www.crossroadsnews.comSeptember 26, 2009Copyright © 2009 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

COVER PAGESupport for transplants MINISTRY

The need for more organ donations to meet the needs of renal disease and other patients spurred 145 people to walk and run for transplantation support. 13

A local firm replaces a senior’s deck for free as part of a national ini-tiative to bring attention to aging structures in danger of collapse. 3

Deck supportWELLNESS

Members of Georgia State’s football team are looking forward to the football program’s first season, which kidks off next year. 12

Part of something specialSPORTS

Thousands of homeowners seek help to renegotiate loans

Flood waters wreak havoc on homeowners, roads and bridgesVolume 15, Number 21

NACA mortgage counselor Shonte Howard explains the steps to loan modification to 6,000 homeowners who filled the Greater Travelers Baptist Church Hope Cathedral in Decatur last week.

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Thousands of people looking to modify their mortgages filled the sanctuary at Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church – not once – but three times on Saturday.

The men and women began lin-ing up at 1:55 a.m. for the first of three seminars hosted by the non-profit Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA).

Phyllis Morrow, NACA’s De-catur office manager, said 5,000 people signed up online for the first seminar at 10:30 a.m. but more than 6,000 showed up.

Inside the 7000-seat Hope Ca-thedral, even the upper balconies were filled.

By the end of the day, NACA mortgage consultants had walked more than 15,000 people through the application process for lower rates for their mortgages through the group’s Save the Dream Pro-gram.

Nationally, Moody’s Economy.com forecasts that more than 1.7 million U.S. households will lose their homes in foreclosure this year. NACA’s Home Save Workshops have been offered to more than 180,000 homeowners this year. The HUD-certified counseling agency helps homeowners avoid foreclo-sure, restructure home loans, and reduce mortgage rates through legally-binding agreements with all the major lenders.

Many of the people at the Sept. 19 workshops at Greater Travelers Rest Church on Flat Shoals Park-way in Decatur were seeking lower mortgage payments to help them keep their homes. Many of them have seen their ability to continue their mortgage payments compro-mised by reduced hours at work, job losses and illnesses.

Morrow said the crowds at 10 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. workshops were made up largely

of the overflow from their Aug. 7-11 workshops at the Georgia World Congress Center. Over those five days, NACA served more than 60,000 people.

Barbara Lumpkiss, her right hand in bandages from surgery, was one of those people who couldn’t get in the Atlanta workshops. She arrived at Greater Travelers Rest church at 2:18 a.m. Saturday de-termined to attend the workshop. She wasn’t the first one there either. When she arrived in the drizzling rain, three other people were al-ready there.

Lumpkiss who lives in Law-renceville, said her $1,388 a month mortgage is not in default yet, but she had surgery a week ago and is out of work.

“Now the doctor tells me I have to have surgery on my left hand as well,” said the insurance specialist who suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome. “I want to get in front of it.”

When the line started wrap-ping around the church through downpours of rain, Lumpkiss said she started praying.

“I prayed for everyone that God would help us,” she said, “I prayed ‘Lord hear the cry of your people.’”

Bobby Lancaster from Ellen-wood was the first one to arrive at the church at 1:55 a.m. with his wife, Karlynn. They remembered seeing the news in August about the people who were turned away from the Georgia World Congress

Center. “We wanted to make sure we got

in,” Lancaster said.In the last month, he said his

hours at the Kellog’s Eggo Plant where he works in packaging, have been reduced. He has gone from making $700 to $800 a week to making $700 for the whole month.

“This ain’t adding up,” he said Thurday, when he came up short $300 on his $1,376 September mortgage payment for his four-bedroom house. This week’s flood is also affecting hours. He said the plant on Fulton Industrial Boule-vard in Atlanta was flooded.

“Now the plant has water in it and we can’t go back to work until it is cleaned out,” he said.

Lancaster said he went to the workshop in hopes of getting his monthly mortgage payment low-ered so that he won’t default on his mortgage.

“People are going through hard times,” he said, “Life shows up and things happen. You are in a bind and you need some help.”

Five days later he was still gath-ering his documents to complete his Home Save application but he had a phone appointment with NACA counselors for Oct. 8.

“This is not for the greedy,” he said. “It’s for the needy.”

Since the overflow crowds at the Georgia World Congress Center, Morrow said NACA hosted work-

McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNewsThis bridge over the Waters Edge Lake in Stone Mountain was washed away by flood waters after Monday’s heavy rains.

Jennifer Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Please see NACA, page 3

Please see FLOOD, page 5

Flood waters create health dangers, p. 8

By McKenzie Jackson

Donna Woodruff was up late Monday night when water began sweeping into her ranch-style home in the Dockside at Waters Edge sub-division in Stone Mountain.

“Within a matter of minutes it seeped in all over the entire floor and into the dry walls,” she said.

On Thursday, she said she was looking at a repair bill of up to $15,000.

Woodruff was one of hundreds

of flood victims across 17 North Georgia counties facing huge repair bills in the wake of the Sept. 20-21 thunderstorms that killed nine people including a four-year-old who was swept from his father’s arms in Carroll County.

As much as 20 inches of rain hit some metro areas flooding riv-ers, lakes and ponds. The waters washed away roads and bridges, submerged homes and engulfed neighborhoods.

On Tuesday, Georgia Insurance

Commissioner John Oxendine estimated the damage at $250 mil-lion statewide but Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin said Thursday that Atlanta’s damage could reach $1 billion.

In DeKalb, Public Safety Direc-tor William Miller said flooding damage was extensive, but he

INSIDE-AD PGCrossRoadsNews September 26, 20092

Linda Yancey, who was an officer at the DeKalb County Jail, during a rob-bery attempt.

Forensic evidence lat-er determined Yancey was lying and he was arrested. Investigators believe he killed both people.

Before his arrest, Yancey was last sighted on April 6 at a Greyhound

bus station in Phoenix, Ariz. During his time on the run Yancey was

twice featured on “America’s Most Wanted.” The sheriff ’s department had also circu-

lated several computer-generated pictures of Yancey featuring him with and without facial hair in hopes of someone recognizing the fugitive.

Mann said law enforcement agents ap-prehended Yancey after a member of the Sheriff ’s Office’s fugitive squad received a tip that he had attempted to contact family members.

Mann said investigators were not sure how long Yancey, who is fluent in Spanish, had been in Punta Gorda or how he got there.

“To my knowledge he hasn’t had any conversations or been willing to talk about that,” he said.

Sandra Hannon, Linda Yancey’s sister, said she was glad it did not take 10 years to find Yancey.

“There is a sense of relief,“ she said. “I think I would like to lay eyes on him.”

COMMUNITY PG

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

Community “Under the state’s ‘Safe Place for Newborns Act’ they could have left the newborn in the custody of an employee at a medical facily and not faced prosecution.”

Yancey headed back to jail in DeKalb More charges possible in baby caseBy McKenzie Jackson

Accused double-mur-der suspect Derrick Yanc-ey, 50, will be back behind bars in the DeKalb County Jail on Sept. 26.

Deputies with the DeKalb Sheriff ’s Office and U.S. Marshals traveled to Central America on Thursday to pick up the former sheriff ’s deputy from authorities in Punta Gorda, Belize.

They are expected to arrive in Atlanta with Yancey in custody sometime Saturday evening.

Agents with the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Security captured Yancey on Sept. 19 while he was sitting at a bar in the Belizean neighborhood he was living in. Punta Gorda is a resort and fishing town on the Caribbean Sea.

Yancey’s arrest ends a five-and-a-half-month manhunt that began on April 4 after he escaped house arrest at his mother’s home in Jonesboro.

Yancey cut his ankle-monitoring bracelet and fled the state by Greyhound bus.

At the time of his escape, he was out on $150,000 bond for the June 9, 2008, murders of his wife of 17 years, Linda Yancey, 44, and Guatemalan day laborer Marcial Cax Puluc, 20, at his Southland subdivision home in Stone Mountain.

Yancey initially told investigators that he killed Puluc in self-defense after Puluc shot

Police had released sketches of how Derrick Yancey might look with facial hair (right).

By McKenzie Jackson

The teen parents ar-rested on charges they dumped their newborn baby boy in a Decatur storm drain are still behind bars and could face additional criminal charges.

Sinead A. Harrison, 18, and her boy-friend, Landis B. Stewart-Moore, 19, are each being held in the DeKalb County Jail on $50,000 bond after being arrested Sept. 17 on charges of first-degree cruelty to children.

Police found the couple’s infant aban-doned inside a storm drain near the 3800 block of Grand Pines Drive, a few yards from the father’s home in the early morn-ing hours of Sept. 17.

The child was still alive at the time and making noise. It died later that evening at Egleston Children’s Hospital where it was taken for medical attention.

Pat Bailey, DeKalb Medical Examiner’s Office chief investigator, said Thursday that it would be several weeks before an autopsy of the infant is concluded because of the nature of the crime.

Orzy Theus, spokesperson for the DeKalb District Attorney’s office, said Har-rison and Stewart-Moore could face other charges pending the autopsy’s outcome.

Harrison allegedly gave birth at her boyfriend’s home on Grand Pines Drive either late night on Sept. 16 or early morn-

ing on Sept. 17. After the birth, she went to DeKalb Medical at Hillandale in Lithonia. Police said she told hospital staff she had just delivered a baby and he was in a dumpster at a gas station on Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur.

After a frantic search, police found noth-ing in the trash bin. Stewart-Moore told police that Harrison delivered the baby at his house and he left it in a storm drain.

Harrison and Stewart-Moore are both 2009 graduates of Southwest DeKalb High School in Decatur.

During their first court appearance on Sept. 18, they showed no emotion when told the child had died.

As he left the courthouse in handcuffs, Stewart-Moore told news reporters that he and his girlfriend did not know what to do with their son. Harrison didn’t speak.

Under the state’s “Safe Place for New-borns Act,” they could have left the newborn in custody of an employee at a medical facil-ity and not faced prosecution.

The 2002 law was enacted to prevent in-jury or death to newborn children through abandonment.

Sinead Harrison L. Steward-Moore

Sponsored by CrossRoadsNews.com

CrossRoadsNewsSeptember 26, 2009 3

This isn’t the race card. It’s a reality check. Anyone who mans the phones in a

Congressional office, surfs YouTube, or watches cable news cannot help but understand that

American politics is not above or beyond race. Mr. Wilson understands this, too. Hank Johnson, 4th Congressional District

pneumonia. Our chil-dren are being killed by another epidemic-scale disease known as gun violence.

This is a prevent-able illness, but we are doing all that we can as parents, as community

activists, and as faith leaders. We are being the change that you asked us to be.

