CrossRoadsNews, September 24, 2016

BLACK HISTORY

SCENE

Links to the past, present

Outdoor explorations

More than 150,000 people are expected for the grand opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 4,5

Kids 8 to 12 can enjoy fun activities on Junior Ranger Day on Oct. 8 at the Panola Mountain State Park Nature Center. 8

Litter...

R Is unsightly R Lowers property values R Discourages investment R Is everyone’s problem R All of the above

Let’s Do Our Part to Keep DeKalb Beautiful

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

Copyright © 2016 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

September 24, 2016

Volume 22, Number 22

www.crossroadsnews.com

School Board urges voters to defeat Amendment 1 on Nov. 8

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

The DeKalb School Board has joined a growing list of school boards across the state urging voters to defeat Constitutional Amendment 1 on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Board members voted 5-1 on Sept. 19 to a “Say No to state takeover of local schools” resolution.

Board Chair Melvin Johnson said the Board of Education was urging the no vote “after careful consideration.”

“Local control of education is a bedrock American principle,” he said. “We strongly believe that citizens whose taxes pay for the majority of the cost of educating our children should exercise control over decisions related to that education.“ Johnson said it is not only wrong, but risky, to give up local control to a new state bureaucracy.

“We strongly believe that citizens whose taxes pay for the majority of the cost of educating our children should exercise control over decisions related to that education.”

Dr. Melvin Johnson

of improving education in DeKalb, allocated $6 million to fund improvements and $1.9 million for math improvements in the low-performing schools.

He said the board has confidence in Green.

“And to demonstrate that confidence, we gave him a new contract last week and we’re very proud of that,” Johnson said.

“We’re a board that put our monies where our mouth is.”

District 1 board member Stan Jester was the lone dissenting vote. District 4 board member Jim McMahan was absent.

Jester said he was “kinda uncomfortable” with characterizing communities and schools in general as failures but that there are a number of counties and school districts around the state that may not do so well.

“The board strongly believes that the answer to improved academic outcomes and achievement is in the classroom and in the schoolhouse with motivated, well-trained teachers; engaged challenged students; and involved supportive parents, caregivers and communities.”

That is why Johnson said the board hired Dr. R. Stephen Green as its superintendent to take them through this process Please see OSD, page 2

Two lawsuits challenge Georgia’s voter rules Kemp ordered to turn over voting records by Oct. 7

By Ken Watts

U.S. District Judge William Duffey has ordered Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp to turn voter registration records related to Kemp’s decision to reject, cancel or otherwise fail to add names to the state’s voter rolls.

Kemp has until Oct. 7 to obey the order, which comes in the wake of separate lawsuits filed by Project Vote in Atlanta, and by Georgia NAACP, William Duffey Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, and the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples’ Agenda in Gainsville, GA. Both suits are challenging the removal of voters from the Georgia rolls before the high-stakes U.S. presidential elections.

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election is Oct. 11.

African Americans and other minority group traditionally vote Democratic. In this general election, Georgia is shaping up to be a swing state in the tight Hillary Clinton/ Donald Trump race for the White House.

Project Vote, a national nonpartisan group that mobilizes marginalized or underrepresented voters, filed its lawsuit on Sept.

20.

The three plaintiffs’ lawsuit was filed Sept. 14 in U.S. District Court. It alleges that Georgia’s registration policy violates the 1965 Voting Rights Act by blocking “tens of thousands” of Georgians, most of them minorities, from registering to vote.

U.S. District Judge William O’Kelley is hearing that case.

Project Vote’s lawsuit names Kemp as defendant in his official capacity as Georgia’s chief elections official.

Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews

African American and other minority voters, like these voters in the May 24 primary, are removed most often from the voting rolls in Georgia.

The group says the state’s practice of purging voter rolls has a disproportionate effect on minority voters and asked the court for the state’s record of voters whose applications were rejected or canceled as of July 18, 2016.

The lawsuit says Project Vote asked the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office in March for materials without legal action but that “two months later, on May 5, 2016, Kemp responded by accusing the group of conducting a ‘fishing expedition’ and not approaching discussions ‘in a good faith manner.’”

The NAACP/Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta/Peoples’ Agenda lawsuit said that Georgia administrative rule implemented in 2010 keeps residents off the voter rolls if information on their applications doesn’t exactly match information in databases maintained by the Georgia Department of Driver Services or the Social Security Administration.

Under the Georgia policy, the Secretary

of State’s Office sends a letter notifying an applicant if any information is found not to match. If the applicant doesn’t respond within 40 days, the application is automatically canceled and the person must start over.

The lawsuit, filed in Gainesville by the Washington-based Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on behalf of the three plaintiff groups, also names Kemp as defendant based on his role as the state’s top elections official.

It asks the court to rule that Georgia’s voter registration protocol violates the Voting Rights Act as Brian Kemp well as the constitutional rights to free speech and association, equal protection and due process.

The document says voter registration applicants have to clear a “series of burdensome bureaucratic hurdles” that deprive them of

their fundamental right to vote, unless they fall within a couple of narrow and arbitrary exceptions.

“Insistence on a digit-by-digit and character-by-character exactitude when comparing information from one database with information in a different database is a notoriously unreliable method in an elections context,” the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit alleges that the match process is plagued with errors, especially when the match criteria demand an exact match across numerous data fields.

Mismatches between databases can result from the omission of a hyphen or initial and frequently result from no fault of the voter.

Other examples include data entry errors, typos, misreading of imperfect handwriting by elections officials, and computer glitches within the state’s registration system. Hyphenated and maiden names or initials as Please see LAWSUITS, page 3

2

Vote 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 Assistant Editor Brenda Yarbrough Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Multimedia Editor Sharif Williams CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoads­News, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings.

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2016

September 24, 2016

“We cannot allow someone else to reframe our reality,”

Forums offer voters chance to meet candidates

The Nov. 8 general and special elections are drawing near and many candidates are in contested races.

Voters can hear from candidates seeking their votes at upcoming forums. Here are a few:

Commission District 7 Sept. 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The Lindmoor Woods Civic Association hosts a forum for the eight candidates running for the District 7 seat. After introducing themselves, candidates will take questions from voters from their tables. Tucker Recreation Center,

4898 LaVista Road, Tucker.

HGD’s District 7 Forum Oct. 3, 7 to 8 p.m.

Meet the Candidates Forum will center around the Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to noon candidates’ positions on various Voters can meet one-on-one ethics issues. Memorial Drive Preswith candidates for the Nov. 8 byterian Church, 5140 Memorial general and special elections. Can- Drive, Stone Mountain. didates for all DeKalb local, state and federal offices are invited.

DeKalb County Forum Candidates can RSVP for tables Oct. 4, 7 to 8 p.m. to display their literature by conFor more information, call 770tacting Dee Smith at 404-377-0561, 987-2523. Kelley Chapel United 678-641-7135 and deeesmith99@ Methodist Church, 3411 Kelley gmail.com.

Chapel Road, Decatur.

Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, 1879-1921 Glenwood Ave. Super District 7 Forum S.E., Atlanta.

