the DeKalb FRIDAY, november 24, 2017 VOL. 22, NO.

43 FREE

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

Volunteers gather in
Brookhaven to build tiny house
Lack of resources halts progress
to help with the Thanksgiving Tiny Home
by carla parker Quick Build project.
carla@dekalbchamp.com The group began building the house
and the plan was to build it during the
weekend and reveal it Nov. 19, however,
A veteran in need of a home will soon
organizers had to cancel the build due to
have one.
lack of resources.
Dont Count Me Out (DCMO) partnered
A project of this magnitude is
with Tennessee-based Incredible Tiny
completely dependent on participation
Homes to build a tiny home for a veteran
from many different volunteer
in need at Blackburn Park in Brookhaven.
stakeholders, Callie Clark, one of the
Nearly 70 people came to the park Nov. 17
Nearly 70 people came to Blackburn Park Nov. 17 to help build a tiny
home for the Thanksgiving Tiny Home Quick Build project. See Volunteer on page 5

Charities depend on donations but not every gift is ideal

Nursing students pitch in to help Greggs Pantry a St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Decatur. Photos by Gale A volunteer keeps track of whats been distributed.
Horton Gay

Guidelines by Gale Horton Gay individuals often give to food banks, the agencies that receive them.

T
buy gifts for those in need and Even purchases of new items can
heres something about the donate used items to nonprofits. be problematic if the items arent

can make the holiday seasonThanksgiving,

Hanukah, Christmas,
Kwanzaathat brings out
It can be wonderful, but often in-
kind donations of goods, clothing and
more can be inappropriate, unsafe/
what are needed most. For some
organizations, bulk donations create
a storage space challenge and require

difference
charity in many people. In addition unhealthy and cause problems for volunteers to sort through donations
to giving to families and friends,
See Donations on page 5

Visit www.championnewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.

local DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 2

clarkston

Elected for a sense of community

New Clarkston council member wants to bring passion for people to city government
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
When mental health
professional Yterenickia YT
Bell moved to Clarkston three
years ago, little did she know
a personal tragedy would
inspire her to run for public
office.
A best friend of mine
passed away in Clarkston, Bell
said. She had an epileptic
seizure. For two days, no one
knew she was dead. Someone
should have known and
checked on her. After that,
I started asking what the
problem was. The answer is
theres a lack of a sense of
community here in Clarkston.
Bell is one of two newly
elected members of the
Clarkston City Council. She is
joined by Andrea Cervone
who also won a seat in the
Nov. 7 election.
Bell, who works in
mental health in community
outpatient programs as well
as government facilities,
said her passion for helping
people is something
Clarkston residents can trust.
In addition, she said her
experience in researching
local and state level policies
relating to mental health are
assets that residents will be
able to count on in moving
the city forward.
With my skill set, I
feel that I will always have
something to add, Bell said.
[The council] is already
progressively trying to move
Mental health professional Yterenickia YT Bell said she ran for a position on Clarkston City Council to foster a sense of
community in the city. Photo submitted.
politics forward. People have
different skill sets, and I feel
that people can always come
in, sit down, and move things
along fastertheres always
room for improvement.
One issue in Clarkston
that Bell feels passionate
about is affordable housing.
She said attendance at
planning and zoning board
meetings as well as housing
and infrastructure committee
meetings has shed light on a
lack of affordable housing in
Clarkston.
We need to partner with
federal agencies, advertise
the citys strengths and find
out what opportunities are
available out there, Bell said.
Bell said she is also
concerned about public
safety. She said she supports
a community patrol approach
to the problem to embolden
residents. Bell also said
Clarkston government should
focus on mental health
solutions in the city.
A lot of people dont
know, but mental health
and how it affects people
is a problem in Clarkston,
Bell said. People are coming
to Clarkston and into our
country with past traumas
from home.
Bell said she also believes
the city isnt doing enough
to promote its strengths
and facilitate economic
development.
Theres a lack of
promotion of our economic
development, Bell said.
We need [community
improvement districts],
business improvement
districts, enterprise
zonesanything to
incentivize businesses to
move here. I would love
to start collaborating with
other citieswe have
many communities here in
Clarkston and we need to
get our name out there to
offer what we have to nearby
cities.
Bell said Clarkston is doing
a great job of attracting
people to live there, but little
to attract people to work and
play there as well.
People are moving to
cities they can afford and they
dont want to leavethey
want to find reasons to work
and play there, Bell said.
These are challenges that
need to be addressed.
Bell said being an elected
official will allow her to help
people on a daily basis.
I love the feeling of
helping someone and seeing
them grow, Bell said. Im
about helping people and
seeing them move forward. I
get a lot out of helping other
people thrive.
Bell said she did a lot
of canvassing before the
November election. She
said she enjoys speaking to
people, asking them what
issues are important to them,
and whether they feel they
have a voice in local politics.
Im asking what residents
concerns are and, more
importantly, Do you feel
that youre heard? Bell said.
Many people dont feel like
they have a voice in Clarkston.
Im finding out why.
Bell hopes to develop
a sense of community by
providing the citys residents
a voice.
Everyone has been
very supportive, Bell said.
People that know me know
Im very passionate about
creating change, fostering
a community and creating
a sense of togetherness in
Clarkston.

