12
Arabia deemed a ‘great place’ SCENE The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area has been recognized by the Atlanta Regional Com- mission and Liv- able Communities Coalition. 9 Elisabeth Omilami of Hosea Feed the Hungry thanks those organiza- tions that make its annual dinners for the homeless possible. 4 Meeting the need FORUM Future Bulldog Brandon Morris of Miller Grove High (right) was one of four DeKalb Schools basket- ball players who signed letters of intent this week. 8 Early choice for college YOUTH EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER www.crossroadsnews.com November 12, 2011 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 28 DEKALBS CIP TO YIELD 4,000 JOBS Water and sewer projects to get under way soon U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, CEO Burrell Ellis and Marc Morial of the National Urban League cut the ribbon on DeKalb’s new “jobs bus.” The mobile career center will help recruit workers for the $1.3 billion CIP. In the last hours of voting Tuesday, District 5 School Board member Jay Cunningham, holding a SPLOST sign encourages a motorist on Wesley Chapel Road to vote SPLOST IV referendum. SPLOST gets 5 more years; Lithonia elects a new mayor Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews Please see ELECTION, Page 2 COPYRIGHT © 2011 CROSSROADSNEWS, INC. By Jennifer Ffrench Parker DeKalb County will keep its penny sales tax for schools for five more years, its cities will be selling alcohol on Sundays, and the city of Lithonia will get a new mayor. These are the results of the Nov. 8 election that lured only 53,643, or 13.9 percent, of the county’s 384,655 active voters to the polls. Those voters overwhelmingly approved the extension of the Special Local Option Sales Tax to 2017. The penny tax is expected to raise $645 million to build, renovate and upgrade schools; improve sports facilities; and add technology. DeKalb County Schools will get $475 mil- lion; Decatur City Schools, $18 million; and Atlanta Schools, $19.5 million for its schools that are in DeKalb County. Adville Montgomery of Lithonia was among those who said yes to the new SPLOST Tuesday, but not without reserva- tions. Montgomery, who voted at the Miller Grove High School precinct, said he was still concerned about corruption and in- dictments that affected some of the earlier SPLOST programs. Four top-level administrators, including former Superintendent Crawford Lewis and Patricia Reid, the school system’s former chief operating officer, were indicted on racketeering charges over their handling of By Carla Parker DeKalb’s $1.35 billion Watershed Man- agement Capital Improvement Program is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs by 2015, and CEO Burrell Ellis is calling it “our own local stimulus” program. At a signing of a Memorandum of Under- standing with the National Urban League on Thursday, Ellis said that the 83-project CIP, which will be paid for with bond funding, will yield 4,000 jobs over eight and a half years. The first set of projects is expected to get under way in 2012. Under the agreement, the Urban League will track and monitor the jobs creation and the procurement process for the county. Ellis said Thursday that a county-ordered study by the Carl Vinson Institute of Gov- ernment at the University of Georgia deter- mined that up to 3,670 direct jobs and 709 indirect jobs will be created from the CIP, which will repair the county’s aging water and sewer system. “The bottom line is we know America needs to get back to work, and we need to start right here at home,” Ellis said. The bond funding for the CIP is ex- pected to be completed in December. County spokesman Burke Brennan said late Thurs- day that the first projects could be put to bid in the first quarter of 2012. He said 20 projects are targeted for 2012, and one of the first will be the $250 million Snapfinger Creek Wastewater Treatment plant construction. “That should go out for bid in January or February,” he said. Ellis has organized the CIP job creations under One DeKalb Works, a partnership of the departments of Watershed Management, Purchasing and Contracting, and Workforce Development. Local partners include Goodwill In- dustries and Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Marc Morial, Urban League president and CEO, said One DeKalb Works will create thousands of desperately needed jobs. “As first responders to the economic cri- sis, and with a century of leadership in eco- nomic empowerment, the National Urban League – along with the cooperation of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta – is in an excellent position to track and monitor the hiring process to ensure that the economic benefits to the region are maximized,” Mo- rial said before signing the Memorandum of Understanding. Under the agreement, the Urban League will promote the objectives of the county’s LSBE Ordinance, its First Source Jobs Or- dinance, Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968, Title VI of the 2964 Civil Rights Act, and the DBE program by coordinating all county departments and partnering agencies. Among other things, the league will promote procurement and employment opportunities by making local, small and mi- nority and women-owned businesses aware of contracting and employment opportuni- ties, technical assistance and programs of business development and economic growth. It also will promote full and equal business and employment opportunity for people participating in the procurement process and report on goals, objective and progress of contracts. It was unclear at press time how much the league would be paid for its services. Brennan said the jobs to be created by the CIP will span the gamut, including engineering, architecture, construction and maintenance. The Environmental Protection Agency mandated the $1.3 billion CIP to improve DeKalb’s water and sewer system after it had more than 800 raw sewage spills in the past five years. During Thursday’s announcement, county officials also cut the ribbon a “jobs bus” that Workforce Development will use in its recruitment efforts. The mobile job center, which was bought with federal grant funds from the Workforce Investment Act, features 13 computer sta- tions; a private interview area; high-speed satellite Internet connection; printer, scan- ner and copy services; and a fully accessible ADA workstation with movable table and auxiliary. Businesses also will be able to use the mobile unit for recruiting, pre-employment screenings, interviewing and training. Job seekers will be served through various job search/career development activities such as online job searches, resume and cover letter development, online tutorials and individual assessments, and exploration of training eligibility and available resources.

CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

Citation preview

Page 1: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

Arabia deemed a ‘great place’SCENE

The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area has been recognized by the Atlanta Regional Com-mission and Liv-able Communities Coalition. 9

Elisabeth Omilami of Hosea Feed the Hungry thanks those organiza-tions that make its annual dinners for the homeless possible. 4

Meeting the needFORUM

Future Bulldog Brandon Morris of Miller Grove High (right) was one of four DeKalb Schools basket-ball players who signed letters of intent this week. 8

Early choice for collegeYOUTH

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

www.crossroadsnews.comNovember 12, 2011

COVER PAGE

Volume 17, Number 28

DeKalb’s CIP to YIelD 4,000 Jobs Water and sewer projects to get under way soon

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, CEO Burrell Ellis and Marc Morial of the National Urban League cut the ribbon on DeKalb’s new “jobs bus.” The mobile career center will help recruit workers for the $1.3 billion CIP.

In the last hours of voting Tuesday, District 5 School Board member Jay Cunningham, holding a SPLOST sign encourages a motorist on Wesley Chapel Road to vote SPLOST IV referendum.

SPLOST gets 5 more years; Lithonia elects a new mayor

Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNewsPlease see ELECTION, Page 2

Copyright © 2011 CrossroadsNews, iNC.

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

DeKalb County will keep its penny sales tax for schools for five more years, its cities will be selling alcohol on Sundays, and the city of Lithonia will get a new mayor.

These are the results of the Nov. 8 election that lured only 53,643, or 13.9 percent, of the county’s 384,655 active voters to the polls.

Those voters overwhelmingly approved the extension of the Special Local Option Sales Tax to 2017. The penny tax is expected to raise $645 million to build, renovate and upgrade schools; improve sports facilities; and add technology.

DeKalb County Schools will get $475 mil-lion; Decatur City Schools, $18 million; and

Atlanta Schools, $19.5 million for its schools that are in DeKalb County.

Adville Montgomery of Lithonia was among those who said yes to the new SPLOST Tuesday, but not without reserva-tions. Montgomery, who voted at the Miller Grove High School precinct, said he was still concerned about corruption and in-dictments that affected some of the earlier SPLOST programs.

Four top-level administrators, including former Superintendent Crawford Lewis and Patricia Reid, the school system’s former chief operating officer, were indicted on racketeering charges over their handling of

By Carla Parker

DeKalb’s $1.35 billion Watershed Man-agement Capital Improvement Program is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs by 2015, and CEO Burrell Ellis is calling it “our own local stimulus” program.

At a signing of a Memorandum of Under-standing with the National Urban League on Thursday, Ellis said that the 83-project CIP, which will be paid for with bond funding, will yield 4,000 jobs over eight and a half years. The first set of projects is expected to get under way in 2012.

Under the agreement, the Urban League will track and monitor the jobs creation and the procurement process for the county.

Ellis said Thursday that a county-ordered study by the Carl Vinson Institute of Gov-ernment at the University of Georgia deter-mined that up to 3,670 direct jobs and 709 indirect jobs will be created from the CIP, which will repair the county’s aging water and sewer system.

“The bottom line is we know America needs to get back to work, and we need to start right here at home,” Ellis said.

The bond funding for the CIP is ex-pected to be completed in December. County spokesman Burke Brennan said late Thurs-day that the first projects could be put to bid in the first quarter of 2012.

He said 20 projects are targeted for 2012, and one of the first will be the $250 million Snapfinger Creek Wastewater Treatment plant construction.

“That should go out for bid in January or February,” he said.

Ellis has organized the CIP job creations under One DeKalb Works, a partnership of the departments of Watershed Management,

Purchasing and Contracting, and Workforce Development.

Local partners include Goodwill In-dustries and Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

Marc Morial, Urban League president and CEO, said One DeKalb Works will create thousands of desperately needed jobs.

“As first responders to the economic cri-sis, and with a century of leadership in eco-nomic empowerment, the National Urban League – along with the cooperation of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta – is in an excellent position to track and monitor the hiring process to ensure that the economic benefits to the region are maximized,” Mo-rial said before signing the Memorandum of Understanding.

Under the agreement, the Urban League will promote the objectives of the county’s LSBE Ordinance, its First Source Jobs Or-dinance, Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968, Title VI of the 2964 Civil Rights Act, and the

DBE program by coordinating all county departments and partnering agencies.

Among other things, the league will promote procurement and employment opportunities by making local, small and mi-nority and women-owned businesses aware of contracting and employment opportuni-ties, technical assistance and programs of business development and economic growth. It also will promote full and equal business and employment opportunity for people participating in the procurement process and report on goals, objective and progress of contracts.

It was unclear at press time how much the league would be paid for its services.

Brennan said the jobs to be created by the CIP will span the gamut, including engineering, architecture, construction and maintenance.