Oct. 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Co-hosted by CrossRoadsNews and First Afrikan Presbyterian Church Community Action Team.

The eight candidates vying to fill the vacant Super District 7 seat will take questions from voters. Moderated by CrossRoadsNews Editor/Publisher Jennifer Parker. All other candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot are invited. For more information, call 404-2841888. First Afrikan, 5197 Salem Road, Lithonia.

To list your candidate forum, email editor@crossroadsnews. com.

Hank’s bills to protect voters Write-in candidate certified U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson has introduced the “Election Infrastructure and Security Promotion Act of 2016” (H.R. 6073) to require the Department of Homeland Security to designate the nation’s voting systems as critical infrastructure and the “Election Integrity Act of 2016” (H.R. 6072) to limit the purchase of any new voting systems that do not provide durable voter-verified paper ballots on Sept. 21.

Johnson said that when an asset is labeled as a critical infrastructure, it heightens its security obligations and requires Homeland Security

to provide increased support – be it the power grid, water supply, or electoral infrastructure.

“In the wake of the DNC server hack and well-documented efforts by states to suppress the vote, citizens are rightly concerned,” said Johnson, who represents a portion of DeKalb. “We must work to reduce the vulnerability of our crucial voting systems, protect the security and integrity of our electoral process, and ensure all Americans have the opportunity to vote.”

For more, visit www.crossroadsnews.com.

Antiqua Walker is challenging DeKalb Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson in the Nov. 8 election as a write-in candidate.

The DeKalb Board of Registration and ElecAntiqua Walker tions certified Walker as a write-in candidate at its Sept. 8 meeting after verifying that she had published her notice to run in the Champion,

the county’s legal organ, on Aug. 8 as required by law.

Walker, 31, is a two-year employee of the Tax Commissioner’s Office. She says that during her time there, she obtained the experience, knowledge, skills and training required to make an efficient and dramatic change in the office.

Walker, who lives in Decatur, said her platform is to service, educate and expand on productivity through technology. She would like to establish excellent customer service and ensure a pleasant experience for taxpayers.

District working to turn around low-performing schools OSD,

from page

1

“I mean what’s the plan,” he said. “I mean whether you like OSD or not, what’s the plan if we can’t improve academic achievement.“ DeKalb became the 29th school board to urge voters to defeat the amendment that is seeking to establish a state-controlled school district that will take over 100 lowperforming schools statewide.

If voters approve the amendment, the OSD will be led by a superintendent who would report directly to the governor, and not the state Education Department.

In metro Atlanta, DeKalb is the third district to publicly oppose Amendment 1. The others are Clayton and Cherokee.

‘No quick fixes’ In DeKalb County, 28 schools scoring below 60 points are on the state’s list of underperforming schools released in May. Since then, the School District has merged two of the schools and now has 26 schools that would become eligible for the state-run school district.

Johnson said that the district is already hard at work on its goal of restoring the county’s national reputation for academic excellence and has demonstrated its commitment to fixing things over the last year by eliminating all teacher furlough days and granting multiple pay increases for teachers and staff.

“DeKalb County Schools will continue to invest in our children and our teachers,” he said. “We

are steadfast in our commitment to improve educational outcomes for all DeKalb County students as we transform our schools through rigor, relevance and relationships.”

Marshall Orson, the District 2 board member who moved the resolution, said that while the district has schools that are not doing as well, it has embarked on a pathway and a program to address those concerns.

“If there were sort of magic pixie dust out there that the state was hoarding, I would’ve expected that they would have shared it with us already,” he said.

Orson said the Opportunity School District will not change outcomes and that if local school boards are so terrible, the state hasn’t changed anything about what they doing.

“The reality is that we as local systems will continue to be responsible for educating the vast majority of children in Georgia,” he said.

“And so if there is an issue, then I think that the state would be focused on building that capacity and building that capability to the benefit of the children we serve because that’s really only the logical way to address these issues of schools that are underperforming.”

Dr. Joyce Morley, who seconded the motion, call the vote “a premier move.”

“Either you’ll stand for something or you’ll fall for anything,” she said.

Morley, who represents District 7, said local school boards must

be in control of educating our children.

“We cannot allow someone else to reframe our reality,” she said.

“We know exactly what’s going and we have to be responsible, we have to be accountable.”

Morley said the School Board is committed to educating all children.

“To believe that a school is failing is to believe that every child in that school is a failure,” she said. “It also means that every parent is a failure, and it means that the community is a failure. We don’t accept failing; nor are we failures and our children are never failures.”

Green said the district has “been digging deep” and doing the kind of work needed to turn around the underperforming schools.

“As we speak, 15 of the 26 schools that are on the list are within 5 points of reaching the 60 – assuming that it stays there – point threshold or higher,” he said. “Three schools have already been removed from the list – Columbia High School, Salem Middle School and Towers High School. So progress is already on the way.”

Green said that the turnaround will take deep, hard, intensive and intimate work and the progress should continue uninterrupted.

“There are no quick fixes,” he said. “There’s no magic situation, magic elixir that’s going to turn schools around. The principal, the leadership, the teachers, the community wrapping around the school will lift the school up and

help it overcome some of the challenges that it faces, but there are no easy solutions to reverse situations where children are challenged the way they are. But we can do this, we will do this.”

District 5 board member Vickie Turner said the problem facing the district’s challenged schools did not happen yesterday and won’t go away overnight.

“It really does takes a village,” she said. “It takes all of us, our community, and our leaders, and our government officials to join in and be a part of the solution.”

After the meeting, Green said he is anticipating that the 15 schools that are within 5 points of passing the 60-point mark will be off the list within a year.

“We’ve identified the kind of support they will need,” he said.

“They’re concentrated on those areas as we speak. And I firmly believe that they will move well beyond the 60 points by the next time they have the opportunity to present their data.”

Board members said they will continue to speak out against Amendment 1 at town hall meetings, panel discussions and forums.

Turner said that while they are not trying to necessarily telling people how to vote, they can provide information to help people make an informed decision.

“We are also providing them with the information they need to decipher the language that’s on the ballot so that they can make an informed decision,” she said.

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CrossRoadsNews

September 24, 2016

Community

3

“That is money that will fix our roads and improve our parks and libraries. We need that money.”

DeKalb delegation to change law hampering county SPLOST The DeKalb delegation to the Georgia General Assembly is preparing to fix a state law that derailed a DeKalb County government Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax in July.

The DeKalb Board of Commissioners was preparing to vote to place a 1 percent sales tax referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot to fund road paving and other infrastructure improvements when it discovered that House Bill 596 would have eliminated property tax relief for homeowners.

The SPLOST would have generated $551 million over five years with $377.7 million going to the county and the rest to the cities.

Now commissioners like Larry Johnson, who represents District 3 and is the BOC’s

presiding officer, are pushing for the law to be amended. Johnson said more than $200 million will be spent in South DeKalb if voters approve the SPLOST. “That is money that will fix our roads and improve our parks and libraries,” he said. “We need that money to make improvements.”

