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Amateur archaeologists look for history

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com

HYIS SHE HAPPY ?

ing for things. You kind of constructed before the Civil make progress and you find War. Black said it was oclittle bits. While it may not cupied from the early 1800s mateur archaeolo- be anything monumental, its through the 1950s and maybe gists had a chance still gratifying. through the 1980s. Originally to dig up some Rachel Black, a deputy built on a land grant of aphistory Oct. 20-21 state archaeologist, said the proximately 100 acres, the at a pre-Civil War farm in purpose of the project is to property was owned by the DeKalb County. do public outreach and to Lyon family which acquired Ive always been fasci- get the public involved and more land and at the height nated with archaeology, old to help teach people what it of use of the farm, it was things, history and I kind is that archaeologists do and close to 400 acres, Black Amateur archaeologists joined professional ones in a dig at of wanted to be an archaegive them a chance to get said. the pre-Civil War Lyon farmhouse near Lithonia as part of an ologist and I didnt make it some hands-on experience. outreach program by the states Historic Preservation Division. See Archaeologists on Page 15A so Im doing the amateur The original house wasArchaeologists are trying to determine the purpose of an outbuilding near the farmhouse. Photos by Andrew Cauthen thing, said Becky Baldwin of Decatur a volunteer from among four groups that participated in a public archaeology project at the Lyon Farm near Lithonia. Archaeologists with the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources partnered with the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance Inc. to hold the public digs. During the public dig, Baldwin said she learned that theres a lot more to it than one might think. For people who think theyre always going to find something really coola button or a coin or something like thatyou have to go through a lot of work and documentation along the way before you can get to that point where you have something exciting, Baldwin said. She said it was interesting to watch the process of marking off the areas to be dug, drawing maps and documenting everything. Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. Its interesting, but I Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champion. And you can too! Follow us. love screening the best, Baldwin said. Its kind of like a little hunt. I like lookwww.facebook.com/championnewspaper

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Local News

Page 2A

AutumnFest, the Avondale Arts Alliances annual arts and music festival, featured artists, bands and a mobile reptile zoo during the Oct. 20-21 event. Photos by David Dicristina

DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis reminds you of the Best Practices for Proper Disposal of

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. 2. 3.

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. 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. WIPE excess grease from all plates, pots, pans, utensils, and surfaces with a paper towel before washing. Throw the greasy paper towel 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.

Page 4A

Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway

John Evans were present. Lance Hammonds, vice president of the DeKalb NAACP and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. spearheaded the event. The newly named parkway runs in front of the school named in Dr. Kings honor. MLK principal Vivian Terry welcomed the guests, who ranged from students and parents to school officials and current and former elected officials. Rev. Dexter Roland, pastor of Little Piney Grove Church that sits on the newly designated parkway, brought words of inspiration after MLK student Alexis Breed thrilled us with a spine-tingling rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, which is often a challenge for seasoned professionals who sometimes forget lyrics and miss notes. Not this young lady. Speaker after speaker praised her remarkable talent, including Dr. Atkinson and Congressman Johnson who aimed his remarks to the students giving them a lengthy sermon on the mount challenging them to live up to the academic excellence and non-violent creed of their schools namesake and of the new parkway designation. The idea to rename Snapfinger Road came initially from Freddie West, a member of the Decatur chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and who as young man helped desegregate lunch counters and was on hand for the 1963 March on Washington. He took the idea to Lance Hammonds who ran with it to John Evans at the NAACP who passed the baton to state Senator Ronald Ramsey. Senator Ramsey sponsored Senate Resolution (SR) 667 which was co-sponsored by Senators Emanuel Jones, Steve Henson and Gloria Butler of DeKalb. Following the reading of a number of whereases from SR 667 by Senators Ramsey and Jones, the MLK band, led by Travis Kimber, struck up a jazzed up rendition of We Shall Overcome. MLK student Alexis McDonald then unveiled the new parkway sign. Five questions were asked of the dignitaries by the freshman government students under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Smith, also a member of the state Martin Luther King Advisory Committee. The 200 or so attendees then made the trek up the hill on the MLK campus to unveil the sign on the former Snapfinger Road to the new Martin Luther King Parkway. Thats not the end of the story. Work has begun to involve the community in maintaining the parkway with the creation of a citizens advisory council. And, school board member Cunningham drew loud cheers when he announced work would begin immediately on new classrooms at MLK to rid the school of the dozen or so trailers the students and faculty have had to put up with. What a positive step in a new directionnew classrooms and a new parkway. There were smiles all around. A pleasant interlude in the breakneck and hectic pace we often keep. SR 667: So be it resolved, that the entire length of Snapfinger Road in DeKalb County from its intersection with Wesley Chapel Road to the Henry County line is dedicated as the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Sounds good. Sounds real good. DeKalb now joins hundreds of cities with roads and highways named after one of Georgias most prominent native sons. Steen Miles, The Newslady, is a retired journalist and former Georgia state senator. Contact Steen Miles at Steen@dekalbchamp.com.

Opinion The Newslady

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26 , 2012

Question: What do a Greek fraternity, a civil rights organization, the DeKalb School system and the state legislature have in common? Answer: The Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in DeKalb County, the first street named for the human rights icon in our east of Atlanta community. A formal dedication ceremony was held Oct. 18 to commemorate the renaming of Snapfinger Road to MLK Jr. Parkway from the intersection of Wesley Chapel Road all the way to the Henry County line. It was an impressive gathering and a fun, upbeat time. Congressman Hank Johnson, DeKalb Commissioners Larry Johnson and Lee May, School Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson, school board member Jay Cunningham, State Senators Emanuel Jones and Ronald Ramsey and NAACP President

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Get schooled but not fooled

adult education, recruiting nontraditional students back to school, to job train, relearn or to select a new career path. This schooling and retooling has particularly surged among for-profit colleges, universities and professional certification programs. Profit motive is not a bad thing, and should not be excluded from the world of education; however, my concern is the explosion of for-profit institutions coinciding with the massive expansion of access and tax dollars available for student loan funding, with the federal government having become the lender of first resort. College loans and grants to private for-profit institutions during 2011 totaled $32 billion. That is nearly twice the 2011 budget of the entire state of Georgias government. Simultaneously, aggregate college debt owed by students now exceeds $1 trillion, and for the first time has surpassed aggregate credit card debt. There is one major legal difference though, credit card debt can be shed through bankruptcy and credit lending negotiation, while college loan debt, like the Internal Revenue Service, will follow you to the gates of heaven or hell. The average college student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, not an insurmountable sum if the graduate quickly becomes employed. However, half of all college graduates now find a job market not offering college graduate level jobs. One of the largest of the players in this space is the University of Phoenix, founded in 1976, with at least one location in 30 states and peak enrollment exceeding 400,000 students. This month the University of Phoenix announced it will shutter 115 of its smaller locations, a move that will directly impact about 13,000 of their students. Their current enrollment is 328,000 students across the country. I am concerned about the quality and caliber of these education offerings, which included marketing phrases such as test passage guaranteed and classes at your pace. Flexibility is a good thing, and helps to explain surging enrollment at mallbased institutions, including Herzing University (Lennox Mall), National University (Town Center at Cobb), Central Michigan University Global Campus (four Georgia locations) and Sanford Brown College (adjacent to Perimeter Mall) just to name a few. And there are certainly for-profit success stories, such as the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), which has revitalized downtown Savannah and is rapidly expanding in Midtown Atlanta. SCAD graduates also find an unprecedented placement program, with the college involved heavily in securing jobs for more than 2/3 of its program graduates. However, the bulk of these newer schools appear more focused on initial enrollment, and much less on graduation rates and/or placement. Applicants should carefully review accreditation, graduation rates and job placement programs before signing loan applications. Returning recently on MARTA from Hartsfield Airport, I found five ads for these institutions in one rail car, including offers of a $25 gift card for monthly drawing from entries about your chosen career path. Small price to pay to build a recruitment data base and but a tiny fraction of one semesters tuition via a federally guaranteed loan. So back to the unemployed man and the potentially unemployed college student in those parks. You might say that the student is worse off if he is additionally burdened by thousands in debt for a worthless certificate or diploma without merit. We can argue on another day if everyone needs a college degree, but if we are all helping finance one, lets make sure its real. Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commentator for Channel 2s Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist for The Champion, Champion Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb native and business owner, living in Scottdale. You can reach him or comment on a column at billcrane@earthlink.net.

Opinion One Mans Opinion

Page 5A

Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage, with a college education.Mark Twain (1835-1910), American author and humorist. An adult male, gazing skyward mid-day on a park bench is likely to be counted among the unemployed or under-employed. A younger man, on another lawn, on a college campus lying over his book bag will be counted as a student. Our government, political cynicism aside, prefers counting students to counting the unemployed. Increasing the challenge for counting students starts when we try to tally their education outcomes. Our state and local government are required by constitution and charter to provide a free public education from kindergarten through high school. And while high school graduation rates are flat, and in some places dropping, many states such as Georgia have taken on the additional challenge and opportunity of pre-K education as well. However during this recession, a rapidly growing industry has become

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Publisher: Dr. Earl D. Glenn Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell News Editor: Andrew Cauthen Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt Graphic Designer: Travis Hudgons The Champion Free Press is published each Friday by ACE III Communications, Inc., 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 Phone (404) 373-7779.