The Environmental Protection Agency mandated the $1.3 billion CIP to improve DeKalb’s water and sewer system after it had

more than 800 raw sewage spills in the past five years.

During Thursday’s announcement, county officials also cut the ribbon a “jobs bus” that Workforce Development will use in its recruitment efforts.

The mobile job center, which was bought with federal grant funds from the Workforce Investment Act, features 13 computer sta-tions; a private interview area; high-speed satellite Internet connection; printer, scan-ner and copy services; and a fully accessible ADA workstation with movable table and auxiliary.

Businesses also will be able to use the mobile unit for recruiting, pre-employment screenings, interviewing and training. Job seekers will be served through various job search/career development activities such as online job searches, resume and cover letter development, online tutorials and individual assessments, and exploration of training eligibility and available resources.

Page 2: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

2

Lithonia City CouncilDeborah Jackson, who

left her seat on the City Council to seek Lithonia’s top job, won with 45.2 per-cent of the vote in the four-way mayoral race.

She got 93 votes to defeat incumbent Mayor Tonya Peterson-Anderson, who garnered 54 votes.

Jackson told supporters on election night that the easy part was over.

“Now the hard work begins,” she said.She said that includes bringing the com-

munity together.“We have to identify economic develop-

ment priorities that can bring more services and infrastructure to make Lithonia the great

place we know it can be,” she said.Former Councilman Al T. Franklin got

35 votes, and Doreen Carter, whose term on the City Council ends in December, got 29 votes.

For the City Council, Lithonia voters elected funeral director Shameka Reynolds, registered nurse Pat Miller, office admin-istrator Tracey-Ann Williams, and lifelong

Community “We need to make sure our children have the highest quality education and our teachers receive a decent pay.”

Lithonia picks new mayor and four new council members

Unincorporated DeKalb to get shot at Sunday alcohol sales

Jami Ffrench-Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Shameka Reynolds Tracey-Ann WilliamsPat MillerDrucilla Woods

ELECTION, frOm pagE 1 Mayor-elect Deborah Jackson (left) gets a hug from supporter Gene Stephenson at her election party in downtown Lithonia.

the school district’s construction programs.Montgomery said more transparency is

needed.“The county should have more indepen-

dent oversight in terms of adhering to bud-get projections,” he said. “And contractors should definitely bear more responsibility as far as sticking to budget.”

Montgomery said he also would like to see the Magnet Program expanded.

“Now, it’s like we’re paying for only a few schools to be top-quality when all DeKalb County schools should have comparable accelerated programs.”

But Viola Davis of Stone Mountain said she could not support a fourth SPLOST without transparency, ethics and account-ability.

“As taxpayers and voters, we must hold the ‘powers that be’ accountable for the man-ner in which our tax money is spent,” said Davis, founder of the watchdog Unhappy Taxpayer & Voter group. “The children and teachers have yet to receive their due with our SPLOST money. When will we hold our elected officials accountable for our SPLOST money? We need to make sure our children have the highest quality education and our teachers receive a decent pay.”

District 5 School Board member Jay Cun-ningham, who was happy that the referen-dum passed with high margins, said that the board has heard the concerns of the voters and has put checks and balances in place.

“We know that the voters are going to hold us accountable,” he said. “They want to see that the dollars are properly used and fol-lowed up. The awareness and accountability standards have increased.”

By Mary Swint

Even before the results of the overwhelm-ing approval of Sunday alcohol sales in DeKalb’s nine cities were known Tuesday night, the DeKalb Board of Commissioners had voted to put the issue on the ballot for the March 6, 2012, presidential primary elec-tion for its unincorporated areas.

The board passed a resolution 5-1 Tues-day morning authorizing the referendum. Citing the high concentration of liquor and convenience stores in his district, Commis-

sioner Larry Johnson cast the lone dissenting vote against the referendum. District 4 Com-missioner Elaine Boyer was absent.

The issue was not on the Nov. 8 ballot for unincorporated areas because commission-ers said it would have been too expensive to do a single-item ballot. They say that putting it on the March ballot will save $330,000.

On Tuesday, voters in unincorporated DeKalb County only had an extension of the penny tax for schools, Special Local Option Sales Tax, on their ballot.

If the Sunday alcohol referendum passes

in March, retailers in unincorporated DeKalb will be able to sell malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits on Sunday between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., beginning May 1, 2012.

In the Nov. 8 election, voters in all DeKalb cities and Atlanta-in-DeKalb overwhelmingly approved alcohol package sales on Sundays.

In unofficial election results Thursday, the Sunday sales referendum passed in Avon-dale by 85 percent, Chamblee by 84 percent, Clarkston by 77 percent, Decatur by 91 percent, Doraville by 68 percent, Dunwoody by 80 percent, Lithonia by 60 percent, Stone

Mountain by 71 percent, Pine Lake by 93 percent, and Atlanta by 91 percent.

Sunday sales will become effective on different dates. It will start in Stone Moun-tain on Dec. 11, Dunwoody on Dec. 4, and Atlanta on Jan. 1. The Decatur City Council is expected to vote Monday on a Nov. 27 ef-fective date. Clarkston will vote on Dec. 6 on a Dec. 11 effective date, while Chamblee will decide on its date on Dec. 21.

At press time, officials in Avondale Es-tates, Doraville, Pine Lake and Lithonia were not sure when Sunday sales will begin.

Lithonia resident Drucilla Woods, who was a write-in candidate.

Reynolds got 168 votes, or 50.1 percent, to claim one of two four-year terms on the council.

Woods, who edged former Mayor Darold Honoré by three votes, claimed the second four-year seat on the council. She got 92, or 25.3 percent, of the votes to Honore’s 89 votes, or 24.5 percent.

Woods and Reynolds will replace Carter, whose term ends on Dec. 31, and Kathleen DeCoq, who did not seek re-election.

Swearing in MondayMiller and Williams will complete the

unexpired terms of Jackson and Franklin, who both resigned from the City Council in the middle of their terms to run for mayor. Both will be sworn into office on Nov. 14 at a special called meeting of the City Council at 7 p.m. and take office immediately.

Miller got 132 votes, or 43.4 percent, and Williams, 101 votes, or 33.2 percent.

Among the other results, Avondale Es-tates retained its mayor, Edward Reiker, in a close race. Reiker got 625 votes, or 50.9 per-

cent, to beat back a challenge from former City Council member David Milliron, who got 595, or 48.5 percent, of the votes.

Nine DeKalb cities, including Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Avondale Estates, Decatur, Clarkston and Dunwoody, approved Sunday alcohol sales with landslide votes.

Benjamin Burton contributed to this report.

CrossRoadsNews November 12, 20112

Page 3: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

3The last chance to pay 2011 taxes without

a penalty is Nov. 15.DeKalb Tax Commis-

sioner Claudia G. Law-son said that payments that are not received or postmarked by the Nov. 15 deadline will incur a 5 percent late payment penalty, which is man-dated by law and is not discretionary.

“It is important to note that if your pay-ment is mailed, the postmark or cancellation stamp from the United States Postal Service is the only accepted evidence of timely mail-ing,” she said.

Countywide, DeKalb has 230,215 taxable properties. There are 218,137 residences and 12,078 commercial and industrial proper-ties.

As of Nov. 1, there were 1.7 percent, or 3,751, delinquent residential properties ow-ing the county $4.4 million. Among com-mercial and industrial properties, 327, or 2.7 percent, were delinquent and owe the county $1.2 million.

Last-minute payments can be deposited in drop boxes located on the front and side of the Tax Commissioners Central Office at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur.

Electronic checks or credit card payments also can be made at www.yourdekalb.com/taxcommissioner or by telephone at 404-298-4000 by midnight. A 2.5 percent service fee is charged on Internet payments.

Walk-in customers to the Central, North or South satellite offices may pay by cash, check, and debit and credit cards. There is a $1.50 service fee on debit card payments and a 2.5 percent service fee on credit card payments.

For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 404-298-4000.

Community To control rising pension costs, commissioners are encouraging the CEO to change the pension plan for new county employees in 2012.

Nov. 15 is last day to pay taxes without penalty

HOST projects funding slashed

BOC’s budget priorities oppose tax hike

Claudia Lawson

Most Popular Items Include Create-Your-Own Hibachi Stir-Fry, Rib-Eye Steak, Salmon, Black Pepper Shrimp, Fried Fish, Crabmeat, Many Selections of Sushi, General Tso’s Chicken, Cheese Spinach, and Large Selection of Salads, Fruits, Cheese & Desserts

Lunch BUFFET

Adult $6.59Mon.-Sat. 11am-3:30pm (Not Including Sunday)

Kids By Height:35-45" – $2.99 • 45-55” $4.59

Under 35” – Free

Free meal on birthday

with proof of id and at least 5 people in party

One coupon per ticket • Dine in onlyNO PHOTOCOPIES ACCEPTED.

Expires December 3, 2011NOT VALID ON HOLIDAYS

One coupon per ticket • Dine in onlyNO PHOTOCOPIES ACCEPTED.

Expires December 3, 2011NOT VALID ON HOLIDAYS

10% OFF Lunch or Dinner Buffet

Dine in only • One coupon per personNO PHOTOCOPIES ACCEPTED.

Expires December 3, 2011NOT VALID ON HOLIDAYS

$150 OFF Adult Dinner Buffet

Dine in only • One coupon per personNO PHOTOCOPIES ACCEPTED.

Expires December 3, 2011NOT VALID ON HOLIDAYS

$100 OFF Lunch Buffet

Dinner BUFFET

Adult $8.99Mon.-Sat. 3:30pm-Close (Sunday All-Day Dinner)

Kids By Height:35-45" – $3.99 • 45-55” $5.59

Under 35” – Free(Excludes Drink Prices)(Excludes Drink Prices)

10%Military & SeniorCitizen Discount

DINE IN ONLY

BookYour Holiday

Party Now!

Open ForThanksgiving

Dinner!

By Mary Swint

Faced with declining revenues, the DeKalb commissioners are bracing for a tough budget year.

At their Nov. 8 meeting, commis-sioners adopted a 2012 budget priorities resolution that opposes a tax increase and calls for CEO Burrell Ellis to present a lean budget.

