Friday, October 30, 2009

Friday updates

Politics/2010 and 2009

-Gingrey re-election war chest at $1.12 million as of Sept. 30: U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey had $1,127,196 in the bank as of the end of September, funds that will be available for his fifth-term bid next year. A posting on C-SPAN shows the District 11 Republican's contributions at $609,582 include $392,209 from individuals and another $207,546 from political action committees. Gingrey also posted expenditures of $306,793. For more, click CSPAN

-As of now, Gingrey has no declared opponents in 2010.

-Congressman blasts Democrats' latest healthcare package> Gingrey

-Final day to vote early in city  elections

 

Business

-Calhoun-based Mohawk Industries posts $34 million in net earnings in the third quarter: Nine-month net loss set at $25 million> Details> Mohawk

-Sidebar/Business Chronicle looks at Mohawk report> Chronicle

 

Friday's Buzz:

-Another lottery win for Summerville man

-Updates on the NAIA football championship in Rome Dec. 19> Click

-Halloween, Fall Festival events; safety tips; weather iffy. Rome Kids

Dining & Drink:
-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores for Northwest Georgia.
-What's new at area restaurants>
Dining
-Rome Fine Wine Festival is Sunday>
Wine News Vine
-Halloween, fall festivals dominate the weekend at N. Georgia wineries.

Your latest weather:
-Friday: 20% to  90% chance of rain, high of 74, low of 58.
-Halloween: 80%, then 50% chance of rain, high of 61, low 45.

-Sunday: Sunny, high of 66, low of 41.

-Latest weather: Extended forecastLocal radar / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey

-Norman's No-Nos: There is no scenario where the Bulldogs are able to upset top-ranked Gators.

John McClellan's high school football picks> Football Report

-Big Ws for Pepperell, Darlington, Coosa, Armuchee, Calhoun, Cartersville.
-Rough night for Cedartown, Model.
-Close calls for Cass, Sonoraville.
-Plus: John sets up the playoff picture.

>Track scores tonight at www.ga.prepcountry.com

Updates from Georgia High School Football Daily> A must-read today with playoff scenarios and more. Click details

Shorter prepares to host Cumberland this Saturday at Barron> Click

-Georgia Northwestern Mustangs start season Nov. 7> Click

Upcoming events at Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Braves' first Celebrity Shootout with Rocket Wheeler, Frog Smith.

-First annual Wing Ding due Nov. 21.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Mohawk: $34M profit in 3rd Q

Calhoun-based Mohawk Industries posts $34 million in net earnings in the third quarter; nine-month net loss set at $25 million.

Thursday updates

Health

-Floyd building Urgent Care facility in Cartersville on Joe Harris Parkway. Look for the 12,263-square-foot office to be completed by May. The project's estimated value is $2.2 million and that includes construction, architectural and engineering fees, furnishings and equipment. The new office will be equipped with digital x-ray capabilities as well.

Business

-Oct. 29: The chamber's 2009 Business Expo, "Keeping Business in Bartow," which will be at The Church at Liberty Square. From the chamber site: Business-to-Business networking is from 3:00-5:00 PM; only those with a business card will be admitted during this time. The Expo will be open to the general public from 5:00-7:00 pm at $2 admission per person, or two non-perishable food items each to be donated to the Cartersville-Bartow County Community Foundation. No strollers will be permitted in the Expo area.  Pre-Expo Seminar: A Social Media for Business "sneak peek" seminar will be offered from 2:00 to 3:00 PM on October 29, just before opening of the Expo. Flammer Relations, Inc. will offer a look into the 4-part series the Chamber's Small Business Council will host this winter.

-Nov. 4/UGA president due in Cartersville: Michael Adams, president of the University of Georgia, is the keynote speaker at the Nov. 4 Business Over Breakfast meeting at the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce, 7:30 a.m. Tickets: $15. Contact: Martha Macon for reservations> Chamber

Media:

-Nov. 10/Rome's first Tweet Up: These days social media can be found everywhere. From the grocery store to your favorite news channel, it feels as though everyone is talking about Facebook, blogging Twitter. It's time that you make yourself part of the conversation. Come to Rome's first free Tweet Up on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 333 on Broad and enjoy snacks and $2 draught beer while listening to guest speakers share their tips and tricks on how to use Twitter and other social media forms to promote your business. You'll also network with other business owners in Rome so grab a stack of business cards and be at 333 on Broad from 6-8 p.m. Click Facebook or check the tweets of @hometown or @CarolFlammer.

-Bartow chamber, Flammer Relations present next Social Media Lab> Click

Real estate

-Extension, expansion of homebuyer tax credit brewing: The Wall Street Journal reports that "Senate negotiators reached a tentative deal to extend a tax credit for first-time home buyers but its passage remains uncertain." The specifics: The current $8,000 federal tax credit would be extended through April 30 for first-time buyers--and existing owners earning up to $125,000 as individuals or $250,000 as a couple would be eligible for a $6,500 break> Details

>Why the extension is key: Real estate sales have been sustained by the current tax credit program, which expires Dec. 1. Still, local home sales have been below 2008 levels for much of this year.

State football site predicts who plays where in first round of AA playoffs: Georgia High School Football Daily's  experts expect to see the following games: header

 -Westminster at Armuchee
-Cook at Putnam County
-Chattooga at Buford
-Avondale at Calhoun
-Pepperell at Lovett

-For more, click Football Daily

>See what local expert John McClellan has to say about this week's games and the regional play-in showdowns> Football Report

Thursday's Buzz:

-New reason to visit downtown Chattanooga: Already a playground for Northwest Georgians, downtown Chattanooga has added another perk: Carmike's Majestic 12 opens at 311 Broad St. as a 100 percent digital movie theater with digital pictures and sound, wall-to-wall screens, three auditoriums with 3D capabilities and a VIP screening room for adults serving beer and gourmet food. Carmike also owns the Carmike 12 in Cartersville and Martin's 3 in Calhoun> Details

-Sheriff's office planning extra patrols on Halloween>Click

2009 Vote: Final seven days

-Two days left to vote early in city elections.

