crossroadsnews, may 23, 2009, section a
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CrossRoadsNews, May 23, 2009, News SectionTRANSCRIPT
www.crossroadsnews.comMay 23, 2009Copyright © 2009 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
COVER PAGEDodging the skeetersWELLNESS
Now that the rain has created stand-ing water all over the place, how do you deal with those pesky, disease-bearing mos-quitoes? A5
National health expert and children’s food allergy analyst Robyn O’Brien will discuss her new book at the De-catur Library on May 27. A6
Crusader for healthSCENE
Zhani Moore and her brother Zion will carry their distinc-tive brand of worship to the televison screen on May 26. A7
Raize the PraizeMINISTRY
Internal reviewer says no bullying took place at schoolVolume 15, Number 4
Retired Fulton County Judge Thelma Moore, who conducted the School System’s internal review, delivers her findings to the media.
By McKenzie Jackson
The DeKalb School System says fifth-grader Jaheem Herrera did not commit suicide because of
bullying at Dun-aire Elementary School in Stone Mountain and that his mother, Masika Bermu-dez, never com-plained to the school.
That was the finding of an internal review com-missioned by Superintendent Crawford Lewis and released to the media on May 20.
Retired Fulton County Judge Thelma Moore, who conducted the review, said she found no evidence of bullying at the Stone Mountain elementary school.
“My conclusion is that there is no evidence of bullying at Dunaire in respect to this investigation,” she said. “There is name-calling, there is teasing, but I will tell you that it is almost always done out-side the presence of adults. There is no report of this to any adult. There is a code of silence among the students.”
Eleven-year-old Jaheem hung himself April 16 with a cloth belt in his family’s apartment off Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur.
Bermudez, who has been on an Oprah Winfrey Show on school bullying, said her son killed himself because of constant bullying at the school he attended from August 2008 until his death. Bermudez has said she will sue the school system over her son’s death and donate the
money to stop bullying.
She and her lawyer Gerald Griggs were not a l lowed into We d n e s d a y ’s press conference at which Moore discussed the
findings of her review.Instead, Bermudez stood out-
side the board room and cried.Former Atlanta City Council
member Derrick Boazman, who
was also denied access to the board room, stood outside chanting “shame, shame, shame.” He was arrested by DeKalb School Police for disorderly conduct.
The school system did not re-lease copies of Moore’s report nor the final cost of having it done dur-ing the 54-minute press conference. It said that Moore was paid $350 an hour to conduct the review but has not said how many hours she worked on it.
Moore began her investigation May 1. She said she had the help
of two attorneys and that together they interviewed more than 50 wit-nesses including Jaheem’s teachers, friends, neighbors and Dunaire administrators. They did not inter-view members of Jaheem’s family.
Griggs said he was shocked at Moore’s findings.
“We know what really hap-pened,” he said. “He was bullied repeatedly at Dunaire Elementary School which caused his death.”
Griggs said Bermudez was ex-tremely shaken and disheartened by Moore’s report.
Gerald Griggs
Jaheem Herrera
“We thought it was going to be an open and transparent investiga-tion,” he said.
Griggs said the school system has 30 days to respond to their intent to sue.
After the press conference, CrossRoadsNews requested a copy of the report and Dale Davis, the school system’s spokesman, said there was none. The newspaper filed a request under Georgia’s Open Records Act for the report. The School System has three busi-ness day to respond.
Looking ahead to the future
Caps and gowns, will mingle with congratulatory hugs and smiles as thousands of DeKalb County students complete their high school careers at gradua-
tion ceremonies.
Inside, we take a look at some of their accomplishments, goals and aspirations. We also offer a gallery of photos taken during Pre-Commencement Exercises
at South DeKalb schools.
Section B
INSIDE
INSIDE-AD PGForum
index to advertisers
Use of county vehicles curtailed A3
DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis is cracking down on employee usage of county vehicles to help save money.
Black Chamber’s Walker to step down A4
After five years running the Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce, Theresa Walker is stepping down.
Greenforest facing lawsuit alleging discrimination A4
Greenforest/McCalep Christian Academic Center is being sued by the EEOC for with-drawing a job offer from a teacher because she was pregnant.
Slave girl’s quest for love coming to Sanford Center A6
The story of a hot-tempered slave girl in search of freedom and love comes to the stage at the Porter Sanford Community and Performing Arts Center.
Authors to discuss books during Festival of Writers A6
Three celebrated authors will visit the Decatur Library in the coming days as part of library’s May Festival of Writers.
DeKalb schools to graduate 5,480 over four days B1
The annual graduation season is in full swing the Class of 2009 has been celebrat-ing its achievements.
Chorus planted seeds of success for 4 top students B4
In 1998, Dennisa Thomas, LeAna Moore, Malia Hibbler and Jonathan Jones entered the third grade at Narvie J. Harris Elementary School in Decatur.
Graduating class includes 77-year-old student B4
BaSix Knowledge Academy is graduating its largest crop of graduates this year. The non-traditional school will issue diplomas to 44 students at its May 23 graduation, up from 14 in 2008.
DeKalb students show gains on graduation test B5
DeKalb seniors are making strides on the Georgia High School Graduation Tests.
