Author: On Common Ground News

The community is invited a workshop, “Surviving and Saving Tools for the Upcoming Tax Season,” on Oct. 29, 1 to p.m., at the Hairston Crossing Library, 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain. The workshop will help attendees understand: The updates and changes for the 2016 Tax Season Audit triggers Filing Status – Knowing how to file correctly Itemized deductions versus standardized deductions Charitable donations versus non-charitable deductions Retirements and Investments to reduce your tax liability The workshop is presented by Tau Pi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in partnership with the Council for Community Enrichment, Inc.; Hairston Crossing…

Food sovereignty means that a community has the authority to determine the origin, the quality and the standards of the food that they consume. The term became popularized in the 1990s with the La Via Campensino movement, a movement started by farmers around the world bringing the difficulties of farming to the forefront. This global protest of small-scale farmers from acknowledging their inability to make a living wage under the status quo, found its way into every-day dialogue. From the early La Via Campesino movement to now, the concept of food sovereignty has evolved beyond farming rights, and now includes…

Andrew Bonar, a senior at the Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology in Rockdale County Public Schools, was recently named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. Bonar was one of hundreds in Georgia and 16,000 nationwide named semifinalists. About 1 percent of the 1.6 million students who took the 2015 PSAT were named Semifinalists for the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. Bonar, pictured with Rockdale County Board of Education member Katrina Young and RCPS Superintendent Richard Autry, was recognized for his achievement at a recent Rockdale County Board of Education meeting.

The Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families is soliciting applications for the annual John K. Morgan Community Service Scholarship and the F. William Hughey Community Service Award. The John K. Morgan Scholarship will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding community service in Rockdale County and plans to continue that level of commitment while pursuing post-secondary education. There is no age limitation for applicants. The scholarship will be awarded to assist with college-related expenses for students enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning. Applications must be received no later than Tuesday, January 31, 2017. Past recipients of…

Rockdale Commissioner Oz Nesbitt is again preparing to distribute free Thanksgiving turkeys to seniors. Nesbitt said at least 200 Rockdale seniors are expected to benefit from this year’s turkey drive, which kicks off Nov. 15. Courtesy Ford, 1636 Dogwood Drive, is the drop-off location for those would like to donate a turkey. Nesbitt says he is appreciative to all who give their time every year to help the community with the turkey drive. “There is much to be thankful for and I am grateful to the people who make all of this come together for our seniors,” said Nesbitt. “It…

The City of Atlanta announced that alcohol license renewals are now processed exclusively online through a new portal at https://web.atlantaga.gov/oalr/. All alcohol licenses must be renewed online by Dec. 31. The online portal will not accept renewal applications after this date. In order to renew an alcohol license online, businesses must meet the following criteria: The account must be active with a valid business tax number and pin number; The alcohol account financial status must be current and not delinquent; The owners and/or principals of the business must be the same as those originally reported to the City of Atlanta…

DeKalb’s very own chess champion Orrin Hudson appeared on the Tom Joyner Morning during today’s drive time hour to promote his message of strategic thinking and how he teaches youth to always think ten steps ahead. Recently, he worked with actress Lupita Nyong’o on the set of Disney’s ‘Queen Of Katwe’. Check out the interview here.

The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce (GLCC) will host its Anniversary and Scholarship Gala on Thursday, Nov. 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. GLCC and its president, State Rep. Doreen Carter, are elated to present two outstanding leaders who will speak at this year’s event: Keynote speaker Dr. Jabari Simama, president of Georgia Piedmont College, and special guest Whitney Ingram, the first black female to graduate from University of Georgia’s physics doctoral program. A graduate of DeKalb County schools (Stephenson High School, 2007), Ms. Ingram is among an elite group…

The Rockdale County Board of Elections and Voter Registration Office reminds voters that In-Person Early Voting begins on Monday, October 17, 2016 for the General and Special Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Per the sample ballot attached, voters will cast ballots for races such as President, U.S. Senate, Congress, State House, State Senator, Board of Commission, Sheriff, Probate Judge, Clerk of Courts, etc. The Rockdale Board of Elections is open for voters to cast their early ballots during the following days/hours: Monday – Friday, October 17 – October 28, Saturday; October 29. 
Monday-Friday, October 31 –…

ATLANTA– Four constitutional amendments are facing Georgia voters in this November’s general elections. Each of the Constitutional measures are being decided based on a yes-or-no vote.The Georgia NAACP had previously announced opposition to all four constitutional amendments and has announced today a change to its policy position on Constitutional Amendment 2. “Today, we encourage our members, units, and the community to Vote Yes only on Amendment 2. Specifically, Amendment 2 will trigger the implementation of Senate Resolution 7 and allow the state legislature to provide for additional penalties or fees to a court case in which a person is found…