Floyd Healthcare Foundation launches $3 million campaign; Relay for Life tonight

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Floyd Healthcare Foundation launches $3 million campaign to raise money for the expansion and relocation of The Breast Center at Floyd. A number of community leaders, including Chairman Gardner Wright and Vice Chair Kay Chumbler, have been tapped to lead the fundraising efforts. Expanded services include additional capabilities for the mobile mammography unit along with the planned expansion of services as The Breast Center relocates to the third floor of the Harbin Clinic Cancer Center currently under construction.> Floyd

And speaking of cancer, the Floyd County Relay for Life rolls "Under the Big Top" tonight at Ridge Ferry Park. The weather looks to be clear with temps dropping to upper 30's tonight for the more than 1000 participants expected  to walk the track all night to raise money for the American Cancer Society. More than 350 cancer survivors are expected to be honored, including 12 Honorary Chairs from various public and emergency services in Rome and Floyd County. As of Thursday night, $78,851 had been raised towards the $190,000 goal.> Schedule

Rome Braves rained out; Pete Van Wieren to throw "first pitch" April 16

The rain followed the Braves from Rome to Kannapolis, raining out their first game of the season. The teams will square off in a double-header on Friday beginning at 6 p.m. Radio coverage available on 95.5 FM The Ridge. The Braves have announced that Pete Van Wieren, legendary "Voice of the Braves" for 33 years, will throw out the "first pitch" at their home opener next Friday, April 16.> Sports                  Photo:  A baseball wet fan in Kannapolis (Photo by Mills Fitzner)    

Friday's Buzz:

-Second Annual Great Spaghetti Challenge benefitting the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth is today from 5-7:30 p.m. at The Forum.

-Floyd County Schools is first public school system in country to earn Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Green Building Certification.> Release

-"March to the Mailbox": a census awareness event will be held Saturday from 11-1 p.m. at the South Rome Boys and Girls Club. The free event sponsored by the Rome-Floyd County Complete County Committee (CCC) will include children's activites, music, entertainment and free lunch. Several community leaders and census staff will be on-hand to encourage residents to complete their census forms.

-Latest restaurant inspection scores> Dining Guide

Weather Forecast: Beautiful weekend with more spring-like temps

-Friday: Sunny, high of 69.

-Friday Night: Mostly clear, low of 35.

-Saturday: Sunny, high of 73.

-Saturday Night: Low of 41

-Sunday: Sunny, high of 77. Low of 42.

-Extended forecast> Click  / Regional radar

-Pollen count: 1,941> Atlanta Allergy

Weekend Events:

-April 10/Unity Christian School will hold an Open House from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Grades 2-12 can visit the school at 2960 Calhoun Highway and for Pre-K3 through 1st grade, visit the campus at 95 Burton Road> Unity

-April 10/The Berry College Baseball team will be collecting donations for the family of Berry alumnus Shane Richardson during Saturday's home baseball doubleheader with Auburn-Montgomery. First pitch is 1 p.m. at Bowdoin Field.

-April 10/Rome Band Boosters' 'Night of Dreams': The 17th annual "Night of Dreams," sponsored by the Rome Band Boosters, will be held on Saturday, April 10 at the Forum. The formal dinner-dance features live jazz, silent auction and lively dance floor. Admission is $20 per ticket. Tickets are available from any band member or by calling Lynn Grindstaff at 706-378-9962.

-April 10-11/Rome Little Theatre will hold auditions for "Broadway Spectacular III", directed by Don Rusaw, on April 10 from 12-4 p.m. and on April 11 from 2-5 p.m.

-April 11/The Berry College Concert Choir will hold its annual spring concert this Sunday, April 11, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Berry College Chapel. Admission is free and open to the public.

-April 11/Three Rivers Singers present Mozart: Rome's community chorus, The Three Rivers Singers, will present a concert entitled "Mozart" on Sunday at 4 P.M., at Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, 101 E. Fourth Ave.

-Complete list of Downtown Happenings from Bryan Mullins> Downtown

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Does the Masters really belong in this century? Spurrier means business

Follow The Masters live from your office computer. Click www.masters.com

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Rome Braves' single-game tickets on sale: Ticket prices remain the same: $10, $8,. $6 and $4. Home opener: April 16 vs. Savannah.> Sports

-Braves announced 2010 promotional schedule.

April 17/The Rome Baseball Dugout Club will be hosting a series of JV Baseball games beginning at noon behind the levy at Legion Field. These games will be played in memory of 1974 West Rome High School Baseball standout Gary Ivester. A dedication ceremony will take place at 11:30 and a sign will placed at the field in Gary's memory. Gary's son will throw out the first pitch and several of Gary's teammates and coaches will be present. The Dugout Club would like to invite all former West Rome, East Rome and Rome Baseball players to join us for an afternoon of baseball. Admission is $5 and each ticket is worth a free hot dog!