Hometown Headlines

Weekend Weather/More rain due today, tonight

-Today: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 52. West wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
-Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind around 5 mph.
-Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. West wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
-Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
-Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
-Extended forecast> Click / Regional radar

Weekend Updates

-2010 Home & Garden Expo at Forum Saturday, Sunday> Downtown

-7th Annual Cowboy Gathering at Booth museum, Cartersville> Bartow

-Easter Bunny arrives at Mount Berry Square today.

-Saturday's Shorter College baseball contest with Emmanuel College has been moved up to noon. Also, because of the threat of inclement weather in the area, the Military Appreciation event that was scheduled for Saturday has been moved to April 17 vs. Lee University. The Hawks will still close out their three-game set with the Lions with a Sunday, March 14, double-header at 1 p.m.

-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores> Scores

-Wine News Vine: Fifth Annual Wine Highway Weekend begins today. Ten wineries, tastings for $20 in North Georgia> Wine News Vine

Tonight's PowerBall jackpot: $200 million> Details

Steak N Shake coming to Rome in July:

-Restaurant will rise off Turner McCall following removal of former Johnny Carino's site> Dining

-Johnny's changes opening date; service begins Monday> Click

Weekend Buzz:

-Harbin Clinic gets high satisfaction ratings from its patients> Health

-Special dinner-and-a show (My Fair Lady) to benefit DeSoto> Downtown

-Berry College Student Recognized by Am. Marketing Association> Berry

-April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia has scheduled the several awareness events> Click

-March 20 'Egg Stand' to honor founder Sherrie Lanier Bacon> Buzz

-Floyd Physical Therapy & Rehab coming to Cedartown> Health

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Tebow doesn't wow 'em with test score; no marque game for Georgia Tech this fall.

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Rome Braves' single-game tickets go on sale Saturday, March 20: The box office opens at 10 a.m.; ticket prices remain the same: $10, $8,. $6 and $4> Sports

-Braves announced 2010 promotional schedule.

-Redneck Rummage Sale at State Mutual Stadium March 20> Click

Registration is under way for the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority Adult Softball Spring League. Team fee is $305 and player fee is $20. Teams will receive a dozen softballs. Leagues are forming for Men’s Open, Men’s Church, Women’s Open and Co-Ed Open. Divisions offered are Unlimited, 1-up HR, and No HR Limits. The season starts April 12 and runs through May 13. The deadline for registration is Thursday, April 1. Register your team at the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority at 300 W. Third St. All teams participating in spring league are eligible to play in the 2010 GRPA 5th District Adult Softball Tournament May 31 – June 12. Visit rfpra.com for additional league information or contact Sports Coordinator, Rick Haase, rhaase@rfpra.com, 706.291.0766.

Cycling/Deloitte title sponsor of National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s first cicycle fundraising ride from Atlanta to Athens April 10-11> Click

-Wine Highway Weekend just about here. Plus: North Georgia wineries have a huge spring planned: Easter brunch, blessing of the vines, Earth Day.

-Blood Assurance, the non-profit regional blood center, will host a blood drive on Tuesday, March 16, and Thursday, March 18, Floyd Medical Center will host blood drives from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. All donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Visitors at any blood drive during the month of March can register for an earth-friendly gift basket containing household items. All donors will receive a complimentary snack and T-shirt.

March 15 deadline to join Rome Floyd Spring into Peace effort: The Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Northwest Georgia is looking for local groups to show their support for a peaceful community. For the first time, the commission has been working on “Rome Floyd Spring into Peace,” a month-long endeavor set for April. The mission: To make Rome/Floyd County a peaceful community through respectful dialogue, inclusiveness and love. There will be four weekly themes: hunger; housing and shelter; nonviolence; and interfaith dialogue and cultural awareness. More than 50 community groups have signed on as supporters for the event. There is no fee; it is simply a way to show your support for a peaceful community. The calendar deadline for this year’s event is March 15. Your group’s name will be listed on the printed calendar if received by this date. Individuals and groups can visit the Support Rome Floyd Spring into Peace Facebook page or email/call Ruth Demeter, chair, at rdemeter@comcast.net or 706-295-4154.

