RHYTHM SECTION,

Transcription

RHYTHM SECTION,

UPCOMING
FESTIVALS
DEKALB LEGENDS:
JENNIFER NETTLES,
B.o.B, EDDIE OWEN,
ATLANTA
RHYTHM
SECTION,
KiMMiE GEE
SUGAR CREEK
GOLF & TENNIS CLUB
TOWERS HIGH WINS A GRAMMY
SHARON BARNES SUTTON ON
MEMORIAL
FEATURES
08 ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION: DEKALB’S SOUTHERN
ROCK STARS
By Bob Kelley
DeKalb’s very own, ARS, has been part of the classic
Southern Rock scene for more than 40 years.
14 A LOCAL JEWEL
By Kimberley Lyles-Folkman
Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis Club offers a plethora of
ameni es and soon something new.
20 B.o.B.: NO STRANGER TO DECATUR
By Dana Hinders
This young, Grammy-nominated, local, legend has taken
the world by storm with his unique talent.
24 SUGARLAND’S JENNIFER NETTLES BUILDS A
SUCCESSFUL CAREER FROM HER GEORGIA ROOTS
By Dana Hinders
The award-winning, country music singer, is making
admirable moves.
26 WHO IS KiMMiE GEE?
By Norma Stanley
A one on one with one of Beyoncé’s lead dancer.
30 STONE MOUNTAIN CID: COMMITTED TO CREATING
JOBS, MAKING A DIFFERENCE
By Jeff Corbin
The Stone Mountain CID is doing it’s part to make
DeKalb an even be er place to live.
34 TOWERS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HONORED WITH
GRAMMY AWARD
By Dana Hinders
Towers High has talent. They’ve got the prize to prove it.
36 COMMISSION IS DRIVING DEVELOPMENT ON
MEMORIAL DRIVE
By Sharon Barnes Su on
Find out what the Commission has planned for
Memorial Drive.
Photo: Award-winning, country music singer, Jennifer Nett les of Sugarland. Credit: Dana Tynan
Publisher
Photographer
Content Editor
Feature Writer
Public Relations
Layout/Design
Advertising
Joey Johnson
Johnny Mapp
Dana Hinders
Norma Stanley
Heidi B. Fuller
Graphic Mechanic Design Studio
678-561-2098
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On the cover:
Artist’s sculpture displayed at the
2011 Yellow Daisy Festival in September.
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June/July 2012
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WeAreDeKalb
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ISSN 2164-6244
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DEPARTMENTS
CULTURE
07 Clothesline Art
11 A Conversa on with Eddie
12 A Unique Twist on Talent Searches
13 Art and Culture Could Change
A DeKalb Taboo
18 Underscore: Short Film
19 Upcoming Fes vals
23 Meet the Parents: An Interview
with Mr. and Mrs. Bobby
Ray Simmons
23 Notable Past, Promising Future
BUSINESS
32 Trash to Gas Plant Begins
Test Opera ons
POLITICS
38 A Le er to DeKalb
FOOD
40 Serving Up Warm
Memories in DeKalb
43 Food for Thought
Artwork: Elizabeth by Rosa Rosae. Rosa McMurtray hails from Zaragoza, Spain, home of the wind so intense they have a special name for
it, Cierzo. Since early childhood, she’s been possessed with a heightened sense of creativity. Her plastic artwork was always recognized as the
most unique and best in her class. Rosa studied at the Zaragoza School of Art, graduating as a Fashion Designer in 1982. She studied with
the illustrious professor Pascual Blanco Piquero one of the most famous engraver artists in Spain. In 1983, Rosa moved to England where
she studied English for a year. In 1988 she relocated to Naples, Italy, became fluent in Italian, and worked and studied with the recognized
artist Rosario Piazza. In 1989 Rosa moved to the United States, where her life encompassed many new facets of the art world.
contributors {PILLARS}
OUR GUESTS
Sharon
Barnes Sutton
Bob Kelley
Doraville resident and freelance travel
journalist Bob Kelley roams the state writing
feature articles on Georgia travel/tourism
destinations. A frequent contributor to
Georgia Backroads magazine, his work has
also appeared in the Denver Post and on
Since arriving in DeKalb County 20 years ago, Commissioner Sharon
Barnes Sutton has devoted much of her life to serving the Stone
Mountain community where she resides. As a community servant,
Commissioner Barnes Sutton possesses over 24 years of experience in
professional and volunteer aid to DeKalb. Read her article: Commission
Is Driving Development on Memorial Drive on page 36.
numerous travel web sites across the country.
An award-winning Atlanta communications
veteran, Bob worked over the years with
corporate giants Georgia-Pacific, Equifax and
American Express. His first book, Images of
America: Doraville, will be released by Arcadia
Publishing in September. Read his story:
Atlanta Rhythm Section: DeKalb’s Southern
Rock Stars on page 8.
Burke Brennan
Je f f C o r b i n
N i c k I rw i n
To m K e at i n g
K i m b e r l e y Ly l e s -F o l k m a n
L au r e n t h i a M e s h
McKenzie Wren
Norma Stanley
Features Editor
We Are DeKalb is pleased to add Norma Stanley as our new Features Editor. Norma is a multicultural marketing and public
relations consultant and freelance journalist with over 30 years experience. She has written on business, community, health,
politics, government, food and entertainment for various publications in Atlanta, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
the Atlanta Business Journal, On Common Ground, the Atlanta Voice and currently serves as a freelance writer for the DeKalb
Chamber of Commerce.
As Features Editor, she will be sharing stories on a variety topics, however as a music and food afficionado, she will be
bringing her passion and professional experience promoting the restaurant, music and entertainment industries, to her role as
We Are DeKalb’s main food, music and entertainment writer.
June/July 2012 • www.wearedekalb.com • We Are DeKalb Magazine
5
culture {ART}
culture
CLOTHESLINE
ART
By Dana Hinders
ART GALLERIES ARE OFTEN THOUGHT OF AS STUFFY PLACES
WHERE THE WORK IS DISPLAYED IN GILDED FR AMES AND
CRITIQUED BY MEMBERS OF THE CULTUR AL ELITE.
S
tone Mountain Village’s Clothesline Art and
Fine Art Treasures, however, aims to bring the
joy of art appreciation to as wide of an audience
as possible.
Th is unique art gallery is the brainchild
of local photographer Les Scarborough, who
says he was inspired by a woman who held a
Clothesline Arts Festival in Plum Nelly, GA. While some of the
work in his gallery is framed traditionally, most of it is simply
pinned to string that lines the walls. Th is creates a more relaxed
atmosphere that invites visitors to take the time to fully examine
and appreciate all of the talent that is on display. From beautiful
nature photography to watercolor portraits of children and
animals, the gallery’s collection includes art to suit a variety of
tastes.
Another interesting aspect of Clothesline Art and Fine
Art Treasures is its belief that the joy of creating has no age
limit. Many of the artists who have their work featured in the
gallery are from Park Springs, a local retirement community
where Scarborough and his wife lived for five years. Scarborough
encouraged residents to display their work after hearing that many
of them simply fi led away their fi nished masterpieces under the
bed or in a spare closet.
Some of the pictures are for sale, but others are just being
shown for the pleasure of bringing the creative process to a
larger audience.
Work on the “digital clothesline” can be ordered in sizes
and canvases that meet the customer’s precise specifications.
In keeping with its philosophy of making art accessible to the
masses, everything at Clothesline Art and Fine Art Treasures is
very reasonably priced.
Visit Clothesline Art and Fine Art Treasures at 963 Main
Street in Stone Mountain Village. Gallery hours are Monday
through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
7
FEATURE
ATLANTA
RHYTHM
SECTION:
DEKALB’S
SOUTHERN
ROCK
STARS
By Bob Kelley
The Boys from Doraville pose for an album cover photo at Doraville’s city limits in 1977. Band members, left to right, are J.R. Cobb,
Ronnie Hammond, Barry Bailey, Paul Goddard, Robert Nix and Dave Daughtry.(Courtesy of Sony Records)
D E K A L B
LEGEND
No.1
“D
oraville, touch of country in the city; Doraville,
it ain’ t much but it’s home,” sang members
of the popular Atlanta R hythm Section
(ARS) in their hit song, Doraville. ARS
has been a part of the classic Southern
Rock scene for more than 40 years,
producing gold and platinum hits and building a loyal fan base that
still exists today far beyond the boundaries of DeKalb County.
Their second album, Back Up
Against The Wall, was released
in 1973 with Ronnie Hammond
replacing Justo as lead singer.
The up tempo tunes and
ballads on this album became
the signature “sound” for the
group’s future success.
