Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FREEPRESS
Academic program helps high school athletes improve grades, test scores
by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com
or some high school athletes it can be a struggle to balance academics and sports, which may lead to below average grades. Many junior and senior athletes expect to receive multiple athletic scholarship offers from some of the top football programs in the country. However, that scholarship from the school of their choice may not come because of bad grades and low test scores. That is where the Student Athletic Program (SAP) National comes in to play. SAP National, which was created by former educator LaTashae Walker in 2010, is a non-profit organization that focuses on bridging the gap between academics and athletics. Walker, who was an educator for 10 years, said the idea of the program came to her while she was teaching in DeKalb County. As a teacher I worked closely with mostly athletes, she said. I was responsible for study tables and making sure that the students were doing well in class. And while working with those students I noticed that there was a great need for athletes. Walker said it was hard for the athletes to manage homework and athletics at the same time with pressure coming from their coaches, teachers and parents. I felt like in order for them to be successful there should be some type of additional support system in place just for athletes, she said. She then created SAP National. The program was designed to supports the needs of the students and parents through mentorship, psychological and sociological development, college preparation, and sports education. As a teacher, Walker said, she also noticed that a lot of parents waited until the last minute to prepare their child for college. Because they have been playing Little League, then transition to middle school then high school, time is going by, but academically they are also behind and now they are trying to play catch up as ju-
Students at the Action Sports Academy in Stone Mountain receive SAT and ACT tutorial through the Student Athletic Program (SAP) National. Photo provided
Lt. Mark Lavigne, a detective on the case, said the SUV was stolen the morning of the shooting from DeKalb County Police Chief a location in DeKalb County and Cedric Alexander said the 18-year- recovered the next day in a different old Columbia High School student county. Lavigne said multiple shots gunned down March 28 was an were fired during the incident. unintended victim of gang-related We had an outreach from the violence. community and through multiple inPolice arrested and charged a terviews we were able to determine 16-year-old male with murder April the suspect, Lavigne said. Some1 for allegedly participating in the one he was with in that group was drive-by shooting that killed Domithe intended target. nique Boyer. Detectives believe there may be The suspects name has not been several more people who may be released due to the ongoing investiable to provide information about the gation. shooting. According to police, Boyer was The apartment complex, alDeKalb County Police Chief Cedric with a group of friends at the Austin though it now bears a different Alexander discusses the details related Oaks Apartments, located at 4371 name, is the same location where to the death of Dominique Boyer at a Glenwood Road. At approximately DeKalb County Police officers Eric recent news conference. 4:45 p.m., officers were called to the Barker, 34, and Ricky Bryant Jr., apartment complex and found Boyer 26, were shot to death while working involved in [illegal activity], not just suffering from a gunshot wound; he as off-duty security officers in 2008. in that complex, but in and around other areas too. was transported to a local hospital William Woodard was later found Although the suspect is a juwhere he later died. guilty of murdering the officers and He was just totally an unintend- sentenced to spend the rest of his life venile, detectives said he will be charged as an adult and his name ed victim in all of this who just hap- in prison. pened to be subject to this violence, Alexander said he couldnt com- will be released as soon as police are able to identify the others involved Alexander said. At this time, detec- ment on what the police department in the incident. tives are actively following up leads had done since Barker and Bryants Sometimes you can get in front and were asking the public to assist deaths to make the apartment comof these types of events but then us in identifying additional suspects plex and the surrounding area safer. there are times when, more often who may be connected to this case. However, he stated that there have than not, you cant because theyre Alexander said police have renot been any other major incidents so unpredictable and theyre so covered a tan Mercury Mountaineer, since the officers deaths. much in the momentbut were which witnesses identified as the Weve given a great deal of Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champi working this, Alexander said. vehicle used in the shooting. Police attention to that complex and that Police are asking anyone with spokesman Mekka Parish said wit- herwhole area. This is just a very, Because she gets news updates online from thevery The Champion. information regarding the incident to nesses saw a passenger in the SUV sad incident that occurred, AlexBecause she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at (404) firing from the car in the direction of ander said. We are doing some 577-8477 or contact the DeKalb the group. Boyer was the only pervery progressive things as we speak www.facebook.com/championnewspaper County Police Department. son struck. right now to go after those that are
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LOCAL NEWS
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One of the keys to beating breast cancer, is knowing where you stand. The other is knowing where to go.
The newly expanded Comprehensive Breast Care Center at DeKalb Medical at Hillandale is proud to offer state-of-the-art technology for early detection, including digital mammography. And behind all of our technology and equipment, are equally phenomenal people, like our compassionate Nurse Navigators and nationally-acclaimed breast surgeons. From individualized treatment plans to even seemingly small acts down to providing stylish patient robes and calming music during screenings our attention to detail continues to set us apart from other hospitals. Because we believe in caring about people, not just for them. For a comprehensive virtual tour of our Breast Care Center, please visit dekalbmedicalhillandale.org, then call 404-501-2660, to schedule your annual mammogram, today.
