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WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2012 VOL. 15, NO. 2 FREE

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Sunrise service at

Stone Mountain
by Kathy Mitchell kathy@dekalbchamp.com

a 68-year-old tradition continues

HYIS SHEfor eggs and holy services mark a special season Hunts HAPPY ? WHY
See Sunrise on Page 13A by Kathy Mitchell kathy@dekalbchamp.com rees are in blossom and flowers blanket the hills and roadsides. Spring is here and that means the Easter/Passover season cant be far behind. This year, as they often do, Easter and Passover coincide. Passover, an eight-day celebration, starts the evening of Friday, April 6, and Easter is April 8. Whether one is observing a sacred holiday or simply celebrating the coming of spring, Mother Nature already is dressed in her finest to greet the season of new life. There will be a variety of both secular and sacred events across DeKalb County this holiday season. Here is a sampling. Just for fun Callanwoldes Eggstravaganza Eggstravaganza returns to Callanwolde on Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m. noon. A family favorite for years, Callanwoldes Easter egg hunt features thousands of eggs, a live performance by

he themes of Easterresurrection, new life, beginning againmake the tradition of celebrating the holiday with a sunrise worship service especially appropriate. Such services not only symbolize resurrectionwith the suns light bursting forth after a period of darknessthey also evoke the Christian belief in the discovery at dawn of an empty tomb. One of the areas most popular Easter sunrise service destinations is Stone Mountain Park, where for 68 years early risers have comenow by the thousandsto participate in a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the sun creeps over the mountain. Jim Lancaster, president of the Stone Mountain Sunrise Association, said he cant confirm the story, but he has heard

the tradition started with a Sunday School classa group of approximately 15 to 20 people who invited others to join them in subsequence years. Visitors now come from all over the world to participate in the service. Park officials estimate that between 3,500 and 4,000 people attended last year. Getting people in and out of the park quickly and efficiently goes smoothly in spite of the numbers, Lancaster said. The people at Stone Mountain Park are very good at managing crowds, he said, adding that not every worshiper drives; many come to the park on foot. Those who drive are charged the normal vehicle entry fee. Church vans and buses enter free. There also are fees to ride the Skylift to the top of the mountain; climbing is free. With its Confederate Memorial carving and history of Ku Klux Klan rallies, Stone Mountain Park has not always been a welcoming place for African Americans.

WHYIS SHE WHYIS SHE SO SO HAPPY ? HAPPY ?

Enzo Clown, Atlanta Braves game tickets and prizes, arts and crafts and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. Families are invited to bring Easter baskets and cameras for a fun day in Callanwoldes beautiful gardens and grounds. The charge for children 12 and younger is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Adults are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online at TicketLeap. All proceeds benefit the Callanwolde dance program. In case of rain the event will be cancelled. No onsite parking will be available. There will be free parking and shuttle bus service beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Emory University Briarcliff Campus, 1256 Briarcliff Road, a half mile north of Callanwolde. For more information call (404) 872-5338 or visit www. callanwolde.org. Dinosaur Egg Hunt at Fernbank

SO

HAPPY ?

IS SHE

The Fernbank Museum is offering a day of she gets her newsfun with its Because springtime family Hunt on Sat- from the The Champion. Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. updates online third annual Dinosaur Egg Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. urday, April 7. This years Dinosaur Egg

ews updates online from the The Champion.

And you can too! Follow us. And you can too! Follow us.
See Hunts on Page 13A

And you can too! Follow us.

www.facebook.com/championnewspaper www.twitter.com/championnews www. championnewspaper.com

too! Follow us.

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Page 2A

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

The old courthouse in the Decatur square is one of the citys historic locations. Decatur recently hosted seminars to promote historical preservation and environmental sustainability. Photos by Daniel Beauregard

Decatur hosts sustainability seminars

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com The city of Decatur is asking residents to weigh in on how it could make the city more sustainable and protect its trees. Decaturs 2010 strategic plan called for the development of a sustainability plan and Lena Stevens, a resource conservation coordinator for the city of Decatur, said the city held two seminars April 3-4 to inform residents and start a dialogue about sustainability. Decatur has a nine-member environmental sustainability board (ESB) made up of residents that recently drafted a sustainability plan and posted it online for feedback. The draft addresses seven categories related to sustainability, including government management practices, food and agriculture, buildings and energy, and resource conservation and waste reduction. However, Stevens said after reviewing feedback from residents the ESB realized it had left out two issues that were incredibly important to residents: historic preservation and protecting Decaturs tree canopy. The issue of trees came about because there are a lot of people in this community concerned about whats happening on private property as people build, Stevens said. Stevens said current zoning regulations are lax regarding building on private property and what to do with the trees on the land. She said because of this the ESB is conducting a tree canopy study and developing an urban forest plan. On April 3, the city of Decatur and the ESB hosted a seminar, Historic PreservationRespecting the Past and Meeting the Needs of the Future, at Agnes Scott College. The event featured speakers Susan Kidd, sustainability director at Agnes Scott College, and Mark McDonald, president of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Stevens said the purpose of the seminar was to encourage adaptive reuse or restoration of historic buildings. Additionally, panelists discussed the relationship between historic preservation and environmental sustainability. I think the reason its important to have some of these speakers is that theyre professionals and experts, and theyre tied into the local scene, Stevens said. The second seminar held April 4, concentrated on protecting Decaturs tree canopy. Ed Macie, an arborist for the city of Decatur, explained the resource value of Decaturs current tree canopy. Macie and residents also reviewed possible amendments to the tree ordinance, and to the permit process to remove trees from single family properties. We thought it would be really good for us to sit down and talk about ordinance changes all the way down to educational efforts, Stevens said. Its really to facilitate a community conversation. Stevens said unlike the strategic plan, which is revisited every five years, the purpose of the environmental sustainability plan needs to be more flexible. Therefore, Stevens said the sustainability plan would be revisited every two years. Both the ESB and the Decatur City Commission will be asked to approve the sustainability plan. Stevens said the citys goal is to have it adopted by the end of May.

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Page 3A

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Commissioners question watershed jobs stimulus program

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com As DeKalb officials gear up for the countys $1.3 billion watershed capital improvement project, some commissioners want to know what safeguards are in place to guarantee that many of the estimated 4,000 jobs go to DeKalb residents. I see the vision, but I dont see anything to make it happen, said Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton during a March 29 meeting of the Board of Commissioners public works committee. Its my understanding as these jobs become available that the companies that are selected will come in with their own crews who have specific skill sets. Kelvin Walton, the countys director of the purchasing and contracting department, said potential contract winners will be required to hire workers from the countys First Source registry, a listing of qualified and trained DeKalb County residents available for contracts. The countys First Source ordinance requires contractors and beneficiaries to make a good faith effort to hire 50 percent of all entry level jobs using the First Source candidate database, according to the countys website. When the contracts are ready, potential primary contractors will have to list who theyre going to hire, [and for] what positions that theyre going to hire, Walton said. Thats going to be part of the evaluation process, Walton said. If a contract is for $1 million we expect [the contractor] to hire people and not just one person. Were going to be evaluating those contracts based on how many people they say theyre going to hire. Walton said residents are being trained at DeVry, Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Sutton said she has received calls from constituents who cannot find information about the One DeKalb Works jobs. At the schools, theres nothing listed about the One DeKalb Works programs, Sutton said. They have the regular curriculum up but I dont see anything thats in reference to that. And their regular curriculum do not support the type jobs the county will need. County watershed director Joe Basista told commissioners the capital improvement plan falls under the countys One DeKalb Works program. That program was hailed by DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis in November 2011 as a local stimulus plan. The attempt of the One DeKalb Works program is to leverage public spending to maximize opportunities for DeKalb County residents to secure gainful employment and grow small businesses, Basista said. There will be lots of contracting opportunities, Basista said. There will be hundreds of contracts issued to hopefully local and small businesses, and there will be thousands of jobs created. Commissioner Lee May said One DeKalb Works is a political program that the CEO has put together. As much as we want it to be a jobs program, its a byproduct of the need that we have, May said. I dont want people to begin to think this is a political program. This is an infrastructure program where theres real need. As a result of that need, thats where the jobs and the business development component comes in. The whole One DeKalb thing has so many political dynamics to it, May said. In addition to One DeKalb Works, the umbrella has One DeKalb Lives, One DeKalb Volunteers, One DeKalb Votes. During the next three months, DeKalb County officials plan to put together their three management teams for the $1.3 billion project. In April, the county will seek proposals for a program management team for its consent decree projects. This team would oversee the consent decree schedule, cost controls, reporting; sewer system modeling, cleaning, inspection and rehabilitation; and real estate acquisition coordination and public outreach. A second request for proposals is planned to be issued in May for the construction management for the Snapfinger Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Snapfinger is the single largest project we will undertake, Basista said. Approximately $250 million will go to rebuild, upgrade and expand the plant. Another management firm will handle the capital improvement plan, including project development, design management and design reviews. This firm will also ensure that at least 20 percent of the contract work goes to local small businesses.

