Free Press 9-14-12

Urban sanctuary
South DeKalb boasts beautiful wetlands preserve in unlikely place

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com
Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain.
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HYIS SHE HAPPY ?
ust off Moreland Avenue in south DeKalb County sits a 200-acre nature preserve that East Atlanta resident Joy Carter calls a hidden gem. Constitution Lakes Nature Preserve, located off South River Industrial Boulevard, is nestled among truck yards and old factories; it was purchased by Constitution Lakes, a 200-acre wetlands and nature preserve in south DeKalb County, is a popular place for bird DeKalb County in 2003. watching and hiking. Photos by Daniel Beauregard My understanding is that the county had money through a bond referendum to buy green space, Carter said. Carter, who is on the board of the Atlanta Audubon Society, found out about the preserve in 2006 while attending a bird-watching class taught by one of her neighbors. Carter lives in the Ormewood Park area of East Atlanta and said she was amazed to find such a beautiful place with so much wildlife right down the street from her. Over the years, the county has built a boardwalk, nature trail and parking lot, but most of the maintenance is done by a small group who frequent the park, including Carter and carpenter Joel Slaton. Slaton, whom Carter calls the honorary historian of Constitution Lakes, said the area was once owned by a brick company, which used the soft red clay to make bricks. In 1908, the South River Brick Company moved away and the area sat vacant for years. Slaton said the lake and its surrounding marshlands were most likely made when the company was digging for clay. Its just natural mud pits, Slaton said. Carter also thinks that the comBecause she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. pany may have struck some underground Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. And you can too! Follow us. streams in the process as well.
See Wetlands on Page 15A
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Local News
Page 2A
DCSD superintendent forms team to respond to accrediting agency

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com DeKalb County School District Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson has appointed a special review team to prepare a response to the letter sent by accrediting agency AdvancED to the district on Aug. 28. AdvancEDs letter stated the agency had received numerous complaints about the management of the school district, ranging from mismanaging the budget for the past five years to the DeKalb County School Boards influence on the hiring process and day-to-day operations of the district. The district was given 30 days to respond to the letter and Atkinson recommended several actions at a Sept. 5 special called meeting. Atkinson proposed to form a special team consisting of the school board chairman, vice chairman, superintendent, legal representatives, senior staff and communications personnel to review the letter from AdvancED. The team will then prepare recommendations to address the concerns outlined in the letter and submit the draft to board members for review and comment before sending a final response to the accrediting agency. Youll notice we did not put a timeline, as well try to move as expediently as we can through this process but did not want to give an exact date, knowing that we have to work with several peoples schedules, Atkinson said. Certainly we want to complete this well in advance of the notice given. Board member Donna Edler suggested the board discuss the items in the response at an open meeting before submitting to AdvancED. However, some board members didnt agree. I dont think [AdvancED] wants this in the newspaper before it goes to them, board member Paul Womack said. The board later decided to discuss the draft of the letter in a closed executive session, as they were advised to do by their legal team. The goal is to be as transparent and open as possible and to ensure that whatever comments you as a board member make, they will be shared with all of the board members in some form or fashion, board chair Eugene Walker said. President of AdvancED Mark Elgart, who penned the letter, said it was in response to a wide range of complaints from many different stakeholders throughout the community. It was from a broad base of the communityfrom parents, taxpayers and staff, to public officials, Elgart said. Currently, the DeKalb County School District has an on advisement status with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the accrediting arm of AdvancED. Elgart said the districts status means the accreditation agency has given the district a list of concerns to address. Since DCSDs last assessment Elgart said the district hasnt made adequate progress on addressing those concerns. However, Walker said the board believes it has addressed all of the issues. We welcome any inquiry by SACS, any at all [looking] into what we are doing, Walker said. But we just had a full review back in March and we were reaccredited on on advisement and none of these things were brought forth. Elgart said once the agency receives the districts response, AdvancED will determine whether the district is in violation of any accreditation standards or policies and a special review team may be appointed to visit the school system. Elgart said DCSD isnt in danger of losing its accreditation at the moment. There is a potential that could change depending on the outcome of that investigation, Elgart said.
Harris
Three men sought for Decatur killing

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com A man was killed Sept. 2 while standing on the balcony of a Walden Pond apartment in DeKalb County. Antorey Harris, 34, of Decatur, was shot at approximately 7:30 p.m. at the apartment complex located at 2826 Shellbark Drive, according to reports from the DeKalb County Police Department and DeKalb Sheriffs Office. An AK-47 assault rifle was possibly used in the shooting, said Sgt. Adrion Bell, spokesman for the DeKalb Sheriffs Office. When DeKalb police responded to the scene, the victim was lying outside the apartment suffering from a shot, said DeKalb Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish. Parish said witnesses reported that the victim was standing on a porch when they heard multiple shots and then saw people fleeing the scene. Three men are being sought in connection with the shooting: Craig Tellis, Iman George and Christopher Fennell. All three men have arrest records, Bell said. Tellis, 22, has been arrested for theft by receiving stolen property, giving a false name to police and probation violation; George, 19, of Decatur, has had charges of marijuana possession and violation of parole; and Fennell, 21, has had a charge of driving while license suspended or revoked. The shooting victim also had several run-ins with law enforcement dating back to 1997 for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, cruelty to children, battery, simple assault and disorderly conduct. On Sept. 5, DeKalb County sheriffs deputies and members of the SWAT team were called to a home off Flat Shoals Parkway. Police were looking for Tellis, whom police believed was barricaded in an attic, Bell said. Law enforcement officers did not find the suspect after being at the location for more than three hours.
Tellis
George
Fennell
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Deal appoints commission to facilitate services for Brookhaven

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed a five-member commission in preparation of the establishment of the city of Brookhaven, which was approved by voters in July. Under legislation passed by the General Assembly, upon voter-approval of the city Deal was tasked with creating a five-member panel consisting of a chairman and four others who reside in each council district within the city. The commission will be responsible for facilitating the provision of community services and facilities, collection of taxes and fees and the negotiation of intergovernmental agreements in preparation of the new city. Kim Gke who serves as technical project manager for AT&T, will represent District 4 on the commission. Gke said the commission doesnt have much to report at the moment because its still in the formative phases of development. As individual commissioners were all waiting to get together and start that agenda based on the statute, Gke said. Although the commissioners have yet to meet, Gke said their duties are clearly outlined in the statute that calls for the commissions creation. The commission has no budget and no decisionmaking authority as I understand it, and were preparing the way for the decision makers or the elected officials, Gke said. Previously, Gke worked as a manager for the Coca-Cola Company, project manager for BellSouth Telecommunications and BellSouth Business Systems. He has also served as the founding director for the Brookhaven Community Connection and the Cross Keys Foundation. Gke said the statute outlined several duties for the commission, including hosting training seminars for all qualified candidates as to what their roles will be if theyre chosen to lead Brookhaven in some capacity. The commission is also responsible for producing two reports to present to Brookhavens elected leadersone of possible service providers if the city chooses to outsource any municipal services and another to recommend facilities to house the city staff and police. Additionally, Gke said the commission is tasked with identifying candidates to fill appointed city positions such as the city manager, clerk and attorney. The rest of the commission consists of chairman Ben Vinson, an attorney at McKenna Long & Aldridge and chairman of the Georgia Immigration Enforcement Review Board who previously served as majority caucus counsel in the Georgia House of Representatives. J.D. Clockadale will represent District 1 and is currently the director of marketing promotions for RaceTrac Petroleum Inc. Clockadale also chairs a private security patrol staffed by off-duty DeKalb County Police officers and is a founding member of Brookhaven Yes and Citizens for North DeKalb. Todd E. Lantier will represent District 2 and is currently a sales manager for MassMutual Financial Group/Capstone Financial Partners. He is president of the Brookhaven Community Connection and a founding member of the Ashford Park School Education Foundation. Jed Beardsley will represent District 3. He is a shareholder in the law firm Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, and specializes in real estate and tax law. He also serves as president of the board of the Historic Brookhaven Neighborhood Association. A special election has been scheduled for Nov. 6 to choose a mayor and four city council representatives. Each term lasts until 2015; the last day to register to vote in the election is Oct. 18. This is about your neighbors making decisions about your local government services, Rep. Mike Jacobs said. Jacobs was a vocal proponent in the creation of the city and authored the bill that allowed Brookhaven to incorporate, which passed through the General Assembly earlier this year. The cityhood referendum passed with 54.66 percent voting in favor and 45.35 percent against it. Fifty-five percent is a solid majority, Jacobs said. However, its also clear that there were [residents] opposed to cityhood and the time has come to bring together the proponents and opponents and build something great. A list of all qualified candidates for the election is available at the DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections website at www.web.co.dekalb.ga.us/ Voter/default.html under the Current Elections tab. A street guide defining the city council districts is also available on t he w ebsite.
Proposed Substantial Amendment to the 2008-2012 Consolidated Plan, including the 2008 Annual Action Plan For the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1
The DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department is proposing a substantial amendment to the 2008-2012 Consolidated Plan, including the 2008 Annual Action Plan. This substantial amendment will amend the budget of Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 (NSP1) Application submitted to HUD in 2008. In accordance with the Housing and Economic Recovery Act 2008, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated $18,545,013 in emergency funding for assistance with the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed properties. The purpose of this amendment is to revise the budget to show the planned use of additional program income and any subsequent changes that may be necessary on the use of NSP1 funds. The budget categories include acquisition, rehabilitation and disposition of foreclosed homes; establishment of land banks; demolition of blighted structures; redevelopment of vacant properties; and, complying with all Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 (NSP-1) requirements. All citizens are invited to review the Proposed Substantial Amendment to the 2008-2012 Consolidated Plan, including the 2008 Annual Action Plan for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 from September 13, 2012 September 28, 2012 on the DeKalb County website, http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/commdev/publicNotices.html, and at the location identified below.
DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department 150 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 330, Decatur, Georgia 30030 Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Comment forms may be obtained and completed at the above listed location. Comments may also be faxed or emailed to the Human and Community Development Department.
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Fax: (404) 286-3337 Email: amitchell@dekalbcountyga.gov
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Help complete your childs future by encouraging them to get a college degree. Call the Hispanic Scholarship Fund today at 1-877-HSF-INFO or visit YourWordsToday.org to learn more.
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Opinion The Newslady
, 2012
GOP National Convention: Not so much