Last week, commissioners found out that the county’s 2012 revenues could be $24 million, or 3.63 percent, less than this year. Based on the projections presented at their Nov. 1 Finance Committee meeting, 2012 revenues will be $516 million, down from $540 million.

In the resolution approved Tuesday, the commissioners asked Ellis to identify three departments to be studied for possible outsourcing. They also are seeking more details on how taxes would be spent and billed next year.

Ellis will present his budget recom-mendations to the Board of Commission-

ers on Dec. 15.In the resolution, the commissioners also

asked him to present the estimated mill-age rates needed to fund the constitutional officers and library system. They did not, however, call for creation of special tax lev-ies for them.

The six-page resolution also asked for a complete list of all full-time positions so they can be reauthorized in the 2012 budget and on an annual basis. In the past, the budget would include only a list of positions being added or deleted. Commissioners also want to consider for elimination all positions va-cant since Sept. 15.

The commissioners want the budget proposal to show the estimated county tax bill for a typical home whose value remained constant for each jurisdiction and the unin-corporated area. They also want residents to be able to estimate online their taxes based on expected changes in property values in 2012.

To control rising pension costs, the commissioners are encouraging the CEO

to change the pension plan for new county employees starting in 2012 and to examine the county’s health insurance policy for em-ployees and retirees. They want new county workers to be switched to a defined contribu-tion retirement plan, similar to a 401(k) for private-sector workers, instead of a pension that guarantees a set retirement payment.

Commissioners dropped their earlier proposal to change the county budget from a calendar year to a fiscal year beginning on July 1.

Finance Committee Chair Lee May said the administration does not have the re-sources to make this change next year, which would have required a budget to be adopted January through June 2012 and a second one for July 2012 through June 2013.

Early indications are that the property tax digest will decline 5 percent, and Finance Director Joel Gottlieb said tax revenues will go down by 3.84 percent, and fines and for-feitures will decrease 4.44 percent. He said fees for county services like EMS ambulance and recreation will be down 7.34 percent.

Funding for DeKalb HOST projects has been slashed by $4 million as the county grapples with declining funds from its Homestead Option Sales Tax.

The DeKalb Board of Commissioners voted on Nov. 1 to reduce HOST funding for eight of 16 infrastructure projects this year.

It originally allocated $12.2 million for the projects.

The reduction comes in the wake of a July Georgia Supreme Court ruling that DeKalb County must share its HOST money with its cities.

Five projects will get less HOST funding than approved in May.

These include school sidewalk projects in the Salem, Henderson and Flat Shoals corridors; Lithonia Industrial Boulevard Extension Phase 3; LaVista at Oak Grove; the Church Street Trail Project; and the Stone Mountain to Lithonia Bike Lanes.

Three projects will lose all 2011 HOST funding – the $400,000 Chamblee Dun-woody Streetscapes, the $400,000 Northlake LCI Sidewalks, and the $600,000 South River Trail at Bouldercrest.

Commissioners said the projects will be put at the top of the HOST project list sub-mitted for approval next year.

The untouched projects are the $3.5 million countywide resurfacing; $250,000 for a comprehensive transportation plan update; $500,000 for signal installations and upgrades; $850,000 for a Glenwood Avenue project; $325,000 for Phase 4 of the South Fork/Peachtree Creek trail; $650,000 for Candler Road Phase 2 Landscaping; and $50,000 for the Moreland Avenue project.

CrossRoadsNewsNovember 12, 2011 3

Page 4: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

4 Forum

index to advertisers

Unincorporated DeKalb to get shot at Sunday alcohol sales 2

Even before the results of the overwhelm-ing approval of Sunday alcohol sales in DeKalb’s nine cities were known Tuesday night, the DeKalb Board of Commissioners had voted to put the issue on the ballot.

Nov. 15 is last day to pay taxes without penalty 3

DeKalb Tax Commissioner Claudia G. Lawson said that 2011 tax payments that are not received or postmarked by the Nov. 15 deadline will incur a 5 percent late pay-ment penalty.

HOST projects funding slashed 3

Funding for DeKalb HOST projects has been slashed by $4 million as the county grapples with declining funds from its Home-stead Option Sales Tax.

Macy’s workshop seeks applicants 6

The Workshop at Macy’s is now taking applications from minority and women-owned enterprises for its May 2012 retail crash course.

Summit targets health care fraud 7

An international summit convening in Atlanta on Nov. 15 will address the more than $1.6 trillion lost globally to health care fraud since 1998.

Improved Belvedere plans on display 7

Belvedere Park residents, representatives of faith-based and civic organizations, and local business owners can attend a free forum on Nov. 15 to discuss policy, systems and environmental changes under way in the area.

Stone Mountain student called a hero 8

Twelve-year-old Justice Pate was vaca-tioning in Bridgeton, Mo., over the sum-mer when he rescued a young child from drowning.

Talk to focus on teens, sex and social media 8

Teens, sexuality and social media will be the topics of discussion on Nov. 17 when parents, teachers, administrators, church and community leaders, and concerned citizens gather at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia.

Georgia Brass Band to perform 9

The Georgia Brass Band will headline the Nov. 13 Music for Missions concert series at Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church in Tucker.

ALS Career Institute ...................................... 11Best Buy Co. Inc. .................................... InsertsBJH Attorneys & Counselors at Law ............. 10CDC Federal Credit Union ..............................6Children of the Future Daycare, Inc. ............. 11City of Clarkston ............................................ 11Delta Sigma Theta........................................ 10

First African Presbyterian Church ...................9Garage Door Medics LLC .............................. 11Gwinnett Federal Credit Union ......................6Henry Mitchell, CPA, PC .................................6Hibachi Grill ................................................... 3Home & Asset Ombudsman ........................ 10Interiors For You ........................................... 11

Johnny Harris CPA ....................................... 10Kidney & Hypertension Center ...................... 7Kilombo Academic & Cultural Institute ......... 11Law Offices of Chris M. Toles ....................... 10Mercy Housing .............................................. 11New Creations ............................................... 11South DeKalb YMCA ..................................... 11

Sunset Ranches ............................................ 10The Adventures of Cory .................................8The Herb Lady .............................................. 11The Law Office of B.A. Thomas ................... 10The Samuel Group ....................................... 10Toyota ............................................................ 5Walgreens c/o Alliance Media ............... Inserts

QuiCk read

“We cannot fence out the homeless from living under bridges and be called the city that’s too busy not to love. We have to walk our talk.”

CrossRoadsNews is pub-lished every Saturday by CrossRoads News, 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 concep t , de -sign and content of CrossRoads News are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the writ-ten permission of the publisher.

Advertisements are pub-lished upon the represen-tation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harm-less from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject mat-ter of such advertisments, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement.

We reserve the right to re-fuse any advertisement.

2346 Candler Rd.Decatur, GA 30032

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

[email protected]

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker

Graphic Design Curtis Parker

Staff WritersCarla Parker

Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Advertising Sales Kathy E. Warner

Alison White

Circulation Audited By

www.eastmetromarket.com

LOCAL

SERVICES!LOCAL

GOODS!

Hunger affects children, teens, working poor Elisabeth Omilami (center) is joined by James Winkler of Sodexo (from left); DeKalb Sheriff Thomas Brown; Glynn Jenkins of Kroger; and her husband, Afemo Omilami, at the DeKalb County Jail.

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Children who struggle with hunger are sick more often, recover more slowly and are more likely to be hospitalized. Children who struggle with hunger are more likely to suffer from stomachaches, colds, ear infections and fatigue.

Children who suffer from hun-ger have their ability to perform academically impeded.

Under-nourished children un-der the age of 3 cannot learn as much, as fast or as well when they are malnourished.

Children who don’t get enough nutritious foods are more sus-ceptible to the negative effects of skipping breakfast on their ability to learn.

Hunger predisposes our chil-dren to emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Children who don’t get enough nutritious food have behavioral, emotional and academic problems and tend to be more aggressive.

Teenagers who don’t get enough to eat are more likely to be suspend-ed from school and have difficulties getting along with other kids.

More than 50 million Ameri-cans struggle to put food on the table.

More than 17 million of them are children, so we are not only here for single homeless men. We are not just here for families who instead of living in public housing live in hotels, ghetto hotels like the ones I visited last week with my husband.

We are not just here because there is an increased and pandemic number of children in foster care.

We are here because there are families who work every day – some of them one or two jobs – who go home to empty refrigerators, who

will not have a Thanksgiving feast, working poor families who cannot pay the 17 percent increase in meat, the 15 percent increase in wheat and whole grains. Working families who show up every day in our day center, looking for food.

We can figure out how to spend billions of dollars to get to Mars, to get to the moon, to build streetcars and beltlines.

Yet we cannot feed Atlanta’s poor.

Our priorities have not yet been put in place, but thank God for Hosea Feed the Hungry.

I am not Hosea Feed the Hun-gry. I am just the mouth of Hosea Feed the Hungry.

Hosea Feed the Hungry is our board of directors. Hosea Feed the Hungry is the 9,000 volunteers that help us do the work that we do every day.

Hosea Feed the Hungry is our

21 staff members that work tire-lessly every day to provide financial assistance, rent assistance, mort-gage assistance.

We have the largest food bank in this region that feeds families directly.

Hosea Feed the Hungry is the 2,000 volunteers it takes to put on each holiday event.

My husband when he goes out under bridges and the byways, we found out last week that the White-hall Street Bridge has been fenced in by the city of Atlanta so that the homeless cannot sleep and rest under the bridge – fine, expensive wrought-iron fencing.

We cannot fence out the home-less from living under bridges and be called the city that’s too busy not to love. We have to walk our talk.

So we are calling on the city of Atlanta to assist us because we are at the Georgia World Congress

Center that has created a $75,000 deficit for the organization.

Turner Field was free of charge for 13 years, but the Georgia World Congress Center is $20,000 per event.

Thanks to Arthur Blank, Thanksgiving is taken care of, but we don’t know where the funds for Christmas and Martin Luther King Day will come from.

So we are asking the city to sponsor our dinners at the Georgia World Congress Center, and we are thanking Atlanta for standing with us for 41 years.

