The Buzz of Northwest Georgia:
-Expect a crowd at Rome commission meeting over Etowah Terrace
-Specialty grocer, theaters also in Boulevard plans?
-Even in tight times, travel deals making spring, summer trips more affordable, pros say
-Coco the Colossal Colon visit to Northwest Georgia anything but a joke
-Peaks & Valleys: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court
-Flood watch extended through noon. Rainfall since Friday: 2.6 inches.
-Today: 100% chance of rain, mostly before 2 p.m. High of 62. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
-Tonight: Areas of fog, low around 44. Calm wind.
-Tuesday: Areas of fog before 10 a.m., high of 73.
-For more, click Weather Center
-Oostanaula at 13.79 feet with a crest due later today> River
Latest legislative newsletter from state Rep. Barry Loudermilk> Update
Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota
-The Name Game: Does SEC or ACC have the most big-name coaches? Click Arey
Rome Braves preseason updates
-Former Braves catcher Javy Lopez to throw first pitch Opening Night.
-Single ticket sales under way at State Mutual Stadium
Downtown Headlines
-What's ahead in downtown Rome. Click Downtown
Dining & Drink
-Regional public health inspection scores for local restaurants.
-First updates St. Patrick's Day plans (Tuesday).
-Dahlonega wine series continues: This fourth snapshot: Wolf Mountain.
Hometown Kids/Summer Camp Preview:
-You'll find the first 'edition' of our Summer Camps 2009 update. Natalie Simms' comprehensive look at upcoming summer camps in Rome/Floyd County. For more, click Summer Camps
Three-Dot Buzz:
'Coco the Colossal Colon' anything but a joke: The timing of the news release 
from Gordon Hospital was a bit too personal having gone through a colonoscopy of our own last week. The subject line triggered a snicker, too: "Coco the Colossal Colon." That said, the 40-foot-long, four-foot-tall replica of a human color should get star status at Sunday's community health fair set for the Sonoraville Recreation Complex (click Details).The reason: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Suggested--and painless--check-ups make it one of the most preventable forms of cancer as well. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awarness Month (click). Our advice: Get it before it gets you.
Round two for Etowah Terrace proposal: Monday's Rome City Commission meeting is the next venue for the debate over the Etowah Terrace proposal. A surprising amount of opposition has surfaced, including a unanimous thumbs down from the planning commission. A petition opposing the project is circulating, a Facebook group has formed to organize project foes and letters have been posted and printed decrying the concept. Private letters have been sent to city commissioners and City Manager John Bennett as well. We haven't seen such strong public comment since the last time rezoning was attempted for the buffer zone along Turner McCall in East Rome. Look for some interesting public comment Monday night as well. You'll find extensive background information, pro and con, in the City Commission agenda file as well. Click Agenda
-South Rome Redevelopment meets at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday> Click
Specialty grocer, theaters also coming to The Boulevard?: Give Bob Bogle, Dee Yancey and Doc Kibler credit for one thing--they know how to create a buzz. The plethora of signs advertising The Boulevard community they're proposing around State Mutual Stadium has Rome talking. Perhaps drawing the most interest--the specialty grocery mentioned on one sign, especially with Rome City Market apparently stalled yet again on Broad Street. Also of interest: the theater reference, especially with screens just up the road at Mount Berry and just off Riverside Parkway. The chatter will increase Thursday night as Allied Waste hosts the chamber's Business After Hours at State Mutual Stadium (5:30-7 p.m.)
Even in tight times, travel deals out there for spring, summer
By Natalie Simms
For those who still need to get away on a vacation, now is the time to grab some great deals. While many are putting their vacation plans on hold because of economic worries, the travel business is seeing a lot of last-minute travelers seeking the bargain vacation.
"People are under a misconception that because the economy is bad, people are not traveling," says Rachel Hyde with Preferred Travel of Rome. "But they are still traveling. We have been very busy…there are a lot of people who have been saving for vacations to get away."
Other local agents said business has been slow but is starting to pick up as we draw closer to the spring and summer seasons.
"We are definitely concerned because it's been slow but the past few weeks have picked up," says Lori Dover, owner of Travel Leaders (formerly Bryant & Garrett Travel). "People are booking closer to travel dates and not way ahead of time."