Discover DeKalb receives two MarCom Awards

Discover DeKalb
Convention & Visitors
Bureau has announced that
the organization has been
awarded two 2017 MarCom
Awards. The MarCom Awards
sponsored and judged by the
Association of Marketing and
Communication Professionals,
recognizes outstanding
achievements by creative
professionals involved in the
concept, direction, design and
production of marketing and
communications materials
and programs.
Discover DeKalb won
Gold for New Website Design
in the digital media/design
(web) category and received
honorable mention for the
2017 LGBT Destination Guide
in the print media/print
Creativity category.
To be recognized by
experts like the Association
of Marketing and
Communication Professionals
(AMCP) and MarCom Awards
is an honor. The effort we put
into producing fresh, strategic
content and material goes
without saying because we
love what we do, said James
Tsismanakis, executive
director. Our staff is known to
be creative and dedicated to
developing collateral with the
visitor in mind.
MarCom is one of
the oldest, largest and
most prestigious creative
competitions in the
the world, according to
Discover DeKalb. MarCom is
sponsored and judged by the
Association of Marketing and
Communication Professionals
(AMCP), a 23-year-old
international organization
consisting of several thousand
creative professionals.
Judges are industry
professionals who look for
companies and individuals Winners are selected from
whose talent exceeds a more than 300 categories in
high standard of excellence print, web, video and strategic
and whose work serves as a communications.
benchmark for the industry.
FOOD SERVICE CONTRACTORS
NEEDED
Summit is seeking subcontractors to support
a potential foodservice contract with the DeKalb
County Sheriffs Office for inmate meals in
the following areas: food, cleaning solutions
and supplies, paper products and catering. If
interested, please send an email outlining your
qualifications to proposals@elior-na.com.
local
AroundDekalb
Avondale
Estates
Annual Christmas tree lighting
scheduled
Avondale Estates will host its
annual Christmas tree lighting
Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. at Clarendon
Avenue and South Avondale Road.
For more information, visit www.
avondaleestates.org.
Brookhaven
Holiday ball to benefit Toys for
Tots
The Red and White Holiday ball
and toy drive will be held Dec. 9 at
Lynwood Park Community Center
6-10 p.m. The ball will feature
dinner and a jazz band providing
the entertainment. It will also be
a means to collect toys for Toys
for Tots to go to children in need
during the holidays. The community
center is located at 3360 Osborne
Road. For more information visit
www.brookhavenga.gov.
Chamblee
Library to host free citizenship
clinic
Chamblee Public Library
located at 4115 Clairmont Road
will host a free citizenship clinic on
Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Participants can expect to learn
how to become a U.S. citizen and
exercise their rights under their
current status. Professionals from
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
and the New Americans Campaign
will be on site for assistance.
Qualifications for the clinic
include being 18 or older; no
criminal record; literacy skills;
a green card for five years;
a citizen spouse or a citizen
spouse and green card for three
years. Applications will include
completing a N-400 form, a
background check, an interview, a
civics test and an English exam.
Those interested should bring a
green card; drivers license; Social
Security card; passport; most recent
tax return; a list of home addresses
for the past five years; a list of
employer names and addresses for
the past five years; proof of public
benefits; dates spent outside the
United States since becoming a
resident; and any legal depositions
of time spent in court (if applicable).
For more information, visit
advancingjustice-atlanta.org or call
(404) 890-5655.
Clarkston
College to hold hiring fair
Georgia Piedmont Technical
Colleges (GPTC) DeKalb County
campuslocated at 495 N. Indian
Creek Drivewill host a part-time
instructor hiring fair on Nov. 27 from 10
a.m. until noon.
The fair will be held in the colleges
conference center. Participants are
encouraged to bring a resume,
references, transcripts and cover letters.
According to event officials, GPTC
staff and program directors will be
conducting onsite interviews as part of
the selection process.
Part-time instructors will teach
daytime classes on campus and at local
high schools served by GPTC. These
include schools in DeKalb, Newton,
Rockdale and Morgan counties.
For more information, visit tinyurl.
com/gptcadjunct or call (404) 297-
9522.
decatur
Wreath making arrives at Wylde
Center
Decaturs Wylde Center will host a
wreath making event at its Oakhurst
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 3
Gardenlocated at 435 Oakview
Roadfrom Nov. 29 through Dec. 2
Rescue Headquarters located at
1950 West Exchange Place in Tucker.
Dec. 5-9 at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place on the
According to event officials, first floor in room 111.
participants will be provided balsam For more information, contact
fir wreaths and a variety of garden
Carol Underwood, administrative
materials to create a one-of-a-kind
coordinator, at (404)-371-2927 or
wreath for the holidays. Garden
material will include dried berries, cjunderw@dekalbcountyga.gov.
herbs, flowers, pine cones, dried
magnolia pods and more.
This annual event has proved
to be very popular with adult family Flood hazard map open house
members or groups of friends coming scheduled
together to celebrate special occasions,
or simply to step away from the holiday The DeKalb County Roads and
hustle and bustle for an evening,
Drainage Department will host a
said Stephanie Van Parys, executive
director of Wylde Center. flood hazard map open house on
Participants are invited to bringDec. 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the
wine, beer and other refreshments to Maloof Auditorium located at 1300
enjoy as they create their wreaths. Commerce Drive in Decatur.
DeKalb Countys flood risk
The cost for the events is $55 for
information has been revised and
members and $65 for non-members.
updated flood hazard maps will
Adults must register online in advance.
For more information, visit www. be available for review. According
wyldecenter.org/wylde-wreath- to county officials, revisions to
making. these mapping products may
affect residents and business
owners in unincorporated DeKalb
tucker County, Atlanta, Avondale Estates,
Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston,
Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody and
Tucker.
Christmas on Main Street Residents can view the new
preliminary maps online at www.
Christmas on Main Street in
Tucker will be held Dec. 2, 5-8 p.m. GeorgiaDFIRM.com. DeKalb County
Santa Claus will be in attendance staff, local officials, representatives
and the Great Tree will be lit. from the Georgia Department of
Tucker Farmers Market will be open Natural Resources and Federal
during the celebration and Main Emergency Management Agency
Street will be lined with craft and will be on hand to answer
questions.
food vendors. There will also be a
For more information, contact
bounce house for children. For more
information, call Jamey at (404) the DeKalb County Roads and
Drainage Department at (404)-294-
556-7666.
2878 or visit www.dekalbcountyga.
gov/roads-drainage/floodplain-
Countywide management-0.
Parks Citizens Advisory Board to
meet Nov. 28
The DeKalb Parks Citizen
Advisory Board Committee meeting
has been scheduled for Nov. 28 at
6 p.m. at the DeKalb County Fire
local
decatur
Pearl Modeling School, a nonprofit organization teaching modeling, leadership and entrepreneurship, recently graduated 25 students. Photos submitted.
Molding model young women
Nonprofit modeling school graduates 25
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
On Nov. 12, 25 young
ladies from metro Atlanta
walked a makeshift runway at
Legacy Garden Parklocated
at 5616 Memorial Drive in
Stone Mountainas they
have routinely for the past
calendar year.
Though the young ladies
moves were the samestrut,
pose, turn and strut again
they seemed to have greater
significance on Nov. 12, as the
day marked graduation from
the Pearl School of Modeling.
Pearl School of Modeling,
a 501(c)3 nonprofit school
for girls, is the product of
Pearl Fils-Aimes. Fils-Aimes
founded the school in 2014 as
a way to promote confidence
in young women.
Our schools core mission
is to shape the confidence
of young girls to become
leaders through principles
in modeling, leadership and
entrepreneurship, Fils-Aimes
said. Its a year-long program
where girls learn not only
modeling, but leadership
techniques and identifying
their natural strengths.
Fils-Aimes, an industry
model since the age of
15, and professor at Clark
Atlanta University, said she
started the school as a way of
combining two passions.
I worked in a Fortune
500 company for two years,
then felt that I wanted to get
back into the community,
said Fils-Aimes, who has
earned a master degree in
business administration. The
business kind of found me:
girls approached me to ask
if I was the model they had
seen on TV and in magazines.
I said yes, and they would
immediately ask me how
to model and if I would be
interested in teaching them.
Since the schools
founding, students have
gone on to model for Andre
Walkers hair care product
line and other well-known
fashion icons. Walker has
been Oprah Winfreys
hairstylist for more than 25
years.
Our school offers its
services to students ages
9 to 17, Fils-Aimes said.
When you have hair brand
ambassadors, they are
typically college age or older.
[Walker] picked us and our
school because theres a focus
here on business.
Fils-Aimes said many
modeling schools in Atlanta
and similar cities only offer
techniques in modeling.
She said her school also
emphasizes leadership skills
and entrepreneurship.
We ask girls what their
passions are and try to build
a business idea around that,
