Mask Mandate Order on Public Transit 
Due to the order issued on January 29, 2021 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), travelers on all public transit are required to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Passengers must wear a mask that covers both the mouth and nose while boarding, exiting, and for the duration of travel. This order applies to Connect Douglas, the public transportation and mobility services division of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. Therefore, all passengers and drivers are required to wear a mask on all public transit systems and when entering or on the premises of the Connect Douglas Multi-Model Transportation Center (MMTC). Masks continue to be available to all riders on the Connect Douglas Fixed Route Bus Service upon request and at sanitizing stations inside the MMTC located on 8800 Dorris Road. 

COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing

For COVID-19 vaccine and testing information, visit:
www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org 

Roll Up Your Sleeve for Your Annual Flu Vaccine
Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 flu season to protect yourself, your family and your community from flu. This fall and winter it is important for everyone to do their part to prevent respiratory illnesses, like flu and COVID-19. Prevent flu this season by rolling up your sleeve for your annual flu vaccine, AND prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses by washing your hands often with soap and water, wearing a mask over your nose and mouth and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others when in public. Remember, the more people vaccinated against flu this season, the more people protected from flu! Get your flu vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones, and do your part to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. Learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from flu this season by visiting the CDC website or watching this informational video: https://youtu.be/02ICysV_t1E  [youtu.be]

DOUGLAS COUNTY LAUNCHES STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners announced the launch of the planning process for Douglas Forward 2025, a five year strategic plan that will provide the framework for meeting the current needs of citizens and plans for the future growth of the community. 

The Douglas Forward 2025 strategic plan will serve as a guiding document for the Board of Commissioners when setting the priorities and policy for the administration and will allow the county to operate in a unified manner. 

“The purpose of the strategic plan is to set a clear vision and list of priorities to accomplish by the year 2025,” Chairman Dr. Romona Jackson Jones stated. “We want to make sure citizens throughout the county are heard, valued, and involved in this process. As the county’s diverse population continues to grow, it is crucial to ensure the plan highlights the most important ideals for the community.”  

Throughout the process Chairman Jones, District Commissioners and other facilitators will host an estimated 50 virtual listening sessions with residents to collectively bring forth ideas that will ensure a cohesive vision for the county’s future. These sessions will allow citizens and community stakeholders to be involved in the entire process. To maintain transparency, video recordings and printed summaries from each listening session will be provided to the public on all county platforms. The information gathered in these sessions along with other collected data will assist in the plan development. 

“The Board of Commissioners are collectively committed to extensively engaging a wide spectrum of stakeholders in developing the strategic plan,” Director of External Affairs Tiffany Stewart-Stanley stated.  For this strategic planning process to be successful, it is imperative for Douglas Forward 2025 to include input from a vast array of constituents to effectively outline goals and measurable outcomes for Douglas County.”  

The strategic planning efforts will be led by the Department of External Affairs along with a team of county employees with a variety set of skills. Lionheart Consulting Group, LLC will also provide support and guidance for the strategic plan. Lionheart Consulting Group, LLC provides advisory services across all industries to help organizations drive institutional change, build leadership capacity, mitigate franchise and reputation risk with a particular focus on strategic planning, diversity programs, and corporate social responsibility.

For more information on Douglas Forward 2025, please visit www.celebratedouglascounty.com [celebratedouglascounty.com] or email DouglasForward2025@co.douglas.ga.us.

[youtube.com]

Post Road Bridge over Dog River Closure
Present - April 2021
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) contractors will close Post Road Bridge over Dog River Reservoir in Douglas County for approximately six month for bridge replacement. During the closure, traffic will be detoured around the 0.19-mile closure. Roadside signage will alert drivers of the closure and detour in advance. This closure and detour are being installed to help ensure safety for workers and motorists. Weather and on-site conditions permitting, the Post Road Bridge over the Dog River Reservoir will be closed to traffic between Jenkins Road and Tyree Road for an estimated six (6) months, through April 2021.  

COVID-19 Testing at Deer Lick Park
Free COVID-19 Testing is being offered at Deer Lick Park, 2171 Mack Rd, Douglasville, Ga. Drive-Thru Testing Monday-Friday, 8a-4p and Saturday, 8a-1p. No appointment Necessary. DC Pulmonary Medicine is sponsoring in collaboration with Douglas County, Parks and Recreation and the Sheriff’s Office and Premier Drugstore. 

