Atlanta Pops Performing at The Grand Theatre in downtown Cartersville

(Media release) The Grand Theatre Entertainment Series presented by Century Bank continues when The Atlanta Pops Orchestra returns to The Grand on Saturday, December 11^th at 7:00 p.m. This year's program features a blend of contemporary and familiar holiday classics. The concert also includes the fourteen-member Grand Theatre Choral Ensemble, who will perform selections from Handel's Messiah.

 

"The annual holiday concert is a Cartersville tradition, and it is a great way to kick off the holiday season", says theatre Programs Coordinator, Terri Cox.  "This will be our seventh year featuring The Atlanta Pops, and we will have some our favorite traditional pieces as well as some selections that will bring back childhood Christmas memories."

 

Cox added that The Grand has a unique relationship with The Pops in which the orchestra works with vocalists from the community.  This year's soloists are Christina Sidlow and Paul Hartsell. Sidlow is in her senior year as a vocal performance major at Shorter College and has been featured several times on The Grand's stage.  Hartsell is the current leader of praise music at Sam Jones United Methodist Church and has performed in numerous musical theatre productions.

 

Tickets are going fast and patrons are advised to call early.  Orchestra level tickets are $25 and balcony level seats are $20. This is a reserved seating event. Purchase your tickets at The Grand Theatre ticket office, located at 7 North Wall Street in downtown Cartersville, or by calling 770-386-7343. Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, and American Express are accepted. The ticket office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

The Grand Theatre also has four-event season tickets available for the rest of the series, and they make a great holiday gift. Remaining shows include The Spencers: Theatre of Illusion in February, Marrakesh Express: a CSNY Experience in March, and the bluegrass band, The Grascals, in April. 

Tornado watch up in NE Alabama until noon. Bartow County: 100% chance of rain; 1-2 inches possible. Updates all day. Plus: Election runoff; polls open until 7 tonight.

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Tornado watch up for Northeast Alabama until noon EST today:
-Our long day of possible severe weather is under way

-We expect that watch to move eastward into parts of Georgia later this morning as the storm system moves eastward.
-Today: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 7 a.m. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 64. Rain chance: 100%. Rainfall: 1 to 2 inches.

-Tonight: 40% chance of showers before 1 a.m. Cloudy with a low around 33. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

-Weather updates all day as needed.

 

Thursday will be a busy night for parades

-Rome, Cartersville, Rockmart all have parades that night.

-Plus: Regional parade schedule.

 

Remember to vote today in supreme court, court of appeals races. 

-Polls close at 7 tonight.  Results later from Secretary of State's office.

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey  - Richt says he's not interested in moving on; heat is off the bowls with Bulldogs' win.   John McClellan's high school football playoff picks. McClellan -Unbeatens Calhoun, Carver of Columbus clash Friday with the Yellow Jackets coming up 2 points short of championship bid.     Track the NAIA's final four: -This Saturday decides who's coming to Rome for the NAIA title game Dec. 18. Your final four.    Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports -Annual half-price sale at The Trading Post is Dec. 11. -Big changes for the new season already under way.

Cartersville, Bartow due for up to 2 inches of rain. What's ahead in Bartow County. Today's Buzz

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

Busy week ahead in Bartow County:

-Nov. 30, 5-7 p.m., Business After Hours at Floyd Urgent Care's expanded facility at 1328 Joe Frank Harris Parkway.

-Dec. 1: Job Tax Credits seminars set for chamber office:

-Dec. 2, 7:30 a.m. Adairsville Chamber Council breakfast meeting at the Adairsville Inn, sponsored by NorthSide Bank.

-Dec. 2: Cartersville City Council.

-Dec. 2: Downtown Cartersville Tree Lighting Celebration. 5 p.m. Details

-Dec. 2: Cartersville Exchange Club Christmas Parade. Downtown beginning at 6 p.m. Rain date: Dec. 10. Details: Parade

-Dec. 3-4: The Nutcracker Returns to The Grand Theatre. 

Latest forecast: Cold gives way to soggy Monday, Tuesday

-Monday: High of 49, low of 48. 60%, then 100% rain chance tonight.