-Sample ballots for the city of Cartersville> Click

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-Oct. 30: High school football: Adairsville vs. Calhoun; Cartersville vs. Haralson County; Cass vs. Woodland. Click Football Report

Harbin Clinic

Your latest weather:

-Thursday: Some clouds, high of 73, low of 58.
-Friday: 20% to  60% chance of rain, high of 73, low of 63.
-Halloween: 60%, then 40% chance of rain, high of 68, low of 45.

-Latest weather: Extended forecastLocal radar / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey

-Tech gets a rush out of season; Gators can't seem to pull the trigger in red zone.

John McClellan's high school football picks> Football Report

-Big Ws for Pepperell, Darlington, Coosa, Armuchee, Calhoun, Cartersville.
-Rough night for Cedartown, Model.
-Close calls for Cass, Sonoraville.
-Plus: John sets up the playoff picture.

Upcoming events at Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Braves' first Celebrity Shootout with Rocket Wheeler, Frog Smith.

-First annual Wing Ding due Nov. 21.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wednesday's updates

 
Three days left for advance voting; election day is Nov. 3. Sample ballots posted.
Jobs

-33 use Georgia Northwestern computers to apply for VW jobs on first day: Georgia Northwestern Technical College has opened its computer labs at Floyd, Gordon and Walker campuses to those applying at the new VW plant. Eleven people applied via Floyd computers, nine at Gordon and 13 at Walker> Details

-Job fair in Dalton Nov. 19: From 1 to 5 p.m., the Georgia Department of Labor will host a career expo and job fair at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center in Dalton. It is open to all. Employers are invited to contact the labor department about setting up free displays and information tables. Click jobs

Weather/Rain

-Saturday forecast looks a bit ghoulish (40-60% rain chance). Weather below.

-Indoor, outdoor Halloween, fall festival events; safety tips> RomeKids

Business

-Chamber expo is Thursday.

-UGA president due in Cartersville Nov. 4: Michael Adams, president of the University of Georgia, is the keynote speaker at the Nov. 4 Business Over Breakfast meeting at the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce, 7:30 a.m. Tickets: $15. Contact: Martha Macon for reservations> Chamber

Your latest weather:

-Wednesday: Some drizzle, high of 71, low of 46.
-Thursday: High of 75, low of 59; 30% rain chance at night.

-Latest weather: Extended forecastLocal radar / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey

-Does the SEC have really bad officials or just really whiny coaches?

John McClellan's high school football picks> Football Report

-Big Ws for Pepperell, Darlington, Coosa, Armuchee, Calhoun, Cartersville.
-Rough night for Cedartown, Model.
-Close calls for Cass, Sonoraville.
-Plus: John sets up the playoff picture.

Updates from Georgia High School Football Daily> Click

Upcoming events at Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Braves' first Celebrity Shootout with Rocket Wheeler, Frog Smith.

-First annual Wing Ding due Nov. 21.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

 

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Tuesday's updates: Flood watch

 
Flood watch in effect for Northwest Georgia; up to an inch of rain likely

latest Base Reflectivity radar loop from Peachtree City, GA

-Today's heavy rains trigger flood watch for Northwest Georgia> Details.

-Today: 100% chance of rain. Up to an inch possible. High near 58.
-Tonight: 60% chance of rain, low of 52. Half inch of rain possible.
-Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
-Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

-Latest weather: Extended forecastLocal radar / Regional radar

Sage Cottage Restaurant opens near Adairsville: Here's a change of pace--reporting a restaurant opening in Bartow County rather than the other way around. We're getting good initial reports on the just-opened Sage Cottage Restaurant near Adairsville and Barnsley Gardens. The cottages offer a different style of accommodations in an attractive layout with just-as-attractive prices. Now comes the restaurant courtesy of Jim and Sharon Southerland, known for their great work at the original Adairsville Inn. The menu features steaks, seafood, crepes and killer homemade desserts. Our friend tried the orange roughy with a twice baked potato and dill green beans followed by a chocolate torte with whipped cream. Her summary: "Delicious." Sage Cottage Restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and for dinner from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Sunday hours: 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more, call 770-877-5995 or click Sage Cottage.

Rome's 'food lady,' Mary Louise Lever wins again, in hunt for $1 million: The winning recipe highlighting the South's best Best foods was Mary Louise Lever's Low-Country Spicy, Veggie Macaroni And Cheese Bake. It was deemed the best of more than 1,000 entries in the organization's inaugural recipe contest, according to a media release. "I took one of my favorite recipes and added some Texas Pete Hot Sauce and Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra and Corn and created a masterpiece of Southern comfort food," says Lever. The Southern Food Processors Association sponsored the recipe contest; Lever wins $500 and she'll be amoung 100 finalists in a $1 million grand prize national contest.

Briefly Buzzed:

-Shorter Hawks back in NAIA Top 25> Details

-AJC takes a huge hit on circulation both weekdays, Sunday, partly because of reduced circulation zone> Click

2009 Vote: Final seven days

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey
-Is there anyone anywhere who believes Iowa is the fourth best team in college football?

John McClellan's high school football picks> Football Report

-Big Ws for Pepperell, Darlington, Coosa, Armuchee, Calhoun, Cartersville.
-Rough night for Cedartown, Model.
-Close calls for Cass, Sonoraville.
-Plus: John sets up the playoff picture.

Updates from Georgia High School Football Daily> Click

Upcoming events at Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Braves' first Celebrity Shootout with Rocket Wheeler, Frog Smith.

-First annual Wing Ding due Nov. 21.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Monday's updates

 
What's ahead in Bartow County plus:
 
The Buzz of Northwest Georgia: (click)

-A closer look at the Broad Street Shuffle: More changes coming to downtown Rome over the next few weeks and months> Click

-More media shuffles, too: Look for a surprise in coming days.