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We sincerely appreciate the discussion surrounding this and any issue of interest to DeKalb County. The Champion was founded in 1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse for all community residents on all sides of an issue. We have no desire to make the news only to report news and opinions to effect a more educated citizenry that will ultimately move our community forward. We are happy to present ideas for discussion; however, we make every effort to avoid printing information submitted to us that is known to be false and/ or assumptions penned as fact.

Page 3A

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Apparently, suite crime does pay

The executives responsible for the financial industrys pervasive fraud are paying no personal price.
by Sam Pizzigati Columnist

Opinion

Page 6A

What should we, as a society, do with all those reckless financial industry execs who helped trigger the Great Recession and the tidal wave of foreclosures? Should we put these power suits behind bars? Or should we forgive and forget, and lavish down upon them hundreds of millions of dollars in new rewards? These questions now stand answered. The Equilar executive pay data firm recently reported that for just one year of their post-Wall Streetmeltdown labor, the five highestranking execs at 18 top U.S. financial firms, taken together, pocketed stock awards now worth nearly a half-billion dollars. Meanwhile, not one high-profile financial industry executive has yet seen the inside of a jail cell, despite massive instances of fraud at the firms theyve been leading. How widespread has this fraud been? The Securities and Exchange Commission, the federal watchdog over Wall Street, has so far collected $2.2 billion in penalties, disgorgement, and other monetary relief from cases related to the crisis, the New York Times reports. And that total doesnt count the $26 billion settlement with banks that the Justice Department announced last February over fraudulent foreclosure practices or any of the $536 million in credit card company refunds and penalties the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has won since July. Not a cent of these millions and billions has come directly out of the pockets of financial industry executives. Millions and billions have instead been pouring into the pockets of these execs. Consider credit card giant Capital One. This past summer, Capital One agreed to pay $210 million in refunds and fines after federal regulators caught bank staff misleading customers. Capital Ones top five execs could pay a good chunk of that $210 million from the pay they pocketed in the one year the new Equilar study has tracked. From mid 2008 to mid 2009,

these five Capital One execs received stock and stock option awards inititally worth $19.9 million. At that time, Capital One shares were selling at bargain-basement prices. Since then, the entire stock market has rebounded, Capital One shares included. Equilar puts the current value of those stock and options at $114 million. The five execs, says a flack for Capital One, deserve all that reward. They delivered solid results in 2009. Solid as smoke and mirrors. The five execs ran a company that bamboozled consumers. They parlayed a huge stock market rebound fueled by taxpayer-financed bank bailouts into immense personal windfalls. But lets not dwell on just Capital One. American Express recently agreed to pay $112.5 million in refunds and fines. The company, regulators found, has been charging illegal fees and reneging on discounts promised to consumers. At the stock market low point in 2009, notes Equilar, Amex generously stuffed the pockets of its top five execs with options then worth $7.6 million. The current value of these options: $91.4 million. Some of these execs, we now know, ran companies guilty of massive fraud. So why should we expect, asks consumer advocate Dennis Kelleher, anything but widespread fraud? If you are an executive, he notes, you know that the chances of getting caught are infinitely small, and the chances of getting caught and prosecuted are even smaller. On Wall Street and elsewhere in corporate America, crime clearly pays. Back in the Great Depression, curiously enough, we took a different attitude toward Wall Street crime. The nastiest of Americas super-rich wheeler-dealers actually went to jail. In 1938, for instance, prosecutors sent New York Stock Exchange president Richard Whitney upriver to Sing Sing. Six thousand people gathered at New Yorks Grand Central Station to watch armed guards shuffle Whitney onto the prison-bound train. We dont, of course, do prison trains anymore. But planes would do just fine. OtherWords columnist Sam Pizzigati edits Too Much, the Institute for Policy Studies weekly newsletter on excess and inequality and is the author of The Rich Dont Always Win, a book that Seven Stories Press will release in November. OtherWords.org

HunGER kEEps up DeKalb residents North centralOn considering creating own city cuRREnT EVEnTs, TOO.

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

Do we still have a U.S. District Attorney that is concerned about corruption in government? Wake up Sally Q. Yates for while good people sit idle by evil flourishes in DeKalb County! The Snoopy Dog posted this on 10/20/12 at 8:53 p.m. 1 in 6 AmERicAns sTRuGGlEs WiTH HunGER. Why not pressure the legislature to create an in between form of government; a village or township. It was proposed and didnt quite make it through a few years ago. The idea was promising. Jo posted this on 10/20/12 at 8:42 a.m.

HUNGER KEEPS UP ON CURRENT EVENTS, TOO.

TOGETHER WERE

1 IN 6 AMERICANS STRUGGLES WITH HUNGER

Hunger is closer than you think. Reach out to your local food bank for ways to do your part. Visit FeedingAmerica.org today.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Local News

Page 7A

Cop killer receives life sentence

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com A jury sentenced copkiller William Woodard Oct. 19 to spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering two DeKalb County police officers in 2008. Woodard admitted to shooting the officers but claimed he did it in selfdefense after the officers pulled him out of a car and began beating and shooting at him. He was later found guilty on all counts. Woodard received a sentence of life in prison without parole, a sentence he previously turned down as a plea agreement. He faced the death penalty. A jury convicted Woodard, 34, of shooting DeKalb County Police officers Eric Barker, 34, and Ricky Bryant Jr., 26, while they were working as off-duty security at Glenwood Gardens Apartments. The officers approached a vehicle in the apartment parking lot and not take the time to think about his own actions. Juanita Graves, Woodards aunt, broke down on the stand while testifying on his behalf. Graves was asking jurors to spare Woodards life when she broke into tears and began screaming. Graves testified prior to the outburst that she had a history of mental illness. Prosecutors then declined to cross-examine Graves due to her mental state and she was escorted out of the courtroom. Both Barker and Bryant were married with four children. DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James argued that Woodard, a three-time convicted felon, didnt want to go back to jail and thats why he killed the officers. During the trial, both sides presented evidence, including ballistics experts and eyewitness testimony, as well as 911 recordings made the night of the shooting.

Robby Astrove
said. On the Concrete Jungles website, there is a map that shows edible fruit trees growing on public land throughout metro Atlanta. I also knew enough about nonprot stuff to help build the organization and make it sustainable. Astrove also works with the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia (EEA). The EEA works to promote communication and enrichment in the eld of environmental education through partnerships, initiatives and access to knowledge and experiences. Its basically a statewide umbrella group that supports formal and non-formal educators working outdoors, Astrove said. Additionally, Astrove works with the Atlanta Local Food Initiative, a nonprot dedicated to building a local food system that enhances human health, promotes environmental renewal, fosters local economies and links rural and urban communities. When you consider that were dealing with things like high obesity rates and food deserts the whole thing makes so much sense, Astrove said. Astrove said he takes a lot of pride in the work he does and that its special because every time he plants a tree in the city, he knows its a part of him that will be around long after hes gone. When Im leading hikes and we hike to the top of Arabia Mountain and people open up, thats the moment to capitalize on as an environmental educator, Astrove said. Im the person to lead people up the mountain and its something I take great pride in.

Champion of the Week

Woodard

Woodard got out of the car and began shooting, according to court records. During an emotional sentencing portion of the trial, witnesses were called by prosecutors and the defense. Latoya Bryant testified on behalf of her husband and asked jurors to sentence Woodard to death. How do you explain to your child[ren] that their dad is never coming back? Latoya Bryant asked. Then you have to explain that the reason their dad is no longer here is because a man did

TheMayorandCityCounciloftheCityofChamblee,Georgiawillholdapublichearingon Thursday,November15,2012attheChambleeCivicCenter,3540BroadStreet,Chamblee,GA 30341at6:00p.m.toreceivepubliccommentsregardingthezoningtextamendmentfor IndustrialTransitionalzoningclassificationstandards.

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Robby Astrove, a park ranger for the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, grew up in south Florida where he spent most of his free time outside. In college I had a wonderful mentor who showed me how to marry science and research with really great teaching and eld instruction, Astrove said. Astrove is an environmental educator, naturalist and land steward. He holds a masters degree in environmental education and has more than 10 years experience as a teacher, scientist and ecologist. In addition to the time he spends as a park ranger, Astrove volunteers with several nonprots in the metro Atlanta area, including Georgia Organics, where he works as an instructor and speaks at Atlanta Public Schools meetings about the merits of having healthful foods in schools. Astrove also works with local nonprot Concrete Jungle, a group that picks fruit and donates it to homeless shelters and other nonprot food banks. To date, the group has donated nearly 10,000 pounds of fruit. I really helped them develop their map, Astrove

Return to: The Champion, P.O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347

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.