She says travelers are definitely trying to stretch their dollars to make a vacation affordable.
"People are taking shorter trips and seeking ways to travel cheaper by taking advantage of incentives," says Dover. "If you can be flexible on your days, there are some great deals out there. Plus, if you travel during the off-peak season, can drive instead of fly or use frequent flyer miles… these are little things that help."
Dover says her agency is offering special deals with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for the month of March. Deals include lower deposits, on-board credits and lots of upgrades. The cruise can be scheduled at any time but to take advantage of the incentives, you must book the trip during March.
For more information, you can call the agency at 706-291-7041 or visit www.travelleaders.com/romega.
Another locale with lots of travel bargains is Mexico.
"The press has really had an effect on travel to Mexico," says Iris Angel with Magical Travel and Events in Rome. "So, it is really cheap to go to Mexico right now. All hotels have deals and there are bargain airfares to Mexico."
Also, Angel says there are lots of hotel deals in the Caribbean offering free additional nights with paid dates. Something lots of honeymooners are taking advantage of.
"The honeymoon business is very good. Thank goodness for all those getting married," she says. "But because of the economy, a lot of people are afraid to make that leap of faith to spend money. We have a lot of last-minute bookings."
For more, click http://www.mtetravel.com/
Hyde says there are lots of deals across the board.
"We have some great cruise deals right now," she says. "We get e-mails about daily specials so we can help travelers find the best deals quicker."
Says Angel: "The best thing to do is go see your favorite travel agent. We have access to all the hotel and airfare deals in our system."
Agents agree that there are lots of travelers choosing to stay in the United States to help bolster the national economy.
"Worldwide travelers spend an average of $740 billion on travel, so it's a huge industry--and if (Americans) stay in the U.S., which would benefit the economy," Dover says.
There are lots of local deals to be found as well. Jason Free Realty in Rome manages several condos in Panama City Beach, a favorite vacation spot for lots of Georgians. With gas prices lower this year than last, a trip to the beach can be very affordable.
"We are seeing a lot of people wanting to shop around and look for the best rate," says Trinie Davis, broker with JFR. "Fortunately, this has been very beneficial to us because we offer very competitive rates."
Davis says they offer a lot of last-minute deals and early booking specials, including a limited-time offer of $100 off a weekly vacation rental. For more information about available condos, visit www.JFRBeachRentals.com.
Another nearby beach, only 335 miles from Rome, is Tybee Island. This quiet vacation spot, just outside of Savannah, is offering families a very budget-friendly vacation with "Tybee's Big Give."
During April 17-30, Tybee Island businesses are teaming up to offer incentives, including various lodging discounts of up to 50 percent off, restaurant discounts of 10-15 percent, plus lots of attraction discounts and freebies. For more information, visit www.tybeesbiggive.com.
For information on cruises and other travel deals, contact:
-Magical Travel and Events at 706-295-9500
-Travels Lenders of Rome at 706-291-7041
-Preferred Travel of Rome at 706-235-7663.
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to Model Lady Blue Devils: A dazzling, unbeaten regular season. Expert 
play in the "brackets" leading to a date in the AA final four. A big win in the semi-final. And then a stunner vs. Buford. The Model Lady Blue Devils came close to the title and served both the school and the fans well. It was a fan's team as player after player, in their pregame interviews with The Ridge 95.7 FM, said the fans helped keep them in the game. Great season. Great job.
Peak to Redmond Regional's EMS honors: Redmond Regional Medical Center was named the Region 1 Emergency Medical Service of the Year last week. That's a huge honor considering the 16 counties and more than two dozen EMS units in the region. Emergency medical personnel in Floyd and Gordon counties also were honored. For more, click Health
Valley to Rep. Chuck Sims' food tax plan: The Ambrose Republican was pushing the resumption of a 4 percent tax on food--a levy that included a tax credit for those who pay state income taxes each year. The plan was to hit visitors, illegal immigrants and those not paying taxes (some fellow lawmakers, perhaps?). The intent and timing were atrocious, especially as some struggle to eat as it is. Chalk it up to another example of a lawmaker out of touch with reality.
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