CrossRoadsNews, June 12, 2010

By Carla Parker

This week, MARTA’s budget woes went to the potty – literally.

More than 127 angry MARTA bus and train riders gave transit officials an earful Tuesday night about plans to close almost all of its restrooms to help balance its $389.64 million 2011 operating budget.

The only restrooms it currently plans to keep open are the ones at the Five Points station in downtown Atlanta.

Latoya Foster of Decatur cried “shame” on MARTA.

“You want to close the bathroom, because I have to pee,” she said. “What am I going to do? What solution do you have for us?

DeKalb NAACP President John Evans called the plan “a half-brain idea.”

“I would hope that this board would make it loud and clear to the gen-eral manager that we’re not going to accept that nonsense,” he said. “You figure out some other ways to make cuts.”

Yvette Woods of Decatur said no rest-rooms will be a major issue for riders.

“You’re proposing to close restrooms, but you’re going to open vending,” she said. “I understand trying to make money, but come on. ‘I’ll close the bathroom, but I’ll sell you a soda!’”

The hearing at the DeKalb County Ma-loof Auditorium was one of four hosted by the cash-strapped transit system this week to hear from commuters ahead of its board approving the budget on June 28.

Harold Buckley, who represents DeKalb County on MARTA’s board, moderated the hearing.

MARTA CEO Beverly Scott sat in the back and listened but did not speak.

With declining revenues, MARTA has to ax $132.8 million from its 2011 operating capital budget.

It also is cutting 42 bus routes, including

www.crossroadsnews.comJune 12, 2010Copyright © 2010 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

COVER PAGENew dealership fetedCOMMUNITY

A potential customer eyes a vehicle after the ribbon-cutting for Malcolm Cun-ningham’s new Ford-Lincoln-Mer-cury dealership on Peachtree Indus-trial Boulevard. 5

The Georgia Department of Transporta-tion says it will remove illegally placed political signs like these along I-20 and other interstate rights of way. 3

DOT crackdownCOMMUNITY

In a couple of months, resi-dents of Oakview Apartments will begin to reap the benefits of healthy eating with food grown in their commu-nity garden. 8

Goodness from the gardenWELLNESS

Resurfacing project begins on I-20

MARTA plan for restrooms riles commuters

Volume 16, Number 7

Carla Parker / CrossroadsNews

Angie Aikens of Stone Mountain was one of 42 speakers who pleaded with MARTA officials not to balance the budget on their backs at the June 8 public hearing at the Maloof Auditorium in Decatur. The bus and train riders said service cuts and loss of restrooms would cause them hardships.

Work crews have begun placing construction barrels and cones along I-20 from Turner Hill Road to Columbia Drive, including the Wesley Chapel ramp onto I-20 westbound.

John Evans

The I-20 commute through south DeKalb County is about to get a little tougher at nights on weekends.

Starting June 18, the Georgia Department of Transportation will resurface 9.8 miles of I-20 between Columbia Drive and Turner Hill Road.

The $28.6 million resurfacing project was awarded June 4 to joint venture partners E.R. Snell Contractors Inc. and Pittman Construction.

Mickey McGee, DOT’s district construction engineer, said traffic will be heavy in the area while construction is under way.

“We encourage motorists to seek alternate routes or to avoid the project area altogether,” he said.

The milling and resurfacing project will re-quire various lane closures, but McGee said that

contractors will maintain two travel lanes at all times. Work will begin in the westbound lanes first and then move to the eastbound lanes.

“The goal is for the contractor to get most of the paving done during this paving season and then come back in the spring to finish it up,” McGee said.

More specific lane closure information will be available prior to work beginning. Motorists can call 511 for updated information about this project. The free phone service provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, con-struction, and delays due to bad weather. Callers also can reach live operators to request assistance or report incidents round-the-clock.

For more information, visit www.511ga.org. Curtis Parker / CrossroadsNews

11 routes in DeKalb County; reducing train service by 15 percent; axing 743 positions, including laying off 400 employees; sus-pending all merit increases; shuttering two of four Ride Stores at Lenox and Lindbergh stations; curtailing Customer Service Center operating hours; and ending the Braves and Lakewood Amphitheatre shuttles.

To help close the funding gap, MARTA riders also will pay increased fares starting Oct. 3. Monthly tickets will increase by $8 to $68. The Mobility pass, used by the disabled, will go up $7 to $115, phased in over three years. Single fares will remain at $2.

Kevin Hurley, MARTA’s board manager of financial planning, said new transportation funding is not expected until July 2012.

“MARTA customers, unfortunately, would be required to suffer with reduced transit service and continued passenger fare increases,” he said during his presentation at the hearing.

Kat Woodford of Atlanta was one of 42 people who pleaded with the board not to cut bus routes.

“Those who are economically not able to afford a car need the buses to get to work, to get to school, get to their various places of business or doctor appointments,” she said. “When you pull services away from economi-cally disadvantaged areas, which is where the majority of these changes affect, people who are not wealthy don’t have an opportunity to get to their jobs.”

With the route cuts, commuters will have to wait longer for service.

Delilah Black, a Georgia Perimeter Col-lege student, who already has problems with late buses, was not looking forward to worse service.

“It takes 45 minutes for the bus to come and then I’m late for work,” Black said. “MARTA has cost me six jobs.”

MARTA officials said that they will review all comments and concerns before the final budget vote is cast.

It is still accepting comments from the public by mail to MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road N.E., Atlanta; by fax to 404-848-4179; and at www.itsmarta .com.

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CrossRoadsNews June 12, 20102

3COMMUNITY PG

Community“Registered voters have until July 16 to cast early/absentee ballots for the July 20

Democratic and Republican primary elections.”

