Author: On Common Ground News

The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce will host its Third Wednesday Luncheon on July 20, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the This Is It Banquet Hall, 2853 Panola Road, Lithonia. The Chamber will present a discussion, “Taking a Look at the Behavioral Health System.” Chamber members attend the luncheon free with advanced registration or pay $10 at the door without registration. Guests may attend for $20 with advanced registration or pay $25 at the door. To register, visit www. greaterlithoniachamber.com.

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution endorsing and supporting Explore Gwinnett’s revised master plan for the Infinite Energy Center complex. Concepts in the overall plan include an expansion of the exhibit hall, new outdoor gathering spaces, new parking lots and decks, a headquarters hotel, new and improved access to the center from surrounding roadways and additional arena seating, plus a mixed-use district that offers entertainment, dining, retail and housing options. Progress has already been made toward some of these goals, including the County’s acquisition of land adjacent to Meadow Church Road that will eventually become additional access…

By Erica Hubbard OCG News Intern Across metro Atlanta, a host of events have been planned to celebrate the Fourth of July, America’s birthday. The events range from small town celebrations like the golf cart parade on the Covington square in Newton County to the large scale bash at Lenox Square Mall in Buckhead, touted as the largest fireworks show in the Southeast. It’s time to make your plans where you’ll celebrate the big day and we’ve compiled a listing of some of the most popular free events in On Common Ground News’ coverage areas to help you. We will…

Do you want your child to succeed in school? Do you want him or her to be a leader? Join motivational speaker and chess champion Orrin Hudson to learn how to make the right moves. Hudson and the DeKalb County Police East Precinct are hosting a free workshop, open to youths in grades K-12, on July 2, 10 a.m. to noon, in the Community Activity Center at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia. Hudson, founder of Be Someone, will teach kids strategies to winning not only on the chessboard, but in life. Come out and learn what…

By Valerie J. Morgan Demanding that Republicans take a vote on two gun control bills, Georgia Congressman John Lewis and fellow Democrats held a sit-in on Capitol Hill that spurred national attention. Lewis led more than 200 Democrats, including Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth District, as they demanded a vote on measures to expand background checks and block gun purchases by some suspected terrorists in the aftermath of the recent massacre in Orlando, Florida where 49 people were shot to death in a gay nightclub. Lewis and his colleagues—both, men and women dressed in their business suits—sat…

Rockdale County expects to have at least one person to throw their name in the hat when qualifying for Independent candidates is held June 27, 9 a.m., through July 1, noon: Courtney Dillard, who who filed his declaration of candidacy earlier this election season to run for Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman. Dillard, a real estate developer and founder of The Leadership Team, an organization that connects residents with community resources, said he’s all set to file his notice of candidacy. Dillard must pay $3,205.06 to qualify—the same fee as Democratic and Republican candidates seeking the BOC Chairman’s seat,…

By Pamela Gipson Traveling while young is one of the best decisions I have made in my mid-twenties. Traveling keeps my eyes open and exposed to the beauty of the entire world while exploring other peoples’ cultures. Over the past two years, I have traveled to over ten countries. And to top it off, all my flights were booked off flight deals! Many young millennials always ask me how I am able to travel so freely and also about the funds needed to travel. Well, it’s easy. With flight glitches, I tend to book them around a holiday week…

On Friday, June 17, high school students from Central Gwinnett and South Gwinnett High schools met with local judges as part of S.M.I.L.E. (Summer Mentoring in Legal Education) Gwinnett. A panel of Recorder’s Court judges, a Magistrate Court judge, a State Court judge, and a Superior Court judge, all from the Gwinnett Circuit, spent over an hour discussing their legal careers and the law with students eager to learn about the legal profession. The students were given the opportunity to ask questions and peppered the judges with questions about their legal backgrounds and various legal issues. State Court Judges Pam…

ATLANTA 9th Annual HBCU Run/Walk set at Piedmont Park The Atlanta Historically Black Colleges and Universities Alumni Alliance is hosting its ninth annual 5K/10K run walk on Saturday, June 25, 7 p.m., at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. Alumni and HBCU supporters are invited to run or walk in the race for a chance to win gift cards, sneakers, fuel bands, fitbits and more. The race theme, Run For You, Run For Them, Run For Us, highlights the alumni alliance’s three-fold purpose:  Run For You embodies the health aspect and the importance of getting active; Run For Them represents the scholarship dollars raised for future students…