Author: On Common Ground News

Be Someone, Inc. is offering free online chess classes for seniors + children DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Chess is a healthy and peaceful pastime for both senior citizens and children. Orrin C. Hudson, founder and CEO of Be Someone Inc., based in DeKalb County, has developed exciting training options to help these groups learn the game and thoroughly enjoy the experience. Hudson, who is widely known and respected for his championship chess skills, is offering free online chess lessons for local seniors and children. He has crafted the experience where participants can maximize their enjoyment for those who want to learn how to…

DECATUR, GA— Beginning Saturday, June 5, the DeKalb County Board of Health will modify hours at its Doraville and Stonecrest COVID-19 vaccination sites. On Saturday, the COVID-19 vaccination site at the Doraville MARTA station will be closed due to the COVID-19 vaccination and food distribution event to be held at four locations throughout the county. Also beginning on Saturday, the DeKalb County Board of Health’s COVID-19 call center will now be closed on Saturdays. The call center will maintain its normal hours during the week, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Starting Monday, June 7, the Stonecrest vaccination site will…

The DeKalb County Board of Health is partnering with three community organizations to provide farmers market vouchers through the Healthy Bucks voucher program – the Diabetes “You Can Win” Foundation, Inc., Lithonia Head Start, and the Ruby A. Neeson Diabetes Awareness Foundation, Inc. Healthy Bucks, modeled after a similar program in New York City, offers incentives for community members to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables and participate in nutrition education. Clients will be able to redeem vouchers for bags of produce at any Fresh on DeK: DeKalb Mobile Farmers Market stop during this market season, which begins June 7. Fresh on DeK makes weekly stops throughout the county, providing fresh, affordable produce and food demonstrations. About 71 percent of…

In honor of National Donut Day, tomorrow, June 4, QuikTrip is giving away a free donut to each customer who redeems the reward on the QT mobile app. QT’s assortment of fresh donuts has something for everyone, from the signature Hole Bunches® to traditional glazed and frosted assortments. Prepared to perfection and made fresh every day, QT donuts are available in every store in the pastry case.

SNELLVILLE, GA—The historic black Promised Land community in Gwinnett County is preparing to celebrate the launch of a new, outdoor market featuring small businesses. The Promised Land Open Market will host a kickoff celebration on Saturday, June 12, at Lake Sheryl, 4540 Lee Road S.W., Snellville. An opening ceremony and ribbon cutting begins at 11 a.m. and the market will be held from noon until 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. “We are inviting everyone to come out and celebrate with us. We want people to come and support small businesses and learn about the history of the…

Company launches new video series answering questions about hurricane-related power outages   ATLANTA –– The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season is here, and Georgia Power is encouraging its 2.6 million customers to prepare for an expected active Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, with the official June 1 start of hurricane season.   Georgia Power has launched a new video series answering some of the questions most often asked by customers. ·       What causes outages during a storm? ·       What happens after a storm? ·       When will my lights be back on? ·       How do…

PEACHTREE CORNERS – Soliant, which provides health care and education staffing services to hospitals and schools around the U.S., will further expand its Gwinnett County operations. The expansion is expected to created 200 new jobs in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp announced today (June 3). “Soliant’s expansion in Georgia is a testament to our unmatched workforce, conservative leadership, and world-class business environment,” said Kemp. “I want to thank Soliant for the opportunities they continue to create for hardworking Georgians.” Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, Soliant will employ more than 600 people in Georgia once this expansion…

 “Stonecrest’s woes are simply bumps in the road… It will survive.”   By Kathryn Rice, Ph.D. The Rice Report Stonecrest’s woes have come to light. Several have taken the opportunity to jeer at the concept of forming a city and say, “See, we told you that forming a city was not a good idea.” Nonsense. Why is it that Stonecrest is not a harbinger for what can befall another city in southern DeKalb? Simply put, what happens to one person, one entity, or one city is not a foregone conclusion for what will happen to another. You have…