Author: On Common Ground News

Approximately 600 people attended the culminating event of a weeklong 10th anniversary celebration of the Lou Walker Senior Center (LWSC), located at 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. The event featured a red carpet reception, silent auction benefiting the center, and Broadway-style production celebrating the life, work and legacy of founder Lou Walker. DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May was presented the center’s Spirit of Lou Walker Award. “It means a lot for me to be honored with an award that bears the name of man who did so much for DeKalb County and for seniors,” Interim CEO May said. “The legacy…

The Harlem Fine Arts Show is in Atlanta through June 18 for its highly anticipated exhibition and sale at the Center for Civil and Human Rights. A portion of the proceeds from the June 15 invitation-only opening event will benefit the Emerging 200 Atlanta, the young professional auxiliary of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. The traveling show of contemporary paintings, sculpture, and photography—the largest of its kind featuring art from the African Diaspora—debuted in Atlanta in 2014. The show opened to the public on June 16 and runs through June 18. Check out the works of 15 artists…

Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) is pleased to announce veteran law enforcement officer Melody Maddox was recently promoted to the position of Chief of Police. During the past five years, Maddox has served as Assistant Police Chief and as a lead officer at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Her duties included selecting and assigning personnel and training staff with regard to campus patrol operations. Additionally, she has held positions with the DeKalb County Police Department, the City of Atlanta’s Police Department and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. “I am delighted Melody Maddox has been named Georgia Piedmont’s new police chief,” said…

Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) will host its final two open house events that are designed to introduce prospective students to exciting, new courses and industry-leading programs currently being offered by the college.  The final two events are scheduled Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The two locations are: DeKalb Campus, 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston; and South DeKalb Campus, 2460 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur.  Attendees will have many opportunities to meet directly with admissions personnel to gain valuable information regarding the application process and learn about the college’s programs that are available on the respective campuses.  As…

Rockdale Medical Center announced that Alan George, FACHE, has been named the hospital’s new chief executive officer, effective July 11. George most recently served as CEO of Palestine Regional Medical Center (PRMC), a LifePoint Health facility in Palestine, Texas. He replaces Jerry Dooley, who has served as interim CEO of the hospital since April. “Alan is a proven healthcare leader who has focused on quality and excellence throughout his successful career,” said Robert Klein, chief operating officer of LifePoint Health’s Central Group, of which RMC is a part. “His strong commitment to quality, collaboration with physicians and all hospital team…

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will have a little soul when it returns to Piedmont Park for a free concert on June 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Oak Hill, located in the southwest corner of the park. Led by Assistant Conductor Joseph Young, the orchestra’s “A Performance in the Park” will feature James Brown’s “ Feel Good” along with an array of pieces. Sit back and enjoy Rossini’s “Overture,” “The Barber of Seville, “ Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5” and more. The orchestra’s Brian Hecht will make his solo debut performing Brubeck’s “Concerto” for bass trombone. The orchestra’s history at Piedmont Park…

Kids Video Connection’s Family Film Festival will present a workshop for tweens and teens on June 24, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library, 5234 LaVista Road, Tucker. Participants will learn how to write a short script and operate a video camera. This festival is sponsored in part by the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media and is open to the first 20 participants. Please call or visit the branch to register. For more information, call 770-270-8234.

Aloha! Children of all ages are invited to kick off summer with a luau on June 28, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Mountain Park Aquatics and Activity Center, 5050 Forks-Trickum Road, Lilburn. Enjoy entertainment, fun games for all ages, hula hoop contests, and limbo contests. For fees or more information, call 678-277-0179.

If you’re a fan of “The Wizard of Oz” movie, you’ll love the concert coming up in Olde Town. The New Depot Players will kick off its 40th season with a special one-night-only concert presentation of The Wizard of Oz tunes on June 18, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Olde Town Pavilion, 949 S. Main Street, Conyers. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., mingle with the cast; enter the costume competition with your own Wizard of Oz character costume; pose for pictures with Dorothy, the scarecrow, or any other favorite Oz character; and learn about upcoming shows. And don’t forget…

Ever wanted to learn how to juggle? Now you can. Charles Shapiro and his team of experienced jugglers will show off their techniques on June 21, 1 to 2 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia. The free program, which is for ages 9 to 12, is open to the first 20 participants. Admission tickets will be available one hour before the program starts. For more information, call 770-482-3828.