But, Mr. President, we need you to act in the urgency of the moment. There is not a minute to waste. We are now faced with the fact that our children are no longer being killed solely by bullets, but by the unwillingness of others to act

Forum Page

Forum

index to advertisers

Yancey headed back to jail in DeKalb 3

Accused double-murder suspect Derrick Yancey, 50, will be back behind bars in the DeKalb County Jail on Sept. 26.

More charges possible in baby case 3

The teen parents arrested on charges they dumped their newborn baby boy in a Decatur storm drain are still behind bars and could face additional criminal charges.

Moratorium issued for sign compliance 6

DeKalb citizens and business owners who have been cited recently for improper signage, now have a chance to comply with the county’s sign code without penalty.

Program helps seniors needing deck replacement 6

Twenty years ago, when Carleen Cum-berbatch bought her brand new home in Lithonia, she remembers how much she loved the deck it came with.

Vampire fans can meet ‘True Blood’ actor 10

“True Blood” actor Mehcad Brooks and his awesome abs will be at the Mall at Stonecrest on Oct. 3 to meet fans of the award-winning HBO series.

Gospel icon to perform at Mall at Stonecrest 10

Veteran gospel singer Fred Hammond will perform and sign autographs on Oct. 1 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Author, poets to close Festival of Writers 10

A best-selling author and three Atlanta poets will close out the September Festival of Writers at the DeKalb Library.

Players savor opportunity to launch new program 12

At least once a week during practice, redshirt freshman wide receiver Nate An-thony, 18, looks up at the empty seats in the Georgia Dome and imagines them filled with Panthers fans adorned in blue and white.

Ribbon cutting for Family Life Center 13

Clarkston First Baptist Church is cutting the ribbon their new $4.4 million Family Life Center on Oct. 4.

1.2.3 Discount Fabrics ......................................5Alpha Climate Control .................................... 14Career Wellness Training ............................... 15Comforcare Services LLC ............................... 14Craig B. Williams, DDS .....................................8CrossRoadsNews 2010 Expos ..........................2DeKalb Co. Dept. of Watershed Mgmt. ...........5Divine Visitation International Ministries ........ 15

E. L. Bouie Trad. Theme School .................... 15Ella’s Caring Hands Adult Day Care ............... 15Excell Preparatory Center ..............................10Georgia Power .................................................3Jay Lawn Service ............................................ 15Kreative Consulting Group ............................. 14Law Office of C.E. Taylor ................................. 6M&J Package Store ........................................ 15

Macy’s ..............................................................7Malcolm Cunningham Ford ........................... 16MARTA ............................................................ 6Multi Care Health & Rehabilitation ......... InsertsMUSIC4U LLC................................................. 15Newburn Reynolds Photography ................... 14ReMax of Buckhead ........................................ 6

Saint Philip AME Church ................................ 13Southeastern Primary Care Consortium Inc .... 9The Law Office of B.A. Thomas ..................... 15The Mall at Stonecrest ....................................11Willis Callins ................................................... 15Wireless Global Solutions .............................. 14Wright Vision Care ...........................................8

QuiCk read

We are now faced with the fact that our children are no longer being killed solely by bullets, but by the unwillingness of others to act on their behalf.

CrossRoadsNews is pub-lished every Thursday 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

editor@crossroadsnews.com

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker

General Manager Curtis Parker

Staff WriterMcKenzie Jackson

Advertising Sales Cynthia Blackshear-Warren

Circulation Audited By

www.eastmetromarket.

LOCAL SER-

VICES!L O C A L

GOODS!

Letter to the president: Gun violence is killing our children

‘Fringe element’ is real, and cause for concern

Dear President Obama,During your historic

run to the White House, you challenged us to act within the urgency of the moment and urged us to be the change that we wished to see in the world.

As you most certainly know, we live in a very urgent time in our country. The loss of jobs, the loss of homes, and the instability of the stock market have made times troubling for all Americans. But there is a problem that most people have overlooked.

Our children are dying at highly alarming rates, but not due to swine flu or due to other diseases like

When I invoked the Ku Klux Klan in my remarks supporting a resolution to rebuke Congressman Joe Wilson for his outburst during the President’s health care address, I expected it to ignite a national debate. And so it did.

I took a lot of flack last week for saying that Mr. Wilson’s com-ments winked at a racist element within the ranks of those who most vitriolically condemn the Obama administration.

I’ve also been criticized for ob-serving that there is a dangerous, racially motivated fringe within the ranks of those who oppose the administration’s policies. I stand by both statements.

This isn’t the race card. It’s a reality check. Anyone who mans the phones in a Congressional office, surfs YouTube, or watches cable news cannot help but understand that American politics is not above or beyond race. Mr. Wilson under-stands this, too.

Before I am accused yet again of implying that all who oppose the administration’s policies harbor secret bigotry, let me be clear: the “fringe element” to which I referred in last week’s remarks is just that – a fringe element.

It is beyond obvious that the overwhelming majority of people who protest the President’s efforts do so in the spirit of good-faith dissent and genuine concern for the future of the United States. I applaud them.

It would be ludicrous to imply that all or most such dissent is mo-tivated by racism. I don’t even think that point needs to be made.

But it is equally ludicrous to ignore the alarming increase in ex-tremism, hate speech, threatening behavior and outright racism that has accompanied the precipitous decline of reason and civility that tainted this summer’s debates.

Folks: look around! Open your ears! This dangerous dynamic is out there. It is real. And if we refuse to confront it directly, it will fester, grow and come back to haunt us in

ways we haven’t seen in decades.That is, ultimately, what my com-

ments were meant to convey. The United States has shown a capacity for progress and self-improvement virtually unprecedented in human history. But let us not believe that the bad old days are so far behind us that racially driven violence could not once again rend the social fabric of our country.

Rep. Wilson is a canny politician. His outburst was a carefully calcu-lated appeal to a particular constitu-ency who question the legitimacy of Barack Obama’s presidency.

The symbolism of his act, which violated the rules of the House and attacked the dignity of the President’s office, emboldened and validated those who believe that President Obama, despite having been lawfully elected, is an illegitimate occupant of

the White House.Within that group, there are

yet fewer – but still enough to be cause for concern – individuals whose politics are motivated by resentment that the President of the United States is a black man.

I will not back down from that assertion, for it is self-evident.

Congressman Wilson knows it, too, and he knew it when he tried to shout down the Presi-dent of the United States within the halls of the United States Congress.

Politics designed to appeal to this thread is extraordinarily dangerous. The risk of violence is real. It must be confronted.

The history of this country is forever tainted by the legacies of slavery and Jim Crow. We must never forget it. And we must nev-er dismiss that legacy as ancient history. Even ancient history has a way of repeating itself.

That is what I said, and what I continue to say. No apologies here.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson represents the 4th Congressional District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwin-nett counties.

on their behalf. It is not enough for us to rely

upon the personal responsibility of our citizens. It is also the legislative and executive responsibility of our government. With that being said, our coalition is asking for three main initiatives from your administra-tion:n Re-instate the Federal Assault Weapons Ban as a permanent law.n Call a National Summit to address the national gun violence epidemic, highlighting problems and possible solutions to the problems. n Call for a Federal Agency to collect, track and disseminate national data on firearm violence to youth.

We do not have any time to waste.

Every three hours in the U.S., a child is killed by gunfire.

We need federal intervention. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that the ultimate measure of a human being is not where that person stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where that person stands in times of great challenge and controversy.

Thank you for your consid-eration. We need your vision, we need your support, but we also need your action

The Rev. Cynthia L. Hale is the senior pastor of the Ray ofHope Christian Church in Decatur.

Cynthia Hale

CrossRoadsNews September 26, 20094

Community PG

Community “Our residents are left high and dry without the proper backing to help families in need.”

DeKalb overlooked for federal state of emergency for damages Donna Woodruff pulls up carpet in her Dockside at Waters Edge home in Stone Mountain that was damaged by flood waters Monday night.

M.B. Armstrong reads the Home Save Workbook during the NACA workshop at Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church.

Demand for mortgage modifications has caused NACA to expand

workshops on Aug. 22 at Bethes-da Cathedral Church on Austin Drive in Decatur and at Gospel Tabernacle in Atlanta on Aug. 29.

She said more than 7,000 people showed up at Bethesda Cathedral and more than 10,000 at Gospel Tabernacle. At each location, she said people were turned away be-cause they could not accommodate them.

At the first workshop last Sat-urday, NACA mortgage consultant Shonte Howard paced the floor in front of the huge crowd as she explained the application steps and encouraged the homeowners not to give up.

She showed them how to answer the questions in the NACA Home Save Workbook which each person got at registration and encouraged them to keep in touch with their lenders even after completing their NACA registration.

“NACA advocates for you,” she said, “But you have to continue to call these people and tell them you need help. If you have a first Tuesday auction date in October, you have to get online and tell us right away.”

Howard told the homeowners that it is important to continue making their mortgage payments.

“We can’t guarantee that your mortgage will be modified but we

have this whole organization be-hind you to get you affordable pay-ment terms and get this economy going again.”

Before registering online at www.naca.com, homeowners seek-ing help have to fill out their Home Save Workbook, get assigned a customer number and sign up for online counseling.

With the thousands of people seeking help in Georgia and other states, Morrow said NACA hired 200 more counselors at its Char-lotte, N.C., call center last week.

Its office in downtown Decatur is also expanding and is moving to larger offices in the Fidelity Building on Commerce Drive and growing its mortgage counselors to 21 from 13.

Olivia Holmes, pastor of Set Free Healing and Deliverance Church in Oxford, was volunteer-ing at the sign-up table Saturday.

She said it was her second NACA Home save workshop since the group helped members of her church lower their high-interest mortgages.

She also volunteers at the De-catur office on Mondays answering the telephones.

Holmes said NACA helped two of her 100 members to lower their mortgage payments.

“They went from $1,900 a month to $700,” she said. “That’s why I am here. NACA is doing a great job.

NACA, from pAge 1

wouldn’t put a price tag on it. “There are some areas we

cannot reach physically,” he said. “The assessments could take some time.”

Across DeKalb County, the wa-ters from Nancy Creek, Peachtree Creek, the Yellow River and South River flooded and washed over homes, bridges and roadways.

After the storm, 59 roads in the county were closed due to flooding, fallen trees and damaged bridged.

As of Thursday, 13 roads re-mained closed including portions of Redan Road, South Deshon Road, Stephenson Road, Shadow Rock Drive and South Indian Creek Drive.

Despite the damage DeKalb County was not included in the areas declared a federal disaster area.

Commissioner Lee May called a press conference Friday to protest the oversight.

