Author: On Common Ground News

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter has named Rhonda Briggins as the 2017 Catalyst Award recipient. Briggins serves as senior director of external affairs for MARTA. Each year, during the Unsung Heroine Award Gala, the Catalyst Award is presented to an individual who brings about a positive change within the community. “I’m very humbled and thankful to be a recipient of such a distinguished award from The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter,” Briggins said. This year’s Unsung Heroine Award Gala will take place on Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Atlanta…

Be Someone, a nonprofit organization in Stone Mountain that promotes self-esteem, responsibility and analytical thinking among children in underserved communities, has named business consultant and former hospitality industry executive Tony Di Rico of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as its board chairman. Di Rico is founder and chief executive officer of Chapel Hill-based Profit Hunters International, a business consultancy that provides talent management programs and comprehensive assessment tools to help its clients recruit, hire, train, develop and retain staff. Profit Hunters also provides training in the use of behavior assessment and other human resource tools. Prior to founding Profit Hunters, Di…

Join Allen Cook for a musical evening on Aug. 22, 7 to 8 p.m., at the downtown Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. A “high originality index” best describes Cook. This multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter has been compared to Al Jarreau, Sting and Bill Withers. Influenced by old school R&B, soft rock and jazz, Cook has shared the stage with Felix Cavaliere of the Young Rascals, Oleta Adams, the Three Degrees and Ben E. King. Admission is free. Funding for the program is provided by the Friends of the Decatur Library.

The Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green St., Conyers, will present a “Special Storytime” with Congressman Hank Johnson. The leader of Georgia’s Fourth District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties,  will host the storytime on Thursday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.,  in the library’s lower level meeting  room. Children of all ages are welcome to hear the Congressman read the original “Curious George” book. Johnson promised Rockdale library staff members that he would participate in one of the library’s reading programs after they came to Washington, D.C.  to thank him for his support of libraries.…

Bring the family and relax on the lawn of the Olde Town Pavilion for an evening full of fun during the Olde Town Summer Film Series final flick of the season. The outdoor movie, “The Lego Batman Movie,” will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Olde Town Pavilion, 949 S. Main Street. Children’s activities begin at 7 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk (around 8:30 p.m.). The event is free. Pack snacks, lawn chairs and blankets and stake out your spot for prime movie viewing on the lawn. Concessions will be available for a fee.

Watch baby chicks hatch, calves nurse from a bottle, and goats gambol in their pen at the 4-H exhibit at the Gwinnett County Fair, Sept. 14–24. Called “Farm Friends,” the 4-H exhibit offers other hands-on opportunities to learn about farm life, such as milking a wooden saw horse, feeling rabbit fur and wool, and watching farm hands care for animals we depend on for food and clothing. Farm Friends is located at the big red barn at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds at 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville. For a schedule and more information, visit  www.gwinnettcountyfair.com.

ity of Stonecrest Councilwoman Diane Adoma has published a newsletter to update residents of the new city. To view the newsletter in its entirety, click here.

Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth District,covering portions of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Rockdale counties, condemned President Trump’s response to the deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. The violence broke out over the weekend when hundreds of white supremacists who staged a “take America back” demonstration clashed with counter protestors. A car plowed into the crowd killing one woman and injuring 19 others. Two state troopers responding to the scene were killed in a helicopter crash. Johnson issued the following statement on Aug. 16 following remarks by Trump concerning the protest: “Tuesday’s comments from President Trump that compared counter protestors with…

Conyers police are seeking two suspects who burglarized a vehicle at LA Fitness in Conyers on Aug. 11. The victim’s credit cards were used at Sam’s Club in Lithonia within the hour. Hundreds of dollars in snack foods were fraudulently purchased by the suspects who were occupying a silver Ford Explorer. Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact Crime Stoppers 404-577-TIPS.  You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward for up to $2,000. View the video of the break-in here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAOKUewuDdk

Insured and non-insured individuals can get free clinic services on Saturday, Aug. 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Clarkston First Baptist Church Family Life Center, 4007 Church St., Clarkston. Ray of Hope Christian Church, Clarkston First Baptist Church, DeKalb Board of Health and Clarkston Community Health Center are partnering with the Hope Through Health Clinic to provide free medical exams, pharmacy, vision dental services, as well as provide food and clothing.