DOT cracking downon signs in rights of way

Curtis Parker / CrossroadsNews

Political signs like these along I-20 westbound at I-285 are violating the law and will be removed.

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Voter registration deadline looms

H.E.A.T. for traffic violators

District 3 town hall meeting

New green card is tamper-proofThe Permanent Resident Card – better

know as the green card – has a new look.The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration

Services says the card has been redesigned to deter immigration fraud with several major new security features.

State-of-the-art technology now makes it immune to counterfeiting, obstructs tam-pering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication.

Among the redesigned features: secure optical media that store biometrics for rapid and reliable identification of the card holder, holographic images, laser-engraved fingerprints, and high-resolution micro-

Unregistered voters who want to partici-pate in the July 20 primary must register to vote by June 21.

Registration forms and absentee ballots are available at local libraries and at http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/Voter/application Forms.html.

Registered voters have until July 16 to cast early/absentee ballots for the July 20 Democratic and Republican primary elec-tions.

Georgia law requires voters to show photo identification when voting in person. If you do not have some form of photo ID, the state offers a Voter Identification Card

free of charge at the DeKalb Elections Of-fice, 4380 Memorial Drive, or at Depart-ment of Driver Services offices.

To receive a Voter Identification Card, residents must provide a photo identity document or approved non-photo iden-tity document that includes full legal name and date of birth; documentation showing date of birth; evidence that the applicant is a registered voter; and documentation showing the applicant’s name and residen-tial address.

Completed applications can be mailed or faxed. For more information, call 404-298-4020.

images that make the card nearly impossible to reproduce.

The card’s new Radio Frequency Iden-tification capability allows Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry to read the card from a distance and compare it immediately to file data. A preprinted return address will facili-tate easy return of a lost card to USCIS. The card is also now colored “green” to live up to its alias.

USCIS will replace green cards as indi-viduals apply for renewal or replacement. For more information, visit www.uscis.gov or call 1-800-375-5283.

Candidates vying for offices in the July 20 primary have a warning from the Georgia Department of Transportation – stop littering the public rights of way with political signs.

Eric Pitts, Georgia DOT’s assistant state maintenance engineer, said Tuesday that signs in the rights of way violate Georgia laws and will be removed by Georgia DOT maintenance crews.

“Any person who violates the advertising restrictions of Georgia Code 32 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in Code Section 32-6-91,” Pitts said.

Vernon Jones, who is challenging 4th District incumbent Hank Johnson in the Democratic primary, has had his red, white and blue campaign signs on ramps along I-20 for weeks. Connie Stokes’ campaign joined the fray recently with her blue and red signs installed next to Jones’ signs at the I-285 northbound exit ramp from I-20 and other locations.

Pitts also said signs that are removed from the right of way will be destroyed.

“To prevent the loss of signs, do not place them on right of way,” Pitts said.

For information, visit www.dot.ga.gov.

Drivers with a heavy foot are warned to slow down during the summer months. Georgia began its 100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T. speed and DUI enforcement campaign last month.

H.E.A.T., which stands for Highway Enforcement of Aggres-sive Traffic, is a multi-agency traffic safety enforcement campaign safeguarding motorists during the heavy summer travel period from Memorial Day through the Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays. H.E.A.T. teams will enforce the state’s new Super Speeder Law that tacks on an additional $200 fine for speeds of 75 miles per hour or more on two-lane roads and 85 mph and more any-where in Georgia. H.E.A.T. teams also will focus on late-night safety belt violators.

For more information, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.

DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson is hosting a town hall meeting on June 14 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center in Decatur.

DeKalb residents can see a presentation on the county’s budget at the 6:30 p.m. meeting.

The Porter Sanford Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive in Deca-tur. For more information, call 404-371-2988.

CrossRoadsNewsJune 12, 2010 3

4

Four years ago when black-owned Re-gency Uniforms – which had been located in Decatur for 15 years – shut its doors for the last time, I did not ask the owners why they

were closing, but now I have something of a clue.

They employed full- and part-time employees. What happened to them?

A new disturbing trend of small businesses being squeezed out is becoming more apparent every day. Larger, older and better-

funded companies are being invited in to provide products and services once supplied by folks who live, work and pay taxes that benefit us all.

So, how are these businesses coming in? They are increasingly being invited in –

sometimes with the promise of give-backs, sometimes because they purport to do a better job, and sometimes just because they have a fresh face.

What are the long-term consequences? How many times are the dollars going to turn

ForumA new disturbing trend of small businesses being squeezed

out is becoming more apparent every day.

CrossRoadsNews is published ev-ery Thursday by CrossRoads News, Inc.

We welcome articles on neighbor-hood issues and news of local hap-penings. 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 CrossRoads News 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 in-demnify 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, pla-giarism and copyright infringement.

We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

2346 Candler Rd.Decatur, GA 30032

404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007www.crossroadsnews.com

[email protected]

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker

General Manager Curtis Parker

Staff WriterCarla Parker

Advertising Sales Cynthia Blackshear-Warren

Circulation Audited By

Facts Vernon Jones wants 4th District voters to forget

Many lessons to be learned from supporting local owners

Rosie Cecil

over in this community? What messages are we giving our young

folks about being consumers versus own-ers? What lessons are we learning about unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith – the seven Kwanzaa principles we espouse during the annual celebration?

Or are they only relevant during the week of Kwanzaa?

Can we always afford to select short-term solutions to complicated problems only to have serious long-term effects on our com-munity? Can our small businesses continue to exist and resist the onslaught of predatory, well-funded companies from outside?

Should we be so quick to discard those who have supported us by showing up on a daily basis – when others are still considering whether to even locate in the community? And even if they were to open up right next door, how long will they be there?

