Friday's updates

Click www.bartowheadlines.com:

Huge weekend ahead with the Dixie Highway sale; barbecue contest; downtown Cartersville concert Saturday night--and cooperative weather!

Friday's Buzz:

Waiting to hear what's next for NAIA, Rome after this December

-Last Monday, bids were due for the 2010 (and beyond) NAIA championship football game held each December. Rome/Floyd and Shorter College were the hosts last December and do it again this year on Dec. 19. But after that? That's why the NAIA sought bids (bid package site). Local officials sought a "directed verdict" if you will in Rome's favor for repeating as site of the championship. One issue to be resolved: a turf field at Barron Stadium, something Shorter College has offered to help fund. There's also the forming SPLOST package that could include Barron enhancements. For now, we wait to see if a 2010 site will be named> 2009 Web site

 

Media

-Glavine aftermath renews spotlight on Rome: Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon, Rome and State Mutual Stadium were on the media map big time thanks to pitcher Tom Glavine's six hitless innings as he started the Rome-Augusta game. The surge in Rome bylines and references should have been a basic one-day wonder to be followed by a footnote as Glavine's last rehab assignment.

But by 6 p.m. Wednesday, news got out that Glavine's last stand as a Brave had occurred in Rome and the cycle started again. More than 1,000 references to Glavine and "Rome" can be found on Google. Facebook is crawling with pages both supporting and lambasting the pitcher--as well as Atlanta Braves General Manager Frank Wren. The two waves of exposure Rome is getting could pay tourism dividends down the road -- and make for baseball trivia. (Photo/Mills Fitzner)

Like the Dew offers daily look at southern culture, politics:

-There is hope for Internet-based media. In these days of ambulance-chasing blogs and or those built on the leeching

Google search bots, it is refreshing to see new, creative content written by veteran journalists. Such is the case with the relatively new Like the Dew. Created by recovering journalists from the Atlanta newspapers and friends, you understand the old Atlanta Journal tagline of "covering Dixie like the dew." Like the Dew offers visitors in-depth content about their region, their politics, their world.  This dip into long-form writing comes with today's bells and whistles: a Facebook page and a Twitter update to follow. Plus: Free daily e-mail alerts. Take a sip> Like the Dew

Real estate

-State's Business and Housing Expo tour comes to Calhoun June 13: The state is hosting Business and Housing Expos to bring business, homeownership and government resources together to share information about federal/state and private economic development tools and other available resources.  The purpose is to encourage individuals and businesses to invest and/or continue to invest in Georgia's economy. It is aimed at small business owners, entrepreneurs, home buyers, Realtors, bankers and local governments. The seminar is set for 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Gordon campus of Coosa Valley Technical College. Registration is free but registration is recommended> Click Details

>Bank Web sites listing properties: A twist on the current economic times is finding bank-owned properties displayed on company Web sites. Citizens First Bank's site includes its holdings in the Zion Farms project (around 36 acres for $675,000) as well as other local properties. (click); 12 homes are posted on NorthSide Bank's site, some as far away as Greensboro and Gainesville (click); and 18 homes are posted on the online home of Unity National Bank (click)

Dining & Drink
-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores for Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties> Dining Guide
-A visit with Sharp Mountain Vineyards in Jasper> The News Vine

Weather

-Latest local Radar / Latest regional Radar

-Friday: 40% chance of rain, high of 78

-Friday night: Cloudy, low of 60.
-Saturday: Mostly sunny, high of 87. Partly cloudy, low of 62.
-Sunday:  Mostly sunny, high of 90. Partly cloudy, low of 66.

-Extended forecast> Weather Service

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

-DeFord puts the Michael Vick saga before us in an eloquent way.

Rome Braves updates:

-Rome, Augusta play two Friday night; rained out Thursday: Game one starts at 6 p.m.; two seven-inning games planned.

-Latest Mills Fitzner game photos> Gallery