Author: On Common Ground News

Mayor Jason Lary today created a SPLOST Oversight Committee giving city residents an opportunity to ensure accountability for the funds generated from this 1% tax. Contact your local councilmember or the mayor to apply. Read full details here https://goo.gl/w87Bj3 .

Join Gregory B. Levett, Sr. and special guests at an exclusive 2-day seminar for an intimate conversation and learn how he utilized turn-key strategies to form a multimillion-dollar business.  Master the art of entrepreneurship, team building, legal and financial strategies to create your own success. The Beyond Dreaming  two-day seminar is Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 and will be held at the Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain. To register for the event, visit beyonddreaming.org/

Discover DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau won Best of Category in the 2018 Printing & Imaging Association of Georgia’s annual Print Excellence Competition. The competition, which is the Southeast’s largest, most prestigious print competition, awards the best combinations of technology and craftsmanship within Georgia’s printing, imaging, and finishing industry. Discover DeKalb’s project, Discover Chamblee Brochure, produced by Commercial Print Consulting, was a collaborative effort between Discover DeKalb and the City of Chamblee. The rack card brochure is a visitor information tool that welcomes one to come & see Chamblee. “We are honored to receive this prestigious distinction from a highly regarded organization.…

The weeklong Stonecrest Fest continues tonight with the Stonecrest Live open mic at Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest.

Two DeKalb County School District schools have earned the title of 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools, courtesy of the United States Department of Education. Kittredge Magnet School and Austin Elementary School were both named 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools on Monday, Oct. 1. As honorees, the schools join more than 8,500 nationwide who have been recognized for academic excellence as well as the closing of achievement gaps in economic and social subgroups. “We are extremely pleased, but not surprised, that both Kittredge and Austin earned this tremendous honor. DCSD is home to excellent schools, and these two campuses are among…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary announced he is battling cancer. In an exclusive interview with On Common Ground News, he discussed his health challenge, his medical regimen in the face of cancer and the future of the city.  Question: What is the status of your health? Answer:  I have prostate cancer. I found out about three months ago. The problem started with painful kidney stones that I could not shake. Further testing and a biopsy revealed that cancer was present.  Question: Were you surprised to learn you had cancer?  Answer: Shocked. Very shocked. No one in my family has had cancer.…

By Valerie J. Morgan The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on Oct. 9 on a special use permit for a “Recreational and Vacation Camp” called the Rockdale Art Farm. The proposed art farm, located on 25 acres at 4420 Flat Bridge Road in south Rockdale, has been the center of debate for months, drawing opposition from those who say it will bring noise, traffic and dramatically change the character of the quiet area. Proponents, however, are excited about the possibilities of having a venue that promotes arts and education modeled after Serenbe, a community connected to…

   The City of Decatur invites the community to contribute to a conversation on inclusive and affordable housing, Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Manuel J. Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.  The day-long summit will establish a shared understanding of Decatur’s housing context, define the often subjective term affordability as it relates to Decatur, explore viable approaches and strategies, and conclude with ways for all participants to be a part of local solutions.  “Through the Housing Summit, we want to define Decatur-driven strategies that reflect community expectations about affordable and inclusive housing,”Mayor Patti…

Helping Hands Outreach Clinic, 2442 Lake Rockaway Road, Conyers, is hosting a series of workshops designed to teach individuals the basics of diabetes, how to self-manage diabetes, how to follow a diabetic-friendly diet, and therapeutic ways to manage stress, which can impact diabetes control. The first workshop, “An Overview-Diabetes 101,” was held on Sept. 18. The remaining five workshops in the series will be held every other Tuesday, through Nov. 27, 6 to 7 p.m., at the Helping Hands Outreach Center. The workshops have been scheduled as follows: Tuesday, Oct. 2 – “Dietary Management” Tuesday, Oct. 16 – “Weight Management…

By Travis Hudgons Stone Mountain High School has a new community garden, thanks to the DeKalb Kids Project, a nonprofit co-founded by DeKalb School Board Member-Elect Diijon DaCosta, his twin brother, Tiijon, and cousin Dawit Willis. About 50 volunteers, comprised of Stone Mountain High School students, parents, faculty and staff, partnered with the nonprofit to create the garden about two weeks ago. The group planted collards, romaine lettuce, cabbage kale, strawberries and red peppers—food they will share with those in need and use in class for cooking projects. Principal Wislene John welcomes the garden, saying the project incorporates lessons students…