-Tuesday: 100% rain chance; possible severe storms. Up to two inches of rain. High of 63. Low of 36, 60% rain chance overnight.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Voting in the rain? Turnout for Tuesday's runoff election for seats on the state supreme and appellate courts already looks iffy. Add a rainy forecast to it and turnout looks slim. Polls are open  Tuesday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Candidates

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Click 

-Busy week ahead for Cotton Block, downtown Rome ('weather' or not).

-Earthworks keeps art spaces tradition alive; adds new wine event.

-Restaurant updates: Busy month ahead for new restaurants.

-WGPB: Former K98 lacks local staff but Georgia Public Radio continues.

Pumphouse Players have a busy month ahead with The Scrapbook: A Modern Christmas Carol opening Friday, other events. Details

John McClellan's High School football picks. Click McClellan

-Unbeatens Calhoun, Carver of Columbus clash Friday with the Yellow Jackets coming up 2 points short of championship bid.

Sunday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Dining & Drink. Click

-This week's public health restaurant inspection scores

-What's new at local restaurants and what's on the way.

-What's up this weekend at the North Georgia wineries.

New: Please join us on our new Bartow Headlines/Facebook fans page. Just click http://www.facebook.com/bartowheadlines

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Big changes in 2011: Rome Braves get new manager, coaches.

-Coming in January: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering.

Cartersville Mayor Matt Santini signs Small Retail Saturday proclamation

 Today the City of Cartersville Mayor, Matt Santini, signed the proclamation declaring Saturday, November 27^th as Small Retail Saturday.  This proclamation encourages all residents of Cartersville and Bartow County to join together and support the small local shops this holiday season.  According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, over the past ten years small, local businesses have provided sixty to eighty percent of new jobs in the community, making them the nation's largest group of employers.  In addition to the jobs they supply, these businesses are also a large tax contributor to your local government and schools.  Studies have shown that for every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 return to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures, while national chains only contribute an estimated $43 locally, followed by online purchases that provide nothing to the local economy. Therefore, the City of Cartersville and business owners ask that you keep this in mind this holiday season and shop our mom and pop stores.  Support the "3/50 project", which encourages citizens to select three locally owned businesses and spend $50 a month at those places as a means of strengthening the local economy.  It is evident these local businesses provide distinctive character and are an integral part of Cartersville.   

Early voting ends today. Fog advisory in effect; holiday weekend forecast. What's ahead in Bartow County. Latest restaurant inspection scores.

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Dense dog advisory in effect until 9 this morning.

 

Early voting now ends at 5 tonight for Nov. 30 runoff

 

New: Please join us on our new Bartow Headlines/Facebook fans page. Just click:

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Latest updates from the chamber of commerce:

-Nov. 30, 5-7 p.m., Business After Hours at Floyd Urgent Care's expanded facility at 1328 Joe Frank Harris Parkway. 
-Dec. 2, 7:30 a.m. Adairsville Chamber Council breakfast meeting at the Adairsville Inn, sponsored by NorthSide Bank. All Chamber members are invited to attend this monthly meeting in downtown Adairsville. No charge for breakfast.

Tuesday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Thanksgiving holiday updates:

-Gas prices nothing to be thankful for: You'll pay about a quarter more per gallon for unleaded this Thanksgiving weekend trip vs. last year's holiday. The average price is now $2.73 a gallon. Prices haven't been this high since May of last year. GasWatch

-DOT suspending road closings for holiday: DOT is suspending all construction-related lane closures on interstate highways and primary state roads from 5 a.m. Wednesday, through midnight, Sunday. DOT

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: High of 67, low of 54

-Thanksgiving: Partly sunny, high of 72, low of 48; 60% rain chance.

-Weekend: Upper 50s with lows near 30:

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Only four years later, Mitch Mustain may finally start another football game.

John McClellan's High School football picks: Click McClellan

-In a thriller, John forecasts Fitzgerald topping Calhoun by two.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Big changes in 2011: Rome Braves get new manager, coaches.

-Coming in January: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering.

Latest updates from Bartow sheriff's office; jail. Lane closed on southbound I-75 today. Rain returns. Thanksgiving updates

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com

 

Cups & Mugs coming to 239 Broad St.

-A new coffee shop is coming to Broad Street in January. Cups & Mugs in the former T. Martooni's spot at 239 Broad St. the first week of January, according to owner Allison Cox.

-200 block update: Cups & Mugs is the latest new player in the 200 block. 

