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Monday's updates

2009-12-14T16:08:00.001-05:00

Afternoon updates:

-Another foggy night, morning ahead: A dense fog advisory is up for much of Northwest Georgia through 10 a.m. Tuesday> Details

-NAIA championship signage on the way up: Look closely at the NAIA sign above and you'll see a crew across Second Avenue preparing to stencil the NAIA emblem into the grass on Monday. Signs are popping up around Barron Stadium and even nearby businesses. The flashing sign at River Ctiy Bank (background) asks motorists, "Are you ready for some football?" Click Buzz / Football Report.

-Tellus records 100,000th visitor since opening last January: Tellus, Northwest Georgia's Science Museum, on Monday greeted its 100,000th visitor since opening 11 months ago. The lucky visitor: Bret Jones, 7, who came to the museum with his mom and grandparents> Details

-Master plan on the way for Ga. Northwestern Technical College> click

-Floyd, Polk, Chattooga counties honored by Farm Bureau> Click

-Latest state business updates from Georgia Trend> Ga. Business

-Track today's Dow, other markets> Google Finance

-Georgia Political & Policy Digest's daily headlines> Ga. Politics

This week's Buzz of Northwest Georgia (click)

-NAIA football championship game: What is means to Northwest Georgia.
-Continuing game/event coverage all week on Hometown.
-TV, radio, Web, Facebook, Twitter links and updates.
-Special breakfast Thursday, banquet followed by free pep rally Friday.
-Watching the Richardson Effect and local legislative politics.
-As the Armuchee Connector gets started, what's expected next. Tennis center? Hotels? Restaurants?
-Peaks & Valleys: Rome, Calhoun high schools, Father Jim Miceli.

Calhoun No. 2 in final AA poll, Darlington finishes sixth in A rankings: The state champion teams are Sandy Creek (AAAA): Wilcox County (A); Camden County (AAAAA); Peach County (AAA); and Buford (AA) > Football Daily

John McClellan's Football Report> Football Report

-We thank John for another great season of high school football picks. He was dead-on all season and went 4-1 in his championship picks, missing only the Gainesville-Peach County game. The Football Report transforms into our online NAIA Football Championship headquarters starting today through next Sunday.

Dense fog advisory through 10 a.m. Monday> Details

-Monday: 30% rain chance. High of 61.
-Monday night: 70% chance of showers, low of 50.
-Tuesday: 30% chance of rain, high of 57.
-Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, low of 34.

-Saturday: NAIA football championship game: sunny, 47 degrees..

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Tonight/Cave Spring parade, 6 p.m. > Details

Tuesday's MegaMillions jackpot: $118 million> Click

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Is Kelly really the right man for Notre Dame? What's going on with Louisville basketball?

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Atlanta Braves' ace Tommy Hanson to appear at Rome Braves' Hot Stove Gathering at The Forum Jan. 25> Sports

-Ingle, Moore, Czajkowski, Chase return to Rome Braves in '10

-Rome Braves offer new 12-pack flex ticket plans.

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Your online guide to NAIA National Championship Week

-Schedule of events now through Saturday.

-Overview of the game week.

-Where to watch, listen to the game.

-Shorter Coach Phil Jones among event speakers.

-For these and other stories, please click Football Report

-Weather for Thursday-Saturday events: So far, it all looks sunny> Weather

What to expect for NAIA week

-Look for crowds starting Thursday: Your first indicator is the weekly Forum events calendar. At least 500 people are expected for Thursday's breakfast at The Forum as well as that many again Friday night for the banquet and then the pep rally to follow. The breakfast and banquet are ticketed events; the pep rally is free for all. Plus, with the teams arriving Wednesday, and families and friends following soon after, you'll see a lot of new faces downtown starting Thursday.

-Proactive businesses: We're hearing several local groups jumped quickly this year to contact both colleges, and already are seeing extra sales and reservations from the game crowds. Comfort Suites, for example, posted a congratulatory note on the Lindenwood University Facebook Page on Dec. 9, also pitching accommodations.

-More motivated merchants: Downtown will have a dedicated audience especially with some sponsor-related NAIA events brewing as early as 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Will downtown restaurants and shop owners step up?

-Road trip for the Lions: Lindenwood University offers two charter fan buses to the championship game. The cost is $99 per person. That covers transportation and lodging. Fans will have to cover other expenses, including meals and tickets. Tickets for the national championship game can be purchased by calling 800-858-7601, or by visiting www.forumevents.org. The bus departs Lindenwood at noon Friday and returns immediately following the game. Click Lions

-Game day: Look for a sellout, easily more than 5,000 seats especially with the weather forecast looking just about perfect for a noon game.

-Plenty of media: Even if you can't make the game Saturday, you won't escape the electronic footprint. The Ridge 95.7 FM is carrying the game live starting just before noon. CBS College Sports is providing live national cable television coverage. And the game will be simulcast on the Web by several groups, including The Ridge.

-Social media also in 'the game': There's already a Facebook page dedicated to the NAIA game (click) and it has nearly 300 members. Lindenwood University has an active Facebook page as well. The university also has an active Twitter page as well. Click http://www.twitter.com/LU_Lions

-Game notes:

>The University of Sioux Falls will be hosting a post-game reception in Rome immediately following the NAIA National Championship Football game. Pizza and soda will be served for $5. The reception will be held under the tent located on the home side of the field. Call (605) 331-6791.

>Pretty hefty game preview information now available on the Lindenwood University Web site. Click Lions

Politics/Richardson Effect far from over?

-Even before Glenn Richardson's implosion and the aftershocks that swept the House, there were rumors about how the 2010 legislative races could have some new players. Look for the Richardson Effect--overall reform--to sweep into Northwest Georgia as well.

-For now, the one to watch is Barry Loudermilk who's still getting some play as a potential House speaker and/or ranking officer. He brings a squeaky clean reputation to the plate and has a solid base with House conservatives. Look for Thursday's caucus to clear up the initial House leadership issues.

-The spotlight remains on the House District 13 seat held by Katie Dempsey as well. One potential candidate drew five phone calls following Wednesday's prelegislative breakfast at The Forum hosted by the chamber. So far, there is no candidacy there (Republican side). But there is some traction among Democrats.

-One surprise name is surfacing as a potential Democratic opponent against Preston Smith for the District 52 Senate seat. That announcement could come soon.

-The other shoe(s) to drop?: We're also watching to see if incumbents in other offices come forward to declare for House and Senate seats. At least two names are out there as potential House candidates.

As Armuchee Connector gets under way, thoughts turn to possible development. Tennis center? Hotels? Restaurants? Stay tuned.

By Natalie Simms

natsimms76@gmail.com

After months of delays, construction will soon be under way on the Armuchee Connector, giving commuters an alternate route in and out of the area. Along with the $12 million, SPLOST-funded roadway comes the potential for development along the corridor, something our economy could use a boost of these days.

"We have to get a major construction permit from the Corps of Engineers before we can start," says Kevin Poe, County Manager. "We expect to get that in early January and then give the notice to proceed to the construction company."

The Floyd County Commission awarded the contract for the project to C.W. Matthews Contracting Group for $8,059,862.35 in September.

The 2.2-mile connector will travel as follows (see yellow line above):

-Start at the end of Braves Boulevard (east of State Mutual Stadium, lower left of map) and turn north crossing the Oostanaula River.

-Continue north approximately 1.5 miles, then turn west across Old Dalton Road to intersect with U.S. 27 at what is now Kendrick Auto Repair Shop. The business has been relocated. That's Mount Berry Square in upper right corner.

-The connector will continue across U.S. 27 to end at Old Summerville Road. The estimated timeline is 19 months so look for completion near the end of 2011.

For now, Poe says there are no plans for the almost $4 million remaining from the project.

"We are just sitting on that right now because we've had some overages in other areas and our sales tax revenues are way down from what we expected, so we're not obligating that money to anything right now," Poe says.

On the table: mega tennis compound. While it's too early to know the full extent of development opportunities that will be available once the road is complete, plans are under way on a proposed regional tennis complex that would be a partnership involving Berry College, the city, the county and potential community players (initial press release: click here).

Berry proposed the idea last spring and is conducting a full economic impact study on the feasibility of the project with the University of Georgia. The study is due later this month.

"There are lots of intangible benefits of this project for Berry but number one is securing the prosperity of our community," says Danny Price, General Counsel for Berry College. "It will also give us the opportunity to provide student work positions, host major intercollegiate tournaments and bid for an NCAA Division III (tennis) Championship." (Image: Berry magazine; story, click Here).

The project's current design includes 74 tennis courts and a large clubhouse. Of those 74 courts, four are covered and 14 are Quickstart courts for development of a youth tennis program.

"We are working off a projected budget of $13 to $14 million. That includes the land for the project that Berry would commit to the project," Price says.

According to Price, Berry would donate just under 30 acres of the college's River Farm property. Estimated value: $1.5 million. The land is part of 80 acres next to Mount Berry Square that will be separated from Berry's other property by the new connector.

The United States Tennis Association "loved our conceptual plan that Berry came up with and really thought it was a great idea, so they got their people involved and submitted a plan that changed the original model from 55 to 74 courts," Price says. "They came back and said this is what you ought to include to attract the best tournaments." (The above image shows the initial design of the tennis center; source, Berry College)

Expansion opportunities for hospitality industry: A complex that size has the potential of attracting thousands of players and spectators--and, in turn, could create a need for hospitality-related businesses.

"In order to get into the game to bid for large tournaments, we will have to have sufficient hospitality resources we don't want them to travel outside of Rome to stay in a hotel," Price says. "If this becomes a reality, there would certainly be job creation and good positive impacts on our community."

City officials agree.

"The support of the USTA is significant and Rome is strategically located in the Southeast for such a facility," says City Manager John Bennett. "In my opinion, it is something really worth pursuing like we would a new industry. In time, we would get a lot of return in growth of jobs and the economic investment in this facility is relatively low."

The key question is how to pay for the multimillion-dollar project and who would be responsible for the complex in the long-run. Players on all sides of the table agree this is something they want to keep off of a future SPLOST list. Berry officials says they would only serve in an advisory capacity and leave the operations and management of the facility to the city and county.

"We hope this project never has to show up on a future SPLOST," Price says. "With the benefits and the economic impact for our community, there should be sources we can tap to help make it happen."

Who pays what? Bennett says the city does have $500,000 from the 2006 SPLOST for building new tennis courts. "The courts themselves will not cost that much. The biggest cost is for site development, utilities, etc.," he says. "The city and county could both provide a lot of in-kind work for roads and sewers that is a lot of value without cash."

There also are a number of federal and state grants available that project organizers could seek since the complex would drive economic prosperity.

"On the surface, this project looks great but we need the hard, cold evidence on what exactly the impact will be on our community and then we can evaluate how much of an investment we are willing to make," Bennett says.

And, according to Poe, putting as little burden on the taxpayers as possible would be the goal of county officials.

"Our intentions are that we can put together a package to ask for a reasonable amount of funds from the commissions that puts as little burden on the tax payers as possible," says Poe, left. "We definitely have to weigh the economic benefits to the investment."

Scott Bentley, the president of the Coosa Valley Tennis Association, says his group also would work to secure funds for the project.

"It would come from multiple sources through private donations and major donors," he says. "We would do major fund-raising campaigns through the CVTA."

Other funding could come from the sale and redevelopment of the current Rome-Floyd Tennis Center on Third Street. If the regional tennis complex is built, the current tennis center would close.

"It is just not feasible because of additional costs of overhead and staff to have both facilities," says Sammy Rich, assistant city manager. "So, that facility (Third Street) would be sold or redeveloped."

Officials say it is too early to know what would happen to the other tennis facilities owned by the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority throughout the county. Bentley says the tennis association would like to keep the Etowah and Alto Park facilities open for the community.