Fils-Aimes said. One girl said
she was bullied, so we used
that as a starting point. Now
she runs Kindness Rules, an
anti-bullying campaign and
movement.
Other ideas founded at
Pearl School of Modeling
include Bright Black, a fashion
design company that focuses
on refurbishing old denim
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 4
into newer, more stylish
pieces. Fils-Aimes said many
students recognize they
like to model clothes and
often think to themselves,
Why cant I model my own
clothes?
We have 9-year-olds with
their own clothing lines,
Fils-aimes said. One of our
students was recently flown
to Canada to showcase her
business on the television
program Sprouts.
Pearl School of Modeling
also offers college tours and
scholarship opportunities.
Our motto is Model
the best you, Fils-Aimes
said. Whether our students
become models, teachers, Destruction of Special Education Records
pilots or own their own
The DeKalb County School District, in accordance with federal and
business, theyre confident state law, announces its intention to destroy, on or about January
in themselves in whatever 31, 2018, education records collected, maintained, and used in the
arena they are in. They know provision of a free and appropriate public education for students with
who they are and where they disabilities.
are going. They leave with
a sense of confidence and Special education records maintained by the District for students born
purpose. between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1993 are no longer
Fils-Aimes said the needed by the District for educational purposes. However, these
modern world is competitive records may be needed by the student and/or parent or guardian for
and demands self-confidence Social Security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, or
because of how competitive other purposes.
it is. She said the skills learned
at her school help prepare If you, as a former special education student or parent/guardian of
young women for the future. a special education student, wish to obtain these records prior to
In life, youre going to destruction, please contact the Special Education Records Office at
678-676-1802 or in writing at:
have a lot of people coming
at you, telling you that you 5867 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
cant do something because Or via email @ SpEdRecords@dekalbschoolsga.org
youre you, Fils-Aimes said. Or via fax @ 678-676-2027
Self-confidence lets you
know that its not up to them The request window opens October 15, 2017 and closes January
to decide; its up to you to 31, 2018. The request for records (scheduled for destruction) form is
determine your future. available on the DeKalb County School District website on the Special
For more information, visit Education page. Records will be made available within 30 days of the
aladynamepearl.com. written request; if you plan to pick up the records in person, please
notify us at least 5 days in advance. Proof of identity is required.
LOCAL
donations Continued From Page 1
of used items to determine
whats appropriate and whats
not.
Many organizations
restrict what they will accept
and provide lists of preferred
items.
Our House, a shelter
for homeless families with
locations in Decatur and
Atlanta, no longer accepts
donations of clothing, used
toys or furniture due to lack
of storage space, its website
states.
Our House requests
donations of cash, stocks and
securities.
Every donation we
receivesmall or largeis
a generous gift and critical
to our success, states the
website. Your financial
contribution enables us to
give families experiencing
homelessness the tools,
support and education they
need to thrive.
It also lists other items it
accepts including baby wipes,
toilet paper, lotion, white
crib sheets, pacifiers and
deodorant.
St. Peter and Paul Catholic
Church on Tilson Road in
Decatur operates a year-
round food pantry.
According to Theresa
Ivory, president of the
churchs Greggs Pantry
(named for a volunteer who
gave his time to the pantry
for nearly 30 years), said the
pantry previously served 15-
20 families a week but now
some 50 to 75 families come
to the pantry on Saturdays for
boxes of food.
Ivory advises that people
wanting to help their pantry
should check to make sure
the donated food is not past
its expiration date and that
cans are not dented. Donors
should not take a lets clean
out the closet approach.
If its something you
dont want, nobody else
wants it, she said.
Items that are close to the
expiration date are accepted,
Ivory said. However the
individuals who the items are
given to are told in advance.
She said most of her
churchs parishioners buy
food to donate and shes only
had one or two instances
when an item was not
acceptable.
We dont get a lot of
things that have to be turned
away. If you are upfront with
peopleyou will usually get
what you need, said Ivory.
When deciding what to
buy to donate to a pantry,
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 5
Build Continued From Page 1
Ivory suggests thinking of housing than there for single
canned goods that children dads or single men.
like such as peas and carrots. Blackburn Park was
Donating coupons is also selected as the site for the
a good idea as volunteers Thanksgiving Tiny Home
can use them when making Quick Build project after
purchases for the pantry. James contacted Brookhaven
Cash, however, can go a Councilman Bates Mattison
long way as Greggs Pantry when the previous location
buys food from the Atlanta fell through.
Community Food Bank. Weve been talking
We can buy tons of food about creating workforce
for $100, said Ivory. development strategies and
The church also made up we knew about the tiny home
and gave out Thanksgiving quick build, but I said the
baskets with traditional venue has to change, James
fixings of ham or turkey, said. And [Mattison] said well
sweet potatoes, macaroni find some place for you. The
and cheese, cake, etc. for city of Chamblee said the
100 families, 25-30 seniors or same thing, because [tiny
singles. homes are] a viable solution
To be eligible for for the working homeless. So,
food from Greggs Pantry, everyone was for it. Were very
individuals must prove they grateful for Bates Mattison
reside in zip codes 30316, and the city of Brookhaven
30317 and 30032. and all of the surrounding
At Mountain West Church communities.
in Stone Mountain, church This is an exciting
members have been asked program that seems to
to bring specific items each address social and economic
Sunday in November for a issues in a constructive and
food drive called Get Your innovative way, Mattison
Can to Church. Cereal was the said in a press released. I
highlighted food one Sunday. am very happy we could
The church also provided lists host this event right here in
of suggested food items such Brookhaven.
as tuna, canned fruits and Jones and Incredible Tiny
vegetable, soup and cereal. Homes came on board with
Goodwill of North the project after meeting
Georgia has 60 stores, 58 James.
donation sites and 13 career She asked us at a home
centers. They accept a wide show that we were at, and
range of items such as I like helping others, Jones
clothes, household goods, said.
book, shoes, sporting goods, Incredible Tiny Homes has
CDs. While they do not accept been in business for more
large appliances such as than two years and has built
refrigerators and stove, they 90 homes. James said tiny
do take electronics such as homes have become popular
televisions. Other items they with those who are looking to
dont take include hazardous downsize.
and building materials, paint, For the customers weve
tires, mattresses, etc. worked with its more of a
volunteers for the project, the DCMO Empowerment/
Profit from sales at financial reason, Jones said.
said in a press release. Survival Retreat as part of
Goodwill stores fund its Theyre sizing down so
Unfortunately, some crucial Atlanta Municipal Court
programs to ready people for they dont have such a [big]
components of this build Judge Terrinee Gundys
employment and help them mortgage. The thing about
were not available at this Bailout-Release Program.
find jobs. our company is were so less
time and our build schedule Through DCMOs
Summer Dunham, priced than everybody in the
cannot be completed with programs such as the Bailout
director of public relations for United States. [Tiny homes
current resources. and Empowerment Survival
Goodwill, said gently used are] such a phenomenon,
We were excited retreats, men who are
are the best guidelines for but the homes are going for
to participate in this released from jail for low-
donations. $60,000 to $100,000. Our
philanthropic endeavor, and level misdemeanors can be
We know our donors homes start out at $25,000.
disappointed that it didnt reunited with their families
give to us to help our mission James said they are
come to fruition, Randy and given tools such as a
of putting people to work, hoping to build three tiny
Jones, owner of Incredible home to help them stay out
said Dunham. home every quarter to help
Tiny Homes, said in a press of the correctional system.
We are so thankful for those released from jail stay
release. We hope that we [A tiny home] is an
our donors, she said. They out of jail.
can revisit this project in affordable solution, James
are making a difference in If youre working but
the future, when adequate said. If you have two
peoples lives here in our dont have a place to stay,
supplies and materials are in minimum wage jobs, you can
community and we are youre going to end up back
place. work 15 hours a day and still
thankful for their support. in jail if youre downtown,
Before the cancelation, cant afford some housing in
she said. We want to be more
Monique James, executive downtown Atlanta. But its
systemic about developing a
director of DCOM, said the different for single moms.
workforce out of these fathers
plan was to give the home For single moms there are so
and out of these men.
to a veteran who completed many benefits as it relates to
opinion DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 6