-The Greener Burger now open on Mondays: The premium beef shop on Broad is now open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Mondays.

What's ahead in Bartow County.

Southbound lane in I-75 closed today.

Latest updates from the sheriff's office; jail reports.

Early voting now through Wednesday for Nov. 30 runoff

 

Your latest forecast:

-Tuesday: 50% rain chance, high of 71, low of 47.

-Wednesday: High of 65, low of 48. Rain chance: 30%

-Thanksgiving: 20% rain chance, high of 69, low of 47.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Maybe there are just too many bowls if there's not enough teams to go around.

John McClellan's High School football picks: Click McClellan

-In a thriller, John forecasts Fitzgerald topping Calhoun by two.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Big changes in 2011: Rome Braves get new manager, coaches.

-Coming in January: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering.

Twin pageants under way in Cartersville. Latest from sheriff's office. What's ahead in Bartow. Fabulous weekend forecast

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

From the sheriff's office:

-The victim of Wednesday's accidental injury has been identified as Mark Rogers, 51, of 468 Center Road Lot 1, Cartersville.

-The victim of an assault reported Wednesday has been identified as Willie Walter Tidwell, 64, of Patterson Drive, Cartersville.

 

Today's Buzz

-Latest updates from the chamber of commerce. Chamber

-Chattahoochee Tech to expand iPad program. Details

Nov. 19-20: Pageants in the spotlight:

-The Miss Georgia USA and Miss Georgia Teen USA pageants will be hosted at the Woodland Performing Arts Center in Cartersville.  The Preliminary Show is tonight at 7.  The Miss Georgia Teen USA Final Show will be Saturday at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Miss Georgia USA Final Show at 8 p.m. where Cassady Lance, (top) the reigning Miss Georgia USA®, and Caroline Wade, Miss Georgia Teen USA,(lower right) will crown their successors.Preliminary Show seats are $30.00, andFinal Show tickets are $35.00; Visa and MasterCardaccepted.  Tickets for children ages 13 & under are discounted one-half price: Preliminary Show $15 each, and Final Shows $17.50 each.  A $2 service charge will be applied to the price of each ticket purchased with credit card. Call the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau to reserve your seats, 9 a.m-4 p.m. Monday-Friday 770-387-1357.  Remaining tickets may also be purchased at the pageant events.  Proceeds from ticket sales benefit pageant license holder Greenwood Productions, Inc

-Youth tickets half-price. Click

Thursday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Early voting starts, or expands, Monday for Nov. 30 runoff

Weekend football:

-Tonight by 10:30 p.m. Playoff scoreboard report.

-John McClellan's high school playoff picks: Darlington done? Below.

-Norman Arey's Norman's No-Nos: 15 'guaranteed' college football losers this weekend. Below.

Big changes for Rome Braves' field managers:

-Paul Runge is the new manager of the Rome Braves, arriving from the Danville Braves after six successful seasons. He replaces Randy Ingle, who spent five seasons as manager here. Ingle moves to Danville; other former Rome coaches get new titles, too. Details

Dining & Drink

-Public health restaurant inspection scores for Northwest Georgia. Dine

-Latest updates from North Georgia wineries. Drink

Your weekend forecast:

-Friday: Sunny, high of 64, low of 38.

-Saturday: High of 66, low of 41.

-Sunday: Sunny, high of 69, low of 49. 

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

John McClellan's High School football picks: Click McClellan

-Round two: Rough Friday ahead for Darlington v. Lincoln; Calhoun will beat Westminster, move to round three.

-Georgia High School Football Daily: Split on Darlington game; picks Calhoun to win. Football

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Norman's No-Nos: Georgia Tech's spiral continues; Michigan simply can't make that big statement.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Big changes in 2011: Rome Braves get new manager, coaches.

-Coming in January: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering.

Chattahoochee Tech to expand iPad program

(Media release) Technology in the classroom isn't new, but the use of the Apple iPad is a relatively innovative program at many colleges. For a few Chattahoochee Technical College students, the small device is proving invaluable in their educational experience. Now more students will get that chance as the program expands this January.

"This launch of the iPad is an extension of CTC's continued innovation in technology application in the classroom," said Trina Boetler, vice-president of academic affairs. "Originally, Dr. Sanford Chandler [CTC's president] asked the Executive Council to come up with innovative ways to utilize technology throughout the college. Members started talking about electronic books, which just evolved into the use of iPads."