DOUGLAS COUNTY CTP

#DidYouKnow using public transit is safer than driving AND good for your health? You'll save time and money on gas, parking, in addition to vehicle wear & tear. PLUS, riding is less stressful than driving so you'll be happier!
For more information visit:

http://www.douglascountyctp.com/ [douglascountyctp.com]

Douglas County Parks & Recreation Programs

Let's get some exercise! Check out the sports and activities at our local parks!
https://www.celebratedouglascounty.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=144 [celebratedouglascounty.com]

Deer Lick Tennis Courts
Tennis Programs

Do you want to know more about savings with your Medicare costs? GeorgiaCares is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for Georgia. GeorgiaCares is administered through the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services. GeorgiaCares provides free personalized counseling to assist Medicare beneficiaries with their Medicare questions. During these challenging times, GeorgiaCares is committed as ever to continuing to provide services. Please call Janet Payne at 470-552-3161 or 1-877-220-0127 or email:  jpayne@glsp.org for assistance. 

Beyond the Front Porch
Saturday, April 10, 2021
Registration is OPEN for Beyond the Front Porch Field Trip to Georgia Aquarium on Saturday April 10^th. Admission and Lunch free for up to 5 students per paid adult ($25) Due to COVID restrictions parents will meet us at the Aquarium. Send an email to info@beyondthefrontporch.org with the number of adults and students planning to attend. Registration closes when all spots are filled.

Beyond the Front Porch currently has an OPENING FOR A VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBER. If you support our mission of educational field trips for all, have the time and resources to share, please send a letter of interest to info@beyondthefrontporch.org. If you want to learn more about BTFP impact on the community visit www.beyondthefrontporch.org [beyondthefrontporch.org]

Midway UMC: GriefShare
Every Thursday, February 11th - May 6th, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Midway UMC will begin hosting weekly GriefShare seminar to help people rebuild their lives every Thursday starting February 11th and will continue until May 6th. The seminar will take place at Midway UMC, 1930 Midway Road from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Visit griefshare.org to register online.
For more information, contact Mary Ann Davis at 770-241-0475.  

Mary Lou Bailey Funk: Pop Up Arts Shop
April 1st -30th
8652 Campbellton St.
Douglasville, GA 30134
Free admission and open to the public
Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm
770-949-2787
Website:http://artsdouglas.org/event/april-pop-up-arts-shop-2/?instance_id=944 [artsdouglas.org]
Our POP UP ARTS SHOP is the place for amazing one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artists. Each month we will feature a different artist that works with varying mediums. Be sure to stop by the CAC for some amazing arts and crafts before they’re gone! 

Spring Break Arts Camp

April 5 - 9 

9 am - 4 pm
Deer Lick Park
Douglasville, GA 30134
Registration required in advance
770-949-2787
Website: http://artsdouglas.org/arts-camps/ [artsdouglas.org]

 
The goal of the Spring and Summer Break Arts Camp is to encourage and reveal the talents of every student to highlight the impact. During the Spring Break Arts Camps, artists will work with each student on specific projects within their discipline that reflect and expand on a common theme addressed by all the teachers. The four main artforms that will be explored are 3-D art, 2-D art, Theater, and Music.  

Troy University
April 7th- 9th

Join us for our Spring 2021 World Wide Virtual Open House. Please use the link below to register and learn about TROY, our programs, financial aid, and more! You will receive a promo code at the end of the video to waive your application fee. The code will expire on April 9^th at 11:59 PM. Feel free to invite a colleague, friend, or family member who may be interested in furthering their career path.

REGISTER HERE [troy.edu]

COVID-19 Vaccines
Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
St. James AME Church in partnership with Woodstock Pharmacy will be hosting a COVID-19 Vaccination event. Interested parties can call to register or walk-ins are also welcome!

