Rome's forecast: Patchy frost, near freezing tonight. Last day for advance voting. Sports: High school scores by 10:30. Norman's No-Nos: college football's losers include Bulldogs

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First freeze tonight? Low of 34 forecast; patchy frost overnight:

-Dress warm for those high school games tonight as our first round of freezing temperatures are due overnight. Forecast: 56 degrees at kickoff; clear skies.

-Below: John McClellan's picks. Norman's No-Nos. Weekend forecast.

Politics:

-Advance voting ends at 5 tonight: Rome Civic Center. Hours: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Early voting also continues at the elections office, 12 E. Fourth Ave. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Precincts open Tuesday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Click Ballots

-Hear final debate with House 14 hopefuls Christian Coomer, Dan Ledford: WBHF 1450 AM conducted the debate Wednesday. The final broadcast is 10 this morning. The district includes parts of Floyd, Bartow. Webcast: Bartow Headlines.

-Candidate profiles: House 13, 14; Senate 52; County Commission. Click

-Nov. 2: Floyd County Republican Women meet at 11:30 a.m. for lunch at Red Lobster, noon for monthly meeting. Speaker: State Rep. Melvin Everson.

Business

-United Community posts $25.8 million quarterly loss from continuing operations but with inclusion of "goodwill impairment of $210.6 million," the net loss for the third quarter was $236.4 million. Details

Halloween activities: Complete list, expanded details: Click

-'Witch' day? Semi-official word is celebrate Halloween on Saturday.

-Halloween weather forecast: Clear, mid 60s, at 6 p.m. Saturday.

-Oct. 29: Trick Or Treat, Calhoun Premium Outlets. 5:30-7 p.m.

-Oct. 29-30: Scary Berry, a haunted trail and hay ride adventure sponsored by the Berry College Block and Bridle club..Hours 8 a.m.-midnight Friday; 8 p.m.- 1 a.m. Saturday. Admission: $7, open to all.

-Oct. 30: Trick or Treat on Broad Street, 1-3 p.m.

-Oct. 30: Oak Hill will offer Haunted History Tours. 6 p.m. $5. Details

-Oct. 30: Mount Berry Square Trick-or-Treat, 6-9 p.m.

-Oct. 30: Chieftains Museum/Seven Hills Tellers: "Hallowed Hauntings." 

-Oct. 31: Chieftains Museum: "Are you with us?" 

-Oct. 31: First Baptist Church Lindale's Fall Festival, 4-6 p.m. Free.

Dining & Drink:

-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores. Dining

-Johnny Mitchell's website gets a new look: The Euharlee restaurant's updated site also includes details about a one-day barbecue class to get you and your team ready for the next big cookout. Cost: $99 with a class forming in November. Click.

-Wine dinner tonight at Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse: We're curious to see what's paired with Hominy and Hog Jowl Soup, Shrimp and Grits, Braised Rabbit on Wilted Greens, Venison Medalions with Turnips and Red Eye Gravy, Fall Pie Two Ways and a cheese course. Includes three offerings of wine. $45 person.

-Wine News Vine: Several wineries planning Halloween events this weekend in North Georgia. News Vine

Weekend Buzz

-Tonight's MegaMillions jackpot is $140 million. Lotto

-Nancy Mount, assistant professor of business at Shorter University, to serve on national faculty advisory committee for Students in Free Enterprise. Details

Your latest forecast: Patchy frost tonight.

-Friday: Sunny but only 66 with a low of 34.
-Saturday: Sunny with a high of 72, low of 36.
-Sunday: Sunny but only 75 with a low of 46.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Norman's No-Nos: Florida is bad but Georgia still loses; Auburn survives being ranked No. 1.

John McClellan's Week 10 high school picks. Click McClellan

-A key look at the post-season. Plus:

-Close win over Lambert by Rome

-Armuchee by 10 over Coosa.

-Pepperell cruises by Model by 30.

-Darlington gets 30-point win over Walker

-Adairsville falls to Rockmart.

-Dade County beats Chattooga

-Trion coasts by Gordon Lee.

-Plus: regional predictions. Click McClellan

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Oct. 30 vs. Webber Int., 1:30 p.m., Barron Stadium. Preview

-Nov. 6: Senior day for the Shorter Hawks as they play Union at 1:30 p.m. at Barron Stadium. It is the last home game of the football season.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Sept. labor reports: Floyd, Bartow jobless rates drip vs. Sept. 2009; Bartow sees increase from August. Business updates. Freezing temps Saturday night

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Jobless trends: Most see improvement from August, year-ago stats

September report	September Employed	September Unemployed	September % jobless	August % jobless	Sept. 2009 % jobless
Bartow	39,954	5,239	11.6%	11.1%	12.8%
Chattooga	9,013	1,236	12.1%	13.3%	11.7%
Floyd	43,658	5,015	10.3%	10.8%	10.9%
Gordon	21,561	2,926	11.9%	12.5%	13.0%
Polk	18,423	2,081	10.1%	10.5%	10.7%
State	4,201,901	464,785	10.0%	10.3%	10.1%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

-The final batch of unemployment stats before Tuesday's general election showed more positives than negatives for Northwest Georgia. In most cases, the September jobless rate was down in Floyd, Bartow, Gordon and Polk counties compared to the same month last year. Chattooga posted the only increase, from 11.7 to 12.1 percent.

