Author: On Common Ground News

The Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI) will present its second annual “Dining in the Dark” fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 1, 4 p.m., at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, 800 Spring Street NW, Atlanta. Dining in the Dark is a unique event designed to raise awareness about vision loss, with all proceeds benefiting CVI. Tickets are available to the public. Guests will experience a sumptuous three-course meal served in complete darkness. Dinner will be preceded by a reception during which guests will gain insights on fully engaging all of their senses to talk, sit and eat in the…

The City of Atlanta has launched the city’s first ever “Smart” street. Officials rolled out the North Avenue Smart Corridor Project in a ceremony held on Sept. 14 at Ponce City Market. The North Avenue Smart Corridor, funded by the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond, is now the most connected corridor in the state of Georgia. Officials say the new technology deploys adaptive traffic signals that change based on what is happening, eliminating stops and reducing wait times. They say the Surtrac adaptive signal system could reduce commute times by 25 percent along North Avenue, which carries more than 29,000 vehicles…

The DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department will host its 15th Annual Fire Safety Festival on Oct. 7, noon to 4 p.m., at Northlake Mall, 4800 Briarcliff Road N.E. Atlanta. The festival will feature hands-on activities, a DJ, rides, a teen driving obstacle course, CPR training and touch a fire truck display. There will be face painting, caricature portraits and snacks provided.

The 23rd annual Charles B. Eberhart Memorial Golf Classic raised a record $210,000 in corporate sponsorships to support much-needed renovations to DeKalb Medical’s surgical suites. Nearly 170 golfers participated in the event, which was hosted by the DeKalb Medical Foundation Monday, Aug. 28, Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek. Organizers for the tournament were grateful for the generous support of the event sponsors, including Bendin, Sumrall & Ladner, and BakerHostetler, who served as the tournament’s Title Sponsors. American Medical Response (AMR) supported this event for the third consecutive year, serving as the tournament’s Titanium Sponsor; and EPIC Response and Medline…

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Georgia set a record in August for total jobs, surpassing 4.5 million for the first time. Butler said other key indicators such as new unemployment claims, increasing workforce and the total number of employed residents showed Georgia’s economy continues to be strong.  “The August numbers show Georgia’s economy and outlook for employment remains healthy,” said Butler. “This is a great time to live, work and invest in Georgia.” The August unemployment rate was unchanged from July at 4.7 percent. That compares favorably to last August when the rate was 5.3 percent. From July to…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and the City Council have announced several scheduled community meetings to discuss the one-cent, Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum slated to go before DeKalb County voters in November. The meetings will give residents and other stakeholders the opportunity to voice their support or opposition to the SPLOST. At the meetings, attendees also will be able to suggest capital improvements and projects for the city’s portion of the SPLOST proceeds. “It is really important that people attend so that they can be educated about the SPLOST referendum before they go to the polls,” said…

In response to Hurricane Irma, the U.S. Small Business Administration has openings for immediate positions. Experienced customer service representatives needed to work with a variety of financial statements and tax returns, respond to customer inquiries and operate Microsoft office programs such as Word, Outlook and Internet Explorer for SBA’s Disaster Loan Program. Bilingual skills are a plus. Pay is $15 to $30 per hour. Overtime is mandatory. Credit and background check are required. Must be a U.S. citizen. Required extended periods of travel. All positions are temporary and may last 30 to 180 days. Credit and background check are required.…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is hosting the “Small Business Think Tank – Connecting Small Businesses with Government Resources” on Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. The roundtable is the fourth in a series held this summer throughout the Fourth District and is free and open to all small business leaders. Johnson said the goal of the roundtable were connecting small businesses with federal, state and local resources with the goal of helping businesses grow and creating jobs in the Fourth District. Johnson is sponsoring the series along with the…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect in the Aug. 27 murder of a Decatur man. Arrest warrants were issued for 23-year-old Martin Clive Leahing of Covington.  According to police, Leahing and an accomplice were committing an armed robbery with a handgun on Snapfinger Woods Drive in Decatur, when the robbery victim fired a weapon in self-defense and shot and killed the accomplice.  Leahing is charged with murder for his participation in a crime that led ultimately to the death of his accomplice. Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit investigators located and arrested Leahing at his residence. He was taken to the…

State Rep. Doreen Carter, House District 92, will honor grandparents who have taken on the mission of raising their grandchildren.  Additionally, the members who served on the Kinship Care Task Force from Rockdale County also will be recognized for their advocacy in the passing of the Kinship Care legislation in Georgia. Carter is hosting the House District 92 Grandparents Day Celebration on Thursday, Sept. 21, 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the Olivia Haydel Senior Center, 1240 Dogwood Drive, Conyers. The nation observed Grandparents Day on Sept. 10, but many local activities and events were postponed due to Hurricane Irma. “We…