Thankful for the season of reflection and appreciation

At a time when it seems the
world is spinning out of control,
Thanksgiving is finally here and
I, for one, am thankful for this
season of reflection.
Its been a brutal year,
particularly the last few
months. Weve watched our
neighbors in this country
and abroad struggle with the
loss of life and devastation of
communities from wildfires,
hurricanes, mudslides and
earthquakes. Massacres in
Texas, Las Vegas and New York
have left us grieving and asking
questions that can never fully
be answered.
As a nation, weve worried
about jobs, health care, taxes,
homelessness, police brutality,
care of our veterans and elderly,
Gale Horton Gay
gale@dekalbchamp.com
divisiveness, sexual harassment,
political infighting and whether
a war might break out with a
foreign power.
Thanksgiving, both the day
and the season, is the time for
us to take a breather, to pause
for a moment and look inward.
Despite the troubles of the
world and our country, despite
the upheavals in our lives and
among our family and friends,
this time of yearbegs us to focus
on what we should be giving
thanks for each and every day.
I suspect that so many of us
are consumed by big issues that
dominate the news and social
media that we neglect to think
about all the smaller things that
are the good and wonderful
parts of our lives.
For me, its being in fairly
good health, being able to
enjoy walking in the park,
feeling the sun on my face,
having a sister and a few good
girlfriends to get together with,
a nearly three decades marriage
to a man whos seen me at my
best and my worst and is still
here, work that I still enjoy and
clients willing to pay me for my
efforts, food in the refrigerator,
neighbors who look out for
one another, grown children
who share their happiness
and sorrows and a 91-year-
old mother who still offers me
advice and worries when I go
outside without a hat a cold day.
I try not to take my blessings
for granted, but of course I
do just like so many of us. So
this Thanksgiving among the
craziness of fixing a mountain
of food, watching the Macys
Thanksgivings Day Parade,
spending time with family and
friends and, of course, watching
football, Im going to try to
savor all the small and precious
moments.
Life is good despite the
burdens we must bear and
witness; lets be thankful for it.

Subscribe to The Champion Newspaper

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opinion
Time for pause and giving thanks
After a good dinner one can
forgive anyone.Even ones own
relations, Oscar Wilde (1854-
1900) celebrated Irish author and
playwright.
One of our nations finest and
longest standing traditions is
our great national day of thanks,
which began in November of
1621. George Washington
issued a national proclamation
after decades of celebration in
1789; Abraham Lincoln made it a
national holiday.
Thanksgiving is for many the
national gorge-festa day of too
much food and drink, followed by
football and early naps and near
catatonia.
But I digress.At some point in
my 40s after both children were
born, the holiday began to give
me some much-needed new
perspective, and an opportunity
to take annual inventory and
give thanks.I dont just mean
the brief prayer that precedes or
accompanies the big meal, I mean
giving thanks and gratitude to the
many who give so much to all of
us the rest of each year. I started
with my own family, making
some old amends and letting go
of some long-held grudges and
resentments.We dont all hold
hands now and sing Kumbaya,
but I also dont contribute to
extending the grudge match.And
though I have learned better to
forgive; I still am not so good at
forgetting. But I also learned that
so few people, and particularly
often those who do so much every
day for others, so seldom hear or
read genuine words and thoughts
of appreciation and thanks.And
again, Im not just talking about
a brief, Good groceries... after
consuming the turkey and
surrounding dishes to the family
FreePress
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One Mans
Opinion
Bill Crane
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
matriarch. I mean sitting down
and writing, or talking (sans smart
phone) and telling a parent, a
sibling and yes, even your children,
how much you appreciate them,
thank them and how much they
mean to you.
And during this time of
great division in our nation, it is
important to remember that not
all of our politicians nor public
officials are crooks, nor are they
serving the public with intent
for self-service.Most servant
leaders or community leaders at
least begin their path and trek to
improve the communities in which
they live.They want what we all
want:Safe streets, quality schools,
housing and communities of
mutual interests, and they want to
be led by people they can trust.
Trust often starts with
appreciation and bonds built on
Send Letters To Editor,
The DeKalb Free Press,
P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347;
Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com
FAX To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779.
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DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 7
mutual respect and yes, a bit of
gratitude.It is easier to expect
our leaders to do what they say
they will do, when we thank and
acknowledge whenever they do
just that.So, for those who lead
well, and oftenthank them.
Our teachers may not be
the best compensated in
our communities, but they
have among the most valued
responsibilitiespreparing,
training and building the minds of
our youths.For those who do that
well, and their calling is usually
self-evident.Thank them.
Our first responders, the police,
deputies, fire and EMT personnel
who run toward the bullets and
flaming structuresthey deserve
our thanks, and sooner than later,
most all of them deserve a pay
raise, which comes from we the
taxpayers.Safe streets and well-
trained public safety personnel
dont come for free, and if they
come cheap, we get what we dont
pay for.Thank them.
Our friends, neighbors, lovers
and those that touch our lives in
so many different positive ways
take the time and spend of your
Publisher: Photographer:
John Hewitt Travis Hudgons
Chief Financial Officer: Staff Reporters:
Dr. Earl D. Glenn Carla Parker
R. Scott Belzer
Production Manager: Horace Holloman
Kemesha Wadley
The DeKalb 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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dime to go see them.Once a year
its not too much to ask to skip the
text, or even a longer Email. Pick
up the phone, write a real letter
or better yet, make a point to go
and see those who have made
a difference in your life.Take a
friend to lunch, and pick up the
check.Cut the neighbors lawn,
check in on a senior nearby whose
world is shrinking all around. And
thank them.
As with manners and being
polite, the only real costs here
most often are your time.But think
about the last time you received
a sincere thank you and just
how much that meant to you.Put
down the turkey leg.Pick up the
phone.Get in the car during this
holiday week and season and go
see those who mean so much
to you. We never know what
tomorrow might bring, and who
might not be here next year to say
thanks to.Go thank them.
Youll thank me later. God bless
you and yours and all the best
wishes of the holiday season and
new year ahead.
Statement from the
publisher
We sincerely appreciate the
discussion surrounding this and any
issue of interest to DeKalb County.
The Champion was founded in 1991
expressly to provide a forum for
discourse for all community residents
on all sides of an issue. We have no
desire to make the news only to
report news and opinions to effect
a more educated citizenry that will
ultimately move our community
forward. We are happy to present
ideas for discussion; however,
we make every effort to avoid
printing information submitted to
us that is known to be false and/or
assumptions penned as fact.
local
clarkston
Returning to the
source with Sankofa
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
hosts film screening, director Q&A
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
On Nov. 13, students,
instructors and staff at
Georgia Piedmont Technical
College (GPTC) embarked
on a journey back to the
source of their humanity.
GPTClocated at
495 N. Indian Creek
Drivehosted a free film
screening of Sankofa, a
slave narrative written and
directed by Haile Gerima.
The screening was followed
by a question-and-answer
session with Gerima, who
was also present at the
screening.
Sankofa follows
Mona, a self-absorbed
Black American fashion
model who finds herself
transported back in time
to a West Indies plantation
while on a photo shoot in
Africa. She experiences
the physical and mental
anguish of slavery before
participating in a rebellion.
The film explores themes
of identity, history, humanity
and the overall effects of
the African diaspora on
Black Americans. A constant
throughout the film is an
urging to viewers to return
to the source of their identity
by examining history.
Sankofa was recognized
as one of the 500 Utterly
Essential Movies to
Cultivate Great Taste in
Cinema by professors of film
study at Harvard University.
The film received the Grand
Prize at the African Cinema
Festival in Milan, Italy and
received the award for best
cinematography during the
FESPACO Pan-African Film
Festival in Burkina Faso.
According to Gerima,
the most relevant message
found in Sankofa today
nearly 25 years after its
releaseis showing the
resistance of Black people.
The best beauty of
Black people in America
that they have for the world
is not sports, music or
anything, but their history
of resistance, Gerima said.
For me, I was trying to get
a piece of that. I like Black
people fighting back and I
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 8
wanted to fight back.
Gerima said returning
to the source involves
connecting to the past in
order to heal.
The history of the African
diaspora and in America
in general is the history of
the struggle with the White
supremacist paradigm
to cut the umbilical cord
of Black people to Africa
and Black people trying to Georgia Piedmont Technical
repair, Gerima said. When College hosted a screening
of Sankofa as well as a
you endeavor to show the question-and-answer
brutality of slavery, you session with writer and
miss the concept of slavery. director Haile Gerima on
Nov. 14. Photos by R. Scott
It deceives everyone, Belzer
including Black people.
The idea of fighting back
exorcises the evil demons
of slavery. It can even free
White people. That aspect is
very sacred.
Gerima said economic
class continues to fracture
the Black population and is
Haile Gerima referred to
reflected in his depiction of film as a battleground and
head slaves and overseers said Sankofa was a miracle
in Sankofa. He said his film that showcases and
celebrates the history
depiction of women is also Black peoples resistance
carefully considered. to imperialism.
Gerima referred to film
as a battleground, stating
cinema has historically
disfigured Black people,
their history, their homeland
and humanity. He said he
has never viewed film as
entertainment and cannot
comprehend how anyone
can.
When I came to
America, I saw what
the cultural imperialism
of cinema had done to
people, Gerima said. The audience on Nov. 14 asked Gerima questions involving
GPTC president Jabari Simama studied under Haile Gerima
Latin Americans call it at Morgan State University in Baltimore. his depiction of women, the sankofa philosophy as well as
the new hydrogen bomb the Black aesthetic in film.
because it goes straight
into your head without
permission. It rearranges Gerima said no American means go back and get internationally recognized
your thought system: who film company wanted to help it in the Twi language of filmmaker to the DeKalb
to love, what is beautiful, finance the film at the time Ghanacan help heal County campus.
what is ugly, whats good of its making because of its harmed populations. I first had the honor
here, whats bad here. ideas. He said sites typically Its a thought system, of meeting Haile in the
We never marched about used for plantations in film Gerima said. People are 1970s when I was a media
how Hollywood destroyed in Cuba and Jamaica would reading Marx and Engles, professor at Morgan State
Black hair. How Hollywood not participate in the film when theres a [philosophy] University in Baltimore. He
destroyed Black peoples because its too African. in Ghana you can learn was at [Howard University]
nose and lips. For me, the Gerima said many actors from. If I wasnt making at the time as head of the
image is the battleground both White and Black movies, I would be writing program. Simama said.
to restore oneself, one has dropped out of the film for volumes on this thought This film shows that, if its
to destroy colonial images the same reason. system. a story worth telling, it will
and put out our own counter Its a miracle film, to tell Jabari Simama, be told. My wife has been
images. Film sells ideas. you the truth, Gerima said. president of GPTC, said showing Sankofa to her high
It sells hair. It sells beauty Gerima said the ideas it is an honor to welcome school students for the past
standards. of Sankofaa word that such an esteemed and 20 years.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 9