It’s sad that the numbers are so high, but our glass is half full because of Publix, Sodexo, Kroger and Sheriff Thomas Brown.

We will make sure that no one is hungry on Thanksgiving Day.

Elisabeth Omilami is executive director of Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless.

Editor’s note: Elisabeth Omilami made these comments at the annual Great Turkey Drop on Nov. 10 at the DeKalb Sheriff ‘s Office in Decatur. During the event, frozen turkeys donated by Publix, Kroger and Sodexo are delivered to the jail, where volunteers will cook and prepare the meals that will be served on Thanksgiving Day to thousands of disadvantaged families and individuals. This year, for the first time in 13 years, the meal will be served at the Georgia World Congress Center and not at Turner Field.

CrossRoadsNews November 12, 20114

Page 5: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

5

JOB No: TMNA0211 Title: Thank You Ad Client: Toyota Publication: Newspaper - NNPA Color: 4/C Size: Page Trim: 11" x 20"

We owe so much of our success to you.25 years ago, we set up shop in

Georgetown, KY, and we haven’t stopped

since. Today, Toyota operates ten plants

throughout the U.S., including our

newest one in Blue Springs, Mississippi.

We know that none of this would be

possible without you, our loyal customers.

And we’d like to thank you for standing

by us, and making us feel so welcome

in the communities we call home.

Toyota.com/usa

©2011

Trim:11”

Trim:21”

1735_01f_TMNA0211A-Toyota thank you 11x20.indd 1 11/4/11 1:04 PM

CrossRoadsNewsNovember 12, 2011 5

Page 6: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

6 DeKalb Police Officer Bernadette Hooker (at mike) purchased her home in Stone Mountain with the help of the Good Neighbor Next Door initiative. She is flanked by DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis (front row, from left), HUD Regional Administrator Ed Jennings Jr., DeKalb School Board members Donna Edler and Tom Bowen, and DeKalb District 4 Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton.

It’s now a lot easier and more affordable for teachers, police of-ficers and firefighters to buy DeKalb County homes in the wake of the launch of two initiatives – One DeKalb Lives and the Good Neigh-bor Next Door.

At the Nov. 1 unveiling of both programs, DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis said that starting immediately, the programs will ensure that as many FHA fore-closures as possible are acquired by teachers, police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians.

“We are elated that HUD has approved an expanded geographical area of eligibility for DeKalb, where eligible first responders and teachers can receive a 50 percent discount on foreclosed FHA homes,” he said.

One DeKalb Lives, a comprehensive af-fordable housing initiative, encourages first-time homeownership and works to reduce the high volume of foreclosures in Decatur, Lithonia, Stone Mountain and Ellenwood.

The Good Neighbor Next Door initia-tive offers a 50 percent mortgage discount to teachers and first responders like police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians to promote homeownership and

Finance

FinanCe Atlanta-based Citizens Trust Bank will provide funding for mortgages as low as $25,000 for the programs.

Two housing initiatives launched

Macy’s workshop seeks applicantsJewel and Jem Cultural Kids Decor is expanding into a lifestyle line from infant to California king.

We Do Business In Accordance With The Federal Fair Housing Law And The Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

Access to over 100,000 surcharge free ATMs nationwide

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

If you live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer in DeKalb, Fulton, or Gwinnett Counties, you’re eligible for membership!

You CanJOIN

cdcfcu.com • 678-303-2427

NO DEBIT CARD FEE

at CDC Federal Credit Union

• No minimum balance requirement• No monthly service charge• No teller fees

No-Fee Visa® Debit Card — FREE with all CDC FCU checking accounts!

Switch to truly FREE Checking at CDC FCU!

5381 Panola Industrial Boulevard | Decatur, Georgia 30035

Branch & Drive-Thru Hours of Operation:Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

678.889.GFCU (4328) | www.gwinnettfcu.org

ensure the acquisition of as many FHA foreclosed homes as pos-sible in some of DeKalb’s most attractive neighborhoods.

Atlanta-based Citizens Trust Bank will provide funding for mortgages as low as $25,000.

James Young, CTB’s presi-dent, said they want to see people take advantage of “this wonder-

ful opportunity.” “This partnership with DeKalb County

and the One DeKalb Lives initiative exemplifies another way Citizens Trust Bank continues to deliver on its promise of enabling our community to realize dreams of economic empowerment and homeownership,” he said.

Ed Jennings Jr., HUD Southeast re-gional administrator, called the programs “a model for others to follow” and praised Ellis’ leadership in working to make a dif-ference in the lives of those served by the county and HUD.

Borrowers also will be able to tap into the county’s NSP-1 and NSP-3, First Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program and Get Home Now! Program to fund down payments.

James Young

The Workshop at Macy’s is now taking applications from minority and women-owned enterprises for its May 2012 retail crash course.

The four-and-a-half-day train-ing, which will be holding its sec-ond course next year, helps prom-ising enterprises that are poised to succeed on a larger scale but need real-world business practice infor-mation and perspective on large-scale vendor relationships to move to the next level and sustain growth.

At least 20 businesses will be invited to at-tend the course, which begins in early May.

Course work includes classes on mer-chandising and assortment planning, mar-keting, EDI, financial management, and access to capital.

Participants benefit from the course developed by a consortium of experts from Macy’s Learning & Development and Macy’s Multicultural Merchandising and Vendor Development; Babson College, the nation’s leading business school for entrepreneurship; and with select Macy’s merchants/vendors.

Macy’s said the program reinforces its longstanding commitment to vendor diversity and to providing customers with unique goods and services that meet their lifestyles.

A potential goal of this annual program is to help create a pipeline of viable enterprises that will grow to become successful partners within Macy’s own vendor community. The inaugural workshop included 22 businesses that ranged from makeup/skin care compa-nies to confectioneries, home textiles and ready-to-wear designers.

In that class were sisters Lake Kelley and Mariah HuQ of Fairburn, who own Jewel and Jem Cultural Kids Décor, a children’s home linens and accessories company.

Kelley, an Emory University graduate, is the company’s designer. Her sister is the company’s chief operating officer.

“The Workshop at Macy’s shows just how important it is to have the right tools to sus-

tain growth in the competitive retail environment,” Kelley said, adding that the course helped them exam-ine and evaluate every component of their business.

She said they have implemented all of the feedback from pricing structure to product offering.

“The workshop has set us up for success to do business with Macy’s

and other retailers,” Kelley said.Before launching the company three

years ago when she was laid off from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kelley worked for eight years as an interior designer in ad-dition to corporate jobs.

With the feedback from the Macy’s train-ing program, their business, Jewel and Jem, which initially catered to the needs of babies, toddlers, teens and tweens, is expanding into a lifestyle line – from infant to California king.

“We have bold and neutral colors to give every room in the home a royal look,” Kel-ley said.

The line can be found at Georgia Baby in Norcross and Precious Cargo in Vinings.

It is also offered at www.jewelandjem.com.

Kelley highly recommends the training. “Don’t underestimate your gifts, talent

and passions,” she said. Eligible applicants for the Macy’s work-

shop must be the primary decision-maker in their business. They must own 51 percent or more of their business that has been in operation for at least two consecutive years.

The application package must include a 250-word biographical statement, book/line sheets or images of product including costs, resumes on all owners, financial statements for the business for two years, and provide verification of the business as a legal entity.

Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by Jan. 22, 2012.

Program requirements and other infor-mation are available at www.macysinc.com/workshop.

Lake Kelley

CrossRoadsNews November 12, 20116

Page 7: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

7ease.n Are African-American, Hispanic, Native American or Asian.

LaVarne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund, said they are expecting hundreds of metro Atlan-tans to bring their friends and family and join in the fight against kidney disease.

“Pairing up with com-munities across the nation to raise awareness of kidney disease and its leading causes – dia-betes and high blood pressure – is a critical part of the mission of the American Kidney Fund,” she said.

Chronic kidney disease can develop slowly or quickly, and most who are affected have no symptoms. If tested and detected early, chronic kidney disease can be slowed or even stopped.

Schwanda Owens, an AKF advocate and kidney disease patient from Union City, said getting tested is the first step.

“I learned about my condition 13 years ago and have been on dialysis ever since. I wish I had taken steps to protect my general health and kidneys before I was diagnosed. I want others to be aware of the simple steps they can take to prevent kidney disease.”

For more information, visit www.kidney fund.org.

Free health screenings and a walkathon are part of Kidney Action Day on Nov. 12 at Turner Field in downtown Atlanta.

The kidney disease awareness event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Steps That Count walkathon begins at 10 and follows a course around the Turner Field complex.

It will raise funds for programs and servic-es to help patients impacted by kidney disease. The free health screenings will check for indicators of kidney and heart health and diabetes, among others. Participants will receive instant test results for finger stick glucose, blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, weight and height.

There will be healthy food samples, cooking and exercise demonstrations, and other family-friendly activities to increase awareness.

The American Kidney Fund says chronic kidney disease is the nation’s ninth leading cause of death.

Nationally, as many as 31 million people are living with the disease. In Georgia, rates of kidney disease are higher than the national average.

Anyone can develop kidney problems, but you are more at risk if you:n Are over 60 years old.n Have diabetes.n Have high blood pressure.n Have heart disease.n Have a family member with kidney dis-

nior vice president and chief nurse executive, said the program ad-dresses many patient care issues.

“A patient who is informed and secure in their treatment program following a hospital stay is more likely to stay adherent to their medications and to achieve a better health outcome,” Wheatley said in a Nov. 3 statement.

Studies show that for every 100 new pre-scriptions, only 15 percent to 20 percent are filled as prescribed.

The National Association of Chain Drug-stores says that overall cost of poor medica-tion adherence is about $290 billion per year in the United States.

Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of pharmacy, health and wellness services and solutions, said the program shows how a coordinated effort can help the patient and the hospital.

“Services like bedside delivery, pharma-cist follow-up with patients after discharge and ongoing access to Walgreens community pharmacists who provide education and counseling help ensure a smooth and healthy transition from the hospital to the home.”

For more information, visit www.dekalb medical.org.

Wellness

Wellness Three months after the program’s launch, DeKalb Medical says patient satisfaction increased from 50 percent to 63 percent.