“With hundreds of homes dev-astated and destroyed in DeKalb,

our residents are left high and dry without the proper resources and federal backing to help families in need,” said May, whose family was evacuated by a DeKalb County fire & rescue team during the storms. “The recent floods have destroyed DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis, who took an aerial tour of the county by helicopter on Tuesday, said flooding

damage in DeKalb was significant. “Several families have had sub-

stantial damage,” he said. “There are some areas where homes were completely surrounded by water.”

Flooding from Yellow River and creeks and ponds off Deshon Road in Stone Mountain damaged a number of homes in the Waters Edge and surrounding neighbor-

hoods.On Thursday night, about

200 flood victims expressed their concerns to officials at a meeting at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia.

Earistean Ward, whose roof is now leaking, was one of many people who questioned why insur-ance companies were not covering

flood damage.“I am really appalled that the

insurance companies aren’t taking care of this,” she said. “I purposely bought a deluxe policy thinking it would cover everything and now they are telling me they don’t cover floods.”

After three dry days this week, weather forecasters are predicting a 60 percent chance of rain on Satur-day. The National Weather Service said Thursday that the one to two inches of expected rain should not cause additional flooding.

For help or to report flood damage:n The Georgia Office of Insurance and Fire Safety – 404-656-2070 or 1-800-656-2298.n DeKalb CodeRED – 678-406-7850 or 678-406-7853. n American Red Cross – 1-866-724-3577.n Salvation Army or United Way – 211.

fLooD, from pAge 1 Who to call:

McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews

Jennifer Parker / CrossRoadsNews

279 Candler Road • Atlanta, GA 30317(In front of Saint Philip AME)

404-286-7783404-286-7783404-286-7783 678-371-3939678-371-3939678-371-3939

1.2.3 Discount Fabrics& Upholster y, Dr ap er y1.2.3 Discount Fabrics& Upholster y, Dr ap er y1.2.3 Discount Fabrics& Upholster y, Dr ap er y

Business Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Tailoring

& Alteration

Now Available

WAREHOUSE PRICES START AT $1.00 A YARD

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

CrossRoadsNewsSeptember 26, 2009 5

Just Decks owner O.C. Kirk said they are using the national program to build awareness about aging decks.

“Every year, people died or were se-riously injured from decks collapsing,” he said, ticking off a number of recent deck collapses that had have been in the news.

As part of the program, Kirk’s nine-year-old company is offering free inspec-tions to seniors 65 years and older. He said many have been in their homes more than 20 years and are likely to have aging decks that are near collapse.

Kirk said his company will award two decks a year to seniors whose decks are in imminent danger of collapsing and who cannot afford to replace them. The next award will be made in March 2010.

Other seniors will get a 20 percent dis-count off the cost of replacing their decks, which range from $2,000 to $4,800.

Kirk says if they can find sponsors to help defray the deck replacement costs, his 15-employee company could offer more free decks to the elderly.

Kirk said signs that a deck is at the end of its life and might be in danger of collapsing include rotting and loose boards, and the deck shifting under your weight.

Cumberbatch’s new deck, built with

pressure-treated lumber and a safety handrail system, was completed on Aug. 28. Kirk said the new deck was built to new county codes that did not exist in 1989. Rot damage to her house where the deck attached it was also repaired.

To qualify for the Deck for a Senior Program, a recipient must be 65 or older, own their own home and on a fixed in-come. They must also continue living in the home.

If picked, the senior must become an advocate and tell others about the dangers of unsafe decks. The company will also use their deck before and after for training and awareness. Kirk says everyone should have their decks inspected annually, even if a deck feels and look safe.

“Complacency can lead to injury or death,” he said.

Cumberbatch was so happy with her new deck, she had a party to celebrate.

“It’s just lovely,” she said. “The board are closer together. There is nothing shak-ing. People can walk back and forth. It’s a good feeling.”

For more information, visit www.justdecksatlanta.com or call O.C. Kirk at 770-634-3044.

Finance

FinanCe “They showed me that the metal poles holding up my deck had rusted. They said my deck was in danger of collapsing.”

Moratorium issued for sign compliance

Program helps seniors needing deck replacement

Lewis to address DeKalb Chamber

DeKalb citizens and business owners who have been cited recently for improper signage, now have a second chance to comply with the county’s sign code without penalty.

The county issued a 60-day moratorium Wednesday and said that no citations will be issued during the moratorium. During the 60 days, it ex-pects individuals to take the opportunity to verify that their signs are legally permitted or comply with the guidelines of the sign ordinance.

In a Sept. 16 statement, the county said that court dates for citizens and business owners who have been cited previously have been rescheduled to special courts dates set for Dec. 7, 2009, and Jan. 11, 2010.

“Non-compliant citizens and businesses are en-couraged to use this period of time to obtain valid sign permits and fully comply with county code prior to their court hearing,” the statement said.

Individuals who remain out of compliance after the moratorium are subject to a fine up to $1,000, incarceration up to 120 days, or both, for each viola-tion of the ordinance.

For questions regarding the moratorium or the county ordinance, call the DeKalb Department of Planning and Development at 404-371-2699 or visit www.yourdekalb.com.

DeKalb Schools Superintendent Dr. Crawford Lewis will be the keynote speaker at the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce First Tuesday luncheon for October.

Lewis, who will review educa-tion in DeKalb County and speak about plans for the future, has been with DeKalb Schools for 33 years, working his way up from a classroom teacher and coach to becoming superintendent in 2004.

The Oct. 6 meeting will be 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel Atlanta in Northlake. Chamber members should RSVP and pay by Sept. 29 to get the lowest rates. All reservations must be made by 2 p.m. on Oct. 2.

The hotel is at 4156 LaVista Road in Tucker. For more information, call 770-938-1026.

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Twenty years ago, when Carleen Cum-berbatch bought her brand new home in Lithonia, she remembers how much she loved the deck it came with.

“It was two-story high and had no steps from the outside,” recalled Cumber-batch this week. “You could only get onto it from inside the house.”

It was November 1989, and that kind of security was important to Cumber-batch who had just relocated from New York and was only the third homeowner to move into her Hunter’s Chase subdi-vision.

For the next two decades, Cumber-batch took care of her deck. She had it pressure washed and stained regularly, but the elements were taking their toll on the wood and on the metal poles that supported it.

When the flooring separated, she had someone come in to nail them back in, but earlier this year she noticed the deck was shifting under weight of people.

“If I was out there entertaining, when people walked I could feel the boards move,” she said.

She decided to have the deck checked. She called in Just Decks of Lithonia for an inspection.

“They showed me that the metal poles holding up my deck had rusted,” Cum-berbatch said. “They said my deck was in danger of collapsing.”

The North American Deck and Rail Association says that more 40 million decks in the United States are more than 20 years old and that nationally, more than 300 people were killed in deck collapses over the last eight years. The industry association says that more than 75 percent of people on a deck when it collapses are injured or killed.

The cost to replace Cumberbatch’s 12-foot by 12-foot deck – $4,800 – was not in the budget of the retired teacher, who is on a fixed income.

Just Decks, which has just launched its Decks for a Senior Program in July, ended up choosing Cumberbatch for a free deck that it was giving away to help create awareness among seniors about the dangers of aging decks.

Carleen Cumberbatch (in red) threw a party to celebrate her replacement deck donated by O.C. Kirk (right) and his Just Decks company as part of a nationwide initiative.

Signs your deck may need replacing: www.crossroadsnews.com

Crawford Lewis

ShortSaleVillage.com

Facing Foreclosure?“Don’t Walk Away From It!

Short Sale Village it.”

Call 866-850-4649

or visit

We list it We negotiate it You live to fight another day

America’s

#1 Short Sale

Service

Realtors Welcome

Chapter 13Chapter 7GET A FRESH START &BECOME DEBT FREE

BANKRUPTCYDEBT RELIEF

• STOP FORECLOSURES, REPOSSESSIONS & GARNISHMENTS

• CONSOLIDATE DEBT

(404)292-3123

Law Office of C.E. Taylor 5300 Memorial Dr. Suite 224- I

Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Call For A Free Consultation

MARTA greatly appreciates the ongoing support of our customers, stakeholders, employees, regional partners and the general public during this difficult economic time. MARTA, like so many other private and public sector companies, continues to face financial challenges. We are making it through Fiscal Year 2010 only because of significant funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the help of our regional partners. Unless the President and Congress decide differently, we will not have those funds available to us in the future. We hope to secure additional funding to avoid further fare increases and service modifications next fiscal year. We need you to help us carry our request for assistance to state lawmakers, regional and local decision makers.

On October 1st, we will be raising our fares. A ONE-WAY TRIP will cost $2.00.

We will need to secure additional funding to avoid further fare increases and service modifications next fiscal year.

Please visit www.itsmarta.com to see details on all fare changes. We are honored to serve you and hope we can count on your support in the future.

Thank you for being a valued customer.

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

404-848-5000 TTY: 404-848-5665 Accessible Format: 404-848-4037

CrossRoadsNews September 26, 20096

‡Use your Macy’s Card and take an extra 20% off a selection of regular, sale & clearance purchases storewide; or take an extra 15% off a selection of home items; shoes, coats, suits, dresses, intimates; suit separates & sportcoats for him. Exclusions apply, see savings pass. EXTRA SAVINGS OFFER VALID THROUGH 9/28/2009. For store locations & hours, log on to macys.comNew cardholder savings are subject to credit approval; savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, certain lease departments and gift cards; on furniture, mattresses and rugs, the new account savings is limited to $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible. EXTRA 20% CARDHOLDER OFFER VALID THROUGH 9/28/2009.

Open a Macy’s Account for

extra 20% savings the fi rst 2 days with more rewards to come. Exclusions apply; see left.

