-Campaign 2010 returns to Northwest Georgia this week
-Chamber tweaking communication tools
-Wings Air to start Rome service in June?
-Kennesaw State program means new hope for real journalism
-Anger management: Rough week with airport overlay, sign ordinance
-Fit Kids: Two upcoming events target same goal--getting kids active
-Business calendar: Chick-fil-A's Dan Cathy at Berry tonight
-Peaks & Valleys: The highs, lows of Northwest Georgia
Weather Center / brought to you by Roman Court
-Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
-Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
-Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
-Extended forecast: Please click WeatherCenter
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota
-Lake Kiffin, an NFL flunkee, sure flunked his first test as head coach of the Vols. Click Arey
Downtown Headlines
-Downtown Development Authority board meets Thursday morning; what's ahead downtown this week. Click Downtown
Three-Dot Buzz . . . :
2010 governor's campaign returns to Rome Friday night: Democratic 
gubernatorial hopeful David Poythress is the headliner at the annual membership drive for the Floyd County Democratic Party set for Friday at the Rome Civic Center. The event, "To Rome with Love," is an Italian feast. Social hour will begin at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. The cost per person is $10. Click FCDP
-Poythress on Kudzu Vine Webcast, 7-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, with Rome's David McLaughlin> Kudzu
Greater Rome chamber tweaking communication tools: The latest issue of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce's newsletter, The Pinnacle, contains information about some changes ahead. For one, the mailer will now come in full color but only to the "lead" of each organization or member. No duplicates. An "interactive online version" will debut in March as well. Also, the chamber is grouping some of its e-mails to members into a Friday Facts alert. Both are wise moves, saving money while enhancing communication. The "Facts" alert has worked well for the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce, which has become a local leader in terms of online/Web communication to members. Click Example
Wings Air to start Rome service June 1? That's what company president Charlie Mintz told the AJC on Saturday in a story expanded on the decision to clip service to Athens and Macon at this time. Wings Air has been kicking the tires at Richard B. Russell Airport since before last fall's air show there> Story
New hopes for journalism thanks to Kennesaw State program: Some of the best of tomorrow's journalism today is unfolding rapidly at Berry College. The newly launched Viking Fusion is a hit, powered by lightning fast reporting and posting as well as a community approach to comments on campus issues. One of the more popular pieces has been the pro and con about on campus vs. off campus living. Another significant step in keeping true journalism alive in the digital age is unfolding at Kennesaw State University. The Harnisch Foundation is awarding KSU $1.5 million to launch The Center for Sustainable Journalism. Writes Leonard Witt, KSU's Robert D. Fowler Distinguished Chair in Communication and leader of the center: "The Center for Sustainable Journalism will seek new business models so that high quality, ethically sound journalism continues to have a role in our democratic society." To which we say, Amen.
Anger management: Sign law, airport overlay ignite community
It is rare to see organized opposition to changes within Rome/Floyd County. Rarer still: hearing from two such groups a day apart from one another as happened last week.
Reports from a recent meeting of the Armuchee Ruritan Club surfaced quickly. Members and friends of members were on hand to mostly trash much of what consultants pumped into the so-called "airport overlay" zoning plan. Some of the comments were labeled absolutely brutal.
A bit of that anger was heard Friday as county commissioners basically tabled the proposal that had been in the development stage for more than a year.
That decision came a day after Floyd County's planning commission called a collective time out on a proposed sign law change that upset some members of the business community. Perhaps the biggest issue involved digital signs through Rome/Floyd County in front of businesses and on billboards/
The 2:30 p.m commission meeting at Rome City Hall drew representatives from sign companies and local businesses, all united in their unrest over changes proposed to the sign ordinance. The planning commission wisely guided the proposal to a citizens committee for additional review.
What to watch: Sign law revisions will be watered down to appease business owners, some of whom have sunk $40,000 or more to lure customers into their stores using the frequently updated signs.
As for the airport: It continues to be one of the community's most underutilized resources. The recent arrival of Coosa Valley Technical College's aviation center is a huge plus and the potential for Rome-to-Atlanta commuter service continues, if only on life support at this time.
The bigger issue is the potential for hundreds of new jobs in the area if a few more hurdles can be cleared, including the troubled economy.
There's certainly a need for a development plan but another course will be needed.
Fit Kids: Twin events target younger, active children
By Natalie Simms
Looking for a fun way to get your kids out of the house and physically active? Two upcoming events have special opportunities to get kids involved in active exercise while supporting two great organizations. The Second Annual Berry Half Marathon is March 7 with new events geared just for the kids while Darlington School will host the first Tri for the Kids triathlon on May 3.
Along with this year's Berry Half Marathon, the event will feature both a 5K and 10K run along with a 1-mile Kids' Fun Run.
"This event is a fundraiser for Berry College Elementary and Middle School, so we wanted the kids to be involved," says Allison Hunter, Event Director. "We have a lot of middle school students who work the water stations and lots of kids involved in the athletic event, especially in the 5K."
Hunter noted that the schools have 100 percent family participation in the event, either through volunteering or running.
"This event is fun for the kids to see and participate in," she says. "It is open to all levels and it's very family friendly."
Ten-year-old Lydia Bailey, a fifth-grader at Berry Elementary, is excited to be participating in her first 5K at the Berry Half Marathon. "Some of my friends and my mom are training for it. I just thought it would be fun to do," says Lydia
Lydia and her family have been training every Saturday, running the course at Berry. "I really like running," she says. "I like how it makes me feel. I really have a feeling of confidence in finishing something. I feel stronger."
Ten-year-old Sarah Adkins, also a Berry fifth-grader, will be running the 5K for her second year. "I like running and trying to beat my time from last year," she says. "I'm competitive, so I am trying to do my best to beat my time."
