FREE VOLUME 24 NUMBER 35
OCTOBER 20, 2018
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Photos by Glenn L. Morgan
Africa Umoja stops by Stonecrest City Hall
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he cast of “Africa Umoja, The Spirit of Togetherness,” gave the City of Stonecrest a taste of its award-winning performance at the Oct. 15 City Council meeting. The South African dance and theatrical group sang two selections a cappella, including South Africa’s national anthem. Africa Umoja is scheduled to be staged Oct. 30-Nov. 8 at DeKalb County’s Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center. Richard Jordan, who represents the International Arts Foundation, which is presenting the performance, said those who attend should expect a
DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections clarifies absentee ballot envelope color The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections will accept yellow or white absentee return envelopes through 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6. The statewide vendor inadvertently printed absentee return envelopes on white stock, instead of the normal yellow stock. Because of the high volume of absentee requests and to maintain efficiency in processing requests, the white envelopes were used until a new shipment could be received. Either yellow or white envelopes are acceptable. Advance voting is underway and will run through Friday, Nov. 2. Voting sites and times can be found at www.dekalbvotes.com under “Current Election Information.” Sample ballots and other updates also are available online. To vote by mail, voters can obtain applications at www. dekalbvotes.com or by calling the Voter Registration & Elections office at 404-298-4020. Applications can be mailed or hand-delivered to 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur; faxed to 404-298-4038; or emailed to voterreg@dekalbcountyga.gov. Absentee applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, and ballots must be returned no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 6, to be counted.
colorful and exhilarating celebration to commemorate the 100th birthday of the late South African civil rights leader, Nelson Mandela. “Everyone in the cast is from South Africa. They are the absolute best. I’ve been doing this for 30 years and I have never seen a more exciting show, a more entertaining show,” said Jordan. Stonecrest resident Faye Coffield said she thoroughly enjoyed the cast members’ surprise visit to City Hall. She said she recognized the national anthem when the group performed. “They were exceptional. We need more of these types of cultural exchange
programs,” said Coffield, who said she would love to attend the performance. Coffield, who has visited Libya and Kenya, said she spent last summer visiting Kenya and she loved it. “I plan to go back,” said Coffield. As goodwill ambassadors for South Africa, the cast will share South Africa’s story, Jordan said. “Africa Umoja is a history lesson—from tribal living, village life, all the way through apartheid and even Hip Hop,” Jordan said. Jordan said some daytime performances of the tour have been set aside for students. Teachers can use a study guide that has been
developed for students who attend the performance of “Africa Umoja.” “There are so many things about people of African descent that people don’t know. They can pull down the study guide at the website (www. africaumojausatour.com) and learn about the history,” Jordan said. Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary said he is excited about the performance coming to DeKalb. “Africa Umoja matches our international economic development plan and we’re looking forward to continuing partnerships with international cities and organizations,” said Lary.
Jobs, jobs, jobs for metro Atlanta Vets “ I’m excited about the opportunity to help veterans. A lot of them need jobs and this is a way to put them to work.”
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L-R: Amos King and David Gallemore
he Veterans Home & Business Services is seeking to hire dozens of veterans in the metro Atlanta area as entry level and skilled technicians. The jobs range from installing light fixtures, home theatres and appliances to skilled electricians, security system, water heaters and garage door installers, to carpenters, painters and plumbers. The pay ranges from $15 to $30 an hour. Both, part-time and full-time positions, are available, said David Gallemore, president of Veterans Home and Business Services.
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan
“We’re looking to hire 50 to 150 veterans, active and retired,” said Gallemore. “With the holiday season approaching, we’re anticipating a demand for technicians.” Amos King, who is serving as the veterans’ coordinator, said applicants must interview and have transportation. King, who heads Justice For Veterans, has been on the frontlines of assisting veterans and fighting for those who have been wrongfully killed by police. “We want to make placements immediately. The work includes residential and commercial,”
– Amos King said King. “I’m excited about the opportunity to help veterans. A lot of them need jobs and this is a way to put them to work.” Training will be provided for those who need to brush up on customer skills, Gallemore said. Gallemore said veterans would be given priority for the jobs and then others such as public safety workers would be used to fill positions that are not filled by qualified veterans. For more information, contact Amos King at 678-698-8753.