Author: On Common Ground News

 FEATURED ITEM: “Thrilling Thursday” summer series at Conyers library offers kids big fun The next Nancy Guinn Memorial Library’s “Thrilling Thursday” summer series will feature “My Reptile Guys and their Fun Reptile Adventures” on June 22, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., in the lower level of the library, 864 Green St., Conyers. Take the kids to experience the thrill of a wild safari. Get up close and personal with exotic and beautiful reptiles during this adventure at the library. The program is free and requires no registration. Also, mark your calendar for the Thrilling Thursday events that will be held…

Hundreds of people showed up for the Monastery of the Holy Spirit’s eighth annual 5K in Conyers. This year, the monastery added an 8-mile endurance race to celebrate its eighth year hosting the race. Before the race, many attendees joined the monks for a 7 a.m. prayer and mass at Abbey Church, located on the monastery’s campus. Runners and walkers trekked through woodlands while enjoying the serene and peaceful landscape of the monastery. After the race, participants were greeted with free, hot pancakes. Runners and walkers came in all shapes, athletic capabilities, and sizes but Xavier Francis Ly was…

The Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Rockdale County is offering tours every month on the fourth Saturday from June 24-Oct. 28. Docents will guide visitors on a remarkable journey through a place filled with purpose as visitors discover the spiritual landscape where Trappist monks live, work and pray in a community cloistered from the outside world. Sponsored by the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, the two-hour tours will begin near the entrance to the Abbey Store. Participants will gain insight into the Abbey Church architecture and construction, marvel at hand-crafted stain glass and will be joined by a monk…

The Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green St., will feature Conyers criminal defense attorney Gary Washington in his seminar entitled “Act Like A Citizen, Think Like a Cop – Know Your Rights.” The seminar, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Thursday, June 22, 6 p.m., in the library’s meeting room (lower level). Washington will discuss encounters with police officers, how to respectfully address them and how to effectively assert your rights.  The seminar has been helpful for all ages especially our youth. For more information contact the Adult Services Department at 770- 388-5040, ext.…

Rockdale County has launched a youth cleanup crew to help pick up litter throughout the county this summer. The youths, who are working under adult supervision, are concentrating their efforts on residential communities. Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt said he welcomes the crew of young people. The youths, he said, are enhancing the county’s stepped-up efforts to clean up the county now that it has hired a code enforcement officer. Rockdale held a community-wide cleanup on June 10. Several county employees and department heads joined volunteers from the community to pick up trash. Photos from the event are…

The City of Atlanta has hired nearly 1,000 Atlanta youths this summer for internships offering practical experience in all city departments and mentorship opportunities with city leaders. The interns are graduating high school seniors and college students. As an extension of the internship program, the City of Atlanta launched its Youth Summer Engagement Pilot Program, which will hire 45 potentially at-risk youth, ages 15-17, allowing them to learn the skills required to be competitive for a permanent position or similar job in the future. More than 90 percent of the participants were recommended by the Atlanta Police Department (APD), Department…

The inaugural “Celebrate Community Parade” will step off on Saturday, July 1, at 10 a.m., from Conyers First United Methodist Church, 921 North Main Street in OIde Town Conyers. Residents are encouraged to gather in the church parking lot as early as 9:30 a.m. for the walking parade that will feature decorated wagons, bicycles, and golf carts. Those participating in the parade as well as spectators along the half-mile route through the historic residential district of Olde Town Conyers are encouraged to wear red, white and blue or patriotic attire. Prizes will be awarded at the parade’s conclusion for best-decorated…

The DeKalb Medical Foundation will host its 23rd annual Charles B. Eberhart Memorial Golf Classic on Monday, Aug. 28, at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek. Proceeds from the event will support updates to the operating rooms at DeKalb Medical. Improvements to the O.R. will include new equipment, such as tables, monitors and updated lighting. This new environment will streamline surgical procedures, reduce wait times and provide our patients with better care supported by the most advanced technology. This year, for the first time, the tournament will offer one flight with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. The event…

ATLANTA—MARTA is celebrating top honors for heavy rail safety. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognizes rail systems from across North America for excellence in operations, security and safety for both light and heavy rail services. This year, MARTA received the GOLD Award for Safety in Heavy Rail from APTA, which highlights the Authority’s commitment to performance quality, best practices, and safety standards. Ridership, expanding access, advances in engagement and overall success in helping to improve system safety also factor into the award selection process. “This is a huge honor for MARTA as we continue to work to provide the safest, most affordable…

With a reinvigorated push around the arts, MARTA is launching a new program aimed at aesthetically enhancing and integrating art throughout the rail system. The Authority will officially kick off the newly branded arts program with an inaugural launch event on Monday, June 19, 2 p.m., at the Five Points MARTA Station, 30 Alabama St. S.W., Atlanta. The art-focused event, which is open to the public, will include performances from Moving in the Spirit dance company and cellist Jenn Cornell accompanied by Emrah Kotan. The program will culminate with the unveiling of the arts program’s new logo. In 2016, MARTA’s…