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OPINION
Guest Editorial
Customer DISService
They are unfortunately dead wrong. Price matters, and you certainly have to be competitive with the market in any industry, but time and again there are examples that demonstrate consumers will pay moreday in and day outif they are satisfied with the company as well as the product or service they receive. The average Chick-fil-A meal is $1 to $3 higher than a competitive entree from many others in their fast food category. You cant find a parking space in most any Chick-fil-A at meal time, and they are routinely the most highly ranked in customer satisfaction. Starbucks gets nearly three to five times the cost of a typical large coffee served by a convenience store, and more than 10 times your cost of brewing at home. How often do you see an empty Starbucks? Cadillac, BMW and Lexus are three luxury auto brands that held their own during this record recession. Delta and many of its peers and competitors in the travel and hospitality industries completely get the importance of rewarding and incentivizing their most loyal customers. And yet there are entire industries that seem stuck in the groove, year in and year out, that the only great customer is their newest customer. If you receive mobile phone, cable, high speed internet or satellite television in your home or officeor even if you simply open your mailboxyou will be inundated with offers to switch, offers to change providers or add services, and yet these incredible packages and bundle deals are not offered to existing customers. These mobile phone, natural gas, cable and internet providers as a result have extremely high rates of customer churn. This means on average that these companies will spend hundreds, sometimes thousands in rebates, price breaks and other incentives to woo a new customer to sign on the dotted lineand yet, what is offered to their existing customer? Nuttin, honey. I was involved in Georgia in the de-regulation of the natural gas industry. On paper, competition was to drive natural gas prices down, and levels of customer service up. In reality, that dream is about as fictional as The Gas Guy. Fracking and new domestic natural gas supplies have driven prices dramatically down. Gas marketers, including Georgias largest, Georgia Natural Gas, simply raised their monthly customer service fees, and employed an almost nonsensical methodology of posting and advertising their monthly per therm gas prices. And while the commodity price is dropping consistently across the globe, here in Georgia prices from marketers rise, drop and spike with little relation to the price of the commodity. New and switching customers are offered rebates and temporary waivers for moving their accounts. Existing customers? A free hot poker. I will mention that Georgia Natural Gas has had great success borrowing a customer loyalty award from another great Atlanta-based company, rewarding Delta SkyMiles to their monthly gas customers. So to any big business marketing VP or CFO trying to figure out the next cost corner to cut, here is a big idea, at no cost, almost guaranteed to lower your churn and increase your per customer profitability. At the end of each year, send existing customers of one-year or more an electronic thank you note. Perhaps consider a reduction of 5 percent in their fees or a one month free in gratitude for their loyalty. Dont ask anything in return; simply make sure you are clear that you value their business. Sit back and watch your stock warrants and options move out from under water. Youre welcome. Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commentator for Channel 2s Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist for The Champion, Champion Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb native and business owner, living in Scottdale. You can reach him or comment on a column at billcrane@ earthlink.net.
OPINION
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It is not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It is the customer who pays the wages.automagnate Henry Ford (1863-1947) Virtually every small business person I know understands the obvious lesson that I am about to share with you. The best and easiest customer for your next sale is an existing and established customer. Having been an entrepreneur myself for nearing five years now, I can also add that virtually all of my referrals come from existing and prior customers. Building and maintaining those relationships, as well as the credibility and viability of your core business, are critical to the success of most any enterprise. That said, on the big business end of our economy, it appears that the majority of folks making the decisions believe that consumers care only about price. Toward that end, these manufacturing and service concerns will make significant effort to strip away any and all costs before they ultimately deliver their product.
FREEPRESS
Let Us Know What You Think!
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinions from its readers. Please write to us and express your views. Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain the writers name, address and telephone number for verication. All letters will be considered for publication.
Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send E-Mail to Kathy@dekalbchamp.com FAX To: (404) 370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779 Deadline for news releases and advertising: Thursday, one week prior to publication date. EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reect the opinions of the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. The Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.
Publisher: Dr. Earl D. Glenn Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell News Editor: Andrew Cauthen Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt Graphic Designer: Travis Hudgons The Champion Free Press is published each Friday by ACE III Communications, Inc., 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 Phone (404) 373-7779.
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STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER
We sincerely appreciate the discussion surrounding this and any issue of interest to DeKalb County. The Champion was founded in 1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse for all community residents on all sides of an issue. We have no desire to make the news only to report news and opinions to effect a more educated citizenry that will ultimately move our community forward. We are happy to present ideas for discussion; however, we make every effort to avoid printing information submitted to us that is known to be false and/or assumptions penned as fact.