disdain Republicans have for the intellect of the American people. Theyre trying to downplay that bizarre debacle, but empty chairs perhaps demonstrate an empty suit mentality. Everything wrong with this country is the fault of Barack Obama is the Republican message. Never mind the colossal mess he inherited when taking office. The president gets no credit for staving off a Depression-era downturn in the economy brought on by fat cat greed. No credit for saving the auto industry. No credit for Wall Street reforms. No credit for ending the war in Iraq. No credit for bringing down Osama Bin Laden. No credit for the first affordable health care plan in nearly a century and no credit for bringing about an uptick in employment overall. He achieved this enviable record with Republican, Tea Party and birthers roadblocks thrown up at every turn. In addition, Mitt Romney and the Republicans are Americans as Romney pointed out in his thinly veiled birthers comment about the presidents nationality. Romneys acceptance speech for the GOP presidential nomination was slightly better than ho-hum and he certainly didnt break any new ground. After spending half his speech helping us to know him, he spent most of the rest of the time bashing the president. In fairness, Romney did say he would create 12 million jobs. He did not say, however, how he would create those jobs and where. But lets be specific with facts about some of the outright lies that were told by Romneys V.P choice, Paul Ryan. 1. President Obama is the greatest threat to Medicare. Truth: The president didnt make any cuts to Medicare benefits; he made cuts to provider reimbursements to improve cost efficiency and extend the fiscal security of Medicare. Ryan, on the other hand, proposed dismantling Medicare and replacing it with a voucher system, leaving millions of seniors to come up with more money to pay for care out of pocket. 2. President Obama didnt save a General Motors plant in Wisconsin. Truth: The president hadnt even taken office when that GM plant closed. 3. Ryan wants to protect the weak. Truth: Ryan proposed a budget with dramatic cuts to programs benefiting the poor. He would cut Medicaid by one third, take away health care insurance from 30 million Americans, and cut Pell Grants for one million students. All this to give more tax breaks to the rich. Electing a president is serious business. A national party convention is a time to lay out specific plans to the electorate and compare records. Instead what we got from the Republicans were warm fuzzies about how an elite few achieved the pinnacle of successgreat wealth. One should not delude the American public into thinking that a vote for the Republicans will also make them rich and famous. It is akin to leading the entire high school basketball team into thinking that theyre all going to become NBA players making millions each year. What most Americans want are much more simple desires such as being able to get and keep a good-paying job or have their own businesses so they can house, feed, clothe and secure a good education for their children. The Republican message is not to have a chicken in every pot, but that you dont count unless you own the chicken plant. Steen Miles, The Newslady, is a retired journalist and former Georgia state senator. Contact Steen Miles at Steen@dekalbchamp.com.
The Republican National Convention has ended and by the time you read this the Democratic National Convention will be winding down. By Republican Party standards, the Grand Old Partys convention in Tampa was a resounding success. The party faithful achieved their goals, perhaps even surpassed them by employing whatever means necessary to advance the GOP agenda through distortion, lack of specificity, pathetic buffoonery and outright lies. If the American voter has half an ounce of sense, he will give President Obama an opportunity to finish what he started to restore this country to its former greatness. The president has demonstrated he has the faith, the vision, the plan, the inclusive attitude and dogged determination to set right our course. That Saturday Night Live sketch with the aging actor and the empty chair was indicative of the utter
Opinion
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Americans who want to know what caused Haitis devastation need to look in the mirror
in running a second time. After Aristide won that election, and disbanded the army, we quickly soured and sent in our own troops to remove him from ofce once more. Since then, we have backed each successive, submissive government in disallowing him from ever even running again. We recently went so far as to unsuccessfully oppose his return from foreign exile. All this mucking around in Haitis affairs hasnt helped its economy either. Thanks to reporters writing in The Nation after nding secret State Department cables revealed by WikiLeaks, we know that Washington used its political and business inuence to hold Haitis minimum wage for workers at export-oriented assembly factories at $3.13 per day. American apparel companies such as Fruit of the Loom, Hanes and Levis lobbied hard to prevent the workers employed by their garment manufacturing contractors from getting a raise that boosted the rest of the countrys minimum wage to a high ve bucks per day from the previousand unbelievably measly$1.75 per day rate. U.S. rice exporters love Haiti too. In the 1980s, our government muscled the ruling junta to lower tariffs on U.S. products. Soon Americas cheaper, subsidized rice dominated the market, driving many local producers out of business. The 2010 earthquake helped our farmers too. USAID bought shiploads of U.S. rice, which it sent to Haiti as food aid. This glut of rice is driving many Haitian farmers into bankruptcy. The most valuable assistance to Haiti, both before and after the earthquake, has come from Venezuela. Following the big earthquake, Caracas increased its shipments of oil and helped reopen damaged power plants. In contrast, Washington shipped in soldiers20,000 of themalong with an armada of the same shady contractors who contributed to the messes in Iraq and Afghanistan. These basic economic and political realities, writ so large in Haiti, merely reprise two phenomena the world has come to call neocolonialism and neoliberalism. They work like this: The International Monetary Fund and Western nations pressure poor (often corrupt) governments to squeeze small farmers and manufacturers by cutting tariffs on imports, thus allowing their markets to be ooded by foreign products. Foreign-owned plantations and sweatshops get incentives, such as tax-free zones, to produce cheap goods for Western consumption. Efforts to make the local economy more sustainable and self-sufcient get short shrift. These rules are enforced by the local military, which the United States trains and subsidizes. And Haiti is a particularly extreme example of this malevolent system. OtherWords columnist William A. Collins is a former state representative and a former mayor of Norwalk, Conn.
Just another corporate profit center
United States media outlets tend to report Haiti strictly as a land of tragedy. Its hapless citizens seem endlessly beset with earthquakes, oods, cholera, hunger and bad government. Unfortunately, our press isnt making that up. But what the media fails to explain are the underlying causes of that devastation. Awkwardly, it has much to do with Uncle Samalthough France, Canada and the International Monetary Fund have all pitched in. Haiti twice enjoyed a moment of decent leadership under President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. But after his rst election, we soon supported the Haitian army in overthrowing him. Later, in a brief about-face under Bill Clinton, we gave him a hand
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Opinion
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Virtually, anything goes with online education

State officials are allowing tax dollars to underwrite K-12 virtual disasters.
by Sam Pizzigati Columnist
The sounds of September: school bells ringing, loose-leaf binders snapping open and shut, sneakers squeaking on gymnasium floors. Next to apple pie, what could possibly be more American than these familiar sounds and the local public schools where we hear them? But times change. Blackboards and chalk no longer grace every classroom. Even pre-kindergarteners in the bestequipped schools gather around interactive smartboards and tap away on tablet computers. With the Internet, we can share lessons across borders. In the new Information Age, are local public schools becoming obsolete? Do we need a new model for educating our young? Some sort of revolution in teaching and learning? Questions like these demand thoughtful and patient democratic deliberation that were not getting. In todays deeply unequal United States, were rushing to an educational future that profits our awesomely affluent few at the expense of the rest of us. The most striking manifestation of this rush: The near quarter-million elementary and high school students enrolled full-time in taxpayer-funded virtual schools that for-profit companies now operate in 27 states. These schools have no physical classrooms, no playgrounds and no in-person teachers. How does learning take place? In these online academies, even the youngest of students sit in front of their home computers. Their parents serve as learning coaches, following instructions they read on screen. Remotely located teachers monitor and grade the students. One of these remote teachers at the elementary level can have as many as 60 students. The educational results from this learning process can be ugly. A New York Times investigation concluded that K12 Inc., one of the nations top two corporate virtual schoolers, squeezes profits by raising enrollment, increasing teacher workload, and lowering standards. In Tennessee, about 1,800 kindergarten to eighth-grade students attended K12s Tennessee Virtual Academy last year. Virtual Academy students, notes the state education department, performed in the bottom 11 percent of schools statewide. Other studies show similarly dismal academic results. How could state education officials
allow public tax dollars to underwrite these virtual disasters? Dont we have rules and regulations designed to protect students from commercial exploitation? We do. But in more and more states these rules dont apply. What one analyst described as a tight-knit network of right-wing millionaires and billionaires, bankers, industrialists, lobby shops, and hardcore ideologues is carving out an ever-growing space where virtually anything goes. In Maine, for instance, the states right-wing governor, Paul LePage, has formally embraced a 10-point plan that effectively sweeps away hard-won protections for students and taxpayers. The governors plan eliminates restrictions on online student-to-teacher ratios and requires taxpayers to pay online providers by the same per-pupil funding formula that covers students in regular brick-and-mortar public schools. The text for an online education executive order the governor issued earlier this year, the Portland Press Herald recently revealed, came directly from a Florida think tank funded by the virtual school companies that stand to make millions of dollars as the governors new initiative goes forward. These same corporations are also spending a bundle on lobbying and political contributions. And behind them lurk a host of super-rich conservative ideologues with a deep animus toward traditional public schools, what they call islands of socialism in a freemarket sea. Meanwhile, regular public schools are facing massive budget shortfalls. In 35 states, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities just reported, state school funding has dropped below 2008 levels. Local school districts have had to eliminate over 328,000 jobs at the same time the nations K-12 student population has increased by 535,000 students. In todays depressed economic times, schools dont just have more students they have more poor students. But corporate-friendly education reformers dont like to talk about poverty. For good reason. If you dont talk about poverty, the absence of wealth, you dont have to talk about wealths concentration and the political power this concentration inevitably forges. OtherWords columnist Sam Pizzigati edits Too Much, the Institute for Policy Studies weekly newsletter on excess and inequality. OtherWords.org
HunGER kEEps up On cuRREnT EVEnTs, TOO.

