Tech offers summer program for electrical, computer engineering

Georgia Tech is accepting applications for its H.O.T. Days @ Georgia Tech camp, a one-week summer program designed to introduce students to electrical and computer engineering (ECE) concepts.

The goal of the program is to instill an interest in ECE and increase the number of high school graduates majoring in this field. 

Twenty participants, rising sophomores and juniors, per session will be selected from a statewide applicant pool.

Students who like and excel in math and science courses and who want to explore electrical or computer engineering to determine whether these fields might be their choice of major in college are encouraged to apply.  

During the summer 2012, two sessions of the program will be offered: June 11-15  and June 18-22.

The daily schedule will run from 9 a.m. to  3 p.m. each day.

Camp attendees participate in a variety of hands-on activities and projects, including building a computer, working with robots, using music synthesis technology, building simple digital logic circuits, constructing a speaker from common household parts, and tours of various research labs.

ECE faculty and researchers design and teach the activities and are assisted by ECE undergraduate and graduate students. 

The application fee is $15 and is nonrefundable.

Admitted students are charged a registration fee of $150. A limited amount of need-based financial assistance is available. http://www.ece.gatech.edu/academics/outreach/hot-days/index.html

DEKALB

Stephenson High to host black tie fundraiser

Stephenson High School is selling tickets for a black tie concert, which will be held on March 3, 6 p.m., as a fundraiser for the school’s wind ensemble and Repertory Dance Ensemble. The wind ensemble needs $48,000 to help 62 students travel to Indianapolis for the March 16 Music For All National Concert Band Festival.

Stephenson is the fourth African American wind ensemble to be invited to perform in the festival’s 21-year history.

The school’s PTSA along with the Student Government Association, Men of Distinction and Ladies of Stephenson are hosting the black tie fundraiser, which will feature the school’s nationally-acclaimed repertory dance ensemble and the Stephenson High School band.

“The hope is that funds will be able to not only assist with the trip, but also help to raise funds for a desperately-needed dance floor and replacement instruments,” said PTSA President Denise E. McGill.

The concert will be held in the school’s auditorium. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 a couple. Sponsorships are also available: silver member, $75; gold member, $150; and platinum, $250. A silent auction also will be held.

Stephenson High is located at 701 Stephenson Road, Stone Mountain. For more information, call 678-472-9235.

Community Town Hall: Pathways to re-enter society

DeKalb County families are invited to attend a Town Hall, “The Reentry Discussion,” on Feb. 25, 2 – 4 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. William Brown Ministries, a Decatur non-profit organization, will host the Town Hall.

The impact of incarceration on families will be discussed.  Do we really know what is needed to make the family whole again? Presenters include pastors, providers, social workers and formerly incarcerated persons with a focus on the support needs, accountability and rebuilding relationships for individuals, family and communities during the re-entry process.

For more information, call 404-286-6980.

Rape Crisis Center seeks hotline volunteers

The DeKalb Rape Crisis Center is looking for volunteers to staff its 24-hour crisis hotline and serve as hospital companions to survivors of sexual assault.

Volunteers are required to complete 38 hours of training to prepare them for responding to sexual assault survivors on the crisis hotline. Once trained, volunteers sign up for at least two 12-hour shifts monthly. While on call, volunteers may go about their regular routines as long as they are free to take calls or go to the hospital, if requested.

Two upcoming training sessions are planned. The first session will be Feb. 21-April 3, with sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The second training session will be held Sept. 18—Nov. 1.

For more information or to sign up for training, contact Jamaila Winn at 404-377-1429,ext. 4 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Applications are available at www.dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org.

Decatur Library to host ‘Living Green’ series

DeKalb County Public Library, the City of Decatur and Oakhurst Community Garden Project are working together on a year-long, living green initiative to help residents develop environmentally-friendly lifestyles.

The “Living the Green Life” series will begin with two programs on how to grow an organic vegetable garden. The programs are scheduled Feb. 22 and Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m., at the Decatur Library branch, 215 Sycamore St. in downtown Decatur.

Additional program topics will include how to garden in an unpredictable environment, how to make your home more energy efficient and how to compost. All programs will take place at the Decatur Library, except for the composting workshop, which will be held at the Oakhurst Community Garden Project.

For more information about the series, visit dekalblibrary.org, call 404-370-3070 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Would you like to be a page at the Capitol?

State Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield, District 85, is inviting interested 12-year-olds in her DeKalb County district to serve as House pages.

