1.40 inches of rain so far--but flood watch canceled
-Since 8 p.m. Sunday, some 1.40 inches of rain have been recorded at the airport with a bit more expected today thanks to a forecast that includes a 100 percent chance of rain.
-Today: High of 66, low of 55. Rain chance: 100%, then 20%.
-Tuesday: High of 72, low of 64. Rain chance: 20%, then 70%
-Rivers: Oostanaula / Etowah-Rome / Etowah-Cartersville
Latest weather: Extended forecast / Local radar / Regional radar
The Buzz of Northwest Georgia: (click)
-Third-quarter real estate sales off 25 percent in Greater Rome.
-As the Recovery Begins: Discounts, promotions to be plentiful this Christmas shopping season, say retailers in Rome, Calhoun, Cartersville.
-Girls Gone Wild: 'Story' unfolding just as expected.
-Coosa Valley Fair's social media will be key this week with the weather.
-Peaks & Valleys: The 2010 NAIA game; Rome's top teacher, Bobby Walker; and the Eagle Rock (Simpson Grocery) decision.
Deadline here for voter registration: This is for new or lapsed voters who want to vote in the municipal and SPLOST elections Nov. 3. Also: latest political updates including a candidates' forum> Politics
Georgia LeafWatch 2009 premieres> Details
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable:
- Is the Bobby Bowden era over in Tallahassee? It looks like Alabama is for real >Arey
John McClellan/High School Football Report:
-John's next picks are due Tuesday.
Calhoun still no. 1 in AA; Pepperell drops out> Georgia High School Daily
Rome Braves/baseball updates> Click
-Upcoming events at State Mutual Stadium. Did someone say wing ding?
| Homes/2009 | Homes/2008 | Price/2009 | Price/2008 | |
| September | 50 | 84 | $125,908 | $125,361 |
| August | 51 | 78 | $138,507 | $128,201 |
| July | 74 | 70 | $125,153 | $124,857 |
| Total | 175 | 232 | $129,856 | $126,140 |
Source: Greater Rome Board of Realtors
The third quarter started on an upbeat note for local Realtors as home sales inched above the same month in June 2008. Some 74 homes were sold vs. 70 a year earlier.
But the numbers plummeted in both August and September even amid up to $9,800 in tax benefits for first-time buyers or those who haven't owned a home in three years. Making those and other potential deals even sweeter: near record-low interest rates (some in the 4.75 percent neighborhood in recent days).
All told, local Realtors sold 175 homes between July 1 and Sept. 30, down 24.6 percent from 232 homes sold during the same three months a year earlier.
The one bright spot: The value of each of those homes sold. For the past three months, the average price of a home sold has inched upward. In August, prices were up more than $10,000 from a year earlier but the gains for July and September were just a few hundred dollars.
Up next for Realtors and consumers: The rock-bottom interest rates should continue to be helpful but the tax benefits will expire soon, especially the federal package that sunsets on Nov. 30. Realtors are lobbying Washington to extend the program.
>For more on local real estate, please see Natalie Simms' recent update as part of our "As the Recovery Begins" series> ClickS THE RECOVERY
Area retailers will be banking on Christmas sales, promotions, even Santa himself to help offset lingering punch of the recession
By Natalie Simms
While economic indicators point to a slow recovery, local retailers are preparing for the upcoming holiday season in hopes of positive sales. But with record unemployment at 10.2 percent statewide and fewer shopping options because of store closures, retailers have lots of sales and promotions planned to get shoppers out and spending money.
"We have performed above initial predictions as we prepared for a very difficult year," says Lori Wilcoxon, General Manager at Mount Berry Square. "Shoppers have displayed more cautious spending patterns than in previous years and retailers have made changes accordingly."
While most retailers have scaled back on the variety of merchandise, they are opting to focus on the goods that will sell rather than the wide range of sizes and styles. "This means retailers are carrying a more narrow size range, so their stock sells out faster and they can have a quicker turnaround in styles and products," she says.
The most recent figures reported in the Wall Street Journal from the Commerce Department showed retail sales up 2.7 percent in August from the previous month. Alan Levenson, T. Rowe Price Associates' chief economist, says deep discounting may have helped. "That was part of what brought people out to the stores," he says. (click)
Indeed, a recent survey by CIT Group Inc. of small and medium-sized companies found that about two-thirds of responding retailers foresee offering greater discounts this Christmas than in 2008.