Improved Belvedere on display

Partnership boosts satisfaction

Summit targets health care fraudKidney day focuses on health

Fundraiser under way for free clinic

Cathleen Wheatley

LaVarne Burton

404-296-76955329 Memorial Dr., Suite A • Stone Mountain, GA 30083

We are here for your everyday healthcare needs and more

Open 7 days a week

NO Appointment Necessary

FREE Cholesterol Screening w/ this adFREE Cholesterol Screening w/ this ad

• Lab & Diagnostic Tests• Annual Physicals• Auto Accidents • Cuts, Bruises and Lacerations• Diabetes Mellitus • DOT Physicals • Geriatric Care • High Blood Pressure • Early Cancer Detection• Heart Disease Prevention • Kidney Diseases and Prevention • Kidney transplantation referrals and 

post transplantation follow up 

• Osteoporosis • Pain management • Pap Smears   • Respiratory illnesses (bronchitis, 

cough, common colds; sinus   infections, flu, sore throat,   laryngitis) 

• Sleep Problems  • Sports Physicals  • Stroke Prevention • Thyroid Problems  • Workers’ Compensation • Vaccinations  

Urgent Care • Internal MedicineKidney & Hypertension Center

Belvedere Park residents, representa-tives of faith-based and civic organiza-tions, and local business owners can attend a free forum on Nov. 15 to discuss policy, systems and environmental changes under way in the area.

The Healthy Belvedere Community Forum takes place 6 to 8 p.m. at Christ the Lord Church in Decatur to update the community about changes that are impacting residents of Belvedere Park.

There will be presentations from county and community leaders, elected officials, and advocacy group representa-tives and a panel discussion.

The Healthy Belvedere Steering Com-mittee is hosting the meeting. Topics include the Belvedere Belt project; installation of sidewalks along Glenwood Road; the recently funded walking path connecting Knollwood Elementary School to Shoal Creek Park; the Master Health Plan for DeKalb County; local obesity prevention efforts; and the policy, systems and environmental change efforts being promoted by Belvedere Park civic groups. The theme is “Be a Part of the Change You Want to See.”

The church is at 3760 Glenwood Road in Decatur. For more information, visit www .healthybelvedere.org.

An international summit convening in Atlanta on Nov. 15 will address the more than $1.6 trillion lost globally to health care fraud since 1998.

The Financial Cost of Healthcare Fraud will be unveiled at the Inaugural Global Health Care Fraud Prevention Summit at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta hotel.

The study was produced by the Lon-don office of PKF Accountants & Business Advisers and Scholars at the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom.

The 8 a.m.-to-2:45 p.m. conference is being held in conjunction with the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Associa-tion’s Annual Training Conference.

It will be attended by commercial health insurers, law enforcement, and other government agencies responsible for anti-fraud efforts from around the world.

Keynote speakers include Jim Gee,

PKF LLP and chair at the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies; Dr. Peter P. Budetti, deputy administrator and director, Center for Pro-gram Integrity, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and Hank Walther, deputy chief, Criminal Division, Fraud Sec-tion, U.S. Department of Justice.

The Global Health Care Anti-Fraud Net-work was jointly founded by the Canadian Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, the European Healthcare Fraud & Corruption Network, the Health Insurance Counter Fraud Group based in the United Kingdom, and the U.S.-based National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association to promote partner-ships among international organizations in order to reduce and eliminate health care fraud around the world.

The Hyatt Regency Atlanta is at 65 Peachtree St. N.E. For more information, visit www.nhcaa.org.

A partnership between DeKalb Medical and Walgreens is helping patients get their medication and better understand their prescrip-tions and follow-up care.

Walgreens operates a full-service outpatient pharmacy ad-jacent to DeKalb Medical’s Health and Wellness Store on its main campus on North Decatur Road, and in July, Walgreens pharmacy staff began a comprehensive patient-centered discharge medication program.

Before they are discharged, patients who use the service are provided with instruction focused on their new medication therapy along with the convenience of prescription delivery at their bedside in the hospital.

By eliminating the need to travel to a pharmacy after a hospital stay, the service helps the patient comply with medication therapy. Pharmacists also conduct follow-up phone calls to patients within 72 hours of discharge to answer questions on medica-tions, potential side effects and treatment programs.

Three months after the program’s launch, the hospital says patient satisfaction in-creased from 50 percent to 63 percent.

Cathleen Wheatley, DeKalb Medical’s se-

The South DeKalb Center for Healthy Living is raising funds to keep its doors open.

Renee Ranson, execu-tive director of the non-profit center that treats people without health insurance, says they are trying to raise $6,000.

“We started on Oct. 22nd and as of today we are at just under one-third of our goal,” she said this week.

Ranson said the center’s “Christmas in November” fund-raising campaign will take cash and in-kind donations.

“Although it has been a struggle keeping up with the requests for health care, the SD-CHL family of volunteers has committed to another year of service,” she said.

On Nov. 10, Amerigroup gave it a $1,500 grant.

The community-based, volunteer-driven clinic opened in 2007. It offers free health care services to low-income, uninsured resi-dents. Donations can be dropped off, mailed or made at www.healthylivingclinic.org. Fund-raiser raffle tickets for $10 offer the chance to win prizes, including a mini digital video camera.

The center’s Christmas wish list includes exam table paper and exam drapes; ther-mometer sheaves; cleaning supplies; and multipurpose paper and other office sup-plies as well as gift cards to Staples, Walmart, Kroger and Home Depot.

Make checks payable to SDCHL, 2699 Klondike Road, Lithonia, GA 30058.

For more information, e-mail admin [email protected] or call 770-484-2777.

Renee Ranson

CrossRoadsNewsNovember 12, 2011 7

Page 8: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

8

Stone Mountain student a hero DeKalb to hold Adoption Day

Seniors can seek Gates scholarships

Carla Parker / CrossroadsNews

Miller Grove High small forward Brandon Morris signs a letter of intent on Nov. 9 to play ball at the University of Georgia under the watchful eyes of his mother, Stephanie Pollock.

Justice Pate

Miller Grove’s standout signs early for UGA Talk on teens, sex and social media

Youth “In DeKalb County, there are children who are awaiting their forever home and a family they can call their own.”

High school seniors who plan to enter college in fall 2012 have until Jan. 11 to apply for the Gates Millennium Scholars program.

The program selects 1,000 talented stu-dents each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to the college or university of their choice.

Eligible students must be: n African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander Ameri-can or Hispanic American. n A citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the United States. n Have attained a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or have earned a GED.n Enrolling for the first time in the fall of 2012 as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student at a U.S.-located, accredited college or university (with the exception of students concurrently pursuing a high school

diploma). First-time college enrollees can also be GED recipients.n Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities.n Meet Federal Pell Grant eligibility crite-ria.n Have completed and submitted all three required forms: the student’s application (Nominee Personal Information Form), an evaluation of the student’s academic record (Nominator Form), and an evaluation of the student’s community service and lead-ership activities (Recommender Form) by the deadline.

The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with sig-nificant financial need to reach their highest potential. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 on Jan. 11. For more infor-mation, visit www.gmsp.org.

Teens, sexuality and social media will be the topics of discussion on Nov. 17 when parents, teachers, administrators, church and community leaders, and concerned citizens gather at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia.

The Wake Up Call: An Adult Discussion, which is presented by District 5 Commissioner Lee May, begins at 6:30 p.m.

May said that teenag-ers talking about and hav-ing sex is not new, but that today’s technol-ogy is taking it to a whole new level.

“Cyber-bullying, posting, sharing, Tweet-ing, sexting and the consequences of these from a physical, mental, social, legal and spiritual perspective will be addressed,” he said.

Invited panelists include Eddie Velez, youth minister/advocate and CEO of Fellow-ship of Holy Hip Hop; Dr. Julianne Adams Birt, a board-certified ob/gyn and president of Radiant Women’s Health; Hope E. Ashby, a psychologist/sex therapist and an assistant professor of ob/gyn and psychiatry at the Morehouse School of Medicine; practicing attorney Reginald Winfrey of Winfrey & Winfrey Law Firm; Robin May, a relation-ship therapist/life coach and CEO of Virtue Speaks; and Trenny Stovall, director of the DeKalb County Child Advocacy Center.

The Lou Walker Senior Center is at 2538 Panola Road. For more information, call 404-371-4745.

Lee May

By Carla Parker

Miller Grove High senior Brandon Morris has already helped the Wolverines basketball team win three consecutive state

championships. As he prepares to

bring the school its fourth championship in the season now un-der way, he also is hop-ing for similar success when he begins his college career at the University of Georgia.

With his mom, Stephanie Pollock, by his side on Nov. 9, Brandon signed his letter of intent for a full basketball schol-arship to play for the Bulldogs in front of family, friends, teammates, coaches, classmates and school faculty.

Brandon is one of four DeKalb Schools basketball players who signed their letters of intent early this week.

On Nov. 10, Columbia High School’s Jarmal Reid signed with Oregon State University, and Chris Horton signed with Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. Jordan Price from Southwest DeKalb High School was set to sign his letter of intent to Auburn University on Nov. 11.

Brandon, a 6-foot-7 small forward, chose Georgia over Auburn University and the University of Arkansas. He said he is ready to take on the collegiate league.

“This is a real big step in my life, a real big jump,” he said. “I’m just ready, man. I’m ready.”

Brandon, who averages 9.2 points and

“He’s been nothing but a high character guy,” White said.

“Everybody talks about the number of championships that we win, but I tell people all the time that you can’t win championships if you don’t have championship people. And he defines that to the utmost.”

Brandon plans to major in architecture.“I’m looking forward to a nice facility and

I’m really looking for a family that I can go to outside my home,” he said. “I believe UGA has all that for me.”

Twelve-year-old Justice Pate was vacationing in Bridgeton, Mo., over the summer when he rescued a young child from drowning.

Justice, who lives in Stone Mountain, was in Missouri for a family reunion. On Aug. 6, he was swimming in the pool of the hotel where his family was staying when he kicked something on the bottom of the pool. He looked down and saw a child lying motionless on his back.

