, 30324

MARTA Headquarters

7:00 p.m.

Community Exchange: 6-7 p.m.

Staff available to discuss MARTA initiatives.

Riding MARTA: Bus Routes 32, 49, 55, and 74 from Five Points Station.

Riding MARTA: Across the street from north end of the Lindbergh Center Rail Station.

Copies of the proposed bus service modifications will also be available at MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact (404) 848-4037. For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 404 848-5665. In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and want to provide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont

Thursday Dec. 4 112 Smith Street Jonesboro, 30236

Clayton County Administration Building Board Room 7:00 p.m.

Community Exchange: 6-7 p.m. Staff available to discuss MARTA initiatives.

Transportation Available for Clayton County public hearing only, please contact MARTA External Affairs at 404-848-5337.

Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com; (4) or fax your comments no later than December 12, 2014 to (404) 848-4179. All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affected by the subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notified and invited to appear at said times and places and present such evidence, comment or objection as their interests require. Keith T. Parker, AICP General Manager/CEO

Stone Mountain Village’s Nov. 28 Christmas tree lighting features a parade with Santa, dancing elves, caroling, drumming, marshmallow roasting, and letter writing to Santa starting at 4 p.m.

Stone Mountain Santa to light tree Santa parades into Stone Mountain Village on Nov. 28 to light its Christmas tree. The four-hour program begins at 4 p.m. in the municipal parking lot on Main Street. Julianna the Elf is emcee. There will be marshmallow roasting, letter writing to Santa, and a vendors market. The Wade Walker Senior Choir will perform at 4 p.m., followed by the Corpus Christi Gospel Choir at 4:30 and the Conun-

drums drum group at 5. The parade procession begins at 6 p.m. with bag pipers and elves dancing Jingle Bell Rock and the Electric Slide. At 7:10 p.m., Santa will greet the crowd and light the Christmas tree. The event culminates with fireworks and Christmas carols led by the Corpus Christi Gospel Choir. For more information, visit www.stone mountaincity.org.

Thanksgiving travelers have cheap gas More than 1.3 million Georgians will be traveling this Thanksgiving to be with family and friends for the holiday. Georgians will be among 46.3 million people who will be hitting the road by motor vehicle, air, train and other means for the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, Nov. 26-30. Thanksgiving Day is Nov. 27. AAA Travel projects that the 46.3 million individuals and families will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving weekend – the highest volume for the holiday travel period since 2007. The projection is a

4.2 percent increase over 2013. Most of the travelers, 89 percent, will go by automobile, and they will pay the lowest gas prices in nearly four years. The national average price of gas is $2.82 per gallon, 46 cents lower than the $3.28 per gallon average price a year ago. AAA says the average distance traveled this Thanksgiving will be 549 miles round trip and Americans will spend an average of $573 during the holiday weekend. Motorists can visit AAA.com/Gas to find the cheapest gas prices in town.

ROTC cadets collecting canned food High school ROTC programs are competing to see who can collect the most canned and nonperishable food for needy families in Commissioner Stan Watson’s fourth annual “Every Can Counts Campaign.” Columbia, Lithonia, McNair, Martin Luther King Jr., Miller Grove, Southwest DeKalb and Towers high schools are collecting through Dec. 5. Watson said he is proud of the ROTC/ JROTC cadets who are partnering with him in the challenge. “The most amazing part about this is that

they also know that whatever the outcome of the competition, the real winners in this campaign are the families that will receive the food collected,” he said. Watson said the holiday season is always a good time to reflect on what we have. “In that reflection it is impossible not to consider those who have been struggling to make ends meet,” he said. Residents can support the program by dropping off canned and nonperishable food items at any of the participating high schools.

Christmas Miracles toy drive on Nov. 29 drive benefited 300 families. DeKalb residents can be Secret Reggie Gay, a noted Atlanta Santas for the annual Christmas gospel DJ who lives in Ellenwood, Miracles toy drive on Nov. 29. says that with the help of the comThe three-hour toy drive sponmunity, they are hoping to exceed sored by Donald Trimble Mortuary, that number this year. Kingdom of Christ Ministries and He said metro churches, espe“The Reggie Gay Gospel Show” cially congregations in east and takes place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the south DeKalb County, are asked Gresham Road Walmart in Atlanta. to collect toys from members and It will benefit disadvantaged fami- Reggie Gay deliver them to the toy drive. lies around metro Atlanta. “Churches that participate will be acFor the toy drive, individuals and churches are encouraged to purchase toys knowledged on ‘The Reggie Gay Gospel for children newborn to 12 years old. Dur- Show’ on AM 1480 WYZE and WATC-TV ing the event, Gresham Walmart will have 57,” Gay said. Families in need of toys must apply special toy packs for $10, $15 and $20 available for people to purchase and donate to only at www.DonaldTrimbleMortuary .com. No applications will be taken over the the toy drive. Donated toys will be placed in empty cas- telephone. For more information or to donate, call kets and the hearse at the front of the store. Last year, the Christmas Miracles toy Ruetta Best at 678-725-2575.