1 in 6 AmERicAns sTRuGGlEs WiTH HunGER.
TOGETHER WERE
Hunger is closer than you think. Reach out to your local food bank for ways to do your part. Visit FeedingAmerica.org today.
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Page 7A
Champion of the Week
Patrice Eastham
Event at Exchange Park promotes community health

Demonstrating that fitness can be fun was the idea behind the For the Health of It event hosted by DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson at Exchange Park in Decatur Sept. 8. Participants walked, ran, gathered health information and watched entertainment that included a DJ, trumpet and saxophone players and dance performances by such groups as Atlanta Bomb Squad and Decatur Citizens Gone Wild. Gas cards and other goodies were given away in drawings by sponsoring organizations. There was a booth to promote a foundation set up in memory of Robert Champion, a Southwest DeKalb High School graduate, who died following a hazing incident at Florida A&M University, where he was a student and band member.
Photos by Kathy Mitchell
tracted 800 participants and required the help of 60-70 volunteers. Proceeds from the first festival went to the Wochatz family. In 2006, the funds went to the RET Foundation in honor of RET Richard Thomas. Since 2007 the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, which pays families bills while In 2005, Decatur resi- their children are in the hospital, has been the dent Patrice Eastham wanted to do something recipient of the monies raised. to help her friends Much of the funds teenage son who was raised by the festival fighting a virulent type come from the scale of of brain cancer. art of created from old So she started Skatskateboard decks. erAid, featuring skateA local skateboard boarding, art and music, shop collects the decks, as a celebration and which are then distribfundraiser for Ian Wochatz, Decatur teen and uted to local artists who turn the decks into art. skateboarder who died Wochatzs family on July 4, 2005. appreciates SkaterAid Wochatz was a because it keeps the big skateboarding kid memory of their son around Decatur, Eastalive, Eastham said. ham said. We thought a skateboarding festival Hes become a part of the fabric of the comwould be a great way munity. to honor him. Eastham said, Its We were just thinkone of the most worthing of it as a way to raise while things Ive done in money for the family, my life, said Eastham, Eastham said. You alwho lives in Decatur ways want to do somewith husband Buck thing. Buckley and son Sam, Now in its eighth year, SkaterAids mission who was a friend of Ians. Its extremely is to support families meaningful. who are dealing with The 2012 SkaterAid the tragedy of pediatric festival will be held cancer. Sept. 30, from 2-7 p.m., And its a way for at East Decatur Station, area teens to celebrate 109 New Street, Decatheir youth, she said. tur. Last year, the event at-
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.
Local News
munity was significant. In particular, his [33] years of service at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center is not only his living legacy, but a testament to his commitment to DeKalb County, the city of Atlanta, and his love for people and the arts. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sams family during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be sent to Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Callanwolde is located at 980 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta.
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County mourns death of Callanwolde director Samuel Goldman

A memorial service is being held Thursday, Sept. 13, at 10 a.m. at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in memory of Samuel Goldman, the centers longtime executive director, who died unexpectedly at his home Sept. 10. The service is open to the public. Goldman began working at Callanwolde in 1979 doing various administrative jobs and became executive director in 1998. A statement from Callanwolde reads, For these 33 years he has shown the utmost dedication to providing arts to the community and to the mission of Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Sam will be greatly missed and we express our condolences to his long-time companion Tom, and to his family. The arts center will continue to move forward with the values and commitment to the arts that Sam inspired in us. DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis issued this statement: I am saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Sam Goldman. Sam was a wonderful person whose contribution to our com-
Goldman
CSD considers barring unhealthy foods from menu

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com City Schools of Decatur (CSD) is considering slashing some of the less-healthy food items from its menus, said CSD Director of Nutrition Allison Goodman. The first thing on the list is to remove chocolate milk, and all our email and phones have been blowing up, Goodman said. On that point were getting lots of feedback right now. Goodman said parents and residents have been calling to say the school system had better not take their childs chocolate milk away. However, all of the items on the list are just proposed changes presented by the Ultimate Menu Committee (UMC). The UMC was formed by Goodman during the spring of 2012 to draft guiding principles to develop new lunch menus, and to develop a list of the top 10 items for removal from lunches and provide healthier alternatives for those items. Chocolate milk is first on the list, which also includes items such as muffins, French toast, chicken nuggets and other frozen or processed foods. Goodman said eliminating some of the items on the list doesnt necessarily mean CSD will do away with them completely; she said the system just wants to move toward fresher products. Were looking at healthier alternatives to lots of things, Goodman said. When it hit the papers that we might do away with chocolate milk, Mayfield called me and told me they are coming out with a lower sodium and lower sugar chocolate milk in January, so thats an option. Goodman said the new Mayfield chocolate milk will contain approximately a whole tablespoon less sugar than the chocolate milk the system is currently serving. Thats what the committee is all about, Goodman said, looking for alternatives that are better for our children but that are also within our price point so we can serve them in our schools for lunch. Clare Schexnyder, a parent and member of the UMC, said the committee consisted of several parents, school employees and even a student. Schexnyder said the committees first meeting lasted approximately two hours, which was an indication of the work they would be doing over the next several months. You could see all of the people there at that first meeting thought they had an opportunity to be involved in something really great, Schexnyder said. Recently the USDA changed its requirements for lunches and eliminated things such as fruit canned in heavy syrup, margarine and trans fat, and Schexnyder said she thought it was unique that the UMC was a group tasked with going above and beyond those requirements. We looked at other schools across the nation and other programs that have overhauled school system nutrition programs and looked very carefully at what was on our menu, Schexnyder said. We basically just want to put the healthiest options in front of our kids in the most cost effective way. In addition to the suggestions brought forth by the committee, Schexnyder said the UMC also suggested at a recent meeting that the system hire a food expert to assess CSD and its lunch menus. We want to bring somebody in to look at our system to see how were doing and say how we can be doing things a little better, Schexnyder said. Im very excited that [CSD Superintendent Phyllis Edwards] was out there and said they were on board for an assessment and they would fund it. Schexnyder said she wants residents and community members to understand that the UMC isnt an extreme group of parents or health nuts but rather a group that is looking for the healthiest alternatives for CSDs approximately 3,200 students. Were not totally against chicken nuggets. We just want to make sure that were getting rid of highly processed products, Schexnyder said, and we thought we could do a better job on peanut butter, since this is the state for peanuts, and we could find a vendor without hydrogenated oils. The UMC also discussed the frequency of how often certain items show up on weekly menus. With chocolate milk we really felt that all the added sugar makes it a dessert and we discussed only having it on Fridays, Schexnyder said. The parents who think their student wont drink anything else will probably provide them with something else but at least we might not have it available at schools. The board will vote over the next several months as to whether to adopt the UMCs suggestions for the spring 2013 semester.
Local News
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DeKalb antebellum home boasts interesting past

