CrossRoadsNews, September 12, 2009 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

FINANCE

WELLNESS

SPORTS

People who want to help lowincome or elderly people with their taxes can sign up to be AARP Tax Aide volunteers. 5

The focus will be on better health when the DeKalb Board of Health rolls out the Step Up to Better Health event at Shoal Creek Park on Sept. 19. 6

Southwest DeKalb graduate Brian Nichols is going to great lengths to keep his major league goals in sight – all the way to Nicaragua. 8

Tax helpers needed

Celebrate good health

September 12, 2009

Not giving up

Volume 15, Number 19

www.crossroadsnews.com

Bullying investigation cost school system $389,161 By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

The tab for the DeKalb School System’s investigation into alleged bullying of Jaheem Herrera at Dunaire Elementary School now stands at $389,161.81. The payments to retired Fulton County Judge Thelma Wyatt Moore, obtained by CrossRoadsN ews under Georgia’s Freedom of Information law, showed four payments between May 12 and Aug. 18. School spokesman Dale Davis said that is the total of all payments for the investigation and that there are no other payments or expenses connected to the investigation. “We are not anticipating any additional invoices,” he said in a

Jaheem Herrera

Thelma Moore

Sept. 4 email. Moore was paid $350 an hour to conduct the 30-day investigation. At that price, it took her just over 1,111 hours. Davis, citing attorney-client privilege and attorney work-product doctrine, refused to release copies of the invoices filed by Moore for payments.

“The invoices are part of ongoing investigations and are exempt from the [Open Records] Act,” he said Thursday. David Hudson, whose Augusta law firm Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett & Salley operates the Georgia Press Association’s Sunshine Legal Hotline and confers with reporters statewide on open records requests, said courts have ruled that invoices and bills are not protected because they “convey no information about discovery, trial strategy, factual investigation, or any other legal services rendered.” “Most of what is in billing records is not privileged,” Hudson said. “What is, could be redacted.” Redacted means the protected

portions of the invoice could be blacked out before release. Jaheem, a fifth-grader at the Stone Mountain school, hung himself with a cloth belt at his family’s Decatur apartment on April 16. His mother, Masika Bermudez, said he had complained of bullying at the school. School Superintendent Dr. Crawford Lewis hired Moore on April 30 to investigate whether the 11-year-old student had been bullied. In a verbal report to the DeKalb School System and reporters on May 20, Moore said Jaheem did not commit suicide because of bullying at Dunaire Elementary. She also said that his mother never

complained to the school.

Report is 313 pages Moore’s written 313-page “Report of the Independent Investigator into Circumstances Surrounding the Death of Jaheem Herrera, a Student at Dunaire Elementary School,” was released to the media on Aug. 26. Moore said her request for a face-to-face interview with Bermudez or any other member of Jaheem’s family was denied by Bermudez’s attorney. The double-spaced report painted an unstable home life for Jaheem and his siblings and docuPlease see PROBE, page 4

Protesters denounce Grady for decision to close dialysis clinic By McKenzie Jackson

Grady Health System’s plans to close its dialysis clinic is not sitting well with advocates for the poor. At a protest rally in front of the downtown Atlanta hospital on Thursday, more than 40 spirited community activists voiced their opposition to the proposed Sept. 20 closure of the clinic. The Rev. Timothy McDonald, co-chair of the Grady Coalition, said it is a life and death situation. ““Grady will be issuing a death sentence if they do not provide or find a way to provide care for these who are presently under their system,” he said. The protesters included dialysis patients, and members of the Grady Coalition, the Grady Advocates for Responsible Care and Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment (ABLE)” They called for the nonprofit health system that runs the safetynet hospital to postpone the outsourcing of outpatient dialysis services until there was a treatment plan for the patients who will be displaced. McDonald said Grady wants to send the patients to other metro Atlanta dialysis clinics for treatment but some of those centers, had offered them one-way tickets to New York, Mexico and Honduras. “A one way ticket to nowhere is no health care,” said McDonald, who is also the senior pastor of Atlanta’s First Iconium Baptist Church. “We are standing in solidarity today to make sure that this hospital, whose mission it is to serve the poor, does not renege on its mission.”

Photos by McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews

State Sen. Vincent Fort (with mike) addresses protesters about Grady Health System’s plans to close its dialysis clinic. Fort and the Rev. Timothy McDonald (left) are co-chairs of the Grady Coalition watchdog group. Protesters carried signs denouncing the plan to close the clinic, calling it a “death sentence for the poor.”

Grady spokeswoman Denise Simpson, who was observing the rally, would not comment on the clinic’s closing. The Grady board and CEO Michael Young will discuss the

closure and the placement of dialysis patients at the board’s Sept. 14 meeting. It starts at 4:30 p.m. in the hospital’s board room. The cash-strapped hospital system, which is financially sup-

State Sen. Vincent Fort, who cochairs the Grady Coalition, said the closure of the clinic is unacceptable. He said that Young backtracked on his promise that no patients will go without care. “They lied to us,” Fort said. “We will not allow them to kill God’s children.” An Ethiopian man and a Honduran woman, who spoke through translators, said they have no health insurance and depend on the dialysis center to live. “I want to live a very long time,” said the 31-year-old Hispanic woman, who has lupus and has been on dialysis for three years. Larry Soublet, a former dialysis patient who got a kidney three years ago, said the dialysis patients cannot go without treatment. “This is no joke,” he said. “This is a matter of life and death.” Dr. Neil Shulman, a physician at the hospital and a longtime Grady advocate, said dialysis patients cannot go without treatment. “They should not be sent to any place without an absolutely 100 percent guarantee that they will receive dialysis,” he said. “There are poisons in their blood and they have to have the poisons removed three times a week. If they don’t, they die.” Shulman set three $1 bills on fire to press home his point that people care more about money than patients. “We will cry when this is burning,” he said. “Will we cry when a human being is burning?” Dorothy Leone-Glasser, a registered nurse and head of Grady Ad-

ported by DeKalb taxpayers, has been looking for ways to cut costs since July. It says it’s too costly to keep the dialysis clinic open. In 2008, it cost the system $800,000 to operate the clinic, which has no paying patients. McDonald and other speakers at the rally said that some of the patients lack Social Security numbers and won’t qualify for care at private centers. They said many have already been turned away from clinics because they can’t pay for service. “We do not care whether they are documented or undocumented,” McDonald said. “We believe health care is a moral issue.” Please see PROTEST, page 3

CrossRoadsNews

m e t r o p o l i ta n at l a n ta r a p i d t r a n s i t a u t h o r i t y

Notice of Public Hearings Sept. 14 & 15, 2009

Community

September 12, 2009

“We want people to feel DeKalb serves them as well at 62, as it did when they were 22.”

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

Proposed Bus Service Modifications for December 5, 2009 proposed routing and/or segment eliminations and adjustments for the following bus routes: 1 – marietta Blvd / Centennial olympic park; 19 – Clairmont road 44 – W. Wesley road; 55 – Cleveland ave / lakewood heights 70 – Chamblee; 139 – lenox / plaza Fiesta

Monday, Sept. 14

Tuesday, Sept. 15

55 Trinity Avenue Atlanta, 30303

7741 Roswell Road Sandy Springs, 30350

3717 College Street College Park, 30337

1300 Commerce Drive Decatur, 30030

DowNTowN aTlaNTa

NoRTH FUlToN

college PaRk Public Safety complex 7:00 p.m.