Three students land Thorton Memorial scholarships B8
Three Lithonia High School students got $4,900 in scholarships from the James L. Thornton Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Chick-fil-A operator hands out $14,500 in scholarships B8
Chick-fil-A operator Tony Royal doled out $14,500 in scholarships to Chick-fil-A employees last week on behalf of his two South DeKalb stores and Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy.
Journalism scholarship helps bring career goals closer B9
Fennell Wilkins knows a career in journal-ism beckons her, and she has been in hot pursuit of it.
Scholar athletes’ physical help pay for college education B10
Next school year, Southwest DeKalb’s Kia Jackson will be at the University of Ten-nessee sprinting among the nation’s best and Marcus Vaughn of Columbia High will be driving to the basket in the Great South Atlantic Conference.
Cedar Grove student rakes in nearly $1 million in scholarship offers B11
In the scholarship hall of fame, Dennisa Thomas is almost a million-dollar scholar. The 2009 Cedar Grove High valedictorian raked in $901,300 in scholarships from 15 colleges, universities and organizations from Texas to Washington, D.C.
1.2.3 Discount Fabrics ................................... A4Alpha Climate Control ................................... A8Atlanta Gastroenterology .............................. A5Berean Christian Church ................................A7Children’s Healthcare .................................... A5Congressman Hank Johnson .........................A3CRAM Academy ............................................ A8CrossRoadsNews Adoption Expo .................. A6DeKalb Community Development Dept. ....... A4DeKalb Convention & Visitor’s Bureau ...........A3
Ella’s Caring Hands Adult Day Care .............. A8Jay Lawn Service ........................................... A8Mini Mall ....................................................... A8Newburn Reynolds Photography .................. A8Padgett Business Services ............................. A4Wright Vision Care ........................................ A5
GRADUATION SECTIONBaSix Knowledge Academy .........................B10Chaz Wood ................................................... B8
Chick-fil-A /Turner Hill Road ..........................B3Christian & McKenzie Fahie .......................... B4Christiana Torere........................................... B8Dazzéa B. Rockmore .................................... B8Deborah A. Jackson ...................................... B5Ernest Brown Jr. ............................................ B4Fletcher J. Penn Jr. ........................................ B8Georgia Power Co. ....................................... B9Jametreus Hamilton ...................................... B5Jami Ffrench-Parker ...................................... B4
Joel M. Brown ............................................... B5Kelli Ffrench-Parker ...................................... B8Keya Hughey ................................................. B8Kirsten D. Bailey ............................................ B4Marcus Kernizan ........................................... B4Organization of DeKalb Educators ............... B11Reginald W. Sharpe Jr .................................. B8Stephanie Swindle ........................................ B4The Gallery at South DeKalb ......................... B9The School Store .........................................B10
Quick read
My son and I were interviewed by the Judge and her team. My son disclosed information about the way he was bullied.
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LOCAL
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GOODS!
Why have a policy if there is no bullying?
Judge’s report does a disservice to kids and parents
Story yielded lots of volunteers
Article adds to misconception
DeKalb property owners largest portion of their tax bill goes to the DeKalb School System. The latest ludicrous expense was for retired judge Thelma Moore to come up with a verdict that no bullying oc-curred at Dunaire school.
Unfortunately Jaheem Herra of Decatur is in a grave and can't answer a charge that he started one fight.
Do you think an administrator
or a teacher will admit that she or knew about the bullying... then they would have to answer as to what they did to stop it.
Judge Moore which parents were interviewed?
If the DeKalb School System doesn't have a study on why 50 percent of students in the DeKalb System don't graduate high school, why would they have a no-bullying policy or program, or even ad-
mit that bullying occurs in their schools.
How could Supt. Crawford Lewis not allow the mother of the deceased child who hung himself to hear the results of the investiga-tion.
This blatantly disrespects a grieving mother whose child was at the heart of this study.
A. Jean Richardson lives in Decatur.
We thank you so much for the wonderful article that you wrote in the April 25, 2009 issue of CrossRoads News.
The article has brought i n s e v e r a l v o l u n t e e r s ...Yeeeeeeeeah!
Thank you so much for keeping South DeKalb Center
for Healthy Living in the fore-front.
We are grateful for your sup-port.
Be well. Be blessed.Renee Ranson is executive di-
rector of th e South DeKalb Center for Healthy Living in Lithonia
I often read CrossRoadsNews for the latest on what’s happening in DeKalb County Government. This email is to express my concern with the obvious misconception that is being spread through the article “Tiff brewing over access to
county staff " in the May 16 issue. The last paragraph which reads
"He is not the first CEO to protect county staff " sends a mispercep-tion of what is actually transpiring as well as shows an obvious bias toward the actions of the CEO.
You must understand the rea-son why the CEO's Office is taking the actions before you justify it. Politicians have been known for using the law to further their own personal agendas.
Marquitrice Short is a DeKalb
Renee Ransom
I was at the press conference today where retired Judge Thelma Moore gave results of the investi-gation.
As a parent I am astounded at her results. This is a complete embarrassment to all parents who participated in the investigation.
I am also a mother whose child was bullied at that same school under the same local site administrative team and I too was ignored and found the principal to
be unconcerned and unresponsive to my concerns for my child who suffered from bruises, teeth bites, teasing taunted, jump in the boys bathroom at the school and threat-ened that he would be constantly jumped.