COMMUNITY
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Melissa Hodge-Penn
Lane Stallworth
Melissa Hodge-Penn, a longtime resident of DeKalb County, was sworn in a few weeks ago as the newest member of DeKalb Countys Community Service Board (CSB), which provides mental health services within the county, but volunteering is far from a new venture for her. My experiences volunteering began as a child at my church, she recalled. My parents were very active in missionary work, and providing services to others was a natural part of my environment. As I grew older, I was able to participate in organized work through the Girl Scouts, Hosea Williams
for public administration. Despite her busy schedule she makes time for volunteer work. I build my volunteer work into my daily life, whether it is my networking, researching information or providing financial support, she explained, noting that her networking abilities, broad knowledge of service oriented agencies and an ability to generate ideas fostering real solutions to sustain and increase services offered by organizations make her especially valuable as a volunteer. Hodge-Penn said she volunteers because she believes she has a responsibility to the community at large to make a positive impact. What is most rewarding for me is having a sense of purpose and knowing that I have made an effort to improve someones life, she said. She encourages others to do what they can for their communities. My advice to any individual who is considering volunteering in the community is to seek out an organization that provides services they are passionate about and commit to doing something, she said.
If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at kathy@dekalbchamp.com or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 104.
ATLANTA
AROUNDDEKALB
BROOKHAVeN DeCATUR
Kidz Karnival in Brookhaven Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, will be hosting a Kidz Karnival for children ages 12 and younger on Oglethorpe Universitys campus on Saturday, April 13. The Kidz Karnival will be held 1-5 p.m. and will offer activities for children, including to a bouncy house, food, sack races, bean bag toss, water guns, and a temporary tattoo booth. Entrance for each child will be $5 and food will be sold separately. Sixty percent of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity. Oglethorpe University is located at 4484 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. For more information, email bblalock@oglethorpe.edu.
Expert to give couponing advice
COMMUNITY
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sTONe MOUNTAIN
Stone Mountain CID partners with businesses to upgrade landscaping Shovels are turning dirt and crews are working to increase the curb appeal of commercial properties in the Stone Mountain Community Improvement District (CID). The CID is working directly with owners of convenience stores and gas stations to install new landscaping and complete other repairs in highly visible public right-of-way areas. These property owners and the CID are jointly funding the improvement costs. Tizaz Woldu, who owns a Texaco located in the CID, was the first to join the landscaping effort. He said he hopes other owners will see the value in making similar improvements. I think this is great, Woldu said. Its great for us, and it would be great for other businesses in our community. Currently, the CID is focused on spaces at the following intersections: Hugh Howell Road at Mountain Industrial Boulevard; Hugh Howell Road at Tucker Industrial Boulevard; Mountain Industrial Boulevard at East Ponce de Leon Avenue (Woldus Texaco); and Mountain Industrial Boulevard at Hirsch Drive. Jack Kaiser of Pattillo Grounds Management, who is planning the landscaping projects, said the partnering businesses have expressed excitement to join in the community beautification plans. These are key corner properties located at some of our high-profile intersections, Kaiser said. We are sharing the work and accomplishing much with plantings and clean up. These are great upgrades benefiting the areas overall attractiveness. The CID is already in communication with other owners who have expressed an interest in pursuing similar projects. These efforts are in addition to the CID-funded landscape maintenance and roadway cleaning that occurs regularly throughout the district.
Church sponsors Food Truck Night The food truck Good-N-Stuffed will be in the Shallowford Presbyterian Church parking lot Wednesday night, April 17, at 6 p.m., for Food Truck Wednesday Night at Shallowford. Meals are $5 per child younger than 12 and $8 per adult with a $25 maximum per family. There will be outdoor games for all ages. The community is invited. Daniel Morrison, the food trucks owner and the father of one of Shallowfords families, is currently recovering from extensive surgeries after a traffic accident. This event will help support the family in their time of need. Shallowford Presbyterian Church is located at 2375 Shallowford Road, Atlanta. For more information, call (404) 321-1844 or visit www. shallowford.org. Symposium to focus on local issues Neighborhood Nexus, along with the Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE), will participate in Emory Universitys first Atlanta Studies Symposium on April 26 in Emorys Robert W. Woodruff Library. The symposium seeks to convene an interdisciplinary meeting of scholars and community activists concerned with issues related to Atlanta. The symposium will highlight the wealth of resources available in the community as they relate to population, education and metropolitan ecologies, to name a few. Neighborhood Nexus and PSE will discuss the tools at their disposal, including Neighborhood Nexus interactive mapping and data visualization platform and PSEs Metro Atlanta Equity Atlas, which is still in development. The event is free and open to the public. Register by visiting http://disc. library.emory.edu/atlantasymposium/. North DeKalb Republican Women to host candidate forum The North DeKalb Republican Women will meet at the DeKalb Republican Party Headquarters, 3583-G Chamblee Tucker Road (Embry Hills Shopping Village) on Saturday, April 13, at 10 a.m. The group will host a candidate forum, featuring candidates for the Georgia GOP chair, Alex Johnson, John Padgett and B.J. Van Gundy. The public is invited. The NDRW is a non-profit organization heavily involved in public service working with the USO, Ronald McDonald House, the V.A Hospital and local schools. The NDRW is collecting diapers for the families of American military. Those who would like to contribute should bring the diapers to the DeKalb GOP Headquarters on any meeting date. For more information, contact Natalie Olmi at (770) 396-4101.