Workers are building a flood-proof wall around a pump station off of Drake Road near Lithonia. The station was inundated with water during a 500-year flood in 2010. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Kudos and brickbats

should get the nod permanently, especially for the superior work she has done with the foreclosure registry. Code Compliance is being separated into two positions, reactive and proactive. The reactive supervisor will respond to resident complaints, address back logged cases and oversee the Neighborhood Ambassador Program. The proactive code compliance supervisor will implement a blight sweep response team working with citizens, sanitation workers, Keep DeKalb Beautiful, community development, business licenses and other departments with the goal of getting ahead of problems before they get out of hand. Gary Cornell, the county interim director of planning and sustainability, explained to members of the Code Enforcement Task Force that the reorganization is designed to stop code enforcement issues before they get out of hand and make better, more efficient use of existing resources. Interim supervisors have been chosen while the search is on for people to fill the positions permanently along with a new code compliance administrator. Performance merits praise. Mr. Ellis and his staff should be commended for listening and taking action. He heard citizens howls about the deplorable condition of the animal control shelter and he acted. Hes heard citizens complaints about the way the county looks and has moved to remedy the situation. Its almost as if the CEO is trying to make the communitys priorities the countys priorities. It looks as if a politician is keeping his word, saying what he means and meaning what he says. One could throw cold water on it all and point out this is an election year. But Mr. Ellis has been working with the Code Enforcement Task Force for nearly two years. Ask Gil Turman, Joceyln and William ONeal, Brenda Pace, Charles Peagler, Nikki Vandergrinten, Joel Edwards, Joe Arrington, Cynthia Tucker, Robert Blackman and others who have often been frustrated with the seemingly slow pace of things. While we owe the CEO and his staff a debt of gratitude for their work thus far, well see whether a tax-paying DeKalb resident is hired for the top job before we start passing out too many attaboys. By the way, shame on a certain commissioner seeking to take credit for the code enforcement ordinance finally passed last year and other changes. That certain commissioner, Sharon Barnes Sutton, in printed materials would have us believe the code enforcement ordinance was initiated by her committee when in fact she was as hostile and uncooperative as one could get. The procrastination and foot dragging let up only after public pressure and embarrassment. If there is any credit to be had, it goes to the hard working members of the Code Enforcement Task Force and the CEO and his staff. Do not be deceived this election year. Well watch and report with high hopes that plans on the drawing board will be realized.

Opinion The Newslady

Page 4A

Its been a long time coming, but a change is going to come, oh yes it is. Thank you CEO Burrell Ellis and staff for finally listening to concerned citizens and your code enforcement staff. The personnel changes announced last week are long overdue and welcomed with much gratitude. The countys Office of Code Compliance is being re-organized to include a new code compliance and neighborhood stabilization administrator. Three positions will report to that individual, including a special projects coordinator who will handle the existing foreclosure registry and a proposed vacant property registry for neighborhood stabilization. Tanza Clark, the highly successful coordinator of the foreclosure registry is in an interim capacity until a permanent person is chosen. She

Steen Miles, The Newslady, is a retired journalist and former Georgia state senator. Contact Steen Milies at Steen@dekalbchamp.com.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Whither the political middle?

considered a negative buzzword, as in Massachusetts Moderate, and intended to mean without moral compass, no real issue positions of note and largely being willing to say whatever voters want to hear to get elected. Last I checked that definition better aligned with the term populist. Our two major national political parties dont like to discuss it, but the fastest growing self-identification label among voters is independent. This political middle in some states is approaching 20 percent of the eligible voting age population. Party identification on both sides is dropping, but hovers in the mid-30s. Independents and first-time voters delivered the White House in 2008 to then Sen. Barack Obama. But moderates as a political category within either party are becoming almost as rare as the dodo bird or the white lion. Voters sent the majority of moderate Blue Dog Democrats packing during the 2010 mid-term elections. And one of the GOPs most consistent voices for moderation in the U.S. Senate for three decades now, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) recently announced that she will not seek reelection as expected in 2012. Snowes departure is a triple blow. For the GOP it increases the likelihood they will not reach majority in the Senate. For the women of this country, it reduces the percentage of female representation in what remains the nations most elite White mens club. And perhaps most importantly, like her or not, time and again when the Senate or Congress are actually able to reach compromise and produce meaningful legislation in these days of increasing gridlock, you will often see Olympia Snowe standing and smiling and in the background as major pieces of compromise legislation are being signed into law. I am not speaking here to Sen. Snowe, or even the people of Maine, but we need leaders who can forge compromise, reach across the aisle and even occasionally govern from the middle. Our political process is increasingly being gamed not just by big money and lobbyists as we are often told by the national press, but more often by a partisan nominating process filled with conventions, caucuses and primaries that heavily favor extremism in both parties. Our nominating process for president, buttressed by tradition, national party hierarchy and the national media present us with a skewed set of choices, typically well right of center for the GOP and decidedly left of same for the Democrats. Voters then get to choose among the lesser of the remaining evils. Third parties remain a less than viable option. Ross Perot captured 19 percent of the vote in 1992; George Wallaces bid to extend segregation captured the South in 1964, but you have to go all the way back to 1912 and Teddy Roosevelts Bull Moose Party to see a third party come even close to capturing a third of the vote. Teddy drew 25 percent, and in effect ousted his own earlier handpicked successor, President William Howard Taft, with a split GOP allowing Woodrow Wilson 43 percent of the vote and the White House. As we are unlikely to again see a former president form a splinter or third party anytime soon, those of you in the middle out there need to stand up and be counted. Participate in the primaries, make campaign contributions and at least start a call for the end of extremism, just as the Tea Party focused a laser beam on the topic of federal government spending and debt. We need more Olympia Snowes, before the next avalanche of indecision, paralysis and gridlock takes us down an irreversible path. 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 One Mans Opinion

Page 5A

And so tonightto you, the great silent majority of my fellow AmericansI ask for your support. President Richard Nixon (19131994), on Nov. 3, 1969, seeking the support of the American people for his administration policy regarding the Vietnam War. Perhaps it is due to my being middle aged, or the softening middle I fight harder to stave off each day. I find myself increasingly concerned by the ongoing death and dearth of Americas political middle. Middle America, middle income households and even the ABC program The Middle are frequently sought after, lauded and applauded. But claim to be from the political middle or God-forbid self identify yourself as moderate and prepare to be targeted by both sides. Moderate means choosing a path and seeking solutions to the problems and challenges we face, by means that are not extreme, overly partisan or radical. However in politics, moderate is now

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: Robert Naddra 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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The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Opinion

Page 6A

Riding on the wrong track

Stop the world; I want to get off.
we could complete our mission there, whatever that is. If that mission is to pacify Afghanistan, we cant. No foreigner has ever done that, and Im willing to bet no one ever will. Our mission right now is to get the hell out. I opened my paper the other mornHad we elected John McCain in ing, brimming with the hope and op- 2008, wed not only be in Afghanitimism that spring (and spring trainstan, wed be in Iran. ing) always excites in me, and these Speaking of Republicans, it begins are the stories I saw: to look as though Mitt Romney at long last and for real is going to A killer in Toulouse, France had at- be the Republican nominee for presitacked a Jewish school, murdering a dent. rabbi and three young children. The good news is that hes the A dozen police officers in Mexico best Republican available. were ambushed and killed while The bad news is that hes the best investigating the beheading of 10 Republican available. people. He keeps trumpeting the fact that Florida police claimed they couldnt hes been a businessman and that a arrest the self-appointed neighbusinessman is just what the country borhood watcher who had shot needs. unarmed Black teen Trayvon MarReally? Since when has a busitin to death because of the states nessman turned out to be a successful stand your ground law, which president of the United States? Herapparently allows people to shoot bert Hoover? Republicans spent 50 other people pretty much whenever years living down his legacy. they feel like it. Whats he going to do as president, buy Canada, fire all the governDo you sense a trend here, like ment workers there, and sell it for a maybe the world has gone complete- profit to Germany? Thats the kind of ly bonkers? businessman he was. I can feel some sympathy with Unlike his Republican colleagues, those people who keep telling pollRomneys problem isnt that he has sters that they think the country so many enemies. Its that his friends isnt on the right track. What I dont cant stand him. If you see people understand is why so many of them walking into the voting booth in the keep trying to make things worse. fall holding their noses, youll know For example, Republicans keep theyre voting for Romney. complaining that President Obama is Then theres Rick Santorum, getting our troops out of Afghanistan who sounds as though hes running too fast. They say theyd stay the to be president of Vatican West, and course and listen to our generals on Newt Gingrich, who thinks hes the ground in forging policy. uniquely qualified to beat Obama, Say what? even though he ran behind Ron Paul Generals on the ground never in Illinois. want to admit that theyve lost a war. Stop the world; I want to get off. Never. Just the other day Marine OtherWords columnist Donald Corps General John Allen, our com- Kaul lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. mander in Afghanistan, told Congress otherwords.org

The following comments are pulled straight from our website and are not edited for content or grammar.

Voters to decide charter school funding in November

Ivy Prep just held their lottery for next year, and there are wait lists for all grades. I am very satisfied with the program there. I hope that DCSC will consider approving their charter in the future. The school is a great asset to DeKalb.
Ivy Parent posted this on 3/31/12 at 8:14 a.m.

Soap box derby park stopped in its tracks for now

If Jeff Rader aint spent all of the Green Space and Park Bond Money yet proping up his developer BFFs just take the money out of ole Jeffs fav slush fund ! Im taking for granted all of the libraries are open and funded ? OMG ? Quick ! More cell towers in school yards !
Iva Ben Hadd posted this on 3/31/12 at 12:59 a.m.