weekinpictures

Atlanta Families Award for Excellence in Education recipient Toni Bailey in her 8th
grade art class on Nov. 15. Photo submitted.

Dresden Elementarys first Dads & Donuts, which provided time to spend together to students and their fathers,
received a noteworthy turnout on Nov. 17. Photo submitted.

Students at Stephenson High School received Chromebooks as part of DeKalb County School Districts Digital
Dreamers initiative. Photo submitted

DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson has lunch at City Schools of Decatur parent Marishyl
the Lou Walker Center. Photo submitted. Fords son gives a note of appreciation to his DeKalb County Firefighters arrive on the scene at a house fire in Tucker. Photo
school crossing guard, Joyce Washington. submitted.
Photo submitted.

Have you created programming youd like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb Countys Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.

(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com

local DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 10

Countywide

Law enforcement officers from agencies throughout DeKalb County came together at Dresden Park The recently installed memorial lists 42 fallen officers, their agency as well as the date of their end of
Nov. 15 for the unveiling of a fallen officer memorial. Photos by R. Scott Belzer watch. Bricks at the bottom of the memorial list various sponsors.

Honoring DeKalb Countys fallen officers

Dresden Park memorial honors 42
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Forty-two DeKalb County
law enforcement officers
will be long remembered
following the installation
of an official memorial at
Dresden Park in Chamblee.
Officers from throughout
DeKalb County came
together on Nov. 15 to
celebrate the installation
of a DeKalb County Fallen
Officers monument at the
park, located at 2301 Dresden
Drive.
The monument
made possible through a
partnership among the North
Decatur Lions Club, the city of
Chamblee and DeKalb County
law enforcement agencies
lists 42 officers who died in
the line of duty dating back
to 1852.
The listings include the
officer's name, date of their
end of watch as well as their
agency. DeKalb County
Sheriff Moses Formwalt, who
died in May 1852, is the first
listing on the monument and
DeKalb County Police Officer
Kevin Toatley, who died in
September 2015, is the most
recent officer listed.
Bricks around the
monument list individual and
business sponsors who made
the Monument possible.
The men and women that
we honor here today lived
and died believing that what
they were doing was right.
I believe that as well. said
Lions Club District Governor
Mark Bradley. The service
this memorial recognizes
involves making decisions
every single day that affect
someones life.
Family members of officers
listed on the monument also
spoke to the crowd gathered,
stressing the importance of
law enforcement officers.
I want people in the
community to realize how
much officers sacrifice by
getting up every morning
knowing it is a possibility that
standing up for someone in
the community could cost
them their own life, said
one. It shows the heart, the
love and the sacrifice for the
community that many are not
willing to give. When asked,
What are you willing to die
for? not many people can
answer that question. To die
for someone elses family
thats strong.
The book of John 15:13
says, No greater love is there
than this, that a man lay down
his life to save a friend, said
another. Im willing to say
today that officers take this
one notch further because
they stand ready to lay down
their life for someone they
have never heard of or [seen]
before. All I can do is say
thank you from the bottom of
my heart.
According to DeKalb
County Police Chief J.W.
Conroy, Lions Club member
and longtime supporter of
law enforcement Charlene
Fang has been working to
make the memorial a reality
for the past four years.
Now her vision has
become a reality, Conroy said.
This memorial will make
sure the sacrifices made by
the men and women who
died while serving our great
community shall never be
forgotten.
DeKalb County CEO
Michael Thurmond, who
was present on Nov. 15,
called Fang a spirited and
wonderful lady. He said the
North Decatur Lions Club has
supported law enforcement
for more than 50 years by
hosting the Police Officer of
the Year ceremony.
We want to thank [the
club] for [its] continued
passion and commitment
to making sure DeKalb
residents and citizens
in our incorporated and
unincorporated areas
remember that police officers
are public servants of the
highest order, Thurmond
said. They place their lives in
jeopardy every day to make
sure our families are safe and
secure.
Chamblee Mayor Eric
Clarkson said it was a special
honor for Chamblee to host
the new monument.
Thanks to those that
serve our communities and
serve so bravely, Clarkson
said.