I found no help at the local site and I personally had to go to DeKalb County School Board myself with a plea for help for my child.
My son and I were interviewed
by the Judge and her team. My son disclosed information about the way he was bullied and what Jaheem had experienced. There was and still is a very real connection to the fact that this child was bullied. My son cried as he disclosed the information in front of the Judge and her team.
I personally find the results are fictitious but at $350 an hour she had to come up with something.
Lastly, the way the Judge tried
to depict Jaheem’s family was de-pressing to say the least. It was an outright disgrace to try to paint this picture of this strong woman and her family in hopes to remove the spotlight of the reason Jaheem is in Heaven.
I really don’t know how these people sleep at night. “What pros-per a Man to gain the Whole World and Lose His Soul”?
Apostle Dr. Monique McMiller is a DeKalb County School parent.
CrossRoadsNews May 23, 2009A2
COMMUNITY PGcommunityUse of county vehicles curtailedBy Mary Swint
DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis is cracking down on employee usage of county vehicles to help save money in the face of declining tax, sales and other revenues.
Ellis has revised the policy on the use of take-home vehicles and has ordered all county employees currently assigned them to submit requests showing why they should
keep the vehicles. Keith Barker, the
county’s executive assis-tant, said that they need to address cost savings wherever they can.
“When we began look-ing at take-home vehicles, we were not sure we have accurate assessment of
who takes home vehicles,” he said Wednes-day. “I want to make sure there is a good business need for a person to have a take-home vehicle.”
In the May 1 executive order, Ellis told the Fleet Management Division of the Public Works Department to submit a report “de-tailing the legitimate business purpose” of every county take-home vehicle and recom-mending which vehicles should be removed from the county’s fleet.
The Fleet Management Division per-forms maintenance work on the take-home vehicles.
The CEO also wants every employee who uses a county take-home vehicle or receives an auto allowance to submit to him a request form showing their justification for using the vehicle or receiving compensation in lieu of a take-home vehicle.
Barker said the inventory of take-home vehicles should be completed by June 12.
“I expect we will receive all requests by
that time,” he said, adding that the deadline for submitting requests was extended be-cause of a delay in sending out the executive order.
Employees determined to be eligible for the vehicles will have to submit annual request to use the vehicle the vehicles will have to sign an acknowledgement that they have read the county vehicle rules.
The executive order prohibits smoking in county vehicles.
The order also said employees who live more than 35 miles outside the county or who are not required to work outside of normal business hours will not be eligible to use a county take-home vehicle.
The CEO or his designee has to approve any exceptions.
Barker said some individuals may need vehicles to do their jobs but may not need to take vehicles home. He said the administra-tion is working on a more comprehensive vehicle policy and expects to roll it out in the next month.
“We will look at the overall size of the fleet,” he said. “We want to make sure we have enough vehicles to provide an adequate level of service, but not an overabundance. It costs to insure and maintain a vehicle. The 2009 budget recommendation called for suspending all vehicle purchases unless an emergency.”
The DeKalb Board of Commissioners raised questions about county vehicles last year and its staff prepared a vehicle audit in September 2008. That report estimated that there were 220 to 228 take-home vehicles, including 152 in the Police Department. The staff report noted the master list of vehicles did not always match documents from the departments.
Barker said this new report will be more accurate.
Keith Barker
CrossRoadsNewsMay 23, 2009 A3
More than 35 businesses and federal and local agencies will be taking resumes for hundreds of
job vacancies at Congressman Hank Johnson’s 2 0 0 9 Ca re er Expo on May 28 at DeKalb Tech-nical College.
The 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. expo w i l l f e a t u r e
businesses and agencies including AT&T, Gwinnett Police, the Depart-ment of Homeland Security, EPA,
Finance “While Recovery Act funds flowing into the District will provide some relief, I’ve decided to hold my 2009 Career Expo as soon as possible.”
Companies to gather resumes at job fair Greenforest facing lawsuit alleging discrimination
Black Chamber’s Walker to step down
EEOC suing homebuilder The U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission is su-ing John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods Inc. for unlawfully discriminating against black sales agents.
The Atlanta-based homebuild-er, which has developed numer-ous subdivisions in south DeKalb County, is charged with intention-ally assigning sales agents to hous-ing communities based on the race of the surrounding community.
In the lawsuit filed on April 30, the EEOC said that the practice led to black sales agents earning significantly less than their white counterparts, who were assigned to housing communities where they sold higher-priced homes.
The EEOC says that conduct by Wieland Homes violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The agency began its investigation of Wieland Homes when Michelle Mouser, a white human resources representative, filed a discrimina-tion charge with the agency.
Mouser, who was responsible for recruiting sales agents to work onsite at Weiland’s new housing communities under construction, said that the company’s manage-ment expressly stated that the goal was to hire and assign employees
whose race corresponded with the predominant population of each community.
“Therefore Mouser was told that she could not hire qualified African-American sales agents for communities with predominantly Caucasian populations,” the law-suit said.
“When Mouser complained about the company’s discrimina-tory practices to management officials, no action was taken. Because management failed to act and Mouser could not participate in the illegal hiring practices, she felt forced to resign.”
