The Buzz of Northwest Georgia
-Post Unity National: What's next in local banking?
-Today's focus: What's ahead for fans as the countdown continues for the '10 Rome Braves: promotions, new menu (adding Chick-Fil-A and 'Oasis Island).
-Record-setting concert crowd at Forum; 10,000 due at Rome River Jam.
-Three-Dot Buzz: Qualifying for special elections; eating for a good cause; Bartow CVB's discount coupons.
-Peaks & Valleys: Jim Van Es and Jason Heyward.
Your latest forecast:
-Monday: 20% rain chance, high near 61. Gusts as high as 25 mph.
-Monday night: Partly cloudy, low around 43.
-Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 69; gusts as high as 15 mph.
-Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
-Extended forecast> Click / Regional radar
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey
-And exactly who might you have gotten that would have been better than Hewitt?
Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports
-Rome Braves' single-game tickets on sale: Ticket prices remain the same: $10, $8,. $6 and $4. Home opener: April 16 vs. Savannah.> Sports
-Braves announced 2010 promotional schedule.
Dining & Drink> Click
-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores.
-What's new at local restaurants and what's on the way.
-Plus/Wine News Vine: Busy spring at the wineries> Click
Post-Unity: What's next in local banking?
-Friday's closure of Unity National Bank and conversion to The Bank of the Ozarks wasn't as stunning as some believed. Several members of the banking community and a few others were expecting it a week earlier while others predicted an announcement just hours before it came down. All accounts are in safe hands today with the local offices of the Little Rock, Ark.-based banker. Click Unity
-So what's next? You might see some bids to lure Unity clients to locally or state-based institutions. We recall a bank sale in Northeast Georgia a few years ago. As Home Trust was purchased, a rival advertised as follows: "Looking for a new bank to call Home?" (That bank, by the way, eventually was purchased as well).
-What to watch: The first quarter is just about over so the 90-day analysis of bad loans vs. the ability to absorb them (the so-called Texas Ratio) won't be far behind. It will show which banks could be in trouble with regulators as well.
A record-setting Saturday at The Forum; putting the 'J' in jam.
-Local fans of Corey Smith--all 3,300 of them--set what is believed to be a musical performance attendance record at The Forum on Saturday night. Original estimates put the crowd at 1,500 or so; it was easily doubled. In fact, it was a big weekend for The Forum with country legend George Jones playing there Friday night.
-Another record could be brewing as well. The 2010 edition of Rome River Jam at Ridge Ferry Park on May 15 could bring in as many as 10,000 fans for a long afternoon and evening of continuous performances. Stephanie Fisher has a preview of what to expect at the third annual music festival> Click
Three-Dot Buzz . . . :
-Qualifying today-Wednesday for state, U.S. House seats: Through midday Wednesday, you'll be hearing a lot about who qualifies to run for the congressional seat vacated by Republican gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal and the state House seat vacated by Tom Graves (who is running for Deal's former post) . . . Local restaurants continue to step up to help with community needs. On May 22, Shane's Rib Shack at Riverwalk will have a deal from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. with 35 percent of the proceeds going to the Safe Kids of Floyd County organization. A similar event earlier this year netted more than $1,700 for the YMCA . . . Bartow CVB's money-saving idea: You'll find some discount coupons on the online home of Cartersville-Bartow County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The one that caught our eye: one night's accommodations at The Lodge at Red Top Mountain. Included: dinner buffet, two glasses of wine, continental breakfast for $125> Click . . .
Rome Braves 2010: More promotions, fireworks, even Chick-Fil-A and slushies added; eighth-season home opener set for April 16
![[IMG_6773_edited-1-784135.jpg]](http://www.hometownheadlines.com/New_Site/images/IMG_6773_edited-1-784135.jpg)
BirdZerk! returns to the home of the Rome Braves this season as one of dozens of
promotions planned for 2010. Photos (above and below) courtesy of Mills Fitzner. For more 2009 season photos by Mills Fitzner, click here.
By Natalie Simms
In just a few short weeks, State Mutual Stadium will come to life as the Rome Braves take the field for their eighth season in Rome. And with a calendar full of promotions and with advance ticket sales up 30 percent over last year, Braves' officials hope last season's attendance slump is behind them.