-Oct. 19-23: Most significant news week of the year?

-Trick or Treat collides with Florida-Georgia game this year.

-Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia.

Your latest forecast:

-Monday: High of 69, low of 50. Ran chance tonight; 30%. 

-Tuesday: 80% chance of rain, then 60%. High of 58, low of 53.

-Latest weather: Extended forecastLocal radar / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey
-Can you see Boise State, Cincinnati in the mythical championship game?

John McClellan's high school football picks: John goes 11-0 on his local picks last week; new picks due Tuesday> Football Report

Georgia High School Football Daily> Calhoun remains No. 1> Details

Upcoming events at Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Braves' first Celebrity Shootout with Rocket Wheeler, Frog Smith.

-First annual Wing Ding due Nov. 21.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

Three-Dot Buzz . . . :

ints of more media changes in the air: There's a story circulating among local media players about a surprising change. A few e-mails, phone calls and some vague Facebook hints are out there as well. We're staying "sufficiently ambiguous" for now to let all sides announce it on their own terms and timetable. It certainly adds to a year of change under way with local media and Web sites including:

-Rome Radio Partners LLC as the new owners of WRGA and Q102 and as the managers of the other Southern Broadcasting stations.

-The ownership changes with the "Newswire" group.

-And the advent of direct-to-the-consumer advertising courtesy of social media and electronic communication, virtually bypassing media advertising channels.

-Stay tuned for details on this latest move with more due after the elections . . .

Most significant news week of the year: In five days last week, we saw:

-Harbin Clinic's formal announcement on the new cancer center opening in 2010. This could be a real catalyst for both redevelopment and relocation as well as the health ramifications. It again puts Rome's health community on the map.

-Shorter College's acknowledgment of talks with Ledbetter Properties to move the business school to the former Goody's location at Midtown Crossing. If the deal is struck, it is another significant move by Shorter--and Ledbetter.

-The annual bank deposit-market share bank report -- which underscored the strength of local banks--and those mixed quarterly reports from the "big boys."

-Next up: At least one more story line is out there to be resolved, one that has been neatly placed on the back burner until voters decide the fate of the SPLOST package. We expect front-burner status on this one before the year ends . . .

Trick or Treat and Gators vs. Dawgs: Here's a dangerous combination for this coming Saturday. The annual throw down between Georgia and Florida is set for 3:30 p.m. with Halloween trick-or-treating expected to be in full force by game's end, 6:30 or so. It could get real ugly out there depending on how the game goes. Area restaurants and bars are offering specials for the game, ranging from 333 on Broad to Game Time Sports Grille in Cartersville . . .

The Broad Street Shuffle: Merchants are on the move this month

and more are on the way in the next few weeks, new year

By Natalie Simms

natsimms76@gmail.com

With three relocating and two new businesses coming in, there are a lot of changes sweeping through Broad Street these days with more on the way in 2010.

The Cotton Block of Broad Street is seeing the most change with Mattress Direct/The Kidz Loft and C&S Trophies moving into new spaces. Roger Wade, owner of Mattress Direct/The Kidz Loft, also has plans to bring in a new restaurant in 2010.

While John Massey, owner of Massey's/The Diamond Store, will be bringing Posh consignment store into Cotton Block Hall next week.

"I believe that this (Cotton Block) may be the premiere shopping block on Broad Street," Wade says. "We have a toy/baby/mattress store, antique store, bicycle shop, office supply store, sporting goods shop, jewelry store, beauty shops, cleaners and an investment banker on the end .. .we really have everything."

Wade is 95 percent moved into his new space at 111 Broad St. and is open for business in the new location. Mattress Direct/The Kidz Loft has downsized its business, going from 10,000 square feet of display space to 5,000 square feet.

"This space really fills our needs completely," he says. "We got out of the bedroom suite business and are just focusing on mattresses and in The Kidz Loft. We have baby furniture, bedding, toys and mom's chairs. We can manage a lot better without having warehouse space and need for delivery."

Wade also has a contract on the building next door to his business, which houses the current Three Rivers Antiques. He says Three Rivers Antiques will be moving out of the building over the next several months.

Wade will be opening up a hot dog restaurant called The Past Time as soon as he can get the building renovated in 2010.

"That building used to be a billiard place back in the late 1800s, so we're going to decorate it in decades of Rome's history up through the 1970s," he says. "I already have lots of props stored so we think the decade theme will be really unique."

Into Mattress Direct's former location at 210 Broad St. comes Paula's Silver and Gold (above).

"We've been really busy getting moved, but we're very excited to be in our new location," says Paula Conway, owner. "We have so much more space and will be offering a lot of new service items and personalized items that no one else is doing in Rome."

Conway's business is expanding from 3,000 square feet to 6,000 square feet in her new location. Her building also has two additional floors giving her additional space for storage and her new imprinting machines.


"I am installing four new machines that can print on just about anything," she says. "We will be doing T-shirts with photos on them and have the ability to do only one T-shirt at a time, most places in town make you order a minimum and not just one."

Paula's also will be able to imprint photos on jewelry, mugs, plates and ornaments. Another machine can personalize tumblers, note cards and luggage tags.

"We will also be doing invitations and announcements, where you can choose the background and put a photo on it…those will all be printed in house," Conway says. "And, we offer monogramming on anything and everything that will fit into the machine."

Conway received two loans from the City of Rome to help in the purchase of the building. One loan, in the amount of $11,000, is from the Community Development Loan Fund with a six-year payback and a $62,000 loan from the Downtown Development Authority with a 15-year payback. One of the requirements for these loan approvals was that new jobs will be created as a result of the venture.

"In November, we will be expanding our hours to be open Monday through Saturday. We'll be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. -4 p.m. on Saturday," she says. "We are really excited about what all we can offer our customers. We have a lot more merchandise including an expanded line of clothing and shoes."

Another Paula moving locations is Paula Blevins and her C&S Trophy business. Blevins will be moving into the Cotton Block at 7 Broad St. just past Pullen's Ordinary Bicycle Shop.