The EEOC is seeking back pay, compensatory and punitive dam-ages for Mouser and the affected African American sales agents for the period beginning in 2003.
The lawsuit also wants injunc-tive relief designed to stop the discrimination and prevent it from recurring in the future.
Bernice Williams-Kimbrough, the EEOC’s Atlanta district office director, said that race discrimina-tion is still an insidious, but preva-lent form of discrimination.
“All employees are entitled to a workplace free of racial discrimina-tion,” she said. “More importantly, all individuals, regardless of their
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Funding Allocations to DeKalb County, Georgia
to Include the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) and
Community Development Block Grant Recovery Program (CDBG-R) In accordance with the Title III Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated funding to DeKalb County through the following programs:
• Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) - $18,545,013 This funding will be used in the areas of greatest need in DeKalb County to help stabilize
neighborhoods impacted by the foreclosure/mortgage crisis. • Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) - $2,359,998 This funding will be used to either prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless
or help those experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. • Community Development Block Grant Recovery Program (CDBG-R) - $1,543,400 This funding will be used to stimulate the economy through measures that modernize the
local infrastructure and improve energy efficiency. Funding will assist with hard development costs associated with infrastructure improvements and activities that stimulate job creation and long-term economic benefit.
Citizens and interested parties are encouraged to visit DeKalb County’s website, www.co.dekalb.ga.us, for current information and continuing updates to these programs. Please visit our website on a regular basis. We want citizens to be informed of recent developments and opportunities to improve their neighborhoods and help prevent home-lessness. In addition, information may be obtained at the DeKalb County Community Development Department located at 1807 Candler Road, Decatur 30032 between the hours of 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Comments may also be submitted to Fax: (404) 286-3337 or Email: [email protected] Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access TTY by phone at 404-286-3336. Limited English
proficiency (LEP) persons that desire assistance regarding these programs may visit the Community Development Department (CD) at the Candler Road location or contact CD by phone at 404-286-3308.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Funding Allocations
to DeKalb County, Georgia to Include the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)
and Community Development Block Grant Recovery Program (CDBG-R)
In accordance with the Title III Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated funding to DeKalb County through the following programs:
• Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) - $18,545,013This funding will be used in the areas of greatest need in DeKalb County to help stabilize neighborhoods impacted by the foreclosure/mortgage crisis.
• Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) - $2,359,998 This funding will be used to either prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or help those experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized.• Community Development Block Grant Recovery Program (CDBG-R) - $1,543,400 This funding will be used to stimulate the economy through measures that modernize the local infrastructure and improve energy efficiency. Funding will assist with hard development costs associated with infrastructure improvements and activities that stimulate job creation and long-term economic benefit.
Citizens and interested parties are encouraged to visit DeKalb County’s website, www.co.dekalb.ga.us, for current information and continuing updates to these programs. Please visit our website on a regular basis. We want citizens to be informed of recent developments and opportunities to improve their neighborhoods and help prevent homelessness.
In addition, information may be obtained at the DeKalb County Community Development Department located at 1807 Candler Road, Decatur 30032 between the hours of 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Comments may also be submitted to Fax: (404) 286-3337 or Email: [email protected]
Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access TTY by phone at 404-286-3336. Limited English proficiency (LEP) persons that desire assistance regarding these programs may visit the Community Development Department (CD) at the Candler Road location or contact CD by phone at 404-286-3308.
After five years running the day-to-day operations of the Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce, Theresa Walker is stepping down.
Walker who became the group’s executive di-rector in 2004 on the death of her late husband DeKalb Commissioner Lou Walker, announced her retirement on May 13.
“While I still have the energy, I look forward to being more in-volved in the volunteer activities of the Lou Walker Senior Center; Saint
Philip AME Church; the DeKalb Medical Center at Hil-landale Advisory Board and the Greater Towers Community Association,” she said, “and most im-portantly, spending more time with an active 4 year old grandson.”
Walker was tapped to take her place of husband,
who was the group’s founder and chairman, after his sudden death following a motor vehicle acci-dent.
The GBCC advocates on behalf
Theresa Walker
Hank Johnson
By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
Greenforest/McCalep Christian Academic Center is being sued by the Equal Employment Opportu-nity Commission for withdrawing a job offer from a teacher because she was pregnant.
The EEOC said in a May 14 statement that the Decatur school, owned and operated by Greenforest Community Baptist Church, vio-lated federal law when it rescinded an offer of employment to Victoria Y. Brown in July 2007.
The agency which enforces fed-eral laws prohibiting employment discrimination said it filed suit against the school after first trying to reach a voluntary settlement.
In its lawsuit, the EEOC said Brown had already received an employment offer from Greenfor-est McCalep when she went for a meeting with the headmaster to discuss some final pre-employment matters before she began teaching in the 2007-08 school year.
“During this meeting, Brown informed the headmaster that she was pregnant, and she was then told that she would not be able to teach at Greenforest McCalep because of
her pregnancy,” the EEOC said.Robert Dawkins, regional attor-
ney for the EEOC’s Atlanta District Office, said pregnant women have an equal right to participate in the work force.
“No expectant mother should be deprived of her livelihood for bringing life into the world,” he said.