DekalB Maloof

auditorium 7:00 p.m.

Community Exchange 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Riding MARTA: Bus route 87 from Dunwoody or North Springs Rail Stations.

Riding MARTA: Bus routes 72 and 78 from College Park Rail Station

Riding MARTA: Walk one block west of Decatur Station.

atlanta city Hall 7:00 p.m. Community Exchange 6:00-7:00 p.m. Riding MARTA: Bus routes 21, 49, 55, 97 from Five Points Station. Special Bus Shuttle from Five Points Station.

Service center 7:00 p.m.

Copies of the proposed bus service modifications will also be available at MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sat 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon, and on the website www.itsmarta.com. For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact (404) 848-4037. For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 404 848-5665. In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and want to provide

comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E, Atlanta, Georgia 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta. com; (4) or fax your comments no later than September 20, 2009 to (404) 848-4179. All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the Counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affected by the subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notified and invited to appear at said times and places and present such evidence, comment or objection as their interests require. Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D. General Manager/CEO

Health Care for Americans A Right or a Privilege?

McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews

DeKalb County Commissioner Jeff Rader (center), flanked by Commissioner Kathie Gannon and CEO Burrell Ellis, talks about the mission of the Lifelong DeKalb initiative.

Task force to focus on senior population By McKenzie Jackson

DeKalb County’s burgeoning elderly population has prompted the county to launch a senior task force to ensure access to and fair delivery of services. DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis and Commissioner Jeff Rader launched Lifelong DeKalb on Sept. 1 to promote housing and transportation options for seniors, encourage healthy lifestyles, and expand information and access to services. Specifically, the group will encourage senior-friendly new construction, improve existing housing, promote alternatives to cars, safe roads, safe drivers and walkable communities. Ellis said the special task force is needed to ensure that the county does right by its senior citizens. “Our administration is committed to maintaining the services

and create innovative opportunities geared towards our seniors,” he said. Rader, who represent District 2 on the Board of Commissioners, is chairing the task force. He said DeKalb’s growing senior population is rising to prominence. “I think it is important to recognize that,” he said. “We want people to feel DeKalb serves them as well at 62, as it did when they were 22.” Lifelong DeKalb comes in the wake of a March 2009 study by a Atlanta Regional Commission’s Lifelong Communities initiative, which projected that metro Atlanta’s senior population will double in the next six years and that adults 60 years and older will account for 20 percent of metro Atlantans by the 2030. In DeKalb, the senior population increased 18 percent between 2000 and 2009 and will jump an-

Free screenings for prostate cancer offered The prostatespecific antigen or PSA test is recommended at age 40 for black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, and all men over 50.

LEADERSHIP DEKALB PRESENTS

Eggs&

other 118 percent by 2030. “That means over the next 20 years almost 17 percent of DeKalb’s population will be over the age of 60,” Ellis said. The seven-member Lifelong DeKalb steering committee is made up of volunteers 62 years and older. It has a seven-member technical advisory committee composed of professionals from DeKalb Parks and Recreation, DeKalb Human Development, the Jewish Family and Career Services and the ARC. Marcia Glenn-Hunter, a former mayor of Lithonia and a member of the steering committee, said she is excited about the Lifelong DeKalb initiative. “We have a cross section of people on the steering committee who know and understand the needs of the growing senior populations and the need for facilities to accommodate that growth,” she said.

ISSUES

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 • 7:30 - 10 A.M. ATLANTA MARRIOTT CENTURY CENTER 2000 CENTURY CENTER BOULEVARD, NE ATLANTA, GA 30345 Denis O’Hayer, WABE-FM News Reporter, will moderate an interactive discussion on the national issue of health care reform with an expert panel: • Ronald E. Bachman, FSA, MAAA, President and CEO, Healthcare Visions, Inc. • Sandra Elizabeth Ford, MD, MBA, DeKalb District Health Director Denis O’Hayer • Arthur L. Kellerman, MD, MPH, Professor and Associate Dean, Health Policy, Emory School of Medicine • Eric Norwood, FACHE, President and CEO, DeKalb Medical WHAT DO YOU REALLY KNOW ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM? HEAR ALL THE SIDES OF THE ISSUE AND HOW THE REFORM LEADERSHIP AFFECTS YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR PLAN D E EMPLOYEES. KALB NOW TO ATTEND. Paid reservations are required. Includes seated breakfast. Register at www.leadershipdekalb.org or by phone at (404) 373-2491. Sponsored By

LEADERSHIP DEKALB

Men can get free screenings for prostate cancer Sept. 14-19 at Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia in Decatur. The prostate-specific antigen test, or PSA, which is done through a blood test, detects the presence of protein levels made by prostate cells. It is recommended for African-American men 40 years and older and men with a family history of prostate cancer, and for all men over the age of 50. A PSA test at a private physician

can cost up to $200. The screenings are available by appointment only at RCOG’s Resource Center, 2330 Lawrenceville Highway. Debbie Wright, a registered nurse and RCOG’s community outreach coordinator, said the screenings are being offered as part of their annual Teach Reach and Inform Men (TRIM) Initiative on Prostate Cancer during September which is being observed nationally as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Nationwide, 30,000 men

died from prostate cancer, which affects one in six men. The disease attacks African-American men earlier and more aggressively than any other race. Wright said that in DeKalb County the death rate from prostate cancer is significantly higher for black men, and is twice as high in South DeKalb than in North DeKalb. To make an appointment for the free test, call Debbie Wright at 404-633-5606, ext. 197.

CrossRoadsNews

September 12, 2009

Community

“We don’t want anything to happen that could have been prevented with a little forewarning.”

Political newcomers flood municipal election ballots Flu-like When qualifying ended Sept. 4 for the city council and school board races in Avondale Estates, Decatur and Pine Lake, 22 candidates had thrown their hats in the ring. All but one of them are newcomers to politics. In Decatur, 15 people are seeking three school board and two commission seats. Seven people entered the race for school board and brought the total number of school board candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot to 11. For the District 1 school board seat, incumbent Mac Wisniewski, 48, an IBM consultant partner, will face Judith A. Lomas, a 54-year-old software engineer. For the District 2 school board

seat, incumbent Bernadette Seals will face medical technologist Stephan Yurman, 62, retired Georgia Perimeter College professor Dr. Catherine Wilburn Carter, 66, and Mildred Thompkins, a 72-year-old homemaker. For the at-large school board seat, incumbent Valarie Wilson is being challenged by Carla Melissa Anderson, a 29-year-old Emory University doctoral candidate; Elizabeth A. Hagberg, a 43-year-old architect; and Garrett Goebel, a 37-year-old computer programmer. For the city council’s District 1 Post A seat, incumbent Fred Boykin will face James Radford, a 28-yearold lawyer. For the District 2 Post A seat,

newcomers Patti Garrett, a 57-yearold nutrition instructor, and Kyle Williams, a 32-year-old attorney, qualified for the race. Incumbent Mary Alice Kemp is not seeking re-election. For the Avondale City Commission, retiree Terry Giager, 62, and David “Gene” Lee III, a 31-yearold company vice president, were the only people to qualify for two vacant seats on the five-member commission. Incumbents Sandra Varian and Lydia Steadman did not seek re-election. Avondale Estates city clerk Juliette Sims said Giager and Lee, who both registered on the last day of qualifying, will not run for office. “We won’t have an election,” she said. “They start in January at our

first meeting.” They will join commissioners David Milliron and Michael Payne and Mayor Ed Riecker. In Pine Lake, four of the five candidates qualified in the final hour of the four-day qualifying period. Cynthia J. Diamond, Megan Pulsts, Michael Stuckey and incumbent Cathy deNobriga are running for Post Seats Nos. 3, 4 and 5. Pine Lake city clerk Valerie Caldwell said the four entered the race with inside of two hours to go in qualifying. Diamond, 55, is a restaurant owner. Pulsts, 32, is a lawyer, and deNobriga, 59, is an arts consultant. Stuckey, 56, is a communications worker. Post 3 incumbent Melanie Hammett qualified on Sept. 1.