Over the summer, 15 students in a literature class at the college's North Metro campus in Acworth began using the devices instead of purchasing numerous paperback books to read the works of Hawthorne, Melville and others. But according to the class instructor and humanities department chair, Jason Tanner, the introduction of the iPad into the classroom did more than just save students money on books.

"We used the iPads as a textbook, first and foremost," said Tanner. "The literature for the class was used as downloads on the device through Angel, links to the Internet to pull full text and downloaded texts from iBooks. It was a place to play audio versions for students to better comprehend. Having the literature at their fingertips was great. They had to readjust their ways of thinking about books."

Through the pilot program, students are provided with an iPad for the quarter. Next quarter the program will be expanded to two classes – one on the Marietta campus and the other at the Acworth campus. That means about 40 students will have access to the technology in the program.

Unlike similar programs at other colleges in the region, CTC's program reaches out to nontraditional students, as the average age of students this fall quarter is 28. Age wasn't a factor in the students' enthusiasm for the technology and the program.

"Students love technology and gadgets, whether those students are 16 or 60," he explained. "They were hooked on day one. I think it proved to them that we cared deeply about how they learn, not just what they learn. I think the economic commitment mattered to them. I know the trust we put in each of them to keep and maintain (and turn in) an iPad got us a lot of credibility with the students."

The 15 students in the first iPad enhanced class had already completed English 1101 and 1102 before signing up for the section of American literature. That meant they had been at CTC for at least two terms and shown academic progress by passing both of the freshman composition classes. It also meant the students were familiar with Angel, CTC e-mail and other programs and applications necessary for the class."

Funded by CTC, the school received its shipments of the device only two months after they had been on the market. Students began using them in July in what Tanner described as a successful experience.

"There were some very tech savvy students who worked through some of the limitations, but most found ways to use the device in their other classes and personal lives," he said. "I think part of that is that we went in small and thought small. We didn't attempt something too large with brand new technology."

Students in the class were asked to consider different possibilities for using the iPad in the classroom. Tanner said he was surprised by some of the responses. Even science classes have been mentioned as a possible home for the iPad technology.

"We will have one more pilot term to gauge the usage and any potential problems," said Boetler. "At that point, we will look into electronic resources available through the iPad on a program-by-program basis to see which areas may be pursued."

For more information on programs at Chattahoochee Technical College, call 770-528-4545 or visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.

Turkey Fryer Safety from the Fire Department

 

(media release) Each year during the holidays we look forward to that perfectly prepared turkey waiting on the dinner table, like so many magazines and television commercials portray. Unfortunately, since most of us do not have the cooking talents, that dream is not always a reality.

That is why so many people are turning to deep frying their turkeys. With a turkey fryer, what used to take several hours with no guarantees, now takes only 45-60 minutes with the assurance of a plump, moist bird every time. But the question is: Are we willing to trade our safety for time and taste?

Every year, deep fat fryers are responsible for approximately 1,000 fires, resulting in five deaths and 60 injuries. As this trend increases, the statistics are likely to become worse--possibly leading to more loss of life. Because of the risks attributed to turkey fryers, Underwriters Laboratories will not certify any fryer with their trusted UL mark and other safety organizations warn against the use of unauthorized certifications from their laboratories as well.

 

Deep Fried Turkey Cooking Tips:

• Follow your fryer's instructions. A good general rule is 3 to 4 minutes per pound at 350 degrees.
• Only deep fry smaller turkeys—up to 12 pounds.
• Use oils with high smoke points such as peanut, canola and safflower. Peanut oil adds flavor, but it can be a concern if guests have peanut allergies.
• To determine how much oil you'll need, put the turkey in the basket and place in the pot. Add water until it reaches one to two inches above the turkey. Lift the turkey out, and use a ruler to measure the distance from the water to the top of the fryer. Pour out the water and dry the fryer completely.
• Remember that it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to heat the oil, depending on the outside temp. wind and weather.
• Before frying, pat the turkey dry with paper towels to keep the hot oil from spattering and popping.