He alerted his father before diving into the pool. He raised the boy to the surface and handed him to his father and the father of the victim. The victim was unconscious and not breathing. The adults called 911 and began

CPR. The child was transported to a hospital where he made a full recovery.

The City Council of Bridgeton passed a resolution commending Justice for his lifesaving actions.

On his return home, DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis called the seventh-grader “a hero.”

“He is a prime example that one person can make an extraordinary difference,” Ellis said.

“Because of his quick actions, a young man now has a bright future,” Ellis said. “We applaud Justice for his bravery and his parents for rearing such a stellar young man.”

7.7 rebounds per game, said his versatility will be a contribution to the Bulldogs bas-ketball team.

“[I’ll bring] my willingness to play the three position and the four position,” he said. “I can play all the perimeters as well as the block.

“So, I really think my versatility is going to be a contribution to UGA.”

Miller Grove head coach Sharman White said this is a great moment for Brandon and his family.

November is National Adoption Month, and DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry will host the county’s first Adoption Day on Nov. 18, which is being observed as National Adoption Day.

On Nov. 19, the DeKalb Department of Family and Children Services will celebrate DeKalb children who have been adopted over the past year.

DeBerry’s Adoption Day event takes place at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 5D in the county’s Judicial Tower.

DeKalb Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams will hear adoption cases. Light re-freshments will be served immediately fol-lowing the ceremony.

“I am excited to celebrate National Adop-tion Month by hosting an event for adoptive families to finalize their adoptions in a very special way,” DeBerry said.

Since 2000, more than 35,000 children have had their adoptions finalized on Na-tional Adoption Day.

For more information, call Fayron Wood-ley at 404-687-3873.

Special celebration

The Department of Family and Children Services celebration of adopted children takes place 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 19.

There will be speakers and a children’s orchestra.

Pamela Jack, a social services case manag-er, said there are more than 107,000 children in the United States in foster care who need permanent, loving families.

“In DeKalb County, there are children who are awaiting their forever home and a family they can call their own,” she said. “Many of these children have been waiting years to be adopted.”

The celebration will be held at the coun-ty’s Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur.

For more information, call Pamela Jack at 770-593-7426.

Brandon Morris

CrossRoadsNews November 12, 20118

Page 9: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

9

The PATH Trail in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, which incorporates parts of DeKalb, Rockdale and Henry counties, is a popular destination for cyclists, joggers and other nature lovers.

Music for Missions will present the Georgia Brass Band in concert on Nov. 13 at Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church.

Derrick Tyler with Wells Fargo (from left) stands with Douglas Shaw with Project Uplift, Bonita Lacy of Healing Hearts of Families USA Ministries, Roderick Cunningham of the Beverly Cunningham Outreach Program and Jason Philpot of Mack’s Miracles.

Scene “These projects and their success show us that metro Atlantans want to create a better region that is sustainable both economically and environmentally.”

Georgia Brass Band to perform

Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area earns first ‘Great Place’ award

International cuisine at potluck

Library screens ‘Green Lantern’

Wells Fargo’s Days of Giving benefits 25 DeKalb nonprofits

Praise & DevotionWorship Service

Sundays at 10 a.m.

Join us for Bible StudyWednesdays at 7 p.m.

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

5197 Salem RoadLithonia, GA 30038

Rev. Dr. Mark A. Lomax

“We are building far beyond our years.”

770-981-2601

The action-packed sci-fi film “Green Lantern” will be on-screen Nov. 18 and 19 at the Stonecrest Library in Lithonia.

The one-hour, 54-minute film, which was re-leased in June, stars Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Peter Sarsgaard. It is based on characters in the DC Comics series of the same name.

The screenings are part of the DeKalb Library’s New Movie Series featuring new blockbuster films. Both begin at 2 p.m.

“Green Lantern” tells the story of Hal Jordan, who acquires superhuman powers when he is chosen by “the Ring,” the willpower-fed source of power, of the Green Lantern Intergalactic Corps. He takes on the challenges these superheroes face.

The library is at 3123 Klondike Road. For more information, call 770-482-3828.

The turkey and a smorgasbord of in-ternational cuisine will be the highlight of the Clarkston Health Collaborative’s Fall Celebration on Nov. 17.

The annual potluck celebration begins at 6:30 p.m.

Jan Gardner, one of the event organiz-ers, says a longtime collaborative member, Dr. Christopher Holliday, always brings the turkey, and everyone else brings a covered

dish or dessert from their culture to share with four to six people.

Gardner said many of the collabora-tive’s 300 members are community business owners, private citizens and health care providers.

The potluck takes place at Clarkston Community Center, 3701 Clarkston Ave. For more information, visit www.clarkston communitycenter.org or call 404-508-7845.

The Georgia Brass Band will headline the Nov. 13 Music for Missions concert series at Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church in Tucker.

The free concert, which is directed and produced by Jack Sartain, begins at 7 p.m.

The Georgia Brass Band repertoire ranges from the Renaissance and Baroque eras

through the 21st century. Music for Missions is a 12-year project of

United Methodist Men. Although the concert is free, donations

will be collected for charities and missions. The church is located at 3142 Law-

renceville Highway in Tucker. For more information, call 770-939-3717.

It’s now official. The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a “Great Place.”

The 64-square-mile area, which includes more than 20 miles of interconnected, multi-use trails, was recognized by the Atlanta Regional Commission and Livable Com-munities Coalition.

It was among six sites that received the 2011 Developments of Excellence Awards an-nounced at ARC’s annual State of the Region breakfast on Nov. 4.

The awards recognize developments in the 10-county Atlanta region that exemplify cutting-edge, livable designs that are help-ing to create a positive framework for future development.

The Great Place award, which makes its debut this year, is given to a place in metro Atlanta that represents livability and sustain-ability but is not necessarily a single, private development.

ARC Chairman Tad Leithead said that the developers, local governments and nonprofit organizations that received recognition are changing the way people and businesses in the Atlanta region interact.

Also recognized as 2011 Developments of Excellence were PerkinsWill Atlanta Of-fice in Midtown Atlanta, Development of Excellence; Fairburn Educational Campus on U.S. 29 in Fulton County, Livable Centers Initiative Achievement Award; Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center on Chester Avenue in At-lanta, Leadership in Sustainability; Duluth Downtown Phase I, Exceptional Merit for Context-Sensitive Infill; and the Brickworks on Marietta Street in Atlanta, Exceptional Merit for Adaptive Reuse.

The Atlanta Regional Commission says the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a model for public-private partnership and inter-governmental cooperation.

It contains all types of development from single-family homes to office properties, Stonecrest Mall and schools like the LEED-certified Arabia Mountain High School.

The area is overseen by the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance with help from local governments, corporations and individuals.

For more information on the awards, visit http://atlantaregional.com.

Twenty-five DeKalb nonprofits have re-ceived $1,000 grants from Wells Fargo’s Days of Giving program.

The $25,000 in donations is part of 234 that the company awarded during its third annual Days of Giving in Atlanta and part of $1.5 million that the corporation and its employees have pledged or given this year.

The DeKalb groups are Atlanta Junior Bridge, Beverly Cunningham Outreach Pro-gram, Camp Sunshine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Clarkston Community Center, Community Achievement Center, Com-munity Health Charities of Georgia, Cure Childhood Cancer, DeKalb County Police Alliance, DeKalb Library Foundation Inc., East Lake Foundation, Frazer Center, Friends of Refugees, Healing Hearts of Families USA Ministries, Jerusalem House, Jewish Fam-ily and Career Services, Leadership DeKalb, Mack’s Miracles, Mainstreet Community Scholarship Fund, National Multiple Scle-

rosis Society – Atlanta, Project Uplift, Saint Vincent dePaul Society, Senior Connections, Unconditional Love for Children and YMCA – Decatur.

The donations are being distributed at five community breakfasts across Atlanta. Several were honored at a Nov. 9 breakfast

at Clayton State University.Quincy Sampson, Wells Fargo’s market

president for DeKalb, said just the names of many groups say so much.

“We are proud to reach so many groups and people through this,” he said.

Wells Fargo Atlanta team members also

pledged or gave $937,000 through its an-nual United Way and Community Support campaign, an increase of 10 percent over last year.

In a Nov. 10 statement, the company said that it is also making a $600,000 corporate contribution to the United Way of Metro-politan Atlanta.

In the Days of Giving celebration, Wells Fargo team members from almost 200 bank stores in Atlanta, along with those in other business lines, selected and recognized groups that were delivering important ser-vices in their communities.

Alan Dishman, the bank’s business bank-ing manager, said that Wells Fargo has a long, proud history of community involvement and local decision-making.

“Days of Giving is the ideal representa-tion of that and we look forward to celebrat-ing our communities in this way for years to come,” he said.

“These projects and their success show us that metro Atlantans want to create a better region that is sustainable both economically and environmentally for future generations,” Leithead said.

The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, which incorporates parts of DeKalb, Rockdale and Henry counties, is home to

the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, a DeKalb County park comprising 2,000 acres of granite outcrop, wetlands, pine and oak forests, streams, and a lake; Panola Mountain State Park; the Monastery of the Holy Spirit; and Vaughters’ Farm.

The South River flows through the na-tional heritage area.