Rebecca Hardeman from DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will present the second session in her three-part couponing series at Scott Candler Library on April 18, 1-2 p.m. Titled Beyond the Grocery Store, This session is an advanced class focusing on using coupons at locations other than grocery stores. Scott Candler Library is located at 1917 Candler Road, Decatur. For more information, call (404) 286-6986. Author to discuss baseball book With the opening of a new major league baseball season comes a new book about baseball written by Decaturs Robert Weintraub, author of the 2011 bestseller The House That Ruth Built. His new book is The Victory Season: The End of World War II and the Birth of Baseballs Golden Age. It begins in 1946 when stars such as Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio and Stan Musial returned from the war to set off one of the sports greatest seasons that culminated in an epic seven-game World Series. Soon after that, the legendary Jackie Robinson would make his debut; and baseball would never be the same. Weintraub, whose work appears on ESPN and in major newspapers around the country, will be at the Decatur Library Monday, April 15, 7:15-9 p.m. Its a fascinating story whether youre old enough to remember or are hearing about it for the first time, states an announcement from the library. The Decatur Library is located at 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur. For more information, call (404) 370-3070. DeKalb Medical to host Puberty Rocks DeKalb Medical will host Puberty Rocks, a session for parents trying to guide their sons into adolescence Friday, April 26, 6-8 p.m. at DeKalb Medical Theater-North Decatur campus. Learn how to navigate the turbulent tween and teen years with the help of DeKalb Medical physicians. This fun night out for you and your youngster will cover body changes, mood swings, peer pressure and more, the announcement for DeKalb Medical states. This session of Puberty Rocks is for boys only. It will be led by Dr. Stuart Pancer. DeKalb Medicals North Decatur campus is located at 2701 North Decatur Road, Decatur. Light refreshments will be served. These programs are free, but require registration. To register, call (404) 501-WELL. For more information, visit www.dekalbmedical.org.
CHAMBLee
Quilting class offered at library Make a Quilt, Make a Friend, a beginning quilting class, will be offered at the Embry Hills Library, Monday, April 15, 6-7:30 p.m. Make a simple table runner. Learn to cut, piece, assemble and bind the table runner. These are the skills you need to make a larger quilt. Check at the branch about the supplies you must bring to class, states an announcement from the library. Registration is open to the first 10 people to sign up; participants must register in person. Embry Hills Library is located at 3733 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Chamblee. For more information, call (770) 270-8230.
CLARKsTON
Clarkston library to play Islamic movie The documentary film, Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World, will be shown Saturday, April 13, 2-3 p.m. The film covers a journey across nine countries and 1,400 years of history. It explores the great beauty and diversity of Islamic art and presents the stories behind many great masterworks of Islamic art and architecture. Following the film, Kennesaw State University professor Dr. Sandra Bird will lead a discussion. The Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys is a project of the National Endowment for the Humanities, conducted in cooperation with the American Library Association. Support was provided by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York. Additional support for the arts and media components was provided by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. Clarkston library is at 951 N. Indian Creek Drive. For more information, call (404) 5087175. Library to hold investment seminar The retiring director of economic education for the Federal Reserve Bank, Gary W. Tapp, will conduct a seminar April 20, 11 a.m.-noon, on the basics of investing in the financial market. Tapp will explain key investment principles, including how stocks are valued, investing versus trading and diversification. The seminar is open to the first 25 participants who can register by visiting the Clarkston Library located at 951, N. Indian Creek Drive or by calling (404) 508-7175.
Park to host electronics recycling event For the third year, Stone Mountain Park and the Rotary Club of Stone Mountain, in cooperation with the Tommy Nobis Center, Recycling Division, assisted by DeKalb Boy Scouts will be accepting old electronics and small appliances for recycling. Representatives of the groups will be waiting just inside the East Gate, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., on Saturday, April 13, to help unload computers, printers, cell phones and telephones, CPUs, stereos, laptops, copiers, CD and MP3 players, camcorders, faxes, mikes, speakers, toasters, can openers and similar small appliances. These items will be recycled for free; there is a $5 charge for televisions and video display tubes. Those bringing materials for recycling may enter the park without the normal charge by telling gate attendants they are bringing electronic recycling items and may stay at the park the remainder of the day. Large appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, freezers, humidiers, tires or other household trash, power equipment or other similar items or things that weigh more than 40 pounds each cannot be accepted.