Cheers to the Arts- Wine in the Woods
Thursday, April 15, 2021, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Dog River Library
Douglasville, GA 30135
Presented by the Cultural Arts Council Douglasville/ Douglas County.
770-949-2787

Website: http://artsdouglas.org/2577-2/ [artsdouglas.org]

Come and experience entertainment, tastings, games, art vendors, door prizes, and much more

Douglas County Education Foundation
Annual Fun Run
Saturday, April 17, 2021, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
New Manchester High School
For more information please email: angelia.oneal@dcssga.org

Shoebox Parade
The City of Douglasville is excited to announce a new addition to this year’s Fourth of July celebration, a virtual shoebox parade! A shoebox parade is a big celebration on a small scale! Shoeboxes must be decorated in a family-oriented manner capturing the spirit of our community and what the holiday/theme means to you. This year's theme is "Parade of Stars". The parade will feature shoebox floats created by residents, families, students, businesses, churches, and organizations. Interested parties can submit their entry by completing the online registration form on the City of Douglasville’s website at DouglasvilleGA.gov/ShoeboxParade. Submissions are being accepted now through April 19. Completed shoebox floats can be dropped off at Douglasville City Hall - 6695 Church St. Douglasville, GA 30134. The hours of operation are Monday to Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM.

 
For full details on the parade and to find out how you can be a part of the big celebration, visit the City’s website at www.douglasvillega.gov/shoeboxparade [douglasvillega.gov]. 

UGA Cooperative Extension- Douglas County
Volunteer Celebration
Monday, April 19- Friday, April 23

UGA Extension in Douglas County invites the public to join us in recognizing volunteers during National Volunteer Week - April 19-23.  Join us at one of these locations and snap your photo with AGGA, the UGA Urban Agriculture mascot! 

Douglasville Police Department:
Food Distribution Event with Atlanta Community Food Bank

Tuesday, April 20 at 12:30 p.m.

The Douglasville Police Department is working in conjunction with the Atlanta Community Food Bank to distribute food to households in need. This “free food drive thru” is on a first come, first serve basis while the food lasts. It is our goal to make this fast and easy. The line will be directed through the back of the police department. As vehicles enter for the distribution, they will line up and meet with a volunteer who will be asking reference households and then the vehicle will continue through the line where the food will be placed into the vehicle. The food will be placed either in the trunk or backseat, no need for anyone to exit the vehicle.
Please make all inquiries reference this event prior to April 20.
Contact: Sgt. Shannon Dean 678-293-1621 deans@douglasvillega.gov

American Red Cross Blood Drive
Tuesday, April 20, 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Douglasville Police Department
2083 Fairburn Rd. Douglasville, GA 30135

Earth Day 2021
Thursday, April 22, 2021

Calling all residents and businesses!  We need your help!  Please join Keep Douglasville Beautiful, Keep Douglas County Beautiful and Georgia Highlands College as we celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up the streets of Douglasville and Douglas County. Litter affects us all!  Not only is it unsightly, but costs the U.S. over $12 billion every year.  This does not include the indirect costs of littering -- decreases in property values, commerce and tourism, and numerous negative health and environmental issues.
Multiple cleanup times and locations available on April 22, 2021. Join a group or organize your own! Contact info@KeepDouglasvilleBeautiful.org for more information. 

Cultural Arts Center Douglasville/ Douglas County
Pastel "Views of the World" Exhibit

Thursday, April 22, 2021 Opening Reception 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 pm

Exhibit on View: April 8 - 29

Margaret Dyer, Karen Margulis, Marsha Hamby Savage, and Gary Baughman create soft, effortless artworks out of pastel that beg any viewer to glance a double take at the realism of images of our world. "Views of the World," a show in pastel, will be on display April 1-29 at the Cultural Arts Center of Douglasville/ Douglas County. There will be a reception on April 1st hosted by Junior League of Douglasville.