"We are really reaching more people now in a concentrated effort," says Mike Dunn, general manager. "We have to draw outside of Floyd County and we're seeing a big increase from folks outside the area like Bartow, Cobb, Polk and Alabama because they realize how much easier it is to get to Rome than Atlanta … it's definitely more attractive."
Ticket sales for 2009 were 183,750, down 17.3 percent from 2008 sales of 222,168. Dunn says they are doing a number of things to draw in crowds and are already seeing results.
"We have neighborhood watch programs who are concentrating efforts in surrounding communities," he says. "We're already up 30 percent over last year in outside sales including birthday party reservations and Little League nights. Season ticket sales are good. Never good enough but we've not lost any from last year."
Individual game tickets just went on sale and Dunn hopes the low ticket prices and line-up of promotions will draw larger crowds.
"There is no better place to spend a spring or summer night than at State Mutual Stadium," he says. "For family fun and affordability, there is no better place in our area."
Ticket prices remain unchanged over previous years with club level seats at $10, field level seats at $8, box level seats at $6, and general admission on home-run hill, $4.
The Braves also have put together a number of deals and added a few things to boost fan interest.
"Sundays we will continue to offer our family fun packs for a family of four to enjoy the game, get four hot dogs, drinks and popcorn for $25," Dunn says. "And new this year, college students can get $1 off each ticket with their college ID. We will also offer the same discount for military personnel."
A new Oasis Island Frozen Drink station has been installed for kids to get "slushee-type" drinks. The station is self-serve for kids to flavor their own drink that comes in a collector cup. To add to the food line-up, Chick-Fil-A will have a food stand at the stadium this year.
"We have a great promotional calendar this year," says Dunn. "We're going to have a breast cancer awareness night where we'll wear pink jerseys. Sgt. Slaughter will be back and we've got lots of fun giveaway events."
One new highlight for the season will be five themed fireworks nights presented by Chick-Fil-A. Fireworks will take place one Friday each month and feature music and a video to complement each theme. The first event will be opening night, April 16, featuring a History of Champions; May 28 will salute Georgia music/Southern Rock; June 18 will feature Classic TV themes; July 3 will be a salute to America; and Aug. 28 will feature the staff's musical favorites.
The Braves also are branching out into social media to attract new fans. Dunn says the new Rome Braves Fan Page on Facebook is off to a great start with more than 2,000 fans. They have a goal to reach 5,000 fans by the home opener, April 16.
"Social networking is so huge and we have to be a part of it," says Dunn. "We are reaching our fans on Facebook and we will be tweeting all the games."
In addition to all the fun inside the stadium, a new beverage cart will be servicing tailgaters before the game.
Also new outside the stadium this season: Bella Roma Grill which has opened in front of the stadium.
"The baseball season will definitely be great for us," says Eddie Hasko, owner of Bella Roma Grill. "We're prepared and will be ready before the game and after the game. We'll probably stay open until midnight or as late as we have customers on game nights."
Hasko says there are 80 parking spaces around the restaurant for customers, and stadium parking staff will be leaving one lane open for restaurant traffic. At the present time, there are no fan specials planned but Hasko says that could change once the baseball season is under way.
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to Jim Van Es: Nearly 1,000 Facebook friends--and who knows how many members of the Darlington community, past and present--can't be wrong. The outpouring of support for the 42-year veteran of Darlington last week was something we've never seen before in Northwest Georgia. Van Es has influenced a tremendous number of lives--and even a few generations--during his years at Darlington. Those folks returned the favor last week with all the postings on Facebook pages as well as personal e-mails, notes, calls, etc.
Peak to 2008 Rome Brave Jason Heyward: Just two years ago, fans of the Rome Braves were waiting to see what a highly regarded kid named Jason Heyward could do. They got more of a show than even the most ambitious fans expected. Now Heyward--after a slammin' spring training -- has made the big club. He's the opening day right fielder for the Atlanta Braves this year. That has to be some kind of record to ascendency from Rome to Atlanta.
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