-Compared to August reports, Bartow showed the only increase, from 11.1 percent to 11.5 percent. One factor could have been Mohawk's closing of a spun yarn plant in August, wiping out 229 jobs. Bartow also was the only county in the market reporting an increase in the number of people unemployed, up 234 from the previous month.

-Rome/Floyd County saw a drop in people unemployment, from 5,299 to 5,015--equal to a sold out crowd at State Mutual Stadium when the Braves play at home.

-The Rome/Floyd numbers were something of a surprise with the loss of Pierre Foods in August, including 350 jobs. Rome did see a 300-plus drop in the local labor force, in part attributable to the CCH Small Firm Services exodus from West Rome to Kennesaw.

-What's next: Look for retailers to continue some hiring for the Christmas shopping season now under way (Santa arrives in just over two weeks at Mount Berry Square).

-As of today: No significant job/career fairs are posted for our area. The next big hire: full-time and part-time jobs with Mellow Mushroom in Rome in December.

-Closer look at the statewide report: Business

Politics:

-Hear final debate with House 14 hopefuls Christian Coomer, Dan Ledford: WBHF 1450 AM conducted the debate on Wednesday. Coomer, the Republican, is left; Ledford, a Democrat, right. It will be broadcast at 7:30 tonight and 10 a.m. Friday. The district includes parts of Floyd and Bartow counties. Hear the webcast on Bartow Headlines.

-Tonight: Joint meeting, Rome Young Republicans and Berry College Republicans, 6:30 p.m., Berry College's Krannert Center. Guests: Barry Loudermilk, Senate District 52; state Rep. Katie Dempsey, House District 13; and Christian Coomer, House District 14.

-Advance voting continues today, Friday at the Rome Civic Center from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Early voting also continues at the elections office at 12 E. Fourth Ave. in downtown Rome in the ground floor office off First Street. Click Ballots

-Candidate profiles: House 13, 14; Senate 52; County Commission. Click

Downtown updates:

-Nov. 6: Busy Saturday for downtown Rome with sale, expo, football: Downtown Rome plans a sidewalk sale from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Local songwriters will perform during the sale, held on the same day the chamber Expo will be at The Forum. That's also senior day for the Shorter Hawks as they play Union at 1:30 p.m. at Barron Stadium. It is the last home game of the football season.

-Oct. 30: Trick or Treat on Broad Street, 1-3 p.m. Participating merchants will hand out candy to costumed kids.

-Oct. 29-31: What's happening for kids this Halloween Weekend. RomeKids

-All the updates from Downtown Rome. Click

Buzz:

-So what happens to Halloween City after Oct. 31? That's a popular question as the countdown to Halloween draws to an end. For one, the business will leave the former Circuit City (still on the market) but not before cutting the price on all goods by 50 percent -- starting Nov. 1. Click

-Latest edition of Virtually Shorter. Click

-New look for Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau website. Click

Dining & Drink:

-Wine tasting tonight, 6:30 p.m., Riverside Gourmet. $10 per person.

-Wine dinner Friday night at Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse: We're curious to see what's paired with Hominy and Hog Jowl Soup, Shrimp and Grits, Braised Rabbit on Wilted Greens, Venison Medalions with Turnips and Red Eye Gravy, Fall Pie Two Ways and a cheese course. Includes three offerings of wine. $45 person.

-Wine News Vine: Several wineries planning Halloween events this weekend in North Georgia. News Vine

-Later today: Latest public health restaurant inspection scores. Dining

Thursday's Buzz:

-Nov. 16: The Rome and Floyd County Empty Bowls Benefit will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Rome Civic Center. Tickets are $20. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the William S. Davis Homeless Shelter. Details

-In honor of Hospital Chaplaincy Week, Redmond Regional unveiled and dedicated the new CCU Consultation Room to Redmond Chaplain Billy Murdock on second floor directly outside of CCU. Redmond

Your latest forecast: Freezing temps overnight Friday -Thursday: Sunny with a high of 76, low of 36. -Friday: Sunny but only 67 with a low of 32. -Weekend: Clear skies, highs in the low 70s, lows in the upper 30s.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

- Be true to your school even if it kills you, no matter if it means staying away from fried okra.

John McClellan's Week 10 high school picks. Click McClellan

-A key look at the post-season. Plus:

-Close win over Lambert by Rome

-Armuchee by 10 over Coosa.

-Pepperell cruises by Model by 30.

-Darlington gets 30-point win over Walker

-Adairsville falls to Rockmart.

-Dade County beats Chattooga

-Trion coasts by Gordon Lee.

-Plus: regional predictions. Click McClellan

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Oct. 30 vs. Webber Int., 1:30 p.m., Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

More storms, rain possible today (70-80%) in Greater Rome. Storm aftermath coverage. Business briefs from Northwest Georgia

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Wednesday: We're not quite done with storms just yet

-The radar image from 6:25 this morning shows current conditions, including another tornado warning near Birmingham as the stubborn storm system continues to threaten the region. Our rain chance today: 80 percent followed by 30 percent tonight.