Bicyclists ride to Capitol to support bike advocacy

And Im sure all those bikers stopped at all lights and stop signs and never rode more than two abreast.
Cynic posted this on 3/30/12 at 9:09 p.m.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Local News

Page 7A

Frances Abrams Pinkins

up litter, Pinkins keeps code enforcement informed of violations in the neighborhood. My main concern is trying to keep our neighborhood clean, Pinkins said. Pinkins daughter Brandice Abrams, 32, said her mothers tireless, ongoing eorts are denitely a plus for the environment and safety of our community. If we could count the number of lled trash bags per week she has collected from our streets, it would be thousands of pounds of debris, Abrams said. Pinkins shares her volunteerism spirit with her family. Her husband Larry, son Brandon and daughter have also helped keep the neighborhood clean. Pinkins also volunteers at her church as a minister and the pastors secretary at Hills of Help Outreach Ministry on Columbia Drive in Decatur. She retired from AT&T in 2008 after 30 years as a senior human resources administrator in the operator services department. Pinkins and her husband have been married for 15 years. Pinkins really cares about her community and its environment, and I believe we are a better neighborhood because of her commitment to make her neighborhood and DeKalb County beautiful, Abrams said.

Champion of the Week

Briarlake Elementary is one of nine schools the DeKalb County School Board has approved as a site on which T-Mobile can build cell towers. Photo by Daniel Beauregard

Commissioners against cell tower building permits

by Daniel Beauregard Daniel@dekalbchamp.com The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has asked CEO Burrell Ellis not to issue building permits to the DeKalb County School Board, which voted last year to install nine cell towers at schools throughout the county. The commissioners voiced their concerns in a letter sent to Ellis on March 27. We all have constituents that are very concerned about the locations where the cell towers were proposed and they were coming to us on an issue that we have very little control over, Commissioner Kathie Gannon said. Gannon said the placement of cell towers would circumvent the countys zoning ordinance since the DeKalb County School District would be getting revenue from T-Mobile for leasing the properties where the towers would be located. The board of education decision is based upon judicial precedence that property of a governmental unit in Georgia is exempt from local zoning regulations if the property is used for a governmental purpose, the letter states. However, since the school district would be earning revenue from leasing the properties, the commissioners said placing the cell towers would be seen as a proprietary function rather than a governmental function. According to the letter, a proprietary function is one that is performed for the benefit of the governmental unit rather than the public. I think its under DeKalb Countys control and we feel that the process should be the same as any private company looking to lease land, Gannon said. School Board Chairman Eugene Walker disagreed with the commissioners claims in the letter. Although the district would receive revenue from leasing the property for the towers, Walker said, the towers would benefit residents and the school district by improving communication in those areas. Im real disappointed in this letter and I dont think they have a valid point, Walker said. State law does say that the school district is allowed to do what they see fit with its property. Walker said he thought the letter was nothing more than the commissioners trying to impose their will on the school board to please constituents. If this was a bad thing then other metro schools wouldnt be doing it. Weve signed a contract, were not going to violate that contract, Walker said. The letter suggests the county take a more active role to protect the interests of residents, uphold adopted ordinances and recommends the DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability Department not issue any building permits for the board of education. Its now up to the administrative department to review the letter and circumstances and make their own decision. The county cant force the school board to do anythingthe only thing the county can do is tell T-Mobile when they come in for a permit [that] they need to go through the correct zoning processes, Gannon said.

For the past 15 years, Frances Abrams Pinkins has been walking the streets of the Toney Valley neighborhood in unincorporated Decatur and picking up trash. I just like a clean neighborhood, said Pinkins, 56. Pinkins said she picks up trash in the neighborhood two or three times a week, depending on the amount of litter from pedestrians. We have a lot of walking trac, Pinkins said. I volunteer because this is home, Pinkins said. This is where I live. When youre blessed to have things, you should take care of those things. Pinkins said the 30 minutes she spends cleaning the neighborhood has some added benets. You get some exercise, you get to see the community and people get to know you, Pinkins said. It makes you feel good when they notice youre doing good work. In addition to picking

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.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Local News

Page 8A

NEWS BRIEFS
Stone Mountain man found dead in Social Circle
The body of a Stone Mountain man was found March 29 in Social Circle when firefighters were called to put out a brush fire near I-20. A motorist called 911 to report the fire at 11:44 p.m. An autopsy by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiners office March 31 revealed Akili Jabari Stewart, 36, of Stone Mountain, died of gunshot wounds. The crime is being investigated by the Social Circle Police Department, GBI Athens Regional Office, and the state Fire Marshals Office. The state fire marshal has issued a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the crime. Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact the GBI at 1 (800) 597-TIPS (8477) or the GBI Athens Office at (706) 552-2309.

Dunwoody Police looking for Brook Run Park vandals

The Dunwoody Police Department is looking for the persons who vandalized the community garden at Brook Run Park. According to police, the hoodlums pulled down fencing, overturned plant beds and trampled hundreds of dollars worth of flowers and vegetables. The vandals also destroyed bird houses, killing the bluebird eggs inside, according to police. Anyone with information can call the Dunwoody Police Department at (678) 382-6919. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at www. dunwoodypolice.com or via the Tipsoft text message program at www. crimereports.com.

serve 14 months in federal prison on charges of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine and to accepting a bribe of $350 to facilitate the distribution of cocaine inside the Fulton County Jail, according to the U.S. Attorneys office in Atlanta. Scotts prison term will be followed by two years of supervised release. According to court documents, on Aug. 11, 2010, Scott, while he was a detention officer at the Fulton County Jail, accepted $350 from an undercover agent to deliver seven grams of a substance he believed to be cocaine to a specific inmate inside the jail. Immediately after leaving the undercover agent, Scott took the substance to the jail and delivered it to the inmate. Scott is one of four former Fulton County law enforcement officers who have been convicted recently on similar charges. One of the men, Marvie Trevino Dingle Jr., also is from Lithonia. Dingle, 35, is a former Fulton County deputy sheriff. He pleaded guilty Nov. 8, 2011, to two counts of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine inside and outside the county jail and two counts of extortion under color of official right for accepting more than $2,000 to smuggle drugs into the jail and to protect a drug transaction outside of the jail, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. He was scheduled to be sentenced on April 3.

File Photo

Chamblee could add 11,000 residents with annexation

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com ernment. One thing that makes being annexed into Chamblee attractive is Chamblee could get a little bigthat Chamblee is already in place, ger and unincorporated DeKalb Van Der Grinten said. We already County may shrink after the passee what were going to get. sage of a bill in the last days of the The city has an excellent police 2012 General Assembly. department, and strict permitting Residents in the Dresden East and code enforcement, Van Der Civic Association (DECA) area Grinten said. Those factors will be neighborhoods gained a chance to helpful for the community, which decide whether they want to be a has a problem with late night part of Chamblee after House Bill establishments ignoring [county] 1006 was signed into law by Georrules about closing and loud mugia Gov. Nathan Deal March 27. sic. The bill, introduced by Rep. EleChamblee city manager Niles na Parent (D-81) allows residents Ford said city department heads are in neighborhoods east of Buford performing a review of its services Highway, south of Chamblee-Tuck- to determine the impact that the er, and north and west of I-85 to proposed annexation would have. vote during the November presidenOur people are pretty happy tial election on whether they want with the level of services we ofto annex into Chamblee. fer, Ford said. If that community For DECA residents, the annexa- chooses to annex, it would be our tion movement started with the pro- goal to maintain that level of serposed incorporation of Brookhaven. vice and improve. When Brookhaven [propoEstimates are that approximately nents] drew their boundaries, they 11,000 residents would be annexed excluded us, said Nikki Van Der into Chamblee if the referendum Grinten, president of DECA. We passes. The area also includes Plaza were a little bit upset about that. Fiesta, the Century Center office We were just left out, Van Der complex and Dresden Park. Grinten said. We just felt ignored. Part of DeKalb Peachtree AirVan Der Grinten said residents port, the states second-busiest airin the area were attentive to all the port, would also move into Chaminformation coming down about blee. The other part of the airport is the advantages of being in a city already in Chamblee. including local control of governRichard Stogner, the countys ment. chief operating officer, said the DeKalb County government potential annexation would have is kind of messed up, Van Der some impact on the county. Grinten said. We will lose all the businesses The rumor is that all of north along Buford Highway, Stogner DeKalb will be in a city, Van Der said. I dont think it would affect Grinten said. All around DeKalb anything as far as the operation of people are frustrated with the govthe airport.

Recorders Court warrant roundup collects fines, clears cases

The DeKalb County Police Department conducted a sweep March 24 and 25 to arrest people who didnt meet their obligations in DeKalb County Recorders Court. Officers from the special operations and uniform divisions conducted the sweep, which included 462 outstanding warrants. The officers made 31 arrests and $40,687 was collected as a result of the arrests. Nelly Withers, chief judge of the DeKalb County Recorders Court, said three similar operations would be conducted later this year.

Lithonia man sentenced on federal drug charges

A Lithonia man was sentenced March 30 in federal court on drug and bribery charges. Akil Scott, 32, was sentenced to

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

From Main Street to quarry, Lithonia plans for future

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com that dont cost anything or dont cost much? Moore said. Lithonia has a new 156These projects include page glossy report that temporary historical community leaders hope markers, benches and will guide them in their outdoor cafes. revitalization efforts. These temporary projects These are remind people of what recommendations and longer term, bigger public its up to local leadership investment might result and local champions to in, Moore said. You get implement them, said people excited about Main Katherine Moore, program Street. manager of the Blueprints Georgia Tech student for Successful Communities Jacob Davis, who served program, about the report. on the Blueprints team, We dont want this to be a said these are short-term plan that sits on a shelf. ideas that really need The document, which community support to was presented to the become more than that. Lithonia City Council The Blueprints during its April 2 meeting, group also proposed is the result of eight the revitalization of months of assessments and the Lithonia Plaza. planning by Blueprints for The recommendations Successful Communities, include demolishing the a program of the Georgia city-owned section of Conservancy that helps the plaza, reconnecting communities promote Stone Mountain Street growth. that was cut years ago Beginning in July by the building, creating 2011, a team of Georgia a community garden Tech students, directed by and farmers market and Georgia Tech professor connecting the PATH bike of architecture and urban and pedestrian trail to design Ellen Dunhamdowntown. Jones, studied Lithonia, Eventually, in the plan, met with residents and the city would increase its developed the Blueprints retail and housing options plan, which has a $50,000 and replace its store-front price tag that was paid by city hall. funds from a community This is the heart of development block grant, Lithonia, Moore said. the Arabia Mountain Long-term plans for Heritage Alliance and the Lithonia would include city of Lithonia. revising the citys zoning One category of code and redeveloping the recommendations is called Big Ledge quarry, located tactical urbanism. just north of Lithonia, into a Thats just a fancy mixed-use community. phrase for, What are some All of these categories things that we can do right are aimed at redeveloping now in a downtown setting your downtown with an eye toward longevity of Lithonia in a way that respects the small-town character, Moore said. We also heard that the community understands that we need more people here, Moore said. If we want more businesses, we have to have more people that are customers and clients of those businesses. Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson called the Blueprints plan a good development for the city.