Butler awarded honorary doctorate

Sen. Gloria Butler (D Stone
Mountain) was awarded an honorary
doctorate degree from Trinity
International University of Ambassadors,
Organization of World Leaders and
Trinity Girls Network. The award
and hooding ceremony was held on
Georgias Humanitarian Day, Nov. 15, at
the state Capitol.
I am humbled and honored to be
recognized on Georgias Humanitarian
Day, said Butler. I am thankful for
everything these organizations do to
give back to our community. Without
your service, we would not be where we
are today. Id also like to congratulate
the other recipients and thank them
for all they have done for our great
state. I look forward to serving in the
General Assembly for years to come and
helping to make a lasting impact on our
communities.
Georgias Humanitarian Day is a
day set aside by the state of Georgia
to encourage citizens to lead lives
of service, to work together for the
betterment of the community and to
give themselves to improve our nation.
local
DeKalb Medical plans to join Emory
by horace holloman
horace@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb Medical, which
has hospitals in Lithonia
and Decatur, announced its
plans to form a strategic
partnership with Emory
Healthcare.
On Nov. 14, the hospital
announced plans to join
Emory by officially signing
a letter of intent. According
to officials of Emory and
DeKalb Medical, the letter of
intent signals the beginning
of the process to formulate
a definitive agreement to
bring the two health systems
together under the Emory
Healthcare name.
Both Emory and DeKalb
Medical have a strong and
historical commitment
to providing exceptional
care to the community,
said Jonathan Lewin,
Emory University executive
vice president for health
affairs and CEO of Emory
Healthcare. We understand
the importance of both
community hospitals and
academic medical centers
in delivering optimal care to
our patients. A partnership
with DeKalb Medical will
strategically support these
efforts.
The two organizations will
wait for final approval from
regulatory agencies, which
could happen as soon as
2018.
DeKalb Medical President
and CEO Robert Wilson
said merging with Emory
will make DeKalb Medicals
institution stronger.
We are excited about
the future, Wilson said.Our
community has counted on
us for 56 years and weve
always been here growing
to meet our communitys
needs. This partnership
will strengthen our ability
to continue to deliver high
quality community-based
healthcare.
In August, DeKalb Medical
guaranteed at least 200
employees would receive
a livable wage increase in
salary by committing to
paying all employees at least
$12 hour.
Officials with DeKalb
Medical said it is too early to
determine if those employees
will be affected by the
agreement between DeKalb
Medical and Emory.
Right now, its a skeleton
agreement, then they will
get into all of the HR issues
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 11
CITY OF CHAMBLEE PUBLIC NOTICE
A copy of the proposed 2018 Operating Budget for the
City of Chamblee will be available for review at City Hall
on Tuesday, December 5, 2017.
A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held
on Monday, December 11, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Civic
later. Were not at that point announcement comes nearly
yet, said Cheryl Iverson, a year after its CEO John Center, 3540 Broad Street. Any persons wishing to be
spokesperson for DeKalb Shelton resigned and 60 heard on the budget may appear and be heard.
The City Council will adopt the budget on Tuesday,
Medical. employees were fired. December 19, 2017. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.
DeKalb Medicals and will be held in the Civic Center.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 14, 2017
at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 at 6:00 p.m. to receive public comments regarding
the following matters:
PZ2017-171: Applicant: RRF Perimeter, LLC (Minerva), Brian Davison and Dan Cotter; Owner: RRF Perimeter, LLC
(Minerva) request approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with 21 townhome units and a commercial building. The
property is located at 4251 North Peachtree Rd, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18-334-05-001 and zoned Corridor Commercial.
PZ2017-195: Applicant: Gavino Tornez, owner, requests a variance from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances,
Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 310-19 (b), to encroach the Citys 50 undisturbed stream buffer and 75 no-
impervious surfaces stream buffer for the addition of a wooden deck and associated land disturbance. The property is located at
3103 Ascot Court, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18-282-02-051 and zoned Neighborhood Residential-1.
PZ2017-198: Applicant: Smith Dalia Architects, Amanda Warr; Owner: Unified Clairmont, LLC requests approval of a
Planned Unit Development (PUD) and associated variances from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified
Development Ordinance, to allow for the development of a mental health treatment clinic. The variances are as follows: Sec. 250-
7(a)(1) to allow parking spaces to be located between a building and a street; Sec. 250-2 to reduce the total number of parking
spaces required for service operations from 121 spaces to 60 spaces; Sec. 250-22(b) to allow a dumpster enclosure to be located
in the side yard; Sec. 310-19(b) to allow land disturbance within the Citys 50 ft undisturbed stream buffer and 75 ft no-impervious
surfaces stream buffer. The property is located at 2830 Dresden Drive, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18-267-03-023, and
zoned Corridor Commercial.
PZ2017-151: Applicant: 30AIP Chamblee, LLC, Travis Meyer; Owner: Lowes Home Centers, LLC, request approval
of multiple variances, to develop a drive-thru restaurant, from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified
Development Ordinance, Sec. 230-30(b)(2) to allow drive-through facilities on a storefront street; Sec. 250-2(a)(4) to allow an
excess of 110% of the minimum required parking spaces; Sec. 250-7(a)(1) to allow parking spaces to be located between a
building and a street; Sec. 250-8(c)(1) for a reduction in required stacking spaces; Sec. 250-8(c)(4) to not provide a drive-through
bypass lane; Sec. 260-6(b)(2)(a) to allow building signs on facades not fronting on a street with a curb cut; Sec. 260-6(b)(2)(a) to
allow a freestanding sign for property building without a curb cut; Sec. 260-7(a)(8) to increase menu board size from 8 square
feet to 32 square feet. The property is located at 4950 Peachtree Boulevard, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18-300-02-003 and
zoned Corridor Commercial.
PZ2017-167: Applicant: PRO Building Systems, Steven Ellis; Owner: Tuxedo Real Estate Partners request approval of
a Planned Unit Development/ Development of Community Impact and associated variances, to redevelop an existing automobile
dealership, from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 230-28(a) to allow
the appearance of a metal building; Sec 230-30(b)(2) for a sidewalk-level use on a storefront street to be motor vehicle related;
Sec. 240-13(d)(1)(d) for service and storage areas to be visible from the right-of-way; Sec. 250-2(a)(4) to exceed 110% of the
minimum amount of required parking spaces and not install grasscrete; Sec. 250-7(b)(8) to not install wheel bumpers; Sec. 310-
19 to allow encroachment into the Citys 50 foot and 75 foot stream buffer. The property is located at 5665 and 5689 Peachtree
Boulevard, and 0, 3750, 3764, 3772, 3780, North Peachtree Rd, being DeKalb County tax parcels 18-323-04-001, 002, 006, 008,
009, 010 and 18 309 02 065; and zoned Corridor Commercial.
PZ2017-185: Applicant: Nowshed Hossain; Owner: Zayen, LLC requests approval of multiple variances, to allow for the
development of a planned center including a caf and office space, from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A,
Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 250-2(a)(3) to reduce the total number of parking spaces required from 25 spaces to 15
spaces; Sec. 230-30(b)(1) to allow for a partial reduction in required minimum floor-to-ceiling height from 18 to 10; Sec. 230-
14(a)(1) to allow a wall in the front yard to exceed 42 in height; Sec. 250-22(b) to reduce the setback distance from dumpster to
property line from 5 to 3; Sec. 260-6 (b)(2)(a) to allow building signs on a faade not facing a street with a curb cut; Sec. 340-37
(b)(1)(a) to remove the requirement that new development that involves the creation of 5,000 square feet or more of impervious
cover, or that involves other land development activities of 10,000 square feet or more to install stormwater management. The
property is located at 4004 and 4010 Buford Highway, being DeKalb County tax parcels 18-236-06-010, 015, and zoned Corridor
Commercial.
PZ2017-186: Applicant: Janelle and Michael Foy, Owner: William Sutphin requests the approval of a variance, to allow a
single family home renovation, from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Sec.
230-2(a) to reduce the required side yard setback from 76 to 4. The property is located at 3586 Cold Spring Lane, being DeKalb
County tax parcel 18-307-01-015 and zoned Neighborhood Residential-1.
PZ2017-189: Applicant: Michael Tchouaffe, Owner: Equidem Management, LLC requests approval of multiple
variances to allow for the development of an office building, from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified
Development Ordinance, Sec. 230-12 to allow for a building that does not meet the transitional height plane regulations; Sec. 230-
5 (c) to reduce the width of the required streetscape clear zones; Sec. 250-2 (a)(3) to allow a reduction in parking from 13 spaces
to 10 spaces; Sec. 230-5 (b) to encroach the 15 front yard setback. The property is located at 2589 Chamblee Tucker Road,
being DeKalb County tax parcel 18-281-06-021 and zoned Neighborhood Commercial-1.
TA2017-002, 003, 004, 005, 006 & 007: The City of Chamblee Georgia proposes to amend the Official City Code
of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Title I Administration, Title 2 Land U se and Zoning, Title 3
Development and Permitting & Appendix, MF Districts, Infill Development/Reuse Design Guidelines, 1.0 through 3.5.
reduse. reuse. recycle.
education DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 12