For now, supporters are asking--and answering--a lot of questions.

"Our president and Board of Trustees recognize this project could have a profound impact on the prosperity of our area," says Berry's Price. "And city and county officials should get a lot of credit because they have spent a lot of time analyzing this. It is truly a partnership and we'd like to see it become a reality as soon as possible."

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to Rome High, Calhoun High: U.S. News & World Report named Rome High a bronze medalist: and Calhoun High a silver medalist in its review of American public high schools. Those are high honors indeed for any school but to have two such schools in neighboring counties? Well done.

Peak to Calhoun High's football team: A 14-1 season. A chance to play for the AA title in the Georgia Dome. The Yellow Jackets of Calhoun put on one heckuva run this football season, almost tripping up defending champ Buford (Final score: 13-10.).

Peak to the life of Father Jim Miceli: These next few weeks are going to be rough for the congregation of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Their longtime pastor, Father Jim Miceli, retired over the summer but planned to be back for occasional Masses and church gatherings. He died suddenly on Tuesday from a massive heart attack. Making his passing even more painful: This was his time of year. Father Jim was known for his beautiful manger arrangement at the foot of the marble altar he helped bring to the church. It has become a Christmas tradition for both area residents and visiting family. That manger scene will go up soon and will serve as both a reminder of Father Jim and of the real meaning of Christmas: hope for all in our next lives. We note two more spiritual connections for "the padre:" His passing came on a Catholic Holy Day, the Immaculate Conception. His funeral and burial: On Dec. 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a huge religious holiday with the Latino community. Miceli was a strong champion for Latinos and often spent his summer sabbaticals in Mexico.> Obituary

Flood watch for late Saturday, Sunday

2009-12-11T16:17:00.001-05:00

Weather updates all weekend at www.hometownheadlines.com

Flood watch up for Saturday afternoon-Sunday as 1-3 inches of rain due: Here we go again. Another strong weather system could dump between one and three inches of rain on parts of Northwest Georgia on Saturday and Sunday.

-Saturday: 90% chance of rain. Highs in the lower 40s. Winds 10-15 mph.
-Saturday night: 100% chance of rain, lows in the upper 30s. Winds to 15 mph.

-Sunday: 40%t chance of rain. Highs in the lower 50s. Winds to 15 mph.
-Sunday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.

Friday's updates

2009-12-11T07:31:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Shorter-Midtown Crossing deal finalized: Look for Shorter College's business school to move to the former Goody's spot in Midtown Crossing in coming months. A deal between the college and R.H. Ledbetter Properties has been struck. (Click Midtown) Shorter has been exploring off-campus options for the school for more than a year and recently centered on the 30,2500-square-foot option just blocks from the main campus. Goody's, based in Knoxville, closed its stores earlier this year, leaving vacancies in Rome, Calhoun and Cartersville. The Calhoun spot has reopened under the Goody's name but new ownership. The Cartersville slot will soon be home to TJ Maxx. Shorter officials say an announcement on the new venue will come after the first of the year. -Background: This is the second union between the college and shopping center developers. Shorter's College of Nursing is part of Ledbetter's Riverbend Center off Turner McCall, home to Kroger, Barnes & Noble and other retailers.

U.S. News & World Report names Rome High a bronze medalist: (Media release) U.S. News & World Reportin collaboration with School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education and data research and analysis business that provides parents with education dataanalyzed academic and enrollment data from more than 21,000 public high schools to find the very best across the country, has just released 2009 lists. These top schools were placed into gold, silver, bronze, or honorable mention categories. Rome High School was among the top high schools in Georgia earning a bronze medal. For more, please click RHS

-Calhoun High honored by US News & World Report> CHS

Cartersville's NewsTalk AM 1270 WYXC off the air, maybe for good:

NewsTalk AM 1270 WYXC, serving much of Bartow County, has gone dark, citing equipment failure. A statement from the owners reads as follows: "In light of these radio industry changes and the impact we've experienced from the severe economic downturn, we cannot justify the expense in equipment and labor to put WYXC back on the air at this time." Click

-Morning show host David Paul's comments to fans> Paul

Friday's Buzz:

-A MegaMillions Christmas? Tonight's jackpot is $100 million> Click

-Downtown updates: A tax allocation district for downtown Rome?> DH

-Barron Stadium closing for NAIA week: The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority is closing Barron Stadium and Maddox Track for the week of Dec. 14-19 in preparations for the NAIA championship football game Dec. 19.

Dining Guide (click)
-Latest health department restaurant inspection scores.

-Also, updates on the local restaurant scene.

Wine News Vine (click)

-Winter Wine Highway Weekend is here. Visit nine North Georgia wineries just by paying a $20 'passport' fee. It's a great way to go Christmas shopping as well. You'll find wines, accessories and other gift ideas

Downtown Headlines: (click)

-Highlights from Thursday's DDA meeting.

-Babes in Toyland, dinner theater highlight upcoming weekend.

-Bryan Mullins' MullinsMania entertainment updates.

Your latest forecast:

-Flood warnings end for local waterways.

-Friday: Sunny, high of 48, low of 28.
-Saturday: 70% rain chance, high of 44, low of 37. 40% rain chance overnight.
-Sunday: High of 54, low of 43. Rain chance: 30%, then 20%

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

- Texas gets stupider (is that a word?); Congress needs to create a playoff insurance plan

John McClellan's state championship picks> Football Report

-Buford by 4 over Calhoun. Plus: John's picks on all high school divisions>

-Watch the game live on GPB at 4:30 p.m.

-Georgia High School Football Daily> Click

Thursday's headlines

2009-12-10T07:11:00.000-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

FINALLY: First-time unemployment insurance claims down

	Nov. 2009	Oct. 2009	Nov. 2008	12-month %
Bartow	996	1,064	1,178	-15.4%
Chattooga	93	115	121	-23.1%
Floyd	1,350	1,044	1,405	-3.9%
Gordon	770	712	1,255	-38.6%
Polk	774	561	794	-2.5%
Georgia	72,298	70,597	74,480	-2.9%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

There's finally some good news on the employment front: First-time jobless claims in five area counties and statewide dropped last month when compared to November 2008 stats. All but Floyd saw decreases when compared to October reports, too.

-The year-over-year decreases were significant, especially in Gordon County where claims dipped from 1,255 in November 2008 to 770 last month, Georgia Department of Labor reports show. Also:

-Statewide, 72,298 laid-off workers filed initial claims for state unemployment insurance benefits in November, a decrease of 2,182 from November 2008.

-Most of the initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services.
-What it means : "Georgia's job market is mired in a prolonged downturn," says State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond ."This is an improvement of less than three percent in the number of layoffs from the same months last year, when we were in the midst of a severe economic meltdown. America's big financial institutions and Wall Street appear to have stabilized; unfortunately, Georgia's job market is showing little improvement."
-The average length of time jobless Georgia workers drew unemployment benefits increased from 11.8 weeks in November 2008 to 14.8 weeks in November 2009.

'Is recovery on the horizon? The answer is yes (but) I'm not telling you where the horizon is.' So says Georgia Economist Donald Ratajczak> Gwinnett

Politics

-Smith predicts state revenue free fall will 'flatten' in January:

Revenue collections for the month of November were $1,188,879,000 compared to $1,419,543,000 for November 2008, a decrease of $230,664,000 or 16.2 percent. The percentage decrease year-to-date: 15.4 percent, says Gov. Sonny Perdue. Click Report. Will the plunge slow down soon? State Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome, says yes. The Rome Republican predicted "state revenue will flatten out by January," adding that the real drop started in January 2009. Smith made his comments at Wednesday's pre-legislative forum at The Palladium.

-Loudermilk 'humbled' by speaker talk: Rep. Barry Loudermilk says the support he's getting to be considered as Georgia's next speaker of the House is humbling. Two Facebook groups boosting a Loudermilk bid have 250 members. Click

-Lawmakers to chamber members--House 'cleaning' is under way: Budget shortfalls, cuts will dominate 2010 session as legislators cut current year's spending plan and draft the 2010-11 budget. Click Legislators

-Chamber outlines legislative goals for 2010 session> Goals

Weather

Flood warnings continue for three local waterways:

-Armuchee Creek: 22.7. feet this morning and rising; flood stage is 19 feet.

-Oostanaula River near Calhoun: 20.3 feet and rising; flood stage is 20 feet.

-Chattooga River near Summerville: 16.5 feet and falling. Flood stage is 14 feet.

-Forecasts and updates, below.

Business

-Simon buying Prime Oulets, owner of Calhoun center: Simon Property Group Inc. is buying the parent company of Prime Outlets of Calhoun for $2.33 billion, Simon is the nation's largest shopping mall owner, including Town Center, Mall of Georgia and North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville> Bloomberg

Entertainment

-Indoor Motocross highlights huge January for Forum: In a first for The Forum, indoor motocross is coming to town Jan. 8-9 as part of the 2009-10 Fly Racing Indoor Stadium Cross presented by Pirelli and FMF. Click Motocross.

-The competition is part of a big January coming together for The Forum. Also on tap: The Three Rivers Invitation Bull Ride on Jan. 15-16; the Battle of Rome VII on Jan. 23; Willie Nelson on Jan. 27; and the Northwest Georgia Bridal Showcase on Jan. 31. Click Events

Community

-Services set for retired Rome businessman Julian Mark Harrison Jr.: He owned the Ford and Mercedes dealership before retiring> Obituaries

-Services set for Father James Miceli, retired St. Mary's pastor> Obituaries

-More swine flu vaccine available Thursday: The Floyd County Health Department will conduct another H1N1 flu-shot clinic Thursday, December 10, from 8 AM to 6 PM, at the health department, 16 East 12th Street, Rome, GA. Shots will be given on a walk-in basis as long as vaccine supply lasts; however, people who prefer an appointment may call the health department at 706-295-6123 to schedule one for either December 10 or December 30> Health

Giving the gift of toys--for tots

Seventh grade student Jere Tan donates a toy to the USMC Toys for Tots program.

(Media release) Students at Saint Mary's Catholic School participated in Toys for Tots, the annual holiday gift collection sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. Each student brought a new, unopened toy to school to donate to less fortunate families. First Sgt. Ken Futch USMC retired is the local coordinator for the program. In the wake of Rome's Marine base closing in the past year, Futch has enlisted the help of Floyd Medical Center's Emergency Medical Service, citing that "it's tradition for the kids to see a large truck and people in uniform" at the event. Lance Cpl. Jeremy Klaas, father of Saint Mary's pre-k student Jessica Klaas, arrived in his Marine uniform to help collect toys from the students. For Saint Mary's students, the annual December event emphasizes the Advent season, a time during which the school has focused on generosity and service to others. When fourth grade student Sarah Steinemann was asked how it made her feel to be a part of the nation wide toy drive, she said "It made me feel good because I knew someone would get a toy this Christmas because of me."

Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: Sunny and cooler, high of 47. Low of 21.

-Friday: Mostly sunny, high of 47, low of 25.

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Downtown Headlines: (click)

-Babes in Toyland, dinner theater highlight upcoming weekend.

-Bryan Mullins' MullinsMania entertainment updates.

Dining & Drink:

-Dining updates: Dinner theater at 333 on Broad Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19> Dining

-Weekly public health restaurant inspection scores> Scores

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-What! Are you telling me that Alabama has no class?

John McClellan's state championship picks> Football Report

-Buford by 4 over Calhoun. Plus: John's picks on all high school divisions>

-Can't get to the Dome? Watch the game live on GPB at 4:30 p.m.

