Author: On Common Ground News

The Tenth Annual S.T.E.M.S. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Services) Fair for middle school students will be held at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church on Saturday, Aug. 26, 8:30 a.m. to noon, 240 Candler Road, S.E. Atlanta. The Career Resource Ministry seeks to provide early exposure to students in the fields of science, engineering, and math through hands-on experiments and activities with industry professionals and exhibitors to encourage them to pursue careers in these fields. There will also be a parent workshop to share information on how to prepare students for college as well as additional education resources and programs for future leadership opportunities.…

Rockdale County Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. A petition for Guardianship or Conservatorship must be filed in the probate court. The petitions are generally filed in cases where an adult (“Proposed Ward”) is not mentally and/or physically competent to care for themselves or handle their affairs. Contrary to popular belief, these petitions are not always associated with seniors. In many cases there are unforeseen circumstances that occur such as an automobile accident or medical crisis that suddenly leaves the proposed ward mentally or physically incapacitated. If the proposed ward is at least 17 years and 6 months old when…

Kingdom Builders will partner with the Rockdale and Newton County community on Aug. 19, 2 to 5 p.m., to present its biggest and best annual Community Fun Day to date. This year’s Community Fun Day will feature food, fun, games, music and other activities. For over a decade, Kingdom Builders has hosted Community Fun Days that have provided a fun, safe environment for all families. “We love having the opportunity to bring our community together to celebrate youth, families and a successful new school year.  Our mission is loving God, loving people and serving the world!  Our mission guides us…

The Conyers Lions Club recently donated a bench in the First Responders Memorial Garden at Center Point Park in Olde Town Conyers. Serving Conyers since 1940, the Conyers Lions Club is the oldest service organization in the community and is affiliated with Lions Club International, the largest service club organization in the world. Service groups and organizations interested in donating a bench or street furniture in Olde Town Conyers should contact Olde Town Event Coordinator Sandy Fowler at 770-929-4239 for more information about suggested placement and bench specifications.

The MARTA Police Department is cracking down on fare evaders. Police said they made 538 arrests during a recent six-week effort in which plainclothes officers closely monitored fare gates across MARTA’s 38 rail stations. In addition to the arrests, the effort led to hundreds of suspensions from the MARTA system. Officials say evaders run the gamut—from young people to older patrons—trying to take advantage of the system. The fare losses, officials said, are making an impact on MARTA’s bottom line. “Our fare evasion task force has worked around the clock to focus our attention to those seeking to avoid…

Pastor Micheal Benton of Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia sported an all white outfit as the church’s parade kicked off its annual Homecoming and Family and Friends’ Day weekend on Aug. 5. The celebration honored Pastor Benton, who is retiring after serving as Fairfield’s pastor for 40 years, and his wife, First Lady Y’Vonne Benton. The parade included about 100 people who marched or drove, many of them carrying banners that paid tribute to the couple. After the parade, the fun day, which included free food, was held at the church’s campus at 6133 Redan Road. A variety of vendors…

I recently had the opportunity to attend opening night for the new hit play Blackberry Daze. Directed by award-winning writer/director Thomas W. Jones II, the play is a musical adaptation of the novel Blackberry Days of Summer by Ruth P. Watson. The stage play made its debut last September at the MetroStage in Alexandria, Virginia and will run in Atlanta until August 27. Set post World War I in small town Virginia, the audience can feel the sweltering heat of the summer the moment the town gambler, Herman Camm (TC Carson), walks onto the stage. Sly, charming and good-looking, Herman…

ESMV Model and Talent Agency in Conyers and local playwright Angela Venable are seeking volunteer extras for the comedy stage play, “Be Careful What You Pray For.”  The community production is not offering any pay for extras but instead is providing the opportunity for aspiring actors or actresses to have some fun, fellowship while learning the ropes of a creative production. The play is about three sisters praying to meet their version of Mr. Right but not knowing what Mr. Right really looks like. The play will be staged on Sept. 17, 6…

By Nate Hill Many people think of a massage as a great way to relax. That’s true, but it’s not the only reason to get one. Massages also have a number of health benefits and these benefits are what led Mary Stallings to open Rejuvenation Massage & Body Work in Conyers. Stallings wanted to assist patients suffering from pain that could be treated with massage therapy. She initially began serving clients in the Snellville area where she mastered her craft for three years before starting her own practice in February 2016. “My journey began in Virginia with an interest in…

The Stonecrest City Council confirmed the appointment of the new city’s first municipal judges on Monday (Aug. 7), naming Attorney Jonathan Weintraub as chief judge and Attorney Michael Sheridan as judge pro tem. Weintraub, a former county attorney with DeKalb County government, is a veteran attorney with 38 years of experience in local, government and municipal law. He has degrees from Syracuse University, Georgia State University and a Juris Doctorate from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. Sheridan, a Howard University graduate, has practiced law for 11 years. He is a partner in the law firm…