McClellan's high school picks for Friday: Only Adairsville wins? What's ahead in Bartow County.

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John McClellan's High School picks for week four. McClellan  

-Ringgold by 4 over Cartersville.

-Sequoyah takes Cass by 7.

-Adairsville takes 25-point command over East Hall.

'Wait and see' for Village Theatres as Steak N Shake opening nears:

-In eight days, the other side of the parking lot at Village Plaza is going to be swamped. Steak N Shake's opening weeks will be similar to, if not greater, than what we normally see outside of Applebee's, especially on weekend nights. Exactly how it will play out starting Sept. 22 is a mystery--and among those watching will be Village Theatres. Robin Miller, the Rome-based theater group's general manager, says "we have no real plans right now" for the dark screens. That includes MB's, which had been doing comedy on the first Saturday of each month. "We want to see what happens," she says. The theater fills about half of the strip center, which also includes Ward's Pharmacy, Initially Twisted and Subway.

The number of the day -- 1,500:

-As in the number of Chick-Fil-A sandwiches given away Monday at The Dwarf House between 2 and 5 p.m. as part of customer appreciation week in Rome. That's an average of 500 an hour or 8.33 per minute. Today's thank-you gift: free small shakes from 2 to 5 p.m. Click

As Russell commits for NAIA 2010 title sponsorship, no word on extension:

-The good news from the host committee of the NAIA National Football Championship game is that Russell Athletic will return as title sponsor. But what remains up in the air: whether Rome will get the nod to continue hosting the game after this year's extension expires. Rome initially won a two-year commitment with a third year added (for the Dec. 18 game). Rome/Floyd County's approval of a SPLOST last year that included more than $3 million for Barron Stadium enhancements--including artificial turf--was thought to be the biggest missing piece from the contract renewal. The "rug" is now on the field. The official word is that the extension "is still in the works." The Russell Contract

'Leaf Watch 2010' feature on the way from state parks:

-To help leaf watchers plan their fall escapes, Georgia's state parks will soon launch "Leaf Watch 2010" to track fall color as it moves across the Peach State and the Blue Ridge Mountains.Georgia State Parks

Big week ahead in Bartow County:

-Sept. 16: Cartersville City Council, 7 p.m. Hear it live on WBHF 1450 AM or Web cast here on Bartow Headlines. Work session begins at 6 p.m.

-Sept. 18: Sixth Annual Hospitality Heroes Awards during the 35th Annual Arts Festival at Rose Lawn (click). The ceremony is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18. The Arts Festival at Rose Lawn will be Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sept. 19, noon until 5 p.m. Free admission both days. Details: Rose Lawn

-Sept. 18: Beautiful Backroads Century cycling event returns. One of Georgia's most popular bike rides, Beautiful Backroads Century, will celebrate its 10th year on Sept. 18. For $30, riders are treated to beautiful route options, bountiful rest stops, beer, a delicious feast and an array of entertainment. It is no wonder BBC has grown from 166 local riders in 2001 to over 1,400 from across the country. The ride begins and ends at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Cartersville and participants can choose to ride 14, 31, 48, 66 or 100 miles on quiet roads through Bartow and Gordon counties. Most important, BBC is the largest fundraiser for Hickory Log Vocational School, a non-profit organization in White, which provides a caring, loving home for mentally challenged men and creates a family for its residents. The ride also benefits a variety of other local charities. Registration is $40. For more: visit www.bikebbc.com or (706) 296-7103.

Monday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Your latest forecast:

-Tuesday: High of 90, low of 52.

-Wednesday: High of 91, low of 60.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable. Arey  

-Dan Houston subs for Norman today through Thursday; Norman's No-Nos return Friday.

-Today's column: Upon further -- and further and further -- review, Calvin Johnson converted that TD.

AP Top 25 College Football. Click

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks  

-Hawks travel to Pikeville Saturday for 1:30 p.m. game.

-Home opener is Sept. 25 vs. Georgtown, Ky., 1:30 p.m., Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves. Click Sports

-Next: April 7 vs. Hagerstown. Check for events at State Mutual Stadium