Local News

Page 9A

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Local News

Page 10A

A sign at the intersection of Moreland and McPherson avenues greets residents entering the East Atlanta neighborhood.

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com

The night East Atlanta Village changed

borhood. Obviously, it was real different back then than it is today. What we felt when we first moved here was a sort of small town atmosphereit was an injured small town but it had those elements, he said. Bryant, who is a member of the East Atlanta Community Association, said when he and his family first moved to East Atlanta it was very easy to get to know their neighbors and everybody was willing to help each other. Its funny that people who have moved here in the past three to five years get very impatient with the neighborhood and think that it should be fixed up overnight, he said. I think it really takes constant work and vigilanceyou take three steps forward and two steps back. Over the years, Bryant said, the city has undergone multiple streetscape projects to beautify the neighborhood. Additionally, he said residents have consistently battled zoning, sanitation and housing issues. For example, the majority of businesses zoned in East Atlanta village are required to share parking. However, Bryant said some business owners are not being cooperative. East Atlanta village has become a business/entertainment district with a vibrant night life, but Bryant said that wasnt always residents vision for the small neighborhood. As a person who was involved in the very first East Atlanta study and sat around and said what we wanted it to be, it is not what we wanted it to be, Bryant said. Our original vision for the village was to have it as a new urban concepta place where you would be able to walk to buy goods and services. It would include bars but not to the extent it does now. Bryant said as Buckhead became less of an entertainment district over the past several decades, people began looking for other places to go and many began coming to East Atlanta. More bars and restaurants began to open, not all of them family friendly. I think were still struggling with that up in the village, Bryant said. Every time I get in my car and turn the key I ask myself, Where am I going and why am I going there; why cant I get it in the village? What it comes down to is landowners can make more money selling alcohol. Although Bryant said he still sees a lot of work to be done, he is happy in East Atlanta and with the positive changes and growth the neighborhood has seen over the years. We discovered after we moved here that we needed to work on the community and we worked on that as a family a lot. Our sons were born here and theyre all grown and have moved back into the area. Thats a good thing, Bryant said.

A man and his dog cross the intersection at Flat Shoals Road and Glenwood Avenue. Photos by Daniel Beauregard

East Atlanta resident Henry Bryant said things started changing in his neighborhood when the Olympics came to Atlanta in 1996. One of the big turning points was when the Olympic torch came to East Atlanta, Bryant said. Bryant said the torch was scheduled to arrive in East Atlanta Village, the business district of the neighborhood, at 10 p.m. He said Grant Central Pizza, a coffee shop and another restaurant had just opened. They had started to struggle after only being open for a few weeks, Bryant said. There had never been anybody in the village after six o clock. The torch was running behind and they didnt get there until 5 in the morning but people stayed out all night longthose businesses stayed open all night too. That sort of marked a time that would be the closest to overnight change weve ever had here. Bryant, who has been living in the East Atlanta neighborhood for 32 years, said most of the change has been slow and arduous. He first moved to the neighborhood from a condominium in south DeKalb when he and his wife saw property values begin to drop in the area. When his family first moved to East Atlanta, Bryant said there wasnt even a shopping area in the neigh-

Dont Just Dream of a Better Life

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404-297-9522 www.GPTC.edu Application/Documentation Enrollment Deadlines: Summer Semester: April 10 Fall Semester: July 17

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Local News
After dividing the kitchen staff into four teams, the practice dishes prepared included: Three Sisters vegetable soup Crudits of hummus and broccoli pesto with vegetable dippers Green bean salad Chicken salad Carrot muffins Romaine salad with fresh strawberries and cucumbers with homemade balsamic dressing Two pastas, with broccoli pesto and with roasted tomato sauce

Page 11A

Workshop teaches school nutrition managers to prepare locally gown, freshly prepared meals
Mary S. Moore, founder and CEO of The Cooks Warehouse recently hosted the first farm-to-school cooking workshop session in its Decatur store for cafeteria staff and those who plan and prepare schoolchildrens meals for the DeKalb County School District. The program is patterned after the companys successful two-year workshop series with the City Schools of Decatur. This effort is a joint project of The Cooks Warehouse, Georgia Organics, the Atlanta Chapter of Les Dames dEscoffier International and the DeKalb County School District School Nutrition Department. DeKalb County Board of Health funded this workshop through a Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant through Georgia Organics. The program is designed to teach easy, efficient and inspired cooking skills that may be transferred to those staff and front-line cafeteria workers who feed children one or two meals, five days a week. The DeKalb County School District is also participating in the Healthier U.S. School Challenge which aligns with Lets Move Salad Bars To Schools. Joyce R. Wimberly, nutrition director of DeKalb County Schools, implemented a district-wide farm-to-school initiative this school year. Moore taught the first class along with chefs Megan McCarthy and Asata Reid and three cooking assistants, as a ground-up initiative beginning with precooking skills including professional and safe knife handling. Future classes may include finding local and organic farms as sources; seasoning food; quick and tasty, low-fat/healthy recipes that adapt well to large numbers; managing fresh food with minimal waste to stretch the schools budget, and more. The DeKalb School nutrition managers were treated to a buffet breakfast and then prepared their lunch, practicing newly learned knife skills to make healthy recipes cooked with locally grown ingredients. There were 28 DeKalb County managers in attendance from 25 different DeKalb County Schools. Janet Stone, menu coordinator, described the morning as a unique experience to work with these chefs, to enhance our culinary skills for use in meal preparation. Also on site were Hope Abbs and Jimmy Harmon of Dexters Farm, a distributor that donated many of the locally grown fruits and vegetables for the skills practice and luncheon meal. The Whole Foods Market on Briarcliff Road also donated produce.

DeKalb County Wants to Hear From You Regarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal with Comcast Cable Communications
Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcasts current performance under the current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests of your community to www.dekalbcountyga.gov.

The Champion Weather

Seven Day Forecast THURSDAY
T-storms Likely High: 77 Low: 59

April 5, 2012
Today's Regional Map Weather History
April 5, 1955 - The Northern Rockies and the Northern High Plains were in the midst of a four day storm which produced 52 inches of snow at Lead, located in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. Dunwoody 75/58 Lilburn Smyrna Doraville 76/59 76/59 76/59 Snellville Decatur 77/59 Atlanta 77/59 77/59 Lithonia College Park 78/59 78/59 Morrow 78/59 Union City 78/59 Hampton 79/60

In-Depth Local Forecast

Today we will see cloudy skies with a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms, high temperature of 77, humidity of 60%. West wind 5 to 10 mph. The record high temperature for today is 89 set in 1988. Expect mostly cloudy skies tonight with a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms.

FRIDAY
Isolated T-storms High: 69 Low: 52

*Last Weeks Almanac

Hi Lo Normals Precip Date Tuesday 77 53 68/46 0.00" Wednesday 81 55 68/46 0.00" Thursday 80 55 69/46 0.00" Friday 81 53 69/47 0.00" Saturday 77 63 69/47 0.00" Sunday 83 54 69/47 0.00" Monday 86 52 70/47 0.00" Rainfall . . . . . . .0.00" Average temp . .67.9 Normal rainfall . .1.06" Average normal 57.7 Departure . . . . .-1.06" Departure . . . .+10.2
*Data as reported from De Kalb-Peachtree Airport

SATURDAY
Mostly Sunny High: 71 Low: 55

SUNDAY
Mostly Sunny High: 78 Low: 56

April 6, 1987 - Rain and melting snow caused flooding from New England to Ohio. Flooding in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts was the worst in 50 years, causing 42 million dollars in damage.

MONDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 77 Low: 51

TUESDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 74 Low: 52 Full 4/6

Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

Day Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Sunrise 7:18 a.m. 7:17 a.m. 7:16 a.m. 7:14 a.m. 7:13 a.m. 7:12 a.m. 7:11 a.m. Sunset 8:01 p.m. 8:02 p.m. 8:03 p.m. 8:04 p.m. 8:04 p.m. 8:05 p.m. 8:06 p.m. Moonrise 7:05 p.m. 8:16 p.m. 9:28 p.m. 10:39 p.m. 11:47 p.m. No Rise 12:49 a.m. Moonset 6:12 a.m. 6:51 a.m. 7:33 a.m. 8:19 a.m. 9:12 a.m. 10:09 a.m. 11:10 a.m. New 4/21

Tonight's Planets
Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Rise Set 6:23 a.m. 6:13 p.m. 9:22 a.m. 11:49 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:48 a.m. 8:44 a.m. 10:12 p.m. 8:41 p.m. 8:06 a.m. 6:54 a.m. 7:05 p.m.

WEDNESDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 70 Low: 49 Last 4/13

First 4/29

Local UV Index

National Weather Summary This Week

The Northeast will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 69 in Harrisburg-Raleigh, Ill. The Southeast will see scattered showers and thunderstorms today and Friday, mostly clear skies Saturday, with the highest temperature of 89 in Winter Haven, Fla. The Northwest will see scattered rain today and Friday, mostly clear to partly cloudy skies Saturday, with the highest temperature of 73 in Douglas, Wyo. The Southwest will see mostly clear skies today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 89 in Gila Bend, Ariz.

Weather Trivia
Based on average wind speed, which location in the U.S. is the windiest?

0-2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11+

UV Index 0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High 11+: Extreme Exposure

Answer: Mt. Washington, N.H., with an average wind speed of 35.3 mph.

www.WhatsOurWeather.com

StarWatch By Gary Becker - Journey of an Iceberg

Iceberg, right ahead! Those words were called out by lookout Fredrick Fleet at 11:40 p.m., April 14, 1912, shortly before the Titanic stuck the mountain of ice that would send it to the bottom of the North Atlantic three hours later. Where did the iceberg that fated the Titanic originate, and by what journey did it arrive in the Titanics path? The experts believe that it calved from the Jakobshavn Glacier in western Greenland, perhaps in September of 1910. During the next year and a half it floated into Disko Bay and into the West Greenland Current, where it moved northward, floating past the rugged shores of western Greenland, passed Thule, counterclockwise around Baffin Bay, and then southward along Baffin Island, through the Davis Strait, and into the Labrador Current. As it came close to the craggy coastline of southern Labrador and the southeastern shores of Newfoundland, it may very well have become grounded, not once but several times, as tidal forces waxed and waned. It is the moon that is responsible for the majority of the tidal effects that we experience. In fact, Luna is about 2.2 times more potent in raising the tides than the sun. As the Earth rotates underneath a slower moving moon, the oceans oscillate between high and low tides twice each day. Exceptionally high tides that could strand some icebergs and release others, called spring tides, occur when the moon is either new or full and the tidal forces of the moon pull in the same direction as the sun. Neap tides result when the moon and sun pull at right angles to each other dampening the tidal pull, causing lower high tides and higher low tides. East of St. Johns Newfoundland, the iceberg moved slowly but steadily south, then southeast into the North Atlantic and into the path of the doomed ship. Read the full story in the April issue of Sky and Telescope, available at places like Barns and Noble. www.astronomy.org

P l a c e Yo u r A d H e r e !

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Health

Page 12A

CDC research shows outbreaks linked to imported foods increasing

Fish and spices the most common sources
United States. During that fiveyear period, 39 outbreaks and 2,348 illnesses were linked to food imported from 15 countries. Of those outbreaks, nearly half (17) occurred in 2009 and 2010. Overall, fish (17 outbreaks) were the most common source of implicated imported foodborne disease outbreaks, followed by spices (six outbreaks, including five from fresh or dried peppers). Nearly 45 percent of the imported foods causing outbreaks came from Asia. As our food supply becomes more global, people are eating foods from all over the world, potentially exposing them to germs from all corners of the world, too, Gould said. We saw an increased number of outbreaks due to imported foods during recent years, and more types of foods from more countries causing outbreaks. According to a report by the Department of Agricultures Economic Research Service (ERS), U.S. food imports grew from $41 Foodborne disease outbreaks caused by imported food appeared to rise in 2009 and 2010, and nearly half of the outbreaks implicated foods imported from areas that previously had not been associated with outbreaks, according to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report was presented March 15 at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta. Its too early to say if the recent numbers represent a trend, but CDC officials are analyzing information from 2011 and will continue to monitor for these outbreaks in the future, said Hannah Gould, Ph.D., an epidemiologist in CDCs Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases and the lead author. CDC experts reviewed outbreaks reported to CDCs Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System from 2005-10 for implicated foods that were imported into the billion in 1998 to $78 billion in 2007. Much of that growth has occurred in fruit and vegetables, seafood and processed food products. The report estimated that as much as 85 percent of the seafood eaten in the United States is imported, and depending on the time of the year, up to 60 percent of fresh produce is imported. ERS also estimated that about 16 percent of all food eaten in the United States is imported. The types of food causing the outbreaks in this analysis aligned closely with the types of food that were most commonly imported. Gould warned that the findings likely underestimate the true number of outbreaks due to imported foods as the origin of many foods causing outbreaks is either not known or not reported. We need betterand more information about what foods are causing outbreaks and where those foods are coming from, Gould said. Knowing more about what is making people sick, will help focus prevention efforts on those foods that pose a higher risk of causing illness. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration has stepped up its efforts to conduct environmental assessments to determine the root cause of outbreaks. With lessons learned from outbreaks, measures will be taken to prevent such outbreaks in the future. The newly enacted FDA Food Safety Modernization Act is also a major step in establishing a prevention based food safety system that would address domestic as well as imported foods. CDC, FDA and USDA will continue to work together to prevent foodborne illness and stop harmful products from entering commerce. Additional information on CDCs foodborne outbreak surveillance is available at http://www.cdc.gov/ outbreaknet/surveillance_data.html

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6 , 2012

Local News
Black, White, Asian, he said. There are two simultaneous servicesone on the top of the mountain, and another on the lawn at the foot of the mountain. The format of the 30-minute non-denominational services has been the same for many years. Prayer, Scripture and two hymnsHe Arose and Christ the Lord is Risen Todayare always part of the service. There is other music that varies year to year and a short sermon from ministers chosen from within the community. The ministerial association that coordinated the service for many decades no longer exists, but the faithful continue to make sure the tradition continues. Even rough weather doesnt

Page 13A

Sunrise Continued From Page 1A

The annual Easter sunrise service has played a pivotal role in changing that, according to Paul Stephen Hudson and Lora Pond Mirza, authors of Atlantas Stone MountainA Multicultural History. There were some popular notions that Stone Mountain could be more than a Confederate memorial, authors Hudson and Mitza wrote of the period during the first half of the 20th century when work on the memorial was suspended for lack of funds. For example, the annual sunrise Easter service on the mountaintop dates from 1944, when the Stone Mountain Ministerial Association began nondenominational services. African Americans, celebrating impending double victories during World War II over fascism with a promise of civil rights, were welcome. The Walk-up Trail became an annual pilgrimage as people from all walks of life made their way up the moonlit mountain before sunrise, when services began with song at 7 a.m. For more than six decades, as morning has broken, Easter traditionally begins with song on the mountaintop as everyone appears to be eye-level with the sun. Lancaster said people of all ethnic backgrounds can be seen making their way to the mountain on Easter mornings. We dont keep any official statistics, but there is a tremendous representation of demographics. There are young and old, families, people with disabilities stop the service. A few years ago we had thunderstorms and it wasnt safe to climb the mountain, Lancaster recalled. We moved the service to a canopy under the Skylift. Last year the weather was perfect and the line stretched from the Skylift to the street. This years service will be Sunday, April 8, at 7 a.m. Park gates open at 4 a.m. and park officials advise allowing an extra hour because of the crowds. Lancaster emphasized that the Easter sunrise service is not just another park event. The purpose of the service is to honor the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Thats what people will hear and what we want them to go home with. That is our focus, he said.