"Our new building is a similar size to what we have but I am very excited about the new space and to be going to the Cotton Block in this new growth time and be there as it unfolds," Blevins says.

Blevins will be moving her business this weekend and will be open in the new spot on Nov. 2. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled that day for 11 a.m.

"It really was a hard decision to move because I have been here for more than 31 years," she says. "But my customer base is established and word is getting out about the move, and my customers have no problem going down the road…so it's really not going to be an issue for customers, plus parking down there will not be as difficult."

Will Byington with Toles, Temple & Wright is seeking a new tenant for Blevins' former location at 338 Broad St. "We've had some interest in the space but we're waiting for them to move and will be putting the space on the market at the end of the month…it really is a great space."

Another new business moving to the Cotton Block is Posh, a men's and women's consignment store now located on Glenn Milner Boulevard. Posh will be moving into Cotton Block Hall at 112 Broad St.

"Cotton Block Hall will be the new Posh Building," said Massey. "It will be good for downtown and Posh will be moving into a larger space so they can offer men's and women's consignment along with wedding and prom dresses."

Massey says he will still honor the handful of contracts that he has with clients to rent the Cotton Block Hall for events. Posh merchandise will be moved out during the events. No new contracts are being offered.

Posh will be open in the new space this week. He expects the business to be fully operational and accepting consignment items by Thursday. For more information, Posh can be reached at 706-232-3330. A new manager is expected to join the business on Nov. 13.

"I am just really excited about all the new things on the Cotton Block," Massey says. "About a year ago, I predicted it would take 12-18 months for the block to be full and didn't know it would be this fast. This end of town has really come alive so it's great on the Cotton Block."

In Posh's former location at 220 Glenn Milner Boulevard, Massey will be opening a new beauty salon called The Hair Affair. He expects the salon to open by the second week of November. The Hair Affair's new number will be 706-378-1220.

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs, lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to Harbin Clinic and the cancer center:

In addition to providing a wonderful, unified home for Northwest Georgia cancer patients and their families, Harbin's cancer center also will serve as a "lure" for businesses and retirees in search of new homes as well as a stimulus to the downtown economy. We hope this $15-plus million project is just the start of more to come.

Valley to the Rome News' whining editorials on downtown police patrols: Let's see--the community spends thousands promoting downtown Rome as a live/work/play environment. Police officers are on patrol there to serve and protect. And yet for doing so, the snorts and grumbles that serve as "editorial comment" from the newspaper these days make it sound as if law enforcement is waterboarding people. A navel-gazing series of editorials -- citing "reports" and "anonymous calls and e-mails" but nary a substantiated fact or, even better, a piece of live litigation -- blasts the police department for doing its job. ('Opinions') The paper's commentaries reek of it almost being a personal issue. Let the police do their job, especially with those who are too inebriated to function as adults.

Valley to the Girls Gone Wild coverage: And we lump ourselves into the mix here. Was this "event" really worth the barrage of coverage from local media, pretend media, Atlanta radio and television, and the AJC? Did we need constantly updating attendance figures Saturday night? As we say earlier in this report, last week was perhaps the single most significant news week of the year--and everyone is hell bent on beating this dead horse?

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday updates

 
Cowboy festival, football highlight weekend in Bartow County.
 
Closer look at Harbin Clinic's Cancer Center:

-The three-story, 55,000-square-foot building will unite a number of cancer services in a prime downtown location> Details

-Perhaps the most underplayed aspect of the project: how it enhances Rome when it comes to industy recruitment and relocating retirees.

-Analysis: The cancer center, parks & rec move, stadium SPLOST could provide $20 million lightning strike, fueling additional development> Buzz

- Floyd adds 8 volunteers to The Breast Center> Health

Monday/Another busy night for Alcohol Control Commission: With the aftermath of the last regular meeting still simmering (Girls Gone Wild ruling), commissioners at 5 p.m. Monday take up "alcohol service permit violations" filed against 10 Rome restaurants, bars and package stores> ACC

-At least word, 'Girls' still at go at McCrobie's Saturday night.

Briefly Buzzed:

-Highlands speaker to discuss tragic consequences of 'cyber bullies'> Campus

-Ed Katz, founder of Peachtree Movers, hosting seminar on marketing, sales techniques at Highlands' Bartow campus Nov. 6> Details

-Dan Bevels joins Floyd as electronic communications specialist> Health

Bank report updates:

-Synovus -- parent company of Citizens First, GB & T -- posts third quarter loss of $423.7 million> Synovus

-SunTrust quarterly loss at $377.1 million> SunTrust

-Wells Fargo (Wachovia) posts record earnings: $3.2 billion> Details

-Regions loses $437 million loss, closing Armuchee, Calhoun sites> Details

-United Community Banks: Friday morning. Details

Temple-Inland Inc. reports $67 million in third-quarter earnings> Click

Dining & Drink

-Latest public health restaurant inspections for Northwest Georgia> Dining

-Touring the Biltmore's winery in Asheville, N.C.> News Vine

-Busy weekend for fall harvest festivals at North Georgia wineries.

-Wine News Vine: What's ahead in coming weeks.

Your latest forecast:

-Friday: 100% rain chance; thunderstorms possible after 2 p.m. High of 75, low of 54. Evening rain chance: 30%.

-Saturday: Partly sunny with a high of 64, low of 41.

-Sunday:  Mostly sunny with a high of 73, low of 41.

-Latest weather: Extended forecastLocal radar / Regional radar

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey
-Tennessee could play Alabama naked and it wouldn't make a bit of difference

Rome falls to 3-6 on the season after 35-21 lose at Dalton> Football Report

John McClellan's high school football picks> Football Report

-Pepperell should cruise by Coosa. Darlington should take finale three.
-Big wins for Calhoun, Chattooga, Armuchee, Rockmart, Cartersville.
-Rough night due for Model, Cedartown, Sonoraville, Gordon Central.

