Author: On Common Ground News

The 12thannual Christmas Tree Lighting Spectacular will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 6:30 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Enjoy holiday entertainment, free eats and treats and a special guest appearance by Santa Claus. The event will also feature a Christmas cookie decorating station, ugliest sweater contest and more.  

Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive S.E., Conyers, will present its Soulful Noel Christmas Production on Dec. 6-8. Soulful Noel, the NewRock Christmas Spectacular, is in its fifth season and has become a highly anticipated event during the Christmas season.  The production tells the story of Jesus Christ’s birth from an Afro-centric perspective by employing the use of dance, drama and gospel music. The auditioned cast all come from the Rockdale and Newton County community. As part of the opening night on Friday, Dec. 6, there will be a Red Carpet Gala Reception featuring a silent auction to…

Enjoy holiday festivities with Santa on the Square on Saturday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the City of Decatur Plaza, 101 E. Court Square. Santa arrives on a fire truck that morning. Enjoy a fresh baked cookie and your choice of milk or hot cocoa. Have your wish list ready to share with Santa and get your digital picture taken. The event is free, but reservations are requested to ensure adequate supply of treats: freshtix.com.  

The city of Lithonia will host its annual Christmas tree lighting on Sunday, Dec. 1, 5 to 6:30 p.m., at Kelly Park, located off of Main Street. The community is invited to greet Santa and enjoy Christmas carols and performance by the Lithonia Middle School band and choir. The event is free. 

The official kick-off to Conyers’ holiday season takes place the weekend of Dec. 6-7 in Olde Town. Sponsored by the city of Conyers, the Olde Town Christmas Party will be held on Dec. 6, 5 to 8 p.m. Families are encouraged to enjoy visits with Santa in the Conyers Depot/Welcome Center at 901 Railroad Street. The evening also includes hayrides, train rides, marshmallow roasting and a wide variety of complimentary holiday craft stations and activities sponsored by downtown merchants and local businesses. The C.J. Hicks Elementary School Falcons, under the direction of Thomas Russell, will perform at 6…

The Monastery of the Holy Spirit welcomes the community to celebrate the holiday season at the annual Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 14, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Monastery’s Abbey Church, 2625 Highway 212 SW, Conyers. Music Director Robert Henry will present the concert, now in its 40thyear, in conjunction with theAtlanta Boy Choir and its Men’s Alumni Chorus. The program also will include a small chamber group (SATB), featured Artists-in-Residence singers, and a special piano recital by the director and renowned concert pianist, Dr. Robert Henry. Guests will hear classical compositions, along with traditional carols, spirituals and Latin…

The Davis Bozeman Law Firm has partnered with Atlanta’s Streetz 94.5 to live broadcast as it distributes free turkeys to families in need while supplies lasts. The giveaway will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 4 to 6 p.m. at the Stonecrest Walmart, 8424 Mall Parkway, Stonecrest.  

L-R: Congressman Hank Johnson  and Congressman Rob Woodall Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Congressman Rob Woodall (GA-07) have introduced the bipartisan H. Res. 706, which designates Nov. 9 as “Gold Star Father’s Day” nationally. “I believe it is important to extend the same recognition to Gold Star Fathers as it currently exists for Gold Star Mothers and families,” said Johnson. “On Gold Star Father’s Day, we will honor fathers who have lost children in service to the United States of America and recognize their unimaginable loss. The debt we owe our veterans and their families is immeasurable. The sacrifices…

The DeKalb County Sanitation Division will offer free residential bulky item curbside collection from Nov. 22 through Dec. 21. Residents within the Sanitation Division’s service area will have an opportunity to place bulky items, including furniture and large appliances, curbside for collection. Collection schedules will be based on residents’ designated sanitation service day as follows: Residential customers whose regularly scheduled sanitation service day is Monday will be serviced on Friday, Nov. 22, or Saturday, Nov. 23. To prevent collection delays, items should be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. Residential customers whose regularly…

In observance of Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 28, sanitation collection service for residential customers will be based on the following revised collection schedule: Monday, Nov. 25 – Normal collection day Tuesday, Nov. 26 – Normal collection day Wednesday, Nov. 27 – Normal collection day Thursday, Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving Day observed; no collection service. Friday, Nov. 29 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Thursday, Nov. 28, will be serviced on Friday, Nov. 29. The Sanitation Division’s administrative office, North Transfer Station and Seminole Road Landfill will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, reopening on Monday, Dec. 2, during normal…