Former principals face suspension in test cheating scandal Former Atherton Elementary School principal Dr. James Berry and assistant principal Doretha Alexander are facing suspension from teaching in the test-cheating scandal that rocked the Decatur school. On Wednesday, the Education Ethics Committee of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission recommended suspending Berry’s teaching certification for two years, and Alexander for a year. Berry was Atherton’s principal for four years. He resigned from the

Doretha Alexander James Berry

school system in June after admitting that he had changed answers on the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) mathematics retest taken by 32 fifth-graders at the school in June 2008.

Alexander was relocated by the DeKalb School System. The two would be prohibited from working in Georgia schools during their suspensions. Their proposed punishment would be the first formal action taken by the state against individuals accused of changing students’ answers on the June 2008 CRCT. They have 30 days to appeal. Berry and Alexander were arrested in June on charges of falsifying and altering a government document after the state said answers were changed on the

mathematics retake test. Atherton is one of four elementary schools being investigated by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement over changed answers on the CRCT. At the meeting on Wednesday, Education Ethics committee members also asked for formal investigations of eight other educators in other school districts. The other schools are Atlanta’s Deerwood Academy, Fulton County’s Parklane Elementary and Glynn County’s Burroughs-Molette Elementary.

Meeting to provide updates on sexual assaults probe all occurred in Residents will get updates Sept. his district. 14 on the pursuit of a rapist who This is the has attacked four women in South second meeting DeKalb county since mid April. on the issue. At DeKalb District 3 Commisthe first, on Aug. sioner Larry Johnson is hosting a 17, police incommunity meeting at 7 p.m. at the vestigators and Porter Sanford Performing Arts & Community Center in Decatur. The elected officials shared information attacks at or near MARTA bus stops about the attacker and told women

Cost-cutting move decried

McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews

Dr. Neil Shulman, a physician at Grady Hospital, set three $1 bills on fire to underscore the point that people care more about money than people.

PROTEST,

from page

vocates for Responsible Care, said that the patients have no assurance that they will have transitional care for their dialysis treatment. “If we do not have a voice for these patients they will die,” she said. “I have been a clinician for 30 years in Atlanta and I have never seen a more deplorable display of what we call medical care than what we have seen at this moment.”

Leone-Glasser said the clinic’s closing must be delayed until patients know they can receive health care elsewhere. “We are not unreasonable,” she said. “We understand the economic difficulties right now with health care. As a practitioner I would not be allowed to do what Grady is doing, which is cut off service without assurance of a continuation of the life-sustaining treatment they need.”

how to be safe. Johnson said he is keeping the community abreast of developments. “We don’t want anything to happen that could have been prevented with a little forewarning,” he said. DeKalb Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said Thursday that investigators still have no leads in

the case. The attacker is described as a muscular African-American man, 30 to 35 years old, 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 9 inches in height and weighing between 200 and 220 pounds. The Porter Sanford Performing Arts & Community Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information, call 404371-2988.

cases close one school

The flu closed its first DeKalb County School this week but officials don’t know for sure that it is the H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu. The tiny Margaret Harris Comprehensive School, which has 50 special needs students, closed Wednesday after 23 students and five staff members were sickened with flu-like symptoms. Julie Ramm, a DeKalb School System spokeswoman, said one child was hospitalized but they do not know if it’s the H1N1 virus. The school was being sanitized while it is closed. It will re-open on Monday. Since the outbreak of the H1N1 virus, 147 Georgians have been confirmed with the illness through Aug. 26. Statewide, it has killed four people. Nationwide, the virus has sickened 7,983 people and killed 541 since April.

Community

CrossRoadsNews

September 12, 2009

“The investigation reveals a multitude of complex and significant factors impacting the life of this young boy before his death.”

Investigation cited domestic violence as possible factor in death 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 McKenzie Jackson Advertising Sales Cynthia Blackshear-Warren

CrossRoadsNews is published every Thursday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsN ews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisments, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

L L CA S! CA ES! O O L L IC OD RV GO E S

www.eastmetromarket.com

PROBE,

from page

mented domestic violence incidents dating back to 1993 in the family’s homeland of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and in Conyers in 2006, between Bermudez and her longtime boyfriend Norman Keene. The police reports documented alleged physical violence by Keene that sent Bermudez to the hospital. “The independent investigator finds numerous complex circumstances affecting the life of Jaheem Herrera, a life that ended much too soon…,” Moore said in the executive summary. She said interviews and visits with students, teachers, parents, staff and administrators were conducted at Dunaire Elementary and at Jaheem’s family’s current and former residences. The family lived in St. Croix, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties before relocating to DeKalb County. It is not clear from the report whether those visits included trips to St. Croix, where Jaheem attended school for the 2007-2008 school year. The invoices might have shown how many investigators assisted Moore, and where they went. In a May 6 appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” Bermudez said her son killed himself because of unrelenting bullying at school. She told Winfrey that students called her son “gay” and a “snitch” and choked him in the boys’ bathroom until he passed out. She said that she made several complaints to the school and that nothing was done to help her son.

No record of bullying Moore said there was no record at the school that Bermudez ever complained about Jaheem being bullied. She said Jaheem’s family moved from their extended stay motel to an apartment in the Rainbow

Jaheem’s mother Masika Bermudez (in yellow), and her boyfriend Norman Keene (in blue cap) at a May 22 protest rally in front of Dunaire Elementary.

“There was no incident of domestic violence while he was here and he was not a victim of any domestic violence. By all reports, Jaheem was a happy child and great student until he suffered bullying. That’s what caused his untimely death.” Gerald Griggs, Attorney for Masika Bermudez

Retired Judge Thelma Moore submitted invoices totaling $389,161.81 for the investigation into alleged bullying of Jaheem Herrera. Source: DeKalb County School System

Elementary School district but never transferred him or updated it records. During the week of his death, Moore said students said Jaheem carried a pink book bag. “It was said he was carrying his sister’s book bag because he had broken his own bag,” she said. “Some of the children remarked that the pink book bag was ‘gay.’” “On the day of his death, Ja-

heem reportedly asked two of his friends if they would miss him if he died. They both said they would miss him. Neither of the two friends reported that question to any school officials.” Moore said Jaheem rode the school bus to the extended-stay motel, where he used to live on April 16, the day of his death and was picked up there by Keene. “Some students reported that

Quick Read

Task force to focus on senior Website has info for those population 2 facing foreclosure DeKalb County’s burgeoning elderly population has prompted the county to launch a senior task force to ensure access to and fair delivery of services.