Local retailers will be offering those discounts and trying some promotions as well.
"We have a very exciting holiday season planned this year. Some of our festivities include giveaways, including the new DJ Hero Wii Game; Facebook contests; Breakfast with Santa; and we will be walking through the mall to 'Spread the Cheer' which could include giving out chocolate bars, gift cards or paying for a customer's electric bill…all on us," Wilcoxon says.
At Prime Outlets-Calhoun, sales are "on par" with 2008 and officials are gearing up for Black Friday sales.
"We are cautiously optimistic for this holiday season," says Janet Paulsen, General Manager/Marketing Manager. "With each mention of recession, consumers grow more conscious of their dollar, demanding options that will carry their money farther. Prime Outlets-Calhoun shoppers can buy the fashions and merchandise from the brands they know and love at savings up to 65 percent off regular retail prices."
The outlets will be opening at midnight on Friday, Nov. 27 (Black Friday) for the second annual Midnight Madness Pajama Jam. Shoppers are invited to shop in their pajamas for the ultimate in bargain shopping and giveaways.
"On top of our everyday savings, our stores will offer limited-time-only, best-of-the-season discounts on an array of holiday items from midnight to 8 a.m.," Paulsen says. "The first 500 shoppers to visit Guest Services wearing pajamas will receive a free goodie bag filled with coupons, great giveaways including Jockey brand pajamas (while supplies last) and even a chance to win at $500 Prime Outlets shopping spree."
One thing that will continue to boost our economy will be the influx of Christmas shopping dollars spent locally. Both Rome and Cartersville downtown development officials have planned a number of events to highlight local businesses and draw customers in to shop locally.
"Downtown is the heart and soul of a community, and it's important that it stay healthy," says Ann Arnold, Rome's Downtown Development Director. "When our downtown is strong, it sends a positive message."
Downtown Rome will be hosting its annual Christmas Open House on Nov. 13 and 14. A number of events are planned including a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus; horse and carriage rides; and a kids' train ride. Santa will be in town from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on that Friday and from noon-2 p.m. on Saturday. Carriage and train rides will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Carriage rides will be $5 per person (ages 5 and under free) and train rides will be $2 per person. Photos will be available as well.
"We want people to get out and enjoy downtown," says Elaine Abercrombie, Promotions Chair for the Rome Downtown Development Authority. "We've got something for everyone and it's an easy walk, it's safe and clean."
Cartersville downtown merchants also want the community to visit their businesses this holiday season. "We've planned some wonderful events to let local shoppers know that they don't have to leave town or visit the mall to find great gifts for their loved ones this holiday season," says Penny Davis, Special Events Coordinator for Cartersville Downtown Development Authority.
Merchants will host their Annual Holiday Open House Around the Bridge event on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 5-8 p.m. It will be followed by the Holiday Preview of Food and Gifts on Friday, Nov. 20 presented by the downtown retail merchants.
A full-day Holiday Open House event is planned for Saturday, Dec. 5. "Downtown merchants will have their favorite holiday cookies inside their stores and will have special sales and activities throughout the day," Davis says.
In addition, there will be live entertainment and a visit from Santa at Friendship Plaza, followed by the annual tree lighting that evening.
"Lastly, we will host a night of Candlelight Shopping on Friday, Dec. 11," she says. "Merchants will stay open late so that shoppers can take advantage of special sales and late night shopping. Enjoy luminaries that will light up the town and listen to holiday music in the park."
Says Davis: "It's very important for the vitality of our downtown that the community should shop local this year. Wall Street may be looking better, but folks really need to think about the heartbeat of any community, which is your Main Street USA."
Part one of Natalie Simms' series, As the Recovery Begins, looked at restaurants. Part two was a closer look at real estate.
Fair opens Tuesday but buzzing already under way
The 61st edition of the Coosa Valley Fair opens Tuesday but you don't need to wait for updates. You can track it all on Twitter--which will come in handy if the weather is as iffy as it appears to be this week. You can follow the fair updates at http://twitter.com/coosavalleyfair
For weeks now, fair organizers have been updating nearly 80 followers on the latest twists and turns of organizing a major regional fair. Ticket giveaways, armband discounts and other messages have been sent.