 

Safety Tips:

• Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other material that can burn.
• Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages!
• Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• Never leave the fryer unattended! Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don't watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use. Even after use, never allow children or pets near the turkey fryer. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot, hours after use.
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water don't mix, and water causes oil to spill over, causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
• The National Turkey Federation recommends refrigerator thawing and to allow approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of bird thawed in the refrigerator.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. Remember to use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire. If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call 9-1-1 for help.
• Even after use, never allow children or pets near the turkey fryer. The oil inside the cooking pots remains dangerously hot, hours after use.

Contact:  Mark Hathaway, Fire Marshal

Phone:  770.387.5635 or mhathaway@cityofcartersville.org

Bartow first-time jobless claims drop vs. Oct. 2009 and last September. Big pageant weekend in Bartow County

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

Double-digit drop in local, statewide first-time jobless claims in October.

-Statewide jobless rate holds at 9.9% as number of jobs rises in October vs. September. Local jobless rates due later this month.

 

Big weekend here for pageants. Full details; discount tickets.

 

Cartersville City Council meets tonight.

 

Sheriff's office investigates two bizarre reports.

 

Dining & Drink

-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores.

-What's ahead at the N. Georgia wineries.

-Beer, wine tastings in downtown Rome tonight.

 

Buzz:

-Rep.-elect Coomer attends orientation in Atlanta.

 

Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: High of 64, low of 32. 20% rain chance.

-Friday: Sunny, high of 65, low of 33.

-Weekend: Sunny, highs in the upper 60s, lows near 40.

 

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey 
- What's the real major difference between Matt Ryan and Michael Vick?

John McClellan's high school football playoff picks. McClellan

-Round two: Rough Friday ahead for Darlington v. Lincoln;
Calhoun will beat Westminster, move to round three.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Up next: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering. January at The Forum.

 

Dining Guide. Click
-Latest updates on restaurant changes, health inspection scores.
 

Wine News Vine.  Wine 

-Upcoming events at the North Georgia wineries.

Rep-Elect Christian Coomer Attends Freshman Orientation

 

Media release: State Representative-elect Christian Coomer (R-Cartersville) attended the Georgia General Assembly's Orientation Day at the Capitol for New Legislators on Wednesday, November 17, 2010.  This one-day freshman orientation provides information and training to first time legislators that will help them better serve their district and state. "This has been a great opportunity to learn more about the nuts and bolts of Georgia's legislative process," said Rep-elect Coomer.  "With 36 freshmen members, this will really help us be productive from the first day of the legislative session. House Speaker David Ralston and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle were both on hand to greet the new legislators.  Throughout the day, the representatives-elect learned the rules and decorum of the Georgia House of Representatives, became more familiar with the legislative drafting process, and received an update on the state budget.  The 2011 freshmen class also watched a legislative simulation on the House floor and attended a session entitled, "What I Wish I Had Known."  Finally, the first time legislators took a tour of Capitol Hill and learned the history of the Capitol grounds. Rep-elect Coomer will be sworn into office on January 10, 2011, the first day of the 2011 legislative session.  Soon after, he will receive his House committee assignments.  The people of House District 14 elected Coomer as their new state representative during the general election held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.  House District 14 includes portions of Floyd and Bartow counties.

Playoffs begin for NAIA football title game in Rome. Cartersville's mRelevance honored. What's ahead in Bartow County

Please click www.bartowheadlines.com

 

Sweet 16 for NAIA hopefuls begins; final two to play in Rome Dec. 18

-The opening round of the NAIA college football championship is Saturday; meet the teams battling for a date at Barron Stadium.

 

Cartersville's mRelevance sweeps OBIE social media honors.

 

What's ahead in Bartow County.

 

Read release or watch video of GE's $50,000 to The Breast Center at Floyd.

-Floyd video of check presentation, Breast Center plans among the area's first video media releases.

 

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 61, low of 33.

-Thursday: High of 63, low of 36.

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey  -Should Georgia Tech look at the College of Charleston for a basketball coach?    John McClellan's high school football playoff picks. McClellan -Round two: Rough Friday ahead for Darlington v. Lincoln; Calhoun will beat Westminster, move to round three. Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports -Up next: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering. January at The Forum.   Dining Guide. Click -Latest updates on restaurant changes, health inspection scores.   Downtown Headlines. Downtown -What's ahead in downtown Rome.  -Thursday-Saturday: Bryan Mullins' downtown entertainment report.  Wine News Vine.  Wine  -Upcoming events at the North Georgia wineries.