For additional information, call 404.373.7779 or visit us online at championnewspaper.com

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Local News

Page 8A

Congressman Hank Johnson, Georgia state senators, community leaders and Martin Luther King Jr. High School students celebrated the designation of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Photos by Carla Parker

Snapfinger Road now Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County now has a street named after the late civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elected officials, the DeKalb NAACP, members of the local DeKalb County chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, DeKalb County school district officials, as well as Martin Luther King Jr. High School students and faculty unveiled the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway sign at a designation ceremony Oct. 18 at the Coretta Scott King Auditorium at the high school. The process to change the name of the five-mile road, which starts at Wesley Chapel Road and ends at the Henry County line, began two years ago. Alpha Phi Alpha member and Lithonia resident Freddie West came up with the idea to change the name from Snapfringer Road to Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway. West, who participated in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, said he was inspired to do it prior to the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial on the National Mall last year. Snapfinger Road was selected primarily because [Martin Luther King Jr. High School] is on this street, he said. We kind of felt that it would be appropriate for the school to have a postal address that is Martin Luther King. At the commencement of the General Assembly in January 2011, West worked closely with Georgia State Senator Ronald Ramsey (D-43) to put forth a resolution that would rename Snapfinger Road or designate it. The signs that will designate this street to honor our native hero will not only speak volumes of gratitude, but it will serve as a constant reminder of our responsibility of humanity and to constantly strive for excellence, justice and honor, Ramsey said. Elected officials who were a part of the ceremony include Congressman Hank Johnson, state Senator Emanuel Jones (D-10), DeKalb County Commissioners Larry Johnson, Lee May and Stan Watson, DeKalb County school board member Jay Cunningham and Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson. DeKalb NAACP president John Evans also spoke at the ceremony. Atkinson said the school district was excited to be a part of the dedication. This dedication of this parkway is so significant in furthering the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she said. A parkway that leads to a place of learning, named after a role model for humanity. Lance Hammonds, first vice president of the DeKalb County NAACP, said the street will be more than just another street named after King. We need another area and rallying point to solve some of the issues in our community, he said. The next steps are to put together an advisory committee here in DeKalb County made of residents, elected officials and students. And the first project would be to get the whole five miles adopted by various groups to put together a project to keep it clean and enhance the parkway. The ceremony concluded with a march on school property led by the Martin Luther King Jr. High School marching band playing We Shall Overcome.

DeKalb toughens smoking ban

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com

thats smoke-free, I think this is a huge victory, said Elizabeth Ford, director It just got a little harder to of the countys Board of light up in DeKalb County. Health. The DeKalb County Smoking is now prohibitBoard of Commissioners ed in outdoor venues, parks, amended its ordinance to playgrounds, entrances and ban smoking in most public exits to buildings, outdoor places, outdoor recreational entertainment venues and public places, common areas outdoor service lines, such and places of employment. as the waiting line at an While we cant impact ATM. everybody, and that would Smoking is also prohibitobviously be our ultimate ed in any parking lot that has goal to have an entire county a no smoking sign posted.

The ordinance requires that no smoking signs be posted and ashtrays be removed anywhere smoking is prohibited by the ordinance. The ban is not in effect for parking lots of common areas, public places, place of employment or outdoor recreational public places owned, leased or operated by anyone other than DeKalb County as long as the smoking does not take place within 20 feet of an outside entrance, operable

window or ventilation system. For more on this story, visit http://www.championnewspaper.com/news or scan the QR code.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Local News

Page 9A

Scott Blvd Baptist Church

Surburban Plaza

Photo by Andrew Cauthen As the owners of Suburban Plaza near Decatur plan to bring a Walmart store to their shopping center, another developer is making plans to add a shopping center where Scott Blvd. Baptist Church currently sits.

Developers eye church property near Suburban Plaza

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com As Selig Enterprises, which owns Suburban Plaza, looks to bring a Walmart store to the Decatur shopping center, another developer is eyeing some property across the street. Fuqua Development, of Atlanta, has a conceptual plan for a 40,000-square-foot, mixeduse retail center at the convergence of Scott Boulevard and North Decatur Road in unincorporated Decatur. Currently, Scott Boulevard Baptist Church is on the site. Greg Smith, pastor of the 62-year-old church, said, The proposal for the development to be on our corner is totally separate from the proposal to sell our church property to a developer. I dont really know anything other than what was proposed and what is already out on the Internet and news venues. According to a property flier for proposed development, the project would include a bank, restaurants and retail shops, with an estimated completion in the spring of 2014. The flier described dynamic Decatur as one of Atlantas premier in-town residential districts. Fuqua Developments website states that the company develops non-prototypical shopping centers achieving new concepts in retail and mixed use projects. These concepts incorporate characteristics of live, work, play into communities and integrate urban lifestyles with the shopping center environments. The firm spends a lot of time and energy on creating individuality to each project based on the neighborhood and geographic region architecturally. The proposed shopping center would be across North Decatur Road from the 290,000-square-foot Suburban Plaza. Suburban Plazas owners have plans to increase the shopping center, built in 1959, to 324,614 square feet. That larger shopping center would include a 150,000-square-foot Walmart store which would have groceries, deli, a pharmacy and optical center. Although developers have not received the final approval to start the Suburban Plaza project, in an Oct. 15 letter to an attorney representing Selig, Gary Cornell, the countys interim planning director, stated that plans submitted with an application for a land disturbance permit were found to be in conformity with the DeKalb County Zoning Ordinance. The plans call for the construction of a commercial retail store with underground parking, according to the letter. Cornell added that the final plan must reduce the height of a proposed retaining wall along North Decatur Road to no higher than four feet. Louise Runyon, a member of Good Growth DeKalb (GGD), a community action group that was formed to oppose the proposed Walmart, said the GGD only recently learned about the proposed Decatur Crossing and is certainly concerned about it. Its more of the same, Runyon said. Its more bad news for the intersection. GGD members have protested at community and county zoning meeting and at the usually-busy intersection of Medlock Road, North Decatur Road and Scott Boulevard. GGD members say the proposed Walmart would bring too much traffic to area. The proposed Decatur Crossing, Runyon said, would further render the intersection very likely impassable. A daily average traffic count on Fuqua Developments flier states that 20,130 vehicles pass the property on North Decatur Road and 30,240 pass it on Scott Boulevard. Recently, the old Medlock Elementary School building was reopened to house the International Community School, a DeKalb County charter school. All of a sudden, theres even more traffic, Runyon said. ICS has a lot of car traffic; its not a neighborhood school with most students walking from the neighborhood to the school. Thats a positive reason for traffic, but its hard to get out of the neighborhood at 3 p.m., Runyon said. Runyon said residents in the area want a neighborhood that has positive things not how much money we can make in half an hour. We dont need a 40,000-square-foot center on top of the [Walmart] supercenter, Runyon said. Everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon and take advantage of the city of Decatur, she said. I think our area is seen as the big prize to capitalize on the city of Decatur. On Oct. 16, representatives of Atlanta Land Group, a real estate brokerage firm, met with the owners of homes on Barton way and Blackmon Drive near the proposed development, to determine whether the residents want to collectively put their property on the market to sell, said Robert Armstrong, of Atlanta Land Group. Armstrong said it was premature to discuss the possible purchase of any of the approximately 40 homes in the area. Were not sure what the collective consensus will be, Armstrong said. It was an exploratory meeting about a site thatmay lend itself for development. Jay Leslie, also of Atlanta Land Group, said, Were real estate brokers only. We identified that neighborhood as a suitable piece of property for redevelopment. Leslie said his firm was engaged by Scott Boulevard Baptist Church to help it create an exit plan and explore its options. Hopefully the residents of those houses will not sell, Runyon said.

PUBLICNOTICE
Theproposed2013GeneralFundandCapitalImprovementbudgetsfortheCityofPine LakewillbeavailableforpublicreviewatPineLakeCityHall,462ClubhouseDrive,PineLake, Georgiaduringregularbusinesshours,beginningNovember1,2012. TheMayorandCouncilfortheCityofPineLakewillconductaPublicHearingtosolicit citizen input on the proposed budgets during the City Council meeting scheduled for November 12, 2012, beginning at 7:30 PM. The Public Hearing will be held in the Courtroom/CouncilChamberslocatedat459PineDrive,PineLake,GA30072. Allinterestedcitizensareinvitedtoattendandbeheard.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Local News

Page 10A

Accrediting agency visits DCSD again

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com An accrediting agency visited the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) offices Oct. 17-19 to investigate allegations that the district and the board of education isnt serving in the best interest of its students. The visit is in response to a number of complaints AdvancED, the districts accrediting agency, received from teachers, members of the community and residents. DCSD spokesman Jeff Dickerson said the district is fully cooperating with AdvancED and they provided them with any information the agency needed. Jennifer Oliver, a spokeswoman for AdvancED, said officials from the agency interviewed staff members, board members and community members. Theyll now create a report and were expecting that to be finished before Thanksgiving, Oliver said. On Aug. 28, AdvancED president Mark Elgart sent a letter to the district addressing the agencys concerns. Weve seen a continued pattern of concern, Elgart said. Currently, DCSD has an on advisement status with AdvancED, which means the accreditation agency has given the district a list of concerns to address. Elgart said since the last AdvancED assessment, the district hasnt made adequate progress on addressing those concerns. AdvancED also listed other concerns such as undue influence by the board in the hiring of personnel, interference with budgeting procedures and accounting, releasing confidential information leaked from executive sessions and undermining the authority of school administrators and supervisors throughout the system. Elgart said the district isnt in danger of losing its accreditation at the moment. There is a potential that could change depending on the outcome of the investigation, Elgart said.