Thanksgiving, 2014

Finance

CrossRoadsNews

“These funds will assist our customers with their heating bills as we continue to see cold temperatures this light-up season.”

MARTA seeks bus operators MARTA representatives will be recruiting bus operators on Dec. 4 at the Department of Labor’s North Metro Career Center in Atlanta. The dress code is business casual for the 8:30 a.m.-to-3:30 p.m. event. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED; a CDL license or permit (Class A or B), no more than two moving violations in the past 24 months; and three years of continuous and verifiable posthigh school employment or a combined three years of verifiable full- or part-time student status and employment history. They must bring a Social Security card, resume, and a seven-year MVR report and be prepared to take an assessment test. Before the job fair, candidates should complete the profile and assessment at https://assess.shlonline.com/defaultact ion=url&key=d3b14a5c048940&lang= en_us. They also can visit www.dol.state. ga.us and search by job order number GA8230652. The Department of Labor North Metro Career Center is at 2943 N. Druid Hills Road N.E.

Goodwill officials wield shovels at a Nov. 19 ground-breaking ceremony for a new store and career center in the North DeKalb Square shopping center on Lawrenceville Highway near Decatur. The $15 million project will be completed in phases, and the store will employ about 40 people.

Georgia’s jobless Goodwill building $15 million DeKalb store, center The nonprofit has provided services in The new career center will offer handsrate dips to 7.7% By Ken Watts the region for nearly 90 years. In fiscal year on job training in a wide array of fields such Goodwill of North Georgia is expanding 2014, it provided job training and employ- as retail, financial services, floor technology, in October its footprint in DeKalb with a new $15 mil- ment services to 45,540 people and helped health care, traditional and green construcGeorgia’s unemployment rate declined to 7.7 percent in October with the creation of more than 33,000 new jobs in the state. The seasonally adjusted rate was down two-tenths of a percentage point from 7.9 percent in September. The rate in October 2013 was 7.8 percent. The U.S. jobless rate is 5.8 percent. Statewide, the number of new claims filed for unemployment insurance benefits rose by 8.9 percent in October. In DeKalb County, there were 2,329 initial claims for UI benefits for October, up 120 or 5.4 percent from September, when there were 2,209. In October 2013, there were 3,289 new claims for an overthe-year decline of 960 or 29.2 percent. State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said the private sector created most of the new jobs. “The rate fell as we had extremely strong job growth in October, which gave us the largMark Butler est number of jobs in Georgia since May of 2008,” Butler said on Nov. 20. “Our state’s private-sector employers get the credit because they created more than 91 percent of the new jobs in October and all of them since October of last year.” There were 4,166,400 jobs in October, an increase of 33,800, or eight-tenths of a percentage point, from 4,132,600 in September. The increase is 31 percent more jobs than the average September-toOctober growth for the past three years. The private sector created 30,800 of the new jobs, while state and local government education created the remainder. Statewide in October, there were 32,899 new claims filed for unemployment insurance, an indicator of new layoffs, which rose by 2,700, or 8.9 percent, from 30,199 filed in September. Much of the increase was temporary claims filed in manufacturing and administrative services, including temporary employment agencies. For more information, visit www.dol .state.ga.us.

lion retail store and two-story career center now under construction one block east of North DeKalb Mall near Decatur. Raymond Bishop, Goodwill president, and members of the nonprofit’s board of directors broke ground on the project on Nov. 19 in the North DeKalb Square shopping center at 2201 Lawrenceville Highway. Bishop said the 103,000-square-foot facility will allow Goodwill to enhance its services for all populations. “So it will be a resource for folks who are veterans, for folks with disabilities and for other people who need to find a job in the communities around this area,” he said. Bishop said Goodwill works with hundreds of employers and thousands of people every year in North-Central and South DeKalb. The facility, which will be built in phases, is its third in the county. It also has centers on Columbia Drive and Buford Highway.

14,652 people start new businesses or find jobs. The organization currently operates 50 stores and more than 60 donation centers. This fiscal year, it plans to help 16,500 North Georgians find work. Bishop said the new center will allow them to be more convenient to people in central DeKalb County. For the Lawrenceville Highway project, Goodwill hopes to complete the store first by summer 2016. It will be followed by the career center in late 2015 or early 2016. The store will employ about 40 people. Bishop said it will help fund everything they do. “What we do with our mission is put people to work,” he said. “So we will be able to do all those things at this one location. People will be able to donate clothing and household items. People will be able to buy those items which will help us fund the career center which will be next door.”

tion, and forklift operations. Job seekers will be able to use Goodwill’s job search resources such as computers, résumé writing tools, local job listings, telephones, and photocopiers. Goodwill also will host regular recruiting events and employment seminars, and offer software training. Officials say Goodwill’s support teams – finance, human resources, information technology and marketing – also will have offices on the property. The new complex will rise in a shopping center that has been plagued with vacancies since the recession. Elaine Armstrong, Goodwill’s director of public relations, said their presence will breathe new life into the community. “Not only will our store draw shoppers and donors, but our career center will allow us to serve a large number of job seekers,” she said.