Track tonight's high school games at www.ga.prepcountry.com

Unity plays Friday on Shorter campus: The Unity Christian School varsity football team will host the Crown Knights this Friday.  The game will be held on the new Shorter College sprint turf practice field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and concessions will be provided by Fuddruckers.  Fans are encouraged to bring chairs.

Georgia High School Football Daily> Click

Upcoming events at Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

The first Rome Braves Softball Slam is this weekend at State Mutual Stadium. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday. There are no admission or parking fees. The Miller Lite Marina will be open. Details: 706-378-5100.

.-Did someone say wing ding?

-Braves' first Celebrity Shootout with Rocket Wheeler, Frog Smith.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

Shorter prepares for road game vs. Union on Saturday> Game notes

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Thursday updates

 
September jobless rate: Double digits again -- but slowing a bit?
 

Working in

Sept. 2009

Jobless in Sept. 08 Sept. 2009 jobless rate Aug. 2009 jobless rate

Sept. 2008

jobless rate

Bartow
39,720
6,101
13.3%
12.9%
7.4%
Chattooga
9,365
1,210
11.4%
11.8%
8.6%
Floyd
43,522
5,414
11.1%
11.1%
6.9%
Gordon
22,141
3,326
13.1%
13.1%
7.6%
Polk
19,042
2,317
10.8%
10.9%
6.6%
State
4,240,968
481,575
10.2%
10.1%
6.7%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

-Overview: There's no real good news to be found when the unemployment rate in our local counties continues in the double digits, especially with Bartow posting 13.3 percent last month and Gordon at 13.1 percent. A year ago, both were in the mid 7 percent range.

-Signs of hope: But Polk reported a slight dip compared to August's jobless rate while Floyd was flat at 11.1 percent vs. 6.9 percent in September 2008.

-Holiday hiring? With the Christmas shopping season upon us, there's hope of at least more temporary reductions through December.

-Statewide, the number of payroll jobs in September was 3,844,400, a decrease of 237,100, or 5.8 percent, from 4,081,500 in September 2008.

-The over-the-year losses came in manufacturing, trade, construction and administrative support services, including temporary employment services. 

-Educational and health services added 13,700 jobs over the year.

-The state's labor force decreased 117,230, or 2.4 percent, from 4,852,086 in September 2008 to 4,734,856 in September 2009. The U.S. jobless rate: 9.8 percent.

Health update coming later this morning: Harbin Clinic has schedule a media conference at 10:30 this morning at the main office, 1825 Martha Berry Blvd. Natalie Simms will have updates later this morning.

Rome vs. Dalton moved to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Harmon Field in Dalton because of the potential of severe weather. Click Football Report

-More weather below.

Bank report updates:

-Wells Fargo (Wachovia) posts record third quarter earnings: $3.2 billion> Details

-Regions Bank loses $437 million loss, closing Armuchee, Calhoun sites> Details

-SunTrust: Due later today. Click

-Synovus (parent of Citizens First, GB & T): Due this afternoon. Click

-United Community Banks: Friday morning. Details

-From Tuesday: Annual deposit/market share report> Business

Thursday's Buzz:

-ADAMS: Long new project manager with program management> Click

-Maple Road will be closed at the railroad crossing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Use Old Rockmart Road and Booze Mountain Road or U.S. 27S, Eden Valley Road and South First Street to avoid the construction area.

-The first Rome Braves Softball Slam is this weekend at State Mutual Stadium. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday night.. There are no admission or parking fees. The Miller Lite Marina will be open. Details: 706-378-5100.

-Registration, training begins for 3rd Berry Half-Marathon March 6> Details

-Nov. 7/CRBI's 8th annual fish fry, green expo set at Rome First> Link

-Oct. 28/'Real Encounter' Xtreme athletes at Pleasant Valley South> Click

-Oct. 25/Wesley Methodist Church in Summerville Park off Charlton Road will have Homecoming Sunday with services starting at 10:30 a.m. The Gentrys and the Golden Harvest will be in concert . Lunch will be served and all who were or are associated with Wesley are invited. Visitors and friends welcome. Dr. Paul Camp is pastor.

-Oct. 31/Fall festival at First Baptist, Lindale, 9 Park Ave. Open to all, the festival is from 4 to 6 p.m. Free games, food and candy. Call 706-232-7088.

-The Floyd County Master Gardeners will be in their tent near the entrance again at this year's Chiaha Harvest Fair set for Saturday and Sunday at Ridge Ferry Park. Gardeners will be selling the best plants from their own gardens and some special natives--most are drought-tolerant. Also: a section to help children make bird-feeders with pine cones and peanut butter. Remember: Fall is the time to plan and plant.

Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: Partly sunny, high of 73, low of 59; 70% rain chance overnight.
-Friday: 100% rain chance; thunderstorms possible after 2 p.m.; nearly an inch of rain. High of 70, low of 52. Evening rain chance: 50%.

-Latest weather: Extended forecastLocal radar / Regional radar

Rome vs. Dalton moved to 7:30 tonight at Harmon Field in Dalton because of the potential of severe weather. Click Football Report

-Unity plays Friday on Shorter campus: The Unity Christian School varsity football team will host the Crown Knights this Friday.  The game will be held on the new Shorter College sprint turf practice field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and concessions will be provided by Fuddruckers.  Fans are encouraged to bring chairs.

John McClellan's high school football picks> Football Report

-Pepperell should cruise by Coosa. Darlington should take finale three.
-Big wins for Calhoun, Chattooga, Armuchee, Rockmart, Cartersville.
-Rough night due for Rome, Model, Cedartown, Sonoraville, Gordon Central.

Georgia High School Football Daily> Click

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey
-Black Wednesday for two former local players; Broadway Matt he ain't.

Upcoming events at Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Did someone say wing ding?

-Softball jam this weekend at the stadium.