The Druganacht, taking place in East Atlantas Brownwood Park, is an adventure that takes visitors through different scenes of an enchanted forest. All the proceeds from the event go to benefit the East Atlanta Community Association. Photos by Daniel Beauregard

East Atlanta park turns into enchanted forest

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com Brownwood Park in East Atlanta has been transformed into an enchanted forest complete with a firebreathing dragon, a Russian witch named Baba Yaga and a host of other creatures that go bump in the night. Lori Van Voorhis is the chairwoman of the arts and culture committee for the East Atlanta Community Association (EACA) and she said all of the proceeds from the event go to EACA. Van Voorhis said last year she and her friends Lindsay Pierce and Mara Chanin based the event on a Snow White story but this year they wanted to do something a little spookier. Weve been obsessing about the Baba Yaga, which is a Russian witch, Van Voorhis said. We wanted to do something a little bit later in the fall, closer to Halloween. This years event is called Druganacht. Upon entering the enchanted forest, visitors are greeted by a 12-foot tall, fire-breathing dragon and the Vauxhall Garden Variety Players, a gypsy-band that plays accompanying music throughout the evening. That has been our best advertisement, Van Voorhis said of the dragon, made by metal sculptor Ryan Mathern. It shoots fire at night on Thursdays and early on Saturdays. For the late show it cooks fire in its belly. As the walk begins, visitors are greeted by three dancers who each play the role of Vasilisa, a girl who is sent through the forest on an adventure to get fire from the evil witch Baba Yaga. The three dancers lead attendees through the forest, which is filled with spooky scenes from the fairy tale. Many of the aerialists and dancers perform at the beginning of the journey. As the crowd follows the three Vasilisas into the back of the forest, the walk gets more intimate and many of the scenes are installations created by local artists. Large skeletal ghouls line the trail in the back of the forest, each one corresponding to one of the seven deadly sins. The cast of characters consists of approximately 30 peoplesome are fairies, elves, ravens, gypsies, spiders, aerialistsand they all either help, or hinder, the dancers during their journey through the forest. Pierce, who plays one of the dancers, is a choreographer and educator currently living in Chattanooga, Tenn. We started this project when I still lived in East Atlanta and then I moved to Chattanooga but I wasnt ready to let go of the project, Pierce said. We had actors and friends with interesting voices record little monologues that are basically the story of how these ghouls died and as you walk through you hear these voices, Pierce said. Van Voorhis said the response this year has been exponentially bigger than last years event, which raised approximately $1,200 for EACA. The remaining shows run Thursdays and Saturdays until Nov. 3. On Saturdays the cast performs two shows, one for children and one for adults. We wanted to give the audience members a chance to come without having to worry about their kids, Van Voorhis said. We also wanted to give the cast a chance to be a little more evil. Tickets can be purchased online or at the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market each Thursday. For more information, visit www.druganacht.wordpress.com.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Angel Garden provides closure after babies death

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan, Reagan said. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isnt a word to describe them. To help DeKalb County families who have lost children in a pregnancy or shortly thereafter, a group of volunteers hold a special Angel Garden ceremony every October. Located in Melwood Cemetery, on East Ponce De Leon Street in Stone Mountain, the Angel Garden is a place for everyone that has lost their babies, said Elisabeth Nark, manager of DeKalb Medical Foundation and Volunteer Services. A lot of people, unfortunately, when they have their baby, it may be stillborn or may die shortly after birth, Nark said. According to a 2004 National Vital Statistics Report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the year 2000, 15.6 percent of all pregnancies in the U. S. ended in miscarriage or stillbirth, states the Remember Our Babies website. The CDC also reports that in 2003 the number of live births in the United States was 4,093,000. Of

Local News

Page 11A

Approximately two dozen families remembered children lost during or shortly after a pregnancy as part of a special Angel Garden memorial service sponsored by DeKalb Medical Hospital volunteers. Photo by Andrew Cauthen

these, 27,500 ended in the death of the infant before the age of one. DeKalbs Angel Garden is a small plot in Melwood Cemetery where volunteer gardeners from DeKalb Medical Hospitals Auxiliary Volunteer program plant a flower for each child. Its really driven by our volunteers, Nark said. The volunteer group has been recognized by the Georgia Hospital Association for the event. Its something nice that the volunteers like to do for

parents. Throughout the year, the cremated ashes of the babies are spread there, Nark said. Thats where they come to remember their child, she said. The names of 23 little angels were read during this years ceremony held Oct. 20. We havent forgotten about you, Joyce Young, a DeKalb Medical chaplain, told families who were given a

pewter angel ornament and a sprig of rosemary to take home. God is still watching over you. Its an opportunity to memorialize their babies, Nark said. The garden plot was started in 2006 and in 2009 the Angel Garden memorial ceremony was initiated because there was a need for closure for families that had experienced a loss, said Tori Vogt, a spokeswoman with DeKalb Medical. The ceremony is also a way for families to connect with each other, Nark said. The nondenominational ceremony includes live music and is attended by the hospitals auxiliary volunteers, pastoral care chaplains, and staff of its Womens and Infant Services. A lot of people are involved in some way, Vogt said. Cremation services are donated throughout the year by A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home of Decatur, which also donated a garden bench at the site. Its a way to provide a service to our community, said Cy Hume, a manager at the funeral home. We do have a heart. Hume said the funeral homes goal is to provide a dignified Christian service for families that lose a baby through no fault of their own. Its stressful enough as it is, Hume said. We try to lift the burden off these families.

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Page 12A

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

DeKalb Rape Crisis Center in jeopardy of closing

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com The DeKalb County Rape Crisis Center will close its door at the end of the year if it does not come up with $80,000 to continue funding services. The Decatur center needs the $80,000 to get through to the end of the year with its services, such as free therapy sessions, in place. Funding cuts, dwindling donations and changes in grant dispersal timing have caused the center to cut back on services, such as education and prevention programs. Allyson Gevertz, the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center board chair, said the plan is not for the center to close. Our plan is for us to get a cash infusion so that we dont even have to think about [closing the center], she said. So, if we dont get enough cash coming in then we will be talking about it. So far, the center has only received $8,261 in contributions this year compared to $21,833 received last year. The center received $19,000 from foundations last year but only $5,400 so far this year and employee giving programs last year generated $7,704 but only $3,286 this year. Gevertz said the grants that the center receives from the state and county, along with donations and pay our staff. Gevertz said the center would love to have donors step up and give more and often. Although the center maintains a waiting list of sexual assault survivors seeking services, therapists are being asked to stop seeing new clients until the center can secure more funding. Right now we just want to keep the therapy going, she said. If the center closes, Gevertz said, it will have a huge impact on rape and sexual assault survivors and the community. The DeKalb Rape Crisis Center is the only center that offers free group and individual counseling for survivors, she said. We also offer teen groups and were the only one with a bilingual therapist on our staff. Clients would have to either go to Grady Memorial Hospital or to the Gwinnett County Rape Crisis Center in Duluth. They dont have the same services that we have but that would be our only choice, she said. We could be sending our survivors out there, or the alternative would be for them to pay and the going rate for therapy in Atlanta is $125 an hour. For more information on ways to help, contact the center at (404) 3771429 or visit www.dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org.

sponsorships, have decreased over the last five years because of the bad economy. She said the DeKalb County grant was decreased to $22,000 but went up to $37,000 this year. The grant was at $65,000 in 2008. The grants pay for the therapy sessions and the center does fundraising to pay for other costs. But the thing thats different right now is that our federal and state grant budget years have changed, she said. For example, instead of the budget year going from June 1 to May 31, the budget year has been changed to go from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 with no funding during the gap time. If the grant funding starts coming in, Gevertz said, the center would still need a couple of more months

of funding because the grants are reimbursement grants, which allows them to spend the money to provide services and they get by the grant reimbursed. At some point early in 2013 well be back caught up in that cycle of being able to turn in our [expenseses] and get reimbursed, she said. Even with that cycle in place weve still been having to dip into savings and thats what scary too. Gevertz said the center has gone through all of its savings except for a small amount. So we need to rebuild our savings so that if we do have problems in the future or they change the budget again or something well at least have a little bit of a cushion so that we can

PUBLIC NOTICE :
The DeKalb Regional Land Bank Authority is seeking Applicants for its Executive Director Position. All information about the job and how to apply for it can be found on the DeKalb County Website: www.co.dekalb.ga.us/commdev/index.html

Applications will be accepted through November 2, 2012 .