ARS was formed in 1970 by former members of the Candymen and
the Classics Four. The Candymen had been backup singers for Roy
Orbison and the Classics Four are remembered for such hits as Spooky
and Traces. They were initially the house band for Studio One, one
of the pre-eminent recording studios in the Atlanta area at that time,
located in nearby Doraville. In operation from 1970-89, artists who
recorded at Studio One included Starbuck, Lynyrd Skynyrd, B.J.
Thomas, Billy Joe Royal, Lou Christie and .38 Special.
Although ARS first started as a session band playing
background for other better-known artists, it wasn’t long before
original band members Rodney Justo, Dean Daughtry, Robert Nix,
9
culture {DEKALB LEGENDS: ARS: DEKALB’S SOUTHERN ROCK STARS}
Barry Bailey and Paul Goddard ventured out on their
own. In November, 1971, under the direction of
producer/songwriter/manager Buddy Buie, the group
recorded their first of 15 albums. Self-titled Atlanta
R hythm Section, the premier album generated some
critical interest but failed to produce a hit.
Their second album, Back Up Against The Wall,
was released in 1973 with Ronnie Hammond replacing
Justo as lead singer. The up tempo tunes and ballads
on this album became the signature “sound” for the
group’s future success. Still their next few albums
failed to generate much chart action.
Although ARS was steadily building a loyal
following throughout the South, it wasn’t until their
sixth album, A Rock and Roll Alternative, released
in 1976, that they scored a bona fide hit, So Into
You. This album would also provide the group with
their first gold disc. Gaining more and more air time
and becoming popular on the concert circuit, it was
1978’s Champagne Jam album that would provide the
breakthrough the group had been seeking for nearly a
decade. Hitting Top 10 and quickly going gold, two
singles from the album, Imaginary Lover and I’m Not
Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight, became the band’s
biggest hits.
By the end of the 70s, the group’s fame was growing
and they were often referred to as sounding like a more
radio-friendly version of the Allman Brothers. Adding
to their high profile at this time was an appearance at
the W hite House for then-president Jimmy Carter and
the band was in demand for concerts not only across
the United States but in Europe as well.
Overall, the group charted a number of coveted
music chart milestones in their first decade together.
These included their two top ten singles on the
Billboard Hot 100 list, “So Into You and Imaginary
Lover, both of which peaked at #7 on the Hot 100 in
1977 and 1978 respectively. Other top 40 hits on the
Hot 100 chart were Doraville (#35, 1974); I’m Not
Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight (#14, 1978); Do It
10
or Die (#19, 1979); Spook y (#17, 1979) a nd A l ien
(# 29, 1981).
However, like so many groups in the highly
competitive music business, ARS’s popularity began
to fade in the early 1980s as fans switched alliance
to new alternative music styles like New Wave.
Subsequent albums released at this time failed to
match the success of those just a few years earlier.
Over the next 20 years, illnesses, personal disputes,
revolving-door changes to the band’s membership and
ultimately the death of members like Hammond and
ARS drummer R.J. Vealey all had a dramatic impact
on the band and its popularity.
But, thankfully, audience music tastes change.
With traditional Southern stamina, ARS continues
to perform today and the group is currently on an
American tour with a planned local concert in August
at the Duluth Music Festival. Paul Goddard has
re-joined the band as has fellow founding member
and the band’s original lead singer, Rodney Justo.
Along with other fellow founding member Dean
Daughtry, the Atlanta R hythm Section forges onward
entertaining and showing brand new audiences all of
the good things that “classic rock ” implies.
Bob Kelley is a freelance travel journalist who lives
in Doraville.
Visit wearedekalb.com to
READ THIS ARTICLE ONLINE.
We Are DeKalb Magazine • www.wearedekalb.com • June/July 2012
D E K A L B
LEGEND
No.2
a conversation
with
Photo: Courtesy of Eddie Owen.
By Norma Stanley
DESPITE HIS RECENT DEPARTURE FROM THE LEGENDARY ESTABLISHMENT HE CULTIVATED FROM
ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO THE LOFTY LOUNGE IT IS TODAY, THE DIEHARD MUSIC LOVER AND
FORMER PROPRIETOR OF DECATUR’S EDDIE’S ATTIC TOOK A MOMENT TO SHARE HIS PERSPECTIVE
ON TALENT, HIS OLD STOMPING GROUND, AND HIS LATEST ENDEAVORS.
WRD: EDDIE’S ATTIC IS KNOWN FOR GIVING
TALENTED, BUT UNKNOWN ARTISTS WHO
ARE NOW GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING
PERFORMERS LIKE JOHN MAYER AND
JENNIFER NETTLES, THEIR FIRST START.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?
EO: PROUDER THAN A PEACOCK. NO
BUTTONS LEFT ON ANY VEST. BUT THIS
LEVEL OF TALENT WOULD HAVE RISEN TO
THE TOP, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY
BEGAN THEIR CAREER.
WRD: ARE COUNTRY AND POP SINGERS
AND SONGWRITERS THE TYPICAL TYPE OF
ARTISTS FOUND PERFORMING AT EDDIE’S
ATTIC? HAVE YOU HAD OTHER SINGERS OF
OTHER GENRES PERFORM THERE?
EO: I HAVE ALWAYS CROSSED GENRES. IN
FACT, I’M NOT A FAN OF GENRES. I AM A FAN
OF SONGS. I DID ALWAYS AND STILL DO TRY
TO NOT BOOK ANYTHING THAT SUCKS.
WRD: WHEN YOU STARTED EDDIE’S ATTIC
20 YEARS AGO, DID YOU FORESEE IT BEING
AS SIGNIFICANT AS IT HAS BECOME IN THE
LOCAL AND NATIONAL MUSIC SCENE?
EO: I DON’T REALLY SEE IT AS SIGNIFICANT.
IT’S JUST A LITTLE BITTY JOINT THAT
REVERES THE SONG AND SONGWRITER.
WRD: DID YOU EVER GET ANY PUSHBACK
WHEN IT CAME TO PEOPLE BEING QUIET
ONCE THE SHOWS BEGAN?
EO: NO. CAUSE I’D JUST ASK THEM TO
LEAVE, WITH FULL REFUND.
WRD: HOW HAS IT BEEN TRANSITIONING
FROM WORKING AT EDDIE’S ATTIC TO
WORKING AT THE RED CLAY THEATRE
IN DULUTH?
EO: GREAT. THE VISION AND DREAM
FOR RCT IS BIGGER, MUCH BIGGER THAN
EDDIE, EDDIE’S ATTIC, CURRENT OWNERS,
FUTURE OWNERS. IT HAS POTENTIAL
FOR A VERY LONG RANGE IMPACT
AND FOOTPRINT.
WRD: WHO ARE SOME OF THE NATIONALLY
KNOWN RECORDING ARTISTS THAT HAVE
PERFORMED AT EDDIE’S ATTIC WITH WHOM
YOU STILL HAVE RELATIONSHIPS?
EO: PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THEM.
WRD: WHO ARE SOME OF THE ARTISTS YOU
HAVE BOOKED OVER THE SUMMER? ANY OF
THEM WELL KNOWN?
EO: MOST OF THE ARTISTS THAT PLAY 150 OR
257 SEAT JOINTS AREN’T VERY WELL KNOWN.
BUT I WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVE SOME OF
THEM CAN BECOME THAT.
WRD: WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA TO BE ABLE
TO PERFORM AT EDDIE’S ATTIC AND/OR RED
CLAY THEATRE?
EO: BE GOOD. GET THE BIG PICTURE.
READ THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW
culture {MUSIC}
A UNIQUE TWIST ON
TALENT
SEARCHES
By Norma Stanley
W HEN R&B SINGER/SONGW R ITER HELGA J. MOOR E, FOUNDER/CEO OF HJM
ENTERTA INMENT, LLC., STA RTED HER COMPA N Y, SHE TOOK A PAGE OUT OF HER
OW N LIFE STORY A ND DECIDED SHE WOULD BEGIN W ITH THE END IN MIND.
I
T he Pho e n i x R i s i n g Ne w Recording Artist Search
n so doing, Moore set out to fi nd someone her
will be giving determined and tenacious aspiring recording
company could help live out their dreams of
artists in the southeast between the ages of 15 and 30, who also
becoming a recording artist and performer, despite
have compelling stories of triumph over troubles, a chance to win
having gone through some very overwhelming
a one-year recording contract worth over $200,000. The growing
circumstances. As a result, the Phoenix Rising New
list of sponsors of the Search include Superior Chevrolet in
Recording Artist Search was born.