-For a comprehensive look at Tuesday's weather across the country, attributed to the storm system, check The Weather Channel. The cable network is calling it "Fall Fury" and coverge takes you to some of the storm-damaged areas across the USA.

-The AJC reports that two small tornadoes were confirmed, both in our region: One in Catoosa County and one in Dade County. Hundreds of trees are down.. Click

By the numbers:

-Rain: The storms swamped some parts of the region but the official rain count was 1.11 inches in Rome and .10 of an inch in Cartersville.

-Wind: Gusts to 29 mph were clocked in Cartersville; 30 mph in Rome..

 

A rainbow bridges the campus of Shorter University Tuesday evening between a series of storms moving through the region. Photo by Aimee H. Madden.

What's next:

-Near-freezing nights after record heat: The official cause of Tuesday's storms was a cold front moving throughout the southeast. Now comes the cold part: temperatures will drop to 37 degrees Thursday night and to 34 degrees Friday night.

-What's bizarre: Tuesday's high was 85 degrees in Cartersville, breaking the record of 84 set on Oct. 26, 1984. Tuesday's high in Rome was 86 degrees, one tick shy of the record. Normal for this time of year: A high of 68 and a low of 43.

-Today: 80% chance of main storms, rain. High near 82. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph.

-Tonight: 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

-Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Gusts to 20 mph.

-Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

-Photo, right: A rainbow sets down across the Bypass from Heritage Nissan

Tuesday evening. Photo by Ernie "The K-Man" Studard.

Business Buzz:

-The Crate leaves its home county, Chattooga: A solemn picture from our colleagues at The Summerville News (snap) tells the story that The Crate has left Summerville. The store at 10535 Commerce St. is vacant. What we didn't know: The Crate's first store was in nearby Trion, founded in 1979 as The Orange Crate. The chain grew to 10 locations, including the Rome location at 2535 Redmond Circle. It remains open. Click Crate

-Another new seasonal star opens: Christmas Treasurers by Gigi, a seasonal spinoff of GiGi's Hidden Teasures on Wall Street, is open in downtown Cartersville next to the original. The shop is filled with holiday items and will remain open through the end of the year. GiGi's/Faceook

-Jobs fair today: The new Opi's Roadhouse at Ga. 140 and 53 near Shannon conducts another round of interviews today from 2 to 7 p.m. at the newly rebuilt restaurant. Facebook

-Regions Bank reports $209 million third-quarter loss vs. $437 million in the same period a year earlier. Locally, Regions trimmed offices in Armuchee and Calhoun earlier this year as part of a systemwide contraction. Results

-Oct. 28: United Community Banks Inc. is scheduled to announce third quarter 2010 financial results before 9 a.m. Click

-Nov. 4: Calhoun-based Mohawk Industries to release third-quarter results Nov. 4. Click

-Oct. 28: Bartow chamber's 2010 Business Showcase moves to new Brown Center: With the theme  "Roll Out the Red Carpet for Business in Bartow," the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce's annual business showcase is set for 3-7 p.m. Oct. 28. This year, it moves to the Brown Center across from the Georgia Highlands' Bartow campus. On tap: More than 70 booths and exhibitors; additional updates. Details: Chamber

Today's Buzz:

-Floyd County limits volunteer duties at animal control. Buzz

-Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority seeks applications for Youth Basketball Referees, Scorekeepers, and Clock Operators. Click

-Georgia Highlands' Honor Society inducts 55. Click

-County offer free mulch; larger amounts for sale. Details

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-Big East football is a joke this season. And yes, Georgia can still win the SEC East.

John McClellan's Week 10 high school picks. Click McClellan

-A key look at the post-season. Plus:

-Close win over Lambert by Rome

-Armuchee by 10 over Coosa.

-Pepperell cruises by Model by 30.

-Darlington gets 30-point win over Walker

-Adairsville falls to Rockmart.

-Dade County beats Chattooga

-Trion coasts by Gordon Lee.

-Plus: regional predictions. Click McClellan

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Oct. 30 vs. Webber Int., 1:30 p.m., Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Harbin's Cancer Center quickly coming together in Rome. John McClellan's high school football picks for Northwest Georgia. Latest business updates. 60% chance of rain

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Harbin Clinic's Cancer Center quickly coming together

Harbin Clinic's new Cancer Center is rapidly coming together at the corner of Second Avenue and West Fifth Street between Floyd Medical Center and Barron Stadium. Work was continuing Monday just hours after a soggy storm system sloshed through Greater Rome. The target opening date is next April and the goal is to make the three-story, 55,000-square-foot building " the destination for patient-focused cancer care and support services," according to previous medical releases. Among the tenants: The Breast Center at Floyd Medical Center. The Breast Center recently received a $105,000 check from the FMC Auxiliary. Most of the cancer center's exterior work is expected to be completed by the time CBS College Sports' cameras arrive to show live coverage of the NAIA National Championship Game Dec. 18 at Barron Stadium.

Business Buzz:

-Synovus Financial Corp., parent of Citizens First Bank and GB & T in Calhoun/Cartersville, reports net loss of $195.8 million.Details

-Today: Grand reopening of Wells Fargo at 501 Main St. (formerly Wachovia) set for 2:30 p.m.