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Page 13A

Trial underway for martial arts instructor accused of raping 9-year-old student
by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com The 9-year-old victim of alleged rapist Adrian Spellen, 29, testified that the defendant raped her multiple times during a summer camp held at his karate studio in Lithonia. Spellen, a 2012 Olympic hopeful, was charged in July with two counts of rape and one count of child molestation for allegedly attacking the victim sometime between May and June 2011. Prosecutors said the victim, now 10 years old, was first introduced to Spellen when he visited her elementary school for career day and gave a martial arts demonstration for his studio Powerkick Martial Arts. The case that you are here to listen to as jurors is about the betrayal of the trust of a 9-year-old little girl in the most unimaginable way, Assistant District Attorney Dalia Racine told jurors in what hes truly done to this child, Racine said. Why would [she] make this up? The only answer youll be able to come up with is that she is telling the truth. The victims mother told jurors that after the alleged incident her daughter repeatedly woke up in the middle of the night crying because of nightmares she had. One dream I remember in particular her talking to me aboutshe dreamed that Mr. Spellen was going to take all her tae kwon do belts away because she told, the victims mother testified. Defense attorney Steven Maples told jurors during his opening statement that due to the location of the alleged rape and the number of people present when the alleged incident took place, it was nearly impossible for it to have occurred. Were going to show you that theres no medical evidence and theres no scientific evidence, Maples said. He should have never been charged. Racine stated that since the incident occurred several weeks before the rape test was done, the victim had healed. According to Spellens company website, he has been competing and training in tae kwon do for nearly 20 years. He is a certified instructor, has a black belt, and has coached 38 state and regional champions and five national champions. Spellen is a five-time national champion and won a silver medal at the 2010 South American Games in Medellin, Colombia. In 2011, Spellen was released on $100,000 bond and ordered not to have any contact with minors except for family members but Judge Clarence Seeliger revoked his bond in March when prosecutors accused him of violating those conditions. Spellen faces life in prison if found guilty of the charges. The trial is ongoing.

Spellen

her opening statement. The victim testified that Spellen raped her twice, once before lunch and once after lunch, one day while attending summer camp. Racine told jurors that Spellen took advantage of the trust of his victim. He will be exposed for what he truly is, for

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: 79 Low: 59

Oct. 25, 2012

Today's Regional Map Weather History
Oct. 25, 1988 - Severe thunderstorms erupted over northeastern Texas during the late evening, producing softball size hail at Newcastle and Jonesboro. Low pressure over James Bay in Canada continued to produce showers and gale force winds in the Great Lakes region. Oct. 26, 1988 - Thunderstorms moving out of northern Texas spawned five tornadoes in Louisiana during the morning hours. The thunderstorms also produced wind gusts to 75 mph at Jennings, La. A falling tree near Coushatta killed the driver of a vehicle. Dunwoody 77/58 Lilburn Smyrna Doraville 78/59 78/59 78/59 Snellville Decatur 79/59 Atlanta 79/59 79/59 Lithonia College Park 80/59 80/59 Morrow 80/59 Union City 80/59 Hampton 81/60

In-Depth Local Forecast

Today we will see mostly sunny skies with a near record high temperature of 79, humidity of 64%. Light winds. The record high temperature for today is 82 set in 1931. Expect mostly cloudy skies tonight with a slight chance of showers, overnight low of 59.

FRIDAY
Mostly Sunny High: 77 Low: 56

*Last Weeks Almanac

Date Hi Lo Normals Precip Tuesday 73 45 73/53 0.00" Wednesday 74 48 73/52 0.00" Thursday 74 56 72/52 0.08" Friday 72 44 72/51 0.00" Saturday 69 44 72/51 0.00" Sunday 75 42 71/51 0.00" Monday 78 45 71/50 0.00" Rainfall . . . . . . .0.08" Average temp . .59.9 Normal rainfall . .0.65" Average normal 61.7 Departure . . . . .-0.57" Departure . . . . .-1.8
*Data as reported from De Kalb-Peachtree Airport

SATURDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 74 Low: 51

SUNDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 66 Low: 45

MONDAY
Mostly Sunny High: 64 Low: 45

TUESDAY
Sunny High: 68 Low: 46 Full 10/29

Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

Day Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Sunrise 7:45 a.m. 7:45 a.m. 7:46 a.m. 7:47 a.m. 7:48 a.m. 7:49 a.m. 7:50 a.m. Sunset 6:59 p.m. 6:58 p.m. 6:57 p.m. 6:56 p.m. 6:55 p.m. 6:54 p.m. 6:53 p.m. Moonrise 11:17 a.m. 12:18 p.m. 1:13 p.m. 2:02 p.m. 2:44 p.m. 3:21 p.m. 3:55 p.m. Moonset 9:44 p.m. 10:46 p.m. 11:50 p.m. Next Day 12:54 a.m. 1:57 a.m. 2:57 a.m. New 11/13

Tonight's Planets
Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Rise Set 9:39 a.m. 7:56 p.m. 4:46 a.m. 5:23 p.m. 11:14 a.m. 9:10 p.m. 9:40 p.m. 11:52 a.m. 8:12 a.m. 7:22 p.m. 6:01 p.m. 6:17 a.m.

WEDNESDAY
Mostly Sunny High: 72 Low: 50 Last 11/6

First 11/20

Local UV Index

National Weather Summary This Week

The Northeast will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies today, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with scattered showers Friday and Saturday, with the highest temperature of 86 in East St. Louis, Ill. The Southeast will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with a few showers today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 90 in Tampa, Fla. The Northwest will see isolated rain and snow today, mostly clear to partly cloudy skies Friday, scattered rain and snow Saturday, with the highest temperature of 62 in Colville, Wash. The Southwest will see mostly clear skies today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 87 in Thermal, Calif.

Weather Trivia
Humidity is measured by what device?

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 device is a hygrometer.

www.WhatsOurWeather.com

StarWatch By Gary Becker - Watch Iridium Flares Blast

If you enjoy sky watching but live in a light polluted area of the country, there are still plenty of options worth pursuing. One of my favorite is looking for Iridium flares, bursts of reflected sunlight from one of the three door-sized antennas that are attached to the Iridium constellation of communications satellites. There are 66 active units in near polar orbits, providing satellite phone communications to remote locations worldwide. Because positioning and orientation of these satellites must be precise, it is possible to predict the time and location on the Earths surface when the forward antenna (panel) will reflect a splash of sunlight and flare itself into bright visibility. The events are calculated to the second and with precise sky locations, making them easy to identify. The Heavens Above website (www.heavens-above.com/) and numerous apps like SatTrack or Iridium Flare (Android) or Sputnik (iPhone) give predictions. All of these programs need to know your location, but this can be accomplished automatically by keeping your GPS navigation unit activated on your smartphone. Youll receive information on when and where to look in the sky. The when is important because not all smartphones have the precise time, so it would be wise to download an app like ClockSync which automatically connects and updates your system to the atomic time provided by the US government. The location of the event may be given in azimuth and altitude. Azimuth runs clockwise along the horizon starting at north (0o or 360o), east (90o), south (180o), west (270o), and returns back to north again. It can also be stated as a direction such as NNE or SW, etc. Altitude is measured from the azimuth position upward to the correct height. The range is from the horizon (0o) to 90o, directly overhead. You are now all set to witness the exhilaration of seeing an Iridium flare. www.astronomy.org

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Business

Page 14A

An uncertain economy isnt scaring off Halloween shoppers

by Kathy Mitchell kathy@dekalbchamp.com Even when the calendar still read September, customers were coming in large numbers to Halloween Warehouse on Henderson Mill Road. Its actually a store within a store as the Northlake Party City is devoting a large portion of its retail display space to Halloween costumes, props, decorations, food service items and more and calling the special section Halloween Warehouse. Like retail stores around the country, Party City is doing a booming business in Halloween items this year. A few years ago customers selected from among costumes on racks in the store, this year they may choose from dozens of costumes pictured on a wall then check to see if their choice is available in their size. Theres even a dressing room. Costumes range from scary ghouls, zombies, ghosts and witchesto cuteprincesses, cowboys, super heroes and animals. Each year brings its trendy items. As usually happens during an election year, masks of the candidatessuch as those featured at Party Cityare popular. Disguise Inc., Sesame Workshops official costume maker, reports a surge in sales of Big Bird costumes thanks to comments made during a presidential debate. Of those buying or making costumes, the average person will spend $28.65 on costumes this year, up slightly from $26.52 in 2011, according to a recent national survey. Were doing very well here and at our other stores, said Nataliya Pappalis, a manager at the Northlake Party City. I think people still like to have fun even when the economy is not so good. Party Citys success mirrors that of retail stores across the country. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), a record 170 million people plan to celebrate Halloween this year. NRFs 2012 Halloween consumer spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight, indicates that seven in 10 Americans (71.5 percent) will get into the haunting Halloween mood, up from 68.6 percent last year and the most in NRFs 10-year survey history. Consumers are expecting to spend more too. The average person will spend $79.82 on decorations, costumes and candy, up from $72.31 last year, with total Halloween spending expected to reach $8 billion. Although Halloween still falls behind several other spending events measured by NRF, it remains in the top 10. By a huge margin (more than 75 percent), the winter holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year and others, lead consumer spending. Valentines Day, Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, back-to-school and the Super Bowl all prompt more spending than does Halloween. Still, Halloween, once regarded as a childrens holiday, is now a time for adults as well to decorate, have parties and join in the festivities. BIGinsight Executive Vice President Phil Rist, attributes to trend to a pent-up demand for having some fun this year. He added, Almost as soon as people bring down their fall and winter apparel from the top shelves in their closets, Halloween becomes top of mind. Of the people celebrating Halloween this year, more than half (51.4 percent) will decorate their home or yard, up from 49.5 percent last year, and 45.0 percent plan to dress in costume, also up from last year (43.9 percent) the NRF survey indicates. More than one-third (36.2 percent) will throw or attend a party and 33.2 percent will take children trickor-treating. Additionally, 15.1 percent will ensure their furry friends are part of the fun too, by dressing their pet in costume. Despite record spending figures for this years Halloween holiday, according to NRF, onefourth of U.S. consumers (25.9 percent) say the state of the economy will impact their Halloween plans. To compensate, most say they will spend less overall (83.5 percent), while others will make a costume instead of buying one (18 percent), and more than onethird (36.1 percent) will buy less candy.