Will they simply close their doors and move when the honeymoon is over and the daily grind gets to be too tough?

Do you remember when Wal-Mart closed on Wesley Chapel Road? Didn’t Ingles follow suit? The plaza dried up and expenses went up for folks who now have to travel farther to get some of the same goods and services.

I wonder how many small businesses were displaced when Wal-Mart originally located on Wesley Chapel? And how many folks had to decide between food for their family and gas to go shopping?

What lessons have we learned in the past that will sustain us into the future? Lessons about community, lessons about unity, les-sons about brotherhood and sisterhood, yes, lessons about love?

Do we as business owners need to ac-knowledge our mistakes of the past? Do we need to recognize our shortcomings as business owners and those of our employees? Yes, we must.

But if we have no possibilities of making needed changes because our businesses have dried up, then who is the beneficiary of all the lessons we learn?

Rosie Cecil is the owner of DoMaRo Uni-forms on Flat Shoals Parkway in Lithonia.

to remember: n Recently, DeKalb County had to defend and lose a racial discrimination lawsuit be-cause of Vernon Jones. n Vernon was also the subject of a rape.n Vernon gave county contracts to campaign contributors to build sidewalks to nowhere.n He put his personal attorney Joy Walker as chief judge of the DeKalb Recorders Court, which had been a complete failure.n Vernon refused to support candidate Ba-rack Obama for president and later sent out a misleading campaign flier implying he stood with then-candidate Obama.In fact, Vernon Jones was a paid member of the GOP Foundation, which costs $1,000 per year. At one point, he had his attorney Joy Walker send me a letter threatening a civil lawsuit because of private comments I made about him.I can say from my viewpoint, Washington

does not need any more self-serving mem-bers like Vernon Jones. Fourth District voters would do well to continue letting Vernon Jones do what he does best – campaign for public office.

The voters should look at the record of Congressman Hank Johnson and decide if the congressman should be re-elected.

The real miracle will be for Vernon Jones to retire from his desire to be in the public arena. Anyone paying attention only hears from Vernon Jones when he is campaigning for public office or is a subject or defendant in a criminal or civil case.

The voters of the 4th District should seriously consider if someone with the lack of political integrity, arrogance, self-serving and vindictiveness of Vernon Jones should get their vote as the congressman from the 4th District.

Jerry Wyatt lives in Lithonia.

I believe CrossRoadsNews is a commu-nity information gem in allowing residents to express their opinions about topics of inter-est. In reading the June 5 Forum section, I was amused by the article written by Vernon “Mr. CEO” Jones.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt has many quotes, and one which I believe can be applied to the illogical thinking of Vernon Jones is, “Never underestimate a man who overestimates himself.” Perhaps Vernon should spend some time in understanding this quote by FDR.

Many of DeKalb County voters are well aware of doings of Vernon Jones as was evident by their refusing to support him in his failed bid for the U.S. Senate.

The arrogance of Vernon Jones is well-documented by his past action and his will-ingness to do and say anything to trick the voters into thinking he has their best interest at heart. Mr. Jones called it a “miracle” be-cause he has been the only person in DeKalb County who believes MARTA needed to be expanded.

I would pray Congressman Hank John-son does not ever demonstrate the kind of inept leadership of Vernon Jones.

Here are a few of the facts Vernon Jones doesn’t want the voters of the 4th District

I can say from my viewpoint, Washington does not need any more self-serving members like Vernon

Jones. Fourth District voters would do well to continue letting Vernon Jones do what he does

best – campaign for public office. Jerry Wyatt

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5Community “The counterfeiting crime charged in this case is especially troubling because it involves an officer sworn to uphold the law.”

Ex-police officer indicted for bad money

Malcolm Cunningham and his wife, Dee Dee, cut the ribbon on their new Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. They were joined at the June 4 ceremony by their children, Ford Motor Co. officials, DeKalb Commissioner Connie Stokes, DeKalb Chamber CEO Leonardo McClarty (at right), and “The Blind Side” star Quinton Aaron (in back).

Malcolm Cunningham cuts ribbon on dealership

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Reid and Moody depart DeKalb Schools F o r m e r D e K a l b

Schools Chief Operat-ing Officer Patricia Reid and her secretary, Cointa Moody, have been termi-nated from their positions with the school system.

In a May 28 statement, DeKalb Schools said it had “resolved the employment status of Reid and Moody.”

The School Board had originally said that Reid’s last day with the school system would be July 1 and that Moody’s status was under review.

It also said that they have to follow em-ployment law in dealing with employees.

But after conferring with the DeKalb dis-

trict attorney, the board said it decided not to jeopardize the pending criminal matter involv-ing Reid and others by proceeding with a Fair Dismissal Hearing.

Reid; Moody; former School Superintendent Crawford Lewis; and

Reid’s former husband, Anthony Pope, were indicted on May 27 by a DeKalb grand jury on racketeering and other charges in the school district’s construction program.

Reid’s employment contract with the school district ends on June 30. Moody did not have an employment contract and was terminated effective May 28.

diCk williams / duNwoody Crier

Cointa Moody Patricia Reid

A former DeKalb County police officer and her husband have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of passing counterfeit U.S. currency.

Lawana Clinton, 39, of Decatur and her husband, Jason, 37, were arraigned last week before a U.S. magistrate judge. Lawana Clin-ton was granted a $10,000 bond, and Jason Clinton was granted a $25,000 bond.

U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said that passing counterfeit currency is a seri-ous offense that cheats local businesses and disrupts the economy. “The counterfeiting crime charged in this case is especially trou-

bling because it involves an officer sworn to uphold the law.”

