COMMUNITY
SCENE
YOUTH
Business owners and other interested parties have been gathering to talk about the future that awaits the Stonecrest area. 3
The elephants won’t the only act seeking to entertain guests when the Cole Brothers Circus comes to Conyers. 6
GreenforestMcCalep senior Moses Johnson not only leads her team on the court, she also starts games by singing the national anthem. 8
What’s next?
Big-time performers
Double duty
EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER
Copyright © 2011 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
September 10, 2011
Volume 17, Number 19
www.crossroadsnews.com
Town center makeover being studied for city of Lithonia By Donna Williams Lewis
Deborah Jackson peers into empty store front in downtown Lithonia.
years. Some of the town’s 2,100 residents believe a new project under way can help bring the transformation downtown Lithonia desperately needs. “Blueprints for Successful Communities,” a Georgia Conservancy growth management program, is partnering with Lithonia to re-examine and refine visions of the past and boil them down into an implementable strategy. A team of Georgia Tech graduate students recently began the nine-month research effort led by professor Ellen Dunham-Jones, former director of Georgia Tech’s School of Architecture. Jones is co-author of “Retrofitting Sub-
Walter Smith would like to not be the only bright spot, literally, in downtown Lithonia on weekend nights. After Wayfield Foods shuts down at 9 p.m., the only sign of life in the one-acre city is along a short strip of old brick buildings on Main Street that houses the Smith brothers’ arcade, Gaming Xperience, open Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Smith says the city needs some sit-down places and some restaurants. “There’s nothing here for people to walk around and walk to,” he said this week. Anchored by a huge eyesore of a shopping plaza, Lithonia’s beleaguered business district has been studied by many over the Please see LITHONIA, page 4
Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Piece of World Trade Center finds home in DeKalb Sculpture to honor first responders
Artist/sculptor Curtis Miller works on the base for a sculpture of a phoenix rising from the ashes that was fashioned from a peice of steel from the World Trade Center.
By Donna Williams Lewis
A piece of the World Trade Center is coming to DeKalb. The steel, which was part of the Twin Towers that crumbled in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the national icon, is becoming the centerpiece of a sculpture that will adorn the DeKalb Police Tucker headquarters. On Sunday, Sept. 11, the 10th anniversary of the attack, I-285 through DeKalb County will be closed from Memorial Drive to LaVista Road while a caravan of public safety vehicles – on the ground and in the air – ushers the centerpiece of a 9-11 memorial sculpture to its permanent home, where it will pay permanent homage to the victims of the attack and honor America’s resolve to rise above acts of terror. The steel will leave the Bobby Burgess Building on Camp Road at Memorial Drive at 8 a.m. The ceremonial procession will end at the DeKalb Public Safety Headquarters, at 1950 W. Exchange Place in Tucker, where the steel will be installed into a sculpture of a phoenix rising from the ashes. A 21-gun salute and remarks by county CEO Burrell Ellis and public safety officials will follow. Reflecting Wednesday on the terrorist attacks, Ellis said they “changed the way we live.” “It’s given us an appreciation for the freedoms that we have here and a greater sense of appreciation for the role of all of our first responders – those people who are willing to put others first and themselves second,” Ellis said. DeKalb firefighters and police officers
Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews
joined the community in raising about $30,000 for the memorial, which was designed by artist/sculptor Curtis James Miller. Miller was at the Public Safety Headquarters on Thursday, working with 30 volunteers to put finishing touches on the memorial site, a built on a 52-foot circle. They were setting the flagpole, applying steel lettering and planting shrubbery. Educational plaques including flight information from each of the hijacked airplanes and a timeline of the hours leading up to and during the attacks are part of the display. The project began with DeKalb firefighter Doug Harms, 32, who received the piece of World Trade Center steel in New York this
summer. Harms had expected a small piece that might be put on display in-house. But the piece was large, about 24 inches by 16 inches. Harms’ ideas for it grew exponentially. He began to envision an outdoor memorial. He looked to the Savannah College of Art and Design for a sculptor. A professor there knew exactly who to recommend. Miller, a Chicago native, had just graduated from SCAD. He had been a Marine firefighter. He was all about metal sculpture. Harms called Miller, who was preparing to move away from Atlanta. He was going to North Carolina, or maybe back to Chicago. He wasn’t sure where. Miller easily recalls the phone call from Harms that changed his plans and may well
have changed his life. “He said, ‘It’s just me. No money. Just me and an idea,’ ” Miller said. Miller, who had no money either, replied, “Perfect, we’ll make it work.” Asked what part of town he’s from, Miller stopped and thought for a second. That’s because he really couldn’t say. It turns out that while Miller has spent the past four months working on this project, he’s been sleeping “wherever there was a couch to sleep on.” “This could not have happened,” he said, “without my friends.” For more information about Miller and his work, see his blog, http://dekalb911memorial.wordpress.com/ or visit curtisjamesmiller.com.
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CrossRoadsNews
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Funeral Facts
Dwayne Green " "
Q: Why does one funeral home charge more than another for traditional services?
$ +"#$ $ ) " $ $ % " # ## $ ) " $ # # "& # ' & " ' $ $" $ % " % $ & # $ $ % " # "& $# $ $ # " ) " " $ ) " " & " $ $ ($ $ " $ $$ " & % # " " # # " " ) % " #$ ' " % !% # $ # "& # $ & $ ) $ " % " # #% # ## #$ ' $ ) %" )*# $" & $ # " $ % " # ' # ## $ %" " $ " ") # " % # "# $ $
%" ## ÂŽ* $ # %# " & ) %" ) # %" $ " " $) " # $%" ) " ' # % " %$ %" ) % $ # " $ $"% & % $ *# $) $ " & $ & # "& ) %" ) # # "& # %" #$ # % " $ $ " & # !% $) " ' $ ## " # $ "# $ # "& # $ # ) %" )*# # " # " %$ $ $ " % ) "# ( " ) % " " ' $ ) % $ " " ) % $$ " # %$ ' $*# " $ " ) %
Dwayne Green has over 20 years experience in the funeral industry and is a licensed funeral director associated with Tara Garden Chapel, a member of the Dignity MemorialÂŽ network serving the Atlanta South community. He frequently offers funeralrelated advice and counseling to area families. For information or to ask a question, contact Dwayne at 770-471-7171.
*24-ÂHour  Compassion  Helpline  is  provided  by  Charles  Nechtem  Assoc,  Inc.
