Silver*Ware Studios looking closer to metro Atlanta: The proposal to put a billion-dollar multimedia studio between State Mutual Stadium and Mount Berry Square is officially off. Studio executives say they will build in Georgia but are looking at sites much closer to metro Atlanta. Read the latest release> Silver*Ware
Updates from today's Floyd Medical Center media briefing: A media conference is set for 10 this morning. We'll have coverage first on Hometown Mobile (click link) and then here on Hometown Headlines.
This week's Buzz of Northwest Georgia
>Campaign 2008: 'Signs' point to the home stretch
>'Show and sell' season begins for local chambers, businesses
>Peaks & Valleys: Voters; Atlanta Braves; Cartersville chamber; Munson
Debating the debate: D&C political columnists Graham Dixon and Adam Clemons weigh in on the first debate between McCain, Obama> D&C
Weather Center
> 87 degrees in early fall; low 70s by Wednesday
>Hurricane Kyle updates; Laura spins to life
>Extended forecast, EarthWatch and more> Weather Center
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable brought to you by Riverside Toyota
>The undefeated: Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Connecticut, S. Florida> Arey
>Plus: Your links to the latest polls
High school, Shorter College football, brought to you by Printworks
>What's ahead this week: The Football Report
Downtown Headlines
>Shrine parade, football game to pack downtown Saturday
>For more, click Downtown Headlines
Campaign 2008/'Signs' point to home stretch
A vacant home on the east side of Turner McCall below Eighth Street has become the new
hot spot for campaign signs in the 2008 election. Photo by Jack Druckenmiller
Jason Lewis stood at an exit at Barron Stadium Saturday afternoon as the final seconds ticked off Shorter College's homecoming wipeout of Faulkner. Lewis was shaking a few hands, wearing a campaign patch over the left side of his polo shirt.
The candidate for superior court judge was the only politician we spotted at Saturday's game. Lewis, who faces Jack Niedrach in the Nov. 4 race, said he had to be there. He knows he's the underdog in a race that some say could go 60-40 percent in Niedrach's favor.
With just over a month to go and absentee voting already under way, we're officially in the home stretch of Campaign 2008. The next sign to look for will be the campaign financial disclosure reports due Tuesday (they'll trickle in for the next week or so).
Also on the way are a series of group events--forums, meet and greets, etc.--that usually attract the candidates' families, friends and campaign workers (click Politics).
For now, here's how it looks based on talks with political insiders:
County Commission race: Incumbent Jerry Jennings is getting a huge fight from a very focused Republican challenger, Irwin Bagwell. Jennings' supporters are telling him to step it up in the final weeks--or face defeat.
County School Board: Incumbent Bryan Shealy is running hard as is challenger Brian Barcomb. Shealy is drawing more and more support from both sides of the ballot but Barcomb is a determined campaigner. Advantage: Shealy.
House District 11: Four years ago, it was pretty well assumed this seat would be Barbara Massey Reece's (and Democrat-controlled) as long as she ran. Betty Brady, a Republican Realtor from Summerville, has made it a race to watch.
House District 13: The rematch of the state's tightest House race in 2006 is picking up in tempo. Bob Puckett is knocking on doors each Saturday; Katie Dempsey is showing up everywhere to flash the incumbent image. Like Jennings, Puckett is being told to run harder and faster. The expected state support just hasn't materialized. Dempsey appears poised for a new term unless there's a big shift in the Rome district.
House District 14: Barry Loudermilk should coast to a new term. Democrat Rick D'Arezzo just isn't registering on the campaign radar.
House District 16: Democrat Rick Crawford faces Republican Bob Culver and neither faced primary opposition this time out. Will a focused GOP push oust Crawford after one term? Too close to call at this point.
Tax Commissioner: Republican Kevin Payne's quest for a full term looks like a lock. Democrat Ron Morris is making the rounds but Payne's base just looks too strong.
Floyd County sheriff: This repeat of 2004's hottest contest between Tim Burkhalter and Steve Hulsey is not clicking this year. We'll have a better idea of overall support when the campaign finance reports come in but at this point, Burkhalter looks like he'll get a new term.
District Attorney: Leigh Patterson's toughest challenge in a few years has a surprising base among some downtown interests. But Dan Morgan's efforts there won't be able to crack Patterson's broad support countywide.
Superior Court: Jack Niedrach and Jason Lewis have kept this race civil. It might turn out closer than some expect but Niedrach should be ready to try on some black robes.
U.S. House: Phil Gingrey wins again although Bud Gammon will get some protest votes. Gammon has supporters, and the voters' mood is not good, but Gingrey has performed during his six years in office.
U.S. Senate: Jim Martin isn't dynamic but he has a record and determination. Saxby Chambliss should get enough votes for a new term but there's something about this race that smells of upset.
Chambers' 'show and sell' season is here
Paula's owner Paula Conaway talks with Diane Miller of United Community Bank during last year's expo at The Forum in Rome. This year's event is Nov. 7-8. (Chamber photo)
By Natalie Simms
Local chamber officials are ready for their annual Business Expo events, giving area businesses another chance to showcase their products and services. Events are planned for Polk, Gordon, Bartow and Floyd counties beginning this week and continuing into early November.
"The Business Expo offers an opportunity to meet with a variety of potential new customers, many of which may not be familiar with all of the services or products your company offers," said Jennifer Wiggins, co-chair of the Business Expo Committee for the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce.