The EEOC says that Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as amended by the Pregnancy Dis-crimination Act, prohibits employ-ers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex or pregnancy status. The EEOC is seeking back pay and compensatory and punitive damages for Brown.
The lawsuit also seeks injunc-tive relief designed to stop the discrimination and prevent it from recurring in the future.
Deacon James Chester, the church’s acting human resources manage,r said that they are review-ing the charge and cannot com-ment on active litigation.
“Our academy does its best to provide opportunity for all races, creeds and individuals,” he said. “We work towards the implementa-tion of all federal and state laws.”
DeKalb Sheriff ’s Office, U.S. Census Bureau, the IRS, Veterans Affairs, Primerico Conyers, DeKalb Work-force Development and FAA.
Johnson, whose 4th Congres-sional District includes portions of DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Rockdale counties, said many residents have either lost their job or know some-one who is unemployed.
“While Recovery Act funds flowing into the District will pro-vide some relief,” he said, “I’ve decided to hold my 2009 Career Expo as soon as possible.”
Some indicators show encour-
aging signs that the economy is beginning to turn around, but Johnson said now is not the time to sit idly by while residents of his District are struggling.
At the free expo, job hunters will learn how to write resumes, prepare for job interviews and do business with local govern-ments.
DeKalb Technical College is at 495 North Indian Creek Drive in Clarkston. For more informa-tion, visit www.hankjohnson.house.gov or call 770-987-2291.
of African-American-owned businesses statewide.
She said she will continue to support and be involved with the GBCC and its mission to help small businesses.
Walker and her late husband were successful entrepreneurs in the metro Atlanta area and co-owners of Paragon Productions, a full service public relations and marketing firm for 24 years. They also operated Lou’s Place night-club at I-20 and Candler Road and Blues in the Alley nightclub in Underground Atlanta.
CrossRoadsNews May 23, 2009A4
WeLLneSSLet the mosquitoes bite someone else
Now that it has been raining again and water is collecting every-where, count on pesky mosquitoes and their viruses that can cause disease in humans and animals.
The best way to remove the wel-come mat and minimize mosquito activity is to empty standing water. Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, the state acting public health director, says the standing water that persists after downpours in puddles, flower pots and other containers provides additional places for mosquitoes to breed and may cause mosquito eggs to hatch that have laid dormant for months or even years.
“By emptying standing water, Georgians are able to decrease the presence of mosquitoes and reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses,” Ford said. “Even if residents do not believe mosquitoes are biting, we still encourage them to dump excess water.”
The most common mosquito-borne viruses that plague Georgia annually include eastern equine encephalitis, west nile and la crosse viruses. Mosquito-borne viruses are most active from late spring to early fall in Georgia. Increased numbers of human cases are nor-mally detected in August.
Mosquito-borne viral diseases are also best prevented by taking personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites. Personal protective measures include wear-ing repellent containing DEET, pi-caridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus; ensuring mosquitoes cannot enter your home through open doors or
windows or through screens with tears in them, and avoiding outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active.
If you are allergic to over-the-counter repellants or you prefer natural remedies, you can surround
Keep the bugs at bayn Empty standing water n Avoid outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. n Dress appropriately when outdoors for long periods of time or when mosquitoes are most active.n Use insect repellant with an EPA-approved active ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Always follow the directions on the package for safest and most effective use.n Protect your skin with natural bug repellent, such as lemon eucalyptus oil, available at health food stores, or apple cider vinegar which you can rub all over your body. If you cannot tolerate the smell of apple cider vinegar on your skin, drink two tablespoons each day for the same effect. You can also add five or six drops of the oil to one cup of water in a spritz bottle and spray it all over your body. n Burning citronella candles on your deck or around your house when you plan to be outside after dark will also mosquito-proof home and outdoor living space.n Hang mosquito netting, available at camping supply stores, around your deck or porch for extra protection to keep mosquitoes at bay.
For more information about mosquito-borne viruses in Georgia, visit http://health.state.ga.us/epi/vbd/mosquito.asp.
your home and backyard and other outdoor l iv ing spaces with plants that are known to re-pel mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are very sensitive to certain smells like garlic, and plants like cat-
nip, basil, marigold, peppermint, rosemary and citronella emit odors that are unpleasant to mosquitoes.
In addition, eating garlic daily or taking a garlic supplement will help keep mosquitoes away from you.
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Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates is a participating providerfor Medicare, Medicaid and most healthcare plans offered in Georgia.
For information about our other locations, call: 1-866-GO-TO-AGA [468-6242]
• Colon Cancer • Liver Disease and Hepatitis• Intestinal Polyps • Barrett’s Esophagus• Hiatal Hernias • Irritable Bowel Syndrome• Acid Reflux and Ulcers • Diarrhea
Barry Levitt, M.D.Board Certified Gastroenterologist
©2009 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding is owned by Grady Health System® and managed by HSOC Inc., an affiliate of Children’s. Some physicians and affi liated healthcare professionals who perform services at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are independent providers and are not our employees.
Children’s at Hughes Spalding35 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding offers excellent
care for many of the health issues children face, especially asthma.