Political newcomers flood municipal election ballots

When qualifying ended Sept. 4 for the city council and school board races in Avondale Estates, Decatur and Pine Lake, 22 candidates had thrown their hats in the ring.

Circulation Audited By

The debate over health care reform will take center stage at Leadership DeKalb’s Sept. 18 Eggs and Issues Breakfast at the Atlanta Marriott Century Center in Atlanta.

Dedication to career sending 6 player to Central America 8

Healthy food, health screenings, exercise demonstrations and entertainment are just a few of the activities planned for the “Step Up to Better Health” event on Sept. 19 at Shoal Creek II Park in Decatur.

School leaders face Outdoors meeting bridges suspension in test cheating scandal 3 color line Former Atherton Elementary School principal Dr. James Berry and assistant principal Doretha Alexander are facing suspension from teaching in the test-cheating scandal that rocked the Decatur school.

Still intend to sue Gerald Griggs, Bermudez’s attorney, said Thursday he has read portions of the report. “They are trying to distance themselves from bullying but bullying is a major problem in DeKalb County schools,” he said. He said the only new thing in the report is the domestic violence issues, but that Jaheem was not in the United States when the Conyers incident took place. “There was no incident of domestic violence while he was here and he was not a victim of any domestic violence,” Griggs said. “By all reports, Jaheem was a happy child and great student until he suffered bullying. That’s what caused his untimely death.” Griggs said that Jaheem’s sister, who now attends a different school, is now also a victim of bullying, that is well-documented. “How do you explain that,” he asked. “She is in a different school and is being bullied.” Griggs said that the family has not yet filed a lawsuit but intends to file one. He said they notified the school district in May that they intend to sue. “There is an ongoing investigation by a federal authority,” he said. “We are waiting on it.”

Leadership DeKalb to discuss 5 health reform 7

Real estate agent Pamela Holmes of ReMax of Brookhaven has created www. gapropertyhelp.com, a new information portal for homeowners in distress.

Annual celebration helps 3 residents focus on health

Jaheem looked ‘sad’ during the week of his death. Others reported that Jaheem looked ‘normal.’ “Teachers reported that they saw no difference in Jaheem and that he was outgoing, well-liked, improving his grades, had just been named Dunaire Student of the Month in March 2009, and had received a good report card on April 16, the day of his death.” “This is not a simplistic case of bullying,” Moore said. “The investigation reveals a multitude of complex and significant factors impacting the life of this young boy before his death.”

6 Sisterhood event preps women Hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts of all for outreach 9 hues will be congregating in Atlanta on Sept. 23-26 for the “First Biannual Conference and Expo: Breaki ng the Color Barrier in the Great American Outdoors” at the Atlanta Airport Hilton hotel in Atlanta.

Women from across metro Atlanta will gather at First Afrikan Presbyterian Church Sept. 19 and 20 to discuss “Getting Ready for a Good Work: Mind, Body and Spirit.”

index to advertisers 1.2.3 Discount Fabrics.......................................5 Alpha Climate Control.....................................10 Ardyss International.........................................11 Atlanta Belvedere Seventh Day Adventist.......10 Attorney Dwight Thomas..................................5 Berean Christian Church.................................. 9 Career Wellness Training.................................11

Chick-fil-A @Turner Hill Road..........................3 Craig B. Williams, DDS......................................7 CRAM Academy...............................................11 Ella’s Caring Hands Adult Day Care.................11 Jay’s Carpet Service..........................................11 Kreative Consulting Group...............................11 M&J Package Store..........................................11

Malcolm Cunningham Ford............................ 12 MARTA............................................................. 2 Multi Care Health & Rehabilitation.......... Inserts New Jerusalem Outreach Ministries................. 9 Newburn Reynolds Photography.....................11 North Georgia Orthodontics............................ 6 ReMax of Buckhead..........................................5

Salt & Light Truth Center................................. 9 Steps to a Healthier DeKalb..............................7 TechLearnIT......................................................3 The Law Office of B.A. Thomas.......................11 The Raye Group...............................................11 Wireless Global Solutions...............................10 Wright Vision Care............................................7

CrossRoadsNews

September 12, 2009

Finance

“AARP Tax-Aide volunteers get a great deal of satisfaction from helping people deal with the challenges of preparing their tax forms.”

Volunteers can sign up to assist low-income, elderly with tax filings Adults of all ages with good computer skills and a desire to help the elderly can sign up as AARP Tax-Aide volunteers for the 2009 tax filing season. Each year between Feb. 1 and April 15, volunteers prepare federal, state, and local tax returns for low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to people 60 years and older. Volunteers will also assist with electronic filing of tax returns. AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s

largest, free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service. District coordinator Helen Lowenthal said the program is a wonderful resource for the American taxpayer. “AARP Tax-Aide volunteers get a great deal of satisfaction from helping people deal with the challenges of preparing their tax forms,” she said. “If you want to help yourself and others with their tax returns, this is the program for you.”

Volunteers do not need to be AARP members or retirees to volunteer. They get comprehensive training in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. Volunteers are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified programrelated expenses. Last year, more 32,000 volunteers helped more than two million people file their personal income tax forms. For more information, visit www.arp.org/taxaide or call 1-888-227-7669.

Website has info for homeowners facing foreclosure Real estate agent Pamela Holmes of ReMax of Brookhaven has created www. gapropertyhelp.com, a new information portal for homeowners in distress. The website contains facts about the options available to help homeowners make the educated decisions about their future. Holmes said she developed the site to help struggling homeowners who don’t know where to turn when they are unable to pay their mortgages. “When faced with the possibility of foreclosure, I’ve seen too many homeowners make poor choices, even walking away from their homes without calling their lender or a real estate agent,” she said. “These people didn’t know the options available, or even how to find any information on their situation.” The easy-to-use website is a one-stop

real estate professionals with specific understanding of the complex issues confronting the real estate industry. Nationally, more than seven out of 10 homeowners in foreclosure proceed without any visible assistance, says Alex Charfen, co-founder and CEO of the Austin, Texas-based Distressed Property Institute, which Pamela Holmes, ReMax of Brookhaven grants the certification. Chafin said agents with the Certishop for information. It explains foreclosure fied Distressed Property Expert designation solutions like reinstatement, forebearance, are helping distressed homeowners undermortgage modification, property rental, stand that there may be options available deed in lieu of foreclosure, refinancing, to them. “Pamela Holmes has been trained to help bankruptcy and short sale. Holmes, who is a Certified Distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure,” he said, addProperty Expert (CDPE), says the website is ing www.gapropertyhelp.com is a resource to updated regularly to reflect market changes, help educate the community. For more information, call Pamela Holtrends, new lender requirements, and industry updates. The CDPE designation provides mes at 404-429-9244.

“When faced with the possibility of foreclosure, I’ve seen too many homeowners make poor choices, even walking away from their homes without calling their lender or a real estate agent.”

AARP volunteers prepare federal, state, and local tax returns for low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to people 60 years and older.

Golf tourney aids foundation Golfers who want to tee off in the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual golf tournament at Stone Mountain Golf Course have until Sept. 25 to sign up. The Oct. 5 golf outing will be on the course inside Stone Mountain Park. Individual golfers pay $200 to play. Proceeds will benefit the 18-year-old nonprofit DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which supports education, economic and entrepreneurship development initiatives and programs. Sponsorships for lunch, shirts, golf carts and holes are also available. For registration and sponsorship information, visit http://dekalbchambergolf2009.eventbrite. com/ or call Jackie Ginn at 404-378-8000, ext 225.