Below please find a county-by-county look at what's ahead:
Polk chamber embraces small businesses with Oct. 2 expo
Up first is the 10th Annual Small Business Expo in Polk County on Thursday, Oct. 2. The event will be held at the First Baptist Church of Cedartown's Family Life Center, 114 Essex St., from 3-6:30 p.m. Look for more than 40 local businesses and retailers. There is no charge for admission.
"Last year, there were over 250 people attending," said Laura Bates, Director of Membership Services for the Polk County Chamber of Commerce. "We're looking forward to another great event this year. It is a great networking opportunity offered by the Polk County Chamber."
The Polk County Business Expo comes on the heels of the retirement of Chamber President Karolyn Hutcheson after 18 years of service. Eric McDonald is the new president of the chamber/Development Authority. The Bremen native started his duties Sept. 2. He most recently served as assistant director of the Development Authority of Douglas County.
Says Polk chairman Larry Dooley: "He brings a great deal of experience and enthusiasm to this position."
>Polk details: Click Here
400 to 500 guests, 70 vendors to highlight Gordon expo
The Gordon County Business Expo is set for Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Sonoraville Recreation Complex from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A special Business After Hours event will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. for chamber members. There is no charge for admission.
The Gordon Business Expo will feature 70 vendors. Some booths are available for $250 for chamber members and $495 for non-members. Some 400 to 500 people are expected and they'll have a chance to win one of five $100 gift certificates with local chamber retailers.
"The expo gives a wonderful opportunity to local businesses to get their names out there so that our community can see their services and it allows chamber members to network," said Joni Harbin, director of communications for the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce. "It creates a better chamber and relationships with our businesses."
>Gordon details: Click Here
'Go green--it's our future' theme of Cartersville-Bartow expo
The Cartersville-Bartow Expo is Thursday, Oct. 23, from 3-7 p.m. at the Church at Liberty Square in Cartersville. Business-to-business hours are from 3-5 p.m., providing an "ideal time" to network with other professionals. A business card will get you into the B-2-B event. The public is welcome from 5-7 p.m. for a $2 admission fee or donation of two non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Salvation Army. No strollers will be allowed into the Business Expo this year
.
Officials say 12 booths remain available while 60 indoor and 10 outdoor booths already are reserved. The cost is $300 for chamber members and $400 for perspective members. This year's Expo theme is "Go Green--It's Our Future."
Also planned: a Small Business Resource Fair.
"The Small Business Resource Fair will provide an ideal opportunity for those looking to start up a new business or find ways to improve their small business," said Karen White, Business and Government Relations Director for the Cartersville-Bartow chamber.
"We have invited a variety of organizations to get involved with the Resource Fair such as the Department of Labor, Small Business Administration, SCORE, Small Business Development Center and more."
>Cartersville details: Click Here
Photo of Greg Patton with Absolutely Asphalt, left, and Principal Alex Porto and parent/volunteer Gina D'Urbano from St. Mary's Catholic School, background, at from 2007 expo courtesy of the chamber of commerce. For a photo gallery, click expo.
Rome/Floyd theme: 'You can't beat home sweet Rome'
The Rome-Floyd Business Expo will be held Nov. 7-8 at The Forum in Rome. Business After Hours is Friday, Nov. 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with $5 admission for chamber members. The public is welcome on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with $3 admission fee. Children 12 and under free.
This year's event is themed "Rome for the Holidays… You Can't Beat Home Sweet Rome."
Nearly 100 businesses, retailers and restaurants will promote their products and services. The event is sold out with vendors having paid $225 to $330 for booth spots. Smith said she does have a waiting list of other businesses who would like to participate if an opening arises.
"It is very close to the holiday season, so we really promote shopping in Rome," said Alison Smith, Director of Membership for the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce. "The Expo gives small businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and services, as well as providing great networking and business contacts through Business After Hours."
Food vendors participating include Bella Roma, Bistro 239, The Catering Company at the Palladium, Honey Baked Ham, Panera Bread and the Rome Braves' Three Rivers Club.
>Rome/Floyd details: Click Here
Photo from 2007 expo courtesy of the chamber of commerce. For a photo gallery, click Expo 2007
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to the effects of Campaign 2008: The bailout, gas prices and the overall economy are enough to make the strongest of us pessimists. So imagine our surprise Friday night when a 22-year-old waitress--asked to hustle to get us home in time for the presidential debate--said she was taking this Thursday night off to watch the vice presidential candidates go at it. Her enthusiasm for the campaign was a refreshing reminder of what this is all about. Not Democrat. Not Republican. Simply American.
Peak to Larry Munson: Even we Gators tip our hats to one of the best radio voices ever in college football. Munson's decision to step down was the right one given his health. But we would have loved to have heard his call during Saturday night's stunner.(Photo: UGA)
Valley to the 2008 Atlanta Braves' baseball season: Many of those high hopes for the 2008 season were on ice by the All-Star break thanks to an incredible parade of injuries. Chipper Jones' hitting trophy aside, there are few good memories some 162 games later (72 wins, 90 losses). Making it all the tougher was the passing of the voice of the Braves, Skip Caray. No, change that to the soul of the team.
Peak to the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce: As 
mentioned above in our chamber-expo summary, the chamber is promoting a small business resource fair for members during the annual event. Chamber officials get it: While the big fish employers are important, so, too, are the "mom-and-pops" that together employee the most people in our communities.
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