Community By Carla Parker
The DeKalb School Board’s plans for a new penny Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax moved one step closer Tuesday with the board’s preparation of the contract to cover the election cost of putting the referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot. The board will vote on the contract at its Sept. 12 meeting. The $475 million SPLOST IV, which will run from 2012 to 2017, was approved by the School Board in June. If it is approved by voters, it will fund capital improvements to the classrooms, school houses and sports facilities and will succeed the current one-penny SPLOST
By Mary Swint
In an effort to bring more code enforcement cases to court, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners is considering an ordinance could cut the maximum fine in half and eliminate possible jail sentences. The board will consider at its Sept. 13 board meeting, following approval of changes by the County Operations and Public Safety (COPS) Committee, an amendment to the county codes that deal with general penalties. Under the amendment, approved Aug. 30 by the COPS Committee, a violator could receive a maximum fine of $500 or $1,000 depending on how the violator receives notice of his citation or summons. If the violator is personally served with the citation or summons, a Recorders Court
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III sales tax which expires in June 2012. DeKalb’s 7 percent tax rate would remain unchanged. The cost of putting SPLOST IV on the referendum is $688,393. DeKalb Schools, which will get 94.2 percent of the revenues from SPLOST IV, is paying $328,740.48, the bulk of the election cost. Atlanta Public Schools, which will get 3 percent of the tax, will pay $10,553, and City Schools of Decatur, which will get 2.8 percent, is paying $9,806. The SPLOST IV project list includes $5.4 million in renovations at Southwest DeKalb High, and $6.4 million at Stone Mountain High. There are also $22.4 million in renovations and additions at Redan High School and $20.6 million each to replace school
buildings at Austin, Fernbank, Gresham Park, Pleasantdale, Peachcrest, Rockbridge and Smoke Rise elementary schools; $37.4 million to replace the school building at McNair Middle School; and $58.7 million to replace the school building at Chamblee High School. Towers High School will get a $500,000 Culinary Arts Lab and McNair High, a $500,000 canopy walkway among other projects across the system. If SPLOST IV fails, district officials said a portion of current homestead exemptions for DeKalb homeowners will automatically be revoked, leading to an immediate property tax increase countywide. The homestead exemptions will generate only $7.5 million per year for capital improvements to schools.
Proposed amendment seeks tighter code enforcement
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School Board a step closer to SPLOST extension
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September 10, 2011
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L I V E WE L L • V I VA B I E N
“We believe the county is not as committed to cleaning up the county as we would like.� Joe Arrington, Advisory Council member
judge could fine him up to $1,000 or sentence him to jail for up to 120 days, which is the current penalty for code violations. Under the amendment, the penalty would be limited to a fine of up to $500 if the citation or summons is left at the premises where the violation occurred, mailed to the violator at his address on tax records, and published by the Recorders Court. It would also prohibit county employees from issuing licenses, permits, variances or rezonings to persons who owe a fine or if the application relates to property involved in a violation. COPS Committee Chair woman Sharon Barnes Sutton calls the amendment “a viable solution to code compliance.� “We will actually be able to establish an ordinance that actually works, S. Barnes Sutton so when a case gets to the court, they can adjudicate it,� she said during the Aug. 30 meeting. On July 26, Recorders Court Chief Judge Nelly Withers told the COPS Committee that a huge number of cases is dismissed because the accused violator was not properly served with the citation, which is required due to the possibility of a jail sentence. Withers recommended civil penalties be added to the code for first offenses. On a second offense, she said the violation could be bumped up to a criminal case, but it would need personal service on the defendant. Joel Edwards and Joe Arrington, who served on a code enforcement task force last year and who are on the Advisory Council on Code Compliance formed by DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis, urged the Joel Edwards committee to also include a minimum fine as a deterrent to code violations in the amendment. “A minimum fine of $250 would put more teeth into code compliance and make
violators more apt to comply with the code,� Edwards said Friday. Arrington said minimum fines should be high enough to change behavior and that a fine of $50 or $100 is not enough to deter shade tree mechanics who are making money repairing cars in their yards or people who illegally post signs on roads. “Minimum fines are nothing new,� Arrington said. “Georgia has had them for years and they worked well for years.� Members of the Advisory Council recommended changing the penalty clause and advocated for the creation of a DeKalb Board of Code Compliance. In April, DeKalb’s interim planning director, Andrew Baker, brought an ordinance to create such a board to the commissioners based on a state law, the Local Government Code Enforcement Board Act. The commissioners deferred that ordinance until their Aug. 23 meeting, when the penalty code amendment was substituted for it. Edwards said that they reached a compromise. “But we will monitor it to see if it works effectively,� he said. If it doesn’t, he said the Advisory Council will push for creation of a citizens board again. Arrington said the Advisory Council modeled the proposed Code Compliance Board ordinance after Fulton County’s, which has worked well for about 10 years. The DeKalb board would have had seven appointed citizen members who could hear cases and issue fines and orders. “We are grateful for this small but important bite of the apple. We are disappointed that it is not a comprehensive approach,� Arrington said, adding that Commissioner Lee May said they will look at several amendments. He said that if each future amendment takes as long as this one, it will take five or six years to follow the recommendations. “We believe the county is not as committed to cleaning up the county as we would like,� Arrington said. Barnes Sutton said the commissioners are trying to get the amendment passed as quickly as possible but cannot resort to vigilante groups. “All citizens have rights,� she said. “That’s why we have courts.� Back in July, Withers told the COPS Committee that revising the penalties was a “quick solution,� and that the proposed code compliance board would have problems with training, staffing and quorums.
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Community Meeting set to plot strategies for Stonecrest By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
“We have a lot of parallel communities. We want to brand Stonecrest, like they did with Perimeter.”
Late entries turn up heat in Lithonia elections By Donna Williams Lewis
There’ll be a hot time in the old town of Lithonia this election season. At the end of qualifying for the Nov. 8 election last week, three city council incumbents – Doreen Carter, Al T. Franklin and Deborah Jackson – had thrown their hats in the ring to challenge incumbent Mayor Tonya Peterson. At the end of qualifying, the fivemember City Council has four vacancies because Councilwoman Kathleen DeCoq, whose term is up in December, did not seek re-election. Only two candidates – former Mayor Darold Honore and funeral director Shameka Reynolds – had qualified for the two vacant city council seats making them a shoe in. But Thursday, a third candidate, Drucilla Woods, a lifelong Lithonia resident, announced that she would be a write-in candidate for the council. Because Jackson and Franklin have more than two years left on their terms, special elections will be held, also on Nov. 8, to fill their seats. Qualifying for those special elections is Sept. 12-14 at the DeKalb Election Office.
The Woods family has had a rocky relationship with Honore, who was a relative newcomer to the city in 2003 when he defeated Marcia Woods Glenn by nine votes. Glenn, who is now married and goes by Glenn-Hunter, no longer lives in the city. Before Al T. Franklin Darold Honore Drucilla Woods she moved to Decatur, she Honore, 48, a Realtor and substitute sued Honore over the election results but teacher who presided over a tumultuous lost. Lester, who was on the city council four years in the city, said he signed on to during Honore’s term in office, became run for City Council just as qualifying was one of his arch rivals. She resigned from about to end on Sept. 2 because only one the council in 2005, citing her clashes candidate, Reynolds, had qualified and with him. Woods, 64, said Thursday that she there were two open council seats. Woods, a retiree from the DeKalb has no doubt that she will be elected. She court system, has never run for office said her candidacy has nothing to do with before but she belongs to a Lithonia politi- Honore. “I’m just out on a mission to make cal dynasty. Her mother, the late Maggie Woods, became Lithonia’s first African- myself available for the citizens of LithoAmerican city council member in 1972. nia – to get things done,” she said. Asked why she didn’t qualify for one She is the sister of former Mayor Marcia Glenn-Hunter and former city council of the council seats open in the special woman Barbara Lester. She announced election, Woods said she is focused on the her candidacy in a legal ad in the Sept. 10 seat she’s going for at this time. She said her focus will be on the city’s dilapidated CrossRoadsNews. housing and absentee landlords. With her candidacy, the city council T:7.5” Honore said he is running because race is now a three-person race.