-Sam Huenergardt, chief operating officer at Gordon Hospital, named chief executive officer at Central Texas Medical Center. Click

-Popcorn Haven's second shop now open in Cartersville: The shop is in Main Street Commons at 608 E. Main St. near Kohl's. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The other location is at 171 W. Belmont Drive, Calhoun. Click

-Scaring up a little Halloween business with 99-cent pizza buffet: That's what Stevi B's Pizza is doing Friday-Sunday, offering kids 10 and under a 99-cent pizza buffet if they come in costume. "Be a good mummy and treat the kids." Also haunting us: pumpkin pie dessert pizza? Facebook

WSB  TV's coverage of Ga. 140 crash near Adairsville that killed four people including three Chattooga County residents. WSB

John McClellan's Week 10 high school picks. Click McClellan

-A key look at the post-season. Plus:

-Close win over Lambert by Rome

-Armuchee by 10 over Coosa.

-Pepperell cruises by Model by 30.

-Darlington gets 30-point win over Walker

-Adairsville falls to Rockmart.

-Dade County beats Chattooga

-Trion coasts by Gordon Lee.

-Plus: regional predictions. Click McClellan

The forecast:

-Tuesday: High of 82, low of 63. Rain chance: 60%.

-Wednesday: High of 80, low of 48. Rain chance: 20-30%

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's Sports Commentary. Arey

-This is the year that stars fell on Alabama as Auburn assumes the No. 1 mantel.

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Oct. 30 vs. Webber Int., 1:30 p.m., Barron Stadium.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Severe thunderstorm warning until 6:30 a.m., tornado watch until 10 a.m. Plus: Some notes and knocks on the final week of Campaign 2010. Mobile phone wars escalating again.

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Severe thunderstorm warning until 6:30 a.m. Click

Tornado watch until 10 a.m. Click

-Monday: High of 77, 80% chance of storms; low of 64.

-Tuesday: High of 81, low of 66. Rain chance: 30-50%

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia: Click

-Final days: Campaign 2010 enters the final full week (we think). Updates on:
-Advance voting under way at two sites.
-RINOs backing Loudermilk opponent in Senate 52 race?
-Piggy back politics (signs at least) and national attention for local forum.
-Kudzu Vine online radio show growing like.. well, you know...

Today's Focus: Click
-Cell phone wars heat up in Northwest Georgia. Metro PCS made a cannonball when jumping into the waters of local cell phone competition. But now comes some new plays (iPad, anyone?) from the established players here.

 

As we enter the final (we think) full week of Campaign 2010 . . .

A Sunday drive along Turner McCall Boulevard in Rome shows a spread of candidates' signs but not as many as in recent years. Turner McCall and First Street also is not as packed.

With advance voting starting today and the general election eight days out, we're seeing some final moves in a mostly sleepy local campaign. Statewide, there's a real buzz about a runoff in the governor's race as polls tighten up  and the rhetoric cranks up. Some notes to share in this otherwise final stretch:

-Advance voting begins at civic center: You can vote today through Friday at Rome Civic Center (photo, right) from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Early voting also continues at the election office at 12 E. Fourth Ave. in downtown Rome in the ground floor office off First Street.

-Here's a link to Floyd County's sample ballots. Click

-RINOs for Sweet Reason? Perhaps they are a local breed of Republicans in Name Only" but whatever the reason, several people claiming Republican ties have stepped before the video camera to pitch Democrat Mike Burton (right) and his "sweet reason" upset bid over Republican Senate District 52 hopeful Barry Loudermilk. (lower right) The lineup includes a twice-failed state House candidate and another with ties to local "media" as well as a Polk County commissioner (Polk is outside the Senate district). As colorful as

Burton is, the YouTube video won't change the fact that Loudermilk will make sweet relish out of the Democrat -- and commercial. YouTube

-A challenge for KFC's new double-down sandwich:

You've probably seen the new piggy back yard signs stating "Isakson Deal" on them. The top goes to Johnny Isakson, the veteran Georgia Republican Senator who's seeking a new term. The bottom is Nathan Deal, the GOP candidate for governor. Odd to see a federal candidate and state candidate paired like that. But then who thought a high-calorie chicken sandwich--minus the bread--would be a hit?

-NAACP-Tea Party forum gets national attention: News organizations as far away as San Francisco picked up the prelude to last Thursday's candidates forum shared by the local NAACP chapter and the local Tea Party (click). Georgia Public Broadcasting also spun its own short story on the union. It defies national stories about NAACP and Tea Party groups at raging odds.

-Going for the gray vote: At least two senior living residences in Greater Rome have campaign material from local and one statewide candidate on some of the front tables as you enter and on what we'll classify as a community table. Smart move? You bet. We don't have the specifics but we'll assume older voters are more active than time-stretched younger counterparts.

-They've got a ticket to ride ... but will we care? A flock of statewide Republican candidates, including Rome school superintendent hopeful John Barge, are touring parts of the state on a bus campaign. Stops Sunday and Monday included Rome, Cartersville and Cedartown. The tour is called the "Real Jobs for Georgia" tour and therein lies the problem. With many of these guys being incumbents or having held other offices recently, why is the job push something on a potential future agenda vs. reality right now? Our jobless rate has been in the double digits for more than a year.

