-Fewer retailers await back-to-school shoppers this year.
-Also: State Sales Tax Holiday links; when local schools open.
-Broad Street Watch; what we're hearing across Northwest Georgia.
-Gary Tillman Memorial Clocktower 5K Road Race returns Aug. 15.
-Peaks & Valleys: Moon walk, Uncle Walter and Mad Dog.
-The Druck Report radio business update premieres today on WRGA.
Record lows for Rome, Cartersville this morning: Both cities set record lows today thanks to an early season cool front that kept temperatures moderate all weekend. In Rome, the overnight low appears to have been 56 (final reports due later this morning), breaking the record of 61 degrees set on July 20, 1953. In Cartersville, the low was 55 degrees vs. the record of 60 degrees set 29 years ago. Sunday's low came close to record-breaking as well, stopping a degree above the low point, 56, set on July 19, 1967. We have a shot at another record tonight (61 degrees set in 1957 vs. forecast low of 57). Today's forecast:
-Monday: Mostly sunny, high of 84, low of 57.
-Tuesday: Sunny and 88 with a low of 63.
-Your extended forecast> Weather / Local radar > Radar
Cedartown's Krige Schabort competing in world's longest wheelchair, handcycling race, Sadler's Alaska Challenge> Details
-Follow Krige on Twitter> Click
Aug. 15/Eighth Annual Health Initiative for Men: An extensive list of free health screens and information will be available at the Eighth Annual Health Initiative for Men set for 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Floyd County Health Department, 16 E. 12th St. Details: 706-236-6406 or click here.
-What's ahead in downtown Rome
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable
-Should Michael Vick be allowed back in the NFL? Sure, if he buys a ticket and pays full price
-Braves win, 12-6, go for sweep Monday vs. Power
-Monday: Rome hosts West Virginia, 7 p.m.
-Latest Braves' photos by Mills Fitzner> Gallery
Broad Street Watch: Broad Street continues to be a swirl of activity:
>What is certain is the loss of Alex Boutique, the women's clothing store that started in River Crossing, switched to Third Avenue and eventually wound up on Broad Street just up from Harvest Moon. The store changed hands in November, says Mary Beth McDonald of the Cartersville location, which remains in full operation.
>What remains in question: the fate of Rome City Market. The much-delayed concept that is supposed to feature a florist, bistro, wine shop and gourmet cooking retailer
was the site of a recent Downtown Development Authority coffee break. The word spread then: watch for a Labor Day opening. 
>On the plus side: Yet another round of rumors about Mellow Mushroom potentially looking for a Broad Street address.
Heard on the street: We've got calls in to check on reports of a restaurant closing in Greater Rome, this one something of a newcomer. We hope to have more details later today... On the plus side: The Calhoun-to-Cartersville stretch could be picking up some key business in coming months if a few related events converge as planned.
Gary Tillman Memorial Clocktower 5K Road Race returns Aug. 15: 
One of the community's top runs (and two-mile health walk) isset for 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, in downtown Rome. The event, started in 1986 and later renamed in honor of the late businessman, benefits the Exchange Club Family Resource Center. Registration is under way; click Active.com or click here for a copy of the registration form. We'll have additional information soon.
The Druck Report premieres on WRGA 1470 AM: Each weekday at 7:45 a.m. and 12:50 p.m., join us for The Druck Report, a new locally focused business update for Northwest Georgia. Retail, employment, real estate, dining, finances, sports business and tourism--you'll hear news and analysis each weekday on Rome's News Talk WRGA. The first edition is on air today.
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With recession, fewer retailers, back-to-school shopping
will be different this year even with Sales Tax Holiday
By Natalie Simms
Back-to-School shopping is going to be much different for area paernts, students and retailers this year. While Georgia's annual Sales Tax Holiday returns, at least three major retailers have closed since last fall: Office Depot in Rome and Cartersville (Calhoun remains open) Circuit City; and all Goody's stores.
"We're probably two times as busy as we were last year and it's probably because of Office Depot closing," says Chris Carnes, Operations Manager for Rome's Staples. "The economy has not had an impact this year. Sales are definitely already stepped up and we'll be busier as we get closer" to start of school.
The statewide Sales Tax Holiday is July 30-Aug. 2. The first day of school for both Rome City and Floyd County Schools is Aug. 3 (please see regional opening list below). Merchandise that will be tax free includes clothing items under $100 per item; computers and computer equipment under $1,500; and school supplies under $20 per item. You'll save seven cents on the dollar on each qualifying purchase.
"We will be slammed that weekend, especially with computers," Carnes says. "We're now the place for computers in town."
What retailers expect in coming days
Rome's Kmart also is expecting strong sales from back-to-school shoppers. "We always have a good response at the start of school," says Mike Barger, store manager. "We are looking for strong sales. Even in this economy, people are looking for deals and that might draw more people in at that time for tax-free savings."
Those who look to benefit the most from clothing sales are Mount Berry Square and the Prime Outlets in Calhoun. Stores will be offering lots of sales and back-to-school promotions to encourage spending, especially over the tax-free weekend.
"Retailers have been very promotional driven with discounts and coupons trying to make their sales," says Lori Wilcoxon, Mount Berry general manager. "I would expect the same for back-to-school. We anticipate it to be a very busy weekend and with Goody's and Circuit City out of the picture across the country, it means more business for those who are left."