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com There are many antebellum houses in DeKalb County but none boasts such an interesting history as the home of the late John Bird, which sits on River Road in Panthersville and is tied to one of the first murders in Atlanta. The murder caused uproar because it was one of the first in the newly formed city of Atlanta, Borger said. Leslie Borger, preservation and programs coordinator for the DeKalb History Center said that in the 1830s, Bird moved to DeKalb County from South Carolina and by 1840 had acquired approximately 1,200 acres, which was considered one of the largest farms in DeKalb County. Earlier this year, Borger was tasked with researching the area after a request from DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon, who funded a portion of the research project. Kathie Gannon asked us to look into itthe history of Fort Creek Mountain Park, which was in the boundaries of the John Bird Farm in the 1800s, Borger said. Borger said researching the land and the history of the farm took several months and consisted of a mixture of archival research and oral history. Borger recorded the oral history from the previous private owner of the park, as well as the current owner the Bird Farm home. Additional research was done using the DeKalb History Centers archives and Borger conducted land record research at the DeKalb County Courthouse. The land has a really long history because its part of Soapstone Ridge, so it has about 5,000 years of Native American history, Borger said of the research process. Then when you find an antebellum home and overall, its quite an interesting story with all of the murders tied to the family. According to Borger, the original home is a two-room log cabin, which was expanded as Birds family grew. In 1834, Birds daughter Martha Bird married Nathaniel G. Hilburn; several years later Bird purchased a home for them on the corner of Decatur and Ivy streets where the couple lived along with 20 boarders, including Elijah Bird, Marthas brother. In an article Borger wrote for the DeKalb History Centers newsletter, she said Nathaniel and Elijah may have been grocers. Nathaniel didnt get along with the Bird family, especially Marthas mother and brother, according to the newsletter. According to historical records, On Dec.1, 1851, John and Martha Bird took their carriage from their farm on River Road to the Hilburn residence in downtown Atlanta. Mr. Bird went inside the house while his wife waited in the carriage and after two hours Hilburn rushed out of the house and swung at the carriage with an ax. Borger said Hilburn was eventually persuaded to put down the ax, but no sooner than he did, Elijah showed up and stabbed him in the neck and Hilburn died shortly after. Elijah was arrested and indicted in 1852 by a DeKalb grand jury. He was eventually tried and sentenced to hang. However, John Bird was eventually able to have his son
The antebellum home of the late John Bird sits on River Road in Panthersville. At one point Bird was one of the largest land owners in DeKalb County until tragedy struck his family and caused him to lose everything. Photo by Daniel Beauregard
granted a pardon. A stipulation of the pardon was that Elijah Bird leave the state. He went to Louisiana, where he managed a plantation for several years until he died at the hands of a hired worker who hit him in the back of the head with a backhoe and killed him. Borger said eventually Bird was forced to sell his land to pay his sons legal fees and he levied his farm to a neighbor. His sons murderer was never caught. It was a sad ending to a tragic story that nearly ruined the DeKalb family, Borger said. The Bird Farm still stands today, albeit much larger than it was originally. The heart of the home still consists of the old two-room log cabin Bird built in the 1830s. DeKalb County boasts several other antebellum homes, including the Alston house, which sits across from the East Lake Golf Club, as well as the Goodwin House in Brookhaven. Many of these homes stood while areas in DeKalb County housed soldiers and played an important role during the Civil War, including the Battle of Atlanta in 1864.
Local News
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Hakim Hilliard named chief of staff for DeKalb CEO
NEWS BRIEFS
DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis named Hakim Hilliard as the new chief of staff for the administration. In a letter Hilliard to the Board of Commissioners, Ellis said, With his depth of knowledge of the complexities of governmental affairs and his keen insight and experience with key stakeholder groups, I am excited that Hakim Hilliard has accepted this position. Hilliard, an attorney with McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, is a member of the public policy and regulatory affairs practice group, where his practice has concentrated on state and local government law, particularly in the areas of land use and zoning, licensing and permitting, economic development incentives, public-private partnerships and procurement. In government and politics, he has worked as a key advisor to elected officials from state government to the local level. Prior to joining the law firm, Hilliard served as an assistant attorney for the city of Atlanta, providing counsel to the mayor, city council and various city departments, including the Bureau of Planning Development and Neighborhood Conservation. He also staffed the Atlanta Board of Zoning Adjustment and Zoning Review Board on issues related to land use and zoning. In addition, Hilliard is a member of the Atlanta Business League and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta. Hilliard attended high school and college locally, at the Lovett School and Morehouse College, respectively, and attended law school at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. Hilliard, who will begin his new position effective Oct. 1, takes over the position vacated by Jabari Simama who is now president of Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Clarkston to celebrate role as Ellis Island of the South National Welcoming Week 2012, Sept. 15-22, will be celebrated at the Clarkston Community Center with the viewing
of the new PBS documentary America by the Numbers, which features Clarkston. International food will be provided for participants and a discussion session will follow the film screening. A community participatory art project will be held before the screening. The event is scheduled for Sept. 17, 6-8:30 p.m. at the Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston. The purpose of National Welcoming Week is to build connections and a spirit of unity between U.S. and foreign-born Americans. The mission of the Clarkston Community Center is to provide art, education, recreation and community building to Clarkston and Greater DeKalb County residents, both long-time Americans and newly arriving refugees. To learn more about Welcoming America and National Welcoming Week, visit www. welcomingamerica.org. Superior Court judge to discuss DeKalb in the 1980s As part of the DeKalb History Centers Lunch and Learn series, Superior Court Judge Clarence F. Seeliger will present his unique perspective covering 32 years on the bench in DeKalb County. Seeliger will focus on the 1980s, including his elections in 1980 and 1984, and the symbolic, yet real, removal of the Confederate battle flag from his courtroom. We will also learn more about his role in the outcome of the proposed Presidential Parkway, said Melissa Forgey, executive director. Seeliger presided over the Presidential Parkway case from 1985 to 1991, which resulted in a settlement and the creation of Freedom Parkway and the park next to the Carter Presidential Library. Seeliger is known for his involvement in civil rights, as well as protection of victims of domestic violence. Born in Seattle, Wash. in 1940, Seeliger holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963-67 and was a captain upon his release from service. He holds a law degree from Emory University Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1970. Seeliger is married to the former Gwen Hagler and they have two daughters
and grandchildren. This is a free event and attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunches. It will be held Sept. 18, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. Major court cases moving forward over next months Suspects in several major DeKalb County court cases are set to appear in court in the upcoming weeks. John Norman, the son of former Doraville Mayor Jesse Norman, is charged with bestiality, animal cruelty and sexual exploitation of children. Norman will be present for a pre-trial hearing in Judge Clarence Seeligers courtroom Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m. Adrian Spellen will also be present in Seeligers courtroom. Spellen is a former martial arts teacher who is charged with molesting a student and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing in Seeligers courtroom for the same time as Normans. Patricia Padgett is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Sept. 21 at 9 a.m. in Judge Tangela Barries courtroom. Padgett allegedly embezzled $168,955 from Dunwoody Baptist Church from 2006-09 while working as its accounts payable manager. Jason Bryant, who is charged with shooting and killing his wife after she served him with divorce papers, will be present in Judge Asha Jacksons courtroom for arraignment Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. Bryant is also accused of allegedly shooting his wifes friend. Gary Mincey, an alleged serial rapist who would stalk and rape women outside of a local DeKalb County Publix, will be present for a bond hearing in Judge Gail Flakes courtroom Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m. Andrea Sneiderman, accused of conspiring with her boss and alleged lover Hemy Neuman in a plot to murder her husband Rusty Sneiderman, will be arraigned Oct. 8 at 9 a.m. in Judge Gregory Adams courtroom. Neuman was eventually tried and found guilty of Rusty Sneidermans murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Andrea Sneiderman was arrested several months later for her alleged involvement.
Police are trying to identify this gunshot victim who was dropped off at DeKalb Medical Center Sept. 1. Photo provided.
Stone Mountain Police investigating two shootings for connection

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com Stone Mountain Police detectives are trying to determine whether the killing of a man on Aug. 31 and shooting of an unidentified man are related. At 11:54 p.m. Aug. 31, Stone Mountain Police officers responded to the scene of a shooting at The Lakes Apartments, 5100 West Mountain Street, Stone Mountain. Upon arrival, officers found Darius Myles Grays, a 34-year-old man, Grays dead with a single gunshot to the lower abdomen. All we have at this time is there are two Black male suspects who fled the scene in a silver or gray vehicle with a Black female driver, said Det. Manuel Norrington, in a media statement. According to the release, one of the men reportedly has a low haircut and one had dreadlocks. We also have learned that a Black male victim was dropped off at DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur with multiple gunshot wounds within the same time frame of the homicide at The Lakes Apartments, Norrington stated. According to a media statement by Grady Hospital, the man was dropped off near the emergency room entrance at DeKalb Medical Center. The unidentified man was transferred to Gradys trauma center, arriving there at 2:30 a.m. Sept. 1. The man remains in critical condition. We are looking to see if these two incidents are related, Norrington stated. At this time we are seeking to identify the persons who dropped this victim off at DeKalb Medical and the victim. The patient is a Black man, in his early 20s, approximately 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds. He has short hair and a goatee. There is a tattoo on his upper right chest that has six letters with musical notes above the letters. Anyone who can identify the man is asked to call Grady Social Services at (404) 616-5331. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Stone Mountain Police Department at (770) 879-4980.
Local News
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The outdoor pool is a popular spot at the new YMCA.
County-YMCA partnership brings first-class facility to Stone Mountain community

by Kathy Mitchell kathy@dekalbchamp.com The Wade Walker Park Family YMCA in Stone Mountain that opened last month is the result of what YMCA chief operating officer Eston Hood said is a workable approach to many community needsa private-sector, public-sector partnership. It just makes good business sense, Hood said, explaining that the county put more than $13 million into the project and the YMCA spent an additional $4.2 million. The YMCA also assumed responsibility for operating costs, estimated to total $50 million over 30 years. As a result we were able to build a first-class facility that neither the county nor the YMCA could have built alone, he said. The new YMCA is a full-service 60,000-square-foot facility with an indoor-outdoor pool, a double gym, childcare facilities, multi-purpose rooms and more. We serve the entire community from pre-school youngsters to seniors. Hood said public-sector private-sector partnerships are becoming common nationwide, but DeKalb County has been ahead of the trend. He praised past and present county officials for their support of such projects. We started a dialogue with the commissioners and with county staff as well as the DeKalb CEO, and things went forward from there, he said. Back in the 1970s missing and murdered children in the Atlanta area were making news nationwide, Hood explained. We had to find ways to keep our children safe after school. It was difficult for government or private institutions to do it alone; combining resources seemed the right way to go. When we saw how well it was working, we said, Lets keep doing this. Less than a month after opening, the new YMCA is bustling with activity and has more than 1,000 members with membership increasing every day. A July sneak-a-peek event in advance of the August opening drew more than 4,000 visitors. Hood said he expects membership to peak at 3,000-4,000. Thats what happens when you bring a much-needed facility into an underserved area, he said. People who before had to drive 20 minuteslonger in heavy trafficnow have a great facility right in their neighborhood. The facility has approximately 150 full- and part-time staff members, not including seasonal employees. Hood said he is especially pleased with how well his choice of an executive director is working out. Winston Myers is the perfect person for this Y. I couldnt be more pleased with how hes running it, he said. Myers, who said hes just upholding the brand, noted that he, too, is pleased with the impact the new YMCA is having on the community. Its a place to be healthy, active and to connect with neighbors and we work every day to keep the drumroll of customer service going, said Myers, adding that hes especially pleased with the teen program. He said that 40 teens in their program are being tracked from age 14 through college to measure and document the impact YMCA programs have on their lives. YMCA officials hope that its success will create a national model. Were focused especially on serving teens and senior citizens, Myers said. They are two demographics that traditionally have not been served well.
The large fitness area features modern equipment.
Wade Walker Park Family YMCA serves a previously underserved area.
Eston Hood, left, says Winston Myers, right, is proving to be an ideal executive director for the facility.
A rock-climbing wall is one of many fitness and recreation features at the new YMCA. Photos by Nicole Davis
Local News
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DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis reminds you of the Best Practices for Proper Disposal of
F.O.G.
(Fats, Oils, and Grease)

F.O.G. enters plumbing through garbage disposals, sinks and toilets. It coats the inside of plumbing pipes and also empties into DeKalb Countys sewer system. Here are three simple guidelines to help keep F.O.G. out of our pipes and sewers:
1.
Guns and Hoses
The Dunwoody Police Department and DeKalb County Fire Rescue faced off in softball to raise money for Special Olympics Georgia and the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. The fire rescue personnel won the game 12-10. This is the inaugural softball challenge between the two first responders. Early the same morning, the DeKalb Fire Rescue Department sponsored the Dunwoody Manhattan Memorial Climb as a tribute to the firefights and police officers who lost their lives on 9/11. Photos by David DiCristina.
POUR fats, oils or grease into a sealable container, allow it to cool and throw it in the trash. Do not pour down the drain or toilet.
2.
SCRAPE
plates and cookware before washing. Do not throw scraps of any kind down the drain. Instead, place them in waste containers or garbage bags.
3. WIPE
excess grease from all plates, pots, pans, utensils, and surfaces with a paper towel before washing. Throw the greasy paper towels away.
Plumbing and sanitary sewer systems are simply not designed to handle the F.O.G. that accumulates in pipes. When it gets into the pipes and hardens, blockages occur and cause sewage to backup and overflow out of manholes or into homes. This is expensive for you, and for the County. The damages caused by fats, oils and grease in the sewer system are costly to repair. Over time, they increase the costs of our water and sewer services.
F.O.G. directly impacts your wallet!

