On this week's Buzz: (click)
>CVTC's new aviation center set to soar at Towers Field
>Independence Day to last almost five days this year. Town-by-town guide
>Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
WeatherCenter/Thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m.> Watch
>Tonight, a low of 63 with a 40 percent chance of rain> WeatherCenter
Braves slammed 11-2> Sports
>Hampton to throw tonight at State Mutual.
Sports
>Norman Arey: Is there something buzzing about Paul Johnson's offense after all?>Arey
>Atlanta Braves' Mike Hampton to start in Rome Monday: First pitch by U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey > Sports
>Braves slammed, 11-2> Sports
>Hampton to throw tonight at State Mutual Stadium
WeatherCenter
>Mostly sunny, high of 87 on Monday: 40 percent chance of rain on Independence Day> WeatherCenter
Downtown Headlines
>First Friday, sidewalk sale, Sweet Pickles' opening highlights busy weekend downtown> Downtown Headlines
Gas watch/Local prices steep but remain steady (updated 6/30)
Statewide average 'steady' at $3.98: A year ago, we were paying $2.83 for a gallon of unleaded. Today, the state average is at $3.98,up a penny.
| Bartow | Chattooga | Floyd | Gordon | Polk | Georgia | |
| Range | $3.84- $4.56 | $3.92- $4.10 | $3.95- $4.00 | $3.85- $4.10 | $3.88- $4.05 | $3.98 |
| Links | Cartersville | Summerville | Rome | Calhoun | Cedartown | State |
New/Check gas prices in vacation destinations from GasBuddy.com:
>Average price in Alabama/Mobile area: $3.94 (click)
>Average price in S. Carolina: $3.88 (click)
>Average price in N. Carolina: $3.98 (click)
>Average price in Florida/Orlando area: $3.97 (click)
>Average price in Tennessee: $3.90 (click)
New 'campus' for CVTC aviation students ready to soar
Jon Byrd is both eclectic and electric. A former radio guy who sings and performs on the side, Byrd knows how to promote and how to "brand" the product.
Those skills are in full force as his bustling day job gets even busier: launching the new Aviation Training Center at Coosa Valley Technical College, complete with a sparking new building (we're calling it a campus; more below) at John Towers Field/Richard B. Russell Regional Airport.
Byrd's breezy manner delivers almost enough information during a tour of the rising campus to qualify listeners for a degree outright. Room by room, as you walk the 30,744-square-foot complex rising just north of the airport's offices, Byrd explains the purpose each will serve.
Neither too technical nor too long, Byrd tells you about twin, self-contained battery labs just off CVTC's main hangar-like structure. Why two? Because airplanes use one of two types of batteries; have both in the same environment and things get dicey. Or why the main hangar and several other rooms have floors as white as a hockey rink. Safety, light refraction and other benefits quickly are listed as why.
Anyone who has toured some of the pristine machine shops at CVTC's Rome campus will be surprised to know how spotless Byrd intends to keep these $2.8 million quarters just off Russell's runways.
Even now, with construction nearing an end, and desks and equipment on order, the place is in good shape. Byrd and the construction team have to have the site ready for a second Federal Aviation Administration inspection before starting the center's first two classes on Sept. 30.
And on day one? "We'll have two full classrooms," says Byrd, with 24 in each one. In addition to aviation maintenance technology and avionics maintenance technology courses, the students will face other required college courses, he said (click Curriculum for more).
Byrd, who's worked in other college aviation programs, sets CVTC's goals clear and concise: "When people talk about the state's best aviation program, we want them talking about Rome."
The tools and attitude are there to make it happen. The aviation center will feature:
>Five classrooms, four for aviation classes and one for avionics.
>A required FAA library (both online and with microfiche files).
>The massive hangar with jumbo doors that slide to the north.
>Breakout rooms for those aforementioned batteries and other detail work.
>Several offices, perhaps a book store/gift shop and lobby area.
>All are under the same roof, built by Bennett Construction.
The groundbreaking for the aviation center took place on a torrid Aug. 15 last year but the real work didn't start until after the annual air show in September. The center will be used and on display for the mid-September show this year, says Byrd.