Cartersville-based mRelevance sweeps OBIE social media categories

mRELEVANCE Wins OBIE Awards for Social Media
Strategic Internet Marketing Campaigns Produce Effective Results

(Media release) ATLANTA – Cartersville-based social media, internet marketing and public relations firm mRELEVANCE swept the social media categories at the 2010 OBIE Awards Gala held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead in November. The firm won both Gold and Silver OBIEs for Best Social Media Campaign. The awards were for work done on behalf of clients Bowen Family Homes and Circle 75 Townhomes.

mRELEVANCE won Gold for Best Social Media Campaign for the second year in a row for Bowen Family Homes. The two-and-a-half month long Penny Power Promotion, which utilized only social media and online marketing, generated 998 new leads, increased traffic by 40% and produced 51 sales valued at $10.7 million.

mRELEVANCE won Silver for Best Social Media Campaign for Circle 75 Townhomes. This Cobb County community sold 48 units in eight months. Through the effective use of search engine optimization and content marketing, overall website traffic increased during the campaign by 469%.

"These awards demonstrate the effectiveness of the online marketing programs built by mRELEVANCE," said Carol Flammer, mRELEVANCE managing partner and Cartersville resident. "mRELEVANCE is recognized as the leader in the new home marketing social media space. It is rewarding to know that our efforts have been recognized by both our peers and the home building industry."

This is the third consecutive year that mRELEVANCE has won OBIEs for award-winning Internet marketing. In 2008 the agency won Best E-Marketing – Best Interactive Application for its Heron Bay Golf and Country Club campaign. The agency was recognized in 2009 for Best Interactive Application for Atlanta's favorite news blog, www.AtlantaRealEstateForum.com.

The Sales and Marketing Council of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association presents its annual OBIE Awards every November. The OBIE Awards began in 1980 and have grown consistently, now featuring more than 100 building, remodeling, marketing and personal achievement categories. The awards are the highest honor given in the Atlanta housing industry.

mRELEVANCE builds premium blogs, which they deliver with all search engine optimization tools and plug-ins expertly configured so clients can begin writing posts with ease. Often, clients will ask the mRELEVANCE team of experienced writers to populate their blogs for them with meaningful content that incorporates key search terms for maximum search engine optimization.

mRELEVANCE founder Carol Flammer is the author of the Best Selling book, "Social Media for Home Builders: It's Easier Than You Think," one of this year's most popular titles by BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders.

About mRELEVANCE: mRELEVANCE, LLC, is an Internet marketing, social media and public relations firm that operates at the intersection of social and search to build online and off-line relationships. Effectively syndicating well written, targeted content through the power of traditional public relations, social media and search engine optimization, mRELEVANCE creates relevant, measurable campaigns with proven Return on Investment. mRELEVANCE case studies and client successes speak for themselves. When you are ready to increase your website traffic by 50 – 200 percent, contact mRELEVANCE.

With offices in Atlanta and Chicago, mRELEVANCE can connect your company with buyers and build relevant relationships nationwide. For more information, visit www.mRELEVANCE.com, Like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/mRELEVANCE, Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mRELEVANCE or call 770-383-3360 or 847-259-7312.

All 19 Chattahoochee Tech certified nursing assistants pass national certification exams

(Media release) There are now 19 more certified nursing assistants who list Chattahoochee Technical College on their resumes. All of the students finishing the certificate program that is offered on the school's Appalachian, Austell and North Metro campuses passed the national certification examination on the first try.

"This is the first time since the merger that we have achieved this accomplishment," said CTC Dean of Health Sciences Ron Webb. "It represents a great deal of work and dedication from Dr. Christine Yarbrough, Dr. Linda Ferrick, Tammy Gentry and Michelle Duke. The instructors in this area are dedicated to training the best CNAs in the state, and under the direction of Dr. Yarbrough they are achieving great results."

The CNA program is a part of the Health Sciences department. After the pre-requisite classes, including AHS 1011 Anatomy and Physiology, AHS 104 Intro to Healthcare, AHS 109 Medical Terminology and other general education requirements, the CNA class itself is one quarter in duration, including a clinical rotation at a local long-term care facility. The bulk of the course consists of lecture and skills in the classroom setting. These skills include hygiene and grooming, transferring and positioning, feeding and nutrition, cultural diversity, infection control and legal and ethical issues. After completing the program, students sit for a state certification exam consisting of 70 multiple choice questions and a clinical or skills evaluation test.