A large portion of the Northlake Party City becomes Halloween Warehouse this time of year and offers a wide variety of Halloween items, including costumes, props, decorations and food service items. Photos by Kathy Mitchell

The Voice of Business in DeKalb County

Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

404-378-8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Local News

Page 15A

Amateur and professional archaeologists dug in two rectangular areas at the 1820s Lyon farmhouse near Lithonia. Archaeologists are trying to learn more about life at the farm which was in continuous use through at least the 1950s. An attempt earlier this year to find the former location of slave quarters was unsuccessful. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

Archaeologists
Continued From Page 1A The first owner of the house was a British soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was wounded and left for dead on the battlefield, Black said. The patriots came along and scooped him up and nursed him back to health and he switched sides. Archaeologists supervised two small excavations near the farmhouse and another building adjacent to the house. What we are trying to do is capture some activity that might have taken place basically from in between the house and this building, said Jennifer Bedell, a state archaeologist. Archaeologists were looking for clues as to the purpose of the second building. It may have been an original portion of the house and then moved out here at some point, Bedell said. Its actual purpose were not certain of yet. So this might help us help define that [building] at some point. Were basically trying to pick up any of the yard activity. If there might be have been a detached kitchen, we might be able to pick up some kitchen artifacts. During the Oct. 20 dig, participants uncovered a table knife, a sequined J, golf ball, a penny from the 1970s and a square nail. So far most of the artifacts that we have picked up have been plastic, Bedell said. As long as the soil has not been disturbed, we should have more modern things on top and the deeper we get, hopefully, as long as the soils are intact, the older the artifacts will be. Black said they chose to dig between the porch of the house and what we suspect is the smokehouse to get an idea of what kind of activities might have been going on in the house and around the house. As we get lower down, were going to get to the older artifacts, so we can see when the house was occupied by dating the materialand what level it comes out at, Black said. State archaeologists plan to have another public archaeology day at the site in the spring.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Education

Page 16A

Residents, teachers, advocates discuss proposed charter amendment

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com the state funds to be used for it, Holcomb said. Since 2003, the state has cut education With the November elections several funding by nearly $5 billion and Holcomb weeks away, one of the major issues said the million-dollar question is, if residents will be voting on is Amendment 1, the amendment passes, how the state will which involves the creation of state-funded manage to fund the schools created and charter schools. maintain the same funding levels for local A large group of parents, community school districts. members and others gathered at the Holcomb also said the federal Race International Community School in Decatur to the Top funds the state receives could Oct. 17 for an information session hosted by increase by having a secondary authorizer the Emory LaVista Parent Council (ELPC). or an agency akin to the GCSC. Todays program is really about giving Mark Peevy, former executive director you the opportunity to hear, in a substantive of the GCSC, said the amendment is really way, about the charter school amendment, about giving parents choices as to where to said Marshall Orson, co-founder of the send their children to school. ELPC and soon-to-be DeKalb County We want to make sure that there are School Board member. options available. Regardless of ZIP code Rep. Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta) or your financial situation, we think its explained both the legal and legislative important, Peevy said. aspects of the proposed amendment. Several Peevy said a perfect example of how years ago, the state established the Georgia the amendment can benefit residents is the Charter Schools Commission (GCSC), success the GCSC had in previous years which allowed the state to authorize charter Peevy said it has a proven track record. schools that had been denied charters by During the two-and-a-half years the GCSC local schools boards. However, a lawsuit was in operation, it authorized 16 schools was filed and in 2011 the Georgia Supreme that were denied charters by local school Court struck down the commission. boards. That then left a very important legal There shouldnt be a limita capput vacuum about what to do, so when the on a childs ability to excel academically General Assembly went back into session based on where he or she lives or based on last year we took this up, Holcomb said. his or her parents financial status, Peevy Holcomb, who has a first-grader at said. Henderson Elementary, said it is important Margaret Ciccarelli, a representative for voters to understand the amendment for the Professional Association of does not impact local charter schools. Georgia Educators, lives in Decatur and What is at issue here is a state body that has a daughter attending City Schools of would authorize these charter schools and Decaturs (CSD) College Heights Early
See Charter on Page 17A

Attendees crowded into the International Community Schools auditorium Oct. 17 to hear from advocates who are for, and against, the charter school amendment on the November election ballot. Photos by Daniel Beauregard

Rep. Scott Holcomb speaks about the legislative and legal history and how the Charter School Commission was created and later struck down.

Marshall Orson, co-founder of the Emory LaVista Parent Council, speaks about the importance of the charter school amendment.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Page 17A

Charter Continued From Page 16A

Learning Center; CSD is a charter system, which means all the schools in it are charter schools. This is really a debate about money, Ciccarelli said. Ciccarelli said even though the court struck down the GCSC, the state board of education could authorize charter schools at the state level. Peevy disagreed and said the courts dissenting opinion stated that the only reason its ruling didnt involve whether the state board could authorize charter schools was because the court wasnt asked to consider it. Peevy said many legal officials, including Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, think the outcome would have been the same. The companion bill, HB 797, lays out the funding process if the GCSC is allowed to be created again. According to Ciccarelli, state-authorized charter schools will be funded at 2.5 times the rate of funding 95 percent of campaign funding for the amendment has come from out-of-state education management companies. This amendment does nothing to open a door for for-profit education management organizations coming to Georgia. I want to be very clear that all charter schools in Georgia have to be nonprofits based here in Georgia operated by a locally based governing board, Peevy stated. Ciccarelli said Hamers question was timely and that residents need to consider the issue when voting for the amendment. I think that we do need to ask who the for-profit companies are that might benefit from the passage of the amendment, Ciccarelli said. Its interesting that 60 percent of the commissionapproved charter schools were managed by these forprofit companies as opposed to the 12 percent of local schools that are managed by for-profits.

Retired DeKalb County teacher Dawn Hamer asks advocates if they are worried about out-of-state education management companies which are funding the majority of the campaign in favor of the amendment. Photo by Daniel Beauregard

that the state sends to existing local schools. The reason that rate is higher is because the state is trying to make up for the local funding that will not go to state charter students because they are stateauthorized charter schools, Ciccarelli said. Ciccarelli said she is sympathetic to the frustrations many parents have with their local

school systems such as dysfunctional school boards and administrative bloat. However, she said the GCSC wont fix any of those problems. I think theres an attempt to sell Amendment 1 to voters as a way to fix this problem, Ciccarelli said. Peevy said that the funding mechanism in HB 797 ties funding for

state-authorized charter schools to the bottom 5 percent of districts across the state. According to Peevy, it would be a very small percentage of money in comparison to the 47 percent of the states budget that is spent on education. Retired DeKalb County School teacher Dawn Hamer asked Peevy and Ciccarelli if they are concerned that nearly

The DeKalb County School District District-wide Parent Involvement Policy Meeting
Thursday, November 8, 2012 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm DeKalb County Board Room 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083 is having the

Attention All Title I Parents!!!

Atencin todos los ttulo I Padres!!!!!!

All Parents of Title l Students are invited to come and provide input, suggestions and ideas.
For additional information or questions contact: Dr. Sherry Everett, Executive Director, Office of Federal Programs at 678.676.0257 or Brenda Williams,Title l Coordinator at 678.676.0312

El distrito escolar del Condado DeKalb est teniendo la reunin de poltica de participacin de padres de todo el distrito jueves, 08 de Noviembre de 2012 17:00-19:00 DeKalb County Board Room 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
Todos los padres de ttulo l estudiantes estn invitados a venir y proporcionar entrada, sugerencias e ideas.