His immediate goal, upon opening, is growth. Byrd will be joined by another faculty member and administrative aide shortly. By 2010, he's planning for a six-person operation.
The aviation center will be the site of several open houses and receptions in coming months.
For now, Byrd and the construction crews are getting ready for final inspections. Expect to see more on the aviation center soon, including the specially designed CVTC logo with the stylized swoosh on top. There's a copy greeting you as you enter the center--or look at the front tag on Byrd's SUV.
It is a brand he's hoping will draw a statewide audience.
Above photos: A worker prepares the solid white floor of the main hangar area of CVTC's Aviation Training Center. Top right, program director Jon Byrd outside the new center. Middle left, the hallway from the reception area past several classrooms and labs. Lower right, one of the new classrooms. Bottom left, the specialized CVTC logo.
Busy Independence Day celebrations ahead
The 232nd anniversary of our nation's founding will be a long one. Events begin on Tuesday and continue through the following Sunday in Northwest Georgia. Below please find a day-by-day chart of what's ahead:
July 1/Fireworks following Rome Braves game: The Rome Braves host arch-rival Columbus on Tuesday, July 1, with fireworks following the 7 p.m. game. Look for the pyrotechnics around 9:40 or so at State Mutual Stadium. The fireworks will be accompanied by music and video. Tickets are $4, $6, $8 and $10, and are available online at romebraves.com or at the State Mutual Stadium ticket office.
July 3/Cave Spring fireworks, celebration: Look for a busy day and night at Rolater Park.
July 4/Cave Spring Fourth of July Parade: It is hard to top this slice of Americana, which ends with organizer Christa Jackson's tribute to Lady Liberty.
>To be in the parade: Walkers line up at the Depot but riders and floats line up on Perry Farm Road starting at 8 a.m. Please, no bicycles and/or skateboards or skates. Children must be accompanied by adults. Call Jackson at 706-777-8743.
>To view the parade: The parade leaves the Depot at 9 a.m. and moves through the neighborhoods until reaching the square (the best place to view the parade).
>And while there: Look for homemade ice cream again at Cave Spring United Methodist Church, which is on Alabama Street, the parade route.
July 4/Huge day in Cartersville/Bartow County
(From the visitors bureau)
>Red Top Mountain State Park's Independence Day Celebration takes place throughout the holiday weekend. Spend the day relaxing with the family then come Party with the 'Possums on a ranger-guided night hike beginning at "dark:30" at the Park Visitor Center on July 4. Throughout the weekend, there will be Roving Rangers nature programs, crafts for kids and more. On Saturday there will be a guided Iron Mine Hike and in the evening there is a free Mountain Music Series concert by Smokey's Farmland Band at 8 p.m. Admission to Red Top Mountain State Park is a $3 ParkPass per vehicle.
>Downtown parade: In Cartersville, festivities get under way at 9 a.m. with Stars, Stripes & Cartersville Independence Day Parade down Main Street. Following the parade, there will be arts & crafts, entertainment, food, and children's games and activities beginning at 10 a.m. at Dellinger Park. The popular band Babe's Bayou will be performing two concerts; one at 7 p.m. and another at 8:30 p.m. culminating in a large fireworks display. The Cartersville Optimist Club, WBHF 1450 AM, City of Cartersville and Bartow County government bring you Stars, Stripes & Cartersville. A $1 parking fee will be charged.
July 4/Party in the Meadow: Barnsley Gardens is planning a traditional Fourth of July outing in the meadow beginning at 11 a.m. Included: special decorations and a parade through the village. (770) 773-7480.
July 4/First Friday concert: Look for inflatables and a rock wall for the kids at Bridgepoint Plaza. Also, the entertainment will start at 5 p.m. with the Dixie Stompers, followed by Southern Thunder and then Tinsley Ellis. Also: a Bike Cruise-in.