tucker
Lakeside High Schools theater company
was recently selected to represent Georgia
at the Southeastern Theater Conference in
Mobile, Ala. Photos submitted.

Humbled but thrilled

Lakeside one-act play wins state
competition, advances to regionals
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com was announced as best
According to parent Lisa
Bridges, chasing glory in
the realm of live theater was
not a consideration for her
and 24 Lakeside High School
students at the beginning of
the 2017-2018 school year.
Today, its all they can
think about, she said.
There are no words to
describe it, Bridges said. Its
exceptional.
Bridges is the director of
Lakeside Theatre Companys
production of Failure: A Love
Story. The one-act, 45-minute
play was one of two
submissions in the Georgia
Theatre Conference that took
place in Carrolton Oct. 12
through 14.
When they announced
the best supporting actor
and actresses and all-star
cast selections, none of our
students were mentioned,
Bridges said. We all just
assumed we had a good time,
learned a lot and that would
be it. Then they announced
the best actor and actress.
Much to the productions
surprise, senior Leah Thomas
actress for her portrayal as
Jenny June Fail.
We just went wild,
Bridges said. Then they
announced the top two
plays
The first winner
announced was Davidson
Fine Arts Academy, a public
magnet school based in
Augusta. The second was
Lakeside High Schools
production of Failure: A Love
Story.
I lost my voice for
the next few days, I was
screaming so much, Bridges
said. Ill never forget walking
back to the bus with students.
They were so humbled but
thrilled beyond belief. They
had worked very hard for
this winand then saw what
comes from the work. Were
feeling very elated.
According to notes from
judges, the Lakeside theater
students strengths are being
able to work as an ensemble.
Though the production
featured more experienced
thespians such as seniors
Thomas and Connor Hayes,
Bridges said the play also
introduced actress Leila
Baniassad and others to the
craft. She said she had no
expectations with Failure: A
Love Story, but that everyone
worked hard and came into
their own.
Im a pretty relentless
director. Rehearsals were
long. We rehearsed every day
of the week in the afternoons.
Closer to the competition,
we were also rehearsing
on Saturday and Sunday,
Bridges said. I knew they
had it in them. What Ive
said from the beginning is
that they deserve more than
mediocrity. They didnt give in
to just letting the play be OK.
They made sure they were
going to be at their best and
live truthfully on the stage.
And thats exactly what they
did.
At the time of the
conference, Bridges said
she was simply excited to
participate. Students were
able to observe 13 other
schools from across Georgia
on stage.
Bridges was proud of
what the production was
Lakeside Theatre Companys production of Failure: A Love Story was recognized
for the cohesion of its ensemble cast.
able to accomplish, observe
and learn, but winning any
particular categories was not
on its radar. When it came
time to list award winners, it
was more of a formality than
anticipation.
As one of the winners
of the Georgia Theatre
Conference, Failure: A Love
Story has gained entry to
the Southeastern Theatre
Conference in Mobile, Ala.,
in March 2018. Bridges said
participationwhich also
includes workshops with
theater professionals, keynote
speakers, performance
festivals, auditions for other
productions, scholarship
opportunities, college
recruitment and even job
interviewswill cost the
production approximately
$16,000.
The funds will help pay for
a charter bus, entry fees and
hotel accommodations for 24
students.
To donate to Lakeside
Theatre Companys
production of Failure:
A Love Story, contact
Bridges at lisa.a.bridges@
emoryhealthcare.org or
Becky Hoover at becky.
hoover@comcast.net.
Its expensive to bring a
show on the road, Bridges
said. But we want to be
able to represent not only
Lakeside High School but
DeKalb County and the state
of Georgia. Its a huge honor
and responsibility and we
want to be able to do it.
Bridges said theater
provides students with the
ability to express themselves,
think on their feet and live
truthfully under imaginary
circumstances.
business
decatur
A colorful new neighbor
Sherwin-Williams Paints opens Decatur store
by Kathy Mitchell
FREELANCE REPORTER
A new business in downtown
Decatur is prepared to paint the
town redor blue, or yellow or any
of thousands of color variations. The
Sherwin-Williams retail store that
opened Nov. 14 on West Ponce de Leon
is the 102nd Atlanta area store for the
151-year-old paint company.
Were very excited about being
in downtown Decatur, said Sherwin-
Williams city manager Amy Kelly.
This is a vibrant community where
people take special pride in their
homes, whether they are in historic
neighborhoods or in the citys newer
communities.
Kelly said the store is prepared
to serve residential and commercial
customers, but she anticipates that
most of its business will be residential
customers. Although were a national
corporation, we operate like a local
company. We want to be seen as a
friend and a neighbor. Decatur is the
type of city where people easily get
to know one another. I love that from
this store you can walk to several nice
restaurants, coffee shops and other
businesses.
Sherwin-Williams, Kelly said, prides
itself in the expertise of its employees.
Paint is our business. Everything we
sell is paint related. Unlike at some
other places where a person might
buy paint, every person you talk to at
Sherwin-Williams is a paint expert. You
can be confident that the person can
help you to make your project turn out
the way you want it. Each person here
is backed by 151 years of experience.
Even if you have something unusual, we
will know how to paint it.
One of the companys slogans
reflects its confidence in employees
ability to address any paint-related
question. The tagline Ask Sherwin-
Williams, according to the companys
website, was inspired by a baseball
announcer. At a mid-1990s game, a
center fielder made an extraordinarily
high leap to catch the ball, robbing his
opponents of a home run. The ad right
behind him was for Sherwin-Williams
paint. How high was that jump? the
announcer asked. His partner answered,
I dont know. Ask Sherwin-Williams.
When the company started in 1866
there was no such thing as ready-to-
use paint. Henry Sherwin worked for
a company that sold paint ingredients
and related products. With about
$2,000 (a substantial sum at that time)
and several investment opportunities,
Sherwin decided to go into the paint
business. Partnering with Edward
DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 13
Williams, the company that offered the
first prepared paints went into business.
The company with its iconic Cover
the Earth logo boasts that it has
provided paint for many national and
international landmarks, including
the White House and San Franciscos
Golden Gate Bridge. Its inks also have
been used in making U.S. postage
stamps and currency.
In a speech marking the companys
50th anniversary, Sherwin said, From
the very beginning I felt that I had
struck my life work, and would not
allow myself to entertain a thought of
any other occupation. Then I kept in
mind the motto, What is worth doing is
worth doing well.
Another painting standardthe
paint rolleralso originated with
Sherwin-Williams. According to the
companys website, during World War
II, Japans blockade of China had cut
off the supply of Chinese hog bristles Customers and visitors join employees Nov. 14 to cut the ribbon officially opening the Decatur
that were used in the production Sherwin-Williams store.
of domestic paint brushes. Richard
Adams, an engineer at Sherwin-
Williams attached a handle to a
circular roller that could absorb paint.
Adams gadget didnt just offset
the effects of a paintbrush shortage: It
revolutionized the paint industry, giving
even novice painters the confidence
to do their own home-improvement
projects.
Despite the companys place in the
history of the paint industry, it remains
on the cutting edge of computer
technology, according to Kelly. She
said Sherwin-Williams color palette
covers just about any shade and tone
imaginable. Sometimes, the customer
is trying to match something very
specific. We have computers that can
capture any color just about every time,
she added.
Computers also are available for
computing amounts needed, ordering Visitors to the grand opening celebrate inside the store.
supplies online and creating a photo
preview of how a color will look in a
particular space.
The Decatur store, in addition to
offering an array of paint types
interior and exterior, flat, matt and
glossyoffers dozens or paint-related
items such as brushes, rollers, tape and
other accessories.
The store has a service not
available at every Sherwin-Williams
storea contract arrangement with a
professional designer. If someone is
not confident about choosing colors,
our consultant for a fee can come and
offer suggestions, said Kelly, adding
that the consultant also can suggest
the best paint types for particular areas.
For example, in a high-traffic area or
an area children are using a washable
paint might be the best choice.
Sherwin-Williams city manager Amy Kelly, right, shows store manager Alicia Craig the palette
of colors in which the stores paints are available.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 14