Wilcoxon believes the economy will drive even more shoppers to take advantage of the tax-free weekend.
"Some students don't actually get all of their clothing until later in August or early September, although the majority take advantage of the tax-free weekend," she says. "With the economy crunch this year, I'm sure that will continue to be the pattern as well. There may be some cut backs in quantity of items purchased but the basics will still be required and hopefully, with retailer discounts, shoppers will be able to get all their needs."
Janet Paulsen, the general manager of Prime Outlets-Calhoun, believes the tough economy will actually drive more sales their way. The 50-plus stores at the outlet center offer savings of up to 65 percent off regular retail values, Paulsen says.
"The outlet category has historically done well in a recession and we expect the back-to-school shopping season to follow suit," says Paulsen. "We are seeing a new shopper, one that typically shopped full-price and now, because of the economy, is discovering our amazing offerings and savings on the designer and name-brand front."
During the tax-free weekend, the Prime Outlets will be offering VIP coupon books (a $3 value) to all students presenting student identification at Guest Services. The books include special savings for many stores including Gap Outlet, Old Navy and Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store.
"With every mention of recession, shoppers search for ways to make their money go farther," Paulsen says.
Even with tax break, some parents are shopping already
Some parents aren't waiting for the sales tax break. With store shelves filled with back-to-school items, they're already stocking up.
"We will begin shopping for school supplies this weekend," says Dana Holbrook, mother of 13-year old twins, Crews and Caroline. "They are very particular about their binders. They think they should have a certain brand and if we wait, every 'good' binder will be gone. I will probably wait until the following weekend to shop for clothes."
Holbrook says the economy won't affect her shopping habits but she does plan to be a little more "frugal."
"I will mainly just shop for the basics to begin with like notebooks, pencils, pens, paper," she says. "It seems each year we purchase everything on the school supply list only to find out on the day that school starts that we still need more supplies. I am going to try to be a little more frugal with extras until we know for sure what is needed."
As far as clothes are concerned, Holbrook will be waiting for the tax-free weekend to save money.
"I try to 'Shop Rome' but prefer some of the larger department stores in the Atlanta area," she says. "I wish Rome had more than just Belk and JC Penney. The selection of clothing is limited for young teens and the clothes either seem too mature for them or too young. And we all really miss Circuit City. I feel like that was a huge hit to our community."
Other moms will be waiting until the tax-free weekend to do all of their back-to-school shopping. Hayley Carpenter, mother of two, knows how to stretch her shopping dollars.
"We usually go to Staples because we are looking for major deals," she says. "I will do all my shopping on July 30 because I will be happy not to pay taxes… anytime I don't have to pay tax makes me happy, especially these days because personally, I think taxes are becoming too excessive."
Local school teacher and mother of three, Suzie Henderson, also will be looking for deals while staying away from the crowds.
"I will definitely wait until the tax-free holiday to shop since it is before school starts," she says. "I will also be going at midnight when there is no one else there."
As a teacher, Henderson looks for special deals on school supplies to have extra paper and pencils in her classroom. And with her household on a budget, she plans to keep spending at a minimum.
"I really plan to shop cheap and not spend as much as last year," she says. "I will be more frugal with buying just what we need and not what the kids want. I won't take the kids with me so they can't pick out extra stuff."
First day of school throughout our area
ROME/FLOYD
Floyd County Schools: Aug. 3
Rome City Schools: Aug. 3
Berry Elementary/Middle Schools: Aug. 7
St. Mary's Catholic School: Aug. 10
Unity Christian School: Aug. 13
Darlington School: Aug. 17
CARTERSVILLE/BARTOW
Cartersville City Schools: Aug. 6
Bartow County Schools: Aug. 6
CALHOUN/GORDON
Gordon County Schools: Aug. 7
Calhoun City Schools: Aug. 7
CHATTOOGA COUNTY
County schools: Aug. 6
Trion city schools: July 30
POLK COUNTY SCHOOLS
Aug. 14
Sales Tax Holiday details> click State
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs, lows of Northwest Georgia
Valley to the nation's lack of progress in space: As a Space Coast brat, we saw almost every manned launch from 1964 through 1991. None, of course, was more historic than Apollo 11. As many remember that "one small step for man" exactly 40 years later, we regret that our nation has taken a "giant leap" backward in space exploration. We should have been to Mars in the four decades after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's walk on the moon. Instead we're retiring an aging Shuttle fleet and will have to rely on Russian space taxis to get to the space station. Russians. As in the country we beat to the moon. We salute Neil, Buzz and Michael Collins' achievement--and apologize to each for failing to take the critical next step for mankind. (Photo from NASA site> Click)
Peak to the life and career of Walter Cronkite: Let's keep the space theme going here. Sure, Walter Cronkite was the nation's ultimate anchorman. None will ever be better. But for those of us growing up just outside the nation's space program, Cronkite was something extra. He lived the space program. He knew the astronauts, the administrators, the space workers and many of their familiar haunts in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. He was one of us, celebrating each high, mourning each loss (Apollo 1). In this age of digital diarrhea where anyone with an Internet can post "news," we need Uncle Walter more than ever. (Image from Arizona State University site> Click)
Peak to Greg Maddux: OK, we'll start the argument right here: greatest Atlanta Brave ever. Greg Maddux. Ultimate professional. Always ready. Team first. The steadiest of rocks. He knew when his time was up and hung it up rather than squeezing the last few million out of the game.
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