-Georgia High School Football Daily> Click

NAIA National Championship Game

-As final preparations begin for 2009 NAIA game, negotiations are about to start on extending Rome's contract to host the showdown each year> Click

-Day-by-day scheduled for the NAIA National Championship events in Rome: The game is Dec. 19 but events start days earlier> Details

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Atlanta Braves' ace Tommy Hanson to appear at Rome Braves' Hot Stove Gathering at The Forum Jan. 25> Sports

-Ingle, Moore, Czajkowski, Chase return to Rome Braves in '10

-Rome Braves offer new 12-pack flex ticket plans.

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Wednesday midmorning updates

2009-12-09T10:47:00.000-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com

New since our morning e-mail alert:

-There are a few things working this morning. We'll be writing several on deadline over the next 30 minutes. Among the highlights:

-Loudermilk 'humbled' by speaker talk: State Rep. Barry Loudermilk (right) says the support he's getting to be considered as Georgia's next speaker of the House is humbling. He says the thing to watch is what comes out of meetings Friday. More soon.

-Lawmakers to chamber members--House 'cleaning' is under way: Budget shortfalls, cuts will dominate 2010 session as legislators cut current year's spending plan and draft the 2010-11 budget.

VW, Suzuki strike deal; will focus on 'environmentally friendly vehicles'

(From a media release) Volkswagen AG and Suzuki Motor Corp. are establishing a "comprehensive partnership... In terms of product portfolio, global distribution and manufacturing capacities, Volkswagen and Suzuki ideally complement each other. The companies plan a joint approach to the growing worldwide demand for more environmentally friendly vehicles. The management of Volkswagen and Suzuki have concluded that the complementary strengths of each company make for a perfect fit in exploiting their respective advantages as well as rising to the challenge of the global market." It is not expected to have any impact on Suzuki's Rome operations> VW-Suzuki

-Atlanta Braves' ace Tommy Hanson to appear at Rome Braves' Hot Stove Gathering at The Forum Jan. 25> Sports

Storm aftermath

2009-12-09T06:42:00.000-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Picking up the pieces after stormy night; wind advisory today

-A wind advisory is in effect until 6 tonight for North Georgia. Winds of 15-30 mph possible with higher gusts. Highest gust overnight: 26 mph.> Details

-A flash flood warning is in effect until 7:30 a.m. for southern Walker County, Chattooga county and northeastern Floyd County.

-Chattooga and Trion schools will open two hours late because of post-storm issues, The Summerville News reports.

-At Rome's airport: 2.40 inches of rain between 6 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday. Cartersville airport's total: 0.90 of an inch.

-Oostanaula River at 15.09 feet and rising this morning> Click
-Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high of 56. Winds to 20 mph, gusts to 30 mph.

-Wednesday night: Low of 29 degrees under partly cloudy skies.

-Thursday: Sunny and cooler, high of 48.

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Tornado watch until 7 a.m. Wednesday

2009-12-09T00:25:00.001-05:00

The weather service has placed Northwest Geogia under a tornado watch until 7 a.m. Please see www.hometowheadlines.com for details.

Thunderstorms in the area at 6:45 p.m.

2009-12-08T18:46:00.001-05:00

45-mph winds possible in Polk, Bartow, Floyd counties through 7:15 pm. Thunderstorm racing through the region.

See http://www.hometownheadlines.com

Weather update

2009-12-08T08:16:00.000-05:00

Please see www.hometownheadlines.com:

Keep an eye on the evening weather: Rain, isolated tornadoes?

The National Weather Service's Hazardous Weather Outlook says gusts to 45 mph, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes are possible tonight through Wednesday morning as a massive storm system moves in. Updates all day, evening.

-Today: 100% rain chance. High near 52.
-Tonight: 100% rain chance, 1 to 2 inches of rain. Low, 48. Gusts: 20 mph.
-Wednesday: 30% chance of rain before 1 p.m. High near 59. Gusts to 25 mph.

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Tuesday's updates

2009-12-08T07:13:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

As final preparations begin for 2009 NAIA game, negotiations are about to start on extending Rome's contract to host the showdown each year> Click

-Latest comments on the 2009 showdown; schedule of events.

Loudermilk's name again in play as another turn in House speaker story: -With Mark Burkhalter saying he won't seek election as speaker next month, look for a scramble to replace the resigning Glenn Richardson. Once again, state Rep. Barry Loudermilk is getting some "run" as a potential candidate. The Cassville Republican represents Bartow County and eastern Floyd in the House.

-Loudermilk to AJC: Says today's editions: Loudermilk "said has been encouraged to run by several members, but he said he has not yet made a decision.

'Am I planning to run for speaker? No. But I'll leave the option open.' "> AJC

-Rome city leaders are scheduled to meet with the local legislative delegation this morning at 8 in the Sam King Room at City Hall.

-The chamber's prelegislative breakfast is at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday> Details

Christmas travel: Gas prices up 84 cents a gallon since year ago

A year ago, motorists were seeing unleaded gas prices approach the lowest levels in four years. Twelve months later, prices are up by 84 cents a gallon and could match or pass the most we've paid for gas in a year. The Web site Georgia Gas Price shows we're paying 84 cents more per gallon than we did last December. And at nearly $2.50 a gallon, we're within seven cents of matching the year's highest average price. What's odd: we historically see gas prices fall this time of year.

Tuesday's Buzz:

-Rainy day ahead: Chance of showers: 100%. Details below.

-Tonight's Christmas Candlelight Concert has been canceled because of the rain threat. The free concert is 7 p.m. in the Forum. Click Concert

-VW's Chattanooga plant to produce new version of Jetta: Code-named NMS for new midsized sedan, the Jetta is part of the automaker's massive push set for the U.S.> Details

-WSB TV, radio adds 'apps' for iPhone users: Atlanta's leading television station, WSB Channel 2, and WSB 750 AM radio have added "apps" allowing iPhone customers to access their broadcasts with ease. The radio link takes you right to whatever is being broadcast at that minute. The WSB TV link gives you the station's latest headlines. You'll find both in the "App Store" on your phones.

-Georgia Northwestern's health programs achieve success:> CH

-Berry Alumnus and Trustee Cecil B. "Buster" Wright III will be the featured speaker Saturday, Dec. 12, as Berry College celebrates its 2009 fall commencement. Approximately 100 students are expected to receive either bachelor's or master's degrees during the 2:30 p.m. ceremony, which will be held in the performance arena of the Steven J. Cage Athletic and Recreation Center. The event will be streamed live at www.berry.edu/webcast. A baccalaureate service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in the Berry College Chapel> Click

-Unity students 'celebrate' their mission> Click

Your latest forecast:

-Tuesday: 100% chance of rain. A high of 52, overnight low: 48.
-Wednesday: High of 59, low of 31. 30% rain chance.

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Downtown Headlines: (click)

-Concert, Babes in Toyland, dinner theater highlight upcoming weekend.

Dining & Drink:

-Dining updates: Dinner theater at 333 on Broad Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19> Dining

-Weekly public health restaurant inspection scores> Scores

-Wine News Vine: preparing for Wine Highway celebration> Wine News Vine

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

- -The BCS simply doesn't get it and it's for sure that Alabama's Saban doesn't, either.

John McClellan's state championship picks for Friday, Saturday:

-Buford by 4 over Calhoun. Plus: John's picks on all high school divisions> Football Report

-Can't get to the Dome? Watch the game live on GPB at 4:30 p.m.

-Georgia High School Football Daily> Details

Day-by-day scheduled for the NAIA National Championship events in Rome: The game is Dec. 19 but events start days earlier> Details

-NAIA title game contestants set: Defending champ Sioux Falls takes on Lindenwood, Mo. Semi-final results> Click

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Ingle, Moore, Czajkowski, Chase return to Rome Braves in '10

-Rome Braves offer new 12-pack flex ticket plans.

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Monday's updates

2009-12-07T07:10:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com

This week's Buzz of Northwest Georgia (click)

-Former Armas building up for auction Dec. 18, home to Victorian Tea Room, Harbin's behavioral sciences.

-Smartypants the latest Broad Street business on the move ... to Broad Steet.
-Bella Roma Grill almost ready. Hiring is under way at stadium site.

-Caring on the Internet: Web sites let patients, families, friends track key health events in controlled, reliable online experience.
-Tall Cotton: Merchants in Cotton Block have more events pending.
-Model's next football coach: A familiar name is making the rounds.
-Peaks & Valleys: The parade, Darlington, Calhoun High, Glenn Richardson, Tiger Woods.

John McClellan's state championship picks for Friday, Saturday:

-Buford by 4 over Calhoun. Plus: John's picks on all high school divisions> Football Report

-Can't get to the Dome? Watch the game live on GPB at 4:30 p.m.

-Georgia High School Football Daily: Calhoun Coach Hal Lamb's date with history> Details

Your latest forecast:

-Monday: A high of 51, overnight low: 41. 20-30% chance of rain.

-Tuesday:100% chance of rain. A high of 53, overnight low: 52.

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Downtown Headlines: (click)

-Caroling, Babes in Toyland, dinner theater highlight upcoming weekend.

Dining & Drink:

-Dining updates: Dinner theater at 333 on Broad Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19> Dining

-Weekly public health restaurant inspection scores> Scores

-Wine News Vine: preparing for Wine Highway celebration> Wine News Vine

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-College football came close to chaos but in the end, sanity was restored

Day-by-day scheduled for the NAIA National Championship events in Rome: The game is Dec. 19 but events start days earlier> Details

-NAIA title game contestants set: Defending champ Sioux Falls takes on Lindenwood, Mo. Semi-final results> Click

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Ingle, Moore, Czajkowski, Chase return to Rome Braves in '10

-Rome Braves offer new 12-pack flex ticket plans.

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

On The Buzz this week:

-Caring on the Internet: Web sites let patients, families, friends track key health events in controlled, reliable online experience.

-Former Armas building up for auction Dec. 18, home to Victorian Tea Room, Harbin's behavioral sciences.

-Smartypants jumping to the other side of Broad.
-Bella Roma Grill almost ready. Hiring is under way at stadium site.
-Tall Cotton: Merchants in Cotton Block have more events pending.
-Model's next football coach: A familiar name is making the rounds.
-Peaks & Valleys: The parade, Darlington, Calhoun High, Glenn Richardson, Tiger Woods.

Former Armas property up for auction Dec. 18:

The U.S. Marshal's office has ordered the auction of a former Mario Armas property at 510 and 512 Broad St. The lower half is occupied by Victorian Tea Room and Harbin's behavioral services offices are upstairs. Both tenants remain open for business. The tea room, now six years old, is exploring options in case the sale necessitates relocation. Opening bid is $50,000 but look for the final price to be perhaps seven to eight times that amount if not more> Click Auction.

More moves on Broad: Smartypants jumps across the street:

-The former home of National Copier Exchange at 405 Broad St. will soon be the new base of operations for an expanded Smartypants store. Look for the move within three weeks from 412 Broad St. to 405 Broad. Says the e-mail flyer: "The new store is twice the size! Year 2010: new year, new store, new departments!" The consignment shop is among the most popular in Floyd County.

-Sidebar: If you're keeping score, this is the third Broad on Broad move in the past few weeks. The first two: C&S Trophies and Mattress Direct. (see below)

'Now hiring' at Bella Roma Grill:

Eddie Hasko plans to open his Bella Roma Grill in front of State Mutual Stadium by January as last-minute work on the building continues. Look for some tile roofing to go on as well in coming weeks. In addition to the revamped exterior, you'll see two "now hiring" signs on property. Applicants can go to the original store, Bella Roma, on Martha Berry Highway in Armuchee to file applications, he says.