Benfield has represented DeKalb citizens in the Georgia General Assembly since 1998. She is currently serving her fifth term representing District 85, which includes neighborhoods in Avondale Estates, Candler Road, Columbia Drive, Fernbank, Forrest Hills, Knollwood, Midway Woods, Oakhurst, South Decatur, Wadsworth and Winona Park.

In the page program, students assist Benfield by taking notes onto the House Floor from constituents, lobbyists and other officials. For more information, call Paula Golden at 404-656-7859.

GWINNETT

Seniors reminded to file homestead exemptions

Gwinnett County officials are reminding seniors to take advantage of three special homestead exemptions available to save money on their property tax bill.

The exemptions are the:

Senior State Tax Exemption (SC), which provides a 100 percent exemption from taxes levied by the state of Georgia on the home and up to 10 acres of property.

Senior School Exemption (L5A), which provides a 100 percent exemption from taxes levied by Gwinnett Board of Education of property and up to one acre of property.

Regular School Exemption (S3), which provides a partial exemption from school taxes.

To learn more about these exemptions and their requirements, visit www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 770-822-8800.

Seniors may request an application in person, by e-mail, or by phone. All homestead exemption applications are due April 1.

Peachtree Corners: New voter cards mailed

Registered voters who live in Peachtree Corners should have received their new precinct ID cards. The new cards are in compliance with Georgia law, which requires that registered voters receive new cards when their political districts change. For more information, visit www.gwinnettelections.com.

ATLANTA

Oakland Cemetery tour highlights city’s prominent blacks

The community is invited to celebrate Black History Month at the Historic Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave., S.E., Atlanta, on Feb. 21, 1:30 p.m.

There will be a guided walking tour examining the history of prominent African Americans buried there including Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first African American mayor, and William Finch, Atlanta’s first African American City Council member.

The tour is free and open to the public. For more information, call Sam Reed at 404-658-6019.

Community invited to informational on Atlanta Beltline

The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Beltline Partnership will present “Beltline 101” on Feb. 22, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the Helene Mills Senior Center, 515 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., Atlanta.

The session will provide information on how the redevelopment project will shape Atlanta through a network of public parks, multi-use trails and transit along an historic 22-mile railroad corridor circling downtown and connecting 45 neighborhoods directly to each other.

For more information, call 404-614-8300 or visit www.beltline.org.

Ronald McDonald to join kids for reading adventure

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library’s West End branch, 525 Peeples St., S.W., Atlanta, will host Reading Across America Day with Ronald McDonald on Feb. 28, 10 – 10:45 a.m.

The costumed character will discuss how books can be children’s friends; how reading is more fun when you picture what you read and explain that good readers make better spellers.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 404-752-8740.

ROCKDALE

Conyers fashion show to benefit vets

The American Legion Post 77, 674 Legion Road, N.E., Conyers, will host a fundraiser fashion show to benefit veterans in the community on Feb. 17, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

“Fundraiser for Our Veterans” will feature the Patriotic Vintage Fashion Show and Artfest. Entertainment includes: Dance, song, comedy, trivia, and fashion through the ages, Bob Hope USO Style.

Advance tickets are $5 and are available at the American Legion Hall, The Magnolias Assisted Living Center and the Lingering Memories Antique Mall. Tickets are $7 at the door. 770-483-8216.

Teen debate set at Boys and Girls Club

The Good News Notebook outreach group will host The Great Teen Debate on Feb. 22, 5- 6:30 p.m., at the A.R. Gus Barksdale Boys and Girls Club, 1015 O’Kelly Street, Conyers.

The debate is being held to promote positive debating, enhance speaking and critical thinking skills, as well as to raise community awareness among teens.

For more information, call Connie Alsobrook, debate organizer, at 678-596-7936 or visit www.gnnotebook.com.

On Common Ground News is an independent African-American owned community resource newspaper serving residents and businesses in DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale, and Henry counties.

These are the areas we focus our efforts in reporting on. DeKalb county areas consist of Stone Mountain, Lithonia, Tucker, Clarkston, Stonecrest, Decatur, Avondale, Estates, Eastlake, and Pinelake. Gwinnett county areas consist of Lawrenceville, Snellville, and Buford. Henry county areas consist of Ellenwood and Stockbridge. Fulton county areas consist of Atlanta, College Park, and East Point. Rockdale county area consist of Conyers.

The information contained in this On Common Ground News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of On Common Ground, Inc. For questions about redistribution or use online or print, call 770-679-5607.