Yates said the indictment shows that in November 2008, Clinton passed counterfeit $100 and $50 bills at Macy’s in Perimeter Mall with the aid of her husband while serv-ing as a police officer. She was initially ar-rested by DeKalb Police on charges of forgery and violation of oath of office.

The indictment charges the Clintons with one count each of knowingly transfer-ring counterfeit currency. The charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.


6Commercial real estate and zoning attorney Michele

Battle is back in a solo practice.Battle, who was most recently with

Smith, Gambrell & Russell in Atlanta, launched Battle Law P.C. in February in Stone Mountain.

It is her second round in private practice. Before joining SGR, she oper-ated the Battle Law Group in Avondale Estates.

The Harvard Law graduate, who has more than 20 years of experience in real estate law, also has worked with the Powell, Gold-stein, Frazer & Murphy LLP and Nelson Mullins law firms in Atlanta.

The firm specializes in zoning and land use and com-mercial real estate.

Battle, who lives in Stone Mountain, says her firm is offering flat-rate billing instead of the traditional hourly billing charged by most law firms.

Battle is also the founder and executive director of the Real Estate Development Institute Inc., a nonprofit corporation that offers real estate educational workshops to minorities.

FinanCe Battle, who lives in Stone Mountain, says her firm is offering flat-rate billing instead of the traditional hourly billing charged by most law firms.

Michele Battle

Stimulus funding workshop

Real estate attorney back in solo practice

All home lending products are subject to credit and property approval. Rates, program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply.

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First-rate real estate agent beats owner-seller

Small-business owners can attend a June 17 workshop on “Developing Access to Stimulus Funds for Small Busi-ness” at St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church in Stone Mountain.

The workshop, which is free, is hosted by the Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalition and the Institute of Caribbean Studies. It starts at 7 p.m. and includes a presentation by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The church is at 5365 Memorial Drive.For more information, e-mail gacarib2006@yahoo

.com or call Valrie Sanders at 404-752-6080.

Dear Dave,What are the advantages of using a

real estate agent versus going the for-sale-by-owner route when it comes to selling a home?

– Seth

Dear Seth,I’ve had a real estate license for 30

years. If I were to put my personal resi-dence on the market today, I’d use an active real estate agent who really knows his or her stuff in the marketplace. I’d gladly pay them their commission, too.

Now, why would I do that if I could just sell it myself and save the commis-sion cost? For starters, if I do a for-sale-by-owner, or FSBO, I’m only getting my place in front of buyers I can attract from seeing a newspaper ad, Craigslist, and anyone who happens to drive by the house.

If you go with a high-octane real estate agent, you’ll have the advantage of being exposed to their entire pool of buyers. More importantly, you’ll be in the MLS, or Multiple Listing Service, database. There, you’ll immediately have thousands of potential buyers.

So, who do you think will have the best chance of selling your house? Market exposure is everything in the real estate game!

And think about this: Even if you

went the FSBO route every time you moved, you might do three or four of these transactions in a lifetime. A good agent closed three or four deals last week!

They’ll know all the ins and outs of buying and selling a home, and they’ll walk you through every step of the process.

Research has shown that between basic mistakes, pricing errors, and lack of negotiation skills, you’ll cost yourself more than the agent’s commission by trying to sell it yourself.

Trust me, you’ll get a much better deal – with a lot less hassle – by using a top-flight real estate agent!

– Dave

New car versus oldDear Dave,

How much do you put into your old car for maintenance and repairs before it makes sense to buy a new vehicle?

– Christy

Dear Christy,I know a lot of people don’t believe

this, but it’s almost never mathemati-cally justifiable to go out and buy a new car, or even a newer one.

Let’s say you’re driving a $1,000 car, and you keep having problems and putting $250 worth of repairs or main-tenance into it each month.

Do you realize how long you can keep putting that $250 into the car before you reach the point of it making sense to buy a new $10,000 car? I mean, we’re literally talking about years!

Really, it all boils down to a couple of things. One, do you have the money sitting around to pay cash for a new car? If you’ve worked hard and can go to the dealership and write a check for a new car, then go for it.

The second thing is the hassle factor. Is the car absolutely unsafe, or is it driv-ing you nuts in terms of inconvenience and repair costs? If so, then you might need to look into getting a newer ve-hicle. You’ll notice I didn’t say a new car, right? And you still pay cash. You don’t want five or six years’ worth of car pay-ments hanging around your neck.

I’m not against you having a nice car, Christy. What I’m against is your nice car having you!

– Dave For more financial help, visit

dave ramsey.com.

Do you realize how long you can keep putting that $250

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7Blessings on Wheels members gather for prayer at Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery on Snapfinger Woods Drive in Decatur before departing for downtown Atlanta to help the needy.

By Carla Parker

Stephanie Rockmore had a vision at the end of last year to bless those who are less fortunate. She vowed to God that she would make sure that she did something once a month in 2010 to help someone in need.

S i n ce Ja n u a r y, “Blessings on Wheels,” the group she formed, has been blessing some of Atlanta’s less fortu-nate residents.

For several nights l e a d i n g u p t h e i r monthly mission trip, Rockmore, her family

and friends meet at her Lithonia home to cook dinner and gather clothes and toiletries to take to downtown Atlanta to homeless shelters and women’s shelters and to home-less people living under the city’s bridges.

The group meets at Malcolm Cunning-ham Auto Gallery in Decatur once a month on a Wednesday where Rockmore used to work before the Ford dealership relocated to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Atlanta. They pray and load up their cars with food and bags of clothing and toiletries before hitting I-20 for downtown Atlanta.

Rockmore said they pray and ask God to lead them. “We don’t go to a specific bridge – we go wherever he leads us.”