Para preguntas o informacin adicional pngase en contacto con: Dr. Sherry Everett, Director Ejecutivo, Oficina de programas federales en 678-676-0257 o Brenda Williams, ttulo l Coordinator en 678-676-0312

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Health

Page 18A

Nursing students, high school students benefit from community partnership

by Kathy Mitchell kathy@dekalbchamp.com HarvestLodge Home and Services for Children and Families is partnering with Georgia State Universitys Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing in a program that those involved say is benefiting both. Students from HarvestLodge, a Christian facility designed to provide counseling, housing and educational services to children and families, get personalized instruction in health, hygiene and fitness while senior nursing students get the training they need to complete their program of study. The HarvestLodge youth program is designed to help at-risk young people get their lives on track for a successful future, according to Dannetta Sparks, founder and owner of Sparks Christian Academy, parent organization to HarvestLodge. Georgia States nursing program chose us as a facility where their students could get realworld experience, Sparks explained. At the same time, our students have access to knowledgeable people who are not a lot older than they are who they can go to for reliable information and answers. Diaziah Hill, a junior at Sparks Christian Academy, said she sees the program as a valuable asset to the students. The nursing students answer any questions we have about taking care of our bodies. They explain why we shouldnt have sex at a young age and why we shouldnt have babies now. They dont use medical terms, they use words we understand. She noted that the nursing students provide a session they call real talk during which high school students may ask any health and hygiene question and receive a candid, factual answer. If a high school student is too shy to ask a question in front of the group he or she can write it down and submit it privately, Hill explained. The student nurses still will answer the question at the group session. Hill was one of the students participating in a health and fitness day Oct. 17 at Flat Shoals Park, off Flat Shoals Parkway in south DeKalb County. When I learned about this facility, I said, This is perfect. There are walking trails with fitness stations along the way with exercise bars and other equipment. They can do a lot more in terms of fitness here than they could do at the school, Sparks said. Angela Nixon, one of the Georgia State nursing students, said the partnership with HarvestLodge gives student nurses highly beneficial experience. Once were practicing nurses, well be dealing with actual people, not academic situations. To serve them well we have to learn about their community, its challenges, its resources and its social, economic and spiritual environment. She said student nurses learn to help the young people relax and talk freely about their health concerns. Nixon said one of the groups goals for the term is to equip a computer laboratory that students can use for mathematics and science, including creating student-led projects. Students are interested in creating a video on the dangers of substance abuse that they can share with their peers. Beverly Roseberry, a professor at Georgia State, said the program is a valuable opportunity for the nursing students. Often when nursing students go into the community, they are working with elderly people or with babies. These students get to work with healthy teens, teaching them how to stay healthy through nutrition, fitness and avoiding risky behaviors.

For its health and fitness day, Sparks Christian Academy took students to Flat Shoals Park to exercise under the guidance of Georgia State University nursing students.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Page 19A

AtlAntA

Around deKAlb
make infrastructure and programming improvements to increase the safety as well as the prevalence of bicycling, Clarke said. With the addition of bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly areas, the city has seen a large increase of bicyclists. The BFC program provides a roadmap to building a Bicycle Friendly Community and the application itself has become a rigorous and educational tool, according to the release. Since its inception, more than 500 communities have applied and the five levels of the award diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve. Decatur canine day planned A nonprofit organization advocating for and serving persons with disabilities, disABILITY LINK, is sponsoring Doggie Day on Nov. 3 in downtown Decatur. Families, individuals and dogs on leashes are encouraged to attend this event during which there will be activities for children, demonstrations about service dogs and their persons, dog training tips and others. The event will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 755 Commerce Street in the Commerce Plaza parking lot behind DeKalb Medical Center. For additional information call (404) 687-8890 or visit www.disabilitylink.org. Beyond The Bell receives highway safety grant Decatur-based organization, Beyond The Bell, and its coalition to prevent underage drinking, DeKalb Community Promise, are recipients of the 20122013 Governors Office of Highway Safety grant. Beyond The Bell was awarded $19,300 to continue its efforts to prevent underage drinking in DeKalb County. The mission of the DeKalb Community Promise Coalition is to use all resources in DeKalb County communities to effectively provide prevention programs, effective intervention and/or treatment when appropriate to reduce substance abuse and to increase highway safety among youth. With the money granted from GOHS, Beyond The Bell and DeKalb Community Promise will work with police in DeKalb County to conduct environmental strategies such as sticker shock surveys, compliance checks, shoulder tap surveys and roll call briefings and the organizations Youth Council will campaign about underage drinking in the community. According to MADD, the human brain continues to grow into the early to mid-20s. Alcohol consumption as a teenager can damage brain growth and can cause permanent brain damage. Heavy drinking isnt the only thing that can cause damage to a growing brainteens who drink half as much alcohol as adults can still suffer the same negative effects. Teens are more likely to binge drink and suffer blackouts, memory loss and alcohol poisoning after drinking. However, the memory is most affected. Adolescent drinkers perform worse in school, have increased risk of social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts and violence. People who begin drinking in their teens are at a greater risk for alcohol dependence. For additional information, visit www.beyondthebellkids.org or www. dcpromise.org.

Center at DeKalb Medical at Hillandale, 2801 DeKalb Medical Parkway, Lithonia.

Church breakfast to focus on credit Bouldercrest Church of Christ recently announced that the topic for its November Not By Bread Alone Breakfast will be How to Increase Your Credit Scores Without Credit Repair to Get Approved for Business Credit to Grow Your Business. The presenter will be credit strategist Anngie Jenkins. The breakfast will be Saturday, Nov.10, 8 10 a.m. Breakfast is $5. Reservations should be made by Nov. 8 by calling (404) 622-9935 or emailing info@nbbalone.org. Bouldercrest Church of Christ is located at 2727 Bouldercrest Road, Atlanta.

stone mountAin
Business group working to attract jobs to industrial park The Stone Mountain Community Improvement District (CID) recently conducted the second of three public meetings to help create a plan for attracting employers to commercial properties in the Mountain Industrial corridor. The planning process is a collaborative effort with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and DeKalb Development Authority and made possible by an ARC PLAN 2040 Livable Centers Initiative Innovation grant. In addition to insights from area business owners and residents, stakeholder input has come from the DeKalb Board of Commissioners, DeKalb Board of Education, City of Stone Mountain, Georgia Department of Community Affairs and Georgia Power, among others. CID Board Member Steve Craine said receiving comments and ideas from a broad community base will lead to greater innovations. We are fortunate to have committed supporters from both the local and state levels, Craine said. When this process concludes later this year, I am confidence that we will have a strong roadmap to help us bring in the 2,000 new jobs we are targeting for 2013. As planning experts continue to develop the CIDs strategies, the overall process will seek to address the following key objectives: Establish the role of the CID in economic development, making the CID and DeKalb County more competitive as a place to start a business, expand existing operations and bring in new companies. Offer recommendations for more flexible administrative strategies and targeted transportation and aesthetic investments to attract key business sectors. Identify pathways to retain and attract businesses and fill available CID industrial space at an increasing pace. Reveal Mountain Industrial Boulevard as a sub area of a much larger economic development corridor extending from the CID north into Gwinnett County via Jimmy Carter Boulevard to I-85.

decAtur
Soil and water meeting scheduled The DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District monthly meeting will be held on Friday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Clark Harrison building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. in downtown Decatur. For additional information call (770) 761-3020. City of Decatur named a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community The League of American Bicyclists has named the city of Decatur as a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC). We are excited that the city of Decatur recognizes that simple steps to make biking safe and comfortable pay huge dividends in civic, community and economic development, said league President Andy Clarke. Bicycling is more than a practical, cost-effective solution to many municipal challenges its a way to make Decatur a place where people dont just live and work, but thrive. The BFC program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to benchmark their progress toward improving their bicycle-friendliness. There are now 242 BFCs in 47 states across America. The bronze BFC award recognizes Decaturs commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies. The city of Decatur continues to

druid Hills
Rape crisis center hosts fundraiser The DeKalb Rape Crisis Center (DRCC) is hosting a wine tasting and fundraiser Nov. 15 at the Druid Hills Gold Club. The Night in Good Taste Fundraiser will feature more than 20 wines to taste, live jazz and a buffet. The event will also include a silent auction with all proceeds going to DRCC. For more information contact Beth Jansa at (404) 317-4642 or visit www. dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org.

litHoniA
DeKalb Medical to host Halloween bash DeKalb Medical at Hillandale is hosting a Facing Your Fears Halloween Party with radio personality Carol Blackmon. DeKalb Medical is inviting the women of DeKalb to face their fears of mammography and breast cancer while providing a safe place for families to celebrate Halloween. There will be a Trunk-orTreat for children to which they are encouraged to wear costumes. Activities include a costume contest, bounce houses, performances, breast center tours and a physician meet and greet. There will be food and prizes. The event will be Sunday, Oct. 28, 3 - 6 p.m., at the Comprehensive Breast