†Excludes: Everyday Values (EDV), specials, super buys; bridge & designer shoes, handbags & sportswear; cashmere; designer sunglasses; designer intimate apparel; swimwear; cosmetics, fragrances; watches; Impulse, Oval Room, 28 Shop; all electrics & electronics; eSpot, Holiday Lane dept. trim/cards/wrap; furniture, mattresses & area rugs/floor coverings; sterling flatware; regular-priced china/crystal/silver; American Rag, All-Clad, Emporio Armani, Baccarat, Tommy Bahama, Hugo Boss, Coach, Dooney & Bourke, DKNY, Dyson, Ghurka, Henckels, Tommy Hilfiger for him, I.N.C, Juicy, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Lalique, Lauren/Polo/Ralph Lauren, Levi’s/Dockers, Lladro, MICHAEL Michael Kors, Natori, Nautica, The North Face, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, kate spade, St. John, Tumi, Ugg, Louis Vuitton, Vera Wang, Wacoal, Waterford, Wüsthof, William Yeoward, selected Licensed Depts. Not valid on: previous purchases, special orders, services, gift cards, gift wrap, Jewelry trunk shows, macys.com, macysweddingchannel.com, payment on credit accounts; alcoholic beverages, bridal salons, restaurants, wine. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. EXTRA SAVINGS % APPLIED TO REDUCED PRICES. MCE

15%EXTRAA SELECTION OF REGULAR, SALE & CLEARANCE PURCHASES S T O R E W I D E I N C L U D I N G F I N E & FA S H I O N J E W E L R Y; 10% OFF† A SELECTION OF HOME ITEMS; DRESSES, SHOES, COATS, SUITS, INTIMATES; SUIT SEPARATES & SPORTCOATS FOR HIM. VALID NOW9/28/09. CANNOT BE USED ON MORNING SPECIALS

ALLDAY SAVINGS PASS

OFF†

Help feed America.Come together to provide 10 million meals. VISIT MACYS.COM/COMETOGETHER.

extra 20% or 15% off‡ when you use your Macy’s Card ‡Exclusions apply; see below.

FASHION HOME SALE20%-50% off throughout the store

NOW THROUGH SUN, OCT 4

9080514B.indd 1 9/18/09 6:10:40 PM

CrossRoadsNewsSeptember 26, 2009 7

Health care workers, college fac-ulty and students, church groups, nonprofits and other commu-nity organizations can learn how to build community-based partner-ships to combat a range of com-munity issues at the Oct. 2 online training course, Community Based Service Learning Partnerships.

During the one-hour session, Dr. Meryl Mc-Neal, a More-house School of Medicine asso-ciate professor, will discuss the pros and cons of community-based service learning part-nerships and offer ideas on how communities can benefit from them.

McNeal, who directs Morehouse Center for Community Health and Service Learning, teaches in the school’s department of community health and preventive medicine.

During the session, she will define service learning and the Morehouse School of Medicine model of service learning and civic engagement, and provide examples of projects designed to meet com-munity needs.

She will also list the benefits of partnering with schools and uni-versities to meet community needs through service learning projects.

McNeal, who has been at More-house School of Medicine for 27 years, established the Center for Community Health and Service Learning in 2001. Since its incep-tion, she has developed a More-house School of Medicine model

By McKenzie Jackson

With floodwaters across DeKalb County still receding, the DeKalb Board of Health is warning flood victims to be mindful of potential health hazards.

Mosquitoes, mold and mildew, septic tank problems and rodents could become health problems for homeowners hit by flooding water, said Ryan Cira, manager of the Board of Health’s Division of Environment Health.

“Mold and mildew will probably be their biggest concern after the physical damage,” he said.

Mold and mildew develop on wet surfaces after a few days and can cause coughing, eye irritation or a stuffy or runny nose. Mold can also cause asthma.

Porous surfaces cannot be cleaned of mold and mildew properly and must be discarded, Cira said.

“Carpet, dry wall, soft cushy things, furniture and clothes, those types of things,” he said. “They can’t be sanitized prop-erly.”

Cira said items made of metal, glass, and wood can be cleaned, but they must be cleaned thoroughly and soon after they are recovered from water.

He said people should wear protective equipment such as gloves, rubber boots and filter masks.

He also warns people not to mix cleaning chemicals. “If you start mixing chemicals you can create a problem,”

he said. Cira said rodents are attracted to the homes of flood victims

because of the water source. Rats, raccoons and other creatures are also attracted to loose debris and garbage, he said.

“The damage caused to structures can create entry points into homes for rodents,” he said. “The rodents will find a dry place in the home’s insulation.”

Long-standing water could draw mosquitoes, Cira said. “Two weeks from now mosquitoes and West Nile Virus could

be a problem if there is still water somewhere,” he said. “We can larvicide their neighborhood, detention pond or yard free of charge if they see mosquitoes.”

For more information or questions, call the DeKalb County Board of Health, Division of Environmental Health at 404-508-7900.

Wellness “The damage caused to structures can create entry points into homes for rodents. Rodents will find a dry place in the home’s insulation.”

Now flood victims have to protect their health

Web training for community partnerships

Flood clean up demands attention to details

Patricia Oglesby’s living room was flooded this week when the lake behind her Stone Mountain home loverflowed its bank. To avoid mold, health officials says its important to dry everything out and to thoroughly disinfect areas touched by flood waters.

Here is important information for flooding victims from the DeKalb County Board of Health:n If flood levels were high enough to cover faucets, then the faucets them-selves may have become contaminated. In this case, faucets, sinks and tubs need to be decontaminated.n Any food that has come in contact with flood water should be thrown away.

This includes meat and meat prod-ucts, fruits, vegetables, boxed food and bottled drinks. You also should throw away all medicines, cosmetic products and toiletries that may have come in contact with flood water. When in doubt, throw it out.n Before entering your home after a flooding event, you should turn off the gas and electricity; check for gas leaks and loose power lines; check for obvious structural damage and turn off valves for fuel oil or propane.n Everyone participating in the cleanup process should wear gloves and protec-tive clothing, including safety glasses and rubber boots. Wash your hands with soap and safe water before prepar-ing or eating food, after toilet use and after handling items contaminated with flood water.n Flood waters may contain fecal mate-rial from overflowing sewage systems.

This material contains disease-causing organisms, but may not pose a serious health risk unless it enters the body. Open cuts and sores also may present a risk of disease if exposed to flood water. Keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap to control infection.

that engages students, faculty and staff in service learning, communi-ty service, and civic engagement.

The center annually mobilizes more than 200 medical and pub-lic health students and residents in health promotion interventions to address the health disparities of

underserved youth and adults in metropolitan Atlanta.

The training program is spon-sored by Southeastern Primary Care Consortium and Atlanta Area Health Education Center. It is free but participants must pre-register at www.regonline.com/checkin.asp?Eventid=77466.

Meryl McNeal

When You Miss

CrossRoadsNews, You Miss News You Can Use!

Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information

CrossRoadsNews September 26, 20098

Wellness Flood clean up demands attention to details

County to Step Up again on Oct. 3

“Exposure to lead can cause high blood pressure, nerve disorders, sleep trouble, muscle pain, joint pain and mood change.”

n Check sewer lines for obstructions and repair any leaks.n Remove and discard all contaminated, porous materials such as carpet, cush-ions, drywall and trim around the base of walls. After removal, clean all con-taminated areas thoroughly with soap and water and disinfect with a solution of one cup of bleach to five gallons of water. Dry affected areas thoroughly with fans before making repairs. Wash your hands frequently during and after working in a contaminated area.n When you have moisture in your house, mold can start to develop in a few days. Children and the elderly are very sensitive to mold. It can cause coughing, a stuffy or runny nose and eye irritation. Mold also can worsen or cause asthma. To stop mold from growing in your home, identify and dry out all materi-als that are wet, remove materials that are contaminated with mold and clean semiporous and nonporous materials. To protect yourself while cleaning, wear removable outer clothing, eye goggles, a filter mask and gloves.n Any home built before 1978 is likely to have lead-based paint. In the event of a flood, you may be exposed to lead from different sources including dete-riorating paint, contaminated soil and dust from paint.

Exposure to lead can cause high blood pressure, nerve disorders, sleep trouble, muscle pain, joint pain and mood change. In children, the con-sequences of lead exposure can be severe such as brain damage, hearing impairment, growth reduction, kidney damage, learning impairment and behavioral problems. Children from

six months to six years of age are most affected by lead. Have your child’s blood lead level checked once a year by your doctor or local health center.n Excess garbage caused by a flood-ing event can cause serious health effects.

The waste can attract a variety of insects and rodents. To prevent this, bag and dispose of waste products from your home and yard as soon as possible. Call your local sanitation department to request a pickup.n Mosquitoes breed in standing water. To eliminate them, remove standing water around the home. Technicians from the DeKalb County Board of Health are avail-able upon request to assess your property. When needed, they can apply larvicide to prevent mosqui-toes from developing in standing water that cannot be removed. To protect yourself from mosquitoes, apply insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing. The most effec-tive repellents contain DEET, pica-ridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus.

For more information, contact DeKalb County Board of Health, Division of Environmental Health at 404-508-7900, DeKalb County Department of Public Works, Sanitation at 770-936-5433, or DeKalb County Department of Public Works, Water and Sewer at 770-621-7200.

The Georgia Emergency Man-agement Agency can be reached at 404-635-7000.

The kick-off for the fifth and final year of DeKalb’s “Step Up to Better Health” will take place Oct. 3 at Shoal Creek II Park.

The free event was resched-uled from Sept. 19 because of last week’s heavy showers that caused widespread flooding across metro Atlanta. cooking and exercise demonstrations, health screen-ings, aerobics, basketball tips and entertainment.

The free event takes place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..

The MLK Jr. Redan and Miller Grove high school bands will perform and there will be a Greek show competition and a play area.

The five-year, $5 million Steps program, funded by the U.S. De-partment of Health, kicked off in January 2005 to tackling poor nu-

trition, physical inactivity and to-bacco use in south DeKalb County, which has higher rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and asthma than the rest of the county.

The park is at 3643 Glenwood Road in Decatur. For more infor-mation, visit www.dekalbhealth.net or contact Keisha Jones-John-son at kjones@visionusa.net or at 404-320-1818, ext. 224.

The Step Up to Better Health event at Shoal Creek II Park was originally scheduled for Sept. 19.

CrossRoadsNewsSeptember 26, 2009 9

A best-selling author and three Atlanta poets will close out the September Festival of Writ-ers at the DeKalb Library.

Storyteller and former Na-tional Public Radio host Gar-rison Keillor will discuss his new book, “Pilgrims: A Wobegon Novel” on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. in Presser Hall at Agnes Scott Col-lege in Decatur.

Keillor hosted NPR’s “Prai-rie Home Companion” for 35 years. His fictional new novel chronicles the lives of small-town Midwesterners as they travel to Italy.

Keillor has penned more than a dozen books including “Leaving Home,” Pontoon” and “Homegrown Democrat.”

Poets Robin Kemp, Karen Head and Robert Wood will read their works at 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Decatur Library in Decatur.

Kemp is a former CNN writer who is now a graduate teaching assistant at Geor-gia State. Head, a special adviser in writing and communications at Georgia Tech, will

scene Most of the town’s residents are artists, musicians and writers and the annual event showcases the arts and the community.

Gospel icon to perform at Mall at Stonecrest

Scene PG

Author, poets to close Festival of Writers

Veteran gospel singer Fred Ham-mond will perform and sign au-tographs on Oct. 1 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

The Grammy Award-winning art-ist’s appearance at the Lithonia mall will help promote his new CD “Love Unstoppable” scheduled for release on Sept. 29.