Decatur, where auditions will be held, We Are DeKalb magazine
Leveraging today’s fascination with discovering
and the Lithonia Concert Series. The
extraordinary singing talent,
grand prize winner will be showcased
Moore’s new entertainment
at the Lithonia Concert Series, which
management company based
after a hiatus, will begin again this
in Decatur, decided to take its
summer. Th is popular and highly
search for talent in a new direction.
anticipated concert series has been
The undiscovered and unsigned
drawing thousands of jazz and R&B
singer, must not only have
enthusiasts to Lithonia to enjoy top
a si ng u la rly extraordinary
performers ever y year, since its
voice, but also have a singularly
inception.
extraordinary story behind the
“Our fi rst three sponsors, Superior
voice in order to win.
Chevrolet in Decatur, We Are DeKalb
“Not everyone will get the
magazine and the Lithonia Concert
chance to audition for American
Series, saw the vision right away and
Idol, the Voice or X Factor, yet they
jumped on board,” says Moore. “We’re
can still out sing many of the winners
especially excited about the Lithonia
of those shows,” says Moore. “Among
Concert Series, which was the fi rst
them are people whose lives have
to bring the Chastain Park concert
been thrown one major curve
experience, complete with the VIP
ball after another as they struggle
candlelit tables, out of Fulton County
to live their dream of becoming a Helga J. Moore, founder/CEO of HJM Entertainment, LLC.
into DeKalb County,” continued
recording artist, yet they don’t ever
Moore. “It’s a perfect venue and
stop pursuing it. They keep going,”
atmosphere for introducing a new talent and we’re thankful for the
she explained. “The Phoenix Rising New Recording Artist Search
opportunity to be a part of it,” she said.
was created for them. We want to give those singers in particular, a
chance to make their dreams a reality,” she said.
12
ART AND CULTURE COULD CHANGE
A DEKALB
TABOO
By Tom Keating
C
ould we bring art, culture and the dignity
of sanitation together in meaningful ways? The
public men’s and women’s restrooms at the City
Hall in Greenville, South Carolina, of fer an
example worth understanding.
The many colorful tiles on the walls were done by school
children. They display clouds, sunshine, rainbows, and other
inspirational scenes. Even more artful are the John Michael
Kohler Arts Center fixtures in the six public washrooms in
Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The fixtures, including those done
by Ann Agee, are found in the book, Toilets of the World,
catalogued in the DeKalb library system. Matt Nolen’s “The
Social History of Architecture” covers a urinal with paintings
from the floor to ceiling so that the user can picture himself
as a pharaoh, pontiff, or corporate executive in this public
Wisconsin washroom.
Any new restrooms in our County could incorporate
artwork by our diverse students and adults under the
supervision of a One DeKalb Beautification project for
improved public restrooms.
Project CLEAN (Citizens, Learners, and Educators Against
Neglect) has worked with students for close to 20 years. We
feel that our 70,000 diverse 11-18 year old citizens have the
ability to add cultural sensitivity and artistic signage to the
architectural designs located throughout DeKalb County.
Why is toiletry such a taboo that County departments,
community agencies, and school systems cannot discuss
the issue of public sanitation?
Can a County task force or subcommittee of One DeKalb
be formed to deal with public sanitation? Can the DeKalb
library system sponsor an art and essay contest, and upgrade
its own functional restrooms and bibliographic holdings?
Let Leadership DeKalb have a discussion with its next
cohort. Let artists in DeKalb, including our young talent, be
commissioned to lead the way. Sanitation can be dignified
by art and culture.
Dr. Tom Keating has been a teacher, administrator,
lobbyist, university instructor, and school board member
during his 41-year career as an educator. Project CLEAN
works to improve restrooms in public schools, libraries,
parks, recreation centers, and swimming pool complexes.
Information is available at http://www.projectclean.us.
FEATURE
A LOCAL
JEWEL
By Kimberly Lyles-Folkman
GR EAT THINGS AR E HAPPENING AT THE SUGAR
CR EEK GOLF & TENNIS CLUB. CHAR M, FUN, AND
GROWTH AR E KEY COMPONENTS OF THE DEK ALB
COUNTY PARKS AND R ECR EATION FACILITY UNDER
THE DIR ECTION OF CEO BURR ELL ELLIS AND THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
S
ugar Creek Golf & Tennis Club is an
18-hole championship golf facility
with a lighted driving range and a
tennis facility with 10 hard courts and
4 clay courts. Check out the calendar to
see the array of events that are inclusive
to all groups, from the youth to the
seniors! Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis
has been recognized as a space that accommodates groups
and organizations, youth teams, junior golf and tennis,
room, and enhanced tennis facilities. The clubhouse style
will be a fuse between the traditional and contemporary
with a focus on corporate access and sports comfort for the
golf and tennis community. You may want to start booking
events now because the calendar is already fi lling for 2013
events, clinics, tournaments and even wedding packages!
There is a special promotion running now for those
prepared to book an event in 2013. Call the Pro Shop and
mention “GTC 2013” or “Golf, Tennis, Clubhouse 2013” to
get 10% off your next booked event!
Guests can enjoy access to amenities such as a new
Pro Shop retail area, larger dining environment
with an expanded menu, business/retreat meeting
space, community/conference room, and enhanced
tennis facilities.
summer camps, individual as well as group golf and tennis
lessons, and a wide variety of family-friendly programs.
The programming supports men, women, couples, juniors,
and senior golfers and tennis players of all skill levels.
The facility will continue to offer special golf and tennis
packages and now will accommodate corporate and private
meeting packages as a result of the highly anticipated new
clubhouse scheduled for completion in the fall of 2012. The
new developments will cater to the increasing number of
guests, tourist and business visitors at the facility. Guests
can enjoy access to amenities such as a new Pro Shop retail
area, larger dining environment with an expanded menu,
business/retreat meeting space, community/conference
Marie Dunovant (President and Board Chair, Sydmar Golf
and Sports Management Inc.) and operator of Sugar Creek
Golf & Tennis, is excited by the new space. Dunovant says
“The new clubhouse and upgrades of the facility will attract
more corporate golf outings and meetings thus, contribute
directly to economic development. Local individuals and
visitors will be able to play in this space, and see the charm
of this amazing facility.“
The Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis facility is in a
strategic location just miles from the Atlanta International
Airport (ATL) and the location saddles DeKalb and Atlanta.
“Sugar Creek is not only going to offer one of the newest
clubhouse environments, it will be accessible to a broad
15
culture {SPORTS}
range of new clientele, will provide enhanced golf and tennis
amenities, and offer a great calendar of inclusive events,”
says Dunovant.
In a 2011 PGA Interview, Dunovant answered seven
questions about how she runs her course and programming.
She emphasized the importance of juniors starting the
sport of golf and tennis at an early age and to support her
vision, the municipal programming includes Junior Clinics
and Summer Camp for the youth. She also discussed the
inclusion and promotion of women in golf and tennis.
“Customized and contemporary programs and services,
supports in building lifelong female membership,” she adds.
16
The Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Club recognizes
the need and therefore, have a Ladies’ Day, ever y
Wednesday featuring discounts for women.
Marie offers new ideas and progressive thinking as far
as programming. Her perspective and world-view is quite
different by comparison to the general golf and tennis
facilities. She is the fi rst and only known African-American
female owner of a golf course management company in the
United States. At Sugar Creek, she has aimed to expand
her focus to a wider community and has sought to utilize
the space and grounds in a more creative way. Marie has
been featured on the cover of Golf Inc. Magazine as one of
“We are constantly evolving to provide successful
and affordable experiences and conditions for
our diverse members, including young or mature,
beginner or established golfers and tennis players,”
—Marie Dunovant
the “Most Admired Golf Course Management Operators,”
because of her t houg ht f u l prog ra m m i ng.
“ We a re constantly evolving to provide successful
and affordable experiences and conditions for our diverse
members, including young or mature, beginner or
established golfers and tennis players,” said Dunovant.
One of the highlights for this season is the 1st Annual
“Concerts at the Creek” event on Saturday, June 30, 2012,
7-10 pm. In association with CEO Burrell Ellis, the event
supports community development, awareness of the new
clubhouse and economic development. The concert series
will feature local jazz musicians, food, & beverages. Former
S.O.S. Band vocalist and lead actress and vocalist for Tyler
Perry, Chandra Currelly, will headline and saxophonist
Antoine Knight will be playing on stage at Sugar Creek.
Comedian Lavlu will be the event MC. Th is concert is
free and open to the public. Attendees can bring their
lawn chairs (no coolers), and enjoy a spectacular summer
event surrounded by food vendors with everything from
barbeque to Italian ice!