Sitting in 'tall Cotton'

The first "push" by merchants in the Cotton Block neighborhood on Broad Street was a success Saturday. In fact, look for additional offerings in coming months as the merchants lure customers to what once was the quieter end of Broad Street. Mattress Direct, Pullen Ordinary Bikes, C & S Trophies and others offered free hot dogs, popcorn, a radio remote and drawings to lure customers on a wintry Saturday afternoon. The decorations, including those street side, were provided by the merchants. With all the growth in the block and at least one or two more businesses on the way (Roger Wade's new hot dog place plus perhaps more barbecue), keep an eye on Cotton Block.

Blue Devil Buzz: Lots of speculation is flying around concerning Model High's next football coach. More than a few are saying a familiar football name is considering a return to the local gridiron scene. Stay tuned.

Caring on the Internet: Web sites let patients, families, friends

track key health events in controlled, reliable online experience

By Natalie Simms

natsimms76@gmail.com

In today's fast-paced, high-tech society, it's no surprise people are turning to the Internet to keep friends and family updated on major health issues. Online communities such as CarePages and CaringBridge are helping thousands of families keep their relatives, friends and co-workers updated on key health events.

CaringBridge is the one of the oldest, founded in 1997, and most widely used free online services. The network is designed for one purpose-- to help families facing a serious health event to communicate quickly, privately and efficiently online, according to the corporate Web site.

In the last 12 months, more than 31 million people have visited CaringBridge and more than 172,000 personal sites have been created.

When Brenda Waltz, CEO of Redmond Regional Medical Center, was diagnosed with breast cancer last January, CaringBridge was exactly the outlet she needed to keep her loved ones updated on her journey.

"I had first heard about CaringBridge after I left Bowling Green to come to Rome and one of my close friends was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer," Waltz says. "I could keep up with her via CaringBridge on her whole treatment, recovery and surgeryI still felt like I was right there with her even though I was not able to be."

So, when Waltz faced her cancer diagnosis, she created her very own CaringBridge page as well.

"It is a great way to keep family and friends updated," she says. "Because when you are right in the middle of everything, you can't possibly return all the phone calls and keep everyone updated. It was the best way to keep everyone updated at the same time."

Waltz kept a journal on the site to update everyone on her surgery and treatments. She finished her treatment in April but continues to keep family updated on any subsequent health events.

"I had people from all over the world send me messages and when you're going through something like that, you need that positive support. It really makes you feel better," she says. "I had a lot of sleepless nights, so it was wonderful to get on here and read notes of encouragementit helped me so much."

Anyone can create a CaringBridge site by going to www.CaringBridge.org. You will follow a few simple steps to set up a site complete with personalization and privacy options. Access to a CaringBridge web site requires you to know the exact name of the site (person's page) they're trying to visit. CaringBridge authors have complete control of the privacy settings and have the ability to add password protection, create a "by invitation only list" or block access to unwanted visitors.

"I could customize my page with colors and photos. I found it to be a fun way to keep. . . memories of what I was going through," Waltz says.

Another widely used site is CarePages.com. More than 4 million people are members of CarePages.com and more than 130,000 CarePages web sites have been created since it was started in 2000, company reports show.

CarePages is an online community of millions of people coming together to share the challenges, hopes and triumphs of anyone facing a life changing health event. Through personalized web sites, members can relate their stories, post photos and update family and friends instantly. The site also includes blogs, discussion forums and the ability for users to find others in similar situations, the web site stated.

Patrick and Dawn McElhaney turned to CarePages when their daughter, Mallory, was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease (Leigh's Disease) in 2006. Mallory has a feeding tube, takes many supplements and medicines, has a feeding aversion, shakes, has hearing loss and has trouble regulating her body temperature.

In the past, Mallory has been hospitalized several times and CarePages helped the McElhaneys keep loved ones updated. www.CarePages.com/getwellmallorymcelhaney.

"When she was first diagnosed, we spent a lot of time in the hospital in 2006 and into the summer of 2007, so we used it a lot then," Patrick says. "Since then, she is a lot more stable but we use it to keep folks updated if anything comes up."

The McElhaneys set up Mallory's CarePage through Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. CarePages' web site states they have more than 700 healthcare facilities that offer private-labeled versions of CarePages websites for their patient families. Locally, neither Floyd Medical Center nor Redmond Regional Medical Center participates with the network.

CarePages' web sites are free, self-created and private. You must create an account and password to access a CarePage. Each time an update is posted to a CarePages Web site, an e-mail is automatically sent to everyone who has visited that page.

"It's a way to let thousands know without making thousands of phone calls," Patrick says. "In a way it can spoil people because you get information out so quickly. But it is great for us, too, because people can leave messages for us. It is very encouraging to read all the messages."

Through CarePages and the Mitochondrial Foundation web site (www.UMDF.org) the McElhaney's have found a lot of information and met other folks who have the same disease as Mallory. They are now working on creating their own web site just for Mallory with information about Mitochondrial Disease.

"We've been able to connect to others in the U.S. and Atlanta online going through similar situations. There may be others in Rome and Floyd County. We just want to get the word out and help those that we can," Patrick says.

A third service has emerged to help provide care to families going through a health crisis: www.CareCalendar.org.

It is a web-based system to organize meals and other help for families during a time of illness or life-changing events, such as the birth of a baby or death of a family member. CareCalendar also can be used for long term situations, including homebound and caregiver respite care needs.

The web site does allow the family to update their friends and family on their health status but at the same time, allows them to list the things they need help with including meals, yard work, rides to doctor appointments or help with getting children to their activities.

With all these new services available, people going through a health crisis certainly do not have to go at it alone. Sending out updates, asking for help and getting encouraging messages are just a click away.

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to the Rome Christmas Parade committee: With more than 25,000 watching, the committee coordinated one of the better parades in recent memory last Tuesday evening. Under cooperating skies, around 100 units --floats, flatbeds, bands, Wells Fargo's stage coach, Budweiser's Clydesdales and more -- flowed almost flawlessly down Broad Street.

Peak to Darlington and Calhoun High: For the Tigers, the incredible show is over. Rising from an 0-3 start, Darlington zeroed in on the A playoffs, reaching the semi-final game after an improbable run. For Calhoun, the no. 1 team in AA most of the

season, the showdown is this Friday afternoon with powerhouse Buford. The Wolves have fallen once this season; the Yellow Jackets have the talent to do it again.

Valleys to Glenn Richardson, Tiger Woods: No, power doesn't corrupt. It is the person (or people) who let power corrupt them.

Peak to Saturday morning's dusting of snow: Thanks for the brief but fun injection of a little extra Christmas spirit.

Light snow begins

2009-12-05T07:37:00.001-05:00

Light snow falling in East Rome off U.S. 411 and Chulio. Weather service says band of snow showers moving through the area through 8:30 a.m. http://www.hometownheadlines.com

Winter Weather Advisory

2009-12-04T17:29:00.001-05:00

Winter Weather Advisory; half inch of snow possible

Continuing weather updates tonight, Saturday.

-5:30 p.m. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for our area from 1until 10 a.m. Saturday. The forecast calls for snow mixed with sleet with perhaps a half inch accumulation. The forecast:
-Friday night: 90% chance of rain mostly after 1 a.m. with some snow and sleet possible. Low around 34.
-Saturday: 40% chance of snow before 10 a.m., then rain. Half inch of snow possible. High near 44. Gusts to 20 mph watch the wind chill as well.

-Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. North wind around 5 mph.

-Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53, low of 33.

Friday updates

2009-12-04T07:49:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Snowy Saturday: weather service -- half inch possible

-Updates: Look for a dusting of snow by the time you get out of bed Saturday morning but look fast; it should turn to rain by mid-morning. We'll have updates today and Saturday on our winter weather forecast.

-Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50.
-Friday night: A 60% chance of rain and snow after 1 a.m., becoming all snow after 4 a.m. Low around 34. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
-Saturday: 50% chance of rain and snow before 10 a.m. Half inch of snow possible. High near 41. North wind around 10 mph.
-Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. North wind around 5 mph.

-Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53, low of 33.

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Jefferson's coming to former D Morgan's spot?: The Word on the Streets (Main and Broad) is the popular Jefferson's restaurant group plans to open next month in the former home of D Morgan's at 28 W. Main St. Jefferson's, founded in Jacksonville, Ala., opened its third restaurant in Rome in 2005 and now has eight total, from Gadsden, Ala., to Lawrence, Kan. It specializes in "wings, burgers and oysters." The Rome shop, at 340 Broad St., has undergone several improvements and an expansion in four years. It is owned by Chad and Noreen Hullander who also are said to be behind the new Cartersville location.

Richardson resignation puts interesting spin on chamber's annual Pre-Legislative Breakfast Dec. 9: Set for The Catering Co. at the Palladium beginning at 7:45 a.m., area lawmakers were scheduled to preview the 2010 session. But with House Speaker Glenn Richardson's resignation announcement Thursday, next week's session could get interesting in a hurry.

-State Rep. Katie Dempsey, R-Rome, has been a supporter of Richardson's since she decided to run in 2006. Richardson was the guest of honor at one of her key fund-raisers that year; she has since served as his Deputy Whip in the House. What impact Richardson's implosion might have on Dempsey will be seen during spring qualifying for the 2010 elections. Indicator: If Dempsey draws GOP opposition.

-State Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, has heard his name mentioned as a possible candidate for speaker. The buzz started Thursday on the political web site Peach Pundit. Loudermilk is in the middle of his third term representing District 14, which includes Bartow and part of Floyd County. Loudermilk quickly made friends with House conservatives but probably is too "new" for the job. His name comes up often as a down-the-road candidate for state Senate or U.S. House.

-Both state Rep. Barbara Massey Reece and Rick Crawford are Democrats. Barring a coalition, it is doubtful Democrats will a say about a future speaker.

-Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome, falls under the jurisdiction of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who's own fortunes are down. Keep watching for more on Cagle.

-Continuing coverage from the AJC> Click From AJC: resignation letter

-What they're saying on Peach Pundit political blog> Click

-Richardson's biography from his Web site> Click

Report: E911 operator 'did not follow' procedure in Nov. 17 shootings> Click

John McClellan's picks for this Friday: Darlington advances to title game; Calhoun stumbles> Football Report

-Get in-game scores tonight via www.ga.prepcountry.com

Dining & Drink:

-Dining updates: Dinner theater at 333 on Broad Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19> Dining

-Weekly public health restaurant inspection scores> Scores

-Wine News Vine: Christmas season at the wineries plus preparing for next week's big Wine Highway celebration> Wine News Vine

Friday's Buzz:

-The Berry College chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, an honor society for students studying Spanish, has inducted 14 new members> Berry

- Saccocio foundation president of Ga. Academy of Family Physicians> FMC

-Hiring picks up at new VW plant in Chattanooga> Click

-U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey spoke from the floor of the House Thursday in opposition to H.R. 4154, the Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act of 2009> Details

-Georgia Northwestern 'landing clearing' ceremony in Catoosa Friday> CH

-Junior Service League of Rome Poinsettias are here: Please pick up your JSL poinsettias at the Rome Civic Center on Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. In case you didn't have a chance to order your poinsettias, JSL members have extras on sale> JSL

Downtown Headlines: (click)
-Holiday arts tour, Babes in Toyland, Cotton Block Party next for downtown.

-Bryan Mullins' MullinsMania for the weekend.

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Gators and Crimson Tide finally square off in the game of the millennium.

Georgia High School Football Daily:Focus on playoffs> Click

Day-by-day scheduled for the NAIA National Championship events in Rome: The game is Dec. 19 but events start days earlier> Details

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Dec. 5/Annual half-price sale at The Trading Post.

-Rome Braves offer new 12-pack flex ticket plans.

-NAIA playoffs set with final two winners due in Rome for national football championship game on Dec. 19> NAIA

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Snowy forecast for Friday night

2009-12-03T07:43:00.000-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Snowy Saturday in the forecast:

-Saturday's Jingle Jog at Berry College could indeed come with all the fixings, including snow and temperatures in the 30s. The latest forecast:

-Friday night: A slight chance of rain before 1 a.m., then a 50% chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

-Saturday: 70% chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 42. Gusts to 15 mph. Saturday night: 26 degrees.

