The Buzz of Northwest Georgia: (click here)
-Rome's ECO Center just about ready; see interior photos, too.
-Big week(s) ahead as banks post first-quarter financial reports. Of interest: Post-Unity National Bank report for Ozarks' group.
-Monday Focus: 150 athletes to put passion to the pedal in Sixth Annual Clocktower Classic cycling race.
-Steeplechase 2010: Quick links to what you need to know.
-Peaks & Valleys: State House, Preston Smith, Steeplechase.
Weather: Rainy Tuesday in the forecast.
-Pollen count: 852 today> Click
-Monday: Some clouds, high of 74.
-Monday night: 30% rain chance, low of 49.
-Tuesday: Cooler, high of 67; 50% chance of rain.
-Tuesday night: Low of 44; 20% rain chance.
-Extended forecast> Click / Regional radar
ECO River Education Center just about ready to go
The ECO River Education Center at Ridge Ferry Park is just about ready.
Teams participating in Waterfest X's Quiz Bowl on Saturday were able to use one 
of the larger rooms as stations for each leg of the contest. The picture to the right shows the St. Mary's Catholic School team and an opponent during one round of Quiz Bowl on Saturday.
The stylish interior looks both rustic and somewhat new wave and the center has several smaller meeting areas and offices. Look for official occupancy in several weeks with more to follow. Also, Rome city commissioners are being asked to add the ECO Center to the alcohol consumption list.
Says the Rome/Floyd website: The center was built in 1893 "as a pumping station to provide the City of Rome with municipal water. It has been renovated as part of a 2006 SPLOST package to serve as an educational facility focusing on the history and ecology of the region, with an emphasis on water related issues. The center is designed for use by school groups to learn about the rivers in this area and for general public education."
The center is adjacent to the new Tree House project designed for those with disability issues.
Big week(s) for quarterly financial reports:
-Those who watch the performance trends of some of the regional banks have a new one to follow. With Bank of the Ozarks now in charge of the former Unity National Bank offices in Bartow, Floyd and Gordon counties, the Little Rock, Ark.-based financial center is getting a new audience here. The bank's first quarter performance report is due Wednesday afternoon, April 28. (Ozarks)
-Tuesday: Synovus, parent company of Citizens First Bank in Rome and GB & T in Calhoun, to release first quarter results> Synovus
-Tuesday: Regions Bank report due> Regions
-Wednesday: SunTrust first quarter results> SunTrust
-Wednesday: Wells Fargo (Wachovia) first quarter results> Wells Fargo
-Thursday: United Community Banks' first quarter results> UCBI
Politics/Straw poll results from GOP 9th, 11th districts' picnic
-The political web site Peach Pundit has posted a report with some straw poll results from Saturday's joint Ninth and 11th Congressional District picnic held near Calhoun.
-You can review race-by-race by clicking here.
-The Republican governor's race: These numbers shouldn't surprise anyone as Nathan Deal has been the congressman for the Ninth District until last month. Deal was first with 119 followed by John Oxendine at 67 and Karen Handel at 59.
-Ninth District race: Another "home boy" did well with former state Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger) coming in first with 182 votes. Keep in mind, Saturday's event was on the west side of the congressional district, away from the central and east side of the race where six other candidates are from. Graves' nearest competitor: Chris Cates at 86 votes. The special election to fill the seat is May 11; candidates will run again in the July primary and November general election.
-One more note: Qualifying for state, regional and county seats begins April 26.
2010 Steeplechase gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday
-Steeplechase at Kingston Downs has become a huge event for local caterers. With gates opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 6:30 p.m., the food and drink has become just as important to Steeplechase faithful as have tent designs and decorations.
-What to know: the 2010 event schedule> Click
-Additional background from the CVB> Details
-Early forecast: 40% rain chance, high of 77> Weather
Monday Focus: 150 athletes will be pedaling their passion at the
Sixth Annual Clocktower Classic returns to Rome on April 30-May 2
By Natalie Simms
In two short weeks, para-athletes from around the world will descend on Rome for the Sixth Annual Clocktower Classic on April 30-May 2, one of the "premiere" events on the U.S. Handcycling racing circuit.
More than the dollars of the economic impact is the impact this event has on the hearts of the athletes and Romans alike.
"The Clocktower Classic is one of the most highly anticipated races in the U.S. Handcycling series. The number one sentiment from the athletes is the wonderful southern hospitality we extend our visitors," says Ann Hortman, event coordinator.
The U.S. Handcycling Federation is made up of individuals and organizations that create integrated cycling opportunities for wheelchair users and athletes with lower-mobility impairments, including disabled veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The U.S. Handcycling Series is the premier Para-Cycling racing series in North America and will feature more than 150 of the world's top cyclists with disabilities, racing at major, integrated cycling events across America.