Check out the exciting calendar of events at www.
sugarcreekga.com . A good golf and tennis season awaits
you. Tennis Camps- start June 4-August 10. Pro Shop
contact: 404-241-7671. Bouldercrest Road at I-285, Exit 51
East in Southeast Atlanta section of DeKalb County.
Kimberley Lyles-Folkman is the Vice President of Advertising
and Marketing
17
culture {FILM/DANCE}
UNDERSCORE:
SHORT
FILM
The Body Electric
The Body Electric is a collaboration
between Open Position Productions and
Zoetic Dance Ensemble. Four dancers set
upon the Castleberry Hill area of Atlanta
with the task of improvising on the
subject of relationships in front of three
cameras. The fi lmmakers, Hadass Wade,
Brittany Flanigan, and Mavra Peponis
took this footage and created a five-part
short fi lm that speaks to the relationships
between women.
Dancers: Nicole Kedaroe, Jacquelle Blythe, Amanda Thompson, and Mallory Baxley
Choreography/Director of Dance: Melanie Lynch-Blanchard
See it Now at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Grl0swoFPU
url: http://open-position.blogspot.com/
A b ou t
th e
Cast and Cr e w
DeKalb resident, Hadass Wade, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgia State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in
Film and Video. Her student films have been jury selections at the GSU Film Festival three years in a row, including Best Documentary
in 2011. She is currently working in collaboration with T. Lang Dance and Open Position Productions to produce a video project
for Ms. Lang’s feature length performance Mother/Mutha. Future projects include a photography-based initiative for urban youth
and establishing a film collective.
Brittany Flanigan is a recent graduate of Georgia State University with a B.A. in Film and Video. She produced many short films
during her time at Georgia State University, and is currently working with T. Lang Dance on a video piece for a dance performance.
Mavra Peponis is a recent graduate of Georgia State University with a B. A. in Film and Video.
Zoetic Dance Ensemble was created to give voice to the extraordinary potential of the human body and spirit. Coming from
the Greek word zoe, zoetic means living, vital and animated which accurately describes the company’s approach to movement.
Zoetic is committed to performance, dance education, mentoring and advocacy.
18
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FEATURE
D E K A L B
LEGEND
No.3
B.o.B
NO STRANGER
TO DECATUR
By Dana Hinders
Photo:Courtesy of Atlantic Records
BOBBY R AY SIMMONS, JR., BETTER
KNOWN BY HIS STAGE NAME B.O.B, IS
ONLY 23, BUT HE’S ALREADY TAKEN THE
MUSIC WORLD BY STOR M.
H
is debut album, B.o.B
Presents: The Adventures
o f B o b b y R a y, w a s
released in April 2010 and
reached the top spot on
the US charts. His debut
single “Nothin’ on You”
hit number one in both
the United States and the
United Kingdom. His second single “Airplanes” hit number
one in the United Kingdom and number two in the US.
B.o.B was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina,
but grew up in Decatur. His father is a pastor and both of
his parents made sure their children were raised to view
education as a top priority. B.o.B. and his siblings Victoria,
Jamaal, and Arielle were expected to be proficient in math,
duo called The Klinic and successfully sold one of his beats
to the recording artist Citt y when he was just 15 years old.
When his partner left for college in 2006, B.o.B decided
it was time to try a solo career. Still technically underage, he
snuck into Atlanta rap star T.I.’s Club Crucial and wowed
the audience with his performance. Just one month later, he
was asked to sign with Atlantic and its subsidiary imprint,
Rebel Rock.
Since signing with Atlantic, B.o.B has secured his place
as one of DeKalb’s rising stars.
“Airplanes” was featured in the trailer for the movie
Charlie St. Cloud and his single “Magic” featured him in an
advertisement for Adidas’ “Magic” campaign. In September
2010, B.o.B. received a personal invitation from President
Barack Obama to perform at the National Gen44 Summit
Kickoff Concert.
Music was initially just a hobby for him, but it became
obvious fairly early that he was exceptionally talented
as a performer.
science, literature, and two foreign languages before they
were allowed to participate in any extracurricular activities.
B.o.B showed an early aptitude for logical thinking, leading
his parents to think he might pursue a career as a scientist.
B.o.B attended Columbia High School, where he
played the trumpet in the school band. Music was initially
just a hobby for him, but it became obvious fairly early
that he was exceptionally talented as a performer. He
broadened his musical skills to include vocals, guitar, piano,
drum machine, and synthesizer and began taking part in
Atlanta’s vibrant rap scene. During this time, he also honed
his knack for entrepreneurship. B.o.B formed a production
B.o.B describes himself as being influenced by a
variety of musical styles, including 80s music, techno, rock,
funk, and doo-wop. His second album, Strange Clouds,
features appearances from Morgan Freeman, Nelly, T.I.,
Nicki Minaj, Ryan Tedder, Lauriana Mae, Taylor Swift,
Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Playboy Tre, Trey Songz, and
Roscoe Dash. Critics often compare him to OutKast and
André 3000. The only that’s clear, however, is that B.o.B’s
genre-defying songs continue to be an inspiration to people
from around the world.
21
MEET THE PARENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. AND MRS. BOBBY RAY SIMMONS
WRD: HOW DO YOU THINK LIVING IN
DEKALB COUNTY HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE
IN YOUR SON’S CAREER?
SIMMONS: WELL, B.o.B WAS BORN IN
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA AND
SINCE AGE TWO, HAS BEEN LIVING IN
DECATUR. THIS METRO TOWN HAS ALWAYS
BEEN TEAMING WITH TALENTED PEOPLE
AND OFFERED ACADEMIC PRIVILEGES
THAT HE (MAYBE) WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN
EXPOSED TO IN WINSTON-SALEM. WHEN WE
MOVED HERE, WE NOTICED THAT DECATUR
WAS A SUCCESS-DRIVEN TOWN. A LOT OF
FAMOUS PEOPLE RESIDED HERE; PEOPLE
THAT B.o.B ADMIRED. AND I AM SURE
THAT LIVING SO CLOSE TO MUSIC LEGENDS
LIKE T.I., OUTKAST, LUDACRIS, JERMAINE
DUPRI, KRIS KROSS, AND OTHERS HAD A
PROVOCATIVE INFLUENCE ON HIM.
WRD: FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE
A PASTOR, WHAT IS YOUR DENOMINATION?
SIMMONS: I HAVE BEEN A PASTOR IN THE
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY FOR OVER THIRTY
YEARS. I BEGAN MY MINISTRY AS A
BAPTIST PREACHER, THEN SPENT EIGHTEEN
YEARS IN THE CHRISTIAN METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH (CME), AND NOW MY
DENOMINATION IS A BASIC CHRISTIAN
FAITH.
WRD: DO YOU HAVE OTHER CHILDREN? HOW
MANY AND WHAT AGES?
SIMMONS: I HAVE THREE OTHER CHILDREN:
VICTORIA (30), JAMAAL (28), AND ARIELLE,
(22) B.o.B’S KEYBOARDIST.
NOTABLE PAST
PROMISING
FUTURE
By Nick Irwin
AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY’S 2012
PETR ELS WAS THE EMERGENCE OF
SEVER AL FR ESHMEN ON THE SQUAD.
ONE OF THOSE FR ESHMEN WAS
JOSH MORGAN, WHO HAILS FROM
LAFAYETTE, GA.
Photo of Josh Morgan in action. Credit:
Dennis Esler
THE PAR ENTS OF BOBBY R AY SIMMONS, BETTER KNOWN AS THE GR AMMY AWARD
NOMINATED R APPER, SINGER, SONGWRITER AND PRODUCER, B.O.B., ALWAYS KNEW
THER E WAS A BRIGHT AND SUCCESSFUL FUTUR E AHEAD FOR THEIR SON. HOWEVER,
THE FUTUR E THEY ENVISIONED HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MUSIC.
WRD: DID YOU AND MRS. SIMMONS ALWAYS
KNOW THAT YOUR SON WOULD TAKE THIS
ROUTE IN LIFE? OR DID YOU HAVE AN IDEAL
DIRECTION THAT YOU FELT HE SHOULD GO IN
INSTEAD? IF SO, WHAT WAS THAT DIRECTION
AND WERE YOU DISAPPOINTED AT ALL WHEN
CHOSE HIS CURRENT DIRECTION?
