This week's Buzz: (click)
>Politics: Floyd GOP gets front-row seat to growing energy battle
>Health: Lifesaving dose of relief always nearby for Crego, others
>Trends: Voter apathy this election year? Don't believe it
>Three-Dot Buzz . . .: Hail to the speaker; restaurant updates; new V3 out
>Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia headlines
>Campus Headlines: Berry, Shorter, CVTC, Highlands; updates
Weather:
>Mostly sunny with a high of 89; thunderstorms Tuesday>WeatherCenter
>Air quality 'code orange' in effect again today in Bartow County: Much of metro Atlanta in advisory area. Click Details
College Football Previews from Norman Arey
Norman Arey, Northwest Georgia's most experienced sports journalist, presents his annual series of college football previews now through Aug. 28. Starting Friday, Aug. 29, "Norman's No-Nos," Arey's weekly pick of football losers, returns.
>Today: BCS ambitions for Fresno State, BYU; major independents anything but
>Tuesday: Pac 10;Wednesday: Big 12; Thursday: Big 10; and Friday: Big East
>Click Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable
Rome Braves
>Braves go 7-1 on road trip; open eight-game home stand tonight: Hagerstown, then Lake County> Sports
>Day game Wednesday vs. the Suns; 1 p.m. start at State Mutual
>Check recent Braves' game photos from Mills Fitzner> Focus
Skip Caray tributes planned Tuesday at Turner Field: Morning ceremony, evening game to pay tribute to broadcasting legend. Tuesday would have been his 69th birthday. Fittingly, the Braves play the Cubs that night> Skip
Downtown Headlines:
> Downtown events to draw more than 3,000 this week (graduation, race, homecoming)> Downtown Headlines
The Buzz of Northwest Georgia
POLITICS/Floyd GOP gets front-row seat to growing energy battle
Little did we know that the 300-plus attending Saturday's Fourth Annual Floyd County Republican Rally would have a ringside seat to the splintering of ranking GOPers in Congress, a standoff that already has gone national.
The only presumed controversy going into the rally at an always-gracious Earl Tillman's retreat at Richard B. Russell Airport/Towers Field was an appearance by House Speaker Glenn Richardson. Like the drunk uncle at a family Christmas gathering, the crowd either loves or loathes the man. So do some of our House incumbents.
Instead, the real show was a continuation of Rush Limbaugh's Friday radio smackdown of U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, the Georgia Republican who faces a more difficult fight for re-election vs. Democrat Jim Martin than he would the now-exorcised Vernon Jones.
Limbaugh lit into Chambliss and his bipartisan "Gang of 10" as they push a domestic energy program designed to end our addiction to foreign crude. Hasn't that been the mantra of both parties of late? It seems Chambliss--and Georgia's Johnny Isakson--are under fire for inviting the Democrats to the table. (See a portion of Limbaugh's home page, above, from Sunday afternoon. Click Limbaugh)
Most damaging is the tag line under the photos of Chambliss, Isakson and others on Limbaugh's Web site: "Five Republicans undercut our chances for victory." Uh, not quite mega dittos there, Rush-bo.
At Saturday's airport rally, Chambliss' "few minutes" at the microphone stretched more than 15 minutes and hit energy hard, hard, hard (click Politics). He took a few retaliatory swipes at Limbaugh as well. That takes guts, especially in a tightening re-election bid.
All this unfolded before word got out about a release from U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey's office Saturday morning, just before the GOP rally, regarding the "Gang of 10." We learned of it Saturday evening after reading a clip in the AJC's Political Insider column. We didn't get that memo originally but here's the resend:
Wrote Gingrey: "While I respect our senators' desire to find legislation that reaches consensus with Senate Democrats, the American people are more interested in lower gas prices than in Senate procedural pleasantries. The only thing they care about is a comprehensive, all-of-the-above energy plan to lower the cost of fuel.
"For far too long, this Congress has accepted 'compromise' energy legislation and look what it has got us--$4 gasoline," Gingrey said. "Enough is enough. Speaker Pelosi should call back the House of Representatives immediately so that we can debate and vote on the American Energy Act.
"I maintain that American energy independence requires an all-of-the-above approach that incorporates increased conservation, a greater focus on alternatives and most importantly, drilling in ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf. We know that the road to energy independence starts with increased supply – not taxes on energy production that will get passed along to the consumer.