State Sen. Emanuel Jones, who attended a Sept. 20 SPLOST update meeting hosted by Johnson, said he is working Emanuel Jones to change the law in the early weeks of the 2017 legislative session so that the referendum can be on the March 2017 ballot.

“It’s an accelerated time line but we can do it,” Jones told the meeting. “That is why we are starting to talk about it now.”

With its proposed SPLOST, DeKalb was seeking to adopt a SPLOST and reform its existing Homestead Option Sales Tax to create an Equalized HOST that would have provided additional property tax relief to taxpayers.

But in DeKalb, HB 215, which authorizes counties to use SPLOST to raise funds for infrastructure improvements, would have increased property taxes for homeowners because HB 596, approved in 2014, says that if a sales tax takes effect in DeKalb County at the same time that there are homestead option sales taxes, the property tax relief “shall be tolled [go away or be eliminated] for as

long as the equalized homestead option sales and use tax 23 is in effect.”

Because HB 596 would sunset the HOST in DeKalb, Johnson said they would have effectively raised property taxes.

“We were not trying to increase property taxes on homeowners,” he said. “That is why we want to change the law.

Jones said the use of “tolled” in HB 596 was not a glitch but that it was put there deliberately.

“It was a poison pill,” he said. “There was some skullduggery going on there.”

Jones said he and his colleagues will work to change the language.

“Because it is a local legislation, we can get it done in time for the March election,” he said.

GPTC wooing ITT Tech students

State rules for purging voter rolls targets minorities

Former ITT Tech students can attend information sessions at Georgia Piedmont Technical College starting Sept. 24.

During the sessions, which continue Oct. 4 and 20 and Nov. 8 at the Clarkston Campus, Building A, Room 111, students whose education was interrupted by the sudden closure of ITT Tech will meet GPTC’s executive vice president for academic affairs and admissions, advising, transcript assessment and financial aid specialists.

For-profit ITT Educational Services Inc. had 130 campuses, including Kennesaw, Duluth, Atlanta and Douglasville.

GPTC is waiving application fees. Its Sept. 24 and Nov. 8 sessions take place at 9 a.m. October sessions are at 6 p.m.

well as transposed digits in a driver’s license or Social Security number also can cause problems.

It said the issues disproportionately affect African American, Latino and Asian American applicants, in part because they are more likely to have hyphens or other symbols in their names or to have multiple or compound last names.

Of about 34,874 voter registration applicants whose applications were canceled between July 2013 and July 15, 2016, with a status reason of “Not Verified,” the Lawyers’ Committee says about 63.6 percent or 22,189 were identified as black; 13.6 percent or 4,748 as white; 7.9 percent or 2,752 as Latino; and 4.8 percent or 1,665 as Asian American.

Stacie Burgess, the Lawyers’ Committee spokeswoman, said that the state’s rules are problematic.

“What makes this process so unpredictable and unduly burdensome for applicants is that even perfect applications can fail the matching process, through no fault of the applicant,” she said Sept. 20.

Burgess said voting applicants have no ability to discern or to correct data entry errors in the creation of the database records, inherent limitations in the matching software and algorithms that are used to compare the data, and system glitches.

“None of these common errors relate to a voter’s eligibility to vote but may routinely result in disenfranchisement under the secretary’s policy,” the lawsuit says.

South DeKalb Fest offering day of fun A colorful parade will kick off the fourth annual Heart of South DeKalb Festival on Sept. 24 at the Gallery at South DeKalb.

The daylong festival in Macy’s parking lot begins at 8:30 a.m. with a parade featuring high school bands, cars, step teams, community organizations and leaders heading to the mall from New Life Church at 3592 Flat Shoals Road. The theme is “Honoring and Celebrating Our First Responders.”

The mall is at 2801 Candler Road in Decatur. Visit www.facebook.com/HeartOfSouthDekalbFestival.

LAWSUITS,

from page

1

Kemp’s press spokeswoman Candice Broce said the Secretary of State’s Office will work with the plaintiffs to produce the documents relating to the secretary’s decision to reject names from the voter rolls by Oct. 7, as ordered by Judge Duffey.

Atlanta lawyer James Cobb, an attorney at Caplan Cobb who is co-counsel for the plaintiffs, called Duffey’s order “an important acknowledgment of the right of groups like Project Vote – and of all of Georgia’s citizens – to monitor the state’s voter-registration practices.”

Kemp declined comment on the pending lawsuits, but Broce said the state followed federal rules in adopting its voter eligibility policy.

“The verification process Georgia currently uses was pre-cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2010,” she said in

a Sept. 20 email to CrossRoadsNews. “This lawsuit is an effort by liberal groups to disrupt voter registration just weeks before November’s important election.”

Federal law requires Georgia to keep an electronic statewide voter registration database that includes information collected by local election officials.

The state also must verify the information against databases kept by the Department of Driver Services or the Social Security Administration.

Georgia law requires the Secretary of State’s Office to match voter registration information with the Department of Driver Services database to verify its accuracy.

Federal and state laws, however, do not require that the information fields match exactly, nor do they require mismatched applications to be canceled, the lawsuit says.

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Saturday, November 12th Hilton Garden Inn Stonecrest 7890 Mall Ring Road Lithonia, GA 30038 Pre-registration is required

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Register online at AtlantasDeKalb.com/Reunions

FREE Customer Service Training Professional trainer, Donna Satchell of STARR Consulting & Training, will teach you the importance of providing outstanding service and help you enhance your service skills in this motivating free class.

Thursday, October 13th 9 a.m. to Noon Discover DeKalb Conference Room 1957 Lakeside Parkway Suite 510 Tucker, GA 30084

Pre-registration is required

Call 770-492-5014 Register online at AtlantasDeKalb.com

4

Black History

CrossRoadsNews

September 24, 2016

“Young people who go to museums do better in school. Our challenge is to bring children to museums regardless of ZIP code.”

150,000 expected at African American museum’s dedication

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Washington – More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the Sept. 24 dedication and grand opening ceremonies of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall.

Those who make it for the historic opening events will hear President Barack Obama, the nation’s first African American president, deliver the keynote address at the first Smithsonian museum dedicated to the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans.

The 10 a.m. dedication ceremony is part of three days of celebrations, billed as the largest opening of any Smithsonian museum.

It will include readings of African American literature and musical performances. The opening caps a century-long quest for a museum celebrating black contributions to the building of America. It began in 1915 with calls for a museum to honor African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. John Lewis, a civil rights icon and U.S. representative for the 5th Congressional District, sponsored 13 bills over 15 years before the law authorizing the construction of the museum was signed by President George W. Bush on Dec. 16, 2003. Construction began on the 5-acre site across from the George Washington Monument on Feb. 22, 2012.

Speaking at the Georgia Reception during the 46th Annual Legislative Congressional Black Caucus Conference on Sept. 17 in Washington, Lewis said he was among those who fought for the museum’s prominent place.

“I insisted that it be on the National Mall, the front porch of America,” Lewis said to a roar of approval from his audience.