SIMMONS: FIRST OF ALL, WE MADE IT CLEAR
IN OUR HOUSEHOLD THAT ACADEMICS
WOULD BE THE VEHICLE FOR SUCCESS,
NO EXCEPTION. MATH, SCIENCE, MUSIC,
LITERATURE/POETRY, AND TWO FOREIGN
LANGUAGES WOULD BE THE STANDARD. AND
IF THEY WANTED TO DO SPORTS OR OTHER
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, THAT WOULD
BE FINE AS LONG AS THEIR GRADES WERE
GOOD. WE HAD HIGH HOPES FOR ALL OF OUR
CHILDREN, BUT WE THOUGHT B.O.B WOULD
BE A SCIENTIST (HE WAS VERY BRIGHT,
ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS, AND MADE A
LOT OF LOGICAL STATEMENTS). WE DIDN’T
SEE HIM BEING A RAP ARTIST, SPORT’S STAR
MAYBE, BUT DEFINITIVELY NOT HIP-HOP.
AT FIRST, WE WERE DISAPPOINTED. WE
WANTED HIM AND ALL OF OUR CHILDREN
TO MATRICULATE TO COLLEGE AND RECEIVE
DEGREES. BUT IN THE END–THROUGH LOVE–
WE SUPPORTED HIM AGAINST OUR BEST
JUDGMENT.
WRD: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE
PARENTS OF TALENTED CHILDREN ABOUT
GUIDING THEM TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS?
SIMMONS: MY ADVICE TO PARENTS WITH
GIFTED CHILDREN (WE DIDN’T SEE B.O.B’S
GIFT AT FIRST) IS TO ALLOW THEM TO
NAVIGATE IN NEW EXPERIENCE AND EXPRESS
NEW IDEAS. ENCOURAGE THEM NOT TO BE
AFRAID TO BE THEMSELVES. WHATEVER
THEY HAVE THE DESIRE AND ENERGY FOR,
SUPPORT THEM. B.O.B WAS DARING AND
CURIOUS DURING CHILDHOOD, WHICH
GOT HIM IN A LOT OF TROUBLE AS WELL AS
NUMEROUS INJURIES. MOST OF THE TIME
HIS PUNISHMENT WOULD BE TO MEMORIZE
POETRY. BUT MOREOVER, WE SUPPORTED
HIM EVEN WITH RAP.
A
s a pitcher, he has appeared in
13 games, starting three, and
has struck out 25 batters in 28
1/3 innings pitched. As a first
baseman, he has played in 22
games, starting 18.
Morgan lettered in
baseball, f o o t b a l l , a n d
basketball at LaFayette High School. His high
school coach in all of those sports, at one point or
another, was Oglethorpe alumnus Dan Torrenti. As
a Petrel, Torrenti was a two-time All-SCAC First
Team selection at catcher.
When it came time to decide which college to
attend, Morgan liked what he saw in Oglethorpe,
and Torrenti provided an obvious connection.
Torrenti was happy to provide Morgan with
information, but wanted him to make his own
decision about his college choice. “I felt like the
mix of great academic standards and a storied
baseball program was the right fit for me,”
Morgan said.
In May, Torrenti was inducted into the
Oglethorpe Athletic Hall of Fame. “I am so
appreciative that the committee decided my time
at OU was worthy of this type of recognition,” he
said. “I had hoped for this from the time I stepped
on campus, and it was nice to be able to achieve
that goal. Most importantly, though, it will be nice
to share this event and this memory with all of my
teammates, family, and friends.”
Heading forward into his sophomore year,
Morgan looks to continue to be a vital part of the
Petrels baseball team as both a pitcher and a
first baseman.
Nick Irwin is the Assistant Sports Information
Director at Oglethorpe University.
23
FEATURE
D E K A L B
LEGEND
No.4
SUGARLAND’S
JENNIFER
NETTLES
BUILDS A SUCCESSFUL CAREER FROM
HER GEORGIA ROOTS
By Dana Hinders
Photo Credit: Dana Tynan
FANS OF THE R ECENTLY LAUNCHED ABC R EALITY
SHOW SINGING COMPETITION DUETS MAY R ECOGNIZE
ONE OF THE SHOW’S CELEBRITY MENTORS AS A SINGER
WITH STRONG LOCAL TIES.
J
ennifer Nettles, best known as lead vocalist for
Sugarland, grew up in the small town of Douglas,
Georgia. She got her start performing at school
assemblies, community theater productions, and
in her Southern Baptist church.
Nettles is a 1997 graduate of Agnes
Scott College in Decatur, where she studied
sociology and anthropology. Agnes Scott College
is the highest ranked women’s college in the southeast,
according to US News and World Report. It’s also widely
regarded as one of the top 100 best liberal arts colleges in
the country.
In 2006, Sugarland was nominated for a Grammy in the
Best New Artist category. They didn’t win this award, but
Nett les did receive a Grammy Award for Best Collaboration
in 2007. She was a duet partner on the country version
of rock band Bon Jovi’s single “Who Says You Can’t Go
Home.” In 2009, she received Grammys for Best County
Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Country Song
for her work on Sugarland’s “Stay.” Sugarland has also won
Country Music Association Awards for Vocal Duo of the
Year in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Even though her career continues to grow by leaps
and bounds, Nett les still makes time for helping others. In
Nettles joined Sugarland in 2003. Sugarland’s
musical style appealed to a wide range of tastes,
including several people who weren’t normally
fans of country music.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, Nett les was a
regular performer at Eddie’s Att ic in Decatur. Before
joining Sugarland, she performed as part of Soul Miner’s
Daughter and the Jennifer Nett les Band. Soul Miner’s
Daughter released two studio albums and was the winner
of the 1999 Lilith Fair Acoustic Talent Search. The Jennifer
Nett les Band released three studio albums and was selected
the grand prize winner from more than 2,000 bands in “The
Big Deal $100,000 Music Search” presented by Mars Music.
Nett les joined Sugarland in 2003. Sugarland’s musical
style appealed to a wide range of tastes, including several
people who weren’t normally fans of country music. Nett les
att ributes Sugarland’s popularity to the universal themes
covered in songs like “Fly Away” and “Baby Girl.” “You
speak to the human condition and write what you know in
your life,” she said.
2008, she launched Common Th read, a series of concerts
where musicians perform to raise money for their favorite
charities. After the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti,
Nett les sang on the remake of “We Are the World” as
part of Artists for Haiti. In February 2012, she made an
appearance in the Heart Truth Red Dress Collection show
during New York Fashion Week to raise awareness of the
dangers of heart disease in women.
What can fans expect next from Jennifer Nett les?
Despite rumors to the contrary, Sugarland is still together.
Nett les has told reporters she’s simply taking a short break
and contemplating her next move. In an interview on Fox
News, she expressed interest in appearing in a Broadway
play. Her preference was the role of Elphaba in Wicked,
but there’s no doubt this talented lady will be successful in
whatever she chooses.
READ THIS ARTICLE ONLINE
25
FEATURE
D E K A L B
LEGEND
No.5
WHO IS
KiMMiE
GEE ?
By Norma Stanley
Photo: Courtesy of KiMMiE GEE.
YOU MAY KNOW HER AS BEYONCÉ KNOWLES’ RIGHT
HAND DANCER, BUT THIS RESIDENT, MOVER AND SHAKER
DEFINES HERSELF IN A MUCH MORE PROFOUND WAY.
WRD: Who is KiMMiE and what do you mean by the
statement, “The Art of Loving Me” in the tagline on
your website?
KG: I am dance. I was born and raised in New Jersey. As a
litt le girl I always danced and sang around the house. After
I graduated high school in 2001 I started taking classes,
teaching and auditioning. I wouldn’t “book” any dance jobs
and I couldn’t understand why. In 2004 I auditioned for the
Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team and did not make it. It took
the whole year for me to gain the confidence and believe in
myself to re-audition. When the time came around again,
my dance ability didn’t change; it was my perspective
that changed. The moment I began to love myself my life
changed. A major life lesson learned. I apply this belief
able to encourage and inspire so many people to follow their
dreams. I have been dancing professionally since 2005. I
am very fortunate to make a living doing what I love.
WRD: What kind of training have you had? How did you
prepare for what you’re doing now? Any classical, modern
training?
KG: I have a litt le ballet training, which helps tremendously
on stage. Every dancer should have some ballet experience
in their dance life. It’s the foundation of all dance styles. It’s
how you become a “clean” dancer. Nobody will hire you if
you have sloppy arms. Ballet helps your lines and posture.
I’m not the modern type of dancer but I enjoy watching
both ballet and modern performances.
Beyoncé is definitely my muse. It amazes me
how she gives her all in every form. She gives
150% of her talents while running a business
and being a mother.
to my whole entire life. KiMMESTRY is a motivational
dance workshop that I have created to encourage young
women to dream big and believe in themselves. The Art
of Loving Me is KiMMESTRY’s mission. If we can teach
the importance of self-love to every litt le girl, the world will
be a better place. I believe low self-esteem is the absolute
root of bullying, teen pregnancies, abuse, obesity and poor
choices. KiMMESTRY is me doing my part in changing
the world...one girl a time.