-Forecast pretty clear--but cool-- for tonight's parades in Cartersville and Cedartown (6 p.m. starts). More weather below.

Richardson's troubles only part of the story? Lots of buzz among the political Web sites in the past 36 hours about several "story lines" developing involving Republican leaders. The dominant thread is the fate of House Speaker Glenn Richardson. The AJC writes that it is a question of when, not if, Richardson will be ousted (details). And Atlanta TV stations are said to have other stories in the works tied to state leaders. We'll have updates as -- or if -- needed.

Good news/so-so news for local Realtors:

>The so-so news: The president of the Georgia Board of Realtors describes the impact the economy has on the organization itself. But he also remind Greater Rome members to embrace what got them interested in sales in the first place> Business

>Good news: November home sales up 30% over same month last year: Some 53 homes were sold in Rome/Floyd County last month, up from 41 homes sold during the same month in 2008, says Graham Dixon, outgoing president of the Greater Rome Board of Realtors. That's almost a 30 percent year-over-year increase. Also a plus: The average price of homes sold last month rose to $130,874 vs. $126, 205 a year earlier--a 3.5 percent increase. What's interesting: The average price has been increasing even through the number of homes sold month-over-month dropped (73 homes were sold in October with an average value of $126,755).

-Also on Business: New Realtor officers; top real estate honors> Details

-New Web home for Greater Rome Board of Realtors> Click

Restaurant reports continue to swirl:

There's a virtual buffet of rumors about downtown restaurants these days. McCrobie's, for example, was open again Wednesday with food and "virgin" drinks (non-alcoholic). Another restaurant owner is telling neighbors he's in his final weeks -- downtown, at least. And a niche restaurant could be on the move.

-Later today: Restaurant public health scores; Wine News Vine updates.

John McClellan's take on the new high school football regions:
-Rome is in s region that stretches to Alpharetta and Forsyth County, and that doesn't include the Paulding County schools.

-Cedartown's new region includes schools in Columbus and LaGrange.

-Cartersville is lumped in with Gilmer, Pickens and Chattanooga/Dalton schools.

-Darlington's region keeps who they had and adds Mount Paran.

-Schools can petition for a new region in the same classification through Dec. 15.

-The full report from Georgia High School Football Daily> Details

-John McClellan's picks for this Friday: Darlington advances to title game; Calhoun stumbles> Football Report

Dec. 13/St. Mary's Catholic Church's Hispanic Community will hold the annual Lady of Guadalupe Procession and Festival on Sunday, Dec.13. A procession will leave St. Mary's Catholic Church at 911 N. Broad St. at 12:30 p.m. and proceed to The Forum, where a bilingual Mass will be held at 1:15 p.m. Following the Mass, there will be a festival including Latin Food, games and folkloric dancing. All are invited; a freewill donation is asked for those who will be sharing in the meal.

Thursday's Buzz:

-U.S. Army Major General and Chief of Chaplains Douglas L. Carver will be the keynote speaker at Shorter College's Dec. 12 commencement ceremonies> Details

-The Rome Braves and the Floyd County Police Department will have a check presentation to the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Georgia today at 3:30 p.m. on the front plaza at State Mutual Stadium. The proceeds are from the First Celebrity Shootout Golf Tournament.

-Brugg Wire Rope of Rome, Sara Lee, HON among 29 manufacturing companies to get 'Certified Work Ready' assistance> Click

-New honors for Polk Medical Center> Polk Headlines

-Gingrey makes statement about Mammogram Recommendations at the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health> Statement

-Georgia Northwestern 'landing clearing' ceremony in Catoosa Friday> CH

-Junior Service League of Rome Poinsettias are here: Please pick up your JSL poinsettias at the Rome Civic Center on Thursday and Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. In case you didn't have a chance to order your poinsettias, JSL members have extras on sale> JSL

Dec. 3/Swine flu vaccination clinic planned at health department: The Floyd County Health Department will hold a swine flu vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the health department, 16 E. 12th St. The H1N1 vaccine will be offered, on a walk-in basis while supply lasts, to individuals in priority groups recommended by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which are: pregnant women, care givers of infants less than 6 months of age, children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years, persons aged 25 - 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at risk and health care and emergency medical service workers> Health

Downtown Headlines: (click)
-Holiday arts tour, Babes in Toyland, Cotton Block Party next for downtown.

-Bryan Mullins' MullinsMania for the weekend.

Your latest forecast:
-Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Low of 36.

-Friday: Party sunny, high of 50, low of 34. 50% rain, snow chance overnight.

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Florida State officials should be ashamed; is Favre the greatest of them all?

Day-by-day scheduled for the NAIA National Championship events in Rome: The game is Dec. 19 but events start days earlier> Details

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Dec. 5/Annual half-price sale at The Trading Post.

-Rome Braves offer new 12-pack flex ticket plans.

-NAIA playoffs set with final two winners due in Rome for national football championship game on Dec. 19> NAIA

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

November home sales up vs. same month last year

2009-12-02T14:58:00.001-05:00

Nov. home sales up 30% in Rome/Floyd vs. Nov. 2008. Also up: average value of homes sold. Plus: Realtor honors. http://bit.ly/1gFN4W

Wednesday's Updates

2009-12-02T07:42:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

1.06 inches since 11 p.m. Tuesday; gusts top 20 mph at airport

-High wind watch, wind advisory now through 10 tonight. A wind advisory means sustained winds of at least 20 mph or gusts to 35 mph> Click

-Wednesday: 100% rain chance, thunderstorms. High of 59. Gusts: 35 mph.
-Wednesday night: 30% chance of rain, low of 41. Gusts to 25 mph.
-Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54.

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Downtown Mr. Brown's closes; McCrobie's status unknown: Two downtown Rome restaurants were dark Tuesday night as crowds gathered for the Rome Christmas Parade. Gone for sure is Downtown Mr. Brown's at the corner of Broad and First. It opened just a few months ago in the spot that once was home to Cotton Block Barbecue, a downtown favorite. Also dark: McCrobie's. The former club has been open for meals and some entertainment since losing its alcohol permit. The phone was out of order Monday and Tuesday as well. Plus: Look for a change at a third downtown restaurant in coming weeks as well.

Berry's Fall 2009 Entrepreneurs blend their passions with customers needs: From counter tops to laptop to photos and pumpkin bread, a class of Berry College entrepreneurs have created businesses that match their skills and passions with customer needs> Business

Rome Christmas Parade results:

-Best in Parade: Wells Fargo Financial Advisors with its stagecoach.

-Adult Division

-1 Autoright Superstore

-2 OTR Wheel

-3 Coosa River Basin Initiative

-4 Hillcrest Baptist Church

-5 Sterile Feral

-6 Floyd County Sheriff's Office

Children's Division

-1 Cedar Creek Baptist Church

-2 St. Mary's Parish Youth Group

-3 Little Creek Baptist Church

-4 Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

-5 Doyle Road Baptist Church Youth

-6 East Rome Baptist Church Youth

-For more, click Christmas Parade

-Miss the parade? See it on the Library Channel (Channel 4) with narration by Lisa Smith and Susan Cooley. Dates: Dec. 7, 8, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24 and 25.

Times will vary.

Dec. 3/Swine flu vaccination clinic planned at health department: The Floyd County Health Department will hold an H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination clinic Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the health department, 16 E. 12th St. The H1N1 vaccine will be offered, on a walk-in basis while supply lasts, to individuals in priority groups recommended by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which are: pregnant women, care givers of infants less than 6 months of age, children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years, persons aged 25 - 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at risk and health care and emergency medical service workers> Health

-Georgia Northwestern Technical College Radiation Therapy program will showcase today the new VERT training system. It is a virtual environment of a radiation therapy treatment room. Through captivating 3D views and life size visualizations, VERT offers a platform for supplying radiation therapy training to students, nurses, and multidisciplinary team members> Background

Football Daily/Darlington among five teams exceeding expectations> Click

Wednesday's buzz:

-Day-by-day scheduled for the NAIA National Championship events in Rome: The game is Dec. 19 but events start days earlier> Details

-Willie Nelson and Family will be live in concert at The Forum on Jan. 29: Tickets will be on sale Dec. 11 online at www.forumevents.org

-Redmond's Peace District Commander of Redmond EMS District 1> Health

-Dec. 5/Rome First Methodist will have its annual Breakfast with Santa in the Wilder Center from 8:30 until 10:30 a.m.

-Dec.5/Rome Band Boosters will host an 'All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast' from 8-10 a.m. at Western Sizzlin'. Tickets are $5 each and proceeds go the the Rome High School Band. Tickets available at the door or advance purchase from Right at Home, Rome Finance Co. or Western Sizzlin'. Call 706-346-1669.

-Dec. 5/Unity Christian School will host its annual 'Pancake Breakfast' missions fundraiser from 6:30 until 10:30 a.m. the Three Rivers Club at State Mutual Stadium. Plates are $8 each and all proceeds go to Missions Fund at UCS. There will be a visit from Santa from 10 a.m. until noon as well as from local favorites Romey & Roxie. The Rome Braves also are holding their annual 50 percent off sale in the Tradin' Post (click Sports). Breakfast tickets are at the school and the stadium ticket office. For more: UCS or Braves.

-First Presbyterian plans Christmas camp for kids> Kids

Downtown Headlines: (click)
-Holiday arts tour, Babes in Toyland, Cotton Block Party next for downtown.

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Be realistic now: Who's really avaialble to take the trip back in time to South Bend?

John McClellan's picks for this Friday: Darlington advances to title game; Calhoun stumbles> Football Report

Georgia High School Football Daily:

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Dec. 5/Annual half-price sale at The Trading Post.

-Rome Braves offer new 12-pack flex ticket plans.

-NAIA playoffs set with final two winners due in Rome for national football championship game on Dec. 19> NAIA

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Tuesday a.m. updates

2009-12-01T07:27:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Restaurant 'dominos' under way: Then again, some of these dominos involve Pizza Hut locations so that might be the wrong word to use. Here's how it stands:

-The East Rome Pizza Hut closed after business Monday. The business will reopen on Martha Berry Boulevard in the new 3,000-plus square-foot Pizza Hut/WingStreet concept in a matter of days.

-As we've posted before, Zaxby's will open at the Turner McCall site that had been home to Pizza Hut. Rome's "Fast Food Freeway" gains a new player.

-In West Rome, the former Pizza Hut location is giving way to El Toro Mexican Buffet, featuring a Tex-Mex menu mix. That opening tentatively is set for March.

-Another refit related to Martin's Real Estate is the former Ark's site at Fifth Avenue and Turner McCall. It will be home to a new liquor store and, pending a final contract, one of Georgia's first Batteries Plus franchises (look for additional shops in Dalton and Augusta from the same franchisee). Batteries Plus also is opening this winter in Alpharetta.

-Also checking today: Reports of a restaurant closing in Greater Rome.

Hint of snow in Friday night's forecast:A 20 percent chance of rain and snow overnight Friday with a low of 30. Parade weather forecast below.

Busy Thursday ahead for planning commission: 14 items alone deal with new housing in South Rome: Commissioners set to elect new officers> Agenda

Your guide to tonight's Rome Christmas parade

-The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at the corner of First Avenue and Broad Street. It concludes with Santa's lighting of the tree in front of City Hall.

-Best bet: Secure your spot along the route by 5 p.m., then get dinner downtown.

-Updates: We'll have updates on our home page through 4:30 p.m. and then we'll switch to Twitter-only updates. Follow us at www.twitter.com/hometown.

-Direct link to the parade route: Route

-Direct link to the parade line-up: Line up

-Latest updates: More than 120 floats, bands and overall participants this year.