"For the first time in the history of our Republic, ordinary citizens have packed the floor of the House of Representatives and demanded a real energy plan to solve their real energy problems. I am not going to let them down."
Gingrey didn't arrive at Saturday's rally until after Chambliss had departed.
What gets us: This campaign stop was supposed to be something of a unity push, with most of the state's senior Republicans in a Kumbya, "vote for John McCain and Saxby and..." endorsement. Instead--even with dueling Republican 2010 gubernatorial hopefuls making nice--the back story got almost as messy as this year's General Assembly.
The question is: Who's left to clean this mess up? Answer: you, the consumer--and voter. (Click Trends)
HEALTH/Lifesaving dose of relief always nearby for Crego, others
Story by Natalie Simms
Photos by Mills Fitzner
It was an ordinary summer evening when Mike Crego, senior vice president of the Rome office of Wachovia Securities, was cutting his grass after a long day at work. He was mowing the back yard as usual when he stumbled upon a yellow jacket nest.
He was immediately stung five times and, within minutes, was unconscious. Fortunately for Crego, because of his allergy to yellow jacket stings, he had an EpiPen on hand for such a situation.
"Within minutes, I was out and my wife got my EpiPen from my golf bag. A family friend, Ame Czentnar, had stopped by our house and she administered the injection. It saved my life," said Crego. "It would have been questionable if I would have made it without the pen."
He's grateful to the paramedics who treated him and took him to Floyd Medical Center for more care. People who use an EpiPen in an emergency are urged to seek medical attention after the injection --and to bring the used EpiPen, too.
This wasn't the first time Crego had a near-death experience from a sting. In 1994, Crego went into cardiac arrest from a sting. His airway closed and his heart stopped beating, a reaction known as anaphylaxis. He was brought back to life with a defibrillator.
He and thousands of others now carry the EpiPen, an auto-injector that administers epinephrine, a treatment for severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. An anaphylactic reaction is marked by swelling of the throat or tongue, hives and trouble breathing. When it strikes, life is at risk, according to Harbin Clinic Family Physician Dr. Robert Pyle.
"The venom is a vaso-dilator, which causes the blood vessels to open up, blood pressure to drop and blood stops circulating through the body," Pyle said. "The EpiPen reverses this effect."
About 3 to 4 percent of his patient population requires an EpiPen to help them if they were to have an allergic reaction. "It really depends on the amount of reaction and how quickly they reacted," he said. "If a patient experienced shortness of breath with the reaction, I would recommend they carry an EpiPen."
Pyle said that just because a person has not had an anaphylactic reaction before doesn't mean they never will. "Sometimes a person's reaction gets worse over time. You just never know when you might have that type of reaction."
Because of possible side effects, EpiPens only need to be used for severe reactions, he said. Side effects of epinephrine include heart palpations, increased heart rate, sweating, nausea, vomiting and cardiac arrhythmias.
EpiPens are very easy to use and can be self-administered. It is a needle pen that is injected into the upper thigh. "Patients definitely need to know and understand how to use it," said Pyle. "When you're short of breath in the middle of a reaction, is not the time to figure out how to use it."
Both Crego and Pyle say it is a good idea for family members to be trained on how to use the EpiPen. "Because I was out in a matter of minutes, someone else had to administer the EpiPen," Crego said. "It comes with a training pen for my close family members to learn how to use it."
Because of his near-death, Crego is trying to share his experience with others and advises anyone who has a potentially fatal allergy to food, insect venom, latex, etc., to carry an EpiPen at all times.
"Every day is precious and I really have a new outlook on life," Crego said. "I carry my EpiPen at all times because it can mean life or death."
For more about EpiPens, click EpiPen
Voter apathy? Not this election cycle
Voter turnout for the primary July 15 was low in most local counties, including Floyd where it barely crawled into double digits. Last Tuesday's runoff was an outright embarrassment with just 4.62 percent showing up (only those pulling Democratic ballots on July 15 or those eligible voters who didn't vote earlier could take part).
There have been concerns about people being unplugged this year, based in part on those numbers.
Set those fears aside. From the Obama Mamas in Floyd County to the run on John McCain signs in Bartow County to more than 500 turning out for Sheriff Tim Burkhalter's kickoff (food ran low, T-shirts ran out) to another large crowd at the GOP Fest at the Tillman Hangar Saturday, people are involved this year.
It was Barbara Penson's grassroots campaign style that gave her an upset win in the primary for court clerk. And whomever can tap that spirit this fall should do well.
