Author: On Common Ground News

Jason Lary, who led the Stonecrest cityhood movement to victory, says he plans to run for mayor of the new city. Lary said that as the chief architect of the Stonecrest Yes Committee, he is ready to give birth to the vision of economic development and self-governance that he and others have worked on for so long. The referendum to create the city of 50,000 residents passed on Nov. 8 with 59 percent of the vote. “After four years of being the person who has put it together, selected the team and worked on the model for the city, I…

Students in Georgia’s Pre-K Program continue to show positive gains through the end of kindergarten across all domains of learning, according to recent research. A study, commissioned by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), found that children in the state-funded Pre-K program progressed at a greater rate during the time they participated in Georgia’s Pre-K Program than would be expected for normal developmental growth. The study, which included a sample of 1,169 children, is part of a multi-year evaluation by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.…

The public is invited to attend a special recognition honoring Richard Oden, Chairman of the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners. Oden’s term expires on Dec 31. Oden will be honored at the board’s Work Session on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m., in the Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers. Oden served eight years as Chairman. During the meeting, Chairman-Elect Oz Nesbitt and Commissioner Doreen Williams will present Oden with a proclamation declaring Dec. 13, 2016 as “Chairman Richard A. Oden Appreciation Day.” The public is welcome to share well wishes to Oden during the public comment portion of the agenda.…

Marcello Baines, the newly-elected Chairman of the Newton County Board of Commissioners, will meet and greet residents on Thursday, Dec. 8, 4 to 8 p.m., at the Lindsey Firm, 1182 Washinton St., S.W., Covington Baines is the first African American to be elected to the position and is a minister of Springfield Baptist Church in Rockdale County.

The DeKalb NAACP is organizing the 15th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, which will be held on the King Holiday, Monday, Jan. 16. The civil rights group’s 2017 theme is “Remembering the Dream, Honoring the Dreamer.” The grand marshal for the parade will be John Evans, former president of the DeKalb NAACP. Groups or individuals who would like to participate in the parade may register online www.dekalbganaacp.org. The deadline to register is Dec. 31. Parade participants will line up at Green Pastures Ministries, 5455 Flatshoals Parkway, at 10 a.m. The parade starts at noon and will end at…

The Conyers Police Department is hosting a toy drive for the families who have lost their homes to the wildfires raging in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The fires have destroyed more than 700 homes and businesses across Sevier County and displaced more than 14,000 residents in Gatlinburg alone. The fires have consumed more than 15,000 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains and at least seven people have been killed, according to news reports. The Conyers Police Department is asking the community to donate new toys to help make the holidays a little happier for the families. The toy drive will begin Dec.…

Atlanta   Designer show house lights up the holidays at Callanwolde Arts Center Tour the historic Candler estate for the annual Christmas at Callanwolde Designer Show House featuring some of Atlanta’s hottest interior designers daily through Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy a self-guided tour of the 27,000-square-foot Tudor revival mansion bedazzled by some of Atlanta’s most prominent designers. Tours last approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Guests will also be able to experience an Aeolian pipe organ at select times and holiday shopping at the Callanwolde artist market. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase…

A stop to buy produce at a Fresh MARTA Market now can include “Charlotte’s Web” or classic cartoons at the College Park and Five Points stations. MARTA, in partnership with Serenbe Playhouse and Serenbe Film, is incorporating family -riendly programming into the transit experience. This alliance is part of the agency’s long-term strategic plan to invigorate its stations with different types of art, including performances, concerts and visual art pieces. “Going to a pop-up market now becomes a layered experience—buying locally sourced produce, viewing or experiencing art—that gives our customers the opportunity to maximize the benefits of their trip,” said…

CONYERS—Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive S.E., Conyers, will host its annual holiday production, “Soulful Noel: A Message of Hope,” on Dec. 9-11. The story of Soulful Noel, in its second season, tells the story of the birth of Jesus from an Afro-centric, biblical perspective. Steeped in the traditions of the Black Church, the production brings to the stage powerful, spirit-filled singing and dynamic acting. The opening night performance will be on Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m. The
Red Carpet Gala Reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. A matinee will be held Saturday, Dec. 10,…

DeKalb County Public Library is preparing to build a new library branch—the first since the Scott Candler branch opened in 2012. The public is invited to join county officials, library trustees, administrators and staff for a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Ellenwood library on Monday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. The ceremony will be held at the site for the new branch, 4331 River Road, Ellenwood. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held at the Salem-Panola Library, 5137 Salem Road in Lithonia. Construction on the facility will begin in January and the new branch is expected to open…