Photography by Errol O. James
WRD: When did you fi rst know you wanted to be a dancer?
How long have you been dancing?
KG: Dance chose me. Growing up I always loved dancing. It
all started with the electric slide! I had no idea I could dance
as a profession. I was never exposed to the possibilities. I
wanted to grow up and be a teacher. In high school I was
fortunate to have dance as my gym and in my senior year
I realized the opportunities in dance. Changed my life. I
truly believe teaching is my gift and through dance I am
WRD: Who do you consider your muse in dance?
KG: Beyoncé is defi nitely my muse. It amazes me how she
gives her all in every form. She gives 150% of her talents
while running a business and being a mother. That’s so
inspiring. I never ever want to complain about being tired
around Beyoncé. I aspire to be able to multitask just like
her. She makes me want to be better in everything I do on
and off stage.
WRD: Who are some of your favorite professional dancers
of today?
KG: I love everyone I share the stage with. We become a
family so quickly and I miss them all when we are on break.
There is a special place in my heart for all the dancers I have
ever worked with. I’m always excited to hear about their
journey and growth. I feel like we are all pieces of a fabulous
dance puzzle.
27
culture {DEKALB LEGENDS: WHO IS KiMMiE GEE?}
KiMMiE GEE (right) performs alongside Beyoncé and other members of the mega star’s dance troupe. Photos: Courtesy of KiMMiE GEE.
WRD: How did you prepare for success as a professional dancer?
KG: My main method of preparation as a professional dancer
is to think like I already accomplished the things I set out
to do. It was matter of how to handle things rather than
wishing for opportunities to happen. I also really work on
ME. I had to face my insecurities and embrace them. I try
to be in a comfortable and confident place within. It keeps
me from gett ing caught up in nonsense and possibly losing
my way. Your outlook is so important and will absolutely
defi ne your level of success.
WRD: Where is your home base after touring the world?
KG: I was born and raised in New Jersey and I moved to
Atlanta in 2008. I am very proud to be a DeKalb County
Resident. I look forward to really being involved in the
community and changing lives.
WRD: What did it feel like when Beyoncé handpicked you as
one of her dancers?
KG: Being hand picked was incredible. So many dancers
auditioned with me and to be one of the four girls she
chose for her world tour is very humbling. I prayed for the
28
opportunity and the rest was up to me. I had to deliver. All
the hard work and preparation paid off. I am blown away
sometimes because it seems unreal. I’m living my dream
and loving every second of it.
WRD: What is it like being one of Beyoncé’s main dancers?
What are the highs/lows?
I love being a veteran dancer. It comes with a lot of
responsibility. I am able to lead by example and speak from
experience to the newcomers. I was once in their shoes and
know exactly how they may be feeling when the pressure is
on. So I love being able to clam someone down and remind
them why they are here when the stress levels are high.
WRD: The dances you do in those Beyoncé concerts and
videos are high powered. How do you keep up your energy?
KG: Our shows are full of energy! I usually have pasta for
lunch and I will take a b12 vitamin. The energy will kick in
around showtime. With all the adrenaline and excitement
from the audience it’s very easy to be full out. We also feed
off of each other’s energy. It’s so important to be on the
same page.
WRD: What do you think of the images portrayed by dancers
in some of today’s music videos?
KG: It really depends on the music video. All forms of dance
are entertaining so it’s a matter of the surrounding content
and environment. As a whole women are portrayed poorly
in the media and it sends mixed messages when dance in
thrown in the mix. Dancers are artists too. We are trained
professional who make a living performing. Our livelihood
is our body and our health. To be objectified or degraded
in anyway is absolutely not okay. Aspiring dancers need to
know their value and accept nothing less.
WRD: How hard is it to get into the industry? Is it luck or is
it just hard work and preparation?
KG: It’s both. The industry is tough. You have to be your
best. You also have to be where the opportunities are. It’s
important to know what you want out of your dance career.
If it’s Broadway then you need to be training in New York.
If you want more commercial work then Los Angeles is
the place for you. Be true to your dream and go where the
opportunities are. Everything will fall into place.
WRD: What would you say to young women who want to be
professional dancers?
KG: My advice to every young woman who may be
considering a career in dance is to work on your craft, stay
true to who you are and stay focused from this point on.
All the decisions you make in junior high and high school
will directly affect your future. So be smart now. Be focused
now. Put yourself fi rst. Don’t get caught up in the boys! They
will always be there. Now is the time to get to know you.
Take your time, grow and dream. Don’t get distracted. And
surround yourself with like-minded positive people.
FEATURE
STONE MOUNTAIN CID:
COMMITTED TO
CREATING
JOBS
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
By Jeff Corbin
30
business
THE STONE MOUNTAIN CID IS RISING TO MEET
THE CHALLENGES OF THE CURR ENT ECONOMIC
CLIMATE WITH THE SUPPORT OF AR EA BUSINESS
AND POLITICAL LEADERS.
T
he CID is rapidly deploying initiatives
to dramatically increase the area’s
investment appeal.
As CID President, Emory Morsberger
explained, the CID’s goal is to return
this vitally important economic engine to its rightful
place as the premier location for commercial success.
“We know that now more than ever, this community
needs real jobs from quality employers,” Morsberger said.
“Th is CID is committed to producing the improvements
necessary to bring businesses back. We are working hard
every day to help create 2,000 new jobs right here by the
end of 2013.”
CID efforts are generally categorized into three
key initiatives:
Right now, the CID is
actively engaged in an
expansion drive to extend
along Lawrenceville
Highway to the Gwinnett
County line.
Fixing broken infrastructure
Increasing public safety and perception
The CID funds public safety professionals and offduty county police officers for daily uniformed patrols
of stakeholder properties. Landscaping crews routinely
maintain the area’s appearance. The area is already
experiencing a double-digit reduction in the number of
criminal incidents.
Focusing on economic development
The CID has secured large grants from the Atlanta
R eg iona l Com m ission a nd DeK a lb Development
Authority to create long-range economic development
strategies for the area. The ultimate goal – seeing every
available commercial property reach its highest and best use.
Right now, the CID is actively engaged in an expansion
drive to extend along Lawrenceville Highway to the
Gwinnett County line. The CID is also coordinating with
neighboring Gwinnett Village and Lilburn CID leaders to
produce a unified vision for improvements to the roadway
corridors common to all three areas.
“Adding new member stakeholders will enable the
Stone Mountain CID to work more quickly and accomplish
greater projects even faster,” Morsberger said.
Jeff Corbin is the Communications Support
Representative for Stone Mountain CID.
The CID partners with DeKalb County, Georgia Power,
the Georgia Department of Transportation and others
to remove blight and identify and repair all infrastructure
needs, including those along side roads and properties.
31
culture {ENVIRONMENT}
O
“TRASH TO GAS” PLANT
BEGINS TEST OPERATIONS
By Burke Brennan
nce it is f u l ly operat iona l,
De K a l b C ou nt y ’s R e n e w a b l e
Energ y Faci l it y w i l l have t he
environmental equivalent of taking
30,000 cars off the road every year. It
will reduce carbon dioxide emissions
by 17,000 tons, or what goes into the atmosphere from 17
million gallons of gasoline.
And that’s just the fi rst year.
DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis,
in conjunction with Energy Systems Group and the Clean
Cities Atlanta Petroleum Reduction Program, officially
opened the new renewable energy facility at the Seminole
Road Landfi ll to begin the
test phase of operations on
April 16.
“Sav ing money is
important, but the real payoff
over the long term is being good
stewards of our environment
and the air we breathe,” said
CEO Ellis. “We owe it to future
generations to leave our county
and planet better off than when
we inherited it.”
The renewable energy
facility is also a fi rst in the
nation. While there are landfi lls that make RNG for
pipeline injection, this is the first landfill in the U.S. that
will simultaneously provide Landfi ll Gas to convert landfi ll
gas to produce both Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for
vehicles and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) for high-BTU
gas for pipeline injection to be used as transportation fuel
elsewhere. Furthermore, once the facility is completed, the
county will have the capacity to process more landfi ll gas
than any other county in Georgia.
To capitalize on the fuel savings, DeKalb County is
starting with its own fleet. The fi rst vehicles to be powered
by CNG will be the ones that deliver the garbage to the
landfi ll in the fi rst place – the garbage trucks.
