Author: On Common Ground News

Kickoff set Aug. 21 at Wade Walker Park   DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is partnering with Netball America-Be An Inspiration GoGirlGo! Atlanta to provide a program that will teach the skills of the globally popular sport of netball and enhance athletic fundamentals while participating in fun leadership and empowerment activities. The county will kick off the program on Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Wade Walker Park, 5585 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain. Mark your calendar to attend this fun-filled free event that will include an exhibition game of netball, coaches training, free giveaways, and…

DECATUR, GA–The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections will hold a special called meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be conducted via teleconference (Zoom). Simultaneous public access to the meeting will be available via livestream on DCTV’s UStream channel https://video.ibm.com/channel/dctv-channel-23. To make a comment, join via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/97184078303  or by phone at 1-888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493.  Public comments of two minutes or less may be made live via the teleconference. For those joining the meeting by telephone, please be aware that phone numbers may be displayed to the…

The Georgia River Network is hosting introductory kayak classes in August and September to help train new paddlers who are finding their way to Georgia’s rivers as an outdoor escape from the pandemic. Recent increases in paddlesports participation have also resulted in increases in accidents and fatalities. Georgia River Network wants to help paddlers enjoy the state’s waterways more safely and for many years to come. Introduction to Kayaking (Lake)                        Aug. 15 Galt’s Ferry Landing at Lake Allatoona $50 per person + optional kayak rental https://garivers.org/paddle-georgia/lake-paddling-class/ Introduction to River Kayaking (Class I River) Septe. 12 Lower…

ELLENWOOD, GA–Planet Fitness, known for its high-quality fitness experience, affordable prices and  non-intimidating environment called the Judgement Free Zone®, will host a grand opening celebration at its new Ellenwood Club on Monday, Aug.16, 4 – 6 p.m., 2800 East Atlanta Road. The center will host the ribbon cutting ceremony with the Henry County Chamber of Commerce  at 5:30 p.m. The community is invited to enjoy refreshments, special giveaways, music provided by DJ Maria More from Majic 107.5/97.5 and the chance to win prizes such as a 55-inch television. Guests can also take a tour of the club, meet with Planet Fitness team members and…

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DECATUR, GA –Bring your lunch and join author Quaye Reed for a one-hour talk about her journey of transforming a newspaper column into a book about the outstanding African-American women of Yalobusha County, Mississippi.  The Lunch & Learn will be held on Aug. 31, noon to 1 p.m., at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, Second Floor, 101 E. Court St., Decatur. It’s free. The journey includes an emphasis on oral history, and the formation of an oral history collective that would eventually help to create the book.  “Outstanding Black Women of Yalobusha County:  Their stories and contributions to…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Gwinnett County is encouraging residents of all ages and abilities to participate in the Great Georgia Pollinator Census on Aug. 20 and Aug. 21. Pollinators — including bees, beetles and butterflies — play a critical role in the ecosystem. They help pollinate plants that produce fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils, fibers and other raw materials; feed and protect wildlife; clean the air; prevent soil erosion and more. Developed by UGA Extension and the Center for Urban Agriculture, the Great Georgia Pollinator Census helps to understand and advance pollinator health in Georgia by generating snapshots of pollinator populations,…

DECATUR, GA –It’s time to start your fall gardening projects. Join the’s free, virtual “August Gardening” classes for free expert advice. Registration is now underway for the following upcoming classes: “Hot Topics In and Outside the Garden,” Aug. 12, 6 p.m., and Aug. 19, 12 pm. “Telling the Good Bugs from the Thugs,” Aug. 24, 6 p.m. “Fall Gardening,” Aug. 27, 12 p.m. “Native Plants for the Landscape,” Aug. 31, 12 p.m.  All classes are virtual via Zoom. To register for “Hot Topics In and Outside the Garden” and “Fall Gardening,” go to: https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1TW9RVXFAiG0BYa To register for “Telling…

DECATUR, GA—In celebration of National Procurement Month, DeKalb County will host its Fifth Annual Reverse Trade Show and Procurement Summit virtually on Friday, Aug. 27. The free event will be held 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom. The DeKalb County Purchasing and Contracting Department (P&C) encourages current and prospective vendors, along with the public, to take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to do business with the county. Participants also will have the chance to provide department representatives with contact information and listings of the services and goods they offer, while receiving answers to questions from procurement…