In all, 80,000 guests are expected at what organizers call "fall's finest fair."
You also can follow fair previews and updates by clicking the Facebook page (click). Nearly 600 people are following the fair that way.
For a more traditional view of the fair and its previews, click Web site.
Next from Girls Gone Wild: Rome's own reality series?
Maybe the video recorders should be rolling already in Rome, not for another slathering of the raunchy Girls Gone Wild brand but of our own little reality series based on the latest local escapade wrapped around sex. We've already had Atlanta radio and mentions on TV. Now let's go for the TV series! Consider:
-McCrobie's, which is struggling financially based on the minutes from the Rome Alcohol Control Commission, decides to stage a visit by the Girls Gone Wild crew as part of a national tour to find models. Think instant publicity. The stunt speaks well not only for our downtown businesses but our colleges and full-time residents.
-Charles Craton signs on to do what he does best: promote adult entertainment. Craton is a self-branding businessman who sees profit in the skin world and doesn't hide his interests.
-Rome attorney David Guldenschuh takes the McCrobie's case before the Alcohol Control Commission, which rejects it by unanimous vote. Given that two of the board's members--Duane Reid and Jamie Doss--are up for re-election next month, did you expect less? For the record, the "rejection" charge was led by two female members, Julia Dent and Jane Slickman.
-The Rome News provides the expected dribble by chiding city and community leaders in an "editorial" with the following: "It is no secret that Rome's governing grandmommies and granddaddies are anal retentive regarding anything involving s-e-x." (Read it). Nothing like showing community leadership by slamming people making decisions rather than specifically focusing on the issue. It reads like another attention-seeking move by another desperate business.
-Follow it all with the anticipated media releases and comments, and the "we're gonna sue" statements.
-We're anxious to see the closing credits on this one. It is a "nobody wins" story that just gives the community another black eye that, in the long run, will be more damaging to most parties than anything else. Who comes out on top? Craton. After some quiet months, he's back in the headlines.
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to the NAIA football championship extension: We commend the NAIA for bringing the NAIA national football championship back to Rome for a third year (2010). This community gave its all to make the first local game an overwhelming success. And despite what that whiney college president said about artificial turf last year, the overall experience in Rome was second to none. Will we get "a rug" on Barron courtesy of SPLOST voters? That's a decision to be made by the residents of Rome, Cave Spring and all of Floyd County on Nov. 3. With or without the fake grass, the NAIA should realize there's a lot of green for all involved by bringing the game back in 2010. And 2011. And 2012. And . . .
Peak to Jennifer Williams and Gina Byars, Rome City Schools:
Jennifer Williams, right, Choral Music teacher at Rome High School, has been named the 2011 Teacher of the Year for the Rome City School System. A graduate of Shorter College and the University of Georgia, she holds a master's degree in music education. We like her formula for success: treating her students with "respect, dignity, and kindness." Gina Byars was named the Rome Schools System's 2011 Support Employee of the Year. Byars has been employed 11 years at the Central Office. She serves as the administrative assistant to the Director of Personnel and also has worked as a paraprofessional and school secretary.
Peak to former local tennis czar Bobby Walker: One of the better known names in the local tennis community, Bobby Walker, is making new headlines. Walker, now in Louisiana, recently was named that state's "Tennis Professional of the Year." Also, Lake Area Community Tennis Association -- where Walker serves as president--was named community Tennis Association of the Year. Walker left Rome several years ago to become the director of tennis at the Lake Charles Racquet Club (click).
Valley to the loss of Eagle Rock/Simpson Grocery--and the jobs: We understand the logic behind Stone Mountain-based Eagle Rock's decision to blend its Northwest Georgia beer distributors into one location. At the same time, we hate to see a true community player--the one-time Simpson Grocery--exit the market as a day-to-day player as the Rome and Dalton staffs merge in Whitfield County as of Nov. 2. What's next: We are anxious to see what Southeastern Mills -- which bought the Rome location -- will do with the Eagle/Simpson site in coming months and year.
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