As many as 1,500 competitors are expected for this year's races, all of which will run on courses that are USA Track & Field-certified. Both the half-marathon and 10K are official qualifiers for Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race.
New this year is the 1-mile Kids' Fun Run. There will be three separate runs at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon. At each event, there will be age groups for 3-5 year olds, 6-8 year olds and 9-12 year olds. Medals will be given to winners of each age group in all three races.
Following the race festivities, Berry's annual Family Fun & Kite Day will take place at the Clara Bowl on campus. The cost is $5 and proceeds benefit Berry's Child Development Center.
Registration is going on now through Race Day for the event. The cost of the 5K is $25 and registration for the Fun Run is $5 before Feb. 28 or $10 on race day.
Register online at www.active.com or print a mail-in registration form at www.berryhalfmarathon.com. For more information, visit the above web site or call 706-346-6223.
For those kids looking for a challenge, Darlington School will be hosting the first Triathlon for Kids on Sunday, May 3. The event for kids ages 7-12 will begin at 3 p.m. and will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Georgia's South Rome location. Registration is $40 per child.
"What better way to raise money and get kids outside and active, rather than watching TV," says Beth Smith, Event Coordinator and Darlington Pre-K Teacher. "With hard work, kids can accomplish anything. To swim, bike and run is a real accomplishment. There are not many adults that can do that."
Smith says she was inspired to have the event from her daughters' interest in other triathlons.
"My daughters have done several youth triathlons. They are so much fun but they are all out of town," Smith says. "I wanted to get kids involved and do one in Rome, so we don't have to travel."
The route will be limited to Darlington's Upper School campus and the area of Cave Spring Road between the school and the Boys & Girls Club. Children ages 7-9 will
complete:
-a 50-yard swim in the school's Huffman Center swimming pool.
-a2.4-mile bike ride on Cave Spring Road.
-and a half-mile run on the campus.
Participants ages 10-12 will complete a 100-yard swim; 4.8-mile bike ride; and 1-mile run.
"It really doesn't matter how your ride, swim or run," Smith says. "We just want kids to get out and do it. I really want this race to be no limits…a real confidence and self-esteem builder.
"If we raise a little bit of money, that is great. But if we only have five kids do the race and they didn't think they could do it, then it is worth it in my book," she added.
Smith says she has had a lot of interest but not many have registered yet since the event is still three months away.
"We've had a ton of folks very excited about it," she says. "I would love to see this become an annual event. Something the kids can look forward to every year."
To register for the event, go to www.active.com or click Darlington. For more information, contact Beth Smith at bsmith@darlingtonschool.org.
Business Calendar:
Chick-fil-A's Dan Cathy to speak at Berry's Executive Round Table:
Dan Cathy, president of Chick-fil-A Inc. and a member of the Berry College Board of Trustees, is the featured speaker for Berry's 2009 Executive Round Table spring dinner. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, in the WinShape Retreat Center. Please arrive at 6:30 p.m. for networking. Admission is $15 for first-time Berry students, $10 for returning students and $30 for faculty, staff and the general public. The registration deadline is 3 p.m. Friday.
Realtors meet Feb. 18 at Berry Elementary: Greater Rome Board of Realtors' Membership Luncheon. Site: Berry College Elementary School. Noon. For more, click Realtors
Chamber's SpeedNetworking is Feb. 19: The cost is $5 per person and you get a free pass to that evening's Business After Hours. Site: Chamber office. Register with the chamber at www.romega.com
Greater Rome Bank to host chamber's Business After Hours Feb. 19: The main office at 1490 Martha Berry Blvd. is the site. Hours: 5:30 until 7 p.m. Register with the chamber at www.romega.com
Georgia State's Dhawan to headline Berry's Business Outlook Ap
ril 22: Dr. Rajeev Dhawan, the director of the economic forecasting center at Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business, is the keynote speaker at the Wednesday, April 22, Business Outlook 2009 seminar presented by Berry College. The presentation is set for 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. More details soon. As for Dhawan: In his forecast released in November, he predicted no real turnaround in the economy until late 2010. We expect a "progress report" at the upcoming outlook. His forecast
Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to the return of the Clocktower Classic: The fourth edition of the Clocktower Classic, among the premiere events for handcycling athletes, returns to Rome/Floyd County on April 22-24. Scheduled are a Time Trial, Road Race and Criterium (Details). This is another solid sports tourism event for the community and also brings international exposure to Rome/Floyd County.
Peak to the new awareness on kids fitness: Earlier on this page, you saw Natalie Simms' update on how kids are being drawn to more active lifestyles in our community. That's in addition to award-winning programs offered by Parks & Rec, YMCA, church leagues and others. Healthy kids mean a healthy future for us all. Here's hoping both the kid events associated with Berry's half marathon and Darlington's "Tri for the Kids" are hits.
Valley to irresponsible Web posts: This fiction about the new digital power meters sparking fires spread like, well, wild fire last week. A simple check with a neutral source--the fire department--knocked this suburban myth to the ground in a minute. The community has enough legitimate concerns right now; we don't need unfounded gossip on top of today's real headlines.
Peak to 'The Boulevard' concept: We've seen dozens of e-mails since we broke the story about the latest plans for the acres surrounding State Mutual Stadium, home of the Rome Braves. Most are from skeptics who point to the growing inventory of vacant retail in our market as national brands such as Office Depot, Circuit City and Goody's check out. But a few other writers commend Dee Yancey, Doc Kibler and Robert Bogle for proposing such an aggressive plan in these tight times. We hope they go one step further and consider condos. Imagine a live-work-play community where you could walk to the Braves' game each night. (Click Boulevard)
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