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management 1580 Roadhaven Drive * Stone Mountain, GA * (770) 270-6243 dekalbwatershed.com
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Recycle-Bowl kicks off in DeKalb

Students are collecting recyclables for the second annual Recycle-Bowl. Sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, Recycle-Bowl is a competition among grade schools in the United States to encourage and motivate young people to adopt sustainable behaviors. The DeKalb County government and the DeKalb County School District will assist county schools that participate in competition this fall. DeKalb Countys Keep DeKalb Beautiful (KDB) is offering to assist schools that choose to sign up for the competition and utilize the countys commercial recycling program. The countys sanitation division provides recycling service and some recycling receptacles for collection. Additionally, KDB will provide 22-gallon bins (10 per school) to help in calculating and transporting recyclables collected. Through Recycle-Bowl, we hope to galvanize recycling in elementary, middle and high schools across the County, said Amber Weaver, director of Keep DeKalb Beautiful. Recycling is the easiest and most effective thing that anyone can do to protect natural resources, conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions. Recycling also creates jobs and stimulates our economy. The competition awards cash prizes and provides teachable moments while engaging students in recycling. Public, private and charter schools are eligible. Schools are asked to collect plastic bottles, aluminum cans and mixed paper for recycling. Schools can register online at www.recycle-bowl.org from now to Oct. 9. The competition period lasts from Oct. 15 through Nov. 9. Schools registering for the competition division are eligible for cash prizes. One winning school per state will receive a $1,000 prize, and the national winning school will receive a prize valued at $2,500. All winners will be announced in February 2013. For details about the contest and DeKalb County Sanitation Divisions recycling service fees and pickup schedules, please call (404) 371-2654 or email kdb@ dekalbcountyga.gov.
Saturday, September 22 at 8:30 am at the Kirkwood Center

Featuring music, awards, refreshments, prizes, and community vendors!
6th Annual Walk of HEROes 5K Run/Walk & Tot Trot is a family friendly event benefiting DeKalb Community Service Boards local mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services.
Register now! www.walkofheroes5k.com 404.508.7875
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
Mostly Sunny High: 82 Low: 64
Sept. 13, 2012

Today's Regional Map Weather History
Sept. 13, 1922 - The temperature at El Azizia in Libya soared to 136 degrees to establish a world record. To make matters even more uncomfortable in that part of the world, a severe ghibi, or dust storm, was in progress. Dunwoody 80/63 Lilburn Smyrna Doraville 81/64 81/64 81/64 Snellville Decatur 82/64 Atlanta 82/64 82/64 Lithonia College Park 83/64 83/64 Morrow 83/64 Union City 83/64 Hampton 84/65
In-Depth Local Forecast

Today we will see mostly sunny skies with a high temperature of 82, humidity of 57%. East wind 5 to 10 mph. The record high temperature for today is 95 set in 1991. Expect partly cloudy skies tonight with an overnight low of 64.
FRIDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 82 Low: 65
*Last Weeks Almanac

Date Hi Lo Normals Precip Tuesday 78 72 85/68 0.16" Wednesday 84 71 85/67 0.00" Thursday 85 73 85/67 0.00" Friday 93 67 85/67 0.00" Saturday 84 66 84/67 0.25" Sunday 83 58 84/66 0.00" Monday 84 57 84/66 0.00" Rainfall . . . . . . .0.41" Average temp . .75.4 Normal rainfall . .0.98" Average normal 75.7 Departure . . . . .-0.57" Departure . . . . .-0.3
*Data as reported from De Kalb-Peachtree Airport
SATURDAY
Isolated T-storms High: 84 Low: 66
SUNDAY
Isolated T-storms High: 84 Low: 64
Sept. 14, 1987 - Thunderstorms developing along a cold front produced severe weather from Minnesota to Texas. Thunderstorms in Iowa produced baseball size hail at Laporte City and 80 mph winds at Laurens.
MONDAY
Mostly Cloudy High: 80 Low: 62
TUESDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 84 Low: 65 New 9/15
Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

Day Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Sunrise 7:19 a.m. 7:20 a.m. 7:21 a.m. 7:21 a.m. 7:22 a.m. 7:23 a.m. 7:23 a.m. Sunset 7:46 p.m. 7:45 p.m. 7:43 p.m. 7:42 p.m. 7:40 p.m. 7:39 p.m. 7:38 p.m. Moonrise 4:44 a.m. 5:46 a.m. 6:50 a.m. 7:55 a.m. 9:02 a.m. 10:10 a.m. 11:18 a.m. Moonset 6:04 p.m. 6:40 p.m. 7:16 p.m. 7:52 p.m. 8:32 p.m. 9:14 p.m. 10:02 p.m. Full 9/29
Tonight's Planets
Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Rise Set 7:32 a.m. 7:58 p.m. 3:53 a.m. 5:36 p.m. 11:33 a.m.10:06 p.m. 11:56 p.m. 2:08 p.m. 10:11 a.m. 9:29 p.m. 8:23 p.m. 8:42 a.m.
WEDNESDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 85 Low: 64 First 9/22
Last 10/8
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 87 in Lawrenceville, Ill. The Southeast will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with a few thunderstorms today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 93 in Tampa, Fla. The Northwest will see mostly clear skies today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 95 in Medford, Ore. The Southwest will see mostly clear skies today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 104 in Bullhead City, Ariz.
Weather Trivia
How high do thunderstorms grow?
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: The majority of thunderstorm clouds grow to heights of more than 20,000 feet.
www.WhatsOurWeather.com
StarWatch By Gary Becker - Dance, Prancing Horse, Dance

This is one of the best times of the year to view the Milky Way in its entire splendor, for just after dark it arcs across the sky from west of south almost up to the zenith, and then down into the NE where it cuts back into the horizon. It may mean traveling 50 or 100 miles or more to escape the domes of light that blossom from our cityscapes, but if you have never seen the beauty of our home galaxy against a truly black sky, it may be worth the effort. Today, more than half of the worlds population has never seen our home galaxy, and that statistic holds true for the US as well. National parks and rural state parks offer the best prospects of catching stunning views of our galaxy. To see the best of the summer Milky Way, enthusiasts should find a rural location with a good southern view. From there, right after dark in mid-September, the central bulge of the Milky Way, where the oldest stars reside, will just be above the horizon, flanked on either side by the star patterns of Sagittarius the Archer and Scorpius the Scorpion. Its easy to follow the galaxy upward through the great rift where over eons of time dust from countless supernovas has seemed to split the central plane of our galaxy, then past the cotton candy star clouds bracketed by the Great Summer Triangle and into the NE where the ethereal haze of countless stars begins to fade. To judge whether the sky is really supporting a good view, I have used the Prancing Horse as my barometer. It is created by dark obscuring dust clouds which are silhouetted against a somewhat brighter starry background where there is less dust. Located above the Scorpions tail and to the right of Sagittarius, it takes almost no imagination to see, if sky conditions will permit (photo online). A prancing horse dancing in your southern sky is reason to celebrate because you are witnessing the darkest of the temperate, late summer nights. www.astronomy.org
Health
Page 14A
This football season, tailgate without food poisoning worries

The official starts of professional, college and high school football seasons are just beginning and many Americans are looking forward to the timehonored tradition of tailgating. During these pre-game festivities, usually in the stadium parking lot, there is always an abundance of food from burgers and potato salad to sandwiches and desserts. Tailgating is as American a tradition as football itself, but foodborne illness can be a game changer if proper food handling practices arent followed, said Cheryl Luptowski, public information officer for NSF International, an independent, public health and safety organization, committed to protecting and improving human health on a global scale. Taking simple precautions can keep you, your friends and family safe and let you concentrate on enjoying the game. Here are some tips to keep in mind when tailgating: taking food off the grill too soon and serving it undercooked. Use an NSF-certified food thermometer to make sure foods are cooked to the proper minimum internal temperature: Whole or ground poultry 165 degrees F Ground meats (other than poultry) 160 degrees F Fresh fin fish 145 degrees F Fresh whole (not ground) pork, beef, veal 145 degrees F with a three-minute rest time on the grill and before eating. Bringing two sets of utensils and dishes if grilling raw meat one for use with raw foods, the other for cooked foods. Having a plastic bag handy to store dirty utensils or dishes that have touched raw meats to prevent spreading germs in a cooler or car after the pre-game meal. not be left out for more than two hours (or one hour on days over 90 degrees F) to avoid bacterial growth. Keep perishable foods in coolers to help keep them at safe temperatures, and dont take them out until right before its time to eat.
6. Create a neutral zone.
4. Prepare for kickoff.
2. Put marinade on the sidelines.
When preparing for the big day, keep marinade in bounds. If marinade is needed for basting, do not use marinade that has come into contact with raw meat. Instead, set aside a small amount of prepared marinade in a separate dish and bring it to the game.
3. Play defense.
1. Avoid false starts.
Bringing a meat thermometer to the game will help you avoid
Take defensive measures to protect you and your family against germs by: Bringing wet wipes and hand sanitizer to the game. Make sure to sanitize hands frequently, especially after putting raw meat
Cooking outside makes it challenging to avoid crosscontamination. Prepare for the big day by packing three coolers: one for raw meats, another with pre-made foods (e.g. potato salad, vegetables) and a third for beverages. Pack the food at the bottom of the cooler and the ice on top to better insulate the food and keep it at a safe temperature of 40 degrees F. As partygoers often open coolers to get drinks, pack beverages in a separate cooler to avoid frequent opening of the coolers containing perishable foods.
5. Dont let your food go into overtime.

