Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Solicitor-General Sherry Boston is bringing together citizens, law enforcement, advocacy groups, and survivors for her sixth annual resource fair and symposium on domestic violence: “Building Bridges, Making Connections, Coordinating a Community Response to Domestic Violence. “ The event, which includes a complimentary breakfast, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. The program will feature Kimya Motley, an award-winning educator, philanthropist, and domestic violence survivor. In 2011, Motley and her then 10-year-old daughter were shot and…

This month, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) is moving the district office from Hillandale Drive to Snapfinger Park Drive, about 1.2 miles away. The Hillandale Drive office will close Thursday, Oct. 27, and the new office at 5240 Snapfinger Park Drive, Suite 130 in Decatur, will open Monday, Oct. 31. The new office is off Panola Road near I-20 behind This Is It! restaurant. The Congressional office phone number will remain 770-987-2291.

DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton is hosting a community meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m., at the Deer Creek Community subdivisions’ Clubhouse,, 690 Malvern Blvd., Stone Mountain. Join Sutton for updates on a new senior center coming to District 4 and other new developments in the community. Invite your neighbors and bring your questions. For more information, call Commissioner Sutton’s office at 404-371-4907.

 Angela Hayes, who served as president of the DeKalb County NAACP branch from 1993-1994, passed on Oct. 10. The homegoing celebration for Mrs. Hayes will be held Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m., at New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church, 923 Valley Brook Road, Decatur. Donald Trimble Mortuary in Decatur is handling the arrangements.

ATLANTA Streets of Atlanta come alive at annual “Streets Alive and Fall Harvest” On Sunday, Oct. 23, 2 – 6 p.m., Atlanta’s iconic Peachtree Street will close to vehicular traffic and transform into a pedestrian mecca filled with walkers, bikers, strollers, skateboarders and more for the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s annual Atlanta Streets Alive event. The event will be held from 17th Street NE to Woodruff Park. As part of the fun, Colony Square is livening up the plaza for the first Fall Harvest on the Square. Take a stroll down the street for an Oktoberfest inspired day on the…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs will host a series of free fall festivals Oct. 21 – 31 at various recreation centers throughout DeKalb County. This year’s festivals will include face painting, hikes, music, games, contests, hayrides, food and more. All members of the community are invited to attend, and children are encouraged to wear costumes. The 2016 fall festivals include:   Friday, Oct. 21 Davidson Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, 4 – 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 Browns Mill Recreation Center, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Midway Recreation Center, 7 – 10 p.m. H. Scott and Decatur Alumni Chapter of…

Toastmasters is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to helping people improve their communication and leadership skills: A Toastmasters’ Club is forming at the Stonecrest Library. The nonprofit club is dedicated to helping people improve their communication and leadership skills. The Stonecrest club will meet on the first and third Tuesday, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, at 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia. The club is open to all adults over 18 and will help you: Become a better speaker and presenter Communicate with confidence Develop your leadership skills Listen and give effective feedback Learn these skills and more…

The DeKalb County Board of Health’s STD/HIV Prevention Program will host an STD/HIV Haunted Maze Health Fair that will feature free STD and HIV testing and other health screenings. The event also will offer food, vendor trick-or-treating, a photo booth, face painting, and an entertaining and educational STD/HIV haunted house. This event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2 to 6 p.m., at the Exchange Park Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. For more information, call 404-270-2453.

The Business Network at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church will present “The Marketplace” on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Beulah Community Family Life Center, 2340 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur. A vendor fair, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., will showcase various businesses for the community. The event will also include a financial planning workshop, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., facilitated by a financial expert who will discuss effective strategies for financial planning. All are invited to attend.

Rainbow Push kicks off GOTV rally ATLANTA–The Rainbow Push Coalition and student leaders kicked off its Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign on Cot. 13 at Morehouse College. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, discussed the “Hope is Alive” through Voting initiative, today’s Civil Rights and announced the 17th Annual Creating Opportunity Conference, which will be held Oct, 20 – 22. The GOTV is being supported by Rainbow PUSH Atlanta; Vote Empowerment Collaboration; the Peoples Agenda; NAACP; SCLC; American Voters League, Atlanta University student leaders; and organizers of the 17th Annual…