-Quiet night at election headquarters? All of two races will be decided solely by Rome/Floyd County voters on Nov. 2: A county commission seat and state House District 13. Will we still see the normal parade of politicos and wannabes at the administration building the night of Nov. 2? The only suspense of the night is the governor's race.

-Rome-grown Internet radio show Kudzu Vine growing like.. kudzu: Founded in 2007, David McLaughlin's Democrat-leading Kudzu Vine Internet radio show continues to grow. In recent weeks, it hit no. 2 on the BlogTalkRadio's politics category. You can hear Sunday's 7 p.m. show on demand or tune in Oct. 31 for the next live edition. Click Kudzu.

Local cell phone wars escalate as new gear arrives for holidays

New iPad sales, 'game-changer' smartphones have customers ... talking

By Natalie Simms
nsimmshh@att.net

Local cell phone wars will heat up this week as new products begin to roll out, signaling the start of the Christmas sales push. And with a new player in the market this year, competition will be at an all time high for your business.

Just over four months ago, Metro PCS made its debut in Rome, opening with four locations: Two owned by JM Communications of Georgia at 1929 Shorter Ave. and 1016 N. Broad St.; and two others are owned by Worldwide Communications, Inc. at 130 Shorter Ave. and 503 E. Second Ave.

"Business has been pretty good. We've been busy getting word out to the community about our services…sponsoring a number of community events," says Robin Dedios, assistant manager at the 1929 Shorter Ave. location. "We now have about 1,000 new customers in the area and November, December and January are coming up… typically the best months of the year."

Metro PCS touts a $40 per month price for unlimited talk, text and long-distance, which brings a relatively-lower priced option to the two biggest players in our market: AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless.

"We have a low flat-rate, no taxes, no contract, no credit checks…all pre-paid at the store," she says. "We are also getting ready to roll out 12 new phones before Christmas. All will be offered with instantly-off savings, no mail in rebates."

Rome's Verizon Wireless store manager Justin Harris welcomes the additional competition to the local cell phone market.

"They (Metro PCS) are a company that offers a low cost solution that is needed for some folks. But there are still a huge number of people looking for something more that we can offer," says Harris.

And the offers begin this week as both local Verizon and AT &T stores launch the Apple iPad on Oct. 28. Prices will start at $629.

"We are really excited to see Apple and Verizon come together to offer the iPad. This is a great way to kick off the holiday season," Harris says. "We have some customers already on a contact list for when they come in. I'm sure we'll have some waiting in line."

Along with the iPad, Verizon also will be introducing several new Droid devices before the holidays. Harris believes all the new products will only add to business.

"Our parking lot stays slapped full," he says. "The good news is we've rented a lot up the street for our employees to park and walk down. Plus we're re-doing our parking lot to give us additional spaces. We definitely stay busy and expect to continue to do so."

Along with the iPad, the local AT&T Wireless store at 617 Martha Berry Blvd. is gearing up for the launch of the new Windows Phone 7 with Microsoft's new operating system.

"Microsoft's new mobile operating system has been the focus of worldwide buzz and bandwidth for months," says Stacey Harth, AT&T Corporate Communications. "The new smartphones from HTC, LG and Samsung will be available exclusively for AT&T customers ahead of the holiday shopping season."

Each of the three smartphones sports a capacitive (sensors) glass touch screen, 5-megapixel camera and a 1GHz Snapdragon processor. The first to debut will be the Samsung Focus on Nov. 8. The others premiere just before Christmas.

"These devices – quite literally – are game changers, and we are delighted to bring them to our customers," said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "It's a perfect match – phones that redefine gaming and entertainment, riding a network that assures customers a high-speed experience."

AT&T also will launch three Android smartphones this holiday season, bringing its line-up to a total of eight Android devices available to customers.

"We want nothing less than the best smartphone line-up on the nation's fastest mobile broadband network," says Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "These diverse new Android devices from Motorola add diversity to our Android platform and provide more options for our customers."

All the changes in the mobile phone wars have not come without casualties. Earlier this month, the Corr Wireless shop on Turner McCall (right) closed its doors after an initial, successful run in Greater Rome. The shop took over Verizon's former location as Verizon moved to new quarters at the intersection of Turner McCall and Broad Street. The location is up for lease.

Berry College Dedicates Kilpatrick Commons

(Media release)  To the backdrop of lush waterfalls, and the shimmering fall colors of autumn, alumni Hal and Suzi Golden Kilpatrick cut the ribbon on their gift to Berry College.

Kilpatrick Commons features a flowing waterfall, gently terraced hills, tranquil pools and a rustic footbridge, all within a stone's throw of Krannert Student Center and the Cage Center. Berry students first experienced the commons when it opened in May. Friday was the formal dedication ceremony.

The Kilpatricks were joined by nearly 40 members of their extended family, Berry President Stephen Briggs, the Board of Trustees, students and faculty and staff for the ribbon cutting.

"We've recently been developing the east-west axis, [of Berry College] from the Stephen J. Cage Center to Audrey Morgan and Deerfield halls. In doing so we created the crossroads of the campus, the place where foot and bike traffic naturally converges. We now have our center," Briggs told the audience.
"Martha Berry understood well the importance of beauty to the grand enterprise of preparing young people for the world beyond. It was her hope they would carry with them, their own beauty into a world and to improve the places in which they live. Hal and Suzi, you have followed in Martha's footsteps yet again, by also creating a place of such stunning beauty."