32
DeKalb County Sanitation Department is converting
70 vehicles from diesel fuel to CNG. As diesel is currently
selling for more than $4 a gallon, DeKalb County is
forecasting fuel savings of $3 million over the next 8 years.
The county’s goal is to eventually replace or adapt its entire
fleet of 306 sanitation vehicles with natural gas vehicles
over the same time period.
“The current price for CNG is almost half the amount
of diesel fuel. Of course, we can make it for even less right
here at the Seminole landfi ll and without any speculative
fuel pricing risk,” said Billy Malone, Assistant Director of
Public Works/Sanitation Division.
The test phase of all the facility’s machinery will be
underway for several weeks.
The plant will be connected
to the commercial pipeline in
early summer, and the on-site
fueling station for sanitation
trucks will be completed this
fall.
The plant was constructed
by ESG, one of the nation’s
premiere energy performance
contractors. It was funded
as part of President Barack
Obama’s stimulus funds
through the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE). The DOE awarded a grant to the Clean
Cities Atlanta Petroleum Reduction Program of which
DeKalb County received $7.8 million for this project.
“We are turning ‘Trash to Gas’ and ‘Gas to Cash’,
saving $3 million by using it in DeKalb County vehicles,”
said CEO Ellis. “We are, in fact, living up to our vision of
being the Greenest Urban County in America and the place
where your future lives.”
Burke Brennan is the Chief Communications Officer for
the Office of CEO Burrell Ellis.
FEATURE
TOWERS
HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS
HONORED
WITH GRAMMY
AWARD
By Dana Hinders
34
education
IF YOU’VE EVER ATTENDED A PERFORMANCE
BY STUDENTS FROM TOWERS HIGH SCHOOL IN
BELVEDERE PARK, YOU KNOW HOW HARD THESE
YOUNG MUSICIANS WORK TO DEVELOP
THEIR SKILLS.
N
ow, the students have received
nationw ide recognition for
their accomplishments.
Towers High School was
recently honored as a recipient of
the 2012 GRA MMY Signature
Schools Enterprise Award. Th is
award included a cash grant of $5,500 and was given as
part of the GRA MMY Foundation’s commitment to foster
excellence in music education. Band director Jermaine
Morell prepared the application on behalf of Towers
High School.
For years, educators have known that the patience,
persistence, and work ethic students learn through
participating in music programs will help them become
successful as young adults. The GRA MMY Foundation
was established in 1989 as a way to promote the importance
of music as both an educational tool and an expression
of our country’s cultural heritage. The GRA MMY
Foundation works with The Recording Academy on a
year-round basis to host programs, activities, and awards
that encourage support for music education and the
talented young people who are interested in careers in the
music industry. Campbell’s Labels for Education is the
official education partner of the GRA MMY in the Schools
programs. Other notable sponsors of this grant program
include Best Buy, the Ford Motor Company Fund, and
the Gibson Foundation.
“Our GRA MMY Signature Schools program is
making a real difference in the lives of young people in
public high school music programs across the country,”
said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording
Academy and the GRA MMY Foundation. “With the
generous support of our partners, we’ve been able to
grow this program’s reach, and further the GRA MMY
Foundation’s commitment to fostering excellence in
music education.”
More than 20,000 public high schools from around
the United States, representing districts of every size
and demographic makeup, competed for the GRA MMY
Signature Schools Enterprise Awards this year. Each
school completed an initial application, then fi nalists were
asked to submit supporting materials such as recordings
of school concerts and sample concert programs to
be evaluated by a panel of top music educators and
professionals. Special attention was given to the efforts of
schools that have made it a priority to give students access
to a quality music education despite budget cuts and
school politics. After the judging process was completed,
11 schools from across the United States were named as
GRA MMY Enterprise Award winners for the 2012 year.
35
FEATURE
COMMISSION IS DRIVING
REDEVELOPMENT
ON MEMORIAL
DRIVE
By Sharon Barnes Sutton
DEK ALB IS ONE OF GEORGIA’S
MOST POPULOUS COUNTIES
AND MEMORIAL DRIVE IS OUR
CENTR AL CORRIDOR.
IT RUNS FROM THE STATE
CAPITOL TO STONE MOUNTAIN
PARK, THE SECOND LARGEST
ATTR ACTION IN THE
SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES
NEXT TO DISNEY WORLD.
36
politics
WHEN I R AN FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSION, ELEVATING
MEMORIAL DRIVE AS THE CONDUIT TO COMMUNITIES
WHER E WE COULD ALL LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY WAS ONE OF
MY TOP PRIORITIES.
N
ow that I serve on the Board, I’m
committed to achieving a safe and
clean Memorial Drive that will help
att ract new companies and good
jobs to our neighborhoods.
I believe that a commitment to
this important thoroughfare is the key to DeKalb County’s
reemergence as one of Georgia’s best destinations for
a family, a business, or a school. That’s why I’ve led the
revitalization project and made this project a public priority
since joining the commission in 2009.
As long as we remain
focused on our responsibility
to beautify and protect this
community, we’ll reap the
benefits of shared health
and prosperity.
Our fi rst Memorial Drive Revitalization Project Meeting
was held on December 10 of that year, and we’ve been
working with you for a better DeKalb ever since. Residents
and community leaders have pitched in to lay out a shared
vision for public safety and prosperity throughout the
Memorial Drive community.
Last August, we hosted Memorial Drive Community
Clean-Up Day that att racted more than 200 volunteers
through a partnership with the Memorial Drive Merchants
Association and Keep DeKalb Beautiful. The same month,
we hosted a forum on public safety where law enforcement
presented their plans to keep our community safe. More
than 100 residents gathered to hear about DeKalb Police
Department’s Neighborhood Enforcement Teams (N.E.T.)
and VIP Program (Volunteers in Policing).
Over the past several months, my colleagues and I
have worked behind the scenes to secure the support
of new partners, including DeKalb District Attorney
Robert James, Police Chief William O’Brien, Economic
Development Director Charles Whatley, and others. Local
colleges are also involved, including Georgia Piedmont
Technical College and Georgia Perimeter College. We’re
already leveraging those partnerships and other promising
developments to make Memorial Drive a more welcoming
place to start a business or raise a family. At a followup Memorial Drive Revitalization meeting hosted by
P.R.I.S.M. (Pride Rings in Stone Mountain) in January, I
unveiled plans for a brand-new Wall-Mart Superstore. At
the same meeting, I detailed plans of an accompanying
job fair to give local residents the fi rst shot at employment
opportunities.
As long as we remain focused on our responsibility to
beautify and protect this community, we’ll reap the benefits
of shared health and prosperity. I, for one, am committed to
making Memorial Drive the centerpiece of those efforts. I
invite all the county’s residents to join me in working with
the Commission for a better DeKalb!
Sharon Barnes Sutton is Commissioner for DeKalb County’s
District 4.
37
A LETTER TO
DEKALB
By Laurenthia Mesh
PEOPLE WHO AR E
UNDECIDED ABOUT THE
CR EATION OF A CITY
OF BROOKHAVEN FROM
BUFORD HIGHWAY TO
PERIMETER MALL ASK
US WHY WE DON’T WANT
A CITY. HER E AR E SOME
L
OF THE R EASONS:
ocal control isn’t the answer.
No government is everything
to everybody and somebody
is going to lose. Look at the
new cities of Sandy Springs,
Dunwoody, and Johns Creek.
They evolved into typical
bureaucratic governments exercising their newly
found power as they justify it for the greater
good. The reality is that the community loses
local control very quickly. Governments love to
govern and bureaucrats love the power.
A city will cost YOU more. There is no tax
savings. In fact, there is a tax increase for most
DeKalb has 1.7 officers per 1,000
residents. For Brookhaven, this would
mean a police force of 83 officers.
residents. People who live in cities
pay higher taxes on their power and
telephone bills than p eople
i n D e K a l b County. The power
and telephone companies collect
franchise fees that are then paid to
the city. The city government needs
these optional fees to balance the
budget from the beginning. You will
pay more than you are paying now.
T he prop osed cit y b egins
operations in a precarious financial
position. According to the latest study
by the University of Georgia Carl
Vinson Institute (CVI), the proposed
city would have first year revenues of
$25.2 million, expenditures of $25.1
million and a budget surplus of less
than one-half of one percent. This
means there would be no margin for
error in the budget and no reserves
to help the new city get started.
Since residents will already be paying
more for the proposed city, either your
taxes will go up or services will be cut.