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sports DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 15

Football

Arabia Mountain wide receiver Jordan Barrow tries to outrun Arabia Mountain wide receiver Jordan Barrow goes up to make the Arabia Mountain wide receiver Xavius Mitchell is tackled short of
Carrollton defenders. catch as Carrolltons Reid Gedman defends. the goal line.

Arabia Mountain falls to Carrollton 44-0 in second round

Second round playoff scores
Cedar Grove (12-0) 58, Dawson County (8-4) 13 Tucker (11-1) 28, Northside-WR (8-4) 7
Marist (12-0) 31, Cedartown (10-2) 18 Carrollton (10-2) 44, Arabia Mountain (9-3) 0
St. Pius (7-5) 43, Troup County (9-3) 35 Rome (12-0) 56, SW DeKalb (8-4) 0

Marist Signees

Ryan Sullivan Owen Burden Mia Stander Krista McNamara

Knox Pittman Jordan Secret Ellie Crump Cameron Dames Photos from Jerry Novac/Marist

Marist Marist's athletic program had 11 athletes to

sign letters of intent this month.
champions golf team, Owen Burden signed
with Furman University and Braden Jones and

athletes
The baseball, golf and volleyball team each Jordan Secret signed with Georgia.
had three athletes to sign while the diving and From the volleyball team, Cameron Dames
cross country/track and field teams had one signed with Princeton, Krista McNamara

sign college
athlete to sign. signed with Northwestern and Mia Stander
From among the defending Class AAAA signed with Louisville.
baseball champions, Charlie Benson and Cross Country champion and track and field

scholarships
Carter Tally signed with Georgia Tech and champion Knox Pittman signed with Georgia
Ryan Sullivan signed with Rhodes College. Tech and the 2017 Class A-AAAAA diving silver
From the five-time defending Class AAAA medalist Ellie Crump signed with Georgia.
local DEKALB FREE PRESS Friday, november 24, 2017 Page 16

Atlanta

Tis the season

Local church continues
tradition of service
by horace holloman
horace@dekalbchamp.com
For nearly two decades,
residents in need have been
coming to Greater Piney
Grove Baptist Church before
Thanksgiving to gather
supplies for a full meal.
On Nov. 18, the church
provided approximately 500
individuals with Thanksgiving
baskets of items to prepare
a holiday meal such as
potatoes, cornbread, and of
course, a turkey.
Chianti Harris, staff pastor
of outreach and community
development at Piney Grove,
said the event has become
a cherished tradition in the
area.
Piney Grove, located on
Glenwood Avenue, generally
serves residents of Atlanta
and DeKalb County.
Every year we distribute
500 baskets to persons that
apply. I started in 2009 and
the church has been doing it
for 20 plus years, Harris said.
To me, this is the essence of
the church. Service is what
we do and what we should
be doing. If we worried
more about service, then we
wouldnt have time to hate
other people.
Recipients of the
Thanksgiving baskets applied
in October. Volunteers
began at 7 a.m. preparing
meals for distribution. Harris
said without the help of
volunteers and community
members, the holiday meal
drive would not be possible.
The church partnered with
Wayfield Foods for the event,
who donated supplies for the
drive.
We make sure we serve
Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church hosted its annual Thanksgiving meal distribution drive Nov. 18.
those who need it. This event
has been well received and
we have partnered with some
great people to make it all
possible, Harris said.
Recipients received
one turkey, two heads of
cabbage, a five-pound bag
of potatoes, two boxes of
cornbread mix and cranberry
sauce. Piney Grove, which
has approximately 5,000
members, also operates an
emergency food pantry called
Love Center Food Pantry.
Volunteer and longtime
church member Raja Antone,
said the event is one of many
ways he gives back to the
community.
My parents always
expressed to us that we are
not better than anyone, we
just had better opportunities.
So basically I grew up on
the old adage of being the
change you want to see in the
world, Antone said.
In 1999, Antone said
he lost his job for the first
time and knows what its
like to not have certain
provisions. The same year,
Antone said a homeless man
approached him and gave
him encouragement and
prayed for him. The man, who
goes by the name Smiley, was
a guardian angel to Antone,
he said.
After that happened, I
made a commitment that
every year I would do my part
and do my own give back, for
the community, Antone said.
I believe you have to give
and its a blessing to be able
to give.

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