Hal Kilpatrick is a member of the Berry College Board of Trustees and has served on the Board of Visitors. The Kilpatricks met at the soda fountain in the Moon Building on Berry's campus in 1957 and fell in love. Hal Kilpatrick worked in the Berry plumbing department as a student and that led to his life's work in irrigation systems and landscaping. He said he has been blessed.

"Today Suzi and I returned to Berry just a portion of what it provided to us," he said. "With the third generation of our family attending Berry, our hope is that Kilpatrick Commons will help Berry College to continue fulfilling its mission to be a place of sound learning, and that the young people who spend their time here will dream of their future and plan for their return to Berry."

Student Government Association President Mallory Owens said "this has become a place where we can truly enjoy the campus from the outdoors rather than through our classroom windows and we are extremely grateful. I would like to thank the Kilpatrick family for their commitment to Berry, their innovative ideas and their generous hearts."

Berry officials also praised the work of landscape architectural firms HGOR and Valley Crest, for their vision.

Coosa Valley Credit Union opens Armuchee branch. Arby's in Rome, Rockmart reopen; breakfast club reunites. Football forecasts; scores tonight. Busy weekend; great weather.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com

 

Financial institutions

-Coosa Valley Credit Union opens Armuchee branch

(From a media release) Coosa Valley Credit Union newest branch at 3040 Martha Berry Highway in Armuchee is now open. A ribbon cutting was held Thursday afternoon. "We look forward to serving our current members and hopefully new ones in the Armuchee area," said Ron Tomlinson, CEO and president of Coosa Valley. Added Branch Manager Greg Yarbrough: "I am very excited to be in the Armuchee community. I know with the great services and products Coosa Valley has to offer we can really make a difference in people's lives here." The office was a former Regions branch closed during consolidation earlier this year. Coosa Valley also has offices in Cartersville, Cedartown and Rome. For more: www.mycvcu.org.

-SunTrust Banks report third quarter income of $84 million vs. a loss of $377 million in the same period in 2009. SunTrust's Floyd County deposits as of June 30:  $170.6 million. More on the quarterly report. Click

-Oct. 25: Synovus, parent company of Citizens First Bank in Rome and GB & T in Calhoun and Cartersville, to announce third quarter results. Click

Dining

-Reunion for longtime coffee club at Arby's reopens in Rome: After a surprise two-week hiatus, the "Rome Breakfast Crew" will be back at Arby's at 805 Martha Berry Highway this morning as the restaurant and two sister shops reopen.The group has been meeting at Arby's for more than 20 years. "We knew the original owners, Don Evans and Charles Ables, so that is why we started going. We got a long way back with them and it made it personal to eat there," says Cal Owens, a seven-year member. Natalie Simms reports. Click Dining

-Public health restaurant inspection scores for NW Georgia. Click

-Wine News Vine: Upcoming tasting; updates from wineries. WNV

Friday's Buzz

-Berry College Student Enterprises, Whole Foods close to deal. Carrier

-Oct. 25: Alcohol Control Commission to hear Mi Alazan pouring request, Sante Fe employee issue, food/alcohol sales ratio updates. 5 p.m. Agenda.

-Nov. 6: Bring your own ... horse... to The Farm's free grand opening trail ride. Hours: 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Free entry, free food, guided trail ride. Details

-Holt joins Rome Internal Medicine (Floyd Primary Care Network). Health

-Model Ruritan Club donates bears to Floyd County Sheriff's Office. Click

-Weekend events: Chiaha, Peach State, concerts and more. Click

-Halloween Headlines: Events get under way this weekend. Click

Football updates

-Tonight by 10:30: Our easy-to-find high school football scores.

-Below: John McClellan's high school picks for tonight.

-Below: Norman's No-Nos: 15 bona fide losers this weekend.

-Below: Shorter vs. Cumberland, Ky.--in Cobb County.

Your latest forecast:

-Friday: High of 77, low of 39.

-Saturday:  High of 78, low of 48.
-Sunday: High of 77, low of 57. 40% chance of rain.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's sports commentary. Click 

-LSU-Auburn will be a slobber-knocker; Oklahoma's reign is short-lived. 

John McClellan's week nine high school football picks. Click

-Darlington over Trion / Rockmart over Armuchee

-Pepperell over Coosa / Adairsville beats Model

-Christian Heritage beats Unity / Calhoun beats Dade

-Cartersville over Cedartown / Sonoraville over L-FO

-Chattooga over Gordon Central / Chattahoochee thumps Cass

-N. Whitfield over Woodland /Rome is off this week

Georgia High School Football Daily's post-season picks. Details

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Oct. 23, at Harrison High, vs. Cumberland, Ky. 1:30 p.m. Preview

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert.  