-Braves' first Celebrity Shootout with Rocket Wheeler, Frog Smith.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

Shorter prepares for road game vs. Union on Saturday> Game notes

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wednesday's updates

 
Keep an eye on banks' third quarter reports this week:

-Regions Bank gets 'season' off to a big start with $437 million loss, 121 branch closings including Armuchee, Calhoun. The Armuchee branch at 3040 Martha Berry Highway will consolidate with the 400 Turner McCall Blvd. office.

Based on the latest deposit summary, the Armuchee branch had the lowest deposits of the four offices here: $10.7 million vs. up to $52 million at the  400 TMB site.

-The South Wall Street/Calhoun branch will blend with the North Wall Street office, a Regions' spokeswoman says. It had $10.4 million in deposits as of June 30 vs. $29.7 million at the North Wall Street site. The offices close Jan. 20> Details

-Wells Fargo (Wachovia): Due later this morning. Details

-SunTrust: Thursday morning. Click

-Synovus (parent of Citizens First, GB & T): Thursday afternoon. Click

-United Community Banks: Friday morning. Details

-From Tuesday: Annual deposit/market share report> Business

Exit Pizza Hut, enter Zaxby's in East Rome: That didn't take long. With the Turner McCall Pizza Hut relocating to Martha Berry across from Heaven's Attic, look for a new tenant soon at the current site: Zaxby's. The chain already has two stores here, at the mall and on Shorter Avenue. No timetable on an opening date.  It is the second Zaxby's announcement in Northwest Georgia in a month. A Zaxby's opened at  Walnut Grove near Rockmart Highway in Cartersville Sept. 18> Details

Planning begins for IVC Group's $70 million vinyl floor plant, headquarters in Dalton: A needed development of regional impact report has been filed with the state regarding IVC Group's plans to build a combined $70 million U.S. headquarters and state-of-the-art vinyl production plant in Dalton. Paperwork was filed Tuesday for the project with production expected to start in 15 months. IVC Group says the project more than doubles the size of its current campus; it will rise on 44 acres off I-75 near Exit 328. Says IVC US chief executive officer Xavier Steyaert: "Our new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant will feature the industry's latest technological advances and will run the longest vinyl line in the world. First products are expected to roll out of the new plant in January 2011." Look for 115 new jobs over the next three years--welcome news given Dalton's skyrocketing unemployment rate, any help will be appreciated> IVC

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 71, low of 45; some overnight clouds.
-Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high of 70. Low of 59; 20% to 60% rain chance.

-Latest weather: Extended forecastLocal radar / Regional radar

John McClellan's high school football picks> Football Report

-Pepperell should cruise by Coosa. Darlington should take finale three.
-Big wins for Calhoun, Chattooga, Armuchee, Rockmart, Cartersville.
-Rough night due for Rome, Model, Cedartown, Sonoraville, Gordon Central.

Georgia High School Football Daily: Site's list of top upsets so far this season features Woodland twice, Rome and Rockmart> Details

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey
-Believe me, it won't make any difference what color jerseys Tennessee wears> Click

Upcoming events at State Mutual Stadium.

-Did someone say wing ding?

-Braves' first Celebrity Shootout with Rocket Wheeler, Frog Smith.

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

Shorter College on Tuesday announced its Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2009, which includes eight individuals who competed in six sports. Randy Hawkins '77, Zane Holland '77, Dr. Jonas Jarvholm '02, Marie Mercer Lewis '77, J.J. Merritt '98, Melvyn Ottinger '62, Tammie Simpson '86 and Andy Wade '85 make up the latest group of Shorter Hall of Fame inductees that will be officially enshrined during a banquet on campus on Nov. 13> Click

Unity plays Friday on Shorter campus: The Unity Christian School varsity football team will host the Crown Knights this Friday.  The game will be held on the new Shorter College sprint turf practice field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and concessions will be provided by Fuddruckers.  There are limited bleacher seats available and fans are encouraged to bring chairs.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Monday updates

 
Freeze warning through 9 this morning; 4 to 9 a.m. Tuesday> Details

-Today's low 32 degrees. Quick warm-up due; no rain until at least Thursday.
-Monday: Sunny, high near 64. Tonight: Patchy frost, low of 32.
-Tuesday: Widespread frost before 9 a.m. Sunny, high of 70, low of 39.

-Rivers: Oostanaula / Etowah-Rome / Etowah-Cartersville

-Latest weather: Extended forecastLocal radar / Regional radar

What's ahead in Bartow County

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia: (click)

--Start a business now? Sure--if the niche, conditions are right.

-Buzz: The 24/7 fitness crazy --times two? Retail rumblings.

-Big weekend: Chiaha, Peach State, Cowboy symposium,

-Peaks & Valleys: Floyd's top teacher; behind-closed-doors 'government.'

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable>Arey
-Tech gets biggest win in 19 years but it still may not make the ACC title game

John McClellan's high school football picks> Football Report

-John went 10-2 locally and 16-6 overall. Next picks Tuesday.

Calhoun remains atop AA state football poll> Details

Rome Braves/baseball updates> Click
-Upcoming events at State Mutual Stadium. Did someone say wing ding?

-Links to winter baseball leagues.

What's Buzzing this week:

Closer look at Floyd County's SPLOST vote: Natalie Simms details the $42.3 million special projects list going before voters, especially the enhanced communications system that would give local emergency agencies direct contact with one another and meet Federal Communications Commission guidelines for "narrow band" communications by 2013. Also: the five other projects on the list> SPLOST

Launch a new business in today's economy? Conditions could be perfect depending on your niche. We talk with Cartersville businessman Mark Mathison about his new venture and review a few others in our market> Launch

Call it 24/7 fitness: Rome Athletic Club is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week effective today. Owner Chrissy Hughes says RAC offers "the only full-service 24-hour health club in Rome." Month-to-month and $25/month memberships are available as well. Details: www.romeathleticclub.com

-A trend toward round-the-clock fitness? There's even a chain specializing in such things, including Anytime Fitness which has a studio in Cartersville near the Carmike 12 cinemas. The company Web site indicates a shop is coming to Rome. We have calls into the local franchise for more.