CrossRoadsNewsNovember 12, 2011 9

Page 10: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

10 for sale

youth PG

Marketplace

Autos DONATE YOUR VEHICLE Receive $1000 GROCERY COUPONS. UNITED BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info FREE Towing, Tax Deductible, Non-Runners Accepted. 1- 800-728-0801

CASH FOR CARS! Any Make, Model or Year. We Pay MORE! Running or Not. Sell Your Car or Truck TODAY. Free Towing! Instant Offer: 1-888-545-8647

Adoptions ADOPTION- A loving alterna-tive to unplanned pregnancy. You choose the family for your child. Receive pictures/info of waiting/ approved couples. Living expense assistance. 1-866-236-7638

Business opportunityPAID IN ADVANCE! Make $1000 Weekly Mailing Brochures from Home. Income is guaranteed! No experience required. Enroll Today! www.national-mailers.net

Make Up To $2,000.00+ Per Week! New Credit Card Ready Drink-Snack Vending Machines. Minimum $3K to $30K+ Invest-ment Required. Locations Avail-able. BBB Accredited Business. (800) 962-9189

employment opportunitiesEarn up to $150 per day Under-

misc. For sAle PROFLOWERS. Send Flowers for Every Occasion! Anniversary, Birthday, Just Because. Starting at just $19.99. Go to www.pro-flowers.com/fresh to receive an extra 20% off your order or Call 1-866-684-6172

100% Guaranteed Omaha Steaks - SAVE 64% on the Family Value Collection. NOW ONLY $49.99 Plus 3 FREE GIFTS & right-to-the-door delivery in a reusable cooler, ORDER Today. 1-888-543-7297 and mention code 45069SKS or www.Oma-haSteaks.com/fvc11

READERS & MUSIC LOVERS. 100 Greatest Novels (audio books) ONLY $99.00 (plus s h.) Includes MP3 Player & Accesso-ries. BONUS: 50 Classical Music Works & Money Back Guarantee. Call Today! 1-888-799-3451

DISH Network. Starting at $19.99/month PLUS 30 Premium Movie Channels FREE for 3 Months! SAVE! & Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL - 877-992-1237

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 750 suburban newspapers just like this one. Call Classified Avenue at 888-486-2466 or go to www.

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.

D i s c o u n t C o n t a c t R a t e s A v a i l a b l e . F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l 4 0 4 - 2 8 4 - 1 8 8 8

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

information: This newspaper will never knowingly accept any advertise-ment 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 conse-

quences that occur as a result of you doing business with any advertis-ers. Thank you.

teed Financing! Near Tucson’s Int’l Airport www.sunsiteslan-drush.com 1-800-659-9957 Promo Code 7

20 ACRE LAND SALE Near Growing El Paso, Texas Was $16,900 Now $12,900 $0 Down, take over payments, $99/mo. Beautiful views, owner financing. FREE map/pictures 1-800-343-9444

lAnd For sAleLAND LIQUIDATION 20 Acres $0 Down $99/mo. ONLY $12,900 Near Growing El Paso, Texas Owner Financing NO CREDIT CHECKS! Money Back Guaran-tee Free Color Brochure 800-755-8953 www.sunsetranches.com

timeshAres Ask yourself, what is your TIMESHARE worth? We will find a buyer/renter for CA$H. NO GIMMICKS- JUST RESULTS! www.BuyATimeshare.com (888)879-7165

WAnted to BuyWANTED YOUR DIABETES TEST STRIPS. Unexpired .We buy Any Kind/Brand. Pay up to $22.00 per box. Shipping Paid. Hablamos espanol. Call 1-800-267-9895 www.SellDiabeticstrips.com

classifiedavenue.net

Are you over-paying for Home Insurance? Call NOW and SAVE up to $556 per yr! Compare multiple quotes in mins from Travelers, Hartford, Progressive, etc. Call: 1-888-704-6933

Earn $1000 a week Mailing Brochures from Home. Free Sup-plies! Guaranteed Income! No experience required. Start Today. www.national-mailers.net

AT&T U-Verse for just $29.99/mo! SAVE when you bundle Internet+Phone+TV and get up to $300 BACK! (Select plans). Limited Time Call NOW! 1-866-944-0810

reAl estAte 15 ARIZONA RANCH LOTS! 50% OFF! AAA+ View Lots. $0 Down! Starting $99/MO! Guaran-

cover Shoppers Needed to Judge Retail & Dining Establishments Experience Not Required Call Now 1-888-891-4244

Help Wanted!!! Make $1000 a Week processing our mail! FREE Supplies! Helping Home-Workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required. Start Im-mediately! www.national-mailers.net

educAtion & trAining EARN COLLEGE DEGREE ONLINE. *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 800-488-0386 www.CenturaOnline.com

AIRLINES ARE HIRING- Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified- Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (877)818-0783

ALLIED HEALTH CAREER TRAINING- Attend college 100% online. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 800-481-9409 www.CenturaOn-line.com

heAlth & Fitness Local STD/HIV Testing Did you know you can have an STD and show no symptoms? Early detec-tion and treatment can prevent permanent damage? Highest

levels of privacy and discretion. Call 1-888-737-4941

Affordable Health Insurance for EVERYONE!! Uninsured? Dis-satisfied? Been Turned down? Call Now We Can Help Licensed Agents Standing By 1-800-951-2167

Canada Drug Center is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our licensed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 90 percent on all your medication needs. Call Today 888-459-9961 for $25.00 off your first prescription and free shipping.

ATTENTION SLEEP APNEA SUFFERERS with Medicare. Get FREE CPAP Replacement Supplies at NO COST, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, prevent red skin sores and bacterial infection! Call 866-993-5043

ATTENTION DIABETICS with Medicare. Get a FREE Talking Meter and diabetic testing sup-plies at NO COST, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, this meter eliminates painful finger pricking! Call 888-903-6658

Lose 7-15 lbs. In 7 Days Eat the Foods You Enjoy Quickly and Dramatically Shrink Your Waist-line Lose Weight and Keep it Off www.lose15poundsin7days.com

financialfinancialevents/seminarsattorneys attorneys

financialattorneys financial

Reach More of the People Who Matter Most – Local Customers!Call 404-284-1888 to Advertise in the CrossRoadsNews Marketplace

Attorney Chris M. TolesCriminal Defense

Personal Injury • DUI770-827-4836

Chrismtoleslaw.com

Burroughs Johnson Hopewell Coleman

Attorneys at Law• Bankruptcy• Personal Injury• Divorce/Family Law

“Taking Care of Your Legal Needs”

4262 Clausell Court • Decatur, GA 30035404/289-2244 • bjhlawyers.com

The Samuel Group,

Inc.Loans for Churches, Restaurants, Day Care Centers, Multi Family

Properties, Office Buildings and other commercial properties. Purchases

or refinancing. All credit considered. Closings as quick as 7 days.

404-870-9070www.thesamuelgroupinc.com

Your home is your most pride possession. Its time you know what you signed up for.……Upside down loan……..wrong % rates…………

Dr. Deb Says:

Visit our website at: fightforyourhomenow.com

Email: [email protected]

“Join others in the HomeOwners Litigation & Rights Coalition”

ITS JUST GOOD BUSINESS !

Find Out Now!

Call: 800-986-2192

Settle Your IRS Debt

JOHNNY HARRIS, CPA PC

• Tax Levy & Lien • File Back Taxes • Offer ’n’ Compromise• IRS Audits

Evenings and weekends available

5211 Covington Hwy • Decatur, Ga. 30035

CALL FOR APPT (678) 518-8501

OVER 20 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

Henry K. Mitchell Certified Public Accountant

Call Henry at 678-663-6229 or 678-1234

Small Business and Nonprofit Financial Services

• Accounting and taxes• Grant proposal and business plans • Tax dispute resolution• Nonprofit consulting

Visit henrymitchellcpa.com for more info. Henry is an adjunct instructor at Atlanta Metro College and a member of the Georgia Board of Accountancy.

CrossRoadsNews November 12, 201110

Page 11: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

11senior housing

ministry PG

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 Market-Place, 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.

MarketplaceBuilding mAteriAls

Steel Buildings. Reduced Factory Inventory. 30x36 - Reg $12,100 Now $9,700. 36x58 - Reg $19,550 Now $16,300. 866-609-4321. Source: 1KC

Business opportunitiesFinancial Freedom! Fastest grow-ing company in the industry! Earn an xtra $1000 to $5000 a month without quiting your current job! 800-610-0686 ext. PAYS (7297) www.3xGlobalPays.com

employmentDelivery Drivers: CDL-A. Great Benefits/Hometime. Avg. Pay $60,000. MBM’s Newnan Distri-bution Center - Coming Jan 2012. 1yr TT Exp Req. Apply: www.mbmcareers.com

help WAntedHelp me with my Holiday Parties. 12/9 and 12/24. Stuff 1,000 invita-tions, greet guests and check coats, wrap Christmas gifts, help clean house, drive luxury cars. (404)288-0411.

Drivers: Co. & Owner Op’s 3K miles per week. Lease purchase avail. 99% no-touch. CDL-A w/2yrs exp. req. Run Midwest & Southeast 800-826-6652

reAl estAteLithonia luxury foreclosure. million $$ home for $399k! 5bed/4.5 ba, basmt, 2-acre lot call 24hrs 1-888-269-6795 x199 TL Rlty.

Stone Mt foreclosure. South-land. 4bd 2.5 ba all brick. $140k $1000 dn, $925 per month. 1-888-269-6795 x191. TL Realty.

Decatur remodeled 3/2 bk ranch, new cabinets, granite, hdwd flrs, stnls steel, bsmt, $83k. $800 dn, $610/mon. 1 8882696795 x112 TL rlty.

health/fitness

home services

home services

heaDing here

eDucation

eDucation

youth services

legal noticelegal notice

Your Source for Neighborhood News Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information

www.eastmetromarket.comFind Local Goods & Services

City of Clarkston3921 Church StreetClarkston, GA, 30021

INVITATION TO SUBMIT QUOTATION NO. RFQ-11-001

REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS FOR FRIENDSHIP FOREST TREE PROJECT

To All Potential Bidders:

Competitive quotations will be received at the City of Clarkston City Clerk's Office 3921 Church Street, Clarkston, GA 30021, no later than 4 p.m., November 14, 2011. Quotations are being received for the Friendship Forrest Tree Project, 4380 East Ponce de Leon Avenue.

The Friendship Forest Tree Project involves the installation of sixty-five (65) deciduous overstory and select understory trees for installation at Friendship Forest no later than November 22, 2011. Installation plans have been developed by the consultant, Gretchen Musser, RLA of Elements of Land Design, LLC and are included with this bid. These plans are considered the Scope of this Project and are incorporated into the RFP documents. This bid involves installation and maintenance of plant material for one growing season only. Bidders may submit an alternate bid that does not include maintenance of plant material.

RFQ 11-001 Friendship Forest Tree Project will be sent via email, posted on the City's website at (www.cityofclarkston.com) or may be picked up on or after Tuesday, November 8, 2011 daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the City of Clarkston City Hall, 3921 Church Street, Clarkston, GA 30023.