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

Model Ruritan Club donates bears to Floyd County Sheriff's Office

The Model Ruritan Club recently donated 'Rudy Bears' to the Floyd County Sheriff's Department to be given to children who the deputies come in contact with during their duties. Ruritan Clubs all across the country donate thousands of these stuffed bears each year to law enforcement, hospitals, DFACS, and fire departments to help children cope with stressful situations. Pictured above (L-R) are: K9 Unit Deputy Jimmy Allred, Ruritan member Shelton Matthews, Deputy Tom Caldwell, Ruritan member Jack Stover, Ruritan member Charles Browder, Deputy Dawn Casey, Rudy (Ruritan member Les Hopper), and in front : Champ, the K9 Drug enforcement dog. Below: Charles Browder holds some of the Rudy Bears while Champ and Rudy become friends.

Double dose of good news on jobs: first-time claims drop, number of Rome/Floyd jobs rise. Latest on Arby's return.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

Surprising double-dose of good news on local labor trends

-Rome/Floyd picks up 800 jobs in September vs. same month last year

-Region's first-time unemployment insurance claims drop sharply.

-But state's jobless rate in September, 10%, unchanged from August. Click

With the Pierre Foods plant closing in Rome in August and Mohawk's idling the spun yarn plant in Cartersville, local employment trends were expected to sink yet again. The closings took nearly 600 jobs out of the market, and that didn't count for the CCH Small Firm Services relocation to Kennesaw (nearly 350 more jobs lost).

Instead, Rome/Floyd saw an 800-job gain in September vs. the same month last year, boosting the local labor force estimate from 38,600 to 39,400.

Just as surprising: The number of people filing for first-time unemployment insurance benefits dropped both month-over-month and year-over-year in all five local counties and statewide.

	September	August	Sept. 2009	12-month %
Bartow	668	930	882	Down 24.3%
Chattooga	73	111	86	Down 15.1%
Floyd	713	1,283	1,017	Down 29.9%
Gordon	564	841	875	Down 35.5%
Polk	333	411	444	Down 25.0%
Georgia	57,146	70,264	66,614	Down 14.6%

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

Two Arby's in Rome, one in Rockmart reopen Friday: We should have official word on who's behind the reopening later today. Click Dining

-Also today: Public health restaurant inspection scores for NW Georgia.

-Wine News Vine: Upcoming tasting; updates from wineries. WNV

Tonight: Last candidates forum of the 2010 election season?

-With Tuesday's scheduled candidate forum by parks and rec now canceled, citing "numerous conflicts," tonight's forum sponsored by the Rome NAACP and Rome Tea Party appears to be the last one before election day, Nov. 2. The forum is at 6 p.m. at the Rome Civic Center with doors opening at 5 p.m.

-Latest update on other political meetings, rallies. Click.

-Candidate profiles for state House, Senate, commission seats. Click

Watch out for Saturday traffic, especially Riverside Parkway, Bypass:

-Another huge weekend is brewing in Greater Rome and you might see traffic become a bit of headache from them. On Saturday, the Chiaha Harvest Festival opens at Ridge Ferry Park (10 a.m. until 5 p.m.) It historically draws a solid crowd both Saturday and Sunday. Also Saturday: Montgomery Gentry plays at State Mutual Stadium with the parking lot opening at 11 a.m. (live music all day) and the gates opening at 4 p.m. Four local bands open for main act. And then, at Barron Stadium, the 37th edition of Peach State Marching Festival will be staged with activities beginning at 1 p.m. and continuing probably until 10 p.m.

Thursday's Buzz:

-Nov. 5: Overtime for chamber Expo's Business After Hours: Members of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce will have access to the Expo's extended Business After Hours preview this year. The hours are now 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets: $8 each. Details: Click here. Saturday: The community hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Forum. Admission: $5 for adults; kids 6 and under, free.

-Oct. 30: The Coosa River Basin Initiative will host a 12-mile paddle on the Etowah and Coosa rivers from Grizzard Park on the Etowah to Lock and Dam Park on the Coosa River. The "Fall Foliage Paddle" takes adventurers through the heart of downtown Rome and on to the historic lock and dam. Click

-Nov. 13: The Ninth Annual CRBI-Northwest Georgia Credit Union Fish Fry & Green Expo is at Rome First United Methodist Church in Downtown Rome. The meal will feature fried catfish filets, hushpuppies, cole slaw, cheese grits, tea and homemade desserts. Advance tickets are $8 for regular plates and $5 for small fries in advance and can be purchased online or at the following locations: CRBI in Downtown Rome, Kroger in East Rome, Lavender Mountain Hardware in Armuchee or Cedar Creek Park in Cave Spring. The Green Expo will feature exhibits about environmentally friendly consumer products and games.  Details

-Oct. 23: 37th Annual Peach State Marching Festival ready for Barron

The 37th annual Peach State Marching Festival will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the historic Barron Stadium in Rome. Peach State is the longest continuously running marching band festival in Georgia. Details

-Nov. 15: Common Ground Autism Support Group meets from 7 until 8:30 p.m., First Baptist Church Community Room. Join us for fellowship, laughter and learning. Please bring a dessert to share. No childcare provided. Details: Jennifer Bressette at 706-346-4769 or by e-mail: mombto4@comcast.net

-Oct. 28: Evening with The Cracker Queen, Lauretta Hannon, at the DeSoto to benefit the Free Clinic of Rome.  Details

-Darlington student Virginia Summer, 15, heard that the Dalai Lama was visiting Emory University and took the needed steps to ensure she had a chance to experience him in person. Michelle Picon reports. Details.