Making a Difference by Paving a Way. Benjamin Todd Jealous NAACP CEO
Cathy Hughes Entrepreneur
Hank Thomas McDonald’s Owner-Operator
Mary J. Blige Performing Artist
Ruby Dee Activist
T:10”
Property and business owners around the Mall at Stonecrest will meet Sept. 15 to talk about the area and discuss what they can do to improve it. The 8:30 a.m. meeting at the Stonecrest Library on Klondike Road has been called by District 5 Commissioner Lee May, but he says his intention is to step into the background and allow the owners to drive the effort to improve the area. “Stonecrest Mall is critical to the future of Lithonia and DeKalb County as a whole,” he said last week. “It is one of the few areas in the county where new economic development is happening.” May says the area is in dire need of advocates and that property, business and homeowners are the best people to drive that effort. He began herding them towards a group in June with a coffee and conversation gathering at Borders, where they told him they were concerned about the area’s continued growth and wanted to see the median and public rights of way kept trimmed and clean. Since then, a group of seven to 10 residents, business owners and county staff have met five or six times before a larger meeting of about 20 property and business owners on Aug. 25. At that meeting, the group, which was invited because they had responded to a recent survey about the area that was sent to about 400 property owners, said crime, litter and transportation issues were their biggest issues. Chuck Sanford, vice president the Corey Companies, said public safety was the elephant in the room that no one was talking about. “We have to address that,” he said. Lewis Simmons, owner of Simmons, Richey & Company CPAs on Old Covington Highway, said he has been in the area since 1972 and that it is time for trains to head towards Stonecrest. “What about us?” he asked. “We‘ve been paying these taxes all these years. When is our turn going to come.” The property owners complained about break-ins of buildings and cars, the destruction of air conditioning units to steal copper tubing, and a proliferation of illegal and homemade signs on their properties. One owner said that he had dumpsters filled with signs he had removed from his property and that he had even hired someone to call the phone numbers of the signs to tell the violators that they are breaking the law. Jetha Wagner, vice president of Euramex Manage Group, which has 1,700 housing units in the Stonecrest area, said the area needs advocates who will make sure that it is clean, appealing and safe. She said that 90 percent of her company’s units are occupied. “This area has been unique and has ridden the economy amazingly,” she said. Wagner said she and Sarah Kendall, Cadillac Fairview’s director of development, feel that the area is missing a strong community tie. “We have a lot of parallel communities,” she said. “We want to brand Stonecrest, like they did with Perimeter.” Last year, Cadillac Fairview, which co-developed the 1.3 million-square-foot mall with Forest City a decade ago, and the Parks at Stonecrest, a Euramex community, launched the East Metro Farmers Market that meets on Saturdays in the mall’s parking lot near Border’s. Parks at Stonecrest residents have also adopted Hayden Quarry Road and every third Saturday they have been picking up trash along the roadway. Kendall, who has been marketing the Stonecrest area to developers for a dozen years, said she is very passionate about the area. “We will get out of this downturn in the market,” she said. Of the 1,700 acres that made up the Stonecrest live-work-play community, Kendall says only 200 acres are left and 100 of that comprises Honey Creek. “We really only have 100 acres left,” she said. Kendall said that area is lacking a “a sense of arrival.” “It’s about pride,” she said. “It’s about how you
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September 10, 2011
You could call them heroes. But they’re more than that. Because no matter how much they have achieved, they find the time to give back to the community. McDonald’s® Annual 365Black® Awards celebrate those who, every day, make a difference. Read more about this year’s five honorees at ©2011 McDonald’s
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Finance
September 10, 2011
“I think that this particular study gives us the best opportunity we’ve had to improve the community.”
Career Expo to feature employers, resource providers 2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker General Manager Curtis Parker Staff Writer Carla Parker Advertising Sales Alison White
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.
Veterans and other job seekers can attend a Sept. 14 career expo sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor’s North Metro Career Center. The 10 a.m.-1 p.m. expo will be at Clairmont Presbyterian Church in Decatur. It will feature more than 30 employers, educational institutions, and resource agencies that provide assistance to job seekers. Some employers will be hiring while others will be discussing
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AL ! LOC ICES RV SE
www.eastmetromarket.com
hoochee Recreation Area, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 91, Department of Veteran Affairs, Disability Link, Employment Seeker Publications, Executive Marketing Team, Futurecom, Georgia Department of Corrections, Goodwill of North Georgia, Gwinnett County Police Department, Home for Heroes, Lowe’s, Marten Transport, Perimeter Staffing Placement, Primerica Financial Services, Randstad Staffing, Rollins, Service
Management Systems, Staffing Advantage, Tender Loving Care Healthcare Services, United Education Institute, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, USA Parking Systems, U.S. Department of Labor, Verizon Wireless, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4706, and Walton Community Services. The church is at 1994 Clairmont Road,. For more information, call William Moore at 404-679-5200, Ext. 54.
Workshops scheduled to help improve job readiness skills Job seekers can hone their work readiness skills during DeKalb Workforce Development Week, Sept. 12-15. The weeklong event, “5 Steps for Success,” co-hosted by the Georgia Department of Labor, will include four work readiness workshops. It will focus on personal branding,
networking, resume writing, and interviewing, and will culminate with a career fair. The workshops include Personal Branding and Resume Writing on Sept. 12 and Sept. 14. They take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Georgia Department of Labor, 3879 Covington Highway,
Decatur. On Sept. 13 and 15, Networking and Interviewing takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 to 4 p.m., at the DeKalb Workforce Development, 320 Church St., Decatur. The Career Fair takes place Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Com-
merce Drive, Decatur. Representatives from more than 60 local companies, schools and community partners are expected to attend the career fair. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call DeKalb Workforce Development at 404-687-3410.
Financial adviser to speak at Word Church International Financial guru and national talk-show host Dave Ramsey will teach a 13-week course at Word Church International in Decatur beginning Sept. 18. Only 10 spaces are available for the Financial Peace University, and the registration deadline is Sept. 14. The course teaches the tools needed to become debt-free and handle money God’s way. It includes video classes and group discussion. More than 1 million
families have completed the program at workplaces, churches, military bases or other venues and are working toward debt freedom and “financial peace.” Ramsey is a personal money-management expert whose three New York Times best-selling books, “Financial Peace,” “More Than Enough” and “The Total Money Makeover,” have sold more than 6 million copies combined. His latest book, “EntreLeadership:
20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom From the Trenches,” will be released this month. His “Dave Says” column appears occasionally in CrossRoadsNews. The Sept. 18 session starts at 9 a.m. The cost is $93. Word Church International is at 2030 Wesley Chapel Road. For more information or to register, visit http:// wordchurchinternational.org or call 404Dave Ramsey 288-3834.