Blessings on Wheels began in January with a blanket drive. Since then, the group has donated nearly $500 worth of food, blan-kets, clothing and toiletries to the needy.

In May, they traveled to the Task Force !"#$%&$#'()$#*'!"#$%&$#'()$#*'!"#$%&$#'()$#*''''+,"-.**/"#$0'+&"%"1,$2&.,'+,"-.**/"#$0'+&"%"1,$2&.,'+,"-.**/"#$0'+&"%"1,$2&.,''''

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Stephanie Rockmore

ministry

Group offers blessings to needy

Teens crossing over in rites of passageFour teen girls will take the symbolic walk

into womanhood at the June 19 Heshima Girls Rites of Passage Crossing Over Cer-emony at First Afrikan Church in Lithonia.

During the 6 p.m. ceremony, which merges African cultural traditions and Afri-can artistic expression, the teens will drum, dance and recite original poetry that they wrote.

In addition, the 14- to 16-year-olds will demonstrate the knowledge they mastered during the 18-month training and develop-ment period.

Family and church members will give them personal, cultural, inspirational and educational gifts.

A karamu – Kiswahili word for commu-

nity feast – will follow the ceremony, which is open to the community. The potluck feast will include dishes representing the many cultures of the African Diaspora, including vegan and vegetarian entrees and desserts.

On June 26, the Kijana Boys will cross over in a separate ceremony beginning at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Michael McWhorter at [email protected]. First Afrikan Presbyterian Church is at 5197 Salem Road in Lithonia.

The next Rites of Passage session for girls, ages 13 to 16, begins in October. For information on how to participate, contact Lynne Young at fac.ropinitiative@gmail .com or 678-772-9400 or BJ Beatty-Wilson at [email protected] or 770-981-9381.

Center on Peachtree Street to deliver food and toiletries to the women in the shelter for Mother’s Day.

In April, the conditions at a downtown Atlanta women’s and children’s shelter broke their hearts.

“We witnessed women lying across three chairs put together to form a bed,” Rockmore said. “We saw children lying and playing on the hard concrete floors with nothing but a blanket for a makeshift mattress.”

Rockmore said they met “William,” a homeless man who donated his 10-speed bike because he wanted to bless a child.

“He was in the parking lot on the concrete with blankets but woke up to receive food and prayer and asked if he could make a donation to me,” she said. “It was a humbling and emotional experience that night and all I can say is, ‘God, you are an awesome God!’”

Rockmore donated a suit, tie, shoes and a MARTA card to William so that he could get to job interviews. Last month she ran into him and was happy to hear that he got a job and is living with someone.

“He will now have money to pay his $75 rent.” Rockmore said that giving and helping others is “contagious.”

The group meets again at 8:15 p.m. on June 23 at the Malcolm Cunningham Auto Gallery on 4334 Snapfinger Woods Drive in Decatur.

Rockmore is looking for more volunteers. “I believe that if you give from your heart, you will receive blessings from God.”

To volunteer or for more information, call Stephanie Rockmore at 770-621-0200 or 770-883-0131.



8

Summer is almost here. The kids are out of school and hopefully running around outside, playing sports like soft-ball, football, soccer, hockey, and so on, which brings up the subject of injuries.

Parents, coaches and physicians know that the dam-age caused by a ball, elbow or puck can be devastating to

a child. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention says that sports-related in-juries are the leading cause of emergency room visits among 12- to 17-year-olds.

That’s why Decatur orthodontist Craig Williams says no uniform is com-plete without a mouth guard.

Williams, who has joined the national “Play It Safe” sports safety campaign with

the American Association of Orthodontists and football star Emmitt Smith, said that in a recent study, 70 percent of parents say their biggest fear is that their kids will get hurt while playing organized sports, yet 67 percent admitted that

Wellness “They don’t have to cook fatback and meat with their vegetables. There are healthier ways to cook vegetables.”

Football great Emmitt Smith (blue shirt) poses with kids modeling mouth guards. Smith and the American Association of Orthodontists say the guards are an inexpensive way to minimize injuries during contact sports.

Craig Williams

Orthodontist joins campaign pushing mouth guards to reduce injuries

Tips to play it safe all summer

Community garden to help Oakview residents eat better

Keep safety in mind this sum-mer as you travel, swim and enjoy the great outdoors, the DeKalb County Board of Health advises.

The board offers some simple ways to protect yourself:

Travel carefullyGoing on a road trip this sum-

mer? Drive safely. Wear your safety belt. Use proper child restraints. Don’t drink and drive. Slow down. Watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists.

If traveling outside the country, be sure to get all proper vaccina-tions. And get an H1N1 flu vacci-nation if you haven’t yet. Sporadic cases of 2009 H1N1 continue to be detected in the United States and in other parts of the world, especially in the Caribbean, Central America, and tropical regions of South America, West Africa, and South and Southeast Asia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends that young children, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma or obstruc-tive pulmonary disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, heart, or neurologic disease get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine

because they are at higher risk of flu-related complications.

Take basic medical suppliesPack a thermometer; alcohol-

based hand rubs; tissues; and over-the-counter products, including pain and fever reducers, stomach remedies, cough medicines, and sports/rehydrating drinks with electrolytes.

Protect yourself from sunUse sunscreen with an SPF

of 15 or higher. Wear clothing to protect exposed skin, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays as possible. Stay in the shade when possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest.

Swim safely Choose areas with lifeguards,

use personal flotation devices (life jackets), limit alcohol consumption, take advan tage of local swimming lessons, and get CPR-certified.

For more information about the 2009 H1N1 flu and travel medicine vaccinations, visit www.dekalb health.net or www.cdc.gov.