Page 20A

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Sports

Page 21A

Lakeside volleyball team

Tucker volleyball team

Lakeside and Tucker join Chamblee in advancing in volleyball playoffs

by Mark Brock run to secure the win. The trio used good timing against Lithia Springs First-round Class AAAAA vol- for some solid blocks and also used leyball state playoff victories by some nice sets by Amy Vansant to Lakeside and Tucker give DeKalb put away points. County three teams playing in the Lithia Springs used a 6-0 run second round of the state volleyball while leading 12-11 to pull away playoffs as they join Class AAAA in the second set on the way to a Chamblee. 25-16 victory to even the match at The Lakeside Lady Vikings one set apiece. Lakeside opened (27-6) made it two consecutive the third set with McGoldrick servplayoff wins over Lithia Springs ing the Lady Vikings to a 7-0 start (12-8) with a 3-1 victory on Oct. behind an ace and two nice touch 18 at Lakeside. Lakeside rallied shots by Vansant and another by from a 22-20 deficit in the fourth Wakeman on the way to relatively set to win 25-23 to seal the first easy 25-12 win for a 2-1 advanround victory over Lithia Springs. tage. The Lady Vikings used a 5-0 Lithia Springs would not go run to take a 7-1 lead on the way away easily in the fourth set batto an opening set win of 25-15 to tling in a see-saw game to finally grab the early lead. Lithia Springs go up by the 22-20 margin. A bad rallied to 15-14, but Lakeside, beserve into the net pulled Lakeside hind the play up front by Gloria with one at 22-21 and McGoldrick McGoldrick, Emma Wakeman served for three points, one comand Raven Smith, went on a 10-1 ing on a kill by Wakeman, to give Lakeside a 24-22 lead. Lithia Springs cut it to 24-23, but the Lady Vikings broke serve for the victory. Lakeside hosted Houston County (28-12) on Oct. 23 in the second round. Scores were not available by press time. Houston County, the No. 2 seed from Area 2, advanced with a 3-1 win over Union Grove. Tucker (29-12) handed North Paulding (28-3) just its third loss of the season, rallying from a 1-0 deficit with three straight set victories in the 3-1 win at North Paulding on Oct. 18. North Paulding won a tight 2522 opening set before Tucker tied it at 1-1 with its own 25-22 victory in the second set. Tucker went on to win the next two sets 25-19 and 25-21 to secure a spot in the second round of the Class AAAAA state playoffs. Tucker moves on by traveling to Harris County (21-9), which advanced with a 3-2 victory over Warner Robins. The teams faced off on Oct. 23. Scores were not available by press time. The Chamblee Lady Bulldogs advanced to the second round of the Class AAAA volleyball state playoffs with a 3-1 win at home against Alexander. Chamblee (22-17) advances to play No. 6 ranked Veterans (33-5) at Warner Robins on the evening of Oct. 23. Veterans, the No. 1 seed from Area 1-AAAA, defeated Richmond Academy 3-0 to advance. A time for the second round match will be announced later. Redan (23-8) did not fare as well as Chamblee as they lost a 3-0 decision to Carrollton (25-8-1) to end the Lady Raiders season. Redan was the No. 3 seed out of Area 5-AAAA.

Marist gets easy 50-0 win over Redan

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com The Marist War Eagles rushed for almost 300 yards in their 50-0 win over the Redan Raiders. The War Eagles got off to a fast start with a 70-yard touchdown run by quarterback Myles Willis and they never looked back. They finished with 299 yards rushing and 324 total offensive yards. Head coach Alan Chadwick said he was pleased with the way his offense performed. I think thats the biggest joy tonight, he said. We did make some improvements on offense, we executed well, we didnt make many mistakes at all and put some points on the board early and thats what kind of took Redan out the game. The War Eagles went up 8-0 after Willis touchdown and a 2-point conversion. In Redans first possession, the Raiders had two false start penalties before Marist defensive back Nick Carrier picked off Redan quarterback Noah Thomas. A few plays later, Marist running back Gray King had a 7-yard touchdown and the War Eagles were up 15-0 early in the first quarter. Thomas threw another first quarter interception to Marist linebacker Michael Toner. Willis scored a 6-yard rushing touchdown a few plays later and widened his teams score to 22-0. In the second quarter, Redan continued to struggle with moving before snapping the ball and was penalized with three straight falsestart penalties. Redans offense had a total of eight penalties for 45 yards. The team had a total of 10 for 75 yards. Chadwick said his team does a lot of jumping and stemming to throw off the offense. I think, the crowd noise and the youth of their offense caused them some problems getting set, he said. Marist got the ball back and went down the field to score another touchdown. Willis threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Taboada to give the War Eagles a 29-0 lead. Redan turned the ball over again with a fumble during their following possession. Marist recovered the fumble and put together another scoring drive with a 25-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Chase Martenson to go up 36-0. After a three and out by the Raiders in their first possession of the third quarter, the War Eagles scored on a 2-yard run by running back Marcus Miller. Thomas threw another interception in the fourth quarter to defensive back Brian Ebinger and Ryan Prater got a 6-yard touchdown run for the War Eagles to go up 50-0. Marist will face Stone Mountain High School at home on Oct. 26 at 7:30. Redan will play Columbia High School on Oct. 27 at Hallford Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Sports

Page 22A

MLK quarterback Monquavious Johnson hands the ball off to Spencer Williams (3).

Stephensons offensive line. Photos by Travis Hudgons

M.L. King, Stephenson face off in big regional matchup

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com
he Region 6-AAAAA champion title will be on the line Oct. 26 when the Martin Luther King Jr. Lions play region rivals Stephenson Jaguars at Hallford Stadium. The game is a must-win for the Jaguars, who hope to stay in the race for the region title. Stephenson suffered a surprising loss Oct. 20 against Miller Grove. The Jaguars were ranked No. 3 heading into the game against Miller Grove and looking to set up a battle of undefeated teams, but the Wolverines came from behind to beat Stephenson 32-29. The No. 2 ranked M. L. King Jr. Lions (7-0) are currently atop the standings at 6-0 followed by Miller Grove (61, 5-1), Stephenson (5-1, 5-1) and Tucker (6-1, 5-1) tied for second. The Jaguars are seeking revenge from Lions, who won the region last year after rallying from a 17-point deficit late in

MLK receiver Demarquis Polite-Bray.

the third quarter to come back and defeat the Jaguars 50-49. This game could be a defensive battle as both defenses are only allowing an average of seven points or less per game. Stephensons defense is allowing an average of 6.2 points and 190.2 yards per game. The Jaguars will have to find a way to stop the big play connection between Lions quarterback Monquavious Johnson and wide receiver Demarquis Polite-Bray. Polite-Bray, who has 464 yards with seven touchdowns through six games, is averaging 13.9 yards a catch per game. Johnson has thrown for 1,301 yards with 12 touchdowns through six games. M.L. Kings defense is allowing an average of 7.7 points and 111 yards per game. They will have their hands full with the rushing attack of quarterback Justin Holman and running backs Evan Jones, Tevin Austin and Jahmal Daniels. The Jaguars are averaging 239.6 rushing yards per game while scoring 35.2 points per game.

Stephenson running back Evan Jones.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Sports

Page 23A

McNair fails to score against Woodward Academy

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com The McNair Mustangs struggled to move the ball up and down the field and get in the end zone, which resulted in a 48-0 loss to Woodward Academy. After losing the teams starting center, Juan Weems, to an injury in the first quarter, McNair (3-4) struggled to gain positive yards and had too many false start penalties. Head coach Tywanois Lockett said losing his senior center really hurt his team. struggle but the defense struggled to stop Woodwards quarterback Terry Googer. He threw for 163 yards and three touchdowns for the War Eagles, two of them to wide receiver Steven Smith. Googers impressive performance started in the first quarter with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Conor Pilch. Early in the second quarter, McNair running back Jalandis Sellers had a nice run to give his team a first down. But the Mustangs went three and out afterwards and were forced to punt. Woodward scored again afterwards to go up 14-0. McNair had a couple of missed opportunities when Woodward had two muffed punts, but the Mustangs failed to recover the ball. Woodward did have another fumble which was recovered by McNair, but two false-start penalties stalled the offensive drive and the Mustangs had to punt the ball back to Woodward. A few plays later, Googer connected with Smith on a 42-yard touchdown pass to go up 21-0. Googer and Smith connected again on a 14-yard touchdown pass to up 28-0 right before halftime. In McNairs opening drive in the third quarter, quarterback Christian Brown threw an interception, and Smith scored on a 5-yard touchdown run a few plays later to widen his teams lead to 35-0. McNair continued to struggle with false start penalties on its next drive and had to punt the ball back to Woodward. Woodward scored again on a touchdown run by fullback Quincy Wolff. Woodward running back Jollyce Myrick had a touchdown run late in the third quarter to give the War Eagles a 48-0 lead. Although Lockett was disappointed about his teams performance, he still has high hopes for the season. Were 3-4 and weve never been 3-4, he said. We still have a chance to make the playoffs and were going to come in and get ready for Blessed Trinity. McNair will play at Blessed Trinity on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Jalandis Sellers (5) prevents a tackle from Jameel Spencer (11) and looks to get pass Quincy Wolff (21). Photos by Travis Hudgons

#DEKALB #sports Big upset in high school football tonight. Miller #Events Grove defeats Stephenson 32-29
#community#UPDATE DeKalb County Recreation,
Parks & Cultural Affairs to Host Field of Screams

#DeKalbSchools proposes new calendars #Breaking #news Jury begins deliberating accused cop killers fate. #crime

Recycling now free in DeKalb County

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We had to put a freshman at center and any time you change a center it changes a whole lot of stuff so that kind of threw our rhythm off, he said. Not only did the offense

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The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 26, 2012

Sports

Page 24A

Lithonia junior golfer wins two awards

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Ayanna Habeel of Lithonia won two awards, including a player of the year award, at the Atlanta Junior Golf awards banquet in September. Ayanna, 12, received the 2012 Player of the Year 9-Hole Open Girls 7-18 award and the All Atlanta Junior Golf Team award after finishing the season 6-0. It felt really good, Ayanna said about winning the two awards. Ayanna began playing golf at the age of 6 after watching Tiger Woods. Her father, Anthony Habeel, said he got Ayanna into golf after one of his cousins did a study about sports and minority women. There was a list and golf was on that list, he said. So, I decided to see if she [would] be interested in it and we started trying to find different programs to put her in. Ayanna started learning the sport from her coach Matt Adams at North Fulton Golf Course in Atlanta. Two years later she moved the to Druid Hills Golf Course. She said she practices every day and enjoys going to places to play. Habeel said he was extremely proud to see his daughter win the awards. Tears came to my face, he said. Im a real proud daddy. Ayanna said she hopes to play professional golf in the future.
Habeel