LITHONIA
Womens wellness sessions offered Women and Wellness, a healthy living series facilitated by Dr. Roxanne Padmore, will be at Stonecrest Library Tuesday, April 16, and Saturdays, April 13 and 27. The sessions will focus on health issues and concerns for women of all ages. Padmore will explore the causes and effects of an unhealthy lifestyle and offer natural solutions for healthier living. The Tuesday session is 6:30-7:30 p.m. and the Saturday sessions are 2-3:30 p.m. Stonecrest Library is located at 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia. For more information, call (770) 482-3828.
AVONDALe esTATes
Safe Schools Coalition to host 5K run The Georgia Safe Schools Coalition (GSSC) will have a 5K/1K fun run to prevent bullying and violence in Georgia schools on Saturday, April 20, 7 a.m. - noon, in Avondale Estates. The race will take place in and around the Central Business District. GSSC was created to eliminate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) oppression in Georgia schools. For more information, visit www.avondaleestates. org/events.html.
LOCAL NEWS
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Accrediting agency:
by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com The DeKalb County school district should not expect to be off probation by the end of the year. Thats what Dr. Mark Elgart, president of AdvancED, told the DeKalb County Board of Education April 3. In December 2012, Elgart announced that AdvancED, the agency that accredits the school district, had placed the district on accreditation probation until December 2013, during which the district must comply with a list of 11 required actions or lose accreditation. We do not expect the 11 required actions to be completed by December, Elgart said last week. Youve lost at least three months in this process that was designed to take a year. We will not penalize this board for that. We will understand and expect that there should be progress. By Decemberit will not result in you being fully accredited, Elgart said. You will probably either remain on probation or possibly warned. Expect that
LOCAL NEWS
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Andrea Sneiderman was present at a recent hearing where her attorneys asked DeKalb Court Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams to quash several counts in the indictment against her. Photo provided by Kent Johnson, AJC
New Indian Creek lodge under construction for Georgia State University
by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Georgia State University, which has owned the Indian Creek Lodge in Stone Mountain for more than 70 years, is building a new lodge for university staff, students and degree holding graduates. The lodge, located at 900 Indian Creek Dr., was demolished Feb. 11 in preparation for construction of the new $1 million lodge. The new lodge, which will not be open to the general public, could be completed sometime this fall, according to Scott Levin, Georgia States director of recreational services. Levin said the university purchased the property in 1938. It was originally purchased as a retreat for the to demolish it and build a one story, energy efficient, modern lodge which will have ADA capabilities for meetings and business type functions, Levin said. The new building will have a large meeting room, two breakout rooms, an open pre-function reception area with a fireplace, a catering kitchen and rear outside decks with seating. The lodge will still have the pool, which is open to the university community from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There is also a team building challenge rope course, which is open to the public. The new building will also be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. We hope it will be LEED silver certified, Levin said.
Georgia State University, which has owned the Indian Creek Lodge in Stone Mountain for more than 70 years, is building a new lodge for university staff, students and graduates.
school president and campus community to have meetings and retreats, he said. The recreation [department] took it over in 1996. Levin said the university
never considered building a new facility until officials started doing research and realized that the cost of renovating the old building which was two stories, and
making it ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, would be more. The cost of all of that was just going to be so prohibitive that it was cheaper
LOCAL NEWS
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Parents and volunteers said the Special Olympics track and field events in DeKalb County April 3 gave participants a chance to exercise, have fun and socialize. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
involved in an activity like this, Rashad said. We can meet other parents and have play dates and work together and put our kids in all different types of activities. We can bond together and support each other. The more support, the better. Andrea Smith of Stone Mountain said this was the fifth year her son, 10-year-old Brandon Glass, has participated in Special Olympics. I like everything about it, she said. I just like coming to see my son participate. I like the encouragement they offer to the students to achieve. Smith said her son, who was participating in the 25-yard dash, benefits socially. He gets a chance to interact with the other children from the other schools. This is a chance for the children with disabilities to participate in fun, interactive activities like the rest of the children, Smith said.
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R i I dont care what you sentence me to, convicted rapist Gary Mincey told a judge April 9. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
tells the victims that they were was sympatheticand wanted to ensure that they felt safe believed. in their homes at night, she The judge understood said. what they went through and
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Detailed Local Forecast
Today we will see cloudy skies with a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms, high temperature of 75, humidity of 64%. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. The record high temperature for today is 86 set in 1994. Expect cloudy skies tonight with a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms.