By Carla Parker

In a couple of months, 25 residents of the Oakview Apartments in Decatur will no longer have to buy vegetables from the local grocery store. Instead, they will just go into their own back yard and pick all the fresh veggies they need for dinner.

The garden, which has been growing since Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, was made possible by the efforts of Deborah Rol-

ley, also known as Mama Dirt, and the Decatur Housing Authority.

Rolley, a gardener and resident of Decatur, in-troduced the idea to the Housing Authority last August as part of her program, “Connecting Communities One House

at a Time, One Yard at a Time.” Rolley said the garden will help the resi-

dents, who are mostly elderly and disabled, build a healthier lifestyle and save money.

“This will also help limit trips to the store and keep them from carrying heavy bags,” she said.

The 20-by-20-foot garden is planted

with enough organic veggies and herbs for the residents to eat. Rolley also has pledged to teach the residents about gardening and

different ways of cooking vegetables.“They don’t have to cook fatback and

meat with their vegetables,” she said. “There

are healthier ways to cook vegetables.”Rolley said she also will show the new

gardeners how to grow stevia, a natural sweetener used as a sugar replacement. Re-search has shown that stevia tends to lower elevated blood pressure and aids in weight loss. It is also safe for diabetics.

“The goal is to help the residents help themselves,” she said. “We want them to get healthy by exercising and eating right, and possibly get them off of some of their medication.”

DeKalb County funded the garden and also provided the vegetables that were planted.

Libranden Irving, DHA’s property man-agement director, said the community gar-den is the first of many gardening projects to come for the DHA’s properties.

“This is a very good cause,” Irving said. “We’re helping our residents become more conscious about their health, and they seem excited about it.”

Margie Shepherd, one of the residents, said she is happy to have a garden in her own back yard.

“I haven’t done any gardening in a long time, so I’m excited to get back into it again,” she said.

Oakview Apartments residents (from left) Cora Walker, Priscilla Howard and Sharon Martin place cages around tomatoes in the community garden at the Decatur Housing Authority property.


Deborah Rolley

their child does not wear a mouth guard during organized sports.

Williams said that making their kids wear mouth guards can alleviate injury and allay those fears.

“Everybody should wear mouth guards when playing contact sports like basketball, baseball, football and soccer,” he said. “Mouth guards prevent injuries and long-term dam-age to the teeth.”

Williams and the AAO have four tips for keeping kids safe during sports: Wear mouth guards during contact sports; wear a helmet; wear protective eyewear; and wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin.

Williams said mouth guards are the least expensive pieces of protective equipment available. Over-the-counter versions may cost as little as $5, but custom-fit mouth guards offer greater protection.

“Not only do mouth guards save teeth,” he said, “they may protect the jaw.”

For more information, visit www.braces.org or www .drcraigwilliamsortho.com.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.in the DeKalb Medical Theater

on North Decatur campus

Join Je� Traub, M.D., a DeKalb Medicalorthopedic surgeon, as he talks aboutthe latest advances in the treatment of

knee conditions and pain. A complimentarytour of the Joint Solutions Center will takeplace from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. People wishingto tour the Joint Solutions Center should

meet in the �eater at 4:30 p.m.


9Parent ResourceCenter Notice

The DeKalb County School System’s Parent Resource Center sites have adjusted

their hours for June and July 2010.

Open M-F, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

Open M-F, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

There will be no workshops scheduled after 5:00 pm and no Saturday openings during June and July, 2010. The regular

schedule will resume in August 2010.

Parents!Please remember to go by your schools, DeKalb County publiclibraries and check the DCSS website for the next issue of the

Parent Resource Center Newsletter, which gives information andactivities for the months of July, August, and September, 2010.

The newsletter will be available the last week of June 2010

If you have questions, contact the Parent CommunityLiaison Specialists at the District office

Anderia Russell/678-676-0312Barry Cross/678-676-0250

Jackie Marshall/678-676-0376

Atherton ElementaryAvondale MiddleColumbia MiddleCross Keys High (at Woodward ES)E. L. Miller ElementaryFairington Elementary (at Murphy Candler ES)Jolly ElementaryMcNair MiddleSequoyah Middle

Cedar Grove MiddleChapel Hill Middle

By Carla Parker

More than 100 DeKalb seniors were in the au-dience when President Barack Obama clarified health care reform for the nation’s senior citizens on June 8.

The elderly women and men listened in to the president’s na-tional tele-town hall meeting at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia as he and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebe-lius took questions from seniors across the country on the Affordable Care Act, passed in March by Congress.

The meeting’s goal was to help combat se-nior scams and fraud ahead of the first mail-ing of the $250 rebate checks to seniors on Medicare who fall into the prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole.”

Last year, roughly 97,800 Medicare ben-eficiaries in Georgia fell in the donut hole, or gap in Medicare Part D drug coverage, and received no extra help to defray the cost of their prescription drugs.

Obama told them Tuesday that there should not have been a donut hole in the first place.

“This year, the seniors will receive their $250 check,” he said. “Next year we’ll phase in a 50 percent discount on prescription drugs and each year the cost will reduce.”

The president said the administration still

has to work with the drug companies to reduce the cost of prescription drugs in general.

Cindy Mann, director of the Center for Medic-aid and State Operations, and other administra-tors and specialists from the U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services and the National Council on Aging joined in the discussions.

Mann said the president’s town hall meet-ing is one of many ways that they are sharing information about the law.

“This meeting is one important way to share information,” she said. “We’re also go-ing to hand out brochures with facts about the bill. It’s a great opportunity for our seniors to get their questions answered and learn the facts.”

