Wednesday updates

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Weather in a  word--soggy: .64 of an inch so far, more on the way> Weather

Another community embraces 'shop local' push: Another highlight from Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker's speech to Seven Hills Rotary on Tuesday was his community's adoption of a shop Johns Creek campaign. The concept is the same as the Rome/Floyd push: keep the dollars, and jobs, within our borders. For more on Bodker's speech, click Buzz

United Way updates: Look for news later today on the upcoming United Way campaign and the campaign leaders. These are tough times for nonprofits, too.

Perhaps a case of Twitter envy? Those whose hearts were, uh, a twitter over the "follows" on The Boulevard's Twitter page are going to be disappointed. Representatives from both Whole Foods Market and Pizza Fusion say there are no plans for shops in Rome.

Trinity United Methodist congregation to help Murphy-Harpst Saturday: Talk about en "mass": Almost 260 members of the Rome congregation will help make repairs around the Murphy-Harpst home campus> Buzz

What's the buzz? Calhoun City Schools launches JacketBuzz.tv: Thanks to the school system's Technology Department, there's a new online experience for all grade levels  and parents within the Calhoun education system. JacketBuzz.TV is designed to help "broadcast school events,   showcase student achievement, provide an avenue for lectures on demand" and other needs. Some of the options include tours of the schools, pep rallies and other events. Most of the footage comes with audio> www.jacketbuzz.tv

The 7 Percent Solution: Remember Rome/Floyd's sales tax stays at 7 cents on the dollar as of today. State bean counters accidentally said it was rolling back to 6 cents because of SPLOST changes. The new SPLOST collection begins today.

Honda shifts nearby Lincoln, Ala., plant to neutral: As part of major cuts in U.S. production, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama is cutting production and idling the plant for 14 days> Honda

Campaign 2010:

-Thursday/Karen Handel, Georgia's secretary of state and a Republican candidate for governor, speaks to Rome Rotary, noon, Coosa Country Club.

-April 7/Floyd County Republican Women, 11:30 a.m. lunch, noon meeting, Opi's Waterfront. Speaker: Eric Robinson, state insurance commissioner candidate.

Briefly Buzzed:

-Shorter Hawks announce 2009 football schedule: Season opens on the road Aug. 29; home opener is Sept. 12 at night> Hawks

-Shorter launching online classes this summer; Butcher to direct> CH

-Four Shorter students put muscle into 'Up With the Son' run> Polk

WeatherCenter/brought to you by Roman Court

-Latest radar: Click Georgia view or Southeastern USA.

-Wednesday: 100% chance of showers and thunderstorms. High of 70.
-Wednesday night: 30% chance of showers, low of 52.
-Thursday: 70% rain chance. High near 73.  Gusts to 25 mph.
-Thursday night: 80% chance of showers, low of 51. Gusts to 25 mph.
-For more, click WeatherCenter

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable / brought to you by Riverside Toyota

-UNC has 100 NCAA tournament wins; other '09 Final Four combined? 141 > Click Arey

Rome Braves preseason updates

-Top of the seventh: Rome Braves ready for 2009 season

-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