Include taxes, insurance when calculating affordable mortgage payment more money when I don’t Just remember, the whole have debt. It’s a pretty idea is to make sure your simple formula, isn’t it? If house payment is manyou want to build wealth, ageable. You don’t want to you have to get out of the have so much money gopayment business. ing toward your mortgage I don’t beat people up every month that you can’t enjoy life or take care of your other financial for getting a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage, but you don’t want all of your income going responsibilities. Dear Anonymous, I figured out a long time ago that I’ve got toward your house payment, either. If half That figure includes taxes and insurance. Dear Dave, I’ve heard you say that your mortgage payment shouldn’t be more than 25 percent of your take-home pay. Does this figure include taxes and insurance, or just principal and interest? – Anonymous

a’s eric ale m A tS hor #1 S rvice Se

Facing Foreclosure? “Don’t Walk Away From It! Short Sale Village it.” Call 866-850-4649 or visit

ShortSaleVillage.com We list it We negotiate it You live to fight another day

Realtors Welcome

1.2.3 Discount Fabrics & U p h o l s t e r y, D r a p e r y

WAREHOUSE PRICES START

ing Tailorration & AolwteAvailable N

$1.00

A YARD

FREE FABRIC with upholstery

(you only pay for labor) [Expires September 30, 2009]

404-286-7783 678-371-3939 Business Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. 279 Candler Road • Atlanta, GA 30317 (In front of Saint Philip AME)

of what you make every month goes straight to the bank, you’ll have less money for other stuff. Plus, after a while that great house will stop looking so great. It’ll be a chain around your neck instead of a place you love to call home. Don’t try to figure out how much debt you can get into. Instead, figure out how much debt you can get out of! – Dave

CrossRoadsNews

Wellness

September 12, 2009

“People love to attend the event. They really want to make a lifestyle change.”

Participants in the Sept. 19 “Step Up to Better Health” will warm up (above) before taking to the streets near Shoal Creek II Park for a one-mile fun walk (right) at 10 a.m.

Photos by Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Annual Step Up celebration helps residents focus on good health Healthy food, health screenings, exercise demonstrations and entertainment are just a few of the activities planned for the “Step Up to Better Health” event on Sept. 19 at Shoal Creek II Park in Decatur. Alicia Cardwell-Brown, community liaison for the DeKalb Board of Health’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention, said the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. event will be full of activities for young and old. This is the fifth phase of the of

the five-year, $5 million Steps program funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service as part of the national Steps to a Healthier US. This phase is focused policy, environmental and lifestyle changes for residents, so that even after Steps is gone there will be things in place to allow people to exercise. The Steps program kicked off in January 2005 to tackle poor nutrition, physical inactivity and to-

bacco use in south DeKalb County, which has higher rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and asthma. The program’s goal is to encourage adults and children to move more and eat better. Cardwell-Brown said the message is getting through. “People love to attend the event,” she said. “They really want to make a lifestyle change.” The free Step Up to Better Health event, whose theme is “Your

Body, Your Health: You Are Worth It,” will include a one-mile walk at 10 a.m. and the finals of the 2009 Faith & Fitness Survivors Challenge. There is a also a first-ever tennis slam, aerobics, and basketball tips and instruction. Students from Redan High School and Dr. Joy Scott will host a healthy cooking demonstration. Screenings that will be available include diabetes, body mass index, dental and blood pressure. Enter-

tainment will include performances by MLK Jr., Redan and Miller Grove high school bands, a Greek show competition, face painting and play areas for children. Cardwell-Brown said they are preparing for about 1,000 people. Shoal Creek II Park is at 3643 Glenwood Road in Decatur. For more information, visit www. dekalbhealth.net or contact Keisha Jones-Johnson at 404-320-1818, ext. 224, or kjones@visionusa.net.

The fifth Step Up to Better Health event will feature cooking demonstrations, screenings and other health-related exhibitors and activities.

Outdoors meeting bridges color line Hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts of all hues will be congregating in Atlanta on Sept. 23-26 for the “First Biannual Conference and Expo: Breaking the Color Barrier in the Great American Outdoors.” The conference at the Atlanta Airport Hilton hotel in Atlanta, is organized by national award-winning environmentalists Frank and Audrey Peterman of Atlanta, It is bringing together hundreds of black, white, Asian, Latino and Native American people to share their exploits in the great outdoors. Participants include Captain Bill Pinkney, the first African American to sail solo around the world; Jasmine Armstrong, one of the youngest and most experienced mountain climbers in the country; Audri Scott-Williams, who led a three-and-a-half year pilgrimage across six continents to promote peace; Majora Carter, an internationally renowned environmentalist and climate change specialist; and Hermes Castro, who lost the use of his legs in a traffic accident yet navigated the Antarctic wilderness to draw attention to climate threats.

Audrey Peterman said each one of them has inspiring stories, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. “We have people who train falcons, several people who’ve written books about nature and the outdoors, and a black park ranger whose enslaved ancestors were the principal explorers and cave guides at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky for more than 100 years,” she said. They will rub shoulders with public land managers from national parks, forests and wildlife refuges, and with students from Morehouse, Spelman and Clarke Atlanta universities, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Georgia State and Georgia Tech, Agnes Scott and Emory University. Peterman said we will only be able to “save” our environment and natural treasures if Americans of every race and color are involved in the effort and feel that they have a stake in the outcome. For more information and conference fees, visit www.breakingthecolorbarrier.com or call 404-875-1375.

CrossRoadsNews

September 12, 2009

Wellness

“Americans have access. It’s being paid for by the invisible tax on the few who still have health insurance.”

Leadership DeKalb to discuss health reform The debate over health community about issues care reform will take cenand the daunting tasks ter stage at Leadership that our lawmakers face DeKalb’s Sept. 18 Eggs as they attempt to resolve and Issues Breakfast at the critical issues affecting the Atlanta Marriott Century lives of all Americans. Center in Atlanta. “We expect this forum “Health Care for will open new lines of Eric Norwood S. Elizabeth Ford Denis O’Hayer Americans: A Right or a communication for our Privilege? A Serious Conversation FM news reporter, will moderate guests,” she said. “We know it will on the National Issue of Health the discussion. provide them with additional reCare Reform” takes place 7:30 a.m. Norwood said access to health sources for the critical issues facing to 10 a.m. care is not the primary issue of the corporate and consumer citizens Panelists include Dr. Arthur L. debate and we can’t afford to get alike in the coming weeks.” Kellerman, professor and associate it wrong. The breakfast is $25 for Leaderdean of health policy at Emory “Americans have access,” he ship DeKalb members and $35 for School of Medicine; Eric Norwood, said. “It’s being paid for by the guests. DeKalb Medical’s president and expanding, invisible tax on the few The Atlanta Marriott Century CEO; Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, who still have health insurance.” Center is at 2000 Century CenDeKalb District Health direcSara Fountain, Leadership ter Blvd. N.E., Atlanta. For more tor; and Dr. Ronald E. Bachman, DeKalb’s executive director, said information or to register, visit president and CEO of Healthcare the nonprofit’s goal is to educate www.leadershipdekalb.org or call Visions Inc. Denis O’Hayer, WABE- its members and all leaders in the 404-373-2491.