Conneva Hall, who has been going the Lou Walker Center for two years, said the meeting allowed seniors to interact with the government about their concerns.

The 57-year-old Lithonia resident said she was satisfied with the president’s re-sponses. “I think he addressed all the issues,” she said.

For more information about facts on health reform, visit www.ncoa.org.

Senior citizens who want health insur-ance counseling, assistance and referral can visit www.northwestga-aaa.org/georgiacares .html or call 1-800-669-8387.

Study of Black Women & Breast Cancer

Study of Black Women & Breast Cancer

University of Georgia researchers now accepting participantsUniversity of Georgia researchers now accepting participants

What is involved?• Apply via email at

[email protected] or call (706) 542-0844

• Complete a 1-1/2 hour questionnaire at home or in a safe, private location of your choice

• Receive $35 reimbursement for your time and participation

Who can enroll?Black women who:• Are ages 39 and older

• Have been diagnosed with breast cancer

• Have completed cancer treatment

What is involved?• Apply via email at

[email protected] or call (706) 542-0844

• Complete a 1-1/2 hour questionnaire at home or in a safe, private location of your choice

• Receive $35 reimbursement for your time and participation

Who can enroll?Black women who:• Are ages 39 and older

• Have been diagnosed with breast cancer

• Have completed cancer treatment

Seniors listen in Tuesday at Lou Walker Senior Center to President Barack Obama’s national town hall meeting updating them on the Affordable Care Act.

Barack Obama Kathleen Sebelius


Wellness

Obama gives seniors health update

Download your FREE copy of the

2010 Status of Health in DeKalb Report TODAY!

Help Build a Stronger,

Healthier DeKalb!

Visit www.dekalbhealth.net

or call 404-508-7847 for more information.

It starts with you. Learn about factors that affect health and what

you and your community can do to prevent injury,

illness and early death.


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reAder noticeAs a service to you – our valued readers – we offer the following

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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

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11GRADUATION & WEDDING INVITATIONS

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mArKetplAce rAtesPlace your MarketPlace line ad here – up to 20 words for $25. Additional words are $3 per block of five words (maximum 45 words). Boxed Ads (with up to 3 lines bold headline): $35 plus cost of the classified ad. Send ad copy with check or credit card information and contact phone number (if different from ad) to MarketPlace, CrossRoadsNews, 2346 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032, or e-mail to [email protected]. Our deadlines are at noon on the Friday one week prior to publication, unless otherwise noted.

CLASSIFIEDS

Marketplacewww.eastmetromarket.comFind Local Goods & Services

contrActors/constructionRoofing, Painting, Renovation, & More Call 404-207-2875 or go to www.atmconstructors.net for all your home improvement needs.

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12

Wesley Chapel

TWO LOCATIONS!

Parts & Service Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00am - 7:00pmSat 7:00am - 4:00pm • Sun Closed

Sales Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am - 8:00pmSat 9:00am - 8:00pm • Sun Closed

WESLEY CHAPELI-20, Exit Wesley Chapel

To Snapfinger Woods Drive

770-987-9000

AT THE MALLAT STONECREST

7849 Mall Parkway Lithonia

678-382-6400

5C

(10.5

”)X

16” 2

1228-M

CA

Q (6

/12) cro

ssroad

s fc (mp)

Come In TodayFor ALL of Your

Service, Collisionand Pre-Owned

Needs!

Install pads or shoes on most cars and light trucks. Front or rear axles.Excludes machining rotors or drums. Taxes extra. See Service Advisor forvehicle applications and details. Offer valid with coupon. Expires 7/31/10.

VALID ONLY AT MALCOLM CUNNINGHAM AUTO GALLERY ANDMALCOLM CUNNINGHAM FORD LINCOLN MERCURY

Additional parts and labor extra. May be required on some vehicles.Offer valid with coupon. Expires 7/31/10.

VALID ONLY AT MALCOLM CUNNINGHAM AUTO GALLERY ANDMALCOLM CUNNINGHAM FORD LINCOLN MERCURYUp to five quarts of oil. Taxes and diesel vehicles extra. Disposal fees not included

in some locations. Hybrid high-voltage battery test not included. See ServiceAdvisor for vehicle applications. Offer valid with coupon. Expires 7/31/10.

OIL CHANGE WITH MULTI-POINT INSPECTION

VALID ONLY AT MALCOLM CUNNINGHAM AUTO GALLERY ANDMALCOLM CUNNINGHAM FORD LINCOLN MERCURY

Service CouponBLOW OUT!!!Service CouponBLOW OUT!!!

$2995$2995

•Premium Synthetic Blend Oil & filter change•Check air & cabin air filters•Inspect brake system•Test battery•Check belts

& hoses •Top off all fluids+TIRE ROTATION

WITHCOUPON

$0DOWN!Buywith 3.49% APR

FINANCINGAVAILABLE

For a limited term on approval of credit.

$149PAYMENTTHIS WEEKEND!Example: 2009 Ford Fusion, Sale

Price $12,995, Buy for 72 monthsat 3.49% APR financing, with $0

down is $204 per month plus tax,tag, title and approved credit.

Example: 2009 Ford Fusion, Sale Price $12,995, Buyfor 72 months at 3.49% APR financing, with $3500

down plus tax, tag, title and approved credit.

GetA

Prices plus tax, tag and title.