The multi-specialty Children’s Asthma Center offers comprehensive
services for the number one reason kids are admitted to Children’s,
for the treatment of asthma, including respiratory therapy, asthma
education and a pulmonary function testing lab. So the next time your
child needs emergency or general medical care, remember Children’s
at Hughes Spalding, one of Atlanta’s three nationally ranked pediatric
hospitals. For more information, visit www.choa.org/asthma
or call 404-785-9960.
Breathe easy. Treatment for your kids is closer than ever.
“By emptying standing water, Georgians are able to decrease the presence of mosquitoes.”
CrossRoadsNewsMay 23, 2009 A5
Scene
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SceneSlave girl’s quest for love coming to Sanford Center
Authors to discuss books during Festival of Writers
In Willis’ version, Carmen J journeys from a Southern plantation at the end of the Civil War to the streets of Philadelphia and New York City.
The story of a hot-tempered slave girl in search of freedom and love comes to the stage at the Porter Sanford Community and Performing Arts Center on May 28-30 in the Americolor Opera Company’s play,
“Carmen J.”The production,
written by composer and Americolor Opera founder Dr. Sharon J. Willis, is an adapta-tion of French opéra comique “Carmen” by Georges Bizet.
Willis says her opera brings a history lesson and a twist to the original composition.
In Willis’ version, Carmen J journeys from a Southern plantation at the end of the Civil War to the streets of Philadelphia and New York City. Her story is laced with deception, humor, romance, folly and conspiracy.
Carmen J is the 10th original opera written by Willis and performed across metropolitan Atlanta since she founded Americolor Opera Company in 1999.
Showtimes for the DeKalb run of Car-men J are 8 p.m. on May 28 and May 29 and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on May 30.
Tickets are $25 and are available on-line at americoloropera.org. May 28 is DeKalb County Night and all tickets are $10 each.
The Arts Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information email [email protected] or call 404-917-4137.
Sharon Willis
Three celebrated authors, including a national health expert, will visit the Decatur Library in the coming days as part of library’s May Festival of Writers.
Writing duo Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, whose newest novel “Cemetery Dance” follows enigmatic special agent Pendergast on his investigation of a murderous New York City cult, will be at the library on May 23 at 2 p.m. Preston and Child have also penned “Relic,” “Reliquary” and “The Book of the Dead.”
Robyn O’Brien, a children’s health and food allergies specialist, will be at the library on May 27 at 7:15 p.m. She will discuss her new book “The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick – and What We Can Do About It.”
founder of AllergyKids, an organization devoted to raising awareness about food toxins.
Both events are free. The Decatur Library is at 215 Sycamore
Street in downtown Decatur. For more infor-mation, call 404-370-8450, ext. 2225.
Robyn O”Brien (above) is on a quest to identify ways that food allergies affect kids. At left, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child will discuss their newest novel.
The tome details O’Brien’s transforma-tion into a one-woman crusader seeking to identify food allergies that affect children. It also explores her discovery of shocking truths about toxicity in American food systems.
O’Brien, who has been featured in “The New York Times” and on CNN, is also the
CrossRoadsNews May 23, 2009A6
MiniStryConference offers emotional empowerment
Dazzling hip hop dance duo’s steps to be televised
“On that day we will identify, examine and unleash emotional chains of defeat.”
Young women can tap into spiritual and emotional empower-ment at the second annual Reflect My Essence conference on May 30 at Emory University in Atlanta.
“Waiting to Exhale: Breaking the Chains of Defeat” will take
place 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Organizer Marissa Mitch-ell said the con-ference is for women ages 21 to 30.
She said that age group faces
many issues including depression and career setbacks, relationship struggles and staggering HIV rates.
“I believe that low self-esteem and spiritual strongholds are the root cause of those issues,” said Mitchell, a former Miss Black Geor-gia USA and 2007 Emory graduate who lives in Lithonia.
She said the free conference cre-ates an environment for women to share their stories, clear their minds of worry and get encouragement from women who have overcome.
“On that day we will identify, examine and unleash emotional chains of defeat,” Mitchell said.
Speakers include Stacy Terrell Dennis, founder of Blessed and Highly Favored Charities Inc. and author of “My Guardian Angel Is So Real.”
Choreographer and artist de-veloper Gee Gee Ibarra of Infinite
Movement Dance Studio in Atlanta will lead an interactive dance ses-sion, and Brenda Coleman, chair of the Atlanta Cares Movement, will speak on mentorship.
There will also be a guided med-itation session, mix and mingle and a soul-stirring “Exhale” ceremony.
Mitchell said each participant should receive a blessing.
“She will leave knowing that she isn’t alone in her struggles and that she is more than capable of overcoming any battle that comes her way,” she said.
Participants must bring a pillow or small comforter for mediation.
Casual attire in white or beige is preferred. To register, email [email protected] or call 404-314-2821.
Raize the Praize, a Decatur-based sister-brother hip hop duo, will show their stuff on “Atlanta Live” on May 26.
Zhani and Zion Moore, who are 14 and 10 years old respec-tively, are winners of the 2009 Dance Invasion competition. They will be on WATC TV's flagship program that airs live weeknights between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Encore presentations of the program are broadcast weekday mornings from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Corliss Moore, their mother, says that in the 18 months they have been dancing, they have used
their talent to praise God and to demonstrate to their peers that there is no shame in doing so.