Hunts Continued From Page 1A

Hunt will feature age-appropriate timed egg hunts, thousands of prize-filled eggs and special activities, including an inflatable alligator slide, Radio Disney AM 590, dinosaur mascot, temporary tattoos and game corner. Advance registration is required to participate in a timed egg hunt. The Dinosaur Egg Hunt is $5 in addition to museum admission for member children and free for member adults. Admission for non-member children is $5 for those 2 and younger and $20.50 for those 3 to 12 years old. Non-member adults will be charged $17.50. Space is limited. The Fernbank Museum is located at 767 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta. For more information, visit www.fernbankmuseum.org. Community Easter Egg Hunt DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson announced that he and State Rep. Billy Mitchell will present the eighth annual Super District 7 Easter Egg-travaganza. The event will be held at Wade Walker Park on Sunday, April 8, 2 5 p.m. Watson said he anticipates between 200 and 400 attendees. Children attending the event can meet Georgia State University mascot Pounce and participate in age-appropriate entertainment. The egg hunt starts at 2:30 p.m. for ages 6 and younger and at 3:15 p.m. for children 7 to 10. There will also be face painting, jumper play areas, snacks, games/activities, prizes andEaster treats. DeKalb County Public Safety divisions and the Fraternal Order of Police will participate as well. For more information, visit www. stanwatson.us. Events in Avondale Estates Avondale Estates will hold its Spring Extravaganza Easter weekend, starting with the annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 7. The egg hunt, a city-sponsored event, will be held at Lake Avondale for children 10 and younger. At 11 a.m. canine friends get to join in the fun at the Avondale Estates Spring Dog Parade. Area residents are invited to bring their dogs to the front of the Community Club, where the parade, sponsored by the city of Avondale Estates and the ad hoc dog park committee, starts. Awards will be offered in such categories as best costume, best owner/dog duo, most spirited/enthusiastic and best behaved. Costumes are not required to participate. For a registration form and guidelines, visit www.avondaleestates.org. There will be a parade in Avondale Estates on Easter Sunday, April 8, but it wont be quite like the one in the old Fred Astaire-Judy Garland movie Easter Parade. This will be the citys annual Antique Car Parade. Hosted by the Antique Automobile Club of America, the annual Antique Car Parade will line up beginning at 1 p.m. for the parade that starts at 2:30 p.m. on South Avondale Road and ends at Willis Park, where the cars remain for display. For more information, visit www.avondaleestates.org. Easter at Villa Christina Villa Christinas rose gardens will be filled with colorful Easter eggs and blooming flowers, as the Dunwoody restaurant hosts its annual Easter Sunday Brunch on April 8, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. The brunch will feature made-to-order omelets and pancakes, seafood, prime rib and homemade pastas along with an array of desserts. Childrens activities will include an egg hunt, arts and crafts, face painting and a Moonwalk. Parents may want to bring a camera, because the Easter Bunny will be on hand to pose for photos. Reservations are required. The brunch costs $45 for adults and $25 for children 6 to 12 years old, and is free for children 5 years old and younger. Villa Christina is located at 4000 Summit Boulevard, Atlanta. For reservations or more information, call (404) 3030133 or visit www.villachristina. Religious celebrations Many in the community remain mindful that Easter is a commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. There are a number of special religious programs and services being held throughout the county. Churches to hold Good Friday pilgrimage Druid Hills United Methodist Church will be among the churches participating in a Good Friday service April 6 organized by Mercy Community Church and involving churches in the Poncey-Highlands neighborhood. The pilgrimage will begin at noon on the Barnett Street side of Barnett and Ponce de Leon Avenue. The group will pause at various locations to remember the suffering of Christ on his way to Golgotha and the suffering and cries of many of our brothers and sisters who live on the streets in our neighborhood, according to the announcement. The service is expected to last 90 minutes to two hours, and participants are welcome to join in or drop out along the way. On Sunday, April 8, Druid Hills United Methodist Church Easter Sunday worship will begin at 11 a.m. Druid Hills United Methodist Church is located at 1200 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. For more information, call (404) 377-6481. Rainbow Park Baptist Church to hold Good Friday services Rainbow Park Baptist Church in Decatur will host seven sermonettes presented by various ministers during the Good Friday Seven Last Words Services, Friday, April 6, at noon and 7 p.m.. Rainbow Parks final Holy Week event will be on Easter Sunday, April 8, when service will start at 10 a.m. Rainbow Park Baptist Church is located at 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur. For more information, visit www.rainbowparkbaptist.org or call (404) 288-1910. MJCCA to hold community Passover Seder The MJCCA invites families to a special Community Passover Seder Friday, April 6, 6 8 p.m. led by Rabbi Brian Glusman. The Passover Seder experience will include readings from the Haggadah, engaging explanations, festive songs, and a Kosher meal catered by The Goodfriend Company (under AKC Supervision) with a choice of chicken or brisket, matzoh ball soup, gefilte fish, matzoh kugel, vegetables and dessert. The event will be in Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. The price is $50 for adults and $25 for children 4 to 8 years old. Children 3 and younger are admitted free. Reservations must be made in advance. To RSVP, contact the registration team at (678) 812-4010. Kid Zone will offer babysitting at a cost of $10 per child. To reserve a space in advance contact Kid Zone at (678) 812-3830. Stone Mountain Park Sunrise Service The Stone Mountain Park annual Easter Sunrise Service (described in more detail in the article on page 1) will be Sunday, April 8, at 7 a.m. Vehicle entry to the park is $10 for a one-day permit or $35 for annual permit. Church vans and buses enter free. Round-trip Skyride fees are $9 for adults and $7 for children 3-11 and $5.50 one-way. There are no fees for the walk-up trail to the top of the mountain. Women preachers to tracing Christs last days on earth The Womens View of Christ and the Cross is an ecumenical journey that features seven women ministers from various denominations in the metro Atlanta area. Each minister weaves through the moving events leading to Christs journey to the cross as seen through the eyes of various women of the Bible who witnessed his last days on earth. This Good Friday Service takes place on Friday, April 6, noon to 3:30 p.m., at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2977 LaVista Road, Decatur. The ministers leading this inspirational journey from a womans perspective include, Rev. Althea Clarke, Nimno AME Church; Rev. Tricia A. McClendon, Mt. Zion AME Church; Rev., Rev. Comfort Ellis, Mt. Zion AME Church; Rev. Jaye Lynn Peabody, Redemptive Life Christian Fellowship; and Rev. Megan Johnson, Clairmont Prebyterian Church. Rev. Dr. McClellon D. Cox, the pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church will provide closing remarks for the program. For more information on this event, contact Rev. Robyn L. Green at (404) 421-1654.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Education

Page 14A

Business leader gets firsthand glimpse at running schools during districts shadow day
by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com Rainbow Elementary Principal Carolyn Benson and Monica Maldonado, president of Interprint Communications, watched as students in the cafeteria were quizzed on their multiplication tables. Were doing our school math competition, Benson whispered. Several rows of students sat on the stage as a teacher stood behind a microphone asking each one a different multiplication question. What is three times four? she asked; a student close to the front row stood up and shouted, 12. Today is just a normal day at Rainbow, Benson said. The only thing different about the school day was that Maldonado would be following Benson around watching her every move. Maldonado was one of 50 business leaders chosen to follow a principal for the DeKalb Chamber of Commerces Principal Shadow Day. Benson said the purpose of shadow day was to encourage interaction between the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) and business leaders in the community. Additionally, it gave business leaders such as Maldonado a chance to see firsthand whats going on in DeKalb County schools. The school cannot live apart from the communitythat community really includes the business partners, Benson said. Maldonado, who arrived at Rainbow at 7:30 a.m., said she jumped at the opportunity to participate. When she got there, Maldonado said, she followed Benson around to each classroom to greet teachers and students. Schools need involvement from the business community because this is our workforce of tomorrow, Maldonado said. The more willing we are to be involved the more well get to see what is happening from the top down. Additionally, Maldo-

Monica Maldonado, president of Interprint Communications, watches a math competition at Rainbow Elementary. Recently, 50 business leaders were chosen by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce to shadow a DeKalb County school principal for a day. Photo by D. Beauregard

nado said, members of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce are interested in getting a closer look at the school system. We want to know how our tax dollars being used of course the school system is a big component of that, Maldonado said. Benson said Maldonados visit to Rainbow has already started some collaboration between her and the businesswoman. She said Maldonado agreed to come to school for career day and also plans to volunteer in her spare time. Maldonado said one of the things that stood out during her visit was the similarities between running a school and a business. The cordiality, teamwork and camaraderie that make a business function is there in the school as well, Maldonado said. My business is really right around the corner. A lot can get done when there is a will and a way. President of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Leonardo McClarty said principal shadow day started last year. The whole idea behind

the program is to get businesses more involved in educationparticularly at the school leveland to create new partnership opportunities for schools, McClarty said. McClarty said businesses could bring more to schools than just money. He said lots of schools need people to tutor or read to students, or serve as mentors. Even something as simple as having a day where a business comes out to cut the grass or plant flowers helps, McClarty said. Its particularly important nowdue to the number of cutbacksto help augment those costs by volunteering. Like Maldonado, McClarty said children attending schools in DeKalb County would eventually be future business leaders, employees, teachers and important members of the community. Later this year, McClarty said Benson would have a chance to leave school for a little while and join Maldonado at her business. We recently had a conversation with Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson and

were going to have a day where the principals who participated today can shadow their partners, McClarty said. That way the principals can spend a day as a business

leader and see whats going on in the workplace. It will give them a chance to see how what theyre teaching in the classroom can carry over into the business world.

The DeKalb County Board of Education voted unanimously March 29, to approve the appointment of Michael Perrone as chief financial officer (CFO) for the DeKalb County School District. Perrone was recently CFO for Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Fla. He was previously executive director of budget services for the Duval school system as well as director of finance for Barnstable Public Schools in Barnstable, Mass. Perrone also previously served as business manager and assistant treasurer for the Silver Lake Regional School District in Kingston, Mass. Duval has 125,000

DCSD appoints new chief financial officer

students and their budget is close to $1 billion, which is similar to ours. They also have about the same number of employees so its comparable in terms of scale, Walter Woods, a spokesman for DeKalb County Schools, said. Perrone holds a masters degree in public administration from the University of Hartford in Connecticut and a bachelors degree in economics from Boston College. Woods said the district is currently finalizing contractual negotiations with Perrone and he was unsure about the exact date when Perrone will start.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Business