Your parade weather forecast:
-Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
-Tonight: 90% chance of rain, more than half an inch possible, mainly after 1am. Low around 44. Gusts to 20 mph.
-Wednesday: 100% rain chance, thunderstorms possible after 1 p.m. High of 55. Gusts to 20 mph. Rainfall amounts between three quarters and an inch..
-Wednesday night: 50% chance of showers mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Latest releases

-Rome Braves offer new 12-pack ticket plans for 2010> Sports

-Jennifer Colley named Shorter women's soccer coach> Click

-I-75 southbound lane to be closed from exits 288 to 285 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. today. A Georgia DOT maintenance crew will close the right lane of I-75 southbound to accommodate work on repairing the guardrail.

-Crystal Gayle's 'A Crystal Christmas' at Cedartown Performing Arts Center Dec. 12 beginning at 7:30 p.m.> Details

Downtown Headlines: (click)
-Tuesday evening's parade highlights big week downtown.

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Want to see Alabama and Florida play twice? It's possible but highly improbable.

John McClellan's picks for this Friday: Darlington advances to title game; Calhoun stumbles> Football Report

Georgia High School Football Daily: Closer look at playoffs> Click

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Dec. 5/Annual half-price sale at The Trading Post.

-Rome Braves offer new 12-pack flex ticket plans.

-NAIA playoffs set with final two winners due in Rome for national football championship game on Dec. 19> NAIA

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Monday updates

2009-11-30T07:46:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

This week's Buzz of Northwest Georgia (click)

-Black Friday sizzled--but what about the rest of the weekend?
-Talk about fast delivery: New Pizza Hunt/WingStreet flying together.
-Monday's Focus: Tax tips to remember as the year concludes.
-NAIA's final four clash Saturday; winners due in Rome Dec. 19.
-Rome Young Republicans accepting gifts to send to service personnel.
-Peaks & Valleys: Ken McKenzie & the Darlington, Calhoun football teams.

John McClellan's picks for this Friday: Darlington advances to title game; Calhoun stumbles> Football Report

Your forecast:

-Monday: 80% chance of showers; high of 56, low of 35.
-Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a high of 60.
-Tuesday night/parade night: Low of 43, 90% chance of rain.
-Note: We will have parade weather updates all day Tuesday.

-Extended forecast> Click / Local radar / regional radar

Downtown Headlines: (click)
-Tuesday evening's parade highlights big week downtown.

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Who are the coaches who can really win the 'big games'? Obama a curse for Irish

Georgia High School Football Daily: Latest updates> Click

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Dec. 5/Annual half-price sale at The Trading Post.

-NAIA playoffs set with final two winners due in Rome for national football championship game on Dec. 19> NAIA

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Black Friday sizzled -- but what about the rest of the weekend?

The reports we hear say Black Friday was an absolute hit with shoppers and retailers. Incredible turnout numbers were recorded at Mount Berry Square, Prime Outlets in Calhoun and at stores throughout the area. But what about Saturday? Our midday visits to several stores and shopping centers found moderate--make that average--weekend crowds. We were among a handful of customers in one office/electronics store around 1 p.m. Saturday. Look for final estimates today.

-Cyber Monday arrives: Today also is considered the boom day for online sales in the Christmas shopping season. But in a year where customers appear to be more anxious to pay cash vs. credit, what will it mean to online vendors?

Talk about a quick turnaround: New Pizza Hut/WingStreet

We had a few doubts last month when we broke the story about the Pizza Hut move to Martha Berry and resulting opening of Zaxby's in the current Turner McCall site. Organizers said the new shop across from Scant's Liquor would open in December. It looks like they'll nail it on the head, complete with the new WingStreet concept in tow. This photo is from Sunday afternoon; the lot was vacant several weeks ago.

-Johnny's update: We had pizza and a calzone at Johnny's New York Style Pizza in Cartersville on Saturday to get a preview of what's to come to Broad Street early next year. Our first impression: A thin-crust pie that tastes like a cross between Schroeder's New Deli pizza and a slice or two from Milano's.

NAIA's 'Final Four' this Saturday; last year's finalists still in the hunt: By Saturday evening, we'll know the two teams due in Rome Dec. 19 to decide the championship of the NAIA. Don't be surprised if we get a repeat of last year's game. This Saturday, Saint Xavier plays at defending champ Sioux Falls while Lindenwood is at Carroll College. Sioux Falls defeated Carroll in the 2008 NAIA title game staged at Barron Stadium last December> Details

Rome Young Republicans plan Saturday drop off for gifts to U.S. troops: From noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Rome Young Republicans will be collecting gifts for troops in the parking lot close to Provino's at Midtown Crossing. They are accepting books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, puzzle books, electronic game devices and powdered drink mixes that pour into individual water bottles. These items will be shipped to those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. A second dropoff is set for Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the group's Christmas Party from 6:30 until 9 p.m. at 333 on Broad. Details: 706-853-9014 or e-mail romeyoungrepublicans@gmail.com.

It may be the holiday season but it also is time to take some

money-saving steps as the 2009 tax year creeps to an end

By Natalie Simms

natsimms76@gmail.com

As the end of the year ticks closer, now is the time to begin reviewing your taxes. With all the ups and downs of the economy, next year may bring lots of tax changes as lawmakers face a record-high deficit.

So before some of this year's various tax credits expire, you still have a few weeks to maximize savings on your 2009 taxes.

One of the biggest credits is for first-time home buyers. Congress extended the previous benefit that was to expire today and the new rules took effect Nov. 6.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the provision is a true dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $8,000 for 10 percent of the cost of a home. The credit also is refundable, meaning that even if a buyer doesn't owe $8,000 of tax, he or she can claim the full benefit and receive a refund check.

The new law has more generous phase-outs. The credit now begins to disappear for single taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes of $125,000 and married couples with incomes of $225,000.

It is available for purchases through July 1 if the buyer has a contract in place before May 1. Unlike the prior deal, however, this credit is capped: those buying homes for more than $800,000 get no credit at all, as of Nov. 6. For more, click Here

And, if you're thinking about buying a new car, now is the time if you want to save. If you purchase a new car by Dec. 31, you can deduct all sales and excise taxes from your federal return, up to the first $49,500 of the purchase price. Also, there are additional credits if you purchase a hybrid vehicle. For more information, visit Here.

Accountant, Lee Jennings with R.L. Jennings and Associates in Rome, said there are lots of areas to look for tax savings, including home improvements, medical expenses, charitable giving, retirement savings, business expenses and unemployment costs.

According to Jennings, here are some things to consider when reviewing your 2009 taxes for additional savings:

Your home:

-First-time homebuyer credit for 10 percent of purchase price up to $8,000 if purchased by April 1 (current tax year). You can amend your tax return or wait and file next time. There also is an $1,800 credit available for the state of Georgia to be filed on the 2009 return.

-If you make certain energy-savings improvements to your home during 2009, you may qualify for a tax credit. These improvements must be for high-efficiency home heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and biomass stoves. This also includes storm windows, storm doors and skylights. The credit is 30 percent of cost and caps at $1,500.
-Property taxes and home interest are still deductible. Pay your property taxes by Dec. 31 to get a current year deduction. PMI insurance also may be deductible depending on your income level.

Medical
-The cap of 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income still applies so lump medical deductions into this year.
-Remember to spend your flexible spending account, medical savings accounts and health savings accounts. These may be negatively affected by purposed changes under the health care reform bill.

Charity
-Donate to your favorite charity.
-This is the last year that you can have your financial advisor make a tax free transfer up to $100,000 to your favorite charity and get the deduction. This allows you to donate a part of your IRA account to a charity and you will not have to pay any tax on the transfer. You must be 70 ½ years of age to take advantage of this, because at that age you are required to take minimum distributions from your IRA accounts and if you don't need the money, it is a good way to help your favorite charity.

-Donate clothing, furniture, etc, to one of many charities and receive a tax deduction.

Retirement
-Maximize the amount you put in your 401(k), IRA or other retirement plan.
-In 2010, you can convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA and defer and spread the tax over the next two years.

Miscellaneous: Job search, unemployment, gifts to others.
-If unemployed in 2009, those job search costs may be deductible.
-The first $2,400 of unemployment compensation is not taxable in 2009.
-With the many storms and other natural disasters, you may qualify for a casualty loss on the part of the damage not covered by insurance.

-If you have some investments that have losses, sell them and take a $3,000 capital loss.

-Buy new business equipment and take the 50 percent bonus depreciation.
-Educators, don't forget the $250 deduction on supplies bought for the classroom.
-You can gift up to $12,000 tax free in 2009.

For more information, visit www.romecpa.com.

Peaks and Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to the Rev. Ken and Vicki McKenzie:

Here's a sample of just how selfless the Rev. Ken McKenzie of Westminster Presbyterian Church really is. Just after dining on tenderloin, asparagus and bread at a farewell party, McKenzie started fiddling with his cell phone. "Gotta go," he said, rising from the large table with friends looking on, expecting one of his normal jokes. No joke that night: A series of shootings necessitated his going to Floyd Medical Center to be with the families and victims. The McKenzies have been an active couple during their nearly 10-year stay in Rome, especially in working with 211 and Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful. But duty calls and as of Jan. 4, McKenzie will be the new General Presbyter for the Savannah Presbytery. As much as we hate to see them go, we know the church gains a very active, involved couple in South Georgia. Details

Peak to the Darlington and Calhoun football teams: Most wrote Darlington off three weeks into the season following consecutive losses. Calhoun was picked to be good--and turned out to be stellar, topping the AA polls for most of the season. Now

both head to the semi-finals in their respective divisions. Wins this Friday put both teams in the finales. We paraphrase ESPN's Chris Berman in thinking both teams "could go all the way."

Valley to the big-box retailers and 'holiday' tactics: You'll find newspaper and Web reports on angry shoppers who discovered the "door buster" specials were gone within minutes of the store's opening. A great deal on a Netbook got us to Sam's on Friday only to discover -- per the snarky sales clerk -- that just 12 had been ordered. She noted that with a bit of glee, we add. We left on that note immediately. These big-box retailers have been whining about slow sales all year; nothing like dampening potential future customers with such shoddy tactics and poor attitudes.

Friday updates/10:30 a.m.

2009-11-27T10:36:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Huge turnout for early bird Black Friday sales

-Prime Outlets in Calhoun drew huge crowds for its pajama-based midnight madness sale early today. Both northbound and southbound lanes off I-75 at exit 312 were jammed as was the retail center. "We were at capacity by 12:30-1 a.m.," says General Manager Janet Paulsen. The three photos above, from the outlets, shows just how deep the overnight crowd was.

-Toys R Us near Mount Berry Square had huge lines when it opened at midnight with some shoppers waiting an hour to get inside the store. The crowds were still there at 10 this morning but a few of the advertised specials were long gone.

-Mount Berry Square opened at 4 a.m. with special deals for early bird shoppers. At 10 a.m., traffic was flowing into the mall parking lot but spaces were still available.

-At Sam's this morning, "door busted" specials were long gone (Netbooks advertised vanished--not sup rising as only a dozen were ordered, said the clerk).

-Even Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House opened at 5 a.m. for shoppers.

-Driving back from Mableton last night, we spotted at least six tents outside Best Buy on U.S. 278 in Hiram as anxious shoppers waited for early opening deals.

-Today, Saturday: Horse and carriage rides return to downtown Rome: Rides will be available from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $5 per person with kids 5 and under free. Photos are available for an extra $5.

-Shopping updates: Facebook users might get a laugh out of some of the updates posted from veteran shoppers already today.

Friday's Buzz:

-Lows below freezing tonight: Complete forecast below.

-Updated screens debut at Movies at Berry Square.