In a Sept, 21, 2016, email to museum

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

charter members, Lonnie Bunch, the museum’s founding director, said it’s hard to believe that in just a few days, Obama will speak at the dedication ceremony that officially opens the museum.

“And in that moment, a dream of many years standing will at last become reality,” he said. “The dream of a museum that will honor and celebrate the African American contributions that have shaped our country from its inception.”

Like the opening of the King Memorial near the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memo-

U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who sponsored 13 bills to authorize the museum, and is also is featured in the museum (below), spoke about the fight on Sept.

17 at the Georgia Reception at the 46th Annual Legislative Congressional Black Caucus Conference.

With him, from left, are U.S. Reps.

Sanford Bishop, David Scott and Hank Johnson.

rial on Aug. 22, 2011, the museum’s opening is expected to be a major boost to black tourism in D.C. Dr. Frank Smith, co-chair of the museum’s D.C. Host Committee, says that with its “great presentation” of art, music and artifacts, the museum is a rising tide.

“We’re glad to have the new museum because it will raise the profile that various African Americans are making and will be beneficial to us,” said Smith, founder of the African American Civil War Museum.

He said that we need to get people, especially young people, fired up about the new museum’s opening.

“Young people who go to museums do better in school,” he said. “Our challenge is to bring children to museums regardless of ZIP code and geographical location.”

The museum, which documents African American life, history and culture, has more than 34,000 artifacts dating back to the early 1600s when the first enslaved Africans were brought to the United States to work on

plantations.

A three-day festival – Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration – on Sept. 23-25 on the Washington Monument will mark the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The free festival features musical performances, dance, spoken word, oral history activities and two evening concerts. It includes a drum circle, storytelling, interactive workshops and a mural wall by artist Cey Adams.

Local, national and international performers like the Stax Music Academy, Len Chandler, Josh White Jr., Dom Flemons, Rising Star Fife and Drum Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the Original Liberty Jazz Band, Medoune Gueye, Jean Carne, the McIntosh County Shouters, Bobi Cespedes, Paito y los Gaiteros de Punta Brava, Morgan State University Choir, the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Freedom Singers, Sonia Sanchez, Robert Randolph, Sweet Honey in the Rock, 9th Wonder, Stanley Clarke, Louise Toppin, the National Hand Dance Association, the National Association of Black Storytellers Inc., and Urban Artistry will perform.

Tickets are not required to attend the outdoor dedication ceremony and extensive large-screen viewing areas are well-positioned for crowds.

The museum opens to the public on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. From Sept. 25 to Oct. 2, it is open 10 a.m. to midnight.

Because the high level of interest in the museum’s opening, Bunch says more than 80,000 additional free timed passes will be made available through Oct. 2.

“We are humbled and honored by the outpouring of visitor interest in the museum’s grand opening,” he said.

Free timed passes are available at https:// nmaahc.si.edu/passes – limit six per order.

September 24, 2016

Black History

CrossRoadsNews

5

“A Century in the Making” explores the journey toward this dream that began in 1915 and culminates on Sept. 24.

Inaugural exhibitions cover decades of contributions, culture The 400,000-square-foot museum covers 10 levels, five of which are underground. Its inaugural exhibits are:

Concourse level National Museum of African American History and Culture A Century in the Making: Building the National Museum of African American History and Culture Curators: Joanne Hyppolite and Michelle Wilkinson The effort to build the museum began more than 100 years ago. “A Century in the Making” explores the journey toward this long-held dream that began in 1915 and culminates with the Sept. 24 dedication/grand opening of the museum.

History Galleries (concourses 1-3) Slavery and Freedom Curator: Nancy Bercaw As the centerpiece of the museum, this exhibition explores the complex story of slavery and freedom. It begins in the 15th century with the trans-Atlantic slave trade, journeys through the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, and uses personal stories to explore the economic and political legacies of slavery for all Americans.

Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: Era of Segregation 1876–1968 Curator: Spencer Crew This exhibition takes visitors from the end of Reconstruction through the 1960s civil rights movement to define and make real the meaning of freedom.

Some of the museum’s most powerful artifacts are located here: Emmett Till’s casket; a segregated Southern Railway rail car from the Jim Crow era; the Greensboro, N.C., Woolworth’s lunch counter stools; and a house (circa 1874) built, owned and lived in by freed slaves in Maryland.

A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond Curators: William Pretzer and Michelle Wilkinson This section illustrates the impact of African Americans on life in the United States – social, economic, political and cultural – from the death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to the second election of President Barack Obama. It explores the Black Arts Movement, hip-hop, the Black Panthers, the rise of the black middle class and, more recently, the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Community Galleries (third floor) Power of Place Curator: Paul Gardullo This exhibition explores the idea of place and region as a crucial component of the African American experience. Its interactive multimedia area called the Hometown Hub allows visitors to engage with stories about migration and other themes.

Making a Way Out of No Way Curators: Michèle Gates Moresi and Kathleen Kendrick This gallery illustrates the ways in which African Americans created possibilities in a world that denied them opportunities.

Sports Gallery Curator: Damion Thomas Sports were among the first and most high-profile organizations to accept African Americans on relative terms of equality, and this exhibition explores the contributions of athletes on and off the field.

Military History Gallery Guest Curator: Krewasky Salter The military gallery exhibition looks at African Americans’ contributions from the American Revolution to the current war on terrorism. It shows how African American military experience shapes opportunities for the greater community and profoundly shaped the nation.

Dedication and festival Saturday, Sept. 24

n 9 a.m. Gathering and musical prelude n 10 a.m. Dedication ceremony begins.

President Barack Obama will deliver the keynote address. n 1-5 p.m. – Festival program n 6-9 p.m. – Concert featuring Living Colour, Public Enemy, and the Roots

Sunday, Sept. 25

Photos by Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Exhibits include the complex story of slavery and freedom as well as the creative achievements of black entertainers like comedy legend Richard Pryor (above).

n Noon-5 p.m. – Festival program n 6-9 p.m. – Concert featuring Experience Unlimited (EU) and Meshell Ndegeocello

This art exhibition illustrates the critical Cultural Expressions role that African American artists played in Culture Galleries (fourth floor) Curator: Joanne Hyppolite shaping the history of American art.

Musical Crossroads This exhibition examines the concept of Curator: Dwandalyn Reece African American and African diaspora culTaking the Stage This exhibition tells the story of African ture through style, food, artistry and creativCurator: Kathleen Kendrick American music from slavery to hip-hop. ity, social dance and gesture, and language.

This exhibition celebrates African AmeriOrganized through stories of musical genres can creative achievements, demonstrates and themes, it covers classical, sacred, rock Visual Arts Gallery their cultural impact, and illuminates their ’n’ roll, hip-hop and more.

Curators: Tuliza Fleming and Jacquelyn struggles for equal representation on the Serwer stage of American entertainment.

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Wellness

September 24, 2016

“This investment will help unlock health care data and put it to work, improving health outcomes and building a better health care system.”