He will perform at 7 p.m. and then host a private VIP reception for fans who buy his new CD at the Borders bookstore at Stonecrest.

Grammy Award-winning singer Fred Hammond will perform and sign autographs for fans at the Mall at Stonecrest on Oct. 1.

read selections from her three books of po-etry, “Shadow Boxes,” “My Paris Year” and “Sassing.”

Wood, who is Georgia Tech associate literature professor, will read from his new poetry book “Gorizia Notebook.”

Admission to both events is free. Agnes Scott College is at 141 East College Ave. in Decatur. The Decatur Library is at 215 Syca-more St. in Decatur.

For more information, visit www.georgia-centerforthebook.org or call 404-370-8450.

Garrison Keillor will discuss his new book at Agnes Scott College.

Hammond, a native of Detroit, Mich., rose from a bass guitar sideman for The Winans in the early 1980s to become a founding member of the Detroit-based trendsetting sextet Commissioned.

In the 1990s, he also created the renowned ensemble Radical for Christ and in 1991, his first solo album, “I Am Persuaded.” Hammond followed that success with six more CDs including “Free to Worship” in 2006.

Throughout his 25-year musi-

cal career, Hammond has received production credits on 72 songs with singing stars like CeCe Winans, Ru-ben Studdard, Vanessa Williams and Marvin Sapp.

Hammond’s “Unstoppable Love” comes in the wake of the summer debut of the album’s first single, “They That Wait” featuring John P. Kee.

The Mall at Stonecrest is at I-20 and Turner Hill Road. For more in-formation, visit www.mallatstonecrest.com or call 678-526-9880.

Arts, artists take center stage in Pine LakeArtists and musicians

from across the state will be strutting their stuff at the Oct. 3-4 Pine Lake Fest.

Traci Augustosky, a mem-ber of the event’s planning committee, said most of the town’s residents are artists, musicians and writers and that the annual event, which is in its ninth year, showcases the arts and the community.

There will be vendors with paintings, photogra-phy, drawings, handcrafted jewelry, pottery, woodwork, sculpture, glass and textiles, as well as live pop, folk, jazz and children’s musical per-formances.

The Pine Lake Fest features vendors with their artwork, as well as live pop, folk, jazz and children’s musical performances.

The performers include Elise Witt, Prophet in the Park, Sehwe Village Percus-sion, Woodheavy, The Fabric, Deidre McCalla and Melanie Hammett and the Bugaboos.

The first day’s highlights include a sand sculpture contest and a beach party. On Oct. 4, a parade of decorated boats will journey across the lake.

The free festival runs from 10 a.m. to dark on Oct. 3 and noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 4.

Pine Lake is at 4580 Lake-shore Drive in Pine Lake. For more information, visit www.pinelakelakefest.com or email lakefestchair@bellsouth.net.

Mehcad Brooks of the award-winning HBO series “True Blood” will pose for photos and sign autographs. during the Mall at Stonecrest’s Women’s Expo.

Vampire fans can meet ‘True Blood’ actor

“True Blood” actor Mehcad Brooks and his awesome abs will be at the Mall at Stonecrest on Oct. 3 to meet fans of the award-winning HBO series.

Brooks, who portrays Benedict “Eggs” Talley in the Alan Ball hit show, will be posing for photos and signing autographs at 3 p.m. during the mall’s Women’s Expo.

The SAG Award winner for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series stars opposite Anna Paquin and Steven Moyer. He is also an Image Award nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance on the ABC Drama, “Desperate Housewives,” where he played the role of Alfre Woodard’s son.

Brooks will also be seen in the soon to be released dra-matic feature “Fencewalker.” His performance in the film by Chris Carter (X-Files) is garnering much buzz throughout the industry.

Brooks’ credits also include “In the Valley of Elah” opposite Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron, and the Disney movies “Glory Road” and “Tiger Cruise.” On television, he has guest-starred on “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Boston Public,” “One on One” and “Cold Case.”

Brooks grew up in Austin, Texas, where he was an All-State basketball player. He also played football and baseball.

The Mall at Stonecrest is at I-20 and Turner Hill Road in Lithonia. For more information, visit www.mallatstonecrest.com or call 678-526-988.

CrossRoadsNews September 26, 200910

Youth PGCrossRoadsNewsSeptember 26, 2009 11

Quarterback taking advantage in new offensive scheme Agnes Scott enjoying long stretch on home field

sports “I want to be a part of something special. Now, I’m just trying to earn a scholarship.”

Georgia State players savor opportunity to launch new program

Sports PG

By McKenzie Jackson

At least once a week during Georgia State football practice, red-shirt freshman wide receiver Nate Anthony, 18, looks up at the empty seats in the Georgia Dome and imagines them filled with Panthers fans adorned in blue and white.

“We practice in the Georgia Dome once a week on Wednesday or Thursday,” said Anthony, a 2009 graduate of Columbia High School. “I just imagine being there on game days.”

Panthers linebacker Rontaver-ous Aribo, 23, a 2004 graduate of Stone Mountain High School and redshirt senior, admits he has done his share of daydreaming as well.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “We are going to be playing on the biggest football stage in the state in Georgia.”

On Sept. 2 next year, when Georgia State kicks off its inaugural season against Shorter University in the Dome, at least seven football players with South DeKalb roots could be on the Panthers roster.

The group includes four schol-arship players who were in the school’s February 2009 recruitment class, and three walk-on players – a U.S. Army reservist, a college foot-ball transfer and a freshman.

While most college teams are four games into their football season and spend week-after-week gearing up for their next opponent, the Panthers are revving up for their first-ever season by practicing, practicing and more practicing.

Since the Panthers won’t play a game until 2010, all of the players have been redshirted to secure an extra year of eligibility.

Anthony, a running back in high school and part of last winter’s signing class, said the team’s blue vs.

white scrimmages help make up for the lack of a regular season game.

“It has been intense,” he said. Along with Anthony, former

Chamblee High offensive lineman Michael Davis, 18, former Cedar Grove defensive back Joe Perry, 18, and former M.L. King safety Fred Barnes, 18, were all part of the Pan-thers 26-player recruitment class.

All four say they decided to attend at Georgia State to play for coach Bill Curry, a former all-pro NFL player. They also wanted a chance to be a part of history.

Davis, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound offensive lineman majoring in busi-ness, chose the Panthers despite of-fers from several historically black colleges and universities.

“I just want to be a part of start-ing something,” he said, adding that

he likes the overall atmosphere at Georgia State.

The 6-foot, 170-pound Perry chose the Panthers over schools like Clark Atlanta and Albany State. Perry, who is injured with a torn labrum, said he really likes the team’s coaching staff.

Barnes, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound safety, said the chance to get a great education was one of the reasons he chose Georgia State.

“The chance to play in the Georgia Dome and start a new program was big, too,” he said.

Aribo, former Southwest DeKa-lb quarterback and 2007 graduate, Brandon Jones and 2009 Southwest DeKalb graduate and offensive lineman Robert Truitt are among the players that have joined the squad despite not having an athletic

scholarship.The Army is paying for Aribo, a

former logistics soldier stationed in Kuwait, to attend school, while the parents of Truitt and Jones are pay-ing their tab at Georgia State.

Jones, 20, who played in nine games at Mars Hill (N.C.) Uni-versity as a wide receiver, is now playing safety and cornerback at Georgia State.

Jones left behind a football scholarship at Mars Hill and de-scribes his transfer as a big leap of faith or a Hail Mary pass.

“My dad was like, ‘Brandon you are running away from a scholar-ship,’” he said, “so he just told me to do what I can to earn a scholar-ship. I felt like I had the chance to play for the man who could get me where I want to be one day – the

NFL.” Truitt, injured with a sprained

arm, said that after high school he thought his football days were done, but felt the itch to play after enrolling in Georgia State.

“I want to be a part of some-thing special,” he said. “Now, I’m just trying to earn a scholarship.”

Before practice began on Aug.14, none of players from DeKalb knew all of the other play-ers from DeKalb.

Anthony knew Barnes and Truitt and got acquainted with Jones during one of the Panthers’ first inter-squad scrimmages, when Jones delivered a crushing hit as he hauled in a pass in the middle of the defense.

Davis didn’t know any of his teammates, but had played against Truitt and noted that Barnes was also a hard-hitting safety.

“Fred will come up and hit you,” he said. Barnes said he enjoys hitting.

“It is definitely one of my fortes,” he said.

Jones, one of oldest players on the team, said he feels like a lot of players look up to him.

“I tell them to keep their heads up,” he said. “No one calls me old school or old man though.”

Aribo, 5-foot-10 and 202 pounds, joked that he was one of the youngest guys in his military unit, but is probably the oldest player on the Panthers roster.

He said he still has speed to “fly around the ball” on defense and is prepared to do that through all the practices this season in anticipation of the Panthers’ first game.

“Since I’m on the kickoff team I hope we kick off,” he said. “I want to have the first tackle in Georgia State history. That could be a trivia question one day.”

Agnes Scott College’s soc-cer team is in the midst of a four-game home stand against conference opponents.

The Scotties will take on Great South Athletic Conference teams Maryville College, Hunt-ingdon College and Lagrange College at Gellerstedt Field on the Agnes Scott campus.

The Scotties, who hosted Spelman College on Sept. 25, had a 3-5 record as of press time.

They will host Maryville College on Sept. 27, followed by Huntingdon College on Sept. 30. Both contests are at 4 p.m.

The Scotties will then play LaGrange College at 2 p.m. on Oct. 10 before hitting the road for two consecutive road games.

After their Oct. 19 home match against Wesleyan College, the Scotties will play their final three games on the road.

Scotties head coach Joe Ber-gin is the reigning GSAC Coach of the Year.

Agnes Scott is at 141 East College Ave. in Decatur.

By McKenzie Jackson

After looking modest in Co-lumbia High School’s dark blue and orange for three seasons, Willie Favors II is looking real good in Ce-dar Grove’s dark blue and powder blue this year.

Through the first four games of the season, the 17-year-old quarter-back had scored more touchdowns and accumulated more offensive yards than any other high school football player in DeKalb County, while leading the Saints to a 2-2 record.

After he passed for three touch-downs and rushed for another against his old team, the Columbia Eagles, on Sept. 18, Favors said he is playing his best football ever.

“I have a little better coaching, better players around me and better playmakers,” he said. “One team.”

Heading into the Saints’ game against Dunwoody on Sept. 25, Favors has passed for 613 yards and five touchdowns and has ran for 192 yards and eight touchdowns.

Altogether he has 805 all-pur-pose yards and 13 touchdowns.