-Saturday/GOP Breakfast Club, River City Bank, 228 North Second Ave, Rome. Speakers: State Rep. Austin Scott, candidate for governor, and Mayor Harold Logsdon, candidate for Insurance Commissioner> Floyd GOP

-Dec. 1/Floyd County Republican Women, 11:30 a.m. lunch, noon meeting, Red Lobster, Shorter Avenue. Guest speaker: Gail Garland, executive director of Harbor House. Gusts are asked to bring a small Beanie Baby for children at Harbor House.

-Latest state business updates from Georgia Trend> Ga. Business

-Track today's Dow, other markets> Google Finance

-Georgia Political & Policy Digest's daily headlines> Ga. Politics

John McClellan's latest playoff picks>Football Report

-Close win--1 point--for Calhoun while Twiggs County poised to end Darlington's post-season run.

-Check scores tonight at www.ga.prepcountry.com

Norman Arey's Norman's No-Nos>Arey

-I predict Georgia Tech beats Georgia by 20; wait, Tech just scored again

Jobless rate in double digits; 9,600 more unemployed vs. Oct. 08

	October working	October jobless	October jobless %	September jobless %	October '08 jobless%
Bartow	39,770	5,877	12.9%	13.2%	8.0%
Chattooga	9,030	1,397	13.4%	11.8%	9.0%
Floyd	43,829	5,366	10.9%	10.9%	7.6%
Gordon	21,640	3,407	13.6%	13.0%	8.7%
Polk	18,952	2,272	10.7%	10.8%	7.0%
State	4,237,665	481,980	10.2%	10.1%	7.0%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

Preliminary reports for October from the Georgia Department of Labor show Northwest Georgia still struggling with high unemployment rates. But a closer look at the reports for last month and for October 2008 show the real impact of the recession. In all five counties, between 1,000 and 2,800 additional people were out of work last month vs. October 2008; 9,600 in all:

-Gordon County, with the region's highest jobless rate at 13.6 percent, showed 3,407 people without jobs, up 2,788 from the same month last year.

-Bartow County, with a 12.9 percent unemployment rate, saw 5,877 people out of work, up 2,836 from a year earlier.

-Floyd County, where the jobless rate settled at 10.9 percent for the second consecutive month, saw 5,366 people without jobs, up 1,930 from October 2008.

-Polk County saw the jobless rate drop a bit, from 10.8 percent to 10.7 percent, but the 2,272 people without jobs last month was an increase of 1,030 from a year ago.

-Chattooga County saw the largest month-over-month increase in the jobless rate, from 11.8 percent to 13.4 percent. Some 1,397 people were out of work last month, up 1,030 from October 2008 reports.

-The state's unemployment rate rose slightly to 10.2 percent in October, up from 10.1 percent in September. Statewide, the number of payroll jobs in October was 3,858,800, a decrease of 227,700 or 5.6 percent, from 4,086,500 in October 2008.

-The over-the-year losses came in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, professional and business services, and construction.

-Educational and health services added 13,200 jobs over the year. Also, from September to October, a total of 5,200 jobs were added in retail trade, public and private education, and health care.

Your weekend forecast:

-Friday: Sunny, high of 55, low of 30.

-Saturday: Sunny with a high of 64, low of 38.

-Sunday: High of 66, low of 41; 30% rain chance overnight.

-Extended forecast> Click Local radar / regional radar

Dining & Drink:

-Dining updates: Blue Fin adds new menu items this week> Dining

-Weekly public health restaurant inspection scores> Scores

-Wine News Vine: Special release at Yonah tasting room; final wild game brunch> Wine News Vine

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T09:00:00.001-05:00

Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Jobless rate in double digits; 9,600 more unemployed vs. Oct. 08

	October working	October jobless	October jobless %	September jobless %	October '08 jobless%
Bartow	39,770	5,877	12.9%	13.2%	8.0%
Chattooga	9,030	1,397	13.4%	11.8%	9.0%
Floyd	43,829	5,366	10.9%	10.9%	7.6%
Gordon	21,640	3,407	13.6%	13.0%	8.7%
Polk	18,952	2,272	10.7%	10.8%	7.0%
State	4,237,665	481,980	10.2%	10.1%	7.0%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

-Gordon County, with the region's highest jobless rate at 13.6 percent, showed 3,407 people without jobs, up 2,788 from the same month last year.

-Bartow County, with a 12.9 percent unemployment rate, saw 5,877 people out of work, up 2,836 from a year earlier.

-Floyd County, where the jobless rate settled at 10.9 percent for the second consecutive month, saw 5,366 people without jobs, up 1,930 from October 2008.

-Polk County saw the jobless rate drop a bit, from 10.8 percent to 10.7 percent, but the 2,272 people without jobs last month was an increase of 1,030 from a year ago.

-The over-the-year losses came in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, professional and business services, and construction.

-Educational and health services added 13,200 jobs over the year. Also, from September to October, a total of 5,200 jobs were added in retail trade, public and private education, and health care.

Thanksgiving holiday checklist:

-Highway safety: Troopers predict 16 traffic deaths between 6 p.m. Wednesday and midnight Sunday. Also: 3,570 accidents and 1,398 injuries> Details

-Georgia DOT has suspended construction-related lane closures through midnight Sunday. Check highway conditions> Click

-Gas prices: Look for unleaded to cost $2.48 a gallon as you fill up for that run to the in-laws' house. A year ago, we were paying $1.74 a gallon> Details

-Black Friday sales: Look for Prime Outlets in Calhoun to open at midnight Thursday (12:01 a.m. Friday) and Mount Berry Square to open at 4 a.m. Friday.

-Holiday closings: Banks are closed, reopening Friday morning. No mail service today. Plus most government offices closed. The library reopens Friday.

Your holiday forecast:

-Thanksgiving Day: Partly sunny, high of 55. Low of 33.

-Friday: Sunny, high of 56, low of 30.

-Saturday: Sunny with a high of 63, low of 36.

-Sunday: High of 65, low of 41; 40% rain chance overnight.

-Extended forecast> Click Local radar / regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary>Arey

-The joke turned out to be no joke and believe it that Tech is having the last laugh.

Dining & Drink:

-Dining updates: Blue Fin adds new menu items this week> Dining

-Weekly public health restaurant inspection scores for Northwest Georgia> Scores

-Wine News Vine: Thanksgiving at Montaluce; special release at Yonah tasting room; final wild game brunch> Wine News Vine

Black Friday sales: Look for Prime Outlets in Calhoun to open at midnight Thursday (12:01 a.m. Friday) and Mount Berry Square to open at 4 a.m. Friday

Downtown Headlines: (click)
-MullinsMania, the Holiday Edition. Mr. MultiMedia, Bryan Mullins, reports on downtown entertainment over the Thanksgiving break.

John McClellan's latest playoff picks>Football Report

-Close win--1 point--for Calhoun while Twiggs County poised to end Darlington's post-season run.

-Georgia High School Football Daily looks at AA playoffs (including Calhoun) and realignment> Click

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Dec. 5/Annual half-price sale at The Trading Post.

-NAIA playoffs set with final two winners due in Rome for national football championship game on Dec. 19> NAIA

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Wednesday's updates

2009-11-25T08:30:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

As Black Friday looms, are Georgians tightening up? Georgians are planning to spend money carefully this holiday season, especially when it comes to using credit cards, the latest Georgia Credit Unions' Holiday Spending Poll shows. Of the 1,000 credit union members polled statewide, 52 percent plan to spend less than they did last year while 45 percent plan to spend the same as last year and only 3 percent plan to spend more. Also: 76 percent of Georgians polled plan to use cash> Details

-Black Friday sales: Look for Prime Outlets in Calhoun to open at midnight Thursday (12:01 a.m. Friday) and Mount Berry Square to open at 4 a.m. Friday

Shifting gears at Riverside auto group: Here's a bit of clarification of what's going on with the Riverside dealerships in Rome and Cedartown:

-In Cedartown, Riverside Ford Mercury continues in full operation at 2076 Rockmart Highway. Gone are the GM products.

-In Rome, Riverside Chevrolet will see the Cadillac brand exit the market by next October, again tied to changes with the automaker. Hyundai models remain for sale as well. Still on the market: the former Hyundai lot on Turner McCall Boulevard.

-Riverside Toyota/Scion, also on Highway 411, is cruising along. Look for some changes from Toyota overall in coming months, however.

Hooters return? 'Not at this time': Reports that Hooters could be returning to Etowah Crossing (Kmart, Home Depot) are news to Hooters' officials in Atlanta. Asked about plans to return to Rome, the franchise spokesman said, with a laugh, "No." When told of published reports of the restaurant reopening at its former location, he said, "No, I haven't heard that. Not at this time." Hooters was to reopen in a new building by State Mutual Stadium in May 2008. The former owner was evicted from Etowah Crossing months earlier.

Downtown Headlines: (click)
-MullinsMania, the Holiday Edition. Mr. MultiMedia, Bryan Mullins, reports on downtown entertainment over the Thanksgiving break beginning with tonight's Turkey Jam at the Forum.

Wednesday's Buzz:

-Bob Moore named grand marshal of 2009 Rome Christmas parade> Click

-Rome police get 44 defibrillator units; more on the way for county> Health

-Expo showcases GNTC neuromuscular program for Ga. counselors> GN

-Rome native Ken Irvin to address NAIA teams Dec. 18> NAIA

-Pictures from Tuesday's Storytime at the library. Thanksgiving!> Click

-Cancer Navigators plan Holiday Nonevent Ball> Details

Thanksgiving holiday checklist:

-Highway safety: Troopers predict 16 traffic deaths between 6 p.m. Wednesday and midnight Sunday. Also: 3,570 accidents and 1,398 injuries> Details

-Georgia DOT is suspending construction-related lane closures starting at 5 a.m. Wednesday through midnight Sunday. Check highway conditions> Click

-Gas prices: Look for unleaded to cost $2.48 a gallon as you fill up for that run to the in-laws' house. A year ago, we were paying $1.77 a gallon> Details

-Black Friday sales: Look for Prime Outlets in Calhoun to open at midnight Thursday (12:01 a.m. Friday) and Mount Berry Square to open at 4 a.m. Friday.

-Holiday closings: Check with your bank as some will close by 2 this afternoon (Citizens First, Heritage First) and all day Thanksgiving, reopening Friday morning. No mail service Thursday. Plus most government offices closed.

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: High of 64, low of 38.

-Thanksgiving Day: Partly sunny, high of 56. Low of 35.

-Extended forecast> Click Local radar / regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary>Arey

-Here's what the Irish need to do: Join the Big 10, give Charlie Weis a contract extension.

John McClellan's latest playoff picks>Football Report

-Close win--1 point--for Calhoun while Twiggs County poised to end Darlington's post-season run.

Georgia High School Football Daily> Updates

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Dec. 5/Annual half-price sale at The Trading Post.

-NAIA playoffs set with final two winners due in Rome for national football championship game on Dec. 19> NAIA

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Tuesday's updates

2009-11-24T06:55:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

Tuesday's Buzz:

-Microtel Inn And Suites now open in Cartersville: The new hotel is at 1348 Joe Frank Harris Parkway just below the Grassdale Road intersection. It is the latest in a series of hotels to open in the city, together adding more than 250 rooms. The first was Fairfield Inn & Suites off I-75 and Main Street and, most recently, Hilton Gardens Inn also off Main on Liberty Drive.

-ACC's 'Broad' agenda got even longer Monday: Comments and concerns over a stabbing outside Peach Palace as well as noise concerns helped extended Monday's Alcohol Control Commission meeting beyond the two-hour mark. The restaurant faces a two-day suspension of its entertainment license next month. Also: A Broad Street newcomer, Johnny's New York Style Pizza, got the initial approval for its pouring license. The restaurant is due to open in March in the spot that's currently home to Riverside Gourmet. And: The surprise of the evening was an appearance by Brent McCrobie of McCrobie's on Broad who asked to keep his entertainment license and walked commissioners through the Girls Gone Wild controversy. State officials have seized McCrobie's alcohol permits over nonpayment of taxes. McCrobie was not on Monday's agenda..