While its tempting to display a game day food spread, it should
Come prepared with trash bags and create a neutral area to dispose of garbage, empty cans or bottles and unwanted leftovers. Keep the tailgating area neat and avoid placing glass bottles on the ground where they could be tripped on or broken. When game time is over, throw out garbage when leaving the stadium if possible rather than leaving it in your car where bacteria can grow and spread to other surfaces in your car. Tailgating is a fun way to celebrate before watching your favorite team play, but can be ruined if you dont follow the rules of food safety, said Luptowski. These tips will keep food poisoning at bay, and help make the pre-game experience a safe and happy one.
Local News
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Wetlands
Continued From Page 1A
Walking down the trail and the scenic boardwalk next to the lake reveals a rich wildlife not usually seen in the citya variety of turtles live in the area as well as cranes, herrings, woodpeckers, foxes and an assortment of other creatures. In addition to the paved trail and boardwalk, there are several miles of dirt trails surrounding the preserve. Behind the lake on Cottonmouth Trailwhere Slaton and his cousin Rusty have seen plenty of snakes basking on a sunny daysits the remains of an old watering trough and a well. As one goes further into the woods, the ground is littered with old red bricks, some of which have grown into trees because they have been on the ground for so long. Recently, the Atlanta Audubon Society received a grant from Together Green, a conservation program led by Toyota and the Audubon Society. Friends of Constitution Lakes, the small group consisting of Carter, Slaton and several others, also participated in a Corporate Green Day Challenge with companies Accenture and Turner Broadcasting. They joined together and its the second year theyve done that and they wonthats how much of a difference they made, Carter said. Carter said volunteers from the program, residents of nearby neighborhoods and Audubon Society members spent an entire day cleaning up the preservepicking up trash and removing old tires from the marshes. It was a really great combination of different groups, which is how things get done, Carter said. Over the years Carter and Slaton have seen the area revitalized and nature flourish. However, now the preserves biggest problem is all-terrain vehicle riders who have been mucking up the scenic trails. Although theyve never been caught, Slaton believes it is probably residents that have been coming to the area for years who dont care that the area is now a nature preserve. Weve tried everything, even laying big logs across the trail but they just use a chain saw to cut right through them, Slanton said. Carter said the next big event to take place at the preserve will be led by Dave Butler, an Atlanta Audubon Society board member and green space manager for DeKalb County. Butler will be taking a group of DeKalb County employees on a bird walk Sept. 23. The preserve, located at 1305 South River Industrial Blvd., is open each day from 7 a.m. to sunset.
The Dolls Head trail, a quarter-mile trail leading around one of the marshes at the Constitution Lakes preserve offers glimpses of wildlife like the two herons pictured below. The trail is also decorated with materials found throughout the woods and next to the trail. Photos by Daniel Beauregard
Education
Page 16A
Members of the journalism program at Decatur High School (DHS) geared up for a team-building exercise at a ropes course recently. Carpe Diem, the 56-page student magazine DHS publishes five times a year, recently won several national awards. Photo provided
Decatur High journalism program wins national awards

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com Decatur High School (DHS) journalism students recently won two awards in recognition of what journalism teacher Jon Reese called top notch journalistic practices. Five times a year, Decatur High School publishes Carpe Diem, a 56-page, color newsmagazine, which consists of in-depth feature and news stories as well as photographs. Additionally, DHS students collaborate on the website www.3ten.org, a convergence effort by the newsmagazine staff, the broadcast crew and the yearbook staff. On the website, staff provide web-exclusive stories, photos and video. The National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), based at the University of Minnesota, recently awarded Carpe Diem the rating of All-American with marks of distinction in concept, content, writing and editing, and photography and graphics. This award is given to places with a certain mark of distinction to make it really exemplary, Reese said. Its not only based on a good numeric rating, it goes above and beyond that. It tells the kids theyre doing good work even if the response at the school level is kind of jaded. Additionally, in April the staff was awarded the Newsmagazine General Excellence award from the Georgia Scholastic Press Association (GSPA) at the University of Georgia. Theyre both really long and thorough critiques, Reese said of the NSPA and GSPA awards. What I appreciate about both of these statuses is that it deals with the finances and the relationship with the administration, not only good writing. Reese said the awards mean that the magazine and the other news outlets at DHS are functioning independently and are self-sustaining through advertising sales. Reese said last year, Carpe Diem demonstrated its independence from the DHS administration when it published an in-depth piece on drinking. They didnt censor the magazine, Reese said. Instead, the principal sent a note to parents telling them to be aware that there was a sensitive story in that issue, which was a great way to deal with it. Quill and Scroll, a scholastic journalism organization based at the University of Iowa, recently honored the staff with the George H. Gallup Award. The critique highlighted the strong representation of people and their lives. Outstanding concept of seeing a story and then presenting it. Reese, who has been teaching journalism at the high school for 20 years, said journalism has changed and his goal is to get each of his students to become comfortable with all aspects of it, including shooting digital photos and video, writing and posting updates to the web. Sam McLemore, 17, is in his third year with the journalism program at DHS and he said he now does a little bit of everything. When McLemore first started he mainly wrote, then became an editor in following years. It was pretty interesting for me personally because when I first applied for the class I didnt get in, McLemore said. McLemore, who now helps run the editorial board meetings and has a wide range of responsibilities, said he had to wait for two people to move before getting into the journalism class. I put a lot of hard work into the program and eventually I ended up being the third-year editor and we won a bunch of awards, McLemore said. Over the three years McLemore has been involved with Carpe Diem and www.3ten.org, he said he has seen the staff grow in size and also talent. This year, McLemore said the staff is more focused than it has ever been. Were just trying to improve our magazines and whats cool is we get a whole bunch of feedback and critiques; we just get better and better, McLemore said of the recent awards. McLemore plans to go to Georgia Tech, Auburn or the University of Arkansas and study engineering. However, he said he still plans to write and hell never forget his experiences with the DHS journalism program. It has broadened my perspective, McLemore said. Ive spoken to people I never dreamed of speaking to since Ive been here. Theres something about having a whole bunch of people in school or the community read what you write, it changes how you feel about the whole writing thing. A lot of English teachers can make writing boring but when other people read your work its pretty awesome, its more rewarding, McLemore said.
Education
Page 17A
GPC study abroad program life-changing for some

by John Hewitt JohnH@dekalbchamp.com Students and faculty from Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) recently completed a two-week study abroad program in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The program was part of a summer workshop series held at Mt. Zion United Church and hosted by DeKalb-based charity organization Unconditional Love for Children Inc. Publishers of The Champion, Dr. Earl and Carolyn Glenn, are the founders of Unconditional Love for Children and for the past two years have focused their philanthropic efforts on the Mt. Zion community and more specifically on the church school. The community of Mt. Zion is a remote location in the mountains surrounding Montego Bay, accessible by a single-lane dirt road and with little infrastructure. The church and school are the center of community life for many residents. Approximately 75 students from the Mt. Zion community were enrolled in the summer camp that offered instruction in music, arts, literacy and sports. Georgia Perimeter students Avery Ebron, Michaella Ashby (Dalton State transient student), Krista Walker, Charmaine Gardner, Ben Benson, Isaac Rogers, Timothy Watts, Kia Smith Salmon, Micheaux White and Ulysses Burnette were among the students participating. The study abroad program was coordinated by GPC staff members Vicky Carew, Tracey Knight, Dr. Nicolette Rose and Dr. Rhonda Wilkins. Volunteer staff members included Dr. Betty Palmer, John Howard, Steen Miles, Richard Howard, John Hewitt, Christian Wilkins and Seri Carew. Also participating and helping to prepare lunch daily for the 100-plus students and volunteers was Bradford Davis III, GPC food services employee and graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts. Thelearning trip to Jamaica was everything we expected and more, Rose said. From the service learning aspect of this trip, I was most struck with our students willingness to serve. Service learning is an instructional approach which incorporates teaching, learning and reflection. As a teaching method, it falls under the philosophy of experimental learning. The goal is to find ways to integrate meaningful community service with the instructional process, thus, creating projects that will hereby enrich the learning experience, foster personal responsibility, and overall, enhance a community. For this project, these objectives were met and exceeded. The trip allowed our students to combine academic coursework with an overseas experience, which made their education even more globally relevant, Rose continued. GPC students assisted in teaching the students of Mt. Zion, who ranged in age from 6 to 15 years old. In addition to assisting the primary instructors, some GPC students also conducted classroom instruction independently. After spending the mornings at Mt. Zion, the students had daily classes held at their hotel that focused on Caribbean history, world literature and education. Based on comments from the participants, the students not only learned a great deal about Jamaica but about themselves as well. Ebron commented, My view on the world has changed; I now view it as my community that I both love and have a strong responsibility to better.It awakened many things inside of me. Ashby said, I could not have ever imagined that my life would be impacted like this. I have never seen any kids be so humble. I have never experienced anything as amazing as the trips to the school. The primary focus of the trip was to help the students of Mt. Zion Primary School to improve academically and become wellrounded through creative arts, but the effect went deeper than the intention, Walker said. I became fully aware that each child is an individual, has a personal story, and unique personality and a future dream. Gardner said of her first impression of Jamaica, I was mesmerized. Taking in
Krista Walker and Dr. Nicolette Rose at closing ceremony.
Isaac Rogers with students of Mt. Zion Primary School.
From left, Study Abroad participants Michaella Ashby, Isaac Rogers, Krista Walker, Christian Wilkins, Avery Ebron, Micheaux White and Kia Smith Salmon. Not pictured: Timothy Watts, Ulysses Burnette and Ben Benson.
the islands vibe, my soul was still while my spirit danced. After the program had ended and Gardner had returned stateside, she commented, This discovery of self-growth and spiritual enrichment at Mt. Zion has marked a staple in my life
that I will pull from the rest of my days. Bonding with the kids was fortifying. Tracey Knight of the Georgia Perimeter College Foundation reflected on GPCs first study abroad program in a Caribbean nation saying, The Jamaica Study Abroad Program pro-
vided a unique opportunity for GPC students, faculty and staff to view life through a different set of lenses. It is quite ironic to me that while the GPC contingency went to Jamaica to teach and serve, we left with an experience that has altered us for a life time.
Business
Page 18A
Stone Mountain Walmart expected to open August 2013