Blueprint focuses on downtown area’s longstanding needs LITHONIA,
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possible future employment opportunities. Several organizations will provide educational and other resources. Applicants should bring multiple copies of their resumes and be prepared to fill out company applications and interview for available jobs. Participants will include AAA Auto Club South, Allied Barton Security Service, Aloricares, Apex Veteran Staffing, AT&T, Chatta-
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urbia: Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs.” The book was featured in a 2009 Time Magazine cover story, “10 ideas changing the world right now.” Her students’ work in Lithonia will focus on the area bounded by Max Cleland Boulevard, Main Street and Swift Street to re-establish the heart of Lithonia’s civic and business core. John Robins, a longtime Lithonia resident and a former mayor of the town, said he expects the combined talents of Dunham-Jones and the Tech students to help the city get on with facing some longstanding needs. “I have the feeling this is going to have good results,” Robins said. “I’m really happy that the Conservancy is involved. … I guess the big problem eventually will be, ‘Where’s the cash?’ ” That’s a critical question, one that Blueprints is expected to help with, to an extent. The researchers are tasked with ferreting out the best redevelopment strategies and potential funding sources under current economic conditions. The Georgia Conservancy’s Blueprints program places emphasis on the protection of natural
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Blueprints For Successful Communities n Lithonia community meetings will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 19, Oct. 12 and Nov. 21. The first two meetings will be held at Lithonia Middle School, 2451 Randall Avenue, Lithonia. The last meeting will be at Lithonia First United Church, 3099 Stone Mountain St., Lithonia. n For more information, contact Deborah Jackson at dajatty@ bellsouth.net or 404-534-6545.
resources and promoting sustainable development. The process envisions an inventory of Lithonia’s housing types and conditions, natural and historic resources, greenspace opportunities, and sidewalk locations and conditions. It will examine broader connections with the PATH trail, adjacent neighborhoods and nearby businesses, the Conservancy said, citing Lithonia’s proximity to Arabia Mountain and the Mall at Stonecrest as assets. “The struggling Lithonia Plaza strip mall and its vast parking lots present an opportunity for reinhabiting, redeveloping, and regreening the site into the healthier, more sustainable downtown that Lithonia deserves,” Dunham-Jones said in an e-mail Tuesday.
“We expect to come up with proposals for downtown that will build on the historic resources, the granite legacy, and the proximity to the PATH system and Arabia Mountain - while also looking forward to how to attract the next generation to invest in Lithonia,” she said. The partnership with the Georgia Conservancy was established as part of Lithonia’s Community Agenda 5-Year Short Term Work Plan after the city completed its Comprehensive Plan Update last year. Blueprints relies heavily on community input. The team’s first public meeting was held July 28 and led by the city’s Redevelopment Committee chair, Deborah Jackson, who served on the City Council before becoming
a candidate for mayor of Lithonia last week. About 30 people attended the meeting. Three more work sessions will be held before the final Blueprints product is expected in February 2012. Jackson, who spearheaded the city’s Livable Communities Initiative in 2003, was the impetus for the Blueprints program in Lithonia. She asked the Georgia Conservancy to bring the program to the city, which used $5,000 in county Community Development Block Grants to fund the work. Dawn Stewart Massey, whose family owns Lithonia’s “Yellow Brick House,” an assisted living facility, says the downtown core “could certainly use a face lift.” Her grandparents once lived in the attractive Yellow Brick House, which was built in the ’20s. Her grandfather, Thomas W. Stewart, worked as a doctor in the community for 40 or 50 years. She likes the fact that researchers are not just focused on the “little city,” but also on potential stakeholders outside the city limits. “I think that this particular study gives us the best opportunity we’ve had to improve the community,” she said. Brenda Camp Yarbrough contributed to this article.
index to advertisers 123 Discount Fabrics...................................... 11 3 Girls & A Needle, Inc...................................6 Abbott’s Hair Studio....................................... 11 ALS Career Institute....................................... 11 Auto 285........................................................ 11 Beyond The Bell, Inc....................................... 8 Cake Café Atlanta............................................6
Chimain Douglas Ministries.......................... 10 Decatur Pediatric Group, P.A..........................9 DeKalb County School System........................ 8 DeKalb Health Pharmacy................................9 DeKalb Technical College............................... 8 First African Presbyterian Church.................. 10 Habitat for Humanity DeKalb......................... 11
Kaiser Permanente / Amerigroup................... 2 Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery..............12 McDonald’s..................................................... 3 NBC’s “Prime Suspect”.................................... 7 Pigeon Forge Dep’t of Tourism....................... 5 Radient Research............................................9 Rainbow Park Baptist Church........................ 10
SCI Dignity Memorial...................................... 2 South DeKalb YMCA...................................... 11 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas..................... 11 Wright Vision Care..........................................9 Best Buy Co. Inc......................................Inserts East Metro Farmers Market....................Inserts Walgreens . ............................................Inserts
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September 10, 2011
“She planted seeds, not only in the community but in her children.”
Tigers, elephants, camels, and more Women honored for their work Exotic animal acts and heart-stopping trapeze performances will delight audiences at the 127th edition of the Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars on Sept. 14-15 at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers. Shows begin daily at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Royal Bengal tigers, elephants, camels, horses, llamas and more than a dozen Captivating Canines will be featured. Judit and Juergen Nerger open the performance with their array of Panthera tigris tigris. Laura Herriott’s turn in the ring Coles Bros Circus will be at the Georgia International Horse Park features a mixed animal in Conyers on Sept. 14 and 15. drill comprising dromedary, draft horse, llama, ponies and dogs. Clowns will provide comic relief. Abuhadba’s Cartoon Poodles will present Tickets are $14 to $20. Advance tickets are a high-energy routine, while the biggest stars on sale at the Garden Fashion, 3520 Highway of the show, the Cole Bros. Circus elephants, 20 S.E. in Conyers; online at www.tickets. perform during the second half. com; or by phone at 1-888-332-5200. Tickets Aerial acts include the Flying Ponces. also may be purchased at the circus midway Soloists Lena, Lana and David take to the air on show days. Free kids tickets are available to execute intricate gymnastic routines while at area merchants and at freekidstickets.com surrounded by Cole Bros. Aerial Corps de by clicking on Meet the Stars. Ballet, and gravity-defying daredevils chalThe Georgia International Horse Park is lenge ThunderDrome, the Motor Chamber at 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway. of Danger, rivaling the Human Cannonball For more information, visit www.georfor fearlessness under the new big top. giahorsepark.com or www.colebroscircus. The zany antics of the Bermudez Family com.