CRBI sets spring paddles, March 20 and March 27. (Click dates for details)

Library's free Sunday movies return: Showtime is 2 p.m. in the Coosa Room. Drinks and popcorn: 50 cents each:

Army Reserve Capt. Chris Parker's journey to Iraq: Track the Rome teacher as he deploys for service in Iraq> Capt. Parker

Hometown Headlines has created Rome Business Links, a new group directly linking Northwest Georgia business owners an operators with others in our market who also use Linked In. This group is open to all and is designed as a fast-reference directory. It is designed to serve as a "hub" for local Linked In users, much the same way as our Rome, Ga., Facebook Directory, which now has close to 2,400 members> Click

-March 15/Floyd County Conservative Party organizational meeting, 7-8:30 p.m., Fuddruckers, Riverside Parkway and the Bypass. The Georgia Conservative Party will be holding a meeting in Rome to discuss the formation of a local chapter for Floyd County. This event is open to anyone who is interested in getting in on the ground floor of this new political party. You will learn more about the American Conservative Party> Facebook

'The Druck Report' local business update now on WRGA: Local business news, updates and analysis can be heard each weekday at 7:40 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. on WRGA 1470 AM. The program delivers a different perspective on current and upcoming business reports found on Hometown Headlines each day. Retail, restaurants, residential and commercial real estate, banks and credit unions, healthcare, tourism, colleges, media and sports/business will anchor our reports. Please join us for The Druck Report.

Bartow Headlines on WBHF 1450 AM: You can hear Web casts of news and sporting events from WBHF 1450 AM on www.bartowheadlines.com.

-'Rome, Ga, Facebook Directory' at 2,400 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

Join Hometown Headlines' 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

-April 3: Benefit Concert with KneckDown: Rome City Auditorium 7 p.m. Come join the Sexual Assault Center and KneckDown as we kick office Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. All proceeds go to benefit the Center and victims of sexual violence.

-April 9, 16: Jeans for Justice Event. Your organization can pay a small price to wear Jeans on either of these Fridays. All proceeds go to benefit the Sexual Assault Center. The event is to help bring awareness of sexual assault. For more information or to be a participating agency, contact the Center at 706-292-9024.

-April 29: Take Back the Night Annual Speak Out. This year’s Speak Out will be held at the Rotary Plaza at the Forum starting at 7 p.m.and will be the close of our sexual assault awareness events.

-Throughout the Month: Clothesline project at Rome Library, Mount Berry square, Berry College and Georgia Highlands College.

March 13/Model High School classes of 1966, '67 and '68 are planning a class reunion for this summer. If you graduated with these classes and would like to help with planning, please attend the next meeting on Saturday March 13, at the Landmark Restaurant at 11:45 a.m. Also, if you were a member of these classes or were a teacher, we share your contact information. Contact Eddie Couch at 706-266-5988 or by e-mail to Sandy Rickman Davis at nananonsense@comcast.net

March 13/Roman Martial Arts will be hosting the fifth Free Women's Self-defense Seminar at two times: 9-11 a.m. and noon-2 p.m. The seminar will cover personal safety and awareness. RSVP at 706-235-1212.

March 13/Saint Mary's School open house from 3-5 p.m. Saint Mary's School will host it's spring Open House this Sunday from 3-5 pm. Personal tours of the school will be given, complete with special activities for the children. Information about financial aid and the new G.R.A.C.E. Scholarship program will be available. No RSVP is necessary. Contact Admissions Director Christa Jackson for more information. (706) 234-4953 ext. 15 > Click

March 16/Redmond Regional's Living Well With Heart Failure: The seminar will include an overview of what heart failure is and will include portions on nutrition, treatment options and tips for attaining quality of life with heart failure. The seminar will be held at Redmond Regional Medical Center from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch will be provided. The event is open to the public and is free of charge. Rreservations: 800-242-5662 or sign up online at news and events.

March 18/Medal of Honor winner and NBC military analyst Jack Jacobs will be the seventh speaker in Darlington School’s annual Class of 1953 Lectureship Series. He will address students, faculty and alumni at 9:15 a.m. in Morris Chapel> Details

March 18/Latest information/open house on 411 Connector: The Cartersville Civic Center once again is site of a DOT open house on the 411 Connector. The hours are 4-7 p.m. For more, click DOT.

March 19/Armuchee Baptist Church will host its 12th annual Wild Game Supper for Rome/Floyd County community on Friday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Armuchee Baptist Church Christian Life Center with inspirational speaker, David Crain. Advance tickets are available for a donation of $10 or $15 at the event. Guests will have the opportunity to register to win a shotgun donated by McGuire, Jennings & Miller funeral home. This meal is open to the public. Please call Glenn Clonts at 706-766-3018 for more information or to make reservations.