Runners and walkers can register for the seventh annual Rev. George Moore Sr. 5K Stroke Awareness Run/ Walk at www. active.com or on race day.

Health Ministry hosts 5K run/walk, wellness fest than 40 years as minister.

Health Ministry.

The church is at 240 Candler Road S.E. It features more than 50 vendors providing information, food tastings and giveaways For more information, call 404-272-2161. to encourage healthy living, wellness and fitness.

The “Sliced” cooking competition returns with chefs whipping up dishes in minutes.

The 5K is named for Saint Philip’s former longtime pastor, the late Rev. Dr. George Moore Sr., who died in February 2015 at age 79. Moore retired in April 2011 after more CDC Chief of Staff Carmen Villar will discuss the Zika virus and infectious diseases on Sept. 29 at the general membership meeting of the DeKalb Chamber. represent the county’s needy, underprivileged Women – and men – At the Forefront: or elderly community. can get information on Addressing Zika Virus There will be information on self-breast breast health at a Breast and Infectious Disexams, mammograms, breast reconstruction Cancer Awareness Month eases That Know No and early detection from the Center for Black kickoff event on Oct. 1 Boundaries begins at Women’s Wellness, Metro Surgical Associates at the Rockdale Tennis Carmen Villar 11:30 a.m.

Inc., Northside Cancer Institute, Panacea Pavilion in Conyers.

Villar will talk about how the DeKalbPlastic Surgery, Radio Therapy Clinics of The free event begins based national Centers for Disease ConGeorgia, Susan G. Komen Atlanta, and Turnat 4 p.m. with survivor Delphyne Lomax trol and Prevention advances research on ing Point Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. and advocate Delphyne disease outbreaks, communicates new The pavilion is at 1370 Parker Road S.E. L. Lomax, who serves on the board of didevelopments on a national and global rectors of the DeKalb Board of Health. She For more information, contact Lomax at lloscale, and works with global partners to holds the seat designated for a consumer to max@mindspring.com or 404-218-8413. identify and respond to health threats.

At the CDC, Villar provides strategic and analytical support across a range of cross-cutting portfolios, including global health, infectious diseases, public health preparedness and response, and noncommunicable disease prevention. She also facilitates strategic partnerships with key public health agencies and international organizations.

Let us Make Your Smile More Beautiful The meeting takes place at the Atlanta Marriott Century Center, Century East, • 50% Off Clear Braces We Now Offer 2000 Century Blvd. N.E. in Atlanta. For Clear Image® Aligners and 24K Gold Braces more information, visit www.dekalbcham• Treatment for Children, for People Who Prefer ber.org or contact Emily Yang at eyang@ Not To Wear Teens & Adults Traditional Braces! dekalbchamber.org or 404-378-8000.

Individuals and families can participate in Saint Philip AME’s 5K run/walk and Wellness Festival on Oct. 1.

Runners and walkers can register for the seventh annual Rev. George Moore Sr. 5K Stroke Awareness Run/Walk at www.active. com or on race day at 6:30 a.m. Race start is 7 a.m.

The 12th annual Wellness Festival, which takes place 8 a.m. to noon on the campus Family Life Center, is presented by the SPC

CDC executive to discuss Zika

Conyers event promotes breast health

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Free rapid HIV testing available The DeKalb Board of Health is offering free and confidential Rapid HIV Oraquick testing with same-day results on Oct. 4 at the Redan-Trotti Library in Lithonia.

No registration is required.

Testing takes place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. for residents 18 and over.

The library is at 1569 Wellborn Road.

For more information, call 770-4823821.

Oakhurst, Atlanta-based nonprofit land tech grants

Stone Mountain-based Oakhurst Medical Centers Inc. and Recovery Consultants of Atlanta Inc. in Decatur have been awarded federal funding totaling $114,007 for IT enhancements.

The grants are part of more than $87 million in HHS funding awarded to 1,310 health centers in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Pacific Basin.

Thirty-three centers in Georgia shared $2,025,846 in funding.

Oakhurst, a health care safety net medical center, received $73,519. It also has centers in Decatur and Conyers This is Oakhurst’s second grant in two months. In August, it was awarded $27,936 to improve primary care delivery.

Recovery Consultants, a nonprofit, peer-led comprehensive health and recovery center, got $40,488. It is based at 3423 Covington Drive.

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said health centers across the country are instrumental in providing Sylvia Burwell high-quality, comprehensive primary health care to millions of people.

“This investment will help unlock health care data and put it to work, improving health outcomes and building a better health care system for the American people,” Burwell said in a Sept. 15 statement.

The funding will support health information technology enhancements to accelerate health centers’ transition to value-based models of care, improve efforts to share and use information to support better decisions, and increase engagement in delivery system transformation.

To support these goals, all purchases or upgrades of electronic health record systems made with the funding must use technology that is certified by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.

This is the first significant investment since 2009 directly awarded to health centers to support the purchase of health information technology.

Jim Macrae, acting administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, said the awards will allow health centers to deliver higher quality of care to patients and spend health care dollars in Jim Macrae a smarter way.

Nearly 1,400 health centers operating over 9,800 sites provide care to more than 24 million people and employ nearly 190,000.

The funding comes from the Affordable Care Act’s Community Health Center Fund, which was extended with bipartisan support in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015.

The increased use of health information technology is part of the administration’s efforts to build a health care system that delivers better care, smarter spending and healthier people.

For a list of the 2016 Delivery System Health Information Investment Awards recipients, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/ programopportunities/fundingopportunities/dshii/fy2016awards/index.html.

September 24, 2016

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Scene

CrossRoadsNews

September 24, 2016

“We’re thrilled to bring the booziest minds in Atlanta mixology together with a lively crowd of cocktail connoisseurs.”

Mixologists can sign up for High competition

Bartenders interested in competing in the High Museum’s inaugural Highball fundraiser have until Oct. 5 to submit an application at www.high.org/highball.

Selected bartenders will be notified by Oct. 17.

Atlanta’s top mixologists will go head to head in a craft cocktail competition at the event, which features libations, light bites and music at the High Museum of Art on Feb. 18, 2017, in the Margaretta Taylor Lobby.

Allison Chance, the High’s director of development, said the museum will be “mixing it up” in more ways than one with the new event to support the High.

“We’re thrilled to bring the booziest minds in Atlanta mixology together with a lively crowd of cocktail connoisseurs for the first time at the museum,” Chance said in a Sept.

Allison Chance 7 statement.

Highball will feature 12 local bartenders selected by committee from a pool of applicants. Each bartender will reveal his or her original cocktail recipe. Guests may taste each cocktail and vote for the “People’s Choice” winner, who will be announced at evening’s end.

A local expert also will select a “Critic’s Choice” winner based on appearance, taste, complexity, balance and originality. In addition to bragging rights, the winning bartenders will each receive a cash prize. There will be music by DJ Teknology and food by Sterling Spoon catering.

All proceeds will benefit the High’s operating budget. For tickets and more information, visit www.high.org/highball.

On Junior Ranger Day, kids will participate in activities at Panola Mountain that are related to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.