Construction is under way for the new Walmart in Stone Mountain. The 148,000-square-foot store is being built on a site near the corner of Memorial Drive and Hairston Road where a Subaru dealership once sat. Workers began construction and demolishing the car dealership on Aug. 23. Walmart spokesman Bill Wertz said the new store is expected to open in August 2013 if there arent any major weather delays. Were excited about the new project and what it brings to the community, Wertz said. It will bring jobs, economic growth and tax revenue. This is the second time in four years a Walmart is replacing a vacant commercial building in DeKalb. The Decatur Walmart, also on Memorial Drive, opened in March 2008 at the site of the old Avondale Mall. The new Walmart is expected to employ 250 full-time and part-time associates and generate an estimated $4.9 million in sales taxes. It will have a grocery department, pharmacy and garden center. The store will not feature a gas station or tire/lube center. Wertz said hiring will begin around the first of the year. With every new Walmart, we open a hiring center six months before the store opens, he said. We hire all the time and take applications. We encourage everyone to apply. Although Walmart is a store for every demographic, Wertz said they do stock merchandise that will appeal to the area. We will have local produce and Georgia-made products, he said. But its a store for every demographic. We dont target one demographic or income level. This will be the sixth Walmart built in DeKalb County. Other than a Walmart being planned for Suburban Plaza in Decatur, Wertz said there currently arent any plans for future stores in the county. Were always looking for additional opportunities, he said. Were always improving our current stores as wellimproving parking lots, adding sidewalks, et cetera.
Demolition is underway near the corner of Hairston Road and Memorial Drive at the site of DeKalb Countys next Walmart. The department store is expected to open in August 2013.
The second Walmart to come to Memorial Drive is one of two in the works in DeKalb County. Another Walmart being planned is the much-protested one at Suburban Plaza in Decatur. Photos provided
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AROUND DEKALB
CHAMBLEE
Public invited to share Hispanic heritage stories In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Chamblee Library is hosting StoryCorps Celebrating the Hispanic Culture, during which the library is inviting community members to share stories and memories for its Tuesday, Sept. 18, recording sessions. Stories and memories may be on any topic. Each conversation is recorded by StoryCorps and preserved at the American Folklife Center at the U.S. Library of Congress. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, and millions listen to its broadcasts on public radio. The event is 1 - 7 p.m. Those wishing to participate can call (404) 370-8450, ext. 2257, to reserve a time slot and should come with a friend or loved one to be an interview partner. The entire process will take about an hour. The Chamblee Library is located at 4115 Clairmont Road, Chamblee. visitors the opportunity to learn about the Quaker way, which the organization describes as simple, radical and contemporary. All sessions are on Sunday afternoon. The topic for the first session on Sept. 23 is Quakers and Peace. Each gathering will involve several Quakers sharing their experiences on the days theme. It will also include discussion and 30 minutes of Quaker worship. We look forward to sharing our faith tradition with the Atlanta community, explained long-time member Bert Skellie. We offer this series with open doors and open hearts. Refreshments will be served at 1 p.m. followed by the program from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The location is the Friends Meetinghouse at 701 W. Howard Ave. in Decatur. Children are welcome; childcare will be offered. The Atlanta Friends Meeting has worship services every Sunday at 10 a.m. In meeting for worship, members reflect in silence unless someone feels spiritually moved to offer a message aloud. The public is invited to join in this experience as well. For more information about the Atlanta Friends Meeting or the program series, call (404) 377-2474 or visit http://atlanta. quaker.org. DeKalb County to host job fair The DeKalb County Workforce Development Department will hold its Seventh annual Workforce Development Day job fair Sept. 21, 10 a.m.2 p.m., at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. The event offers job seekers the opportunity to meet with representatives from various departments and companies, including One DeKalb Works contractors and private sector employers. DeKalb Workforce Developments previous job fair held in April drew more than 1,300 job seekers. As a result of the fair, 20 percent of those seeking gainful employment were hired and more than 65 percent have undergone some aspect of the interview process. Recruiting companies including Comcast, Sears, TJ Maxx, All (n)1 Security, Walmart, Life House Partners, Inc., Manpower, and DeKalb Countys public safety department have reported new hires in the areas of communication technicians, forklift operators, police officers, E911 dispatchers, security guards, sales associates, cashiers, marketing coordinators and facility directors with salaries ranging from $16,000 to $85,000 per year. The upcoming job fair will give job seekers the opportunity to meet with industry professionals who will critique resumes, provide interviewing and networking tips, and explain why personal branding and marketing is beneficial to a job search. Job seekers will also have the opportunity to visit the countys mobile career unit to apply for positions, construct a resume and meet with a workforce professional. Job seekers interested in participating in the job fair should register online at http:// conta.cc/NEPg1q. For more information, contact Brent Sharperson, business relations specialist, at (404) 687-2771 or bwsharperson@dekalbcountyga.gov. 5K run/walk to be held in Oakhurst Park Charity Benevolent Fund is having a 5K run/walk in Decaturs Oakhurst Park, on Saturday, Sept. 29, to benefit the underprivileged in metro Atlanta and middle Georgia. The event begins at 8 a.m. with the run; the walk begins at 9 a.m. Early registration, for which the fee is $20, ends Sept. 22 at midnight. Registration after that is $25. Online registration closes on Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. Free T-shirts will be given to those who register while supplies last. Oakhurst Park is located at 307 Feld Ave., Decatur. For information or to volunteer call (478) 986-4908 email cbf@ fundab.org. Book explores Atlanta baseball before the Braves As the major league baseball season nears its climax and the Braves battle for a playoff spot, the Decatur Library hosts author Tim Darnell on Monday, Sept. 24, to talk about the team that existed in Atlanta before the Braves got here: the Crackers. In his new book, The Crackers: Early Days of Atlanta Baseball, Darnell looks back across the years to show the emergence of post-Civil War baseball in the city and the rise of the Crackers, one of the most successful minor league teams in the 1940s and 50s. His stories are drawn from numerous interviews with former players and managers and a wealth of printed materials, and he also chronicles the life of the citys Negro League team, the Black Crackers. The library describes The Crackers: Early Days of Atlanta Baseball as a fun book with lots of entertaining stories, a lot of statistics for fans and even some quizzes. The event is at 7:15 p.m. The Decatur Library is located at 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur. For more information, call (404) 370-3070.
KIRKWOOD
Kirkwood to hold its sixth Wine Stroll The Kirkwood Business Association is holding its sixth annual Kirkwood Wine Stroll Friday, Sept. 28, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta. Ticketholders may visit shops, galleries and restaurants in Kirkwood. There will be 18 pouring stations participating in the stroll, giving participants the opportunity to sample wines from around the world. Each ticket includes a souvenir wine glass and program. Tickets, $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event, are available at www.kirkwoodbiz. com. Organizers recommend getting tickets in advance as they are likely to sell out in advance. Annual Walk of HEROes 5K Moves to Kirkwood The Brighter Tomorrows Foundation is gearing up for the sixth Annual Walk of HEROes 5K, a charity run/walk and tot trot benefiting the DeKalb Community Service Board (CSB). This community awareness event and fundraiser will be held Sept. 22 to support and assist DeKalb citizens receiving mental health, addiction and developmental disability services. This year, the event has moved from its former Decatur location to the DeKalb CSBs Kirkwood Center located in the historic Kirkwood community. We chose to move the 5K route to Kirkwood because we have a mental health center in the community. Kirkwood is a pretty neighborhood and offers a family-friendly atmosphere for this event, said Michelle
DECATUR
Church celebrates pastors anniversary The Tabernacle of Faith Christian Church located at 2999 Flat Shoals Road in Decatur will celebrate the Seventh annual pastoral anniversary of Pastor Frances Mills on Sept. 15 and 16. Guest preachers include Dr. William E. Flippen of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, in Atlanta, Sept. 15, 6 p.m.; Bishop Alfreda Young of Center of Hope Church, in Jonesboro, Sept. 16, 9:45 a.m.; and Pastor Richard Leaphart of New Hope Christian Ministries, in Stockbridge, Sept. 16, 3 p.m. On Sept. 15, there will be a banquet at the Doubletree Hotel, 4156 Lavista Road, with comedian St. Vick and Kenney The Maestro Lowe as featured guest artists. For more information and for tickets to the events, contact Deacon Valerie Cooper at (770) 981-8679. Public invited to Quaker Quest The Atlanta Friends Meeting (Quaker) in Decatur is inviting the public to a series of programs, collectively called Quaker Quest, this fall to give
Potter, the DeKalb CSB community relations manager. The event will include refreshments from Jasons Deli, a warm up from Michelle Barnard, massages, drawing prizes, awards for overall and age group winners, and DJ music by 2unes. The agency is recruiting team captains, sponsors, and vendors for the event. Teams consist of various groups such as friends, family, coworkers, advocates, neighborhood associations, civic clubs or religious organizations. Vendors can rent a booth for $50. Registration is open on www.active.com for credit and debit card payment as well as a paper form option for those who prefer to pay by cash or check. Pre-registration is $20 for the general public and $15 for anyone receiving treatment services from DeKalb CSB or any other organization. On the day of the race, the fee increases by $5. Kids can participate in the tot trot for a $7 fee. The 5K start time is 9 a.m. followed by the tot trot at 10 am. Drawing prizes such as event tickets gift cards, medals and ribbons will be given at the end of the race. For more information, visit www.walkofheroes5k.com or contact Michelle Potter at (404) 508-7875 or info@dekcsb.org.
LITHONIA
Lithonia church to hold senior care awareness event The Stephens Ministry of Ousley United Methodist Church in Lithonia will host a senior care awareness event Sept. 15 beginning at 9 a.m. The event will feature speakers from the community covering topics including protecting families during difficult times, hospice care, mental health and adding value to ones life after age 50. Speakers include representatives from AARP, Levett Funeral Home and various mental health and hospice care advocates. Ousley United Methodist Church is located at 3261 Panola Road, Lithonia. For more information call (770) 981-0180 or visit www. ousleyumc.org.
Sports
Page 21A
MLKs Jaquise Williams runs past a SW DeKalb defender. Photos by Travis Hudgons
Jeremy Tyler (15) drags Justin Mincy into the end zone for a touchdown.
MLK Lions shut out Southwest DeKalb Panthers in rival game

