Hometown Headlines

Receiver takes control of Mount Berry Square; 'mall open for business'

Mount Berry Square remains in full operation as the property moves into the hands of a court-appointed receiver, Jones Lang LaSalle. The company will work with the local team to assess what's next including a possible sale> Business

2 to 4 inches of rain on the way; flood watch Tuesday, Wednesday

-Tonight: 100% chance of showers. Low around 54.

-Tuesday: Occasional showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 68. South wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
-Tuesday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 48. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
-Click WeatherCenter

Rome's Wendy Davis to manage Poythress' gubernatorial campaign:

Wendy Davis, a 20-year veteran of Democratic campaigns, has been named manager of David Poythress' bid to be Georgia's next governor. Davis, who has managed several local campaigns and was involved in the Rome Braves' baseball SPLOST, most recently served as National Field and Training Director for 21st Century Democrats and was a senior political staff member for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's presidential campaign. A Georgia native, she is a state committee member, former president of the Young Democrats of Georgia and active with the Floyd County Democrats. Davis has worked around for notable Democrats such as secretaries of state Max Cleland, Lewis Massey and Cathy Cox; Congressman Sanford Bishop; state Sen. Steve Henson; and former Atlanta City Council Member Doug Alexander. (Photo courtesy of the Floyd County Democratic Party Web site)

NAIA impact assessment under way: From Ann Hortman: The Convention & Visitors Bureau utilizes economic impact numbers provided by DMAI to determine the overall economic impact on Rome/Floyd County. Since the NAIA Football National Championship Game was a new event, and seemed to impact the downtown area significantly, we wanted to take our tracking methods one step further. We're asking downtown merchants to provide us with their testimonials – from percentage of increase over last year’s sales for one day; to traffic counts inside their businesses; to their experience with the visitors -- which would reflect our greatest asset, "Southern Hospitality." Contact Hortman at: ann@romegeorgia.org

Former Attorney General Griffin Bell dies: From his days practicing at the Rome law firm now known as McRae, Stegall, Peek, Harman, Smith and Manning LLP to serving the country as attorney general during Jimmy Carter's presidency, Griffin B. Bell is being remembered today for his many contributions> AJC

>"Those of us who knew him, admired him greatly. Those of us who worked with him, revered him. All of us will miss the humor, charm and civility of our dear, dear friend Griffin Bell." -- Robert D. Hays Jr., chair, King & Spalding

>Read Griffin Bell's biography> Text

- Coaching: Smith's close win; Jagodzinski's close call; Cowher's close enough on TV. For more, click Arey

-Updates sought on NAIA game's business results; Downtown Development Authority meets Thursday; rodeo to round up 5,000> Downtown

-Three-Dot Buzz, political edition: Two chairs by the name of Lumsden? ... Another term for Wright? ... Preston Smith: running again in 2010....

-Northwest Georgia's boom in cancer care services: New alliance for clinical studies, expanded care, coordinator highlight growth

-Looking for a pet? Check the Rome-Floyd County Humane Society: To see who's available for adoption, click Hometown Mobile

On the radio: Listen to The Business Buzz each Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. on Talk Radio WLAQ 1410 AM and at 8:35 a.m. on 95.7 The Ridge. Both stations offer Web casts until 9 each morning, and for sporting events.

>In Bartow County, you can hear Web casts of news and sporting events from WBHF 1450 AM on www.bartowheadlines.com.

-'Rome, Ga, Facebook Directory' at 650 members: The popular social media network has a booming group of users in Rome/Floyd County. Hometown Headlines has created a Rome directory group open to all. Add your name: Rome, Ga., Facebook Directory

-The Rome, Ga., Facebook Business Directory: Add your business's Facebook address to the list> Business

- Join HometownHeadlines.com's Linked In group: We're forming a network of local professionals and other colleagues interested in community topics. The group is open to all. Click Hometown

Wachovia Securities Stock Market News, Commentary: Check the latest from Wall Street and commentary updated three times each business day from Wachovia Securities>Market News

Hometown Headlines posts headlines and links to the state's top business stories by Georgia Trend and Georgia Daily Digest by 9 each morning.

