The Buzz of Northwest Georgia:
-Economy a factor in this year's Steeplechase at Kingston Downs
-Sponsorship changes, missing tents don't both Rome vendors
-New look, new features for Advance Rehabilitation's Web site
-Closer look at new ownership group behind WRGA, Q102
-Barry Loudermilk for governor?
-Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court
-Weather recap: After another night of watches and warnings, look for clearing skies. Overnight rainfall: just over half an inch.
-Today: 20% chance of showers after 2 p.m. High of 69. Gusts to 20 mph.
-Tonight: 20% chance of showers. Low around 46.
-Tuesday: 30% chance of showers. High near 69. Gusts to 20 mph.
-Live radar views: Click The State or The Region
-For more, click WeatherCenter
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota
-Don't look now but the Gators may even be more dangerous this fall> Arey
-Grand slam puts Braves out front for good, 7-4
-Next five games: On the road; home again Saturday
-Recent game photos courtesy of Mills Fitzner> Click
eeple cteeplechase can't outrun economy's slippery track but the show goes on with new sponsors, perhaps fewer tents than before
Steeplechase feeling economy's impact
By Natalie Simms
The 43rd Steeplechase rides into town this Saturday promising to live up to its title as the "Best Lawn Party in Georgia." But economic woes have forced several local companies to withdraw their sponsorship of the event, leaving room for several newcomers to join in. Also, some familiar tents won't be back this year.
"We have more sponsors this year and have exceeded our sponsor levels," says India Watson, Steeplechase Marketing and Sales Director. "We really are doing a lot better than we expected."
"Right now, we have 43 corporate tents, which is one or two tents shy of our total from last year," Watson says. "We have seen a drop in sponsorship from banks and real estate companies but we have several new tents on board."
Of those 43 tents, 10 are new sponsors: Raymond James, AT&T Real Yellow Pages, Merial, Transperfect Translations, Lowry & Lowry, Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, IBM, The Tavern & Blue Sky Outfitters, Century Fire Protection and Kappa Sigma Atlanta Alumni.
But missing from this year's event will be several companies who have been tent sponsors for several years, including some banks and even media. But others are holding steady.
"I've really seen an impact and know there will be fewer tents," says Ian Griffin with V3 magazine and a corporate tent sponsor. "At the tent meeting, there was definitely a smaller crowd."
V3 is back for a third year as a tent sponsor (that's the Coopers and Harbins from an earlier Steeplechase, above right, V3 photo). This year's party is themed "Fistful of Dollars: A Stimulus Party," featuring western saloon décor.
"We have scaled back a little bit but we are still spending as much as we have in the past," Griffin says. "Our tent will look like an old western bar. Our guests will not notice any difference from years past."
V3's guests will be treated to full-buffet, full-bar and entertainment by Atomic Boogie. Tickets are $125 for a tent pass or $200 for the VIP ticket including access to the "RV Lounge." Call 706-235-0748 or email v3mag@bellsouth.net.
The magazine's April issue features a cover story on Steeplechase as well as promotional ads. (Click V3)
Owner Steven McDowell is preparing for a busy day.
"Our cigar girls will be traveling around in the stands and in-field," McDowell says. "Along with the trailer, we will have a tent lounge featuring music by Thunderbolt Patterson. We're doing everything we can to help draw attention."
McDowell says Steeplechase is historically one of his best sales days, including several pre-orders for cigars stocking company tent parties.
"We usually have fantastic sales, better than at the holidays," he says. "Last year, we were down about 10 percent from the previous year so I'm not sure what to expect this year."
McDowell believes a lot of big money will not be spent at this year's event but he feels people are still going to enjoy the party.
"Steeplechase is a good tradition, so people will probably buy less expensive tickets and do it on a budget," he says. "As for our business, we are trying to grow. People are still going to enjoy themselves so we will have everything from inexpensive to more expensive items so that we can serve with a price that everyone can afford."
About the event: Gates open at Kingston Downs this Saturday, April 25 at 9 a.m. with a full-day of events. For a complete schedule, click Steeplechase.
Three-Dot Buzz ... :
New look, features for Advance Rehab's Web site
(From a media release) Advance Rehabilitation Physical Therapy launches a new Web site this week (click www.advancerehab.com), designed to assist patients, students and physicians with information.
What's new: Patient forms, frequently asked questions, Google Street maps and a student section.
The details:
-Patients are able to download all the paper work needed in assisting them with the registration process for physical therapy care.
-The new location section is tied to Google Street maps which gives visitors virtual directions to each clinic (panoramic and real street views).
"We are very excited about the new look and available information on our site," says Chad Whitefield, a partner with Advance Rehabilitation. "We are continually striving to make our patients' experiences better through all means possible."
The newest section of the website is geared toward physical therapy students, giving them information and a rotation option with Advance.
"Advance Rehabilitation is strongly committed to providing an optimal learning environment so students can have an exceptional clinical experience," says Whitefield.
More updates on WRGA, Q102 ownership:
Another batch of files at the Federal Communication Commission shows that Howard Toole is the majority owner of Rome Radio Partners LLC, the team buying WRGA 1470 AM and Q102.
General Manager Randy Quick has a 20 percent stake as does Cheryl Scott, the stations' comptroller. The majority owner, at 40 percent, is Howard Toole, now listing a Rome address and owner of the new FM signal assigned to Plainville (not part of this deal). The final partner, at 20 percent, is James Smith of Elberton. > Details
Vote Loudermilk for governor?
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to Tony Dungy and Berry College: 
Peak to the renewed interest in the Avenue A/Turner McCall neighborhoods: Four serious bids are in for use of the Charles Hight Homes property, including one that would keep many of the structures and trees in place as opposed to a "scrape and pave" approach. Just as key: the next Neighborhood Focus by Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful highlights the area April 27-May 1. With some wise investment and TLC, this community has unlimited potential as some property owners have shown when restoring some of the beautiful homes here.
Valley to the Tour de Georgia: This most likely would have been the week set 
Peak to No. 31, Craig Maddox of the Rome Braves: The A-Braves and Cubs 
Peak to the Rome Braves' Sunday ticket four-pack: Time for a little Clark Howard here. The $25 four-pack offered for Sunday games is the best steal available, on or off the bases. We tried it on April 19: Four box seats ($6 each normally), four regular hot dogs, four small drinks and four boxes of popcorn. Even better: when the two kids with you snare free T-shirts thrown by Romey and one gets a ball from the players. It's like getting the food items for free. Next opportunity: This Sunday, 2 p.m. No guarantee on the shirts or ball.
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