Author: On Common Ground News

Antioch African Methodist Episcopal in Stone Mountain, 765 S. Hairston Road, is celebrating its 149th anniversary this month and it will honor the oldest members of the church as part of the festivities. Pastor Vandy Simmons will pay tribute to five members who are 100 years old and older at the 10 a.m. worship service. The centenarians include Peggy Baker, Relda Mackins, Mary Randall, Tabitha Reid and Elizabeth Simon. A homecoming dinner will follow the worship service. The community is invited to attend the 10 a.m. service or the early morning worship service , at 7:30 a.m. Pastor Simmons…

DeKalb’s District 5 showers Hurricane Harvey seniors with gift cards DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and Bettye Austin Davis, director of the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia, thanked the community for the successful community gift card drive to assist seniors impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Johnson and Davis said the donations were sent to St. Johns United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, which is serving as a base of operations for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. During the week-long drive, residents dropped off gift cards at the Lou Walker Senior Center. Some of the cards donated included Home Depot,…

DeKalb School Board member Vickie Turner will speak at the First Baptist Church’s Women’s Day program on Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m. The church, under the leadership of Pastor Norman Thomas, is located at 2394 Gresham Road, Decatur. All are invited.

The community is invited to join DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson to celebrate  the Heart of South DeKalb Festival 2017.         This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Senior Citizens for their Leadership, Legacy and Love.” The festival, which showcases the best of South DeKalb’s local talent and businesses, will be held on Friday, Sept. 29, and Saturday, Sept. 30. The festivities begin on Friday at 6 p.m. at Rainbow Park, located next to the  Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs for the Friday Night Wind Down.…

                                      The Columbia Alliance Sustainable Neighborhood Initiative (CASNI) will host a Homebuyers and Homeownership informational and educational conference on Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Columbia Drive United Methodist Church, 2067 Columbia Drive, Decatur. Find out about down payment assistance programs (up to $55,000), HUD homes available for school teachers and police officers at 50 percent off the price and what you need to do to prepare a will. Real estate agents, insurance agents, housing counselors and financial planning advisors will be on hand to provide information. To RSVP: E-mail Columbia.DSNI@gmail.com  or call 404-285-0945. The event issponsored by CASNI…

The Stonecrest City Council approved a resolution affirming support for the referendum on a one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) during a special call meeting on Sept. 21. The council’s unanimous vote positions the city to be in support of a county referendum that would be placed on the ballot on Nov. 7 The city has held a number of town hall meetings to educate the public about the SPLOST. The city plans to spend its share of the anticipated money that would be raised over a six-year period—$47,760,000—on the following projects: Resurfacing/street paving                                               $10 million Transportation…

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved the capitol project list recommended by CEO Michael Thurmond to be funded by a one-penny sales tax increase. County residents will decide on a referendum for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST on Nov. 7. The commissioners voted 5-2 to pass the project list, with Commissioners Nancy Jester and Jeff Rader opposed. Nearly 60 percent of the $388 million expected to be generated over the next six years for the county will go toward transportation projects, with more than $151 million for road resurfacing. Funding will also go to…

There’s a world of activities near your backyard to help kids satisfy their curious nature while also becoming a Junior Ranger! Encourage them to discover the great outdoors in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area during Junior Ranger Day at on Sept. 30 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Panola Mountain State Park. Kids will participate in hands-on activities where they will explore alien-like landscapes filled with amazing plants and creatures, learn about nature and history, and work together to protect our parks. “Our Junior Ranger Program is a great way to inspire kids to discover the rich cultural…

In celebration of National Senior Center Month, Lou Walker Senior Center, 2536 Panola Road, Lithonia, is hosting a quilting showcase and art exhibition through Sept. 29. The quilting showcase features 50 quilts created by seniors in the center’s quilting class, and the photo and art exhibit, “Four Days in Cuba,” is presented by the center’s Photography Club.

DeKalb County’s Third Annual Fall Harvest Festival promises a whimsical twist this year. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at UGA Extension DeKalb County, 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur. Sponsored by the “Fresh on DeK” DeKalb Mobile Farmers Market, the free festival will feature fruit smoothie demonstrations, health education and medical screenings and lots of fresh produce for sale. “It’s going to be a very festive event, so that everyone can get something from it,” said DeKalb County Extension Director and Mobile Farmers Market Manager Lynwood Blackmon. “The education is the most important aspect,…