The late Maggie C. Woods, the first African American elected to the Lithonia City Council, was one of six women honored at the Aug. 26 Women’s Equality Day Observance in Lithonia. Woods, Elnora Baker, the late Ammer Reynolds, Mary Shepherd, Ellen Stewart and Anne Woodall were honored by the Lithonia Women’s Club for their contributions to their community, country and women’s empowerment and equality. Lithonia Councilwoman Doreen Carter said the club wanted to honor pioneers who were born, raised or came to the city of Lithonia and have been instrumental in human rights and civil rights. “We have a lot of people that have come our way that have opened doors for us to be able to do the things that we do in our Doreen Carter and Barbara Lester pose with the late city, in our state and around the Maggie Woods, one of the women honored. country,” Carter said. Women’s Equality Day commemorates on behalf of Woods, who was her mother. Aug. 26, 1920, the day the 19th AmendLester shared stories of her mother, who ment to the U.S. Constitution was signed was the first African American to hold a seat granting women the right to vote. on the city council. Since 1971, every president has pub“She planted seeds, not only in the comlished a proclamation for Women’s Equal- munity but in her children,” Lester said. “She ity Day. told us we all received the seed of public serDuring the Lithonia Women’s Club vice. That’s our purpose for being here – to event, former Lithonia city councilwoman serve mankind.” Barbara Lester accepted the proclamation
Historic Herndon Home celebrating its centennial Passport Day offers was the second black graduate of the The historic Herndon Home, the Harvard Business School. He traveled first mansion built by African Ameriextensively throughout Europe and cans in Atlanta is celebrating its 101st Africa where he collected antiquities anniversary this year and the Herndon and decorative arts for what he enFoundation is honoring the legacy of visioned as a museum honoring his the Herndon family with a Centennial parents. Celebration on Sept. 11 at the Atlanta Alonzo Herndon, who was born a History Center. slave, went on to establish and operThe home, which was declared a ate several successful barber shops on National Historic Landmark in 2000, Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta was the family mansion of Alonzo after the civil war. One of those emFranklin Herndon, widely considered poriums was elaborately decorated to be Atlanta’s first Black millionaire. with marble flooring and a crystal It was built in 1910 on Diamond Hill, chandelier as well as furnishings and one of the highest elevations on Atfittings acquired during his excursions lanta’s westside. to Europe. Herndon became a develEntertainment for the evening’s oper and major property owner in festive event includes excerpts from Atlanta and later founded the Atlanta the opera “The Herndons” written, Life Insurance Company. produced and performed by Sharon He was also an organizer of the J. Willis. Niagara Movement, the forerunner The two-story 15-room house, Italiante Beaux Arts Classical styled Herndon Home was built by Alonzo Herndon, who was born a of the NAACP. After Herndon’s death in 1927, Norris Herndon assumed the house was designed primarily by slave. He went on found the Atlanta Life Insurance Co. presidency of Atlanta Life, with Jessie Alonzo’s wife Adrienne Herndon and was built exclusively by black craftsmen. It is an example of high Herndon, Alonzo’s second wife, as Atlanta Life’s vice president. Dursociety dwellings at the beginning of the last century and serves as a ing this period, the company experienced tremendous growth. The centennial celebration is open to the public. Tickets are $200 lasting tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, and talent of each. The Herndon Home is at 587 University Place, NW in Atlanta. one of Atlanta’s most extraordinary African American families. The Herndon Home contains the original furnishings as well For information about tickets to the celebration, contact Eventions as those acquired later in the century by Alonzo’s son Norris, who at sonjiay@bellsouth.net or telephone 404-505-8188.
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Have a yen to travel the world but lack a passport? No worries. Sept. 17 is Passport Day in the USA and lots of help will be available to help people apply for passports. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Atlanta Passport Agency representatives will help people with their passport application at the agency’s Atlanta office. First-time applicants and those younger than 16 years old must apply in person. You also must apply in person if your previous passport was lost, stolen, damaged or issued more than 15 years ago, or if it was issued when you were under the age of 16. The application and executive fees for a passport is $165. Standard processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing of 2 to 3 weeks costs an additional $60. Passport Day will also include passport-themed events for adults and children at Regional Passport Agencies and many passport Acceptance Facilities across the country in communities. Atlanta Passport Agency is at 230 Peachtree St. on the 10th floor in Atlanta. For more information, visit www. travel.state.gov.
September 10, 2011
CrossRoadsNews
7
8
CrossRoadsNews
Youth
September 10, 2011
“It’s all about being in order. I have a schedule that I follow and it helps me keep things in order.”
Player gifted on and off the court Arts student nets track scholarship prove,” she said. “I want everyone to play at their Greenforest-McCalep highest level, reach their Christian Academy Lady full potential.” Eagles center Moses JohnShe has been workson is not your average ing on her conditioning, basketball player. skill set and defense. Before she leads the “I’ve been doing a Lady Eagles onto the baslot of weight training, ketball court, Moses has working on endurance to do one thing before and agility,” she said. tip-off. She has to sing the When she isn’t pracNational Anthem. ticing, singing, playing Her coach, Allison the piano or dancing, Prather, said the 5-ft.-11Moses, an honor roll inch junior can “sang” student with a 4.0 GPA, too. is working hard on her “She is very gifted,” schoolwork and her Prather said. “She’s a singother goal – to be class er, pianist, and dancer. She Before showing off her basketball valedictorian. skills on the court, Moses Johnson is just a jewel.” “It’s all about being Moses, who is 16 years sings the national anthem at games. in order,” she said. “I old, has led the Lady Eagles in scoring and have a schedule that I follow and it helps assists for the past two years, averaging 18 me keep things in order.” points and six assists per game and made the A number of Division I colleges, have All-Region Team for two years. already contact Prather about her star stuThis year her goal is to be 10 times better dent, who credits God for her success. than last year. “He is the priority of my life,” she said. “I also want to help my teammates im- “I wouldn’t be here without him.”
Throughout her high school career at DeKalb School of the Arts, Jandé Pierce sang, dance, acted and ran track. On graduation in May, she made history by becoming the first DeKalb arts student to sign an athletic scholarship. She now attends Florida State University in Tallahassee, on a track scholarship. Jandé’s scholarship is Jandé Pierce unique because DSA is the only DeKalb high school that does not field athletic teams. She started running track in the county recreation programs as a 9-year old and competed in the summer as she moved to DSA Elementary and then to DSA High. Had she attended Stephenson High, her home school, she could have competed on the middle school and high school track teams. She competed in four to five track meets each summer and excelled on the USA Track and Field circuit but it was enough for her
Legacy program seeks applicants
Schools can apply for a chance to win a $25,000 Sprite grant to renovate their playgrounds. The Sprite Spark Parks Project for Schools program is offering 25 grants to schools across the country to liven up areas on their campuses where students can play and stay fit. Parents and residents can apply for the grants for their schools by entering My Coke Rewards codes found on specially-marked Sprite packaging. Codes can be submitted at www.mycokerewards.com/sprite until Sept. 30
By Carla Parker
Ninth- and 10th-grade high school girls can apply for the DeKalb 100 Black Women Legacy Program. The eight-month program will enhance girls’ self-esteem, personal motivation and leadership skills and expose them to politics, civic affairs, entrepreneurship, and international affairs. It begins in October. Applicants must live in DeKalb or attend
a school in the county, and commit to participating until their senior year. Interested parents and students must attend a mandatory meeting on Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at DeKalb Medical at Hillandale, 2801 Hillandale Drive in Lithonia. For more information, contact Kia Toodle at 678-385-1365.
to capture the attention of college coaches across the country. In 2005, when she was 12 years old, Jandé was third in the nation in the 400, and in 2009, she was candidate for the USA World Youth Team. In 2010, she fourth in the 200 meters and was nationally ranked in the Top 8. Jande says that balancing her training and busy schedule at DSA was tough. “I might have two rehearsals after school, take off to track practice and back to another rehearsal,” she said. “It was a matter of balance in time management and making sacrifices.” Despite the obvious difficulties, she was on the honor roll with a 3.90-plus GPA, and was even the lead vocalist in DSA’s jazz group, Highleite. There are lots of reasons why Jande fell in love with Florida State. “They had real performing arts programs and good academics as well as a Top 10-ranked track program,” she said. “The coaches and everyone made it feel homey and just treated me so well.”
Sprite grants for schools up for grab Last year, three schools won a $25,000 playground renovations from Sprite after parents and residents rallied to donate points. The Sprite Spark Parks Project is a multiyear commitment to build and restore places where teens, families and communities can get outside and get active. This year, Sprite will put more than $2 million into building or revamping a minimum of 150 neighborhood parks, basketball courts, playgrounds and athletic fields – throughout the country.
MedPost offers glimpse into medical careers DeKalb County School System Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)
Supplemental Educational Services (SES)
FREE TUTORING for Eligible Students As part of its requirements under the federal ESEA, DeKalb County School System is offering free tutoring in the areas of math and reading/language arts.