What's buzzing in local retail: We're also checking reports this week about potential retail activity. We've heard of a "great possibility" brewing at one or more spots in the market and it appears one of those options is taking off. We'll have more as soon as we confirm it with one of the two parties.

Big weekend ahead in Northwest Georgia: What's on tap:

-Rome: Chiaha Harvest Fair, Saturday-Sunday, Ridge Ferry Park. Details.

-36th annual Peach State Marching Competition, Barron Stadium. Details

-In Cartersville: Seventh Annual Cowboy Festival, Symposium> Details

Closer look at SPLOST '09, countywide communications system

By Natalie Simms

natsimms76@gmail.com

Rome and Floyd County voters are voting now through Nov. 3 on the fate of a proposed $42.3 million Special Purpose, Local Option Sales Tax package that includes potential funds for public safety, business development and overall services (see ballot).

This SPLOST would be an extension of the current one-cent tax, not an additional penny per dollar. Collections would begin July 1 as the current SPLOST ends June 30, and would continue for three years.


The centerpiece of the package is a new $26,696,250 countywide public safety communications system. It would upgrade emergency management communications to a new 800MHz system that would solve multiple problems facing the county's current system.


"Right now, we only have one tower on Mount Alto that covers 514 square miles of jurisdiction," says Scotty Hancock, director of Rome-Floyd Emergency Management Agency. "That's the only tower for all emergency communications and if it gets blown down in a 70-mph wind, we have no back up."


In addition, the current single-site conventional system is outdated since it was designed in the 1960s and it does not allow for countywide communications among the various public safety agencies.

Currently, city and county police agencies cannot communicate directly with each other nor can county units communicate directly with the Fire Department, emergency medical service or public works.

County police and sheriff's departments are on a UHF signal while city police and the countywide fire departments are on a VHF signal.


"For example, if there is a house fire in the county, both fire and police are dispatched. If the police come around back and the fire department is in the front of the house, they may need to communicate with each other for back-up help but they can't except by radioing back to dispatch," Hancock says.


The current system also has a number of "dead" spots in the county, making it hard for even the 911 dispatch operator to communicate with any public safety officials in those areas.

Here are some examples that showcase the equipment concerns. They're from the fatal March 2008 tornadoes that went through southern Floyd and Polk counties in the Wax Road area. The first unit on the scene was Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Chandler. The 911 operator had a hard time hearing Chandler because he was in a "dead" spot. The operator finally had to get Chandler to use his cell phone to communicate.

-Tornado audio A: Static-filled clip from arriving first responder and dispatcher.

-Tornado audio B: Dispatcher, unable to understand, asks him to use phone.


"Cell phones are a great resource for a back-up communications," Hancock says. "But relying on a cell phone provider for a public safety communications system is a safety risk for all involved."


Fire officials also said potential problems with "dead" spots could put firefighters in danger. "Off Highway 140 in Adairsville is a dead area. If there is a house fire there, our guys are inside working and they need help and send out a 'May Day' call, the dispatch probably won't be able to understand what they are saying," says Fire Chief Gordon Henderson, Rome-Floyd County Fire Department. "It's hard to talk to dispatch on a portable radio and in many areas of the county, that's our life line."


The proposed system would have seven tower sites throughout the county to give ample coverage and eliminate many "dead" spots. The sites include replacing the current tower on Mount Alto along with new sites at Lavender Mountain; Fire Tower Road in Shannon; Heath Mountain (Ga. 20); at Hardin and Wax roads; Padlock Mountain in Cave Spring; and Leonard Road at Doyal Road.


"This would give us excellent coverage. In addition, each school would have a radio to communicate with us," Hancock says. "Right now, if a school goes on lock down and their telephone communications are out, we have no way to communicate with the school. The radio would allow the school to communicate directly with 911 in case they have no phone."


The system upgrade also would satisfy a mandate from the Federal Communications Commission requiring all local agencies to "narrow band" their radio systems by January 2013. Right now, the system is a "wide band" of 25 KHz and the FCC is requiring systems to drop to a 12 KHz band.


"It's kind of like the switch to digital TV signal from analog that happened earlier this year," Hancock says. "There are just too many frequencies out there and not room for growth. And because of all the frequencies, we have a lot of 'bleed' over from other agencies. We get 'bleed' from Fort Payne, Ala.'s fire department and from MARTA police in Atlanta."


If Emergency Management does nothing, it would lose current radios because of the narrow-banding standard in 2013. "We could spend $4 million to get the narrowband radios but we still wouldn't be able to talk to each other directly and there would still be other issues with public safety," Hancock says.


Rome and county officials did an analysis of all the available alternatives to upgrade the existing system. Even though the cost is high, the new 800MHz system was chosen because it meets the FCC requirement, has lots of frequency availability, no interference, capacity to grow, no redundancy and regional interoperability, they say.


"It's a big pill to swallow but we've got to do something," Rich says. "We feel this system is what's going to give us the best use of our money for the long run. From a safety perspective for our officials, how can you really put a price on that?"


This new system would put Floyd County ahead, in terms of technology, of surrounding counties. The one drawback is that the new 800MHz system would not be compatible with systems in Polk, Bartow or Gordon counties--at this time.

However, Floyd would be joining a North Georgia/East Tennessee Regional Radio System with Catoosa, Walker and Dade counties; and be linked with other areas in Atlanta that have implemented, or are in the process of implementing, the 800MHz system. These areas include the City of Atlanta, DeKalb, Cobb, Cherokee, Gwinnett, Hall, Paulding and Carroll counties.


"Many of our agencies can't communicate with them (surrounding communities) now anyway. The plan is to get all of them up and running on the same system in the future," Hancock says. "However, there is a National Emergency Channel on which all frequencies -- UHF, VHF and 800MHz -- can communicate. So, any community would be able to communicate with us via that channel."