The duo, who are are members of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, have appeared at numer-ous churches in DeKalb County.
They are also the first-place winners of the Blaze the Floor praise dance competiton held recently at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, and have performed their poppin’, tickin’ and animation movements on the GospelSuperfest and in James Jackson’s video “Thank You.”
Zion (left) and Zhani Moore – a.k.a. Raize the Praize – will be on WATC’s “Atlanta Live” program.
Marissa Mitchell
The Reflect My Essence conference creates an environment for women to share their stories, clear their minds of worry and get encouragement from women who have overcome.
CrossRoadsNewsMay 23, 2009 A7
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIESThe Complete Janitorial Business Package; includes cleaning contracts, insurance, bonding and much more. Schedule your ap-pointment today! 404-942-2405
Afraid of Downsizing? Start building a business today to supplement your income in case of a layoff. Call 404-289-1968.
COMPUTERS
Laptops $199 & up. Computers $99 & up. Laptop & computer repair. Spyware/virus removal. Diagnostic fee $35 WWW.JONATECH.NET. 404-643-1768/404-543-8836. Jonatech
CONTRaCTORS/CONSTRUCTION
Home Remodeling & Roofing Services Call Rob at 404-207-2875 or go online for a free estimate. GA Licensed & Insured www.atmconstructors.net
FINaNCIal & Tax SERvICES
Insurance licensing course Become a Professional Insurance Agent. Join our Life & Health Insurance classes in Conyers, Georgia or complete the course at your own pace online at www.emccmarketing.com. Call 404-394-5023.
FOR RENT/lEaSE4BR-3BA Home for Rent Decatur. 4BR, 3BA, Gated Comm, all ap-pliances, washer/dryer, fireplace, nearby shopping and busline. $1100/mo/dep, Sec-8. 877-240-9748.
Share a 4 bedroom with private bathroom house near Flat Shoals/Decatur. Not on bus line. $130.00 per week. 404-918-5676.
MarketplaceRoommate Wanted. Quiet Neighborhood. Spacious floor plan. Outside deck. Big kitchen. Ellenwood/Decatur Area. Please call 404-291-0212
Conyers/Stonecrest area. 3-4 BR, 2 1/2 baths. Ask about move in discount. Call owner/agent 770-842-3150 or 770-322-3150.
House For Rent 4 bed-room,2.5 bath over 2700sq ft. located in lithonia. family rm with fireplace,kitchen with appliances,dining rm,laundry rm,2 car garage,built in 2000. Contact Jim @ 4-372-4440. 1225 per month 700 deposit.
FURNITUREA Queen Pillowtop Mattress & box set - Unused! Still in plastic w/manuf. warranty! $135 Can deliver. 770-875-8434
A Cherry Solid Wood Sleigh Bed - NEW! In boxes. $250 Delivery avail. 678-754-5075
Microfiber Living Room Set 5pcs. Sofa, Loveseat, Coffee Table, 2 Side Tables. All NEW! In boxes. $575 Can deliver. 770-875-8434
HaIR CaRE/SalONDe-bo-rah’s Hair Special. Shampoo-$18.00. Press & Curl-$30.00. Cold Waves-$40.00. Touchups-$35.00. Free trims & conditioner with service. Call 404-883-3597.
Recession Special. Booth rent $75 per week. Antoine’s Styles of Perfection in Conyers seeking licensed Stylists, Barbers and Nail Technicians. Call 678-509-1329. 10 -7 p.m. No weapon formed against us shall prosper.
HElP WaNTEd
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HOME SERvICES
Your Neighborhood Handyman! Plumbing and Electrical repairs, painting, carpentry, flooring, roof-ing, exterior work also. Call Chris (404) 992-3663.
laNdSCaPE/laWN CaRE
Lawn Care Early Bird Special $99.00 per month. Landscape:
aUTOS*Police Impounds for Sale!* Honda Civic 2001 only $1000! (craigslist) Honda Accord 1998 only $600! (craigslist) Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans & More from $500! For Listings 800-366-0124 ext. L213
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$500! HONDAS & TOYO-TAS FROM $500! Buy Police Impounds & Repos! Acuras, Nissans, Chevys & more from $500! For Listings 800-366-0124 ext. L215
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES$100K in 100 days! No Selling, Not MLM. Call me NOW! Mr.
Cash 1-888-431-3438 www.cashnow2yourdoor.com
ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy. All for $9,995. 800-893-1185 (Void in SD & MD)
Paid In Advance! Make $1000 weekly Stuffing Envelopes from home. 100% Legit! Income is Guaranteed! No experience required. Apply Today! www.startstuffingnow.com
BUSINESS SERvICESComputer trouble? My Computer Works your personal Help Desk. Fast, safe and secure help 24/7 Sign up now get 6 months free back up. 888-375-8686
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Attend College Online from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 800-488-0386 www.CenturaOn-line.com
AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Train for high paying Aviation Main-tenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if quali-fied - Housing Available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888) 349-5387.