Free tutoring is available for your child if he or she •
attends a Title I elementary, middle, or high school that has been identified as a school in Need of Improvement
•
receives free or reduced-price meals
Eligible Schools Elementary Schools Chapel Hill Fairington Flat Shoals Idlewood Indian Creek Jolly McNair Discovery Learning Midway Oak View Panola Way Stone Mill Stoneview Woodward
Middle Schools Bethune Freedom Lithonia McNair Miller Grove Redan Salem Sequoyah
High Schools Cedar Grove Clarkston Columbia Cross Keys Elizabeth Andrews Int’l Community Charter School International Student Center Lithonia Martin Luther King, Jr. McNair Redan Stephenson Stone Mountain Towers
Open Enrollment Monday, September 12 – Monday, October 3, 2011 A brochure containing an application will be mailed to each eligible student or may be obtained from the local school. Applications must be returned to the Office of School Improvement by Oct. 3, 2011. For more information call DeKalb County School System Office of School Improvement at 678-676-0309.
African-American and other minority high school students interested in careers in medicine and allied health can get early exposure to the field in the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Medical Post Explorers or MedPost program that begins Sept. 14. The program’s presenters include a number of doctors who will discuss their field and answer questions from participants. The program also inclues hands-on laboratory and/or classroom activity relevant to their topic.
The group meets at 6 p.m. every other Wednesday from September to April at the Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive in Atlanta. Applicants must write a one-page essay about their career aspirations, and provide a copy at recent transcript, and a $25 application fee. Applications will be available at the Sept. 14 meeting. For more information, contact Alex Adams at 404-752-1914 or at aadams@msm. edu.
enroll. DeKalb Tech Rocks! Over 100 programs | $75 per credit hour | dekalbtech.edu | 404-297-9522
I know that as parents, we teach our kids about the dangers of drugs, but what type of example do we provide regarding the use of alcohol? Studies have shown that teenagers in East Atlanta, Lithonia and Decatur are more likely to drink, with parents being the primary influence. It’s time for our community to take a stand and realize that underage drinking is not a minor problem. This announcement is brought to you by DeKalb Community Promise, a coalition of concerned community members whose mission is to help prevent underage drinking in DeKalb County. For more information or to get involved, contact DeKalb Community Promise at (404) 431-9595.
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CrossRoadsNews
September 10, 2011
Wellness
“We all have important men in our lives. We all have someone for whom we can wear blue and encourage to speak with their physicians.”
September offers chance to prepare for all kinds of disasters “A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare” is the slogan for National Preparedness Month, which is being observed throughout September. The month of activities, which was created after 9/11 to increase awareness and encourage action for emergency preparedness nationwide, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready America campaign. It will raise awareness of man-made disasters as well as natural disasters like hurricane, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes and encourage adults, children and families to prepare for natural disasters.
GEMA/Homeland Security’s Ready Georgia campaign says that one of the simplest things families can do to help protect themselves is prepare an emergency kit. Gov. Nathan Deal said everyone should be prepared for emergencies and disasters. “Doing your part to be ready means pre- Nathan Deal paring an emergency supplies kit,” he said in a statement issued Aug. 29. “We want every Georgian to have
at least 72 hours worth of critical supplies on hand at all times, creating an emergency communications plan with loved ones, and staying informed about the potential threats in your area.” Throughout September, Ready Georgia is hosting local events and initiatives designed to motivate people to take the necessary steps to ensure that their homes, workplaces and communities are prepared for natural and man-made disasters and emergencies of all kinds. Charley English, director of GEMA and Homeland Security, said a recent survey found that 64 percent of all Georgia house-
Wear blue for prostate cancer
5K offers chance to outrun the police Runners and walkers can legally outrun the police at the “Beat the Badge” 5K on Sept. 17 in Tucker. The 3.2-mile run/walk, which begins at 9 a.m. at DeKalb Police Headquarters, benefits the nonprofit DeKalb Police Alliance. Runners can sign up at www.active.com, and type in DeKalb Police in the search box. The cost is $30 and the deadline to register online is Sept. 15. Late registration is available on-site the day of the race beginning at 7:30 a.m. at police headquarters in front of Building 1960. The inaugural family-friendly event takes place along LaVista Road and will end with a festival at DeKalb Police Headquarters. It is open to competitive and noncompetitive runners of all ages. Fruit, bagels and goodies will be available at the finish line as well as a collectible T-shirt. Giveaways include police key chains, coffee mugs and challenge coins.
holds are now either somewhat or fully prepared with a Ready kit of emergency supplies and a communications plan in place but that there is still work to be done. “National Preparedness Month serves as a good reminder that we Charley English all have a responsibility in protecting ourselves, our families and our communities,” he said. For more information on how to prepare, plan and stay informed, visit ready.ga.gov.
Overall and age group winners will have their photographs made with the DeKalb Police Honor Guard, motorcycle display and K-9 display. SWAT vehicles and fire trucks will be on display as well. A mini-festival after the race includes patriotic music, a DJ and activities for children at DeKalb Police Headquarters, 1960 W. Exchange Place in Tucker. The event is co-hosted by Center Precinct, the DeKalb Police Alliance and District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader. For race information, contact Ed Williams at roadraceservices@comcast.net or 404-3277738. For sponsor information, contact Officer J. Obester at jaobester@dekalbcountyga.gov or 770-724-7600, or Officer Serena Salzer at sjsalzer@dekalbcountyga.gov or 770-724-7614. For more information, e-mail kmiller@dekalbpolicealliance.org or call 678-362-0392.
lives,” Glenn said. “Whether Georgians can wear blue it’s brothers, sons, fathers, during September to suphusbands or friends, we all port Radiotherapy Clinics have someone for whom of Georgia’s Wear Blue camwe can wear blue, and enpaign to promote prostate courage to speak with their cancer awareness. physicians.” In 2010, there were more September is observed than 190,000 new cases nationally as Protate Cancer of prostate cancer in the Awareness Month. As part United States and more Shelly Glenn of the Wear Blue campaign than 5,000 new cases in Georgia. The state is ranked 11th in signature Atlanta buildings are being highest estimated deaths caused by asked to change their lights to blue throughout the month. prostate cancer. “In lighting the city blue and Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia, a Vantage Oncology affiliate, says the encouraging our friends, family and awareness campaign poses the question, community to wear blue, we are building momentum for prostate cancer “Who do you wear blue for?” Vantage Oncology’s Shelly Glenn awareness,” Glenn said. For more information, visit www. says the answers will be varied. “We all have important men in our whodoyouwearbluefor.com.
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10
Ministry
CrossRoadsNews
September 10, 2011
“The genius of this book is that it teaches us how our faith cane be the compulsion and the compass for our involvement.”
Big band sounds for Music for Missions
May offers take on God, politics
The Sentimental Journey Orchestra will showcase big-band era music on Sept. 18 at the kickoff of the 13th season of Music for Missions concert at Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church in Tucker. The 7 p.m. concert, which is free to attend, is sponsored by the United Methodist Men. “We charge no fees, sell no tickets.,” said Jack Sartain, the concert’s organiser. “We just pass the plate and ask our audiences to be generous. The Sentimental Journey Orchestra will perform big band music at Lawrenceville United Methodist Church. They are.” Proceeds benefit a number of groups ] raised more than $35,000. supported by the church’s missions. Lawrenceville Road UMC is at 3142 LawSince its inception, almost 1,200 artists renceville Highway. For more information, have performed before 13,000 guests and call 770-939-3717.