There will be a non-mandatory pre-bid site visit on Thursday, November 10th at 2:00 p.m. The property is located at 4380 East Ponce de Leon Avenue. Contractors will meet Gretchen Musser, Landscape Consultant on site. Selection and notification of the contractor will take place on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. All installation work must be completed prior to November 22, 2011, weather and conditions permitting.

As described in the Project Scope and information attached all quotation submissions for City of Clarkston Friendship Forest Tree Project (RFQ 11-001) must comply with all general and special instructions. The City of Clarkston reserves the right to accept or reject any or all quotations and award in the best interest of the City.

Quotations must be delivered to the address listed above no later than the time and date indicated. Quotations may also be emailed to [email protected] with hard copies to follow prior to the deadline. This is not a sealed bid.

QUESTIONS: All questions or requests for additional information must reference RFQ 11-001 and must be submitted by 12 noon, Friday, November 11th to Keith Barker, City Manager, City of Clarkston, and 3921 Church Street, Clarkston, GA 30021. Email questions or inquires shall be submitted to [email protected]. All questions and answers will be sent to all bidders. After the RFQ is issued, no contact will be permitted between bidders and any other City staff members or elected officials, except through the City Manager. The City Manager's office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number is 404-296-6489.

Keith A. BarkerCity Manager

Downloadable Details for the Friendship Forest Tree Project are located at cityofclarkston.com

Allegre Pointe Senior ResidencesMercy Housing Management will be accepting applications

for 1 bedroom apartment units at Allegre Pointe Senior Residences, located at 3391 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur, GA 30034 beginning Monday, November 14, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.

Applications will be distributed beginning Monday, November 14, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Distribution and acceptance of completed application forms will remain open. Future closing of the waiting list will be publicly advertised.

This community is designated as a Housing for elderly persons. All members of the household must be 62 years of age and older.

Rent Ranges: This is an income restricted community. All residents will pay rent based upon 30% of their adjusted gross household income.

Income Ranges: Annual Income is required at or below $23,950 for 1 person household or $27,350 for a 2 person household

All applications will be ranked by date and time of the submitted application and will be ranked on the waiting list accordingly.

Request for Reasonable Accommodations by contacting 404.241.7224 or TTY at 1.800.855.2880

GARAGE DOOR MEDICS LLC.“We Cure All Garage Door Ills”

24/7 Emergency ServiceRepairs • Replacements • Frame Ins

CALL TODAY

404-732-7526

• Free Estimates• Senior Citizen

Discounts• Military

Discounts• Superior Customer

ServiceServing Our Communities Since 2001

100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed

GARAGE DOOR MEDICS

Interiors For You

$150 for 3-hour session

(o) 678-413-0084 • (c) 770 362-9134 www.interiorsforu.com

Natalie Blue-DukesInterior Design Consultant

[email protected]

• Room Makeovers• Residential Design• Home Staging• Window Treatments

Eshe FaizahHerbalist/Master FormulatorWholistic Education ConsultantOrganic Master GardenerFormulator of The Herb Lady Herbals

Naturally work on: • Fibroids • Parasites • Children’s Issues

• Menopause • Seasonal Issues • Kleanzing & Detox • Men’s Nature

For Your Wholistic EducationConsultation, Classes,

Lectures & more,Visit online or call today!

Email: (404) 244-5565 [email protected] www.herbsistah.com

NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWERGeorgia, DeKalb County

Under and by virtue of the Power of Sale contained in a Deed to Secure Debt and Security Agreement given by Daydreams Early Learning Center, Inc. to Children of the Future Day Care, Inc, dated January 31, 2006, recorded February 10, 2006 in Deed Book 18408, Page 763, DeKalb County Records, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court of DeKalb County, Georgia, conveying the after-described property to secure a Note in the original principal amount of NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($923,000.00), with interest thereon as set forth therein, there will be sold by the under signed at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the courthouse door of DeKalb County, Georgia, within the legal hours of sale on the first Tuesday in December 2011, the following described property:

All the tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 61 of the 15th District of DeKalb County, Georgia, being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at an iron pin found on the southeasterly right-of-way line of Flakes Mill Road (100í R/W), said iron pin being located a distance of 200.0 feet southwesterly, as measured along the southeasterly right-of-way line of Flakes Mill Road, from the intersection of the southeasterly right-of-way line of Flakes Mill Road and the right-of-way line of Flat Shoals Road; thence leaving the southeasterly right-of-way line of Flakes Mill Road and running South 74 degrees 24 minutes and 45 seconds East a distance of 300.0 feet to an iron pin found; running thence South 19 degrees 40 minutes 00 seconds West a distance of 124.0 feet to an iron pin found; running thence North 74 degrees 24 minutes 45 seconds West a distance of 300.0 feet to an iron pin found on the southeasterly right-of-way line of Flakes Mill Road; thence running in a northeasterly direction a distance of 124.0 feet, as measured along the southeasterly right-of-way line of Flakes Mill Road, to an iron pin found on the southeasterly right-of-way line of Flakes Mill Road and the Point of Beginning. The above described property is described according to a survey prepared for Children of the Future Day Care, Inc., and Decatur Federal Savings and Loan Association, said survey being prepared by Eston Pendley & Associates, Inc., Eston Pendley, R.L.S. No. 945, said survey being dated March 11, 1988.

The debt secured by said Deed to Secure Debt and Security Agreement has been and is hereby declared due because of, among other possible events of default, failure to the indebtedness as and when due and in the manner provided in the Note and Deed to Secure Debt and Security Agreement. The debt remaining in default, this sale will be made for the purpose of paying the same and all expenses in this sale, as provided in the Deed to Secure Debt and Security Agreement and by law, including attorneyís fees (notice of intent to collect attorneyís fees having been given).

Said property will be sold subject to an outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, zoning ordinances, restrictions, covenants, and matters of record superior to the Deed to Secure Debt and Security Agreement first set out above.

To the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the party in possession of the property is Daydreams Early Learning Center, Inc. or a tenant or tenants and said property is more commonly known as 3616 Flakes Mill Road, Decatur, GA 30034.

WHERE EVERY KID PLAYSYOUTH SPORTSBasketballSOUTH DEKALB FAMILY YMCA

Ages 3-17 • www.ymcaregistration.comCall 770-987-3500 for details

NOWREGISTERING

School of Cosmetology

Your road to success1999 Candler Road • Decatur, GA 30032404-284-3030 • [email protected]

• State of the Art facility• Licensed by Ga. State Board

of Cosmetology• Teacher Training Course

available• Scholarships Available• Convenient to MARTA

NATURAL

HAIR

SERVICES

SHAMPOO& SET$8 & UP

In the Gym & No Results?Socializing there and

eating out afterwards?Socializing there and

eating out afterwards?

Start Today(770) 882-4541

Start Today(770) 882-4541

Personal Training,

Boot Camp, Meal Plans,

& Detox in My Gym

at Lo Lo Holiday Rates.

Personal Training,

Boot Camp, Meal Plans,

& Detox in My Gym

at Lo Lo Holiday Rates.

Kilombo Academic and Cultural Institute fosters an academically excellent and

culturally relevant education that produces students who are equipped to succeed

globally and are committed to social justice.

We are now enrolling grades K-8Call Aminata Umoja, director, 404-992-8021

5197 Salem Road • Lithonia, GA 30038www.kilomboschool.com

Kilombo is an entity of FACDC. We exist as a result of First African Church’s commitment to institution building!

CrossRoadsNewsNovember 12, 2011 11

Page 12: CrossRoadsNews, November 12, 2011

12

Limited Signature Sponsorship Opportunities.Only 50 exhibitor spaces available. Book yours today. Call 404-284-1888 for more information.

CrossRoadsNews • 2346 Candler Road • Decatur, GA 30032 • 404-284-1888 • Fax: 404-284-5007 • [email protected]

March 31, 2012

Dance & karate schools, cheerleaders, churches, tutors, YMCAs, and other summer activity providers offer options for parents seeking innovative and interesting programs for their children. Organizations offering services and resources to families are also invited.

April 28, 2012Businesses and entrepreneurs – from landscapers to lawyers, Realtors, florists, insurance and travel agents – showcase their goods and services at this expo, which also celebrates the winners of CrossRoadsNews’ “Best of East Metro” Readers Choice Awards.

Health, Wellness & Beauty Expo

Healthcare providers, insurance companies, fitness instructors, spas, haircare & natural product providers, and others bring messages of good health and help empower residents to live more active lives. Exhibitors also offer health screenings, fitness & product demos.

August 4, 2012Businesses and organizations serving families will showcase goods and services to help students have a successful school year. The expo highlights services from afterschool to private schools and options for adults looking to retool and sharpen their skills for new careers.

at the Mall at Stonecrest

Educating and Empowering Our Community

Community Expos

Best of East Metro/Small Business Expo Family & Back to School Expo

Dance & Summer Camp ExpoJanuary 28, 2012

• Enter with your team of up to 25 members and show off the routine you use to motivate your clients to fitness.• Competition starts at 1 p.m. on the mall’s lower level. A panel of celebrity judges will pick the winner. • To enter, create a 3.5-minute �tness routine, choreographed to music. • Use steps, balls, weights or just movements (bring your own weights, props, music, etc).

Registration Deadline

Dec. 28, 2011Entry Fee $35

To register, email [email protected], call Jami at 404-284-1888, or fax this form to 404-284-5007.

Name of Team: _______________________________________

Instructor’s Address: ___________________________________

Phone__________________________________ Email___________________________________________________________

Instructor’s Name: ________________________________

City________________________ ZIP Code____________

(Advance registration only! Limit one team per instructor. Print this form and mail with check or money order payable to CrossRoadsNews, 2346 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032, or call 404-284-1888 with credit card information. Space reservation is not guaranteed until confirmed by CrossRoadsNews. Limited to first 20 trainers or instructors who pay in full. Late deposits will be returned.)

GRAND PRIZE!!COMPLIMENTARY

TABLE AT THE2012 BEST OF EAST

METRO EXPO

Strut Your Stuff & Win the Title of Atlanta’s Champion Fitness InstructorStrut Your Stuff & Win the Title of Atlanta’s Champion Fitness Instructor

CrossRoadsNews November 12, 201112