March 19-21/Rome Georgia Mineral Society presents 32nd Annual Valley & Ridge Gem and Mineral Show at The Forum on March 19-21. Free admission to the event featuring minerals, gems, fossils, jewelry, crystals, demonstrations, exhibits and door prizes. Event open 10am-6pm on Friday, Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday

March 20/The American Red Cross will be offering a free CPR and First Aid training from 8:30am to Noon at their office on John Maddox Drive in Rome. To register, call 706-291-6648.

March 22/Baritone Phillip Dothard will perform at Shorter College as part of the college's Guest Artist Series. The concert will take place inside Brookes Chapel at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public free of charge.

March 23/Chamber's Business Effectiveness Workshop Series set: The goal of the workshop is to " Maximize Your Business Effectiveness & Efficiency by Understanding the Interrelated Systems." The instructor is Tony Daniel, president of Alexis International business consulting firm. Details> Click

March 26/Capella, the award-winning concert choir of Calvin College (Mich.), will perform at Darlington’s Morris Chapel at 7:30 p.m.> Click

March 27/2010 Women's Expo returns to Cartersville: The latest Women’s Expo is set for Saturday, March 27, at the Cartersville Civic Center, sponsored by Coosa Valley Credit Union along with Georgia Power, Plant Bowen. The line-up: Learn about products and services that will help you look and feel better; examine career choices; sample a “Taste of Bartow;” and try your luck on the door prizes. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Red Cross office, 320 W. Cherokee Ave., Suite 109. Call 770-382-0981. Advance ticket holders will be entered into a special door prize drawing. For more, e-mail karonmauney@comcast.net.

March 30/Rome Area History Museum hosts Mother/Daughter Celebration of Spring Tea at 3 p.m. Enjoy tea, goodies and games with daughter, granddaughter or great-granddaughter. Free event for members and daughters. Other guests are $5 per mother/daughter duo. For more info, call 706-235-8051.

April 3/Unity Christian School will be selling Boston Butt BBQ seasoned with a dry rub and then slow smoked over night from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. April 3 at Unity's upper campus, 2960 New Calhoun Highway. The cost for one eight- to 10-pound Boston Butt is $25. Homemade BBQ sauce will also be on sale. Proceeds will go the UCS baseball team.

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. The concert will be dedicated to the memory of Pamela Gaylord Clarkson, who passed away on Feb. 28. “Miss Pam”, as she was called by her many piano students, was a founding member of the Three Rivers Singers and volunteered as accompanist from 2000 until 2008. The all-Mozart program, conducted by Music Director Suzanne Scott, will include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Coronation Mass”, “Ave Verum” and Laudate Dominum”. Organist Wanda Hillman and a string ensemble assembled by cellist Annie Camp will accompany the Mass and will also perform a quartet for piano and strings. Vocal soloists for the Mass will all be from Shorter College's music faculty: Kirsten Kunkle, soprano, Sherri Weiler, mezzo-soprano, Chuck Chandler, tenor and Matthew Hoch, bass. This concert is free and the public is cordially invited to attend. The Three Rivers Singers, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit volunteer organization and depends on donations to cover music and concert expenses. Your help is appreciated. Details: Lynn Todino at 706-232-7411 or www.threeriversingers.org

April 24/Annual Flapjack Fund-raiser to benefit Compassionate Paws: The special breakfast is $7.50 per person with the meal being served from 8 until 10 a.m. at Applebee's, 826 Turner McCall Blvd. See the ticket for details about redeeming it for $5 coupon at Applebee’s. If you would like to buy or sell tickets, please contact Heather Henderson at hhenderson@starrmathews.com or 706-291-0494.

May 1-2/Darlington School’s second Tri for the Kids Weekend set: An Olympic Distance Race for adults will take place Saturday, May 1, at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Rome, and the Tri for the Kids youth triathlon will take place Sunday, May 2, at 2:30 p.m. at Darlington School. All proceeds from both races will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Georgia’s South Rome location> Tri

May 2/Oak Hill and The Martha Berry Museum will partner with the Rome Area Council for the Arts to present “Arts in the Gardens at Oak Hill,” a special day of arts, music and garden events from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for the festival are $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for children 6 and under> Click

May7-8/The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority in partnership with Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce Stubb’s Bar-B-Q as the presenting sponsor for the Roman Roast on the River May 7-8> Click s

Kiwanis Club meetings: Members meet Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. at Bella Roma Grill. Click Kiwanis.

Noon Optimists' meetings: The Noon Optimist Club of Rome meets on Mondays at 11:45 a.m. at the Three Rivers Club at State Mutual Stadium. The public is welcome. For more: noonoptimists@comcast.net

-March 23: George Anderson, Executive Director of the Ethics in Government Group.

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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