H.E.A.T. receives funds from AGL Residents who need help with their heating bills this winter will benefit from a $190,000 donation to H.E.A.T. from Atlanta Gas Light. AGL President Bryan Batson presented the check to the Heating Energy Assistance Team Inc. on Nov. 12. The funds were donated by the AGL Resources Foundation. Batson said Atlanta Gas Light is committed Bryan Batson to the communities it serves and is proud to work with H.E.A.T. to help Georgia residents who need assistance this winter. “These funds will assist our customers with their heating bills as we continue to see cold temperatures this light-up season,” Batson said. H.E.A.T. operates statewide and is available to qualified households regardless of the energy source used. For more information on natural gas or H.E.A.T., visit atlantagaslight. com.

1999 Hwy 138 Conyers, GA 30013 (770) 285-6673

4347 Flat Shoals Pkwy Decatur, GA 30034 (404) 241-5656

351 North Clarendon Ave Scottdale, GA 30079 (404) 294-5500

201 Morningside Drive Buford, GA 30518 (770) 945-9999

914 Scenic Highway Lawrenceville, GA 30045 (770) 338-5558

CrossRoadsNews

Youth

Thanksgiving, 2014

“My Boys & Girls Club has molded me into the leader I am today. They helped me find my true identity … and set high standards.”

Decatur teen named Metro Boys & Girls Clubs’ Youth of Year Sir Dalvin Holloman is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s Youth of the Year. Sir Dalvin, who lives in Decatur, won the nonprofit’s most prestigious award from a field of 18 nominees. He won a $2,500 college scholarship and will represent Metro Atlanta in the Georgia Youth of the Year competition next spring. More than 800 people cheered him at the Nov. 6 awards ceremony at the Omni at CNN Center in Atlanta. The Youth of the Year is a teen who demonstrates academic achievement, leadership skills and service to the community. The competition is part of a broader year-round program that helps at-risk teens develop character and leadership skills. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta serves nearly 11,000 children and teens annually. Missy Dugan, president and CEO, said Sir Dalvin and the other candidates for the award “are living proof that we have the power to make real change – for the kids who need us and for metro Atlanta as a whole.” Sir Dalvin, 17, is a senior at Carver Early College High with a dual enrollment at Atlanta Metropolitan College where he takes college-level courses. He is an honor roll student, a member of the ROTC and Red Cross Club, and an Ambassador of Goodwill. He has been a member of the George Washington Carver Boys & Girls Club since age 7. While there, he was introduced to programs like Torch Club and Keystone Club, leadership groups that focus on academic success, career preparation and community service. He was exposed to sports such as ten-

Sir Dalvin Holloman, who has attended the Carver Boys & Girls Club since age 7, won a $2,500 college scholarship. He was honored at a Nov. 6 awards ceremony.

nis and golf – and now serves as co-captain of his high school golf team. Sir Dalvin said he was honored to receive the award and grateful for the opportunity to represent metro clubs. “Over the course of the last decade, my Boys & Girls Club has molded me into the leader I am today,” he said. “They helped me find my true identity, accept my individuality, and set high standards.” Sir Dalvin, who also writes poetry, has performed his award-winning work at the Fox Theatre for the Boys & Girls Clubs of

Legal Notices 11/15, 11/22, 11/26, 12/06

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

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV10767-4++ Shannon Strozier filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on November 3, 2014 to change the name of the following minor child(ren) from: Tyreus Narague Thomas, Jr. to Tu’riko David Fortson. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within prescribed in OCGA 19-12-1(f)(2) and (3). Dated: Nov. 3, 2014 Shannon Strozier Petitioner, Pro se 3666 Stanford Circle Decatur, GA 30034 (678) 927-4220 11/15, 11/22, 11/26, 12/6

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

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV10818-5++ Lizzie Louise Hogan filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on November 5, 2014 to change the name from: Lizzie Louise Hogan to Lizzie Louise Hampton. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Nov. 5, 2014 Lizzie Hogan Petitioner, Pro se 2817 Misty Water Drive Decatur, GA 30032 404-553-1992 11/22, 11/26, 12/6, 12/13

Notice of Petition to Change Name of Adult

in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 14CV10885-7++ Billy Ray Nellams filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on November 10, 2014 to change the name from: Billy Ray Nellams to Shujaa Muhammed. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Oct. 29, 2014 Billy Ray Nellams Petitioner, Pro se 2626 Bull Run Drive Decatur, GA 30034 (678) 596-3920 11/08, 11/15, 11/22, 11/26