Page 15A

Retailers nationally and locally expect to do well this Easter

by Kathy Mitchell kathy@dekalbchamp.com Retailers nationally and locally are expecting to find the golden egg this Easter season. According to the National Retail Federations (NRF) Easter spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight, Americans will spend an average of $145.28 on everything from apparel and candy to food and decorations this year, up 11 percent from $131.04 last year. Total spending nationally is expected to reach $16.8 billion. Though the price of gas is on everyones mind, Easter is one of the few holidays some consumers are willing to stretch their budgets, especially because many children look forward to treats and new outfits on Easter morning, said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. Retailers will make sure to offer plenty of promotions on candy, apparel, food and decorations in the coming weeks for eager holiday shoppers. According to the survey, nearly half (48.5 percent) of those celebrating Easter will head to the stores to take advantage of retailers spring sales on colorful fashions and accessories, with total spending on those items expected to reach $3 billion. Most though, will head straight to the candy aisle (89.3 percent), shelling out more than $2 billion on traditional favorites such as chocolate eggs and jelly beans. The average person will spend more on these items as well: $26.11 on apparel, up from $21.51 last year, and $20.35 on candy, up from $18.55 last year. Locally, Donald Bieler, director of marketing at The Mall at Stonecrest, said last week that the real Easter rush hadnt started yet, but he anticipates overall sales increases of about 3 percent. That usually comes the week leading up to Easter. Were having special events and preparing for big crowds, he said. Ten Gallemore, general manager of the Gallery at South DeKalb, said she also believes there will be lots of shoppers between March 31 and April 7. Gallemore said traffic at the mall has been slightly busier this year that it had been last year, and retail sales at apparel stores as of the week ending March 31 has been about the same as last year. The store managers tell me they are expecting a big boost during the week before Easter since its spring break week for the schools, she said. Americans are also set to fork over more on their Easter meals with the average person expected to spend $44.34, up from $40.05 last year for a total $5.1 billion, the national survey indicated. Torleif Hoff, manager of the Marlows Tavern Northlake location, where Easter brunch is $25 for adults and $11 for children, said he is expecting between 350 and 400 Easter diners, a 20.5 percent increase from 2011 because of extensive marketing in the area. The trend for us is that Easter is a family event, and by creating a few different family activities we are drawing from a larger radius than our normal brunch operation, he said. Consumers nationally are expected to spend an average of $20.57 on gifts for their friends and family, $10.50 on flowers and $9.07 on decorations for their home and office. More than half (53.6 percent) will buy greeting cards, spending an average of $7.04. Though most people will shop at their local discount store (63.5 percent), department stores can expect a nice treat this Easter as well, the survey found. Four in 10 (42.6 percent)the highest percent in the surveys historywill shop at a department store for gifts and other holiday merchandise. Online retailers will see the biggest jump in traffic this year, however. Nearly two in five (18.7 percent) will shop online, up from 14.8 percent last year and just 11.1 percent in 2008. Others will shop at specialty stores (25.4 percent) such as a jeweler, electronic store or florist, or a specialty clothing store (9.7 percent). Beautiful weather conditions coupled with a slight lift in consumer confidence will likely be a boon to the Easter holiday this year as consumers begin to seek out new spring merchandise for their home or garden, and even their wardrobe, said BIGinsight Consumer Insights Director Pam Goodfellow. It remains to be seen though, if this spending momentum will carry into the coming months with the cost of fueling up on the rise.

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Page 16A

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

AROUND DEKALB
Fifth annual STEAMFest upcoming

AVONDALE ESTATES

The job fair will be held in the Manuel Maloof Auditorium located at 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.

The Academy Theatre and the city of Avondale Estates present the fth annual Atlanta STEAMFest on April 14-15. The event runs Saturday, April 14, from noon to midnight and on Sunday, April 15, from noon-6 p.m. at the Academy Theatre at 119 Center St. The Atlanta STEAMFest is an alternative history festival in which people from all over the Southeast come to participate in workshops, see new plays, see and buy merchandise, and hear and create music. A list of participating artists is available at http://www. avondaleestates.org/resources/newsletters/ WEBFINAL2_AEN_3-12.pdf. Tickets are $25 to $100 and can be purchased online at www. brownpapertickets.com.

Soil and water conservation meeting scheduled The DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District monthly meeting will be held on Friday, April 13, at 10 a.m. at the Clark Harrison Building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. in downtown Decatur. For additional information call (770) 761-3020. Symposium for artist Benny Andrews to be at Emory University Emory University is hosting an exhibition of 20 original drawings by the late Benny Andrews, on loan from the Andrews Humphrey Family Foundation. Like a Purple Haze Across the Land: The Art of Benny Andrews runs through Nov. 2 in the Corridor Gallery on level three of Emorys Robert W. Woodruff Library. A symposium on Andrews life and work will be held April 18, at 7 p.m. in the Jones Room, level three of the Woodruff Library. Associate curator of African American Collections and curator of the exhibit Pellom McDaniels III will discuss Andrews art. County government to hold job fair The DeKalb County Department of Workforce Development will hold a job fair on Saturday, April 14, 8:30 a.m.2 p.m. The event offers job hunters the opportunity to meet with representatives from various departments and companies, including county contractors and private-sector employers. Job seekers can participate in self-help workshops, complete and submit applications, and receive valuable information on resources and services available to residents looking for employment. Registration is encouraged at www. dekalbworkforce.org.

DECATUR

Health and Wellness Committee will host its third annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. 2 p.m. at the school. This years theme, Healthy Living - AIM SDBA to sponsor social media program HI, (Americans in Motion-Healthy Interventions) promotes healthy living through physical The South DeKalb Business Association activity, nutrition and emotional well-being in individual, family and community. is sponsoring the program Social Media The event will feature free health screenMarketing Made Simple by Constant Conings (cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glutact Thursday, April 12, 5:30 7 p.m. at cose and BMI), free dental cleanings for chilthe Clark Harrison Building, Conference dren younger than 12, a blood drive , diabetes Room A. Presenter Rebecca McClain is education, Ask the Doctors health forum, a an award-winning executive and business teen summit, health literature and resources, coach with RM Enterprises. Admission is entertainment and food. free, but those planning to attend must regPartners include DeKalb Medical Center ister at info@sdba-inc.org by April 9. Those at Hillandale, Solstas Lab Partners, Colgate attending should bring an internet connec- Bright Smiles, LifeSouth Community Center tion. The Clark Harrison Building is located Blood Drive, Lilly Pharmaceuticals and Wells Fargo. at 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. Arabia Mountain High School is at 6610 Parking after 5 p.m. in the Maloof Parking Browns Mill Road, Lithonia. Deck is free; and parking on the street is For more information (for vendors or particifree after 6 p.m. pants) e-mail amhs.ptsa.health@gmail.com or Mens group to connect with boys through contact Dr. Arlene Lewis at (678) 372-3118. books The 1000 Mens Initiative of DeKalb recently announced that the group will present Boys N Books, a program designed for leaders to address boys and young men ages 7-21 through their favorite books and make the connection with life, relationships, citizenship, education, respect and all facets of survival skills. The program is Tuesday, April 17, at 6 p.m. at Miller Grove Middle School, 2215 Miller Road, Decatur. For more information, call Sylvester Hopewell at (404) 210-7113 or Clarence Callaway Sr. at (770) 778-2472.

STONE MOUNTAIN

MADD recognizes Dunwoody Police officers work against DUIs A Dunwoody Police officer was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) March 22. Officer Alvin Rodriguez received MADDs Silver Pin Award for making 60 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in 2011. MADD recognized Rodriguez during a banquet that was held at the Georgia International Convention Center. The banquet recognized departments and police officers who are committed to making the roads safer for the community through DUI enforcement. The awards were based on the total number of DUI arrests made for 2011.

DUNWOODY

College students help FODAC Eleven students from Boston University recently spent several days volunteering for the non-profit Friends of Disabled Adults and Children in Stone Mountain. The group made the trip as part of Boston Universitys Alternative Spring Breaks program that encourages students to volunteer their time to community projects around the country. The team spent the week working on a variety of tasks, including sorting donations in the FODAC Thrift Store; reorganizing supplies and equipment in the organizations 65,000-square foot facility; filling medical supply orders for local free clinics; loading two trucks with home medical equipment for delivery to distribution centers in Augusta, Ga., and Columbia, S.C.; and landscaping the facility grounds. The volunteers also worked on career skills development with projects such as social media evaluation and developing an effective program for recruiting volunteer teams from other colleges and universities.

Annual health fair planned

LITHONIA

The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) of Arabia Mountain High School

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Page 17A

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Sports

Page 18A

Dunwoody boys, Lakeside girls claim county golf titles

by Mark Brock unwoody placed four golfers among the top five at the DeKalb County Golf Championships to win its fourth consecutive boys title and 10th overall. The Wildcats shot a tournament-record score of 310 to defeat second-place Lakeside by 44 strokes (310-354) on March 26 at Mystery Valley Golf Club. Dunwoodys Ryan Elmore shot 73 to earn medalist honors for the third straight season to lead a sweep of the top three spots for the Wildcats. Raul Oviedo was second with a 75, includ-

ing the days best front-nine score of 37. Peter Trask shot an 80 and won a tiebreaker to place third. Dunwoodys Cameron Larose shot an 82 and finished fifth. Lakesides Peter Pappas shot an 80 and placed fourth. Arabia Mountain, which finished six strokes behind Lakeside with a team total of 360, had three sophomores in the top 10. Miles Bizzle finished sixth with an 86, Darius Davis shot 87 and Ashton Sullivan 89. Chamblees Khaliq Dansby and Miller Groves Brinson McCants both shot 88 to finish in a tie for eighth. Dansbys score helped Chamblee take

fourth place in the team standings with a total of 378. Columbias Maram Macham and Lakesides Austin Bowman also shot 89 to tie for 10th with Sullivan. Tucker took fifth with a team total of 424, led by Donald Miller with a round of 100. In the girls tournament, Lakeside won its fourth overall title since the event began in 2005. Lakeside won three straight titles from 2007-10 (the 2008 tournament was rained out). Lakeside outshot Arabia Mountain 216-225 for its best tournament finish in school history. Sarah Karanga of Columbia won

the individual title for the second time in three years by shooting a round of 86 to finish 13 strokes ahead of runnerup Tamara Martin of Arabia Mountain, who finished with a 99. Chamblees Kayla McClendon placed third with a round of 105 and Susanne Boden led Lakesides victory with a fourth-place finish at 107. Christina Evans of Druid Hills was fifth with a 108 and Mackenzie Bowman of Lakeside was sixth at 109. Defending champion Lindsay Owings of Dunwoody was seventh with a 116, followed by Lakesides Caroline Malone with a 117 and Arabia Mountains Seana Deas at 136.