By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Jazz artists headlining vespers services Internationally renowned jazz pianist Gary Motley and vocalist Veronica Motley will headline a Sept. 18 Community Jazz Vespers Service at Rock of Ages in Stone Mountain. The 5:30 p.m. service is part of an ongoing Gary Motley series that combines religious and musical traditions. Other worldclass jazz artists will join the Motleys. Gary Motley, who is recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Great American Jazz Piano Competition and the American Composers Forum, has been featured in Downbeat Magazine and on “Piano Jazz” with Marian McPartland.
Veronica Motley has been featured with the Alan Knieter Orchestra and was formerly a vocalist for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame’s Heritage Jazz Combo. Vespers are a church’s evening prayer. Veronica Motley The Jazz Vespers Service is a synthesis of several religious traditions, including Jewish and Christian worship, with a diverse musical heritage. Rock of Ages Lutheran Church is at 5135 Memorial Drive. For more information, visit http://roa. ctsmemberconnect.net or call 404-2927888.
DeKalb Commissioner Lee May grew up a pastor’s kid in the AME Church, and was ordained at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in 2004. While he no longer attends the Lithonia church, May has just published his first book, “My God, Lee May My Politics.” In it, he says there ought to be a clear demarcation between faith and politics and between religious and governmental action, but it stops there for him. “However,” he says, “I unequivocally believe that one’s faith can and should speak to the direction of this nation and its policies.” In the nonfiction book’s 200 pages, May makes the case for faith permeating every aspect of an individual’s life – family, marriage, health, finances, and even politics. When he speaks of faith, May, who has been District 5’s commissioner since 2006, says he is not talking religion. “I am a Christian, so I come at it from that perspective, but for people of faith, whether you are Muslims, Jews or Christians, faith ought to influence every aspect of your life,” he said Saturday. “The core beliefs you have as a person have to be part of everything you do. The values I support, I don’t think should be separated when I serve.” May said he penned “My God, My Politics” to get people thinking about how their core values should impact the political landscape. “It’s for those citizens and politicians who don’t know how to build a bridge between their faith and their politics,” he said. For the book’s community kickoff, May is
hosting a sit-down chat with the Rev. Joseph Lowery at the Mall at Stonecrest on Sept. 17. He will interview Lowery, who will turn 90 on Oct. 6, about the role that faith has played in his life as a civil rights leader and pastor. The event takes place at noon in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level. The mall is at Turner Hill Road and I-20 in Lithonia. May has ordered 500 copies of the book he is self-publishing and he will sign copies during the event. The book is also available for $15.95 at at Amazon.com. The book has already earned the endorsement of Ray of Hope Christian Church pastor the Rev. Cynthia Hale and of Bernice A. King. Hale calls ‘My God, My Politics,’ a must-read. “The genius of this book is that it teaches us how our faith can be the compulsion and the compass for our involvement,” she writes in an endorsement. King, who is the founder and president of Be A King Enterprises, calls the book “an intriguing, enlightening and practical guide for those who want to utilize their faith to shape their politics. “Lee May gives greater clarity and understanding around the debate about separation of church and state,” she said. “He moves beyond religious talk and gets to the heartbeat of what should be at the center of our politics –which is our faith.” May says God is leading him into ministry. “I don’t know when or where,” he said. “I am 35 years old. In 10 years, I could see me fully engaged as a minister pastoring a congregation.”
Greenforest women reaching out to community The Women’s Day observance at Greenforest Community Baptist Church kicks off Sept. 10 with a special Day of Evangelism that focuses on outreach. The celebration continues Sept. 16-18 with the theme of “Building Intimacy With God: Are We There Yet?” inspired by Luke 10:41-42. On Sept. 10, members carrying signs with gospel messages will line the corners of Rainbow/Columbia Drive and Rainbow Drive/Candler Road beginning at 10 a.m.
and provide bread and fish to passersby and the unchurched. The Women’s Ministry also is collecting shoes for the nonprofit Soul Project which is seeking 50,000 pairs for indigent people in West Africa. Donations of new and lightly worn flat shoes for children and adults of all sizes can be dropped off at Room 12 on Sept. 10. The church is at 3250 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information, visit www. greenforest.org or call 404-486-1120.
“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. 5197 Salem Road Lithonia, GA 30038 Praise & Devotion Worship Service Sundays at 10 a.m.
Join us for Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
770-981-2601 “We are building far beyond our years.”
Rev. Dr. Mark A. Lomax
Sept. 10, 2011 Issue
‘It’s Time’ for healing, miracles, signs & wonders!!!!! It’s time to operate in the Power and Anointing of the Holy Spirit Join us for Bible Study, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Shiloh High School, 4210 Shiloh Road, Snellville, GA 30030 & Join us for our next Prayer and Miracle Service, Sept 24, at 9: 00 a.m. in the Colonnade Room, 8010 Rockbridge Road, Lithonia, GA (in the DMV Shopping Center on 124 and Rockbridge Road) For more information call (678) 580-3310 or visit us at www.chimaindouglasministries.org. Hosted by: Chimain Douglas Ministries
Invite a Friend, Relative, Co-Worker, your life will never be the same!!!
11
CrossRoadsNews
September 10, 2011
youth services
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YOUTH SPORTS Fall Soccer
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SOUTH DEKALB FAMILY YMCA Ages 3-10 • Boys & Girls Call 770-987-3500 for details public notice
NOTICE OF INTENTION OF WRITE-IN CANDIDACY I hereby give notice that I, Drucilla Woods, intend to be a write-in candidate for the office of City Councilwoman for the City of Lithonia, Georgia in the election to be held on the November 8, 2011; that I am eligible to hold such office, that my address is: 2684 William Grant Reynolds Drive, Lithonia, (DeKalb County) Georgia 30058. public notice REQUEST FOR BIDS Habitat for Humanity DeKalb The Habitat for Humanity DeKalb (HFHD is soliciting bids from qualified licensed general contractors to rehabilitate a single-family home located at 2021 Juanita, Decatur, GA 30032. The contractor will perform general contracting services "(Bold) OF INTENTION OF WRITE-IN andNOTICE work with skilled/unskilled volunteers to complete the scope of work. Bold) CANDIDACY(End Date Bid Package will bethat available: Monday September 12, 2011 to I hereby give notice I, Drucilla Woods, intend be a Mandatory write-inpre-bid candidate for the office of City meeting: Monday September 12,Council2011, at 10:00 a.m. in the elecwoman for the City of Lithonia, Georgia Meeting location: Belvedere United Methodist tion to be held on the November 8, 2011; that I am Church eligible to hold such office, that address 2915my Midway Road is: 2684 GA 30030 William Grant Reynolds Drive,Decatur, Lithonia, (DeKalb County) Georgia 30058. RFP response deadline: Monday September 19, 2011, at 4:00 p.m.
Award announcement:
Friday September 23, 2011
Direct questions and reserve your bid package to be retrieved at the pre-bid meeting at dekalbhfh@dekalbhabitat.org.
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12
CrossRoadsNews
F-150
Service Hours: Monday-Saturday 7AM-7PM
oFF
MSRP!