he Martin Luther King Lions earned bragging rights Sept. 8 after defeating neighborhood rival Southwest DeKalb
Panthers. The No. 4 Lions shut out the Panthers 18-0 in front of a packed Hallford Stadium. M.L. King head coach Rober Freeman said beating their rivals and the Panthers legendary coach Buck Godfrey was a great feeling. The guys were looking forward to this game, he said. We got guys on both teams that know each other from park ball growing up. It was a great atmosphere and a great clean, tough game. The Lions dominated the Panthers on both offense and defense. M.L. King held Southwest DeKalbs offense to only 125 total yards. Running back Malik Wright had 18 carries for 51 yards. The Panthers running backs had a total of 31 carries for 57 yards. Quarterback Marquez Gilmore only completed 2 of 9 passes for 45 yards. Godfrey said his players never got in sync. We got beat on both lines of scrimmage, he said. Godfrey also said the Panthers had some players out from injuries. We had some injuries last week that we never recovered from, he said. Im not making excuses. Martin Luther King did a good job. They did what they had to do when they had to do it. The Lions first score came on a field goal in the first quarter. The defense also added points to the scoreboard when Kavion Williams blocked a Panthers punt. Southwest punter Yaovi Baraba tried to pick up the ball and run with it,
SW DeKalbs Robert Brice cant escape the defensive pressure from Wesley Green (20) and Arden Key (on ground).
but the M.L. King defense was too quick and tackled him in the end zone for a safety, which increased the Lions lead to 5-0. M.L. King quarterback Monquavious Johnson had a better game Sept. 8 than he had the week before. Johnson completed 16 of 23 passes for 206 yards, throwing for one touchdown to wide receiver Demarquis Polite, which brought the score to 12-0 in the second quarter. Freeman said Johnson had to get those first game jitters out. Our quarterback settled down and he saw the field a little better this week, Freeman said. Hes got
the potential anyway. He can play. The Panthers had opportunities to get points on the board but two missed field goals kept Southwest DeKalb scoreless. The Lions final score came in the third quarter when backup quarterback Jeremy Tyler got past defenders and ran his way into the end zone. Tyler took over for Johnson for a couple of plays after Johnson started cramping in his leg. Godfrey is hoping that his team will get some players that were injured back in time for Fridays game. The game had a scary moment when Southwest DeKalb wide receiver Markell Mcrae was taken
by ambulance to the hospital. After the game, Godfrey said he didnt know the extent of Mcraes injury but said he had blood coming out of his mouth when he came to the sidelines after a play. On Tuesday, Godfrey said Mcrae suffered bruised ribs after a hard hit to the stomach. He also had a cut lip, which cause the bleeding from his mouth. He was released Sept. 9 morning from the hospital. Southwest DeKalb (1-1) will face Lakeside High School on Sept. 14 at Panthersville Stadium at 7:30 p.m. and M.L. King (2-0) will face Atlantas Mays High School at Hallford Stadium at 8 p.m.
Sports
Page 22A
Mays too much for Miller Grove

Miller Groves defense couldnt keep up with Mays High Schools fast-paced offense, which resulted in a 34-7 loss for the Wolverines. The Sept. 7 loss is Miller Groves first of the season. The Wolverines started the game on a high note with a 60-plus yard return on the opening kickoff. A few plays later, quarterback Ken Allen got into the end zone on a quarterback sneak, giving the Wolverines its only score and lead of the game. But Mays came storming back and scored 34 unanswered points and Miller Grove couldnt find a way to stop them. Miller Groves defense had a hard time stopping Mays screen plays and run game. Head coach Damien Wimes said the defense, which has a few young players, was not ready to recognize screens. We knew they were going to run some screens from looking at tapes, he said. We just didnt execute. The Wolverines offensive line also had trouble protecting the quarterback. Mays defense constantly got after Allen, sacking and hitting him multiple times. Allen, who was playing on a bad ankle, re-injured the ankle after being sacked before halftime but was able to continue playing. We had a hard time with some of the blitzes they were doing, Wimes said. It just comes down to we just didnt block well. We did a bad job with the blitz combinations they were putting together and they were confusing the kids a lot. Wimes said the team will have to make some mental adjustments to prepare for the game against North Atlanta High School. Were a very spiritual team, he said. Were just going to keep God first and just keep working hard. Miller Grove will face North Atlanta (0-2) at Avondale Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 15.
Two Mays defenders sack Miller Grove quarterback Ken Allen as he tries to throw a pass.
Ranked DeKalb teams hosting region foes this weekend

by Mark Brock Tucker, Martin Luther King Jr. and Stephenson hold three of the top five spots in the Class AAAAA high school football rankings and each will host region foes during weekend action. The No. 2 ranked Tucker Tigers (2-0) meet Arabia Mountain (1-1) for the first time ever as they look to extend their winning streak to 18 games on Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. at Adams Stadium. The Tigers opened Region 6-AAAAA play with a 40-0 shutout of North Atlanta. Arabia Mountain fell 28-18 to No. 5 ranked Stephenson (1-0) in the region opener for both teams. The No. 4 ranked M.L. King Lions (2-0) has opened the season with consecutive shutouts, including 18-0 over Southwest DeKalb Sept. 8. Mays (1-1) invades Hallford Stadium at 8 p.m. on Sept. 14 to take on the Lions following a 17-7 win over Miller Grove in a region opener. The No. 5 ranked Jaguars of Stephenson fell victim to Hurricane Isaac in Week 2 as Pensacola Pine Forest (Fla.) had to pull out of the game at North Gwinnett due to school closings in Florida. The Jaguars got their first game under their belts with a 28-18 win over Arabia Mountain last Friday. Stephenson hosts Dunwoody (0-2), a 28-14 loser to Lakeside Sept. 7, in a 7:30 p.m. game at Hallford on Sept. 15.
Arabia Mountain, right, fell 28-18 to No. 5 ranked Stephenson. Photo by Travis Hudgons
Week 4 Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 13 Friday, Sept. 14
Greater Atlanta Christian (3-0) vs. Chamblee (2-0), Adams, 7 p.m. (moved from Friday at North DeKalb) Towers (0-2) vs. Clarkston (0-2), Hallford, 5:15 p.m. Hebron Christian (0-1) vs. Cross Keys (0-2), Adams, 5:15 p.m. McNair (1-1) vs. Douglass (0-2), Lakewood, 5:30 p.m. Wesleyan (1-1) vs. Stone Mountain (1-1), Avondale, 7:30 p.m. Lakeside (1-1) vs. SW DeKalb (1-1), Panthersville, 7:30 p.m. Columbia (2-0) at Stockbridge (1-1), 7:30 p.m. Mays (1-1) vs. M.L. King (2-0), Hallford, 8:00 p.m. Arabia Mountain (1-1) vs. Tucker (2-0), Adams, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 15
Redan (1-1) vs. Cedar Grove (1-2), Panthersville, 7:30 p.m. Therrell (0-2) vs. Druid Hills (1-1), Adams, 7:30 p.m. Dunwoody (0-2) vs. Stephenson (1-0), Hallford, 7:30 p.m. North Atlanta (0-2) vs. Miller Grove (1-1), Avondale, 7:30 p.m. Open: Lithonia (0-3)
Sports
Page 23A
DeKalb County football alums shine over the weekend

ence Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week for his play in helping Ole Miss to a 28-10 Stephen Hill and A.J. win over Texas-El Paso on Hawkins were big conSept. 9 in Oxford, Miss. tributors to victories by their The right guard was part teams during week two footof an Ole Miss offensive line ball action. Hill, a 2009 Miller Grove that racked up 538 yards of total offense, including 330 grad, earned a starting role as wide receiver for the New on the ground, against the York Jets in his rookie season Miners. It was the first time Ole Miss had rushed for and the second round pick more than 300 yards since out of Georgia Tech paid a 435-yard performance dividends quickly. against Fresno State in 2010. The 6-4, 215 pound reThe Lithonia native made ceiver had five receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns his 18th career start and second at right guard after playin the Jets 48-28 win over ing center and left guard his the Buffalo Bills on Sept. first three seasons. 9. His first touchdown went He has helped Ole Miss for 33 yards on a pass from lead the SEC in total ofMark Sanchez to give the fense and rushing offense Jets a 14-0 lead on the first and eclipse 500 total yards in play of the second quarter. The pair connected again back-to-back games for the with 9:38 to play in the third first time since 2009. Hawkins earns an SEC quarter on a 17-yard pass weekly award for the first play to put the Jets up 41-7. time in his career and is the Hawkins, a 2008 Martin second Rebel to be honored Luther King Jr. grad, was named Southeastern Confer- this year. by Mark Brock
Stephen Hill
Page 24A
PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS
Photos by Travis Hudgons
Above left, Justin Holman (10) gets his pass off just before being tackled by Kwame Bowens. While Evan Jones, above right, finds a running lane. Above far right, Michael Holloway prepares to introduce his stiff arm to Khalil Ladler. And Demetro Stephens, right, isnt going to allow his missing helmet prevent him from making the tackle.

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Urban sanctuary

South DeKalb boasts beautiful wetlands preserve in unlikely place

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The outdoor pool is a popular spot at the new YMCA.

County-YMCA partnership brings first-class facility to Stone Mountain community

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Wade Walker Park Family YMCA serves a previously underserved area.

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This football season, tailgate without food poisoning worries

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