Park’s Junior Ranger Day coming up Kids 8 to 12 can celebrate Junior Ranger Day on Oct. 8 at the Panola Mountain State Park Nature Center with fun activities involving themes related to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and activities start at 10. For tickets, visit http://juniorrangerday.brownpapertickets.com.

The event brings together civic organizations in DeKalb, Rockdale and Henry counties, including the Flat Rock Archive, the AWARE Center, Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve, South River Watershed Alliance, and Panola Mountain State Park, to launch the nationally recognized Junior Ranger program and to celebrate the picturesque 40,000-acre region in metropolitan Atlanta.

While the rest of the family enjoys the state park,

8- to 12-year-olds will participate in activities such as farming, stained-glass designs, and wildlife animals.

Upon completion, the kids will earn a keepsake journal, a Junior Ranger certificate, and, for the first time with any group in metro Atlanta, an Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area Junior Ranger Badge.

Melody Harclerode, director of programs for the nonprofit Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, describes Junior Ranger Day as “a wonderful event for kids to find pleasure and inspiration in the local historical, cultural and natural treasures in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.”

Panola Mountain State Park is at 2620 Highway 155 S.W. in Stockbridge. For more information, including fees, call 404-998-8384, Ext. 5, or visit www.arabiaalliance.org.

Cheddar the Dalmatian will be on hand to help teach lifesaving lessons at the 14th annual DeKalb Fire Safety Festival on Oct. 1 at the Gallery at South DeKalb.

The Southwest DeKalb High School Drumline will kick off the festivities at noon.

The family-friendly festival, which is free and open to the public, is in observance of National Fire Prevention Week and promotes fire safety and prevention.

Participants can practice crawling low in a smokefilled room in the fire safety house, and teens can learn about distracted driving on an obstacle course. DeKalb firefighters will demonstrate how to rescue someone from a wrecked car in a vehicle extrication exercise.

There will be a junior firefighter combat challenge, inflatable gyms, rides, entertainment, fire trucks, police

vehicles, and food, and Lowes will sponsor an interactive build station.

The National Fire Protection Association sponsors the National Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years!”

A recent survey conducted by NFPA revealed that only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are or how often they need to be replaced.

That lack of awareness is a concern for the DeKalb Fire Rescue Department and NFPA. Smoke alarms do not last forever.

The mall is at 2801 Candler Road in Decatur. For more information about the festival or smoke alarms, contact the Public Education Unit at 770-406-7491.

Sistagraphy exhibit focuses on black love Fire Safety Festival offers lifesaving lessons Patrons of the Stonecrest Library can meet Sistagraphy photographers at the opening reception for their exhibit on Oct. 1 at the Lithonia branch.

The reception for “Black Love Matters” takes place from 2 to 4 p.m.

Sistagraphy (www.sistagraphy.org) is a collective of AfricanAmerican women photographers. Its exhibition captures the essence of black love as it relates to family, relationships, who we are, where we live and what we do, and it will be on display throughout October during library hours.

On Oct. 29, Sistagraphy photographers will discuss their works in the exhibit. The artist talk takes place from 2 to 3 p.m.

The exhibit is in conjunction with Atlanta Celebrates Photography.

The library is at 3123 Klondike Road. For more information, visit www.dekalblibrary.org or call 770-482-3828.

September 24, 2016

Scene

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Shutterbugs can share their favorite shots on the Georgia State Parks Facebook page and Instagram.

Leaf Watch goes live in October.

Georgia State Parks visitors also can find great fall color and hiking at Red Top Mountain in Acworth.

Genealogy at Wesley Chapel Library Family historians can get guidance on research at a series of workshops that kick off on Sept. 24 at the Wesley ChapelWilliam C. Brown Library in Decatur.

Hands on Family Genealogy Workshops: A Three-Part Series takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants should bring a laptop to Part 1: “Getting Started With

Your Family Genealogy Research” on Sept.

24. On Oct. 8, Part 2 will focus on getting information from census records, and Part 3 on Oct. 22 will focus on where to search beyond census records.

The library is at 2861 Wesley Chapel Road. For more information, visit www. dekalblibrary.org or call 404-286-6980.

Family, Friends Day at Healing Stream

Leaf Watch for fall color sites

Autumn has arrived, and “leaf peepers” can find the best spots for fall color with Georgia State Parks’ online Leaf Watch travel planner, www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/ LeafWatch, starting in October.

Leaf Watch is filled with top trails and overlooks, mountain cabins and campsites, fall events and hiking tips.

Shutterbugs can share their favorite shots on the Georgia State Parks Facebook page and Instagram, tagging #GaLeafWatch and #GaStateParks. Rangers will post updates on how fall color is progressing in their parks.

Guests can choose from a variety of accommodations, including cabins, campsites and yurts – a “glamping” option. For reservations, visit www.gastateparks.org/reservations or call 1-800-864-7275.

Rangers have planned events throughout October. Visit http://gastateparks.org/ events.

The 10 top parks for fall color: n Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville. It boasts the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall. n Black Rock Mountain in Clayton. At an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain

is Georgia’s highest state park. n Cloudland Canyon near Chattanooga. It offers easy-to-reach rim overlooks and challenging trails. n F.D. Roosevelt in Pine Mountain. The 6.7mile Wolf Den Loop is a favorite section of the longer Pine Mountain Trail. n Fort Mountain in Chatsworth. This park is best known for a mysterious rock wall along the mountain top, plus a variety of trails. n Moccasin Creek at Lake Burton. Georgia’s smallest state park sits on the shore of a deepgreen lake. Choose from the 2-mile Hemlock Falls Trail or 1-mile Non-Game Trail with a wildlife observation tower. n Smithgall Woods in Helen. Protecting more than 6,000 acres around Dukes Creek, this is the perfect spot for fly fishing while enjoying fall color. n Tallulah Gorge near Clayton. It is among the Southeast’s most spectacular canyons. n Unicoi in Helen. New ziplines take you high above the canopy for a unique view. n Vogel in Blairsville. The 4-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail offers great mountain color and a bird’s-eye view of the park’s lake.

Healing Stream Ministries is hosting a Family and Friends Day on Sept. 25 at the Lithonia church at 2470 Bruce St. The 12:15 p.m. service is taken from Proverbs 18:24: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a

friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

All are asked to come shop for growth, deliverance and love at the “Spiritual Grocery Store.”

For more information, visit www.thestreamflows.org or call 770-728-4372.

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Youth

September 24, 2016

“Together with the board, Dr. Green has restored trust in the DeKalb School District.”

Newly minted citizens take oath at GPTC Superintendent gets Sixteen new U.S. citizens took the oath of allegiance in a naturalization ceremony at Georgia Piedmont Technical College in Clarkston.

Brett Rinehart, director of the Atlanta Field Office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, conducted the ceremony at GPTC’s 13th Annual Constitution Day and U.S. Citizenship Celebration on Sept. 15 in the DeKalb Campus Conference Center.