Last season with the Eagles, Fa-vors passed for 409 yards and four touchdowns and as a sophomore in 2007 he threw for 447 yards, seven touchdowns and three intercep-tions.

Cedar Grove coach Ray Bonner

said Favors is talented and brings a different dimension to the Saints’ offense.

“He can run it and throw it,” he said. “We’ve had kids that can run it and throw it all along, he is just a little bit quicker and a little bit faster. Willie is a good quarter-back.”

Favors transferred to Cedar Grove in January after he moved to Ellenwood to live with his father, Willie Favors.

Favors’ dad, who walks with a cane, was in a car crash in 1999 and was paralyzed and then wheelchair-bound for some time. The former little league football coach, who

still has trouble standing for long lengths of time, said Willie II moved from his mother’s home in Decatur to help him around the house.

The younger Favors said he is glad he moved because he is getting a chance to play in the Saints’ spread offense, which will sometimes have three to four wide receivers on the field.

For the previous three years, Fa-vors had played in a “Bay City” ver-sion of the wing T offense, a power running formation that features three running backs, a quarterback and very little passing.

Favors said he likes the spread formation, which is considered to be very quarterback friendly.

“I’ve got more targets, it’s just more spread out,” he said. “Over at Columbia it was more tight. Here we can get more yards and score more touchdowns.”

In the Saints’ first game on Aug. 28, a 20-19 loss to Stone Moun-tain, Favors completed seven of 14 passes for 138 yards and zero touchdowns.

Then, in the Saints 40-33 loss to Washington on Sept. 5, he ran for 91 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries and went 8-of-14 in passing for 104 yards, with one interception.

During a 30-0 win over Redan on Sept. 13, Favors went 7-of-12 for

140 yards and two touchdowns. Against Columbia, Favors deliv-

ered four touchdowns while going 6-of-10 for 231 yards in passing and carried the ball five times on the ground for 47 yards.

Favors’ success in the offensive system compares somewhat to the Saints starting quarterback of a year ago, Stanley McBride, who is now playing football at Albany State.

During the 2008 season, McBride passed for 1,053 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 1,002 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Favors isn’t the only player ex-celling in the Saints’ offense that has rung up 128 points this season.

Junior wide receiver Vincent Dallas has caught 16 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns.

The elder Favors said playing with the Saints lets his son show off more of his quarterbacking skills.

“He has always been a quarter-back that can run it and throw it,” he said. “It is really just turning him loose and let him show his skills. It is no surprise to the new coaching staff.”

Favors, who sports a 3.8 GPA, has already qualified academically for most colleges by scoring 1600 on the SAT and 24 on the ACT. He said college football programs such as Toledo, Central Florida and Tu-lane have shown interest in him.

Favors said that it was tough ini-

McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNewsWillie Favors is putting up impressive numbers in Cedar Grove’s spread offense.

Nate Anthony (above) and Michael Davis (blocking at right) are looking forward to Georgia State’s first season next year. Photos by McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews

CrossRoadsNews September 26, 200912

www.crossroadsnews.com/pages/couponswww.crossroadsnews.com/pages/coupons

Click!Print!Save!

Click!Print!Save!

Saving money is easywith coupons from

CrossRoadsNews!

Ministry “The funds that we raise here help to support our renal community and the community overall regarding chronic diseases.”

Walkers help raise funds, draw awareness to need for organ donation

Ribbon cutting for Family Life Center Church group hosting health fair

Ministry PG

By McKenzie Jackson

Rahathelia Stroud walked down Rainbow Drive with thoughts of a dear friend on her mind.

Stroud, who lives in Decatur, was among 145 people who par-ticipated in the Sept. 12 “James ‘Jay’ Wilson Straight from the Heart Walk/Run” at Greenforest Christian Church in Decatur.

The three-mile walk/run , which was in its 12th yearm raises awareness about renal disease and transplantation.

Stroud said her friend, whose name she did not give, was a recent liver transplant recipient.

“It is really critical to get aware-ness out,” Stroud said. “I was read-ing something that said although African-Americans make up so many people that need organs, we are not among those who donate or have knowledge of donating.”

The walk was hosted by Green-forest’s Dialysis and Transplanta-tion Support Services Center, a Greenforest nonprofit ministry that assists kidney and renal patients. Participants received information about organ donation and warning signs of kidney disease.

The support center was found-ed by the Rev. James ‘Jay’ Wilson, a dialysis patient of 23 years who died in 2003 from complications of renal failure.

Wilson’s wife, Brenda, who now runs the organization, said her late husband started the walk to help dialysis patients, transplant recipi-ents, diabetics, and lupus and high blood pressure patients.

“The funds that we raise here

help to support our renal commu-nity and the community overall re-garding chronic diseases,” she said. “Once the people leave the event we have free health seminars and a lot of people that come here today will come to our seminars.”

The walk has raised more than $17,500 for the ministry over the past six years. The Sept. 12 walk raised $4,400. Wilson said her hus-band would have been happy with

the event’s growth. “He would be very pleased that

we have so many sororities and different fraternities participating,” she said. “This is the first time that has happened.”

Walk participant Alma Barber of Stone Mountain, who has been involved with the support center for more than a decade, said the walk “has become bigger and better each year.”

McKenzie Jackson / CrossRoadsNews

Chris Morris (in blue top) was among more than 100 participants in the Sept. 12 “James ‘Jay’ Wilson Straight from the Heart Walk/Run” hosted by Greenforest’s Dialysis and Transplantation Support Services Center.

n High blood pressure.n Blood and/or protein in the urine.n Puffiness around eyes, swelling of hands and feet.n More frequent urination, particularly at night; difficult or painful urination.n A glomerular filtration rate

Warning signs of kidney disease:

Clarkston First Baptist Church is cutting the ribbon their new $4.4 million Family Life Center on Oct. 4.

The three-story, 38,000-square-foot facil-ity will house the church’s Youth Worship Center, administrative offices, day care cen-ter, gymnasium, kitchen and dining rooms. It will also have a bookstore, classrooms and indoor walking track.

The grand opening celebration begins with a special historical review of the project

at 9 a.m. in the church’s sanctuary. The ribbon cutting and dedication cer-

emony take place at 10 a.m., followed by a special praise celebration with representa-tives from community organizations and local and state politicians. Special musical artists will also perform.Tours of the facility will be conducted following the service.

Clarkston First Baptist Church is located at 3999 Church St. in Clarkston. For more information, call 292-5686, ext. 221.

Free health screenings for blood pres-sure, diabetes, HIV, glaucoma, vision and asthma will be available Oct. 3 at a health fair hosted by the DeKalb Consortium of Churches in Decatur.

The 9 a.m.-2 p.m. event will take place at Hillside Presbyterian Church, 1879 Co-lumbia Drive in Decatur.

The consortium of eight churches – Hillside Presbyterian, Holy Cross Episco-palian, Peace Lutheran, Trinity Presbyterian,

Christian Jubilee FWBC, Solomon’s Porch Ministries, Columbia Drive United Meth-odist Church, and Rainbow Park Baptist Church – is co-hosting the annual event along with DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson, ASIKE (African Sisters for Information, Knowledge & Empower-ment), and the National Council of Negro Women.

For more information, call 404-289-3092.

(GFR) less than 60. GFR is a measure of kidney function.n A creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test outside the normal range. BUN and creatinine are wastes that build up in your blood when your kidney function is reduced.Source: National Kidney Foundation

Click. Print. Save!

CrossRoadsNewsSeptember 26, 2009 13

CLASSIFIEDSOne-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.

If This Was Your Ad, Someone Would Be

Seeing It Now!Call 404-284-1888 today for rates & information.

aNNouNcemeNts

FREE BOOK FREE BOOK. Deeply concerned about world events? Is Bible Prophecy con-fusing you? The Bible CLEARLY explains our future. Non-Denom-inational. 1-800-784-9211 or Freebookonrevelation.com

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

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

BusiNess oppoRtuNitiesALL CASH VENDING! Incred-ible Income Opportunity! Candy, Gumball, Snack, Soda...Minimum

$4K-$10K Investment Required. Excellent Quality Machines. We Can Save You $$$$. 800-962-9189

MAKE A MINT IN TEETH WHIT-ENING 300% industry growth this year! Distribute WhiteScience’s patented products and teeth whitening services. Low start up. Exclusive territories. Marketing plan and training provided. Best kept beauty secret of the stars! www.whiteningonwheels.com 1-877-909-1080

educatioN & tRaiNiNgHIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Fast Affordable & Accredited. FREE Brochure. Call NOW! 1-800-532-6546 Ext. 96 www.continentalacad-emy.com

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.Centura-Online.com

AIRLINE MECHANIC- Train for high paying Aviation Career. FAA Approved program. Financial aid if qualified- Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (877)818-0783

employmeNt oppoRtuNities

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

FiNaNcial$$$ 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

GET FAST CASH! Pre-approval by phone. Bad Credit OK. NO faxing. Cash in 24 hrs. Apply now! 800-560-5910

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

ABLE TO TRAVEL National Com-pany Hiring Sharp People. Able to Start Today. Transportation & Lodging Furnished. NO EXPERI-ENCE Necessary. Paid Trainging. Over 18+ 888-295-0108 www.greenstreetsolutions.com

Let’s Go ! Travel USA with #1 Sales Group . Cash & Bonuses Daily , $500 Sign On Bonus, Fun & Casual . Start Today ! Wanda # 866-386-5621

misc. FoR sale**DISH Network. $19.99/mo, Why Pay More For TV? 100+ Channels. FREE 4-Room Install. FREE HD-DVR. Plus $600 Sign-up BONUS. Call Now! 1-800-917-8288

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

miscellaNeousDIRECTV’s Best Package FREE 5 Months! 265+ Channels + Movies with NFL Sunday Ticket Order!

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

North Carolina Mountains. NEW! E-Z Finish Log Cabin Shell With Loft & Full Basement. Includes acreage. $99,900 Financing Available 828-247-9966 code 45

*AFFORDABLE* 3bd 2ba HUD only $200/mo! 4bd 3ba Home only $340/mo! Priced to Sell! More Homes Available! 5%dn, 20yrs @8%apr! For Listings 800-366-0142 ext. T253

timesHaRes

SELL/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

FREE DVR/HD Upgrade! Other packages from $29.99 Details Call DirectStarTV 1-800-306-6602

Brand New Laptops & Desk-tops Bad Credit, No Credit - No Problem Small Weekly Payments - Order Today and get FREE Nintendo WII game system! Call Now - 800-317-7891

Advertise your product or service nationwide or by region in up to 12 million households in North America’s best suburbs! Place your classified ad in over 815 suburban newspapers just like this one. Call Classified Avenue at 888-486-2466 or go to www.classifiedavenue.net

Real estateBUY HUD Homes from $199/mo! 5bd 2ba only $360/mo! 3bd 2ba only $199/mo! More Homes from $199/mo! 5% dn, 15yrs @8% apr! for Listings 800-366-0142 ext. T252

$500 per weddingHourly Rate for Special Events

All

photographs

are captured

digitally

Contact Newburn Reynolds at

770-722-6096Newburn.reynolds@gmail.com

http://newburnreynolds.smugmug.com

Affordable Wedding Photography

For Honest & Reliable Heating & Air Conditioning Service, Call...