The county also could maintain some of the old equipment for mutual aid communications with neighboring jurisdictions. But, if a neighboring community needs help, they will have to call into Floyd's 911 dispatch operator for assistance and cannot directly communicate with each agency.


Gordon County officials are looking into transitioning to the 800MHz along with Floyd.

"We have a report due from our Motorola vendor this month about how to implement the system and the cost," says Randall Dowling, Gordon County administrator. "Certainly, if Floyd implements the system, we would look to tie into their system. We definitely believe the 800MHz system is bigger, better and more efficient but we have to look at what we're facing with cost."


Bartow County officials say they would like to upgrade but cost is a major factor. "We do have an 800 MHz radio in our mobile command unit, so we could communicate with others who have that system," says Johnny Payne, Bartow County Emergency Management Director. "It would definitely be worth it to go to the new system if you can afford it," he says. "It is all according to what our economy does and when we can get funding."


To help offset the huge cost, Floyd could apply for federal grants but the SPLOST must be approved first. "If and when the SPLOST vote approves the funding of the project, Floyd County will meet the criteria and become eligible for future grants," Poe says.

Also included in the proposed 2009 SPLOST:

-Industrial development: The county would use $5,983,500 for the acquisition and improvement of real estate for economic development. According to County Manager Kevin Poe, this money would be used to make improvements to land at Ga. 140 and Ga. 53.


"We have 300-plus acres available to recruit future industry," Poe says."We will use this money for infrastructure improvement and get it ready for future industrial development. But if an industry comes in and we need to build infrastructure somewhere else, we will have flexibility to use this money to get that industry here."


-Barron Stadium enhancements: Another $3,369,000 would be used for improvements to Barron Stadium, including installation of artificial turf; a 7,300-square-foot concession area and locker room; and track repaving. The turf and enhancements could be major factors in the NAIA's decision to extend Rome's agreement to host the annual college football championship at Barron each December.

-Rome would use $1,899,631 for renovation and construction of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Building (formerly known as Coosa Valley Regional Development Center) on Jackson Hill. The Rome office recently combined with the Dalton office to form the new commission. More room is needed at the site.

"Other communities would love to have this regional office in their area;in fact, Gordon County says they'd give them space," says Sammy Rich, Rome's assistant city manager. "But, we felt we couldn't lose the economic impact of this office with over 60 professionals that keep their payroll dollars here. We need to take care of what employers we have and keep jobs here."


-The Rome-Floyd Fire Department would receive $4 million for renovation to some existing fire stations; construction of a new fire department headquarters and emergency operations center; and the purchase of additional life saving extraction equipment. The new administration building would be across the parking lot from the East 12th Street Fire Station. It would house the department headquarters, fire marshal and fire safety and prevention offices.

-$350,000 for water system improvements for the City of Cave Spring.

Local entrepreneurism: Right move, right time, right niche

On our Druck Report radio program today (WRGA 1470 AM), we take a closer look at the spirit of entrepreneurism continuing even in rough times. We've seen Southeastern Mills, Ledbetter Properties and even some Broad Street businesses make some creative moves amid recessionary conditions.

Last week, we asked Mark Mathison, owner of the Slope's Barbecue franchise in Cartersville, about his decision to open Game Time Sports Grille right behind the restaurant and next to the Carmike 12 theaters. His answer makes any entrepreneur out there proud. says Mathison:

"Our decision was hard but we felt like this is when you could get the best deal on commercial property for rent. I had been watching the space and knew it would be available. When it did, I jumped and made a quick offer to the landlord.


"We are getting in inexpensively and there has always been a need for a sports bar in Cartersville."

And, he added:   "If you look at sales in the food service industry, the only market that is improving is sports bars. People refuse to give up their sports during bad times. They may give up their tickets to an event, but they still want to watch."

Let's highlight three things from Mathison's answer as it underscores the opportunities in front of us all today:
-He had a specific site in mind and didn't jump at any potential location. It certainly helps to have two of his businesses basically just a parking lot away.
-He knew when to move. Indeed, the spot was open and the property owner needed a reliable, well-financed tenant with a record of success.
-He knew which niche to fill, in this case a sports bar in Cartersville. As Mathison said: Sports fans might not be visiting the ballparks and stadiums as often as before the recession but they still want to enjoy their sports and follow their teams.


The bottom line: The right location, the right price and the right niche came together at the right time. We think you'll be seeing more of these moves as the perfect storm for entrepreneural investment is here.

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to Janda Kaye Canalis, Floyd County's Teacher of the Year: Janda is a healthcare science teacher at Floyd County Schools College & Career Academy. She was an intensive care nurse who turned her "passion for teaching patients to manage their health" into a different level of teaching. She's also known for her work with classes, especially younger students, at EarthWorks Pottery in Rome. (Background: Floyd Board of Education)

Valley to any form of behind-closed-doors government: Did you hear what Gov. Sonny Perdue had to say about water concerns and the upcoming General Assembly while he was in Rome Thursday? Neither did we. Perdue, making a sweep through the region to pass out Governor's Cup honors (more below), met with state representatives Rick Crawford, Katie Dempsey and Barbara Massey Reece. The topic: Water. The situation: behind closed doors away from the public. We certainly understand how sensitive water matters are in terms of all the legalities involving Florida, Alabama and even Tennessee. But we also understand water management is a critical factor for our residents and businesses. These discussions must be on the record and open to all. (Background: RNT)

Peaks to Cass High and Cedartown High: Both schools earned respective Governor's Cup honors for individual improvements on their SAT scores year over year. In fact, Cass's 63-point increase was the highest of any school in the state. We salute the faculty, staff and most of all students of both schools for making such gains even as we continue to see critically needed dollars diverted from the education system. (Background: Governor's Cup)

Peak to Georgia Northwestern Technical College: The school formerly known as Coosa Valley Technical College is giving the community open access to its computers to help interested people apply for jobs at the new Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. VW is accepting applications at www.vwjobschattanooga.com. This is a great community contribution and another solid community move by a local college to help get this community working again (the first was Shorter College's recent career fair).