Dr. Jabari Simama, GPTC president, noted the significance of the venue.

“Conducting the ceremony in Clarkston, which is one of the largest refugee resettlement areas in the country, makes today’s ceremony even more meaningful,” Simama said. “Our college benefits by being in such a vibrant community of people bringing their traditions and multinational experiences with them. Last year, more than 1,825 students enrolled in our free English language classes. More than 100 languages are spoken by students who attend our college.”

Rinehart also discussed the significance of holding the event at Georgia Piedmont before the candidates crossed the stage to be recognized.

“As director of the Atlanta Field Office of USCIS, I never get tired of administering this oath,” Rinehart said.

“Last year in Georgia, our agency naturalized approximately 23,000 new citi-

Sixteen candidates take the oath of allegiance at Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s annual Constitution and U.S. Citizenship Celebration.

zens, and so far this year that number has jumped to more than 25,000.”

He said Georgia Piedmont is known for educating a diverse student body.

“I’m glad to be here on this campus for the ceremony because education makes us all better Americans.”

In addition to recognizing the 16 candidates for citizenship, three students who attend Georgia Piedmont also were honored for becoming U.S. citizens earlier in the year. Diane Hunter, English as a Second Language coordinator at Georgia Piedmont, welcomed Jorge Baculima from Ecuador, Helen Min Huo from China, and Letberhan Gebremariam from Eritrea.

Dr. Tony Nnabue, Supervisory Immigration Services officer with Citizenship and Immigration, facilitated the program, and Rinehart administered

the oath. Nnabue said all candidates had been interviewed and were found to exhibit good moral character. He also said all the candidates met the requirements to become U.S. citizens.

Each candidate was given a certificate after the oath was administered.

Ravin Sijapati, a candidate from Nepal, said he was really excited about becoming a U.S. citizen.

“My mother and my sister were also naturalized here today, and we are very appreciative to the U.S. government for allowing us to become citizens of this wonderful nation,” Sijapati said.

At a reception, representatives from the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials and the League of Women Voters of Georgia were on hand to assist the new citizens and other attendees in registering to vote.

bump in pay, bonuses

DeKalb Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green’s contract has been extended to June 30, 2019, with a 1 percent pay increase.

The DeKalb School Board voted unanimously Sept. 12 to extend Green’s July 1, 2015, contract and increase his base salary to $303,000 annually through 2019.

The amended contract increases Stephen Green Green’s retention bonuses by $2,500 annually from $15,000 through the 2018-2019 school year. Now he will get: n $17,500 if he is employed through June 30, 2017. n $20,000 if he is employed through June 30, 2018. n $22,000 if he is employed through June 30, 2019.

The annual bonuses are payable in lump sums on July 31 for each year he stays with the district.

The amended contract also adds supplemental retirement benefits for the 2016-2017 to 2018-2019 school years.

The district will contribute 4 percent of Green’s base annual salary to his supplemental retirement plan annually with vesting and potential forfeiture provisions.

School Board Chair Melvin Johnson said the board amended the contract to recognize Green’s “sustained, consistent leadership in collaboration with the board and with students, staff, parents/caregivers, and citizens of DeKalb County.”

“Together with the board, Dr. Green has restored trust in the DeKalb School District,” Johnson said. “This was clearly demonstrated by overwhelming voter approval [71 percent yes] of the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or E-SPLOST, in May, which is expected to generate more than $500 million in funding for capital improvements.”

SWD Ambassadors aid 9th-graders District holds E-SPLOST sessions Seniors and juniors will help ninth-graders transition into high school as 20162017 Southwest DeKalb High Ambassadors.

The new support mentoring group has been formed for the purpose of a collective body working together in the concept of “Each one, reach The Southwest DeKalb High Ambassadors are mentoring ninthgraders and helping them transition into high school. one, teach one.”

Seniors and juniors with qualifying attri- at the Decatur school, said he wanted ideas butes are paired with ninth-graders to assist to minimize fights among the ninth-graders and guide them in making the transition and help in facilitating their transition.

The elected Student Council parent, Kelinto high school pleasant, easy, friendly and sociable. Media specialist Sue Ann Prigge vin Watson, suggested forming a Big Brothsaid the initiative originated at a final meet- ers Big Sisters type of mentoring program. ing for the 2015-2016 school year Student Watson, parent liaison Joy Minor and senior Council. Dr. Thomas Glanton Jr., principal adviser Jerry White are sponsors.

The public can attend an informational meeting on the E-SPLOST project list at 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the DeKalb School District’s AIC Auditorium.

The district through the Building S.P.A.C.E.S. Initiative is holding the informational meeting and the second round of five regional public input meetings. The initiative is an effort to determine how, where, and why future revenues from the E-SPLOST program should be dedicated to the improvement and modernization of district buildings and infrastructure.

Voters approved the 2017-2022 Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program on May 24.

At the informational meeting, data from the Facility Condition Assessment, Facility Educational Adequacy Assess-

ment, Enrollment, Capacity Reports and the results from the Secondary School Facility Feasibility Study will be presented. The purpose of the regional meetings is to present, discuss and gather input on the detailed project list.

Regional meetings begin at 7 p.m.: n Region 2 – Oct. 4 at Tucker High, 5036 LaVista Road in Tucker. n Region 4 – Oct. 11 at Miller Grove High, 2645 DeKalb Medical Parkway in Lithonia. n Region 1 – Oct. 13 at Chamblee High, 3688 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road in Chamblee. n Region 5 – Oct. 17 at Columbia High, 2106 Columbia Drive in Decatur. n Region 3 – Oct. 18 at Stone Mountain High, 4555 Central Drive.

The AIC is at 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. Visit www.dekalbschoolsga.org.

Witness the Honorable Gail C. Flake, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 19th day of Aug., 2016 09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT

Legal Notices 09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM8863-3++ Gretel Moxey filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court to change name from: Gretel Moxey to Gretel Seymour. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: Aug. 10, 2016 Name: Gretel Moxey 1828 Smithfield Ave. Ellenwood, GA 30294 09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM8908-3++ Andrea Genille Claxton Plaintiff Vs. Samuel Loren Cooke Defendant To: Samuel Loren Cooke 620 Allana Court Stone Mountain, GA 30087

By ORDER of the Court for service by publication dated Aug. 22, 2016, you are hereby notified that on August 18, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce with children.

