Wednesday updates

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Sports

Purple Hurricanes to face Columbus at home starting Friday for AAA title

-The Columbus Blue Devils swept Carrollton 12-1 and 8-0 on a soggy Tuesday to qualify for the AAA finale set for Cartersville on Friday. The Purple Hurricanes are the defending AAA champions following last year's wins over Stephens County. Cartersville is going for its sixth state title in 11 seasons. (Click)

-Playoff brackets: Click

-Weather forecast for Friday: 80 degrees, 30% chance of rain> Weather

-Hear every pitch on WBHF 1450 AM or listen to the station's Web cast here on Bartow Headlines.

Politics

What's the next domino in 2010 campaigns? With state Rep. Tom Graves (left) officially "in" as a congressional candidate to replace Nathan Deal (Ninth District, including some of Gordon County), the next question is who runs for Graves' District 12 House seat? The Ranger Republican is in the middle of his fourth term representing parts of Gordon County and he wasn't opposed by Democrats in the past two elections. Bill Pickett, a fellow Republican, ran against Graves in the 2006 primary but lost 2-to-1.  He also beat Democrat Jessie Vaughn in the 2002 general election, 59.6 to 40.4 percent.

-Deal, the Ninth District congressional incumbent, jumped into the GOP race for governor when Casey Cagle opted out. Look for Deal to be in the region soon.

-Everson due before Floyd GOP Saturday: State Rep. Melvin Everson, R-Snellville, a candidate for Labor Commissioner, is scheduled speaker at Saturday's Floyd GOP Breakfast Club meeting, 8:30 a.m., Opi's Waterfront Grill> Floyd

-Scott to meet with Young Republicans June 9: Rome Young Republicans meet at 6:30 p.m., Opi's Waterfront Grill. Their speaker:: Rep. Austin Scott, a Republican candidate for governor

-Handel due in Bartow June 27: GOP gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel will visit the Bartow County Republican Party breakfast meeting beginning at 9 a.m. that Saturday. The group meets at Slope's BBQ off Tennessee Street> Bartow

-'The next voice you hear . . .:'  More than a few of us got a phone call from U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey Tuesday night. It was a robo pitch for direct access to one of the congressman's live-via-telephone town hall meetings. Primary topics discussed: energy, health care and education.

Updates on the VW plant

The Chattanooga Times Free Press has two updates of regional interest:

-No rain delay so far: Despite more than a foot of rain in recent months, the massive, $1 billion project remains on schedule for a 2011 opening> Click

-Worker training starts this fall for VW staffers: > Click

Dining for a cause

-Sixth Annual Georgia Barbecue Classic set for June 5-6: A motorcycle ride has been added to the classic, set for Sam Smith Park at Milam Farm. The event benefits the Good Neighbor Homeless Shelter. Says the report on the visitors bureau Web site: "The classic begins Friday 6-9 p.m. Admission is $5 per car and includes parking, the concert and a chance to rub elbows with professional cook teams competing for cash and a coveted invitation to the KCBS National Competition. Babe's Bayou, the featured band, will take the stage at 7 p.m. On Saturday festivities take place from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Sample tickets are available in advance in $20 Pig Paks, or for $1 each."

> Schedule

Arts & Entertainment

-Rome River Jam this Saturday: The second annual Rome River Jam is set for Ridge Ferry Park. Among those scheduled to attend: Country music's Luke Bryan, Jamey Johnson, Brantley Gilbert and local favorites KneckDown. Tickets: $18 in advance, $25 at the door. Details: Click River Jam

-Crystal Gayle coming to Cedartown: The Performing Arts Center has landed entertainer Crystal Gayle for a one-night show set for Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.> Tour

-Missing arts critics from the AJC?> Former AJC music critic Pierre Ruhe and design critic Catherine Fox have launched Artcriticatl.com, a blog featuring their new articles on Atlanta's culture scene> Arts critics

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia:

-Big welcome sign for summer tourists: Northwest Georgia saw a third-of-a-billion-dollar impact from tourism in 2007, providing 3,800 jobs to boot. Bartow's impact: $125 million. With a lean summer ahead, local tourism leaders believe 'staycations' could mean big things for the region.

Annual motorcycle ride, car show to benefit Dr. Stan Wilkins scholarship June 20> Click

WeatherCenter:

-Wednesday: 70% chance of rain, high of 81.

-Wednesday night: 30% chance of rain, low of 65

-Thursday: 60% chance of rain, high of 85.

 

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable/brought to you by Riverside Toyota

-Let's just see the SEC coaches do their thing; Kentucky basketball cleans house

Rome Braves updates:

-Braves-Drive rained out Tuesday night

-Braves vs. Drive play two at 1 p.m. Wednesday
-Latest Mills Fitzner game photos> Gallery