Bowlers to raise money for sickle cell fight Bowlers can help raise funds to fight sickle cell anemia at the third annual Celebrity Bowling Fundraiser at Suburban Lanes on Sept.19. The 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. fundraiser at the Decatur bowling alley will also help raise awareness about blood disorders that disproportionately affect African Americans. It is being held during Sickle Cell Awareness Month, which is observed in September. There will be bowling, food, drinks, music,

silent auctions and an opportunity to bowl with a celebrity. Professional athletes from the Atlanta Dream, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves have been invited to the event. Last year, DeKalb Sheriff Thomas Brown, former Channel 46 news reporter Cynne Simpson, rappers Lil Scrappy and Stay Fresh, and violinist Ken Ford hosted the bowling event. Sickle cell anemia causes deformed blood cells to clump to-

gether and block blood flow in the blood vessels that leads to the limbs and organs. The funds raised will benefit the Sickle Cell Patients and Parents Association at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. Admission is $20. Suburban Lanes is at 2619 North Decatur Road in Decatur. For more information, call NAPPR president Mark Holland at 404966-5417 or Sickle Cell Association assistant director Estell Archobold at 404-755-1641 or 678-637-1752.

CrossRoadsNews

Sports

September 12, 2009

“I’m always looking to get to the top. I’m not going to stop here. I’m trying to go forward.”

Dedication to career goal sends player to Central American league By McKenzie Jackson

Brian Nichols, 27, is chasing his big league dreams 1,125 miles from home, in the torrid heat of southern Texas. In October, the 2000 graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School will take his pursuit of a Major League Baseball career to Nicaragua, the largest country in Central America. Nichols, who will be playing for the Nicaraguan Baseball League’s Leones de Leon for 80 games this winter, would have it no other way. “I’m always looking to get to the top,” he said. “I’m not going to stop here. I’m trying to go forward.” Nichols, also a 2004 graduate of Alabama State University in Montgomery, is currently the starting first baseman for the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings, a United League Baseball team in Harlingen, Texas, about 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. The six-team ULB is an independent baseball league whose teams play 80 games from June until August. On Aug. 23, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Nichols won his first Johnny’s True Value Player of the Month Award. He won the honor after he closed out the month batting .326 with six doubles, two triples, four home runs,18 RBI, and four stolen bases. The left-hander also scored 17 runs. Nichols said he just played hard. “I was just trying to hit the ball and do my part on the team,” said Nichols, who batted .331 with 10

Southwest DeKalb High graduate Brian Nichols will play for Leones de Leon in the Nicaraguan Baseball League for 80 games this winter.

home runs and 52 RBI during the regular season. After batting .392 with seven home runs, 26 stolen bases and 45 RBI in his four-year career with Alabama State, Nichols was not picked in the MLB draft. That began a two-and-a-half year odyssey going from baseball tryout to baseball tryout while working odd jobs in the Atlanta area. He tried out for over a dozen major and minor league baseball teams including the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds, while working security jobs at places such as Grady Hospital, Kinkos and FedEx. Mid-January through midFebruary in 2007, Nichols played

in the ULB’s Texas Winter League. After league play, the ULB’s Laredo Broncos signed him. Nichols’ mother, Marcia Fisher, said she was very proud when the Broncos picked up her son. “He would do good at the tryouts, but no one seemed to want him,” she said. “He never gave up and he was always out practicing.” Nichols, who has played baseball since age 7, said he wasn’t going to quit baseball because he wasn’t taken in the MLB draft. “Not being drafted doesn’t mean you are not good enough to play,” he said. “I was just overlooked. I wasn’t at the right place at the right time. I knew I was just as good as anybody, so I kept on

going with it.” Fisher said her son was never going to give up. “Even when he wasn’t playing, he watched games on television,” she said. “He was always watching baseball.” Nichols struggled with the Broncos, batting .197 in 24 games, and was traded to the WhiteWings. With his new team, Nichols excelled offensively and batted .328 with six doubles, five triples, six homers and 34 RBI. He said his struggles ended when he quit trying to “do so much” on the field. “It was just a slow process, but I began to slowly put it together,” he said. His success with the White

Wings continued during the 2008 season. He batted .291 with nine homeruns and 46 RBI before moving on to the Alexandria Aces for their playoff run. In 13 games, he batted .385 with four home runs and 11 RBI. Nichols says he is a player who attempts to hit with power and average. “You just try to get focused and keep your eye on the ball,” he said. “Don’t try to do too much, then just put the bat on the ball and everything else will happen after that.” Nichols said his career has been great so far. “The league for me is a blessing because every day I get to play on the field,” he said. “I just count my blessings right there. I feel that it is an honor and a privilege to get to play baseball and be on the baseball field every day.” Fisher, who listens to Nichols’ games on the Internet, said during a recent game a play-by-play commentator remarked on how he couldn’t believe Nichols was not signed to a MLB team. “I would like that,” she said, “but I don’t know what it would take for him to get there.” Nichols said his love for the game and his MLB dreams push him through tough times in the thick spring and summer Texas heat. “I think God put that love in me for baseball when I was born,” he said. “You get homesick every now and then, but when I’m at home I get baseball sick. It is a bittersweet thing.”

All-star games give MLK senior a taste for major league ballparks By McKenzie Jackson

Last month, M.L. King High senior Trey Griffin participated in a pair of All-American baseball games that had him playing on bigleague diamonds. In a few years, Griffin, 17, said he hopes to be a fixture in Major League Baseball. “Playing in a big league ball park, feeling the turf, the grass,” he said. “Feeling how it feels to play in a big league ball park is pretty cool. ’Cause the next day the Chicago Cubs were playing there and I was like, ‘I was just standing in that batter’s box.’ ” The 6-foot-3, 205-pound outfielder played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game at the Cubs’ Wrigley Field in Chicago on Aug. 8, and on Aug. 16 in the AFLAC All-American Baseball Classic at the San Diego Padres’ PETCO Park in California. Griffin was one of 36 players from across the U.S. selected to play in the Under Armour game and one of 40 selected for the AFLAC contest. He said it felt great to compete with some of the country’s top high school baseball prospects. “It is a different look, being in front of some of the top scouts and the scouting directors and just playing with some of the top players,” Griffin said. “I met a lot of good people. We got to meet a lot of pro players like Craig Biggio, Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken Jr., and a few other guys.” Griffin, the younger brother of

Trey Griffin has impressed college and pro scouts with his athletic ability, arm strength and plate presence.

former Cedar Grove baseball star and 2008 Baltimore Orioles firstround draft pick Xavier Avery, is a player that scouts are falling in love with because of his athletic ability, arm strength and plate presence. During the two all-star games he didn’t disappoint. In the Under Armour game, the right-handed batter went 2-for-4 at the plate and delivered the tying run on an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning. Then, Griffin stole home plate to give his Baseball Factory team a 3-2 lead on the way to an 11-2 win over Team One Baseball. After the contest, Griffin even held an impromptu autograph session. “I was just giving back for the little kids, who may want to come

to Under Amour All American or AFLAC,” he said. “We signed a lot of things.” Griffin was 0-1 at the plate in the 10-inning AFLAC contest, but scored the go-ahead run for the East team in the eighth inning of a game that ended in a 4-4 tie. His performances came after a 2009 high school baseball season with the M.L. King Lions that featured him posting a batting average of .410 with 28 stolen bases, 34 RBIs, 38 hits and five home runs. After transferring from Stockbridge High School to M.L. King, Griffin, who wears No. 42 in honor of baseball great and pioneer Jackie Robinson, batted .417 with 20 RBI, two home runs, 35 hits and 27 runs during his sophomore year. Griffin also plays for the East

