Author: On Common Ground News

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA–They began during the height of the COVID pandemic—all retired women who began fishing together at a beautiful, private lake. Over a year later, the Stone Mountain Hookers, the name they adopted, are still having fun, fishing regularly, and all the while learning the important basics of angling.   Baiting a hook? It can be daunting.  What do you do when you have a tug on your line? When a fighting fish is reeled to the surface, what then? And, there’s the dreaded cleaning a fish, a necessary step leading to a delicious meal.  Donna Bostick, a…

ATLANTA – This summer, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra(ASO) returns to Piedmont Park’s Oak Hill for two free Concerts in the Park: “From Paris to Piedmont” on June 15 and “Hooray for Hollywood” on June 22. Piedmont Park’s Oak Hill is located at 371 Tenth St., downtown Atlanta. On Wednesday, June 15, Associate Conductor Jerry Hou leads the ASO in an all-French program including selections from favorites such as Bizet’s Carmen, Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Debussy’s Nocturnes. On Wednesday, June 22, guest conductor Anthony Parnther and the ASO will perform a program of some of Hollywood’s greatest hits, including music from Back to the Future, King Richard, Call of the Wild, Out…

ATLANTA—Just in time for the start of summer, McDonald’s USA is rolling out its first new McFlurry®flavor of the year – the Chocolatey Pretzel McFlurry. The tasty frozen treat will be available starting May 25 for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide, according to an Atlanta news release. Each McFlurry is made with McDonald’s creamy vanilla soft serve, mixed with chocolate-covered pretzel bits and topped with a rich caramel swirl – making it the perfect combination of salty and sweet. The new Chocolatey Pretzel McFlurry, along with the classic OREO® or M&M’s® McFlurry, may be ordered at inside the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Sanitation Division will host a free paper shredding event on Saturday, June 11, 8 a.m.-noon, at the DeKalb County Sanitation Division’s Central Transfer Station, 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur. The annual event is returning for the first time since the pandemic forced the shutdown of many businesses and events. Participants will have an opportunity to responsibly dispose of all types of documents, including sensitive personal documents such as old tax records and legal documents. All documents will be shredded on site. Each participant will be limited to 10 standard-size boxes of paper. Shredding…

LITHONIA, GA – New Bethel AME Church, 8350 Rockbridge Road, will host a vaccine clinic on Sunday, June 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  and will provide $100 gift cards to those who receive their vaccine.     Vaccines are provided free of charge and the vaccine site is open to the public. The event is being held in partnership with with DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE). CORE provides immediate aid and recovery to underserved communities across the globe including vaccines, tests and essential resources for COVID-19 and works to reach people where…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Field Operations Criminal Process and Uniform Units made 17 warrant arrests without incident this week during the second phase of “Operation Family 2022,” a concentrated effort targeting domestic violence suspects. The operation cleared 25 outstanding warrants on May 18 and May19 in the Lithonia, Decatur and Stone Mountain areas of DeKalb County, Sheriff Melody Maddox said. “Domestic violence offenders pose an ongoing threat to families and children as long as they remain free in the community,” said Maddox. “Offenders move around to avoid being arrested. Our deputies made 135 visits to…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson celebrated the grand opening of the $1.7 million Rainbow Park Amphitheater, 3171 Rainbow Park Drive, on May 14. The opening brought together elected officials and more than 800 community members who attended a free, live concert at the new venue. The award-winning Jennifer Holiday headlined the event and kicked off Commissioner Johnson’s 2022 District 3 concert series. “I always dreamed of this opportunity for DeKalb County residents,” said Commissioner Johnson, who allocated funds for the project, along with Commissioner Lorraine Cochran Johnson and the DeKalb Department  of Community Development. “I am excited…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—Join the Friends of Hairston Park on Saturday May 21, 9 a.m., 889 South Hairston Road, Stone Mountain, as the group prepares for the Serenity Garden, tranquil place off the beaten path at the park. Help spread the soil and make the signs and enjoy the community gazebo and newly- installed Storywalk display. Play in the dirt a little, then sit and de-stress. Gwendolyn Stegall is president of the Friends of Hairston Park. For more information, visit FOHP.org Photo above: A beautiful snapshot of Hairston Park near the children’s playground.

ATLANTA—The 45th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival will be held Memorial Day weekend at Piedmont Park – from Saturday, May 28 through Monday, May 30. In addition to five performances each day on the Meadow Stage, the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs will present Jazz 101. Jazz 101 is an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience, up close and personal conversations with the performing artists. Eddie Palmieri with Ojeda Penn; Kenny Barron with Davis Sanchez; Makaya McCraven with Lil John Roberts; and Tia Fuller are scheduled for Sunday, May 29 and Monday, May 30 at Park Tavern. Additionally, young patrons will have…

ATLANTA– Hurricanes, wildfires, floods, tornadoes, hailstorms—experiencing a disaster may be impossible to avoid. Yet, as homeowners deal with the aftermath of a catastrophe, they could be victimized by dishonest contractors if they aren’t careful. AAA – The Auto Club Group — is partnering with the National Insurance Crime Bureau for Contractor Fraud Awareness Week, which runs May 23-27. This is designed to help property owners avoid becoming a victim of deceptive contractors. “AAA is urging homeowners to be leery of contractors who go door-to-door in damaged neighborhoods offering cleanup or repair services after a catastrophe,” said Bobby Futch, Vice President of Claims…