-U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey to spent Dec. 9 at health care innovation conference in D.C.> Details

-McDaniel: GNTC's Catoosa Campus project is under way> Campus

-MullinsMania gets a daily dose of radio, too. Bryan Mullins of MullinsMania.com fame is now partnering with Matt Davis on 95.7 FM The Ridge each weekday from 7 to 9 a.m. "Matt D &Mullins in the Morning" premiered Monday. Mullins has the region's top entertainment source, www.mullinsmania.com, and also writes a weekly column for Hometown Headlines. Fans also can follow Mullins on his new Facebook (click)

Twitter update by 8:30 a.m. on Christmas parade grand marshal: We'll have live updates on the grand marshal of the 2009 parade by 8:30 this morning via Twitter. Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/hometown.

Thanksgiving holiday checklist:

-Highway safety: Troopers investigated 10 fatalities on Georgia's highways a year ago. Predictions on this year's safety concerns are expected later today> Details

-On the road: Georgia DOT is suspending construction-related lane closures starting at 5 a.m. Wednesday through midnight Sunday. Check highway conditions> Click

-Gas prices: Look for unleaded to cost $2.47 a gallon as you fill up for that run to the in-laws' house. A year ago, we were paying $1.78 a gallon> Details

-Black Friday sales: Look for Prime Outlets in Calhoun to open at midnight Thursday (12:01 a.m. Friday) and Mount Berry Square to open at 4 a.m. Friday.

-Holiday closings: Check with your bank as some will close by 2 p.m. Wednesday (Citizens First, Heritage First) and all day Thanksgiving, reopening Friday morning. No mail service Thursday. Plus most government offices closed.

Rome man pleads guilty to federal counts in bomb case: (Media release) Richard A. Garrett III of Rome pleaded guilty Monday in federal district court to multiple charges after he placed an improvised explosive device, or homemade bomb, at a convenience store in Rome. According to Acting United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates and the information presented in court:

-On April 24, 2008, Garrett left a bomb at the Kangaroo convenience store on Alabama Highway in Rome, where it was spotted by store clerk, who called 911. -The bomb recovery and disposal unit responded and recovered the bomb using a robot and single-vent vessel. The bomb was X-rayed and found to be a hand grenade hull filled with an explosive substance and equipped with a fuse. The bomb squad safely detonated the bomb.

-Garrett admitted to leaving the device in the store and did not indicate a motive.

-On Monday, he pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a bomb and to illegal possession of a bomb. He could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $500,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29 before United States District Judge Harold L. Murphy.

-The case was being investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Floyd County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kim S. Dammers is prosecuting the case.

-R.O.M.E. to present to holiday favorites> Details

-Latest edition of Virtually Shorter now posted> Click

-Short director of Redmond's fifth floor medical/oncology; outpatient oncology> Health

Your latest forecast:

-Tuesday: High of 62, low of 43 Foggy; 20% rain chance tonight.

-Wednesday: High of 65, low of 41

-Thanksgiving Day: Partly sunny, high of 60. Low of 34.

-Extended forecast> Click Local radar / regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary>Arey

-Here's what the Irish need to do: Join the Big 10, give Charlie Weis a contract extension.

John McClellan's latest playoff picks>Football Report

-Close win--1 point--for Calhoun while Twiggs County poised to end Darlington's post-season run.

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Dec. 5/Annual half-price sale at The Trading Post.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

-NAIA playoffs set with final two winners due in Rome for national football championship game on Dec. 19> NAIA

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Guilty plea in bomb case; sentencing Jan. 29

2009-11-23T17:11:00.001-05:00

Rome man pleads guilty to federal counts in convenience store bomb case. Details: http://bit.ly/1gFN4W

Monday updates

2009-11-23T07:13:00.001-05:00

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

This week's Buzz of Northwest Georgia (click)

-Rumor of the week: Mellow Mushroom looks at Johnny Carino's site.
-Monday Focus: Natalie Simms looks at holiday parties and the economy.
-Busy night for Alcohol Control Commission with Johnny's, Peach Palace.
-New photo studio joining downtown Rome lineup off First & First.
-Another dose of dinner theater on the way next month.
-Peaks & Valleys: Celebrating the life of Jo Heyman.

Downtown Headlines (Click)
-Special hours, horse and carriage rides on tap for Friday, Saturday.
-Busy December coming together with parade, caroling, plays, arts.

John McClellan's latest playoff picks>Football Report

-Close win--1 point--for Calhoun while Twiggs County poised to end Darlington's post-season run.

Your latest forecast:

-Monday: Some drizzle, then fog. High of 57, low of 45.

-Tuesday: High of 63, low of 46. Drizzle, then 20% rain chance.

-Thanksgiving Day: Partly sunny, high of 62.

-Extended forecast> Click Local radar / regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary>Arey

-With seemingly half the college coaches on the hot seat, it is time for the season to end.

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Dec. 5/Annual half-price sale at The Trading Post.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

-NAIA playoffs set with final two winners due in Rome for national football championship game on Dec. 19> NAIA

-Registration, training begin for 3rd Berry Half Marathon March 6.

Georgia High School Football Daily> Details

This week's Buzz:

-Mellow Mushroom franchise looking at Johnny Carino's?

-Monday Focus: Natalie Simms looks at holiday parties and the economy

-Busy agenda for Alcohol Control Commission: Johnny's, Peach Palace.

-New photo studio for downtown Rome; dinner theater returns.

-Peaks & Valleys: Celebrating the life, contributions of Jo Heyman

Mellow Mushroom coming to Johnny Carino's site?

This report is picking up steam day after day. The skinny: Investors are looking at opening a Mellow Mushroom franchise at the former home of Johnny Carino's on Turner McCall Boulevard. For months, we've been hearing talk about MM franchisees scouting locales in Greater Rome and Cartersville. Much of that talk centered on Broad Street until recent weeks.

The Carino's site has had a few names over the years including Up the Creek. The leasing fee has been an issue in the past but apparently some changes have been made, making the property more attractive to would-be franchisees.

We dropped a "sufficiently ambiguous" hint about this the other week. If it does come to be, Mellow Mushroom would be a nice stimulus to the Village Theaters area. The strip has had its ups and downs with the car service spot now vacant north of Verizon; the empty car dealership; the remodeled Days Inn; the idled Carino's; and the currently closed theaters. On the flip side, the area has seen the arrival of the DLS Financial Center and RiverWalk with Ledbetter Properties studying another retail venture on the opposite side of Riverside Parkway.

One more sign of life: MB's at Village Theatres will be home to a New Year's Eve Party featuring the Georgia Blues Brothers and the Back Street Boogie Band. Details: 706-234-2200, ext. 203.

Foxworthy Studio coming to East First Street

A new photo studio is coming together at 137 E. First. St. in the warehouse area behind Cotton Block. Stan Foxworthy, who recently left Pirelli, and his wife Sharon are preparing the shop for clients and customers. Foxworthy previously was marketing manager for Pirelli's motorcycle division and is an avid photographer. The Foxworthys attended Friday's Downtown Development Authority coffee break and shared some of their plans for the studio. It is another new player in the "Cotton Block" stretch of Broad Street and downtown Rome.

Busy night for Alcohol Control Commission

-Monday's 5 p.m. meeting includes:

-Reviewing a new beer, wine and liquor pouring license for Johnny's NY Style Pizza, 233 Broad St., to Robert Blumberg. Johnny's will go in where Riverside Gourmet now sits. Riverside is exploring new locations.

-Peach Palace under review. Two agenda items deal with the restaurant and bar at 425 Broad St. A noise ordinance violation and an update on the stabbing outside the establishment Nov. 7.

-For more, click ACC

Also Buzzing this week:

-A Christmas dose of dinner theater is coming together for next month. We'll have details later this week.

-The trees are here or on the way: Kroger wins the "first trees" award this Christmas season with deliveries due at Home Depot and Tree City at Kmart this week.

-Eight teams remain in the hunt for the NAIA national championship game at Barron Stadium on Dec. 19. Both of last year's finalists, Carroll College and champion Sioux Falls, are in the hunt again this year> Click Details

Troubled economy means some cutbacks for holiday parties although local caterers, event managers say impact not severe

By Natalie Simms

natsimms76@gmail.com

Its seems the economy will be putting a damper on some holiday cheer this season as local caterers are seeing some decline in corporate events. While most are still booked in December, some events are scaled down to help curb costs.

"We are still booked up and busy, but a lot of our regular customers will not be able to have Christmas parties because of the economy," says Marie Brinson with The Catering Co. at The Palladium. "Several of our previous customers have gone out of business or have had to cut back.

But, she adds, "We have a lot of smaller parties like Sunday School class parties and our Sunday buffet has definitely increased. And those that are booked are still doing as much as before, so we've gained a lot of new people, which is great."

Barbara Triplitt and Ellen Keene with Two Can Do Catering are staying busy, too. While their larger corporate accounts have slowed, they are still booked in December.

"Things are going great this holiday season and we are almost booked for December," Triplitt says. "We've had a little slow down on our larger corporate things but everybody else wants to have a good time and a nice party."

However, they have noticed companies being tighter with their budgets.

"They are being cautious with their pocketbooks and not ordering caviar or stuffed filets with lobster," she says. "But they are still picking nice menus. So we can't say the economy has drastically affected us."

Others like Audrey Polczynski with Rome's Magretta Hall have noticed a lot of cut backs.

"It is slower than last year but we still have to keep on going," she says. "We do have stuff scheduled but it's on a much smaller scale. And we still have some Friday and Saturday nights open in December. The economy is just really affecting things everywhere, not just us."

One of the area's largest employers, Harbin Clinic, elected to cancel its annual Christmas party for approximately 1,000 employees and physicians because of a current salary freeze.

"The clinic did decide not to have the Christmas party this year but we are planning a toy drive after Thanksgiving so that we can still contribute to Angel Express," says Becky Wiggins, Director of Human Resources. "Employees will be receiving the Christmas gift check from the physicians based on years of service."

Another event venue, The Forum, hasn't seen a slowdown, says General Manager Brent Poplin.

"We haven't really noticed a difference," he says. "We had some large corporations that canceled their events because of the economy but we've been able to make up the difference."

From Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, there are 51 events schedule at The Forum compared to 50 for the same time period in 2008. Poplin also says there is a 13 percent increase this year in the number of patrons for these events.

"Our rates are better Monday through Friday than they are on the weekends because I have to pay extra staff on the weekends," he says. "So people are planning events during the week so they can have all day to set up and decorate at a lower cost than on the weekend."

Poplin also notes that January will be one of the busiest months The Forum's had in a number of years. Planned are a Motorcross event, a bull-riding event, another "Battle of Rome," the annual bridal show and a major country artist concert.

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to the wonderful life of Jo Heyman: Perhaps a measure of one's life is best taken by those attending a memorial service. Last Friday, the beautiful chapel on Darlington's campus was packed with those best described as the A-plus list of Northwest Georgia. College presidents, bankers and financial consultants, medical executives, community organizers, chamber executives. Even a former Atlanta TV political reporter. All heard several speakers, including relatives, talk for a few minutes about Jo's passions, her love of family and how she embraced her causes with an unrivaled sense of passion, especially the Cherokee and Chieftains Museum. Jo and husband Lyons have set an incredible standard for community contributions that won't be rivaled any time soon. As sad as all are to see her go at age 80, her life also is one to celebrate--and emulate.