Cobb Braves, a nationally recognized baseball travel team based in Marietta, during the fall and summer. Like his older brother, Griffin, who runs the 60-yard-dash in 6.6 seconds, has scouts amazed with his speed. On its website, Perfect Game USA, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based scouting service, describes Griffin as a player who has a strong throwing arm with a quick, balanced release, and a rhythm hitter with very good bat speed, who hits with power to all portions of the field. “Potential 5 tool guy and possible early draft pick,” a report on the website says. Griffin said he doesn’t think of himself as one of the country’s top high school baseball players. “I look at it like this, every day I’m not working hard there is somebody out there working harder than me,” he said. “I know I’m one of the top players, but I don’t consider myself one of the best. I have a lot of work to do as far as the high school season and prior to this draft. I’ll be doing a lot of working out with different trainers just to get ready mentally and physically.” M.L. King coach Reggie Ingram said Griffin, whom he describes as a great all-around athlete and kid, has an outstanding work ethic. “You would think getting all the publicity that he gets that he wouldn’t go out and bust his butt every day, but he continues to do so,” the Lions coach said. “He is the first one to get to the field every day and the last one to leave.”

Ingram, M.L. King’s coach for four seasons, also coached top prospect Cedric Hunter, who was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 2006 MLB draft. He said Griffin is playing close to the high level Hunter was on. “Hunter just had so much natural ability, but Trey has a lot too,” he said. “Trey is a better athlete.” In late August, Griffin began working with baseball trainers Mike Berenger, director of training at Rapid Performance in Woodstock, and Rocky Thorn, owner of Baseball Performance Center in Kennesaw, to prepare for the Lions season next spring and the 2010 MLB draft in June. He said he wants to add a few more pounds of muscle to weigh in at 210 to 215 pounds. “I plan on working as hard as I can to get to a point to where I’m strong and comfortable with my body and selected in the next draft,” he said. Ingram said his star player’s talent continues to mature each year. “His athletic ability is going to take care of itself,” he said. “He is just maturing and learning a few things here and there that are getting him things he needs to get.” Despite looking forward to next year’s draft, Griffin said as of now he is planning to play baseball in college. “You never know,” he said. “The draft teams pick who they want, but you never know. I hope for the best. I pray for the best and we’ll see how it goes come June 8-9, around draft day 2010.”

September 12, 2009

Ministry

CrossRoadsNews

“A lot of people are hurting. They don’t know where to turn. Because we are a church, a lot of people are coming and requesting help.”

Sisterhood event preps women for outreach

Expo focuses on social services

released Aug. 2, is RagsWomen from across dale’s second film. metro Atlanta will gather Ragsdale, who wrote at First Afrikan Presbyteand produced the film, rian Church Sept. 19 and is also the co-curator 20 to discuss “Getting and co-owner with her Ready for a Good Work: husband, J. Justin, of the Mind, Body and Spirit.” black holocaust museum, The two-day SisterLest We Forget, in Philahood Celebration starts Shirlene Holmes Gwen Ragsdale Janise Randall delphia. with a workshop on Sept. The documentary explores the 19 at 10 :15 a.m., followed by a church’s Nia Women’s Ministry. screening and discussion of Gwen “We just thought we should impact of transAtlantic slavery Ragsdale’s new documentary “My look at how women can get ready,” on the souls of African-American women. Ragsdale says it compares Slave Sister Myself ” at 1 p.m. she said. Danielle King, who is coJanise Randall, a church elder enslaved African women with chairing the Sisterhood Celebration and minister, will lead the Saturday African-American women today, with Angela Reid, said the theme – workshop session and will preach and shows how slave experiences “Women Getting Ready for a Good at the 10 a.m. service on Sunday. still affect black women. Rev. Dr. Shirlene Holmes, a First Work” – is the female take-off from A master of divinity student at the the church’s 2009 theme, “People Interdenominational Theological Afrikan member and a Georgia Getting Ready for a Good Work.” Center in Atlanta, Randall said the State University associate professor, The church is preparing for a Saturday workshops will explore will lead the discussion. The Sisterhood Celebration is number of outreach ministries to building healthy women’s relationthe Black Belt and Haiti in 2010. ships and how unhealthy relation- open to the community. First Afrikan Church is at 5197 Salem Road King said they are focusing that ships with each other affect us. preparation on gender for this celThe 55-minute documentary in Lithonia. For more information, ebration, which is sponsored by the “My Slave Sister Myself,” which was call 404-981-2601.

Indigent seniors, the jobless, underemployed and families struggling to make ends meet can find out about resources to help them at a free Social Service Expo on Sept. 20 at Atlanta Belvedere Seventh Day Adventist Church in Decatur. The 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. event will include representatives from the Partnership for Community Action, Central Outreach and Advocacy Center, the DeKalb Community Service Board and the Georgia Department of Labor. Paula Gibbons, a church member who is coordinating the expo, said they saw a need and are trying to put people in touch with com-

munity resources. “A lot of people are hurting,” Gibbon said. “They don’t know where to turn. Because we are a church, a lot of people are coming and requesting help.” Gibbons said they operate a small pantry at the church, which is located on Covington Highway near Memorial Drive, but that it is not enough. At the expo, she said people will find out how to get assistance with paying utility bills and rent, find food, access mental health services and conduct job searches. The church is at 3567 Covington Highway in Decatur, For more information, call 404-299-1359 or 404-271-0913.

New Jerusalem Outreach Ministry Sunday School 10:00am • Sunday Worship Service 11:00am Wednesday Night Bible Study 8:00pm • Adult Choir, Children’s Choir and Male Choir • Homeless Ministry • Feed the Hungry Ministry • Senior/Adult Day Care • Coming soon Child Care & Christian Academy

Co-Pastor Julia A. Edmondson

Pastor Julius A. Edmondson Sr.

5721 Miller Grove Road • Lithonia, GA 30058 • 770-981-7408

Click! Print! Save!

www.crossroadsnews.com/pages/coupons

Pastors and Leaders

Bishop Eddie L. Long Wednesday, October 7th 7:30pm

Pastor E. Dewey Smith Thursday, October 8th 7:30pm

CONFERENCE CLASSES

• Activating New Members for Ministry • Creating a Culture of Hospitality Within Your Church • Cutting Costs Without Cutting Ministry • Developing Guidelines for Ministry Leaders and Members • Elevating Your Total Media Ministry • Enhancing the Quality of Food Services • Implementing a Leadership Development Program • Improving the Finances in Your Church Biblically • Making People a Priority • Managing Your Staff for Maximum Efficiency • Opening and Operating a Christian Academy • Overcoming Obstacles Within Your Ministry • Preaching Expository Sermons • Shaping Adult Leaders for Working with Young People • Training Members to Care for One Another • Using Athletics to Reach Your Community • And much, much more

CrossRoadsNews

September 12, 2009

One-order, one-invoice, multi-newspaper placement service! Reach more than 15 million households served by over 1,020 suburban and community newspapers around North America and Canada. 25-word ad starts at $240 weekly. Discount Contact Rates Available. For more information, call 404-284-1888 Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 800-488-0386 www.CenturaOnline.com

Autos *Police Impounds For Sale! Honda Accord1999 only $1000! Toyota Camry 1998 only $1000! Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans & More from $500! For Listings 800-366-0124 ext. L213

AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified -Housing Available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888) 349-5387.