"The fact that all 19 CNA Candidates passed on the first try is significant to this school, said Dr. Linda Ferrick, CNA coordinator at Chattahoochee Technical College. "It rarely happens that all pass the first time. This indicates that the CTC students are well prepared to care for the public in their capacity as CNA's and can manage stressful situations. Testing is very stressful. The candidates do not know what skill they will be testing until they are called into the room. They must pass all critical criteria to pass the State Competency Exam.

"In all areas of healthcare, the Nursing Assistant is the backbone of the nursing department," said Ferrick. "These are the people who have the most contact with the patient. The public believes that nurses are the eyes and ears of healthcare. The CNA is the eyes and ears of the nurses. I feel that all future nursing students should consider becoming CNAs first and learn the basic skills to care for the public when they need it most."

Chattahoochee Technical College offers the CNA 100 every quarter. However, with the transition to semesters, there will be no class offered in the summer of 2011. CNA classes will resume in the Fall Semester as NAST 1100, Nurse Aide Fundamentals. Interested persons should first go to www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu, click on the Academic Programs of Study tab and then the Healthcare Assistant Certificate to find CNA registration requirements. If an individual has further questions, he or she may contact the school's Dr. Linda Ferrick at lferrick@chattahoocheetech.edu.

"Chattahoochee Technical College is proud to introduce such well-prepared students into Georgia's workforce," CTC Allied Health Science Coordinator Dr. Christine Yarbrough. "These students will be able to secure jobs in an ever growing market in healthcare as representatives of the quality education they have received. Having a 100 percent pass rate is yet another demonstration of the outstanding accomplishments of the Health Sciences Department at Chattahoochee Tech."

Inch of rain since Monday; more due. Rome's Mellow Mushroom opens Jan. 10; hiring begins. What's ahead in Bartow County.

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Nov. 18: A public meeting on the Atlanta-Chattanooga High Speed Ground Transportation study is scheduled for 6 until 8 p.m. at the Cartersville Civic Center, 435 W. Main St. A presentation on the current project status will begin at 6:30 p.m. This is the fourth public information meeting on options to better connect Atlanta and Chattanooga through high speed rail. The meeting will provide the public with information about the purpose and need of the project under study; high speed ground transportation technologies being considered; the possible corridors and alignments for a high speed rail connecting the two cities, and the criteria employed to initially screen these alignments.    

Tuesday's Buzz:

-Youth tickets half-price; Miss USA Preliminaries held Friday-Saturday. Click

-Nov. 16: Bartow Business Connection, The City Cellar, 4 until 7 p.m. Expanded details

-Dec. 11: Cowboy Santa coming to the Booth Western Art Museum. Booth

-City of Cartersville announces zoning revisions. Zoning

Mellow Mushroom opening now set for Jan. 10

-A Facebook posting by the owners includes a link for job-seekers (click) and this update: "Mellow Mushroom of Rome is now HIRING. We are set to open Jan. 10 so if you need a job go to this link." Crews are continuing to update the interior of 238 Broad St., once designated as home of the defunk Rome City Market project. An early December opening originally was planned. Click for Facebook

-What it means: 2011 indeed will start with a boom in downtown Rome. The openings of Johnny's New York Style Pizza and The Greener Burger pumped dozens of new jobs into downtown. But also leaving were Peach Palace and later Broad Street Station.

It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas ... : With Santa already at Mount Berry Square and decorations out in force at the stores, why not non-stop Christmas music on the radio? 93.5 Life FM-- "your Christmas station" -- is spinning Christmas tunes now through the holidays. Even the station's website has a continuous snowfall effect on it. The flakes (above, left) will follow your cursor. Life FM

 

Your latest forecast: more rain

-Inch of rain since Monday morning.

-Tuesday: 100% rain chance; high of 62, low of 38. 20% rain chance.

-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 61, low of 36.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Monday's Bartow County Jail reports. Click & Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-South Carolina's SEC East title couldn't happen to a better team - I'm talking about Florida.

John McClellan's High School football picks: Click McClellan

-Round two: Rough Friday ahead for Darlington v. Lincoln; Calhoun will beat Westminster, move to round three

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Coming in January: Ninth Annual Hot Stove Gathering.