"My mantra has always been these are not disabled athletes, they are athletes with a disability," Hortman says. "So far, over half of the athletes registered will be racing in Rome for the first time…that is first time in Rome, not first time racing."
This year's field of athletes will include athletes with the Paralyzed Veterans of America racing team, two of which are "Wounded Warriors" from Iraq, says Hortman.
"One of the team members is Army Sgt. Joe Beimfohr. He was in charge of two vehicles and eight soldiers in Iraq when he was injured by an explosive that killed a soldier in front of him," she says. "Doctors placed him in a medically induced coma, followed by multiple surgeries and a double leg amputation. Despite everything that has happened, he remains an optimist. After attending a camp for wounded veterans, sponsored by the VA and US Paralympics, Beimfohr was hooked on handcycling."
The race also will include two international athletes, one from Scotland and one from Switzerland.
"Our community has embraced this event and welcomed these athletes," says Hortman. "Our reputation has spread across to Europe. We are very much known for our southern hospitality."
And that's exactly why the athletes keep coming back to Rome year after year.
"This will be my fourth year of racing in handcycle events and my fourth year doing the Clocktower Classic," says David Randall, a handcyclist from Mansfield, Ohio. "I love coming to the city of Rome because of the great hospitality the people show and also the support they show us. The Classic is one of the best races on the circuit and Ann works so hard to make it that way." (Photo, right, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
Brian Mitchell, a handcyclist from Missouri, has been competing in races since 2004, including five Clocktower Classic events. "I enjoy the event, people, weather, food, organizers, handcyclists ... pretty much everything," he says. "Rome is one of the top races each year."
Cedartown native Krige Schabort has been handcycling for eight years and wheelchair racing for 20 years. He says the Rome event is an example for others to follow.
"This is the top handcycling event in the U.S. and is equal to the top European events; cycling in Europe is huge," Schabort says. "Thanks to a very committed Ann Hortman and Rome city to promoting the sport in a positive way. The City of Rome is an example so others can see what our sport is about."
While Hortman says the classic has a lower economic impact than other events, it's the benefits that far exceed the money.
"I don't have exact numbers but by comparison to other events, the economic impact is not a huge number," she says. "But the impact on our hearts is priceless."
Those supportive hearts are what handcyclist Carly Waugh is looking forward to most. A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Waugh is one of only three women participating in this year's event. (Waugh, right, from her Web site).
"This will be my second Rome race. It is one of the best venues on the U.S. Handcycling circuit," she says. "The way they adopt a racer, having people yelling for each cyclist…they don't have that anywhere else and it means a lot."
Hortman says they are encouraging the public to "adopt-a-cyclist" for the Downtown Criterium on Friday, April 30.
"We would love for each athlete to have their own devoted crowd of fans. Make posters, bring out the pom-poms and cowbells," she says. "It will be your job to cheer on your handcyclist to the finish line."
The event will take place at 6 p.m. The start/finish line is at the Rome Transit Station on East First Street. Athletes will be able to meet and greet the public before and after the race in the parking lot adjacent to the Downtown Transit Station on East First Street.
To adopt a handcyclist, contact Hortman at ann@romegeorgia.org or call 706-295-5576.
-Complete list of Events/Road Closures> Click
-In addition to all the Clocktower Classic events, organizers will hold the first annual "Playtona 500" adult tricycle race to raise funds for local charities. The race will be held on April 30 at 5 p.m. just prior to the Downtown Criterium. Riders will be representing the charity of their choice with an entry fee of $20 per person. All entry fees will then be put into "the bank" which ultimately becomes the prize money for the winner's charity. For more information> Click
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Valley to the Georgia House of Representatives: If these "lawmakers" have their way, Georgia will be the only state in the nation without an arts agency. A tentative $17.8 billion budget OK'd by the House last week erases the Georgia Council for the Arts. While we certainly agree hard cuts need to be made--especially if we're to preserve education and heath programs--doing away with a vital piece of the state's cultural needs isn't the way. We suggest looking at executive and department head travel, lawmaker per diem and other "sweet spots" before whacking away at the arts. We mean, what next? Enlarging classroom sizes? Teacher layoffs? Oh, wait . . .
Peak to state Sen. Preston W. Smith: The Rome Republican has his enemies and his friends in the 52nd District--and now in the leaky leadership of the Senate as well. Always an orator, Smith's 20 minutes of fame last Monday gave Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle another pain in the . . . back. Is additional retribution pending? Certainly. But here's hoping some of the sheep who go to Atlanta allegedly representing voters seize this opportunity to drop kick the current leadership in favor of those still responsive to Georgia citizens. It will take more than a tea party to make it happen.
Valley to the Steeplechase name game: Isn't it time the "Atlanta" was stricken from the name of the annual fund-raiser at Kingston Downs? Isn't Northwest Georgia able to stand on its own?
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