MSRP ...........................................$47,164 Factory Rebate............................. -$3,000 Malcolm Cunningham Discount ... -$8,000
36,164
Sale $ PRiCe:
Brand New 2012 Ford
FUSION 35
MPG HWY
EPA EStIMAtES
Automatic, Stk#121009
5,000
oFF
MSRP!
MSRP ........................................... 28,184 Factory Rebate............................. -$2,000 Malcolm Cunningham Discount ... -$3,000 $
23,184
Sale $ PRiCe: Brand New 2011 Ford
uP to
RANGER
Automatic, Stk#116536
6,000
$
oFF
MSRP!
MSRP ...........................................$21,044 Factory Rebate............................. -$2,000 Malcolm Cunningham Discount ... -$4,000
15,044
Sale $ PRiCe:
Prices plus tax, tag and title.
5675 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
770-621-0200
Pre-owned SuPerCenter $ 2007 Saturn aura 7350 GaS Saver, wow! $ Stk#a1614 199 $ 2008 toyota Corolla 10,995 GaS Saver, niCe ride! $ Stk#a1580 199 $ 2008 Chevrolet iMPala 13,888 SPorty, new look! $ Stk#a1666 199 $ 2010 Ford FoCuS Sedan 13,995 GaS Saver, niCe ride! $ Stk#a1652 199 $ 2010 kia Forte 14,488 a MuSt See! $ Stk#a1650 199 $ 2009 Mazda 6 14,888 GaS Saver, StyliSh! $ Stk#a1596 199 $ 2010 Chevrolet Malibu 15,495 Cd, P/w, P/l, ChroMe wheelS! $ Stk#a1571 199 $ 2009 honda aCCord lX 15,888 auto, P/w, P/l, Cd, $ Stk#a1597 199 $ 2010 Ford FuSion 16,995 SharP, Fun ride! $ Stk#a1598 199 or
Per Month!
Buy for 48 months at 9.9% APR Financing with $0 down plus tax, tag and title with approved credit.
or
Per Month!
Buy for 60 months at 2.9%APR Financing with $0 down plus tax, tag and title with approved credit.
or
Per Month!
Buy for 72 months at 2.9%APR Financing with $0 down plus tax, tag and title with approved credit.
or
Per Month!
Buy for 72 months at 2.9%APR Financing with $0 down plus tax, tag and title with approved credit.
or
Per Month!
Buy for 72 months at 2.9%APR Financing with $1000 down plus tax, tag and title with approved credit.
or
Per Month!
Buy for 72 months at 2.9%APR Financing with $1000 down plus tax, tag and title with approved credit.
or
Per Month!
Buy for 72 months at 2.9%APR Financing with $2000 down plus tax, tag and title with approved credit.
or
Per Month!
Buy for 72 months at 2.9%APR Financing with $2000 down plus tax, tag and title with approved credit.
or
Per Month!
Buy for 72 months at 2.9%APR Financing with $3000 down plus tax, tag and title with approved credit.
1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
2888 $ Leather, New Tires, Stylish, Stk#A1676A ................. 12,888 2005 DoDge ram 1500 Crew Cab $ Auto, V8, P/W, P/L, Stk#A1649.......................... 13,995 2010 DoDge Journey $ 3rd Row, P/W, P/L, Family Friendly! Stk#A1642 ............ 14,995 2010 nissan altima $ Smooth Ride, Great Value, Nice! Stk#A1673............... 16,995 2006 merCeDes-benz C230 $ Extra Nice, Sunroof, Leather! Stk#A1665 ................. 16,995 2007 linColn town Car signature limiteD $ Half Roof, Extra Clean, Stk#A1635A ..................... 17,995 2006 auDi a6 Quattro $ Clean, Clean, Clean! Stk#A1664 ........................ 18,888 2008 ForD F-150 Xlt Crew Cab $ Like New, Work Ready, Stk#A1667 ...................... 19,888 2007 merCeDes-benz e350 $ Loaded, Must See! Stk#A1763 ......................... 23,888 Auto, P/W, P/L, Clean, New Tires and More, Must See! Stk#A1672A
$
2006 Chrysler 300
Over 150 Pre-Owned Vehicles to Choose from! •3 Oil Change •3 Car Wash •3 Brake CheCk •3 Battery CheCk •3 a/C CheCk
$
All This For...
24.95
With This Ad!
Must present this coupon at time of sale. Not in conjunction with any other offers. Expires month end.
Service Department
open 7am-7pm
to help with all of your service needs at a reasonable price. incluDeS all makeS anD moDelS! Prices plus tax, tag and title.
the MoST dePendaBle Brand In aMerIca Is lIncoln!
According to...JD PowER’s 2011 Us VEhICLE DEPENDAbILITY sTUDY
4 YEAR/50,000 MILE MAINTENANCE INCLUDED! 4-year/50,000-mile limited maintenance Plan. coverage includes a maximum of eight regularly scheduled maintenance services. see dealer for qualifications and comPlete details. Program ends 9/11/11.
WITh EVERY lIncoln lEasE oR puRchasE... gET ALL of ThEsE sTandaRd fEaTuREs:
3 heated/cooled leather seats 3 Wood/chroMe Panels 3 dual Zone a/c 3 6-dIsc In-dash cd/MP3 3 Full PoWer
oThER aVaIlablE TEchnologY: SYNC Technology • MyTouch • Navigation System Panoramic View • Park Assist • Collision Warning
NEw 2011 LINCoLN MKZ
SIGN & DRIVE!
MSRP $35,850 • VIN#3LNHL2GC7BR767316
399
$
lease For
With Per Month
$
0
Due at Signing
lease for 36 months, with $0 due at signing, including $0 security dePosit, 10,500 miles Per year, 20¢ Per mile thereafter with aPProved credit. includes tax, tag, and title.
NEw 2011 LINCoLN MKX
SIGN & DRIVE!
MSRP $41,550 • VIN#2LMDJ6JK7BBJ27413
499
$
lease For
With Per Month
$
0
Due at Signing
lease for 36 months, with $0 due at signing, including $0 security dePosit, 10,500 miles Per year, 20¢ Per mile thereafter with aPProved credit. includes tax, tag, and title.
NEw 2011 LINCoLN MKs
SIGN & DRIVE!
MSRP $42,325 • VIN#1LNHL9DR5BG611641
499
$
lease For
With Per Month
$
0
Due at Signing
lease for 36 months, with $0 due at signing, including $0 security dePosit, 10,500 miles Per year, 20¢ Per mile thereafter with aPProved credit. includes tax, tag, and title. Prices Plus, Tax, Tag And Title.
5675 Peachtree IndustrIal Blvd
(770) 621-0200
www.MalcolmCunninghamFord.com Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery WWW.MALCOLMCUNNINGHAMLINCOLN.COM
4C (10.5”) X 16” 27784-MCFO (9-8) Crossroads FC (nb)
uP to
$
www.MCAutoAtl.com Sales • Service • Parts • Collision Center
Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Volkswagen, Volvo, Lincoln, Mercury, Toyota, Honda, Pontiac, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Nissan, Scion, Mitsubishi, GMC
11,000
$
Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Volkswagen, Volvo, Lincoln, Mercury, Toyota, Honda, Pontiac, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Nissan, Scion, Mitsubishi, GMC
770-987-9000
Automatic, Stk#118123
uP to
MalcolM cunninghaM lincoln
I-20, Exit Wesley Chapel To Snapfinger Woods Drive
Malcolm Cunningham Ford
Brand New 2011 Ford
September 10, 2011