King weekend observances announced for Rome: Four days of events are set in Rome to mark the birthday of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Source: MLK Commission of Rome and Floyd County.

>Friday, Jan. 16: The M.L.K. Commission of Rome and Northwest Georgia will be hosting its annual King Celebration Weekend. The Celebration begins on Friday evening with “From the Outhouse to the Whitehouse,” an original production written and directed by Mrs. Willie Mae Samuel. The play will be held at the City Auditorium and will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

>Saturday, Jan. 17: At 8:15 a.m. at the Berry College, Krannert Center Ballroom, Rome, will be the annual Prayer Breakfast. Tickets $10.00 each, tables (seat nine) are also available for $90.00, and are available at Kroger East. The speaker for the morning will be Reverend Stephen Samuel. Reverend Samuel is currently Pastor of the Historic St. John Baptist Church of Gainesville, Georgia. Rev. Samuel is a native of Rome. Reverend Samuel attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he obtained a B.A. degree in African American Studies. He is married to Helen Triscilla Cosby and they have one child, Paris Simone. Berry College will host a Talent Show at 4 p.m. in the Ford Auditorium.

>Sunday, Jan. 18: Sunday’s ecumenical services will be held at the North Baptist Church, 1309 N. Broad Street, Rome Georgia at 5 p.m. The speaker will be Rev. Macie B. King, pastor of St. Marks United Methodist Church.

>Monday, Jan. 19: Monday will begin with the annual Freedom March. We ask participants to assemble at 11:00 am at the corner of Broad and 1st. The march will begin at 11:30am and proceed to the Rome City Auditorium where the noon Martin Luther King Celebration will be held. The speaker for the program will be Reverend Joseph Stafford Rowser, Jr. The weekend will culminate with a free lunch at the Rome Civic Center following the noon celebration program.

>For additional information please contact Alvin Jackson, chairman of the M.L.K. Commission of Rome and NW GA at 706-235-7415 or 706-346-7202.

Tuesday/County holds budget hearings: The Floyd County Board of Commissioners will hold budget hearings on Tuesday at 8 a.m. in the Commissioner’s Caucus Room, located on the 2nd floor of the County Administration Building, 12 E. Fourth Ave.

Tuesday/Adult ed registration set: New student registration and assessment for winter quarter for the Adult Education Program at Glenwood School will be held on Jan. 6 at 8:30 a.m. Adult Basic Education and preparation for the GED Test for high school equivalency are offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until noon. Students must be at least 18 years of age and officially withdrawn from school. Special enrollment is available for 16 and 17 years olds under the guidelines of the Technical College System of Georgia, Office of Adult Education. There is no tuition required, and instructional materials and computer lab are available to students. Transition services for GED Graduates to Coosa Valley Technical College or other postsecondary education or training are available. For information or to reserve a space for new student registration and assessment, call 706-295-6917 (CVTC) or 706-236-1855 (Glenwood—ask for the Adult Education Center).

Tuesday/WGPB's 'The Issue' returns: State Rep. Katie Dempsey joins WGPB’s John Sepulvado, Rome Bureau Chief and host of The Issue, beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday on .WGPB 97.7 FM. Audio from the program will be posted at www.gpb.org/wgpb by 2 p.m. Tuesd

Wednesday/Development Authority of Floyd County meets: The meeting begins at 8 a.m. in the offices of McRae, Stegall, Peek, Harman, Smith and Manning LLP, 100 E. Second Ave., third floor.

Thursday/Downtown Development Authority board meeting, 8:30 a.m., , Carnegie Training Room.