-Oct. 25: Synovus, parent company of Citizens First Bank in Rome and GB & T in Calhoun and Cartersville, to announce third quarter results. Click

Your latest forecast:

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 80, low of 39.

-Friday: High of 77, low of 42.

-Weekend: Upper 70s, lows in the 50s. Some rain.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Norman Arey's sports commentary. Click 

-Olympic hopefuls, beware of mail enhancement products; Tiger gives up only $110 million.

John McClellan's week nine high school football picks. Click

-This week's winners include:

-Darlington over Trion / Rockmart over Armuchee

-Pepperell over Coosa / Adairsville beats Model

-Christian Heritage beats Unity / Calhoun beats Dade

-Cartersville over Cedartown / Sonoraville over L-FO

-Chattooga over Gordon Central / Chattahoochee thumps Cass

-N. Whitfield over Woodland /Rome is off this week

Darlington at Trion, Calhoun at Dade County among state's top 10 high school games this wee. Football Daily

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Oct. 23, at Harrison High, vs. Cumberland, Ky. 1:30 p.m. Preview

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert.  

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.

700 new jobs tied to Bartow-Toyo Tire proposal. Restaurant rollercoaster continues. Key Bypass parcel listed. Cowboys in Cartersville.

Please click www.hometownheadlines.com:

700 new Toyo jobs possible with 'inducements' offered by Bartow development authority to growing tire maker: As many as 700 additional jobs over the next decade are possible thanks to an "inducement" package being offered by the Bartow-Cartersville Joint Development Authority to Toyo Tire, the owner of a sprawling--and successful--tire manufacturing plant in White outside of Cartersville. It would boost total employment to 1,350 people by 2020. Click Bartow Headlines

Bypass/Riverside corner lot offered for $750,000:

-What appears to be the one-time home of a proposed medical arts building is now listed on LoopNet.  The commercial real estate site lists 2.1 acres available for $750,000. Says the ad: "Excellent location for restaurant, fast food or sit down. Possible drugstore site." It once was home to the Feed Mill. It is considered a hot spot as development continues at the nearby Riverside Professional Park plus the new Armuchee Connector's terminus across the highway. Details

Restaurant roller coaster continues:

-First we saw three local Arby's close suddenly in Rome and Rockmart. Last week, it was the longtime home of Mrs. Winners in Cartersville. This week, it is the Martha Berry site of Mrs. Winners as well as the original home of Bella Roma as the owners focus on the 11-month-old Bella Roma Grill at State Mutual Stadium. Even The Three Rivers Club at the ballpark is closed for renovations. On the way: Mi Alazan at Central Plaza, a new Opi's Roadhouse in Shannon and Mellow Mushroom in downtown. Click Dining.

5,000-plus due at four-day Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium: -Concerts, lectures, exhibits, vendors and a Sunday morning "Cowboy Church" are part of the eighth annual celebration at the Booth Western Art Museum in downtown Cartersville Thursday through Sunday. A closer look: Click

GOP candidates' statewide bus tour adds Rome stops:

-Sunday: Look for three statewide candidates (Deal, Cagle, Black) at Floyd GOP Headquarters next to Kroger.

-Monday: Four candidates (Deal, Olens, Kemp, Black) for coffee at Great Harvest, : 606 Broad St., 7 to 7:30 a.m.

-More politics.  Click

Wednesday's Buzz:

-More than 1,300 people attended the recent events of 'Roosevelt Days: Bringing 100 Years of History to Life at Berry College.' Click

-Shorter University's juried student art exhibit opened today and will continue through Nov. 5. The exhibit features several mediums. Shorter

-GNTC's President's and Dean's List for Summer Quarter 2010. Click

-Now on Facebook: Georgia's Department of Transportation. Click

-Parks & Recreation Authority to host the USTA National/Regional Junior Championship scheduled for Oct. 29-31, 2011. RFPRA

-Shorter University opens museum on campus to house all of Shorter's historical collections and artifacts. Details

-Oct. 21-24: Shorter University's opera theatre will present 'La Canterina' by Joseph Haydn, 'La Divina' by Thomas Pasatieri. Shorter

Your latest forecast:

-Wednesday: High of 76, 50% rain chance. Low of 39

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 80, low of 40.

-Extended forecast: Click / Regional radar: Click

Friday night predictions from Georgia High School Football Daily

Norman Arey's sports commentary. Click 

-Basketball season may be a welcome relief at the University of Georgia.

John McClellan's week nine high school football picks. Click

-This week's winners include:

-Darlington over Trion / Rockmart over Armuchee

-Pepperell over Coosa / Adairsville beats Model

-Christian Heritage beats Unity / Calhoun beats Dade

-Cartersville over Cedartown / Sonoraville over L-FO

-Chattooga over Gordon Central / Chattahoochee thumps Cass

-N. Whitfield over Woodland /Rome is off this week

Friday night predictions from Georgia High School Football Daily

Shorter Hawks football. Hawks

-Next up: Oct. 23, at Harrison High, vs. Cumberland, Ky. 1:30 p.m.

Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium. Click Sports

-Oct. 23: Montgomery Gentry concert.  

-Nov. 12: Braves Celebrity Shootout golf match.