Author: On Common Ground News

Principals in the DeKalb County Schools District will interview for teacher openings for the 2016-2017 school year. The district’s Summer Certified Teacher Job Fair will be held Tuesday, June 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Central Office campus, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. Interviews for middle and high school teachers will be conducted within the DECA High School at the Central Office campus. Centers and Special education interviews will be conducted in the DECA gym. Teachers for elementary schools will be interviewed within Elizabeth Andrews High School at the Central Office campus. Middle & High Grades Interviews…

  State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host a focus group presentation on private investment on Tuesday, June 28, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in room 605 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Atlanta. The event will preview Kendrick’s 2017 legislative agenda on private investment policy with featured speakers Melanie Brandt, Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) Atlanta, Inc.; Adam Harrell, StartUp Atlanta; and Tino Mantella, Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). Discussion topics will include the metro Atlanta business ecosystem; proposed updates to the Georgia securities code; examination of Georgia’s angel tax credit; review of the Invest Georgia Exemption (IGE); and…

DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will host a town hall meeting for District 5 residents to provide information on the Special Purpose Local Sales Tax (SPLOST). The meeting will be held on June 13, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. Special guests will address the SPLOST issue, which will be on the ballot in the November general election. Speakers include Zachary Williams, DeKalb County Chief Operating Officer; Luz Borrero, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Development; Willie Lewis, member of DeKalb SPLOST Citzens Advisory Committee. For ore information about the meeting, contact…

It’s time to take your life back and live! The economy is recovering. How about you? Join financial education expert Doreen Carter for a personal financial management workshop on Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Lithonia Woman’s Club. In this interactive workshop, Carter will help you assess your current financial condition, show you how to create a plan to build wealth, and cover how to protect your assets. Carter will be joined by entrepreneur philanthropist Nicola Jackson. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. To register or for more information, e-mail doreen.carter@live.com.

There’s still time to apply for Gwinnett County Police Department’s first-ever summer Youth Police Academy. The application deadline is June 30. The academy gives teens interested in a career in law enforcement a behind-the-scenes look at the department. Participants will learn classroom instruction, team building, and character development and topics will include uniform patrol, criminal investigations, crime scene investigations, traffic stops, firearms safety, gangs, and narcotics awareness. The Youth Police Academy is scheduled for July 25-29 and will take place at the Gwinnett County Police Training Center located at 854 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. There will be a maximum of 30 students…

Gwinnett commissioners approved a $232,707 contract with the Georgia Department of Human Services. The contract will pay for transportation services for Gwinnett seniors 60 and older to and from senior centers and medical appointments and treatments. The state will provide group and/or one-way trips in wheelchair-accessible vehicles between July 1 and June 30 next year. “This is one of several transportation options we can offer seniors,” said Senior Services Manager Jamie Cramer. “We also offer transportation vouchers to get to and from medical appointments under a program called Get in Gear as well as a volunteer driver program with funding…

The city of Lithonia Farmers Market kicks off its inaugural market season on Sunday, June 5, 1 to 5 p.m. at Lithonia City Park, 2501 Park Drive, Lithonia.  Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson says the market will run every Sunday through Sept. 18. “We’re really excited about bringing fresh, locally-grown produce to our community,” said Jackson. “This is a way to address the critical health issues that impact so many in African American communities.” Jackson says the Sunday market will provide a fun day filled with activities including  games, prizes, music and Zumba classes. SNAP/EBT will be accepted at the Farmers…

The City of Decatur is launching its Silver Spokes program this month to encourage senior citizens to exercise by riding a tricycle. The city applied for and received a $1,000 mini grant through the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association to purchase three adult tricycles for the new pilot program. “I had read about tricycle programs for seniors in Austin (Texas) and Portland (Oregon) and thought it would be great to start a pilot program here for our seniors,” said Tracie Sanchez, adult programs supervisor , Decatur Active Living. “We are designated as a bike-friendly city plus we have three solid…

Atlanta designer Donna King has what it takes when it comes to fashionable business sense. King, the CEO and chief designer for P. Sherrod & Co., recently won the 2016 Belk Southern Designer Showcase Contest, landing her a coveted spot as a vendor for retail department store giant Belk. “Oh my gosh, I was super surprised! I know you’re supposed to think all that positive, law-of-attraction stuff, but who really thinks, ‘I’m going to win’?” said King. A native of Jersey City, New Jersey, King embraces Southern living and the “Southern Girl” title she has earned since moving to…

A popular DeKalb senior center is celebrating a decade of helping seniors remain active. The Lou Walker Senior Center, located at 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia, announces “Life Begins at Lou Walker,” a weeklong tenth anniversary celebration, June 3-11. “The Lou Walker Senior Center has become a premiere example of how government should take care of those who have worked hard, supported families and served in the community for so many years,” said DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May. “This center is a place where seniors can remain physically active, mentally engaged and socially connected as they reap the benefits of their…