Fewer police officers and less
police protection. The proposed
police force is estimated to be 53
officers. There should be at least 83
officers. DeKalb has 1.7 officers per
1,000 residents. For Brookhaven,
this would mean a police force of
83 officers. Dunwoody’s police chief
told his city council that similar-sized
cities have 2.06 officers per
1,000 residents. For Brookhaven,
this means a police force of 100
officers. The proposed city budget
calls for less than 1.1 officers per
1000 residents.
The proposed city will create 5
new politicians -- a mayor and 4 city
council members-- as well as lots of
new bureaucrats to interfere in your
life. Once created, a bureaucracy
never gets smaller and it never
looks for ways to be less involved
in your life. Do we really need more
politicians and bureaucrats?
Laurenthia Mesh
www.AshfordNeighbors.org
39
SERVING UP
WARM
MEMORIES
IN DEKALB
By Norma Stanley
food
Do you remember when your mom baked
cupcakes for birthday parties, classroom
celebrations or PTA meetings?
D
o you get nostalgic thinking
nothing but talk about cupcakes, from every possible aspect.
about the times when you
The Cupcakes Takes The Cake blog, (www.
were little, baking these
cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com) and the All Th ings
warm, moist, mini cake
Cupcakes (www.allthingscupcake.com) website, share
t r e a t s w i t h mom’s he l p,
recipes, have contests, highlight cup cake shops across
while adding lots of icing in
the country, hold cupcake meet ups. Cupcakes Take The
anticipation of eating the sometimes lopsided cakes you
Cake is even planning a cupcake cruise this year.
Even Martha Stewart has gotten in on the cupcake
knew would be delicious?
Well, it seems a number of owners of cup cake shops
craze. She recently published a cookbook, “Martha
and bakeries across the nation and in and around DeKalb
Stewart’s Cupcakes,” with everything from “gelato-
County, along with their customers, also have some of
topped mini-cupcakes” to “pistachio-raspberry tea cakes.”
those warm memories. However, today’s cupcake craze is
And we all know that when Martha Stewart recognizes
taking cupcake deliciousness to its highest level. Cupcake
something as book-worthy, it’s probably more than a
shop owners and bakeries are creating and serving up a
fleeting trend.
cornucopia of tempting flavors, making their individual
brands of cupcakes hard to resist…they hope.
Rachel Kramer Bussel, who has been blogging about
cupcakes since 2004 at Cupcakes Take the Cake, said that
Enticing flavors such as red velvet, German chocolate
in the last two years or so, cupcakes really exploded with
(with real coconut filling hiding inside), key lime, carrot cake,
many bakeries opening nationwide that are building their
coconut almond, sugar cookie root beer float and chocolate
business around cupcakes.
cherry, abound and most customers have a personal favorite.
“Some people say it’s nostalgia, and I think that
Recognizing that the nostalgic love of cupcakes is more than
plays a small role, but even more, it’s that they are so
a trend, savvy bakers are turning everyone’s surprising love
personalized,” Bussel said.
Cupcake bakeries have sprung up all throughout
for them into a thriving repeat business.
Cupcakes and the love of them has so taken over the
Georgia. DeKalb County alone boasts a host of cupcake
nation, that there are two large websites with blogs that do
shops and bakeries. Most are family-owned small bakeries
41
food {TRENDS}
and all are enjoying a steady stream of enthusiastic
she continued. “However, we’re growing and have been
customers daily.
testing some kiosks at some DeKalb locations, and hope
Nadia DeMessa, the owner of YumYum Cupcake, a
to open a store at Perimeter Mall,” she said.
traveling dessert truck that sells a variety of cupcakes in
Helga Moore, CEO of DeKalb headquartered HJM
metro-Atlanta, says business is bustling. DeMessa, whose
Entertainment, admits she has a sweet tooth and loves
custom bakery company is headquartered in Decatur,
cupcakes, but says they can be too tempting.
says that although she’s been in business for six years as a
“I absolutely love cupcakes because they’re sweet,
custom designer of cakes, when she added cupcakes to her
moist mini cakes and although I know I shouldn’t, I’ll
menu, things really took off .
sneak in one or two ever so often,” says Moore, who says
“I began selling cupcakes two and a half years ago as
that cupcakes are not necessarily good for maintaining
part of my dessert truck offerings at festivals, etc., and
one’s figure. “All I know is the more cupcake shops that
things have been hopping ever since,” said DeMessa. “I
pop up, the more gyms will inevitably have to pop up!”
fi rst saw a dessert truck in New York City and thought it
was a great idea, so we did the same thing here and we
were the fi rst bakery to do a dessert truck in Atlanta,”
ALON’S BAKERY AND MARKET
ALONS.GEOMERX.COM
678/397-1781
A PIECE OF CAKE
APIECEOFCAKEINC.COM
(DECATUR)
404-378-8585
(DUNWOODY)
770-643-4997
42
CAKE CAFÉ ATLANTA
CAKECAFEATLANTA.COM
404-284-0106
OMG CUP AND CAKES
OMGCUPANDCAKES.COM
404-222-0200
SWEET N’ SINFUL
SWEETNSINFUL.COM
404-298-9100
CAKESTRIES, CUPCAKES
AND PASTRIES
CAKE-TRIES.COM
404-413-0537
PEACHY KEEN CUPCAKES
MYPEACHYKEENCUPCAKES.
COM
404-496-8543
THE CUP: A GOURMET
CUPCAKE CAFÉ
THECUPGOURMET.COM
678/705-9883
CAROLYN’S CUPCAKE
CAROLYNSCUPCAKES.COM
404-343-1964
POSH ATLANTA CAKES
POSHATLANTACAKES.COM
404-422-1273
THE CUPCAKE PEOPLE
THECUPCAKEPEOPLE.COM
404-913-2093
CUPCAKE LOUNGE
CUPCAKELOUNGE.NET
404-963-0822
RAPTURE CUPCAKE BAR
RAPTURECUPCAKEBAR.
COM404-992-0310
YUM YUM CUPCAKE
YUMYUMCUPCAKE.COM
404-405-1999
FOR GOODNESS CAKES
FORGOODNESSCAKES.NET
404-483-3916
THE COFFEE SHOP – EASTLAKE
404-377-2227
SOUTHERN SWEETS BAKERY
SOUTHERNSWEETS.COM
404-373-8752
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“M
By McKenzie Wren
ost of us are secure in the fact
that we can buy all the food we
need,” says Janice Giddens,
Food Security Coordinator for Clarkston
Community Center (CCC) in Clarkston.
We are a nation of plenty. Or so it seems. On
any given day, people fi ll their carts to capacity
in grocery stores and supermarkets with an
abundance of food to feed their families. But,
largely unseen, are those who struggle to put
food on the table.
“Most of us are secure in the fact that we
can buy all the food we need,” says Giddens.
“But the reality is that there are many in Volunteers manage CCC Community Pantry Garden.
communities around Atlanta who are working
p.m. Open to the community and surrounding areas, the
hard to be productive, yet struggle to provide
market features local growers with fresh-picked produce.
nutritious food for their families or themselves.”
Abundant and organic, the CCC Community Pantry
The east Atlanta community of Clarkston, historically
Garden, planted with the help of the Global Growers
a blue-collar area, was designated a refugee resett lement
Network, Emory volunteers and Master Gardeners, is part
town and, over the past 20 years, has seen an influx of
of the Food Security program. It provides fresh vegetables
refugees from countries around the world. It is now one of
to co-op members and CCC food bank recipients. The
the most culturally diverse communities in Georgia. The
CCC Community Garden hosts gardeners who sell at the
city has benefited from and celebrates this rich cultural
Clarkston Farmers Market, as well as space for gardeners
diversity. At the same time, Clarkston Community
to grow food for their own consumption.
Center, which is a major center for programs and events
Located in the heart of the culturally diverse Clarkston
for all residents of Clarkston, recognized the challenges
community, Clarkston Community Center serves newly
faced by the majority of the refugee population as they
arrived refugees and resident American citizens of
work to acclimate to their new home. “We saw that there
DeKalb County through art, education, recreation and
was hunger in the community,” says McKenzie Wren,
community building programs and events. The Center
Executive Director of Clarkston Community Center.
is also a venue for private occasions such as weddings,
“We are helping to meet the need for food security with a
family reunions, graduations and special parties.
spectrum of programs that offer fresh and affordable food
For information on CCC’s food programs and the
to all residents, especially our low-income residents.”
Center’s full schedule of programs and events, visit www.
The newest element in this garden-to-table initiative is
clarkstoncommunitycenter.org.
the Clarkston Farmers Market, which opened on Sunday,
May 20. The market will continue through October on
McKenzie Wren is the Executive Director of Clarkston
the last Sunday of each month from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 Community Center.

RHYTHM SECTION,

Transcription

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