EMPlOyMENT OPPORTUNITIESAWESOME CAREER $20/hr. Avg $57K/yr, Postal Jobs, Pd Training, Vacations. OT, Full Benefits, Pension Plan. Call M-F, 8-5 CST. 1-888-361-6551 Ext. 1024
Mystery Shoppers Needed. Earn up to $150 per day. Undercover Shoppers needed to Judge Retail & Dining Establishments Experi-ence Not Required. Call Now 1-877-218-6211
FINaNCIal$$ Need CASH Fast $$ $500, $1000, or $1500 direct to your acct No Credit History Required Get CASH now For complete De-tails go to WWW.CASHQUICK-CASH.COM
$$$ ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!!! AS seen on TV. Injury Lawsuit Dragging? Need $500-$500,000++ within 48/hrs? Low rates. APPLY NOW BY PHONE! 1-888-271-0463 www.cash-for-cases.com
Owe 10k or more to the IRS? Need Tax relief? Call Effectur NOW for a FREE Consultation We can help! 800-989-0518
2 free keychain remotes! Promo code A02086 1-888-951-5128
REal ESTaTEOpportunity Knocks in NC! ON-LINE REAL ESTATE AUCTION www.LightHouseAuctionServices.com NCAF#8552
NC Mountains. NEW! E-Z Finish Log Cabin Shell Financing Avail-able!! With Loft & Full Basement. Includes acreage. $89,900 Warm Winters/Cool Summers 828-247-9966 code 45
BUY HUD Homes from $199/mo! 4bd 2ba only $325/mo! 3bd 2ba only $199/mo! More Home from $199/mo! 5% dn, 15yrs @8% apr! for Listings 800-366-0142 ext. T252
3bd 2ba HUD Home only $200/mo! 4bd 2ba Home only $325/mo! Priced to Sell! More Homes Avail-able! 5%dn, 20yrs @8%apr! For Listings 800-366-0142 ext. T253
TIMESHaRESSELL/RENT YOUR TIMESHARE NOW!!! Maintenance fees too high? Need Cash? Sell your unused timeshare today. No com-missions or Broker Fees. Free Consultation. www.sellatime-share.com 1-866-708-3690
HEalTH & FITNESSONLINE PHARMACY Buy Soma, Ultram, Fioricet, Prozac, Buspar $71.99/90 $107/180 Quantities, PRICE INCLUDES PRESCRIP-TION! Over 200 meds $25Cou-pon Mention Offer:#31A31. 1-866-491-2712. tri-pharmacy.net
HElP WaNTEdHelp Wanted Earn Extra Income, assembling CD cases from home. Start immediately, No experience necessary. 1-800-405-7619 ext 1395 www.easywork-greatpay.com
Travel, Travel, Travel! $500 Sign on bonus. Seeking Sharp guys and gals, Rock-N-Roll Atmo-sphere, Blue Jean Environement! Call Wanda 866-366-5621 today
MISC. FOR SalEA NEW COMPUTER NOW!!!! Brand Name laptops & desktops Bad or NO Credit- No Problem Smallest weekly payments avail. Its yours NOW- Call 800-317-7891
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY Get a free GE alarm system with no installation fee and no equip-ment cost. Most homeowners will receive an insurance discount as well. Mention this ad and get
Maintenance, Design, Installation, Vegetable Garden. Senior Citi-zens Discount. Call 770-593-1382
lOaNS & MORTgagES
Loans for churches, restaurants, day care centers, multi-family properties, office buildings, and other commercial properties. Pur-chases or refinancing. All credit considered. Closings as quick as 7 days. www.thesamuelgroupinc.com. 404-870-9070.
MOvERS
Gideon Movers, Inc. Moves & Deliveries, In-house Moves; Loading & Un-loading. Free on-site Estimate. (404)[email protected]
MaRKETPlaCE RaTESPlace your MarketPlace line ad here – up to 20 words for $25. Additional words are $3 per block of five words (maximum 45 words). Boxed Ads (with up to 3 lines bold headline): $35 plus cost of the classified ad. Send ad copy with check or credit card information and contact phone number (if different from ad) to MarketPlace, CrossRoadsNews, 2346 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032, or e-mail to [email protected]. Our deadlines are at noon on the Thursday one week prior to publication, un-less otherwise noted.
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
PUBlIC NOTICE1988 Honda Civic VIN# JHM-BA4232JC059344. Bidding starts June 4, 2009 at 11 am. - 4 p.m. 1955 Candler Road.
REal ESTaTEConvington Hwy/I-285. North Center: full service professional office building offering suites from 281 s.f. to 2680 s.f. Premier location minutes from I-285 and I-20. Contact Carole Egan: (770) 598-1298.
SERvICESLooking for delivery and Install
Tech in DeKalb area. Must belong to DeKalb Co LSBE Assoc. Must have $1 million liability insurance. No criminal background, drug free. Must have Dept of Labor number. Fax resume to 912-238-1369.
Deliver Company Needed Pick up/deliver vehicles. Must have a $1 million Liability Insurance. No criminal, drug or traffic violations. Georgia Dept. of Labor Registration ID number. Must belong to DeKalb County’s LSBE Association. Call 770 979 5802 and leave a message.
For Honest & Reliable Heating & Air Conditioning Service, Call...
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JAY’S LAWN SERVICEJAY’S LAWN SERVICEServing DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton, Henry and Gwinnett Counties
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CrossRoadsNews May 23, 2009A8