Emory women win third straight national swim title

Courtesy of Emory University Sports Communications The Emory University womens swimming and diving team claimed its third consecutive NCAA title and fifth overall during the 2012 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships March 2124 in Indianapolis. Emory has won national swimming and diving titles in 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011 and 2012 in the 13-year history of the schools athletic program. Along with the five from the swimming and diving team, womens tennis has won five, mens tennis two and volleyball one. The Eagles accumulated 639 points during the four days of the meet, the most ever by an Emory squad at the NCAA Championships. The Eagles bested second-place Williams College (453 points) and third-place Denison University (420 points). The highlight of the final day was Sadie Nennigs individual victory in the 200-yard backstroke, as the sophomore became the third-straight Eagle to win the event after womens 1,650 freestyle, as McKenna NewsumSchoenberg finished fifth with a time of 17:04.36, and Courtney McDermott claimed seventh place with a time of 17:09.20. Emory was also well represented on the podium for the 100 freestyle, as Dobben finished third (50.52 seconds), Rosenkranz fourth (50.67 seconds) and Pavlak fifth (50.74). Larson earned an all-America honorable mention, finishing 11th with a time of 51.23. In the 200 breaststroke, Mia Michalak finished eighth with a time of 2:19.87 to win an all-America certificate, her second of the meet. Megan Beach (10th, 2:19.71 in the prelims) and sophomore Brooke Woodward (11th, 2:20.42) finished with honorable mentions. Emory amassed 28 all-America honors (23 in individual events and five in relays) in addition to 17 honorable mention finishes. Included in that group is Nennigs championship in the 200 backstroke, and titles in the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays. Each week The Champion spotlights former high school players from the county who are succeeding in athletics on the college level. Wilmot Stubbleeld, Long Island UniversityBrooklyn (track & field): The junior from Clarkston broke the 18-year-old LIU record in the triple jump with a leap of 5011.75 on March 16 at the South Florida Invitational. He was named Northeast Conference field athlete of the week. Ayesha Famble, Alabama State (softball): The senior from M.L. King went 8 for 13 with four RBIs and eight runs scored as the Hornets won all four of their games March 24-25 at the SWAC Round-up. Famble is batting .254 with 14 runs scored and eight RBIs this season. Carey Cloud, William Penn (wrestling): The freshman from Tucker was named an all-American after an eighth-place finish in the NAIA national wrestling tournament in March. Cloud, 16-11 on the season, went 4-3 in the national tournament in the 149-pound division.

senior Anne Culpepper won in each of the previous two seasons. Nennig won with a time of 1:58.86 to claim her first career individual national championship. The title was the first in an individual event during the meet by an Eagle and 25th individual national championship in the programs history. It was Nennigs first career individual title and the fourth total national title in her career. Emory also defended its title in the 400 freestyle relay, as Renee Rosenkranz, Anna Dobben, Nancy Larson and Claire Pavlak won the event with a school-record time of 3:22.02, besting their

time from last year s championship meet. The Eagles have now won the event at nationals in each of the last three seasons. Pavlak capped off her Emory career with nine championships, four more than any other swimmer in the programs history. Also on the final day, Culpepper finished fourth in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:00.11, and Taryn Lushinsky finished fifth with a mark of 2:00.38, as each earned all-America certificates. Whitley Taylor finished 10th (2:01.83) and Jacqueline Schneider claimed 11th (2:02.25) to earn honorable mentions. Two Eagles claimed all-America honors in the

The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

Page 19A

DeKalb High School Sports Highlights

Ryan Gaines pitched a four-hit shutout in Dunwoodys 4-0 win over Redan on March 29.

Stelen Stulberger slides safely into third base as Redans third baseman elds the throw. Photos by Travis Hudgons

BASEBALL
Dunwoody: The Wildcats got three straight shutouts in games March 26-29 with wins over Tucker (11-0), Lakeside (8-0) and Redan (4-0) to claim first place in Region 6-AAAA. Against Tucker, James Cunningham had two hits, two stolen bases and an RBI while Charlie Madden had two doubles. James Farnell was the winning pitcher, striking out five and allowing three hits in four innings. Harry Andros drove in three runs in the win over Lakeside, while Jerric Johnson was 3 for 3 and Jared Martin went 2 for 2 with an RBI. Cunningham allowed no runs or walks and three hits to earn the win. Ryan Gaines allowed four hits over seven innings, with no walks or runs, in the win over Redan to determine first place in the region. Martin, Andros and Madden each drove in a run in that game. Arabia Mountain: The Rams have beaten state-ranked St. Pius two seasons in a row. A four-run fifth inning helped propel the Rams to a 5-4 win over St. Pius on March 29. Alfred Francis and Antonio Smith each had two hits and an RBI. William Jett had two hits and scored two runs. Jordan Scott was the winning pitcher. He struck out six and allowed two earned runs. It was the first region loss for the No. 6-ranked Golden Lions. Before the St. Pius game, the Rams lost to North Springs 5-0 and to North Atlanta 14-2.

Chamblee: The Bulldogs went 2-1 in games March 23-27. The Bulldogs beat Lithonia 13-3 and Miller Grove 18-4, but lost to Marist 6-5. Kyle Kimbrel went 5 for 7 with five RBIs in the two wins. Against Miller Grove, David Coble had three hits and scored three runs, and Drew Henry had two hits and scored four runs. Patrick Gaulden pitched four innings to earn the win and improve to 6-1. Linden Wang picked up the win against Lithonia. Somto Egbuna had two hits and four RBIs while Darrell Fambro had two hits and two RBIs against Lithonia. Henry had two hits against Marist and took the loss in his first start. Henry pitched four innings and allowed two earned runs. Bulldogs coach Brian Ely, who earned his 100th career win on March 12, improved his record to 106-66 in seven seasons. Miller Grove: The Wolverines went 1-2 in games March 26-30, beating Southwest DeKalb 5-3 and Tucker 5-4, but losing 18-4 to Chamblee. Against Southwest, Quinten Turner and Jabari Gayle each had two hits and an RBI, while Greg Robinson pitched a complete game four-hitter with four strikeouts. Randall Reid had two hits and three stolen bases against Tucker, while Fentress Henderson had two hits, a stolen base and an RBI. David Burke also had three stolen bases. Dominique Flynn was the winning pitcher and Trae Nelson earned the save.

Marist: The War Eagles turned two late-inning rallies into two one-run wins. Michael Toner drove in the winning run to cap a four-run seventh inning in the War Eagles 7-6 win over Lakeside on March 26. Griffin Davis, Anthony Sherlag, Thomas Seitz and Toner each had at least two hits. Two days later Marist got four runs in the fifth inning to erase a 3-2 deficit in a 6-5 win over Chamblee. Brooks Doyle was the winning pitcher in his first appearance this season.

TRACK & FIELD

Battle at the Branch Invitational, Flowery Branch Yusuf Minor of Tucker finished first in the 400 meters with a time of 49.90 seconds on March 30. He also placed fourth in the long jump and the Tigers Darius Fisher was second in the high jump. Tucker tied for fourth among 17 teams in the boys team standings. Twilight Rumble in the Jungle, Parkview The Southwest DeKalb girls placed first in four events and Christopher Morris was the lone individual champion for the Southwest boys on March 30. Morris won the 110 hurdles in 15.42 seconds. The girls champions were Charlotte Williams, 400, 57.77; Greciana Cooper, 1,600, 5:18.15; Demetria Dickens, discus, 116-5. The Panthers also won the girls 4x400 relay. Westlake Relays, Fairburn The county had four individual champions at the meet on March 30. Bailey Weiland of Marist won the girls high jump at 5-feet. The three boys champions were Troy Howard of Redan (110 hurdles, 14.68); Nathan Daniel of Marist (pole vault, 140); and Amos Harper of Stephenson (shot put, 49-7). Also, the Stone Mountain boys finished second in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays.

BOYS SOCCER
Lakeside: The Vikings beat Mays 10-0 on March 26 and Douglass 10-0 on March 29 to improve to 11-2-2 overall and 8-1 in Region 6-AAAA. Garrett Stanley scored three goals against Mays while Wesley Cardwell had two goals and three assists in the win over Douglass. The Vikings entered spring break on a five-game winning streak, with five shutouts.

GIRLS SOCCER
Marist: The War Eagles have posted six consecutive shutouts and have scored 54 goals in that span. Marist defeated Miller Grove on March 26, Dunwoody on March 27 and Redan on March 29 each by 10-0 margins.

Parker, Goodwin shine in All-American game

DeKalb County participants Tony Parker of Miller Grove and William Goodwin of Southwest DeKalb both fared well in the 2012 McDonalds All-American basketball game March 28 at the United Center in Chicago. Parker had 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while Goodwin had eight points and four rebounds. Both players shot well, making 4 of 7 field goal attempts. Goodwin has signed a scholarship to attend Memphis University and Parker is undecided. He has several offers including Georgia, Duke, Ohio State, Kansas, Connecticut and Memphis.

son. The Learfield Cup recognizes the top athletic programs among NCAA schools. Emory moved up to 14th on the strength of its swimming programs. The women won their third straight national title and earned 100 points, and the men scored 85 points with a third-place finish at nationals. The Eagles have 378 points and are tied with Ithaca (N.Y.) College. Emory is less than 50 points out of the top 10.

St. Pius senior to sign gymnastics scholarship

St. Pius senior Jennifer Rochefort has committed to a gymnastics scholarship with Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), an NCAA Division II program. Rochefort recently won state titles in the bars, beam and all-around competitions, leading her Georgia Gymnastics Academy team to a state championship. SCSU will have nine gymnasts participate in the 2012 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships on April 13

Emory athletics among top 15 in Division III

Emory University is tied for 14th place in the NCAA Division III Learfield Sports Directors Cup standings through the winter athletic sea-

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, April 6, 2012

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We will be open regular hours on Monday, April, 9, 2012.