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Lilburn 74/54
April 11, 1965 - Severe thunderstorms in the Upper Midwest spawned 51 tornadoes, killing 256 people and causing more than 200 million dollars in damage. Indiana, Ohio and Michigan were hardest hit in the outbreak. April 12, 1989 - Twenty-two cities in the south central and eastern United States reported record low temperatures for the date, including Elkins, W.Va. with a low of 15 degrees and Baton Rouge, La. with a reading of 37 degrees.
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Hampton 77/55
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 71 Low: 52
Moonset 9:34 p.m. 10:29 p.m. 11:22 p.m. Next Day 12:12 a.m. 12:59 a.m. 1:42 a.m.
Tonights Planets
Last 5/2 New 5/9 Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Rise Set 6:15 a.m. 6:02 p.m. 7:26 a.m. 8:21 p.m. 7:18 a.m. 8:10 p.m. 10:01 a.m. 12:14 a.m. 9:17 p.m. 8:19 a.m. 6:42 a.m. 7:02 p.m.
Local UV Index
0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+
Weather Trivia
Answer: In 1977, lightning hit a New York City power line, causing a 24-hour black-out.
UV Index 0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High, 11+: Extreme Exposure
LOCAL NEWS
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Hundreds gathered at Austin Oaks Apartments on Glenwood Avenue for a candlelight vigil for 18-year-old Dominique Boyer, shot to death March 28, allegedly by a 16-year-old male. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
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News Briefs
Commission, the Dunwoody Sustainability Commission and the Decatur Environmental Sustainability Board. For more information about the expo, contact Davis Fox at (404) 371-6353 or dfox@dekalbcountyga. gov. cations must be returned or mailed to one of these locations by Friday, April 19.
There will be dozens of experts and green businesses and organizations on hand at the sixth annual DeKalb County Green Expo hosted by DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon. The expo is April 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the conference center at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. The expo will feature products and services that use recycled materials, promote energy conservation, water conservation, solar energy, environmental education, alternative fuels and other eco-friendly products. Electronic recycling and document shredding stations also will be on site. Gannon hosts the annual event to support local green businesses and to raise awareness about options to support a healthier DeKalb. Each time we host the expo, I become more excited about the opportunities it presents to build green businesses and increase the publics awareness of the simple ways to sustain a cleaner environment, Gannon said. In addition to the vendors, workshops will be held on organic gardening, backyard composting, tree selection and planting, assembling rain barrels ($40 charge to build a rain barrel), energy conservation and aqua-ponic gardening. The expo will also feature several county and nonprofit organizations such as Gardens in the Parks and others that will offer advice and education on recycling, reducing FOG (fats, oils, grease) in the sewer system, and more. There will be activities for the children, food trucks and live music. The expo is sponsored by DeKalb County Green
Survivor of rare bacterial infection to serve as host for fun run and walk
Snellville native Aimee Copeland has accepted an invitation as special guest and host for the Friends of Adults and Children (FODAC) annual Run Walk n Roll event, scheduled for May 4 at Stone Mountain Park. FODAC is a nonprofit organization providing more than $10 million annually in durable medical equipment (DME) and supplies to the community. Copeland battled a flesheating bacterial infection in 2012, which resulted in the loss of a leg, foot and a hand. FODACs mission is one that is obviously close to my heart, Copeland said. They provided me a special sport chair while I was waiting for a new one. I am honored to accept this invitation and hope that my participation will help others learn how they can help those in need regain mobility and a sense of independence and dignity. FODACs Run Walkn Roll, a five-mile race or two-mile walk through Stone Mountain Park, is one of FODACs main fundraisers. Participants can run, walk or roll through the course; wheelchairs, strollers and walkers are all welcome. Last year, the event raised $30,000, which went toward the DME program that distributes more than 5,000 items each year to Georgia and other states. Aimee was fortunate to have the resources to help her and her family through her illness and recovery, said Chris Brand, presi-
dent of FODAC. So many folks find themselves facing either short- or long-term disabilities with little or no insurance, unable to secure even basic equipment like a wheelchair or walker to help them regain their mobility. Through spokespeople like Aimee, whose strength and courage has inspired so many, we hope to educate people on what they can do to support FODACs mission. Registration and other details on Run Walk n Roll can be found at www.fodac. org/events/.
have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number.