We saw a few signals of much higher voter interest than shown at the ballot box on July 15. We set one-day traffic records (hits, unique visitors, whatever voodoo term you want to measure, all were records) on July 15 with a passive primary ballot and another top-five day this past Tuesday, the Democratic Senate runoff. Those were records covering our nearly five years in business, not just for 2008 to date.
People are interested. People are following the candidates and the issues. And people will be making some very tough, very hard calls this election year. We are in for one of the most active fall campaign seasons in recent years so stay with us.
Three-dot buzz . . . :
Speaking to the speaker: House Speaker Glenn Richardson, upon arriving at the Tillman Hangar Saturday, needed to use the restroom. He walked toward the first-floor latrine but was blocked at the entrance by a local candidate also standing guard per party instructions. As Richardson asked to use the facility, he was instructed that this was women-only and that men would need to walk to the nearby terminal to use the restroom. A bit later, another GOPer asked the candidate, "Do you know who that was?" "No," he said. "The House speaker!" The candidate--not in the General Assembly--probably doesn't know that the speaker has sent a few local legislators to an outhouse himself in recent months.
Around the restaurants:
>Silwan Restaurant and Lounge in Central Plaza opens Aug. 20, offering Middle Eastern cuisine and what's called an exceptional bar area. Hours will be 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, and until 1 a.m. Thursday-Saturday.
>Bistro 239, On and Off Broad, dark this week: The ownership change is under way with the reopening (and new name) effective Aug. 18 (5 p.m. opening). Lance Lombard's plans were included in a note to regulars. Here's a look at why it will be closed on Saturdays: "We will be open Monday through Friday night and Tuesday through Friday for lunch. We feel that this will give us Saturday to bring several special events a month to you. We'll be able to have regularly scheduled wine tasting dinners; monthly specialty dinners where we journey to exotic lands through cuisine; adult cooking classes; and also a weekly kids cooking series on Saturday mornings."
>In a word ... sweet! Sundae's Sweet Shop at RiverWalk looks good to go early this week. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; until 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon until 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Latest edition of V3 out this week
The August edition of Vini Vidi Vici is out this week. The cover (cropped by us) is to the right.
The features this month include:
>Broad Street Confidential: Home of Greg, Ramona Fricks
>Don't Call It A Comeback: Captain Soularcat
>Truth, Parable and Consequence
>Homelessness in Northwest Georgia
You can find copies around town or on sale at Barnes & Noble for $4 a copy.
New branch moving fast: Heritage First Bank's new Armuchee branch is almost flying together. What was a foundation pad a few weeks ago is now almost a complete shell with work on the drive-through overhang continuing as well. The new office is due this fall.
Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to Todd Woodlee and Anna Filippo: For 18 months, they gave Bistro 239 their best shot in downtown Rome. Special dinners. Wine dinners. Even a beer dinner. Personal issues contributed to their decision to move to Tennessee and we wish them well. Bistro 239 is now under chef Lance Lombard's ownership.
Valley to runoff elections: It is time to run off the runoff. The dismal turnout and ridiculous cost of last week's U.S. Senate Democratic runoff are good reasons why. We certainly understand voter responsibility but sometimes enough is enough, especially in a year with a presidential primary, a state primary, a SPLOST-only ballot on Sept. 16 and the general election on Nov. 4 (which could have a runoff of its own).
Peak to Kevin Salmon: Dropping out of the race for superior court judge this time around betters his chances for a fresh start in a new race next time out. Talk about an "immaculate reception" where his father quietly retired and he quietly qualified to replace him--seemingly without opposition--ruffled a few feathers. His withdrawal cleans the slate to try again; the buzz on his decision already is positive..
Peak to the Rome City Commission: By a unanimous vote last week, commissioners rejected plans for a paint and body shop at the old car lot at 844 Turner McCall. As businessman Roger Wade said in objecting to the plan: The business itself is welcome in Rome but not at that location. (Details)
Valley to school bells ringing before Aug. 15: It used to be school started the day after Labor Day. Now it's not even a month after the Independence Day holiday. Part of the reason is mandatory testing, learning retention, etc. If so, change the test dates. Starting school at summer's midpoint flunks out, period.
Peak to Aiden James Kingsland (and family): The new Cartersville resident was born at 8:08 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8 (that's 8-8-08). Here's one birthday the family will never be able to forget.
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