You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Andrea Claxton, 620 Allana Court, Stone Mountain, GA 30087. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Aug. 22, 2016, Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 22nd day of Aug., 2016

09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV4504-2++ Benita Horton Plaintiff Vs. Kenneth Y. Horton, Sr. Defendant To:

By ORDER of the Court for service by publication dated Aug. 19, 2016, you are hereby notified that on Apr. 18, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Benita E. Horton, 1437 Smithson Drive, Lithonia, GA 30058. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Aug. 19, 2016, Witness the Honorable Asha F. Jackson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM9106-2++ This the 23rd day of Aug., 2016 09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++15CV8147-4++ Chantimekki Fortson Plaintiff Vs. Keith Nathaniel Vann Defendant To: Keith Nathaniel Vann

By ORDER of the Court for service by publication dated Aug. 11, 2016, you are hereby notified that on Aug. 4, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address is: Chantimekki Fortson, 1492 Bouldercrest Rd., #86, Atlanta, GA 30316. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Aug. 11, 2016,

Walter Osagie filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on Jul. 12, 2016 to change name from: Walter Osagie to Walter Pierre. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: Jul. 12, 2016 Name: Walter Osagie 575 Pharr Rd., Unit 53364 Atlanta, GA 30355 09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of CHILD in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM9104-2++ Walter Osagie filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on Jul. 12, 2016 to change name of minor child(ren) from: Israel Osagie to Israel Pierre. Any interested party has the

right to appear in this case and file objections within the time prescribed in OCGA 19-12-1(f)(2) and (3).

Dated: Jul. 12, 2016 Name: Walter Osagie 575 Pharr Rd., Unit 53364 Atlanta, GA 30355 09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM7933-10++ Pretoria Maxwell Plaintiff Vs. Herman Maxwell Defendant To: Herman Maxwell 985 Sheppard Ln. Stone Mountain, GA 30083

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Aug. 30, 2016, you are hereby notified that on Jul. 22, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Complaint of Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is Pretoria Maxwell, 6115 Princeton Avenue, Morrow, GA 30260.

Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Aug. 30, 2016, Witness the Honorable Tangela M. Barrie, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 31st day of Aug., 2016

CrossRoadsNews

September 24, 2016

Finance

11

“When we look back, we see our job market has made significant improvements … we have more jobs and more people employed.”

DeKalb County Expo targets investors, media and business startups a family-owned restau- about Shamsid-Deen’s book, “Excellence at Investors, startups and still seeking rant with 11 locations in a Minimum: The Plight of an Entrepreneur,” media agencies can netand Chef Ta-Ta’s initiatives for flood victims Atlanta. work at the Little Five 911 operators Digitize Us seeks to in Baton Rouge, La. The chef is owner of Points Business Startup DeKalb County is still hiring emergency 911 operators, and it is accepting applications for E-911 communication officer I on Oct. 17-28 at www.dekalbcountyga.gov.

To be considered, applicants must be a U.S. citizen at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. All applicants must pass a computer skills test – typing, prioritization, listening and data entry; background investigation; oral interview; and physical exam.

The salary range is $33,363-$51,713, and benefits are group insurance, competitive pension plan, paid vacation and sick days, deferred compensation plan, and opportunities for career advancement.

Sept. 30 career fair beckons job seekers, employers Job seekers can attend a career fair on Sept. 30 at the Maloof Building in Decatur.

The DeKalb Workforce Development & DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Career Fair: Developing a World Class Workforce – Connecting Talent With Opportunity, begins at 10 a.m.

The four-hour event which is open to the general public, will focus on highdemand sectors such as health care/IT, professional/business services, logistics, tourism, construction/support trades, and advanced manufacturing. The fair also offers recruiting opportunity for companies with seasonal employment.

The Maloof Building is at 1300 Commerce Drive. For more information, contact Roderick Wyatt at rwyatt@dekalbcountyga.gov or Karl Adkins at fkadkins@ dekalbcountyga.gov.

Expo on Oct. 1.

The two-hour program sponsored by Digitize Us of Finlay Technologies LLC begins at 6 p.m. at 1083 Austin Ave. in At- Ta-Tanisha Snead lanta. It features some of Atlanta’s hottest brands, Ta-Tanisha “Chef Ta-Ta” Snead of Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen,” and Waleed Shamsid-Deen, president and CEO of Supreme Fish Delight & Supreme Burger,

equip entrepreneurs with digital solutions for operating business.

Admission is free for the general public as well W. Shamsid-Deen as presenters. Registration is available at www.LittleFiveExpo.com.

The purpose is to provide attendees with the opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs; learn about free digital tools that are available for networking; and hear

Food Swingz.

Shamsid-Deen was co-executive producer for the reality show “Being Bobby Brown”; producer of a theatrical production, Drumline Live, which brings to life the story and experience of the HBCU marching band; and founder of Youth V.I.B.E., a nonprofit business mentorship program for high school students.

For more information, visit www.DigitizeUs.com or call 404-795-2110.

Georgia’s jobless rate dips to 4.9 percent in August Georgia’s unemployment rate dipped to 4.9 percent in August, mirroring the U.S. rate. The seasonally adjusted rate was down one-tenth of a percentage point from 5 percent in July. The August 2015 rate was 5.6 percent.

In DeKalb County, there were 1,953 initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits in August, down 94 or 4.6 percent from 2,047 in July. In August 2015, there were 1,973 initial claims for an over-the-year decrease of 20 or 1 percent.

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said it was the first time in nine years that Georgia’s unemployment rate has been as low as the national rate.

“When we look back to that time, we see

that our job market has made significant improvements, not only as far as the rate is concerned, but we also have more jobs and more people employed than ever before,” he said on Sept. 15.

In July 2007, the state Mark Butler rate was 4.6 percent and the U.S. rate was 4.7 percent.

The state’s job total reached a record 4,387,200, as the number increased by 7,500, or 0.2 percent. Most gains came in trade, transportation and warehousing, 7,500; leisure and hospitality, 5,800; and local government, 3,000, as the public schools reopened

for the new school year. The job gains were offset by losses in construction, 3,500; health care and social assistance, 2,200; manufacturing, 2,100; and other services, 2,000.

Over the year, the state gained 104,000 jobs, a 2.4 percent growth rate, up from 4,283,200 in August 2015. The national job growth rate was 1.7 percent.

The number of employed residents reached an all-time high of 4,651,399, as 12,928 were hired. The number of unemployed fell by 749 to 241,737, its lowest level since October 2007. The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance decreased by 8,401, or 23.6 percent, to 27,238 in August. Claims were up by 903, or 3.4 percent, from 26,335 in August 2015.

Department of Labor warns of unemployment scam Residents applying for unemployment insurance benefits are being warned of a potential email scam and should only use the official website, dol.georgia.gov, which is developed and controlled by the Georgia Department of Labor, for conducting UI claim or employer UI business.

The GDOL does not request personal identifying information via email, and there are no fees associated with filing for UI benefits, the department said.

A Georgia applicant for UI benefits

received an email from a website claiming to be the Unemployment Advisory Department. The site and its affiliates use various addresses, including “support @ us-benefits. org,” “unemploymentdirect.com” or “unemployment-assist.com.”

This may be an identity theft scam as it has been reported in other states as well. Emails from these sites may request documents and personal identification information. The site also may claim that an application is at risk of being denied or indicate that an initial ap-

plication was received but not completed and provide links to continue the filing process.

These email requests are designed to obtain your personal information and may charge a fee for using their services.

Georgia applicants are strongly urged not to register at these sites and to ignore any emails they may receive with any extensions of the addresses above. If you believe your identity has been compromised, contact local law enforcement and take steps to protect your identity.

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CrossRoadsNews

September 24, 2016