Now-Friday: Christmas at Chieftains, the holiday exhibit at Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home, is now on display through Jan. 9. See Christmas trees decorated in the style of different eras of the Chieftains' house. From the beginning in the early 1800. The Ridge Years, Civil War, Victorian, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. There also will be period toys on display. Chieftains is open Tuesday - Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and $1.50 for students. For information, call 706 291-9494 or visit our web site at www.chieftainsmuseum.org

Saturday, Sunday: Auditions for Gypsy set: Audition times are 2 p.m. (children 10 to 13; parts for five boys and three girls who can sing and dance) and 6 p.m. (ages 14 through adult, some singing and dancing) both days at DeSoto Theatre. The show runs March 27, 28 and 29, and from April 3, 4 and 5> RLT

Saturday/Trail of Tears membershp meeting: The Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association will hold its first membership meeting of 2009 at the Funk Heritage Center on Jan. 10. It begins at 10:30 a.m. and will start with a presentation by Erin L. Andrews. The Funk Heritage Center is on the campus of Reinhardt College in Waleska,. The chapter Web site is www.gatrailoftears.org. For more, contact Linda Baker at 770-704-6338 or at badnil@alltel.net.

-Jan 11: The Dark Knight PG-13 152 mins
-Jan 18: Eagle Eye PG-13 118 mins
-Jan 25: Wall-E G 97 mins

Jan. 14/ The Etowah Valley Women's Connection will be Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Governor's House in Kingston from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The theme is "A Quilting Bee" with quilts by Barbara Scribner and Rae Kindland. Music will be by Beth McFarland. Speaker will be Jill McGahan, St. Simons Island. Call Mary at 770-336-5356 to make reservations. Luncheon is $15; cmplimentary childcare provided.

Jan. 14/Special evening for women at First Presbyterian Church: An evening with nationally known speaker and Bible teacher Lisa Harper and multiple Dove Award winner and Grammy-nominated singer Kim Hill at First Presbyterian Church, Rome, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Open to all women. Details

Jan. 12-23/Rome Area Council for the Arts presents Drawings and Paintings by Elizabeth Harbin. The opening reception is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at RACA.

Jan. 30-31/Grant writing workshop set: Greater Rome Area Community Enterprises Inc. and Trinity Group Consultants LLC present a federal grant writing workshop on Jan. 30-31 at Lovejoy Baptist Church. The classes include the ins and outs of the grant writing process as well as other options for non-profits. The cost is $125 per person with discounts for groups of three or more. Hours: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. both days. The church is at 436 Branham Ave.. Light refreshments provided. To register or for more information, please call 706-232-1917.

Feb. 9/Dan Cathy of Chick-fil-A to speak at Berry's Executive Round Table dinner: Berry College's Spring Executive Round Table Dinner will feature Dan Cathy, president and chief operating officer of Chick-fil-A Inc. The fall round table dinner featured Maureen Schumacher, a senior sales executive with Google.

March 2/Gary Tillman, Ken Irvin, Jim Van Es latest inductees to sports hall of fame: The Rome Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority Board unanimously voted to induct three new members into the Sports Hall of Fame: the late Gary Tillman for Amateur Athlete; Ken Irvin for Professional Athlete; and Jim Van Es for Lifetime Achievement. The induction banquet is March 2> Details

Kiwanis Club meetings: Members meet Mondays at The Forum in the first floor ballroom from noon to 1 p.m. Click Kiwanis.

-Jan. 5: Dr. Gordon Carper, Professor of History Emeritus, Berry College, “Contested Elections”

-Jan. 12: Dr. Peter Lawler, Professor of Government and International Studies, Berry College, “Bioethics and the President’s Committee”

Noon Optimists' meetings: The Noon Optimist Club of Rome meets on Mondays at 11:45 a.m. at Bistro 239. The public is welcome. For more information, please e-mail noonoptimists@comcast.net

Toastmasters meet twice a month: The Rome Toastmasters meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6 p.m. at the library. Web site E-mail

Humane Society meets second Thursday of each month: The meetings begin at 7 p.m. at the office at 518 Broad St. Everyone is welcome. Also: The Humane Society needs volunteers. The all-volunteer staff has improved conditions for pets in our county for 15 years. Many opportunities exist. Please call 234-7979.

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