WE NOW RENT & SELL TRUCKS! 770-987-8189

At The Mall At Stonecrest7849 Mall Parkway • Lithonia

678-382-6400

I-20, Exit Wesley ChapelTo Snapfinger Woods Drive

770-987-9000

$20,986

2007 JAGUAR S-TYPE 3.0 V6

Loaded, Local Trade,Stk#S1001

$22,781

2007 BMW 328i

Leather, Moonroof,Loaded, CD,Stk#S1004

$16,997

2009 HONDA ACCORD LX SEDAN

Automatic,Clean Carfax,Stk#S1015

$21,991

2008 BMW 328i

Leather, Moonroof,CD, Loaded,Stk#S1003

$17,588

2007 CADILLAC CTS

Leather, Wheels,CD, Loaded,Stk#S1009

$12,881

2007 HONDA ACCORD SE

Loaded, Must See,Stk#S1012

$22,981

2007 LEXUS RX 350

5DR LUVStk#S1014

$19,991

2007 BMW 328i

4DR SedanStk#S1013

$25,997

2007 BMW X3

4DR SUVStk#S1008

$26,785

2007 BMW X3

4DR SUV,Navigation,Stk#S1007 $29,781

2006 BMW 750I

Silver, LoadedStk#S1018

$25,681

2007 BMW X3

4DR SUVStk#S1005

$16,991

2007 HONDA ACCORD

4DR SedanStk#S1010$16,987

2007 NISSAN ALTIMA

4DR SedanStk#S1011

$26,151

2007 BMW 530Xi

4DR SedanStk#S1006

$17,181

2006 NISSAN MURANO

4DR SUV Stk#S1016

$25,787

2006 MERCEDES BENZML350

Clean,Loaded,Stk#S1000

$24,993

2007 BMW 335i COUPE

1 Owner, OffLease, Loaded,Stk#S1002

$13,997

2008 CHRYSLERSEBRING LX CONVERTIBLE

Loaded,Stk#A1112

$11,997

2009 CHEVROLET HHR LT

Automatic, LowMiles, Local Trade, Stk#A1067

$14,997

2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE

Loaded,Clean Carfax,Stk#A1113

$20,995

2008 LINCOLNMKZ

33K Miles, Leather,Sunroof, CD Changer,Stk#A1126A

$13,997

2008 FORD FUSION SEL

Loaded, Fun ToDrive, Must See,Stk#A1072

$10,997

2006 CHEVROLETMALIBU LT

1 Owner,Local Trade,Stk#A1107

$14,997

2009 TOYOTA CAMRY

Automatic,Must See,Stk#A1109

$26,998

2010 FORDTAURUS LIMITED

19K Miles, Leather,Loaded, Sharp,Stk#A1154$21,997

2005 LINCOLNNAVIGATOR 4X4

Leather, Loaded,Must See,Stk#A1142

$16,897

2007 CHRYSLERPACIFICA

49K Miles, 3rd Row ,Clean Car-Fax,Stk#A1152

$11,997

2006 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S

Clean,Carfax,Stk#A1033

$17,997

2006 INFINITIG35 X

Sedan,LeatherStk#A1068

$13,997


Automatic,Must See,Stk#A1074 $13,998

2006 FORD MUSTANGCONVERTIBLE

Loaded, CleanVehicle, MustSee, Stk#A1151

$12,998

2007 FORDFUSION SE

19K Miles, Automatic,Power Pkg., Great GasSaver, Stk#A1155

$9,997

2009 CHEVROLETCOBALT LT

PWR, CD,Stk# A1083$9,997

2008 CHRYSLERSEBRING LX

Power Pkg.,Automtatic,Stk#A1091

$16,998

2007 HONDAACCORD EX

18K Miles, Automatic,Clean Car-Fax,Stk#A1150

$13,997


Automatic,Must See,Stk#A1080$12,997

2008 JEEP PATRIOTSPORT 2WD

Automatic,Loaded,Stk#A1105

$15,997

2005 FORDEXPEDITION XLT

Loaded, BackupCamera,Stk#A1104

$17,997

2006 MERCEDES BENZC230 SPORT

Leather, CD,Stk# A1087

$12,997

2007 VOLKSWAGENJETTA 2.5

Leather,Loaded,Stk#A1085

$14,995

2007 JEEPLIBERTY

2WD, LocalTrade,Stk# A1133

$17,997

2007 ACURATL

38K Miles, Leather,Sunroof, CustomWheels, Stk#A1149 $18,997

2006 FORD F-150 LARIAT

Leather, MustSee, Loaded,Stk#A1118

$25,997

2007 BMW 530i

Leather,Moonroof, CD,Stk#A1116

$13,997

2005 CHRYSLERPACIFICA TOURING

3rd Seat,Leather,Stk#A1140

$16,997

2009 CHRYSLERSEBRING LX CONVERTIBLELoaded, 1 Owner,Stk#A1114

$19,997

2007 FORD F-150 FX2 SPORT

Loaded, Local Trade,Stk#A1126

$14,997

2008 DODGE CHARGER SE

3.5L V6,Loaded,Stk#A1111 $14,997

2008 FORDESCAPE XLT

PWR, LoadedStk#A1082

$13,997

2008 FORD FUSION SE

Loaded, Low Miles,Local Trade,Stk#A1138

$16,997

2008 FORD MUSTANGV6 DELUXE

Automatic,Loaded,Stk#A1108

$21,997

2008 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT

20” Wheels,CD, Loaded,Stk#A1125

BUY 4 TIRES

FREEFREEand with coupon, get

ALIGNMENT

BRAKES INSTALLED!

$8995$8995Engineered for your vehicleIncludes Free tire rotation!

WITHCOUPON

Come out andsupport the Tigers

Car Wash!Saturday June 12th

10AM-4:00PM

at Stonecrest

Browns MillTigers Baseball

GO TIGERS!

22128-MCAQ (6-12) crossroads 6/9/10 6:53 PM Page 1


Documents

CrossRoadsNews, June 12, 2010