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LOCAL NEWS
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Academics
SAP National founder and owner LaTashae Walker (left) started the program to help athletes, who are struggling with academics, improve their grades and test scores. Photos provided
niors and seniors, she said. So my goal is to avoid that. The program tries to identify students who are academically at risk going into ninth grade so they can help the students maintain good grade point averages (GPA) and make good scores on the SAT and ACT. We want to be a more proactive program but now the approach is still under that reactive approach because parents begin to look for additional support when they see that the opportunity is there for their child to go to college, she said. The program includes a mentoring program for students, in which SAP invites college and professional athletes to talk to the high school students and share their experiences with them. SAP also has workshops for parents to help them understand what its like to transition from high school athletics to the collegiate level. Currently, SAP representatives are working with students from various schools individually to help them with their academic work. They are also working with McNair High School but their goal is to partner with more schools. We want to actually have the program housed in schools so we can be more accessible and be more convenient for both students and parents, Walker said. The program has a 90 percent success rate with students improving their test scores and GPAs. Shaquille Calhoun, a 2012 graduate of Model High School in Rome, Ga., said the program has been really helpful for him. [The program] got me what I needed for the ACT, he said. My ACT score went up from a 16 to 19. Calhoun, 19, is currently enrolled at Action Sports Academy in Stone Mountain. He said he was never a fan of school and wasnt serious about his work and focused more on basketball. I knew I had to do [my school work] so I did what I had to do, he said. But it was more about sports
Cedar Grove High School senior and football player Shane Ward receives academic help from SAP National.
than school for me. Calhoun has a basketball scholarship to Tennessee Tech University but he is working on earning the credits he needs to enroll there. [SAP] is helping me now with the work Im doing for my credit recovery, he said. He added that he would recommend the program to other athletes who are struggling with maintaining their academics and encourage younger athletes to keep their minds on their school work. Sports are going to be there so youve got to get the school work done first, he said. On May 4, SAP National will host an awards banquet to honor high school athletes in DeKalb County for their outstanding academic and athletic abilities. They will recognize an athlete from each school with the highest GPA. I just think it is important to highlight those who are doing well in school so that the students who may be struggling, or dont think that it is possible, will have someone to look up to as a peer, Walker said. They can actually see individuals who are taking care of their grades while being active in school.
EDUCATION
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DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson held a surprise teacher appreciation dinner at Freedom Middle School April 3. Watson plans to hold similar events in all middle schools in his district. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
From left, Freedom Middle School Principal Carey Davidson, David Holt of Davidos $3.75 Pizza, and Commissioner Stan Watson teamed up to recognize Freedom Middles faculty.
all of our teachers in the middle schools thank you so very, very much for what you do every day, said Watson, whose wife is a former Tucker Middle School English teacher. Your job is not forgotten. I know how much you make because [my wife and I] have a joint bank account. I know exactly how much goes into the bank. I understand all of the challenges you have every day. Watson said his visit had nothing to do with politics. Im not running for anything. Im good, he told the teachers. I just came by to do it. I didnt have to do it. I thought it would be great for us to do something for the teachers, the coaches in our middle schools where our teachers are being challenged. If we dont get it right in middle school then we dont get it right at all.
Davidson said teachers never hear good job enough. Its very important that you recognize that there are people on the outside of this building that appreciate what you do, he told the teachers. Please understand and recognize that what you do on a daily basis is very powerful. Do not minimize what you do when you come to this school at 7:30 in the morning. Some of you dont leave until 8 at night. The sacrifices that you make are very valuable and they are very important. Davidson said the event would help to build teacher moral. It helps to encourage and promote unity, not just inside the building, but outside the building, Davidson said. Any time a community servant can come in and show his appreciation and gratitude for what the teachers do on a
DeKalb CEO, Chamber, school district partner to award scholarships this spring
DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) have established the DeKalb County Educational Scholarship Fund for high school students. The fund will award several scholarships in amounts up to $5,000 to DCSD high school seniors who have been accepted into a two- or four- year college or vocational training program in Georgia. Scholarships will be awarded to students based on their financial need and merit. Students can apply for the scholarship now through April 19. The application is available at http://www. dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/ dekalb-county-education-scholarshipapplication-(2013).pdf. Ellis was inspired to create a scholarship fund after receiving an award in 2012 from the National Association of Counties (NACo) which included a $5,000 scholarship donated by the Siemens Corporation. I saw the NACo award as an ideal opportunity to help young people fulfill their dream of achieving the education and training required to be successful in life, Ellis said. Partnering with the school district, chamber and generous sponsors demonstrates our collective commitment toward investing in our greatest resourcethe young men and women of DeKalb County. Interim Superintendent Michael Thurmond said, We are fortunate in DeKalb County to have a community that recognizes how the strength of our students directly impacts the success of our economy. We are grateful to Mr. Ellis and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce for extending this opportunity to our students. Thanks to their generosity, pursuing post-secondary education just became a little easier for some of our students. A selection committee formed by the DeKalb Chamber will review the applications and the CEO, school superintendent and Chamber and will announce the awards at a May 14 ceremony for students, parents and sponsors. The DeKalb Chamber has long been a supporter of public and private education, our technical colleges, and traditional four-year institutions. We strongly endorse the need for an educated and prepared workforce in order for DeKalb County to succeed in economic development and overall community prosperity, stated DeKalb Chamber Chairman Arnie Silverman.