404-294-8632East Metro’s First Choice Since 1985

We Service All Equipment Brands – Residential & Light Commercial

MENTION THIS AD ANDGET 10% OFF YOUR

FIRST SERVICE

✓ Spring Air Conditioning Checks

✓ Fall Heating System Checks

✓ Planned Maintenance Agreements

✓ Equipment Repair & Replacement

✓ Ductwork Installation

✓ Free Estimates on Unit Replacement

Lu Woodson, OwnerB.S., Mechanical Engineering

Member, Conditioned Air Assoc. of GA (CAAG)State Licensed & Insured

EPA Certified, NATE Certified

offers FREE financial courses to qualifying youth groups. As we

go back to the basics, our classes will empower your group to make intelligent

choices concerning finances.

Let's give our youth the opportunity to succeed in life.

K.D. Rucker1740 Hudson Bridge Rd. Box 1087

Stockbridge, GA 30281-7257404-543-6711

kreativeconsult1@aol.com

Kreative Consulting Group

Wireless Global SolutionsServing Metro Atlanta

• Super Speed Internet• 2 Minutes Plug-N-Play Installation• No software Installation

Please Call Today404-934-0157

www.clearinternet.me • wirelessglobalsolutions@gmail.com

HOME INTERNETPLANS AS LOW AS $20.00 PER MONTH

MOBILE/HOME INTERNETCOMBINATION PLANS

$45.00 PER MONTH

Professional Office Suites For Lease

4288 Memorial Drive2 Suites, B & D,

separate & adjoiningDecatur, Georgia 30032

Close to I-285Near Kensington MARTA Station

8 minutes from DeKalb Medical Center

1,350 sf each suite; 2,700 sf total

Frank Beal678-576-3252

Frank@FrankBeal.com

Park PlazaOffice Park

CrossRoadsNews September 26, 200914

CLASSIFIEDS

cHild caReZogie’s Family Academy. Now Enrolling 6wks-12yrs Caps, $100.00weekly 6:30am-7:00pm M-F 5529 Redan Circle, Stone Mountain GA 30088 770-559-1184

computeRsWWW.jonatech.net. Laptop $235 & up. Repair Service for Computers, Laptops, & Routers. Diagnostic fee $35. 678-918-4445 Jonatec.

FoR ReNt/leaseLarge Cozy Cottage. I-20, Wesley Chapel Road. Furnished, pool & utilities included. Section 8, Divorcee, Elderly or Disability Ok. 770-558-1227.

DeKalb/E. Atlanta - 2br/1ba duplex, stove & refrig., hardwood floors, washer/dryer, off-street parking, central air/heat, lg back yard, water paid. $795/mo. 404.523.6136

gaRage salesSTONE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE. CITY WIDE YARD SALE. 922 Main St. Behind Gabezo. Sat. 10-10-09, 830am - 3pm. Setup begins 730am day of sale. Info call City Hall. 770-498-8984.

HealtH & FitNessComfort Pharmacy. New, Refill, Transfer Prescriptions. Custom Compounding, Veterinarian for-mulations Major insurance Gener-ic prescription $3.99/30 day Free

Marketplace

Delivery WIC, EBT, Notary, Fax & Copies. 5616 Redan Road Suite E Stone Mountain, GA 30088. 770-469-4040. 10:00am-8:00pm M-F, Sat 10:00am-6:00pm

Help WaNtedAARP Foundation WorkSearch SEEKING SENIORS FOR SECU-RITY JOBS!! Are you 55 years or older on limited income? Are you interested or previously worked in the security field? Live in DeKalb or Gwinnett Counties? Call AARP Foundation WorkSearch at (404) 292-1330

Dump truck driver needed im-mediately. Must have two years experience and a Class A or B li-cense with a clean driving record. Willing to work 5-6 day week for competitive pay. Must be depend-able and have transportation. Pls call Richard, 404-246-3794.

Home seRVicesHeat-air-conditioning, major ap-pliance, water heaters, electrical repairs, kitchen & bath renova-tions and plumbing repairs. Free estimates. Call Joe 404-217-6460

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 marketplace@crossroadsnews.com. Our deadlines are at noon on the Friday one week prior to publication, unless otherwise noted.

laNdscape/laWN caRe

Landscape Services Since 1996 Design-Installation-Maintenance Aeration, Bobcat Work, French Drainage, Concrete Work. Free Estimate. 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.

moVeRsGideon Movers, Inc. Moves & Deliveries, In-house Moves; Loading & Un-loading. Free on-site Estimate. (404)241-8899.gideonmovers@comcast.net

puBlic Notice1997 Honda Accord VIN# JHM-CD5636VC008463 abandoned at ON Point Auto Body Inc since 4/30/09. We have attempted to get in touch with the lien holder, IAB Inc., DBA Insurance Brokers, to get this situation resolved. If the owners wish to claim this vehicle, call 404-867-8000.

■ Get CrossRoadsNews every Saturday.

■ End the inconvenience of empty newspaper stands.

■ Support CrossRoadsNews. We’re always working for you.

Jay’s Carpet Cleaning & Lawn Service The Best In The Business

We clean carpet & take the dirt with us• Commercial/Residential• Upholstery Cleaning • Leaf Cleanups • Flood Cleanups• Professional Up to Date Equipment • No Job Too Big/Small

We Beat Any Competitor’s Price

Licensed & Insured

678-360-8289

DIVINE VISITATION INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

MARRIED • “MARRIED AGAIN” • UNMARRIED • DIVORCED

Hosts

presents

RECEIVE THE BOOST!!!2009 Relationships Conference

Theme: Advancing Onto Harmonious RelationshipFRIDAY, OCT. 2 - SUNDAY, OCT. 4, 2009

REGISTRATION: $50.00 ($65.00 at the door)$40.00 (for group of ten or more)

For more information: 678-531-1605, 678-698-6550, 770-896-2493www.divinevisitation.org

Some Topics: • Rekindling the Bedroom Fire • Living with Genital Malfunction • Keeping Your “Fire” Under Control • Life After Divorce

Vendor tables available (no food items pls.).Call Deirdre Vernon: 678-480-4776 or Niacole Logan: 678-749-4859

Email: nicolellogan@comcast.net or vernondn@hotmail.com

PTA NIGHTSept. 24 @ 5:30pm

12 Tickets/$10

M&J PACKAGE STORE

Full Service Beverage Store

6146-A Covington Hwy (Covington Square Shopping Center

@ Panola Road. Next to Big Lots)

Lithonia, GA 30058

770-808-0382

Open 9 a.m. Mon. - Sat.

BRING IN THIS AD FOR A FREE

BAG OF ICE WITH $15 OR MORE PURCHASE

Instructor is available to contract music teaching services to local learning centers and private schools. Instructor is seeking

local church choir/band to perform services with as a bass guitarist or

instrumental music ensemble director. Visit website at Music4ULLC.com, or

call Mark at 678-516-5278.

MUSIC4U, LLC

“The Home and Mobile Music School-Your Total Music Service”

Instructor specializes in • teaching piano, • bass guitar, • and most band instruments.Also teaches • acoustic guitar, • music theory, • and music history.

MUSIC4U is seeking new students.

Candler Point2954 South Rainbow Drive

Unit 101Decatur, GA 30034

Call 404-549-2704 or678-907-0415

Free Blood Pressure, Educational and Music Expo

October 4th 20091pm - 6pm

CAREER WELLNESS TRAINING CENTER, INC

CrossRoadsNewsSeptember 26, 2009 15

AT THE MALL AT STONECREST

1-800-641-1939HOURS:

Monday-Saturday9am-8pm

“We Make It Easy”I-20, EXIT WESLEY CHAPEL TO SNAPFINGER WOODS DR • DECATUR

1-800-640-9458 TAKE THE WESLEY CHAPELEXIT OFF I-20 TO

SNAPFINGER WOODS DRIVE

SALES HOURS: MON-FRI 9AM-9PM

SAT 9AM-8PM • SUN CLOSEDPARTS & SERVICE HOURS

MON-FRI 7AM-7PMSAT 7AM-4PM • SUN CLOSED

COLLISION & BODY SHOP HOURS:MON-FRI 8AM-6PM

SAT 8AM-1PM • SUN CLOSED

Come inand take atest drive!

All offers plus tax, tag and title with approved credit. Offers cannot be combined. See dealer for details. Offers expire date of publication.

More Inventory at www.MCAutoATL.com

5c (10.5”) x 16”17889-M

CF

O (9-26) crossroads F

C (lm

)

MALCOLM CUNNINGHAM FORD

1996 Pontiac Firebird . . . . . . . . . . . . .$699987k Original Miles, Power Steering, Green, Stk#98043N2007 Kia Rio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$8499P/L, P/W, Cruise, Tilt, Stk#P90432000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS . . . .$10,999P/L, P/W, Leather, Cruise, Tilt, Stk#P90412005 Dodge Magnum SE . . . . . . . . .$10,999P/L, P/W, Cruise, Tilt, Stk#G8089A2005 Ford Escape XLT . . . . . . . . . . .$11,999P/L, P/W, AM/FM CD, Cruise, Stk#P90372006 Ford Fusion SE . . . . . . . . . . . .$12,588Burgundy, CD/MP3, Cruise Control, P/L, P/W, Loaded! Stk#P88572008 Ford Focus SE . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12,999Black, Auto, 30k Miles, MP3, Alloys, Cruise, Stk#P88832008 Ford Focus Coupe SE . . . . . . . .$13,888Silver, Auto, 11k Miles, Keyless, P/L, P/W, Alloys Stk#P89702008 Mazda6 Sport VE . . . . . . . . . .$13,999Auto, Cruise, Leather Wrapped Steering, Power Seat, Stk#P89422008 Ford Focus SES . . . . . . . . . . . .$13,999Silver Frost, Auto, Sporty, Leather, Stk#P89712007 Ford Mustang . . . . . . . . . . . . .$13,999V6, Premium, Leather, MP3, Wireless, Orange, Manual, Stk#98110C2008 Ford Fusion SEL . . . . . . . . . . . .$14,9993.0L V6 Auto, 6 CD Changer, Cruise, Wireless, Stk#P90052005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLS . .$14,999Black, Auto, CD, A/C, Alloys, Stk#P90062008 Ford Mustang . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15,388V6, Stk#P89022004 Volkswagen Touareg . . . . . . . .$15,99951k Miles, Leather, P/L, P/W, Stk#P90382004 Nissan Murano . . . . . . . . . . . .$15,999P/L, P/W, Cruise Tilt, Stk#P90352008 Nissan Altima . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15,999AM/FM CD, P/L, P/W, Stk#P90322005 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE . . . . . .$15,999Silver, P/L, P/W Auto, Nice! Stk#P89782008 Chrysler Sebring Conv. . . . . . .$15,99938k Miles, Black, Cruise, ABS, Power Seat, Stk#P8947