DONATE YOUR CAR to SPECIAL KIDS FUND. Help Disabled Children With Camp and Education. Non-Runners OK. Quickest Free Towing. Free Cruise/Hotel Voucher. Tax Deductible. Call 1-866-448-3254.

Employment Opportunities

$500! HONDAS & TOYOTAS FROM $500! Buy Police Impounds & Repos! Acuras, Nissans, Chevys & more from $500! For Listings 800-366-0124 ext. L215

Business Opportunities Earn $500.00-$2,500.00 WEEKLY, processing mail. Great opportunity ! Postage, supplies furnished. Processors needed NOW! No travel. For FREE information call Regional Crisis Centers NOW! 1-800-497-8685 Have the next great invention or BIG idea? Invent Help can take your invention from idea to reality, from concept to cash. Call (800) 620-8964 ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy. All for $9,995. 800-893-1185 (Void in SD & MD)

Education & Training HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Fast Affordable & Accredited. FREE Brochure. Call NOW! 1-800-5326546 Ext. 96 www.continentalacademy.com Attend College Online from

Financial Buried in Credit Card Debt? We can Get You Out of Debt in Month’s Instead of Years America’s Only Truly Attorney Driven Program Free No Obligation Consultation 877-446-5208 $$$ ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!!! AS seen on TV. Injury Lawsuit Dragging? Need $500$500,000++ within 48/hrs? Low rates. APPLY NOW BY PHONE! 1-888-271-0463 www.cash-forcases.com

Help Wanted

Earn $1000 a Week processing our mail! FREE Supplies! Helping Home-Workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required Start Immediately! www.national-work.com

Travel, Travel, Travel! 500 Sign-on Bonus! Seeking guys/ gals Rock-n-Roll Atmosphere, Bluejean Environment, Call Jan #888-361-1526, Today!

Mystery Shoppers Needed. Earn up to $150 per day. Undercover Shoppers needed to Judge Retail & Dining Establishments Experience Not Required. Call Now 1-877-218-6211

Help Wanted Earn Extra Income, assembling CD cases from home. Start immediately, No experience necessary. 1-800-405-7619 ext 1395 www. easywork-greatpay.com

Government Jobs- $12-48.00/hr. Full Benefits/Paid Training. Work available In areas like Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Wildlife & more! 1-800-320-9353 Ext 2002

ABLE TO TRAVEL National Company Hiring Sharp People. Able to Start Today. Transportation & Lodging Furnished. NO EXPERIENCE Necessary. Paid Trainging. Over 18+ 888-2950108 www.greenstreetsolutions. com

HELP WANTED Work at Home! Government Jobs. FT/PT, Data Entry, Admin/clerical, customer service, and variety of computer jobs. $12-$48/hr, full benefits, paid training. Call 1-888-2937370 ASSEMBLE MAGNETS & CRAFTS FROM HOME! Yearround Work! Excellent Pay! No Experience! Top US Company! Glue Gun, Painting, Jewelry & More! TOLL FREE 1-866-8445091 code 22

Atlanta Belvedere SDA Church Hosts

A FREE SOCIAL SERVICE EXPO Sunday, September 20, 2009 5:00pm-6:45pm 3567 Covington Hwy Decatur GA 30032

(1 block from McDonald’s & Memorial Drive) (404) 299-1359 / (404) 271-0913 Do you know anyone needing assistance with paying utility bills, food, rent, job search, mental health services? Attend this EXPO to tap into resources available. Present at the EXPO: • Georgia Department of Labor • Partnership for Community Action • Central Outreach and Advocacy Center • DeKalb Community Service Board

★ FREE FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED ★

Misc. For Sale **DISH Network. $19.99/mo, Why Pay More For TV? 100+ Channels. FREE 4-Room Install. FREE HD-DVR. Plus $600 Signup BONUS. Call Now! 1-800917-8288 DIRECTV FREE 5 Months! Includes ALL 265+ Digital Channels + Movies with NFL Sunday Ticket! Ask How Today! Free DVR/HD Receiver! Packages

from $29.99 DirectStarTV 1-800306-6602 * REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL!* Get a 4-Room All-Digital Satellite system installed for FREE and programming starting under $10. FREE DVR and HD Upgrades for new callers, SO CALL NOW. 1-800-699-7159

Miscellaneous Advertise your product or service nationwide or by region in up to 12 million households in North America’s best suburbs! Place your classified ad in over 815 suburban newspapers just like this one. Call Classified Avenue at 888-486-2466 or go to www. classifiedavenue.net New ADT customers - FREE Home Security System! ADT 24/7 Monitoring starting at just $35.99/ mo. $99 Install Fee. Call Now! 1-866-220-7408 ADT Auth Co DIRECTV Satellite Television, FREE EQUIPMENT, FREE 4 Room Installation, FREE HD or DVR Receiver Upgrade. Packages from $29.99/mo. Call DIRECT Sat TV for Details 1-888420-9480

Loft & Full Basement. Includes acreage. $99,900 Financing Available 828-247-9966 code 45

3bd 2ba HUD Home only $200/ mo! 4bd 2ba Home only $325/ mo! Priced to Sell! More Homes Available! 5%dn, 20yrs @8%apr! For Listings 800-366-0142 ext. T253

Timeshares RedWeek.com #1 timeshare marketplace. Rent, buy,sell, revies, NEW full-service exchange! Compare prices at 5000+ resorts. B4U do anything timeshare, visit RedWeek.com, consider options.

BUY HUD Homes from $199/mo! 4bd 2ba only $350/mo! 3bd 2ba only $199/mo! More Home from $199/mo! 5% dn, 15yrs @8% apr! for Listings 800-366-0142 ext. T252

BUY/SELL/RENT TIMESHARES NOW Luxury Vacations-Up to 90% Discounts Incredible Deals-Why Pay More No Hidden Fees-Great Track Record CALL NOW (877) 342-2345 WWW. RESORTVP.COM Licensed/ Bonded/BBB/ARDA

Florida - 40 acre parcels Only 6 remaining. 100% useable. MUST SELL. $119,900 ea. Owner Financing from 3 1/2% Call 1-800-FLA-LAND (352-5263) Florida Woodland Group, Inc. Lic. RE Broker.

SELL/RENT YOUR TIMESHARE NOW!!! Maintenance fees too high? Need Cash? Sell your unused timeshare today. No commissions or Broker Fees. Free Consultation. www.sellatimeshare.com 1-866-708-3690

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

Brand New Laptops & Desktops Bad Credit, No Credit - No Problem Small Weekly Payments - Order Today and get FREE Nintendo WII game system! Call Now - 800-317-7891 Receive $1000 Grocery Stimulus! Helping People just like you! Pay Only $3.95 Shipping and Handling Limited time offer Consumer Advocate Research 1-877-301-7436

Real Estate