Business
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Erica Barrett shows her banana pudding pancakes topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream, fresh banana slices, maple syrup and crushed vanilla wafers. Her products include 10 pancake flavors as well as syrup and other items. Below, she demonstrates how to turn out perfect pancakes. Photos by Kathy Mitchell
Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030 404.378.8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
SPORTS
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Miller Grove center Klarissa Weaver goes up for a layup while Lithonia guard Raghe Brown defends in the 2013 DeKalb County girls All-Star game.
DeKalb County School District Athletics Coordinator Dr. Philip McCrary presents Columbia guard Miah Spencer with the MVP award.
DeKalb County School District Athletics Coordinator Dr. Philip McCrary presents Druid Hills center Clarence Williams with the MVP award.
uBASKETBALL
Jabria Craig goes up for a dunk in the 2013 DeKalb County boys All-Star game. Photos by Carla Parker
Southwest DeKalb boys, Arabia Mountain girls tennis finish season undefeated
by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com The Southwest DeKalb High School boys and Arabia Mountain High School girl tennis teams dominated DeKalb County tennis this season. The Southwest DeKalb Panthers ended the season with a 12-0 record and the Arabia Mountain Lady Rams finished with a 10-0 record. The Panthers ended the season with players in the top two of the singles and doubles standings. Senior Corey Carter and sophomore Kimani Deveaux finished first and second, respectively, in the win/ loss column for singles. Carter has an 11-0 record and Deveaux is right behind him with an 11-2 record. Jabari Scott and Stephen Lamar finished first in the doubles standings with a 6-0 record. Lamar and Darrius Winns came in second with a 5-0 record and the team of Winns and Taron Graham finished fifth with a 4-0 record. Southwest DeKalbs girls team also had a successful season, finishing second in the standings with an 11-2 record. Sophomore Tagan Horton finished second in single standings with a 13-0 record, which is behind Chamblees Gabrielle Robinsons record of 140. Peri Green and Destini Willis of Southwest DeKalb finished first in the double standings with a 13-0 record. But it was the Lady Rams of Arabia Mountain that finished the season at the top of the team standings. Junior Sydney Lockett led the Lady Rams in the singles standings with an 8-1 record, while sophomore Jada Bridgewater record finished undefeated with a 6-0 record. The double team of Daijah Suggs and Jana Gladman also finished with an undefeated record of 3-0.
SPORTS
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McCrary
White
Walton
by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com inning a championship in a team sport is not an easy feat. For players, its difficult to accomplish that goal because the player needs the help of his or her teammates to reach that goal. For coaches, it is more difficult because it is up to the coach to get his or her players to believe in their program, the system and the coach to lead the team to the ultimate goal of a championship. Some coaches are not able to that and some are, in some cases, more than once. The DeKalb County School District is home to a number of coaches who have won multiple state championships and built dynasties in the process. From past coaches such as Napoleon Cobb, who won 10 track and field state titles with Gordon High School and Southwest DeKalb High School in the 70s and 90s, to Robert Nowell, who has eight state titles in gymnastics with Druid Hills, Sequoyah and Briarcliff high schools from the late 50s to the 70s. Over the past 10 years, DeKalb
theyre doing its amazing and its especially amazing when they come back and say, Coach, thanks. Bonner began his coaching career in 1978 at Columbia High School, where he spent six years as the head coach of the football and track teams. Bonner moved to Southwest DeKalb High School and was assistant head football coach and the head track coach from 1985-89. He left the high school level to move up to the college ranks to become an assistant head coach at Alabama A&M University in 1989. He was named head coach in 1991. He moved on to Texas Southern in 1994 and spent five years as assistant head football coach and head track coach. He was also an assistant football coach at Tennessee State, 2000-2003, before moving back to DeKalb to take the head football coaching job at Cedar Grove.
Bonner has a 134-97 record, eight region championships, four area championships and a North Georgia Championship as a high school coach. On the college level he has a 69-85-1 record and three SIAC Conference championships. Bonner has helped hundreds of players reach the next level in their careers, whether college level or professional level. He had 11 players who made it to the NFL and three track athletes who have participated in the Olympics. In his final year as coach, he helped 12 athletes earn football scholarships to college. Bonner said he was most appreciative of the parents for entrusting their children to him. Im grateful and Im humble by the whole thing, he said. I did what I was supposed to do, and thats come to work. Im just happy.
Bonner
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Savings
Whether shopping for the week or for the items you need to prepare your favorite dish, with a little planning, you can take advantage of savings that are just as satisfying as the meal itself. There are deals throughout the store. Bring in your coupons and save even more. With all the ways Publix helps you stretch your grocery dollars, you can plan on leftovers of the green kind regularly. And we dont mean lettuce.