July 4/Ridge Ferry Park: (Media release) The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority will host the annual Fourth of July Fireworks at Ridge Ferry Park. Many features have been added to this year's event, including water slides and helicopter rides to provide a full day of entertainment for the entire family. The Kid's Area will feature two 22-foot water slides and an interactive vehicle display to include a fire truck, cop car and ambulance. Kids and adults can play in the water slides all day for $10 per person. Helicopter rides will be available from noon to 5 p.m. and cost $30 per ride. Tiger Flight will conduct a formation fly over between 3 and 4 p.m. Kids will then be invited to meet a Tiger Flight Pilot. Live music entertainment begins at 5 pm with Ian Trapp, followed by Just as I Am and then Kneckdown. The fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m. Concessions will be open all day. Pets are not allowed. Q102 will simulcast from the fireworks event. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for the free live music and fireworks show. Event admission is free and open to all. Event volunteers are needed from 3 to 8:30 p.m.; if interested please contact Rana at 706-291-0766.
>Campaign and political materials may not be distributed at this event. Trails will be closed from Burrell Creek to Ridge Ferry Stage on Friday, July 4 for fireworks display set-up. Access Ridge Ferry Park from Farmer's Market and Shoals parking lots. Parking is limited; arrive early.
July 4/Star-Spangled Celebration, Cherokee Capital Fairgrounds, gates open at 5 p.m., live music. All free. Details
July 4/Independence Day in Summerville, 5-10 p.m., Summerville Recreation Center, highways 100 and 114. Free Admission and parking.
-5 p.m.: Water slides (free)
-5 p.m.: Inflatables for the smaller children (free)
-5 p.m.: Free watermelon slicing
-6-7:15 p.m.: Live Music by Buck & Duke
-7:15 p.m.: Civil War Cannon Firing Demonstration
-7:45-until fireworks: Live Music by Buck & Duke
-Dark-Fireworks display!
July 5/Cartersville summer concert: The fun continues on Saturday evening in Historic Downtown Cartersville's Friendship Plaza with the 2008 Century Bank Summer Concert Series and Cartersville Classic Car Show. The fun begins at 6 p.m. when more than 350 classic cars pop their hoods for an all-American celebration. Then at 7 p.m. The Neons, Atlanta's Premier Party Dance Band, takes the stage. Since 1989, The Neons have electrified audiences with a diverse song list including favorite music from Motown, R&B, Beach, Rock and more. Enjoy the music and food by 2nd Half Sports Pub & Grill until 9 p.m. No outside picnic baskets or coolers allowed. Admission is free.
July 6/First Baptist Church of Cave Spring's patriotic program, 6 p.m. on Cedartown Street, right across the street from the park. Included: A musical variety show.
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to Dr. Harold Newman, Shorter College: 
The Executive Committee of Shorter College's Board of Trustees presented Dr. Harold Newman with a new four-year contract that starts on Tuesday. Wise move. Newman has brought new vitality to The Hill (and off The Hill). Last year, Newman told us he has the energy to do this another decade. So how about a contract extension, trustees?
Valley to Mother Nature: Or was it the passing motorists? Regardless, we've hated watching crews bring down those old oaks on Second Avenue and East Ninth Street. Those oaks help make that stretch of "Two Avenue" one of the nicer drives in Rome/Floyd County.
Peaks to Angie Lewis and Ryan Earnest: Amid all the
gloom-and-doom headlines out there regarding the financial industry, we're proud to see two hometown kids rise to the top of their respective banks (Lewis to Citizens First and Earnest at Heritage First).
Peak to Ronnie Wallace: The business and political pace of Rome/Floyd County just got kicked up a notch with Wallace's return to working life in Rome as an executive vice president for business development at Heritage First Bank. Wallace's "on-site" leadership has been missed on a day-to-day basis. One more note: Campaign 2010 certainly just got more interesting.
Peak to Berry College's latest growth
This rendering shows the new student residences due to open by August 2009--complete with deer, no less (lower right corner). The project brings new housing closer to the hub of the campus and if you look close, in the middle, you see another phase--an eventual student activities center in the current Emery Barns complex. The region's colleges continue to invest not only in their own futures but those of the community as well.
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