Cultural Arts Center Douglasville/ Douglas County
8652 Campbellton St.
Douglasville, GA 30134
Free admission and open to the public
Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm
770-949-2787
Free admission
Website: http://artsdouglas.org/event/views-of-the-world-in-pastel-exhibit/?instance_id=967 [artsdouglas.org]

  

Keep Douglasville Beautiful Spring Recycle Event
Saturday, April 24, 2021, 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Overflow parking lot of First Presbyterian Church
9190 Campbellton Street
Keep Douglasville Beautiful in partnership with the City of Douglasville and The Douglas County Lions Club is holding a drive-thru Electronics and Scrap Metal Recycling Event. Volunteers will unload vehicles as you drive thru -- no need to get out of your vehicle. We will accept practically anything with metal content, that has a cord or uses batteries!  PLEASE NOTE: There is a $5 charge for each monitor or TV dropped off at this recycling event. All other items are FREE to recycle. Please, NO household recyclables.
The Douglas County Lions Club will be accepting Eye Glasses and Hearing Aids for their Lighthouse Foundation. They will also be selling BBQ plates (bagged for quick drive-thru pickup) for $5 and whole Boston Butts for $30 as a fundraiser.

For more information visit www.KeepDouglasvilleBeautiful.org [keepdouglasvillebeautiful.org] or email info@KeepDouglasvilleBeautiful.org
 

Contact: Sgt. Shannon Dean 678-293-1621 deans@douglasvillega.gov

American Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, April 29, 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
9851 Commerce Way, Douglasville GA 30135

Cultural Arts Council 
Pop Up Arts Shop

May 3rd- 31st        

Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
8652 Campbellton St.
Douglasville, GA 30134
770.949.2787Our POP UP ARTS SHOP is the place for amazing one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artists. Each month we will feature a different artist that works with varying mediums. Be sure to stop by the CAC for some amazing arts and crafts before they’re gone! 

Website: http://artsdouglas.org/event/may-pop-up-arts-shop-2/?instance_id=946 [artsdouglas.org]

  

Church St Farmers Market
Every Tuesday, May 4^th- September 28^th
3:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

Church Street Farmers Market is a weekly community farmers market featuring farm-fresh produce, cottage food items, and handmade crafts.  

Cultural Arts Council
Opening Reception "Early Days" Exhibit
Exhibit on View: May 10 - June 24
8652 Campbellton St.
Douglasville, GA 30134
Susan Knight Smith, Sally Storey Jones, Coe Steinwart, Laura Smith...four great artists come together to celebrate the "Early Days" in the memorable line-up of work displayed May 10-June 24. The exhibit will reflect the agelessness of a world around us, as artists explore times past and quaint moments that help us to take a step back, worthy of pause. Come pause with us at the gallery to view the timeless exhibit and celebrate the opening reception on Thursday, May 13, 5-7 pm. The evening will be hosted by Douglasville's own "Farmer's Table" who will serve up an old fashioned favorite - ice cream and cobbler.

Free admission
Website: http://artsdouglas.org/event/early-days-exhibit/?instance_id=969 [artsdouglas.org]
 

2020 The Great Douglas County Shredding Event
Douglas County Courthouse
Saturday, May 15, 2021, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Cultural Arts Council

Taste of Douglasville Festival
Saturday, May 15, 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
8652 Campbellton St.
Douglasville, GA 30134

The Cultural Arts Council is ready to celebrate with the community’s most popular event of the year – the annual Taste of Douglasville! Each year, participants not only enjoy Taste of Douglasville, but they also help the Cultural Arts Council support school programs reaching local students, providing affordable spring and summer arts camps in county and city parks, free Family ArtsVentures! 

Free admission and open to the public
Website: http://artsdouglas.org/taste-of-douglasville/ [artsdouglas.org]
 

Midway United Methodist Church
Spring Fling
Saturday, May 22, 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
 

Douglasville Police Department Summer Festival
Saturday, June 5, 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

The Douglasville Police Department will be holding a Summer Festival instead of a Spring Festival this year. It will take place on June 5, 2021 from 10 am until 4 pm at the Douglasville Public Safety Complex located at 2083 Fairburn Road. Come out and meet your public safety officials while the kids enjoy a summer egg hunt, touch-a-truck, a K-9 demo, vendors, food and fun. This event is free and open to the public. We will be social distancing, have hand sanitizer stations throughout the festival, and ask that you bring a mask for close interaction. The entire event will be outside.
Vendors are needed and Registration is $25.
All vendor applications are taken in person or through email in order to ensure no duplications.
Contact: Stephanie McClarty 678-293-1797 or Sgt. Dean at 678-293-1621. 
You can also email us at dpdcommunityoutreach@douglasvillega.gov