2008 Toyota Camry LE . . . . . . . . . . .$16,888Cruise, P/L, P/W Stk#P89992006 Jaguar X-Type 3.0 . . . . . . . . .$17,888Silver, Auto, 35k Miles, Stk#91075A2009 MAZDA6 Sport . . . . . . . . . . . .$17,999P/L, P/W, Red, Stk#P89562009 Ford Mustang . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17,999Burgundy, Auto, 22k Miles, P/L, P/W, V6, Stk#P89092006 Ford F-150 XLT . . . . . . . . . . . .$18,999Gray, Auto, Cruise, MP3, Fold Down Rear Seat, Stk#P89142006 Acura TL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18,999Leather, Sunroof, P/L, P/W Stk#P89802007 Ford Edge SE . . . . . . . . . . . . .$19,288Burnt Orange, 29k Miles, CD, Cruise, MP3, Stk#P89282007 Ford F-150 XLT . . . . . . . . . . . .$19,88823k Miles, ABS, CD, P/W, P/L, Keyless, Stk#P88892007 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE . . . . . .$19,888Auto, P/L, P/W, CD, Leather, Heated Seats, Stk#P89452008 Ford Explorer XLT . . . . . . . . . .$19,999P/L, P/W, Nice! Stk#P88682008 Honda Accord . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20,888P/L, P/W, Cruise, Tilt Stk#P89772008 Toyota Avalon Touring . . . . . . .$20,999Silver, Auto, Climate Control, Leather, Power Seat, Stk#P89852008 Ford F-150 Lariat Super Cab . .$21,99923k Miles, P/L, P/W Stk#98063A2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 . . . . . .$22,888Nice Ride! Black, Auto, Keyless, Leather, Stk#P89512006 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer . .$23,999Black, Auto, 43k Miles, CD, DVD, Leather, Stk#P89832006 Land Rover LR3 . . . . . . . . . . .$23,999V8, 35K Miles, Leather, Keyless, Premium Sound, Stk#P89352006 Lincoln Navigator . . . . . . . . . .$25,999Only 39k Miles, Leather, Cruise, Steering Wheel Audio Ctrl, Stk#P89602007 Chevrolet Avalanche . . . . . . . .$25,999Burgundy, CD, OnStar, Cruise, MP3, Traction Ctrl, Stk#P8943

Brand New 2010 MAZDA6Vin#1YVHZ8BA6A5M00110

Lease For$199 Per Month

Lease for 42 months with $0 Security Deposit and $2000 due at signing plus tax, tagand title with approved credit; 12,000 miles per year and 15 cents per mile thereafter.

Brand New 2010 MAZDA3Vin#JM1BL1SF1A1140545

Lease For$179 Per Month

Lease for 42 months with $0 Security Deposit and $2000 due at signing plus tax, tagand title with approved credit; 12,000 miles per year and 15 cents per mile thereafter.

Brand New 2010 Mazda CX-7Vin#JM3ER2W51A0304568

Lease For$239 Per Month

Lease for 36 months with $0 Security Deposit and $3334 due at signing plus tax, tagand title with approved credit; 12,000 miles per year and 15 cents per mile thereafter.

Brand New 2009 MAZDA5Vin#JM1CR293590358316

Lease For$289 Per Month

Lease for 36 months with $0 Security Deposit and $2884 due at signing plus tax, tagand title with approved credit; 12,000 miles per year and 15 cents per mile thereafter.

All offers plus tax, tag and title with approved credit. Offers cannot be combined. See dealer for details. Offers expire date of publication.

2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser . . . . . . .$4995Auto, Wheels, CD Stk#M8221A2002 Buick Rendezvous . . . . . . . .$4995P/L, P/W, CD, Clean Stk#96017A2004 Dodge Stratus ES . . . . . . . . .$5995P/L, P/W, Come Test Drive! Stk#M82481997 Acura RL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$69953.5L, Leather, Sunroof, P/L, P/W, Must See! Stk#96006A2007 Kia Rio XL . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$8288Good Gas Mileage, Must See! P/L, P/W, 42k Miles, Stk#M42512005 Chrysler Sebring Conv. . . . . .$8888Nice, Fun in the Sun, Stk#94510A2003 Dodge Durango . . . . . . . . . .$8895Leather, Wheels, Low Miles, Stk#93004A2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS . .$9855White, Rare, P/L, P/W, Loaded! Stk#M73392005 Ford Escape . . . . . . . . . . . . .$9995Auto, P/W, P/L, Stk#M99952006 Dodge Ram 1500 . . . . . .$10,8884Dr. P/L, P/W, Stk#93016A2007 Hyundai Sonata . . . . . . . .$10,888Warranty, P/L, P/W, Low Low Miles, Stk#M82362008 Dodge Caliber . . . . . . . . .$10,99540k Miles, P/L, P/W, Stk#M40072008 Dodge Avenger SXT . . . . .$11,58841k Miles, P/L, P/W, Stk#M41912008 Ford Focus SE . . . . . . . . .$11,888Auto, P/L, P/W, 38k Miles, Stk#M37742008 Nissan Sentra . . . . . . . . .$11,888Auto, CD, P/L, P/W, STK#M82392007 Chevrolet Equinox . . . . . .$12,565Loaded! CD & More, Stk#M82382006 Nissan Altima . . . . . . . . .$12,9952.5 S, CD, Wheels, Must See, Stk#M45892008 Pontiac G6 . . . . . . . . . . .$12,99553k Miles, Chrome Wheels, P/L, P/W, Come Test Drive! Stk#M82422005 Ford Escape XLT . . . . . . . .$13,888P/L, P/W, Auto, Stk#M7011

2008 Volkswagen Jetta . . . . . .$13,888P/L, P/W, Auto Stk#M8232

2006 Dodge Durango . . . . . . . .$13,8883rd Row, Auto, Stk#96003A

2008 MAZDA6i Touring . . . . . .$13,995P/L, P/W, CD, Stk#M37787

2008 MAZDA5 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$13,9952 To Choose From! P/W, P/L Hard To Find! Stk#M4626

2005 Nissan Maxima . . . . . . . .$14,888Leather, Roof, Sporty, Stk#M8211

2008 Nissan Altima . . . . . . . . .$14,888P/W, P/L, Tilt, Price to Sell, Stk#M8131

2006 Mazda Miata Conv. . . . . .$14,988Ride Topless in Style, 36k Miles, Stk#M8205

2007 Honda Accord . . . . . . . . .$15,888P/L, P/W, CD, Stk#M8241

2004 Nissan Murano SL . . . . . .$15,99564k Miles, Loaded! Come Test Drive! Stk#M6443

2007 Mazda RX8 . . . . . . . . . . .$15,995Auto, Low Miles and more, Stk#M8206

2006 Ford F150 XLT Crew Cab .$16,555Auto, P/L, P/W, Must Go! Stk#M8181

2004 Volkswagen Touareg . . . .$16,8883.2L, Loaded!, P/L, P/W, Sunroof Wont Last! Stk#M5171

2007 Mazda CX-7 . . . . . . . . . .$16,888Low Miles, Like New, Stk#M8204

2007 Ford Explorer XLT . . . . . .$16,888Low Miles, Must Go! Stk#M8179

2009 MAZDA6 Sport . . . . . . . .$17,588Wheels, CD, Loaded! Stk#M8249

2006 Cadillac STS . . . . . . . . . . .$19,888Leather, Wheels, CD, Stk#M8243

2009 Mazda CX-7 Touring . . . .$22,995Leather, Wheels, CD Stk#M8250

MSRP ..................$17,474MCF Discount ......- $1986 Factory Rebate ....- $2500

$12,988SalePrice

New 2009 Ford Focus SE

MSRP ..................$23,604MCF Discount ......- $3609 Factory Rebate ....- $3000

$16,995SalePrice

New 2009 Ford F-150 Sport

New 2009 Ford Ranger Super Cab Sport New 2010 Ford Fusion SE

MSRP ..................$23,604MCF Discount ......- $3609 Factory Rebate ....- $3000

$16,995SalePrice

MSRP ..................$17,474MCF Discount ......- $1986 Factory Rebate ....- $2500

$12,988SalePrice

MSRP ..................$25,109MCF Discount ......- $3214 Factory Rebate ....- $4000

$17,895SalePrice

MSRP ..................$22,769MCF Discount ......- $3274 Factory Rebate ....- $1500

$17,995SalePrice

MSRP ..................$22,769MCF Discount ......- $3274 Factory Rebate ....- $1500

$17,995SalePrice

MSRP ..................$25,109MCF Discount ......- $3214 Factory Rebate ....- $4000

$17,895SalePrice

Stk#96510

Stk#94526 V8,Auto

Stk#98089

StK#101024

...OR CHECK OUT OUR HUGE SELECTION OF USED CARS...OR CHECK OUT OUR HUGE SELECTION OF USED CARS

0% APR FINANCINGFOR 60 MONTHSON 2009 FORD F-150 SUPER CABS, SUPER CREWS & SUPER DUTY’S

0% for 60 months is $16.67 per month per $1000 borrowed with $0 down thru FMCC on approved credit. Ex. 2009 FordF-150 Super Cab Stk#98012. Buy for 60 Months at 0% APR with $2000 down Including tax, tag & title is $450 per month on approved credit. Expires 9/26/09.

MALCOLM CUNNINGHAM AUTO GROUP

V6, Auto, Loaded! V6, Auto, Loaded!

2 LOCATIONSMEANS TWICETHE INVENTORYAND TWICETHE SAVINGS!

We Need To Finish This Month Out Strong SoWe’ve Marked Down Prices On A HUUUUUGESelection of New and Pre-owned Vehicles.

Hurry In Now! These Prices Won’t Last Long!

17889-MCFO